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AFGHANISTAN

Soldier's death brings French toll in Afghanistan to 40

A French soldier was killed in Afghanistan when his supply convoy was attacked by insurgents near Kabul, President Nicolas Sarkozy's office said Tuesday. The soldier was the fortieth to have died in action since the US-led invasion in late 2001.

FRANCE

Senate examine police powers after teenage custody scandal

The French Senate tackled the thorny subject of police power Tuesday, following a hotly discussed case in which a 14-year-old student was taken into police custody for nine hours after her alleged involvement in a fight.

FRANCE

PM hands 'national identity' debate over to committee

Prime Minister François Fillon (left) said an "experts committee" would take over the debate on French national identity, bringing an end to months of public debate on the tricky and divisive issue.

DEFENCE

France defends decision to sell Russia amphibious warships

France defended its decision to sell Russia up to four amphibious assault ships Monday, despite US hesitation over the deal and vehement protest from the Baltic states.

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CHAD

Kidnapped French Red Cross worker is released

A French aid worker, Laurent Maurice, who was kidnapped in Chad last year has been released in good health after three months in captivity, a Red Cross official has confirmed.

MILITARY

France to send 80 soldiers to Afghanistan for training missions

The French defence minister, Hervé Morin, announced that Paris will send 80 military trainers to Afghanistan after the United States urged its NATO partners to send some 4,000 extra instructors to help build up the Afghan army and police force.

FRENCH POLITICS

IMF chief hints at running for presidency as poll shows edge over Sarkozy

Dominique Strauss-Kahn (pictured) told French radio Thursday he would consider running for the French presidency "in certain circumstances". A CSA poll suggested that the director of the IMF would defeat President Sarkozy by a margin of 52% to 48%.

FRANCE

Headscarf-wearing officer to appear before disciplinary committee

A female security agent in Paris who was suspended for wearing an Islamic headscarf on the job is set to appear before a disciplinary committee. The case comes on the heels of the French government's controversial efforts to ban full face veils.

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DIPLOMACY

France, Germany urge A400M military aircraft funding solution

France and Germany have called for an urgent solution to the funding crisis surrounding the A400M troop plane, Europe’s biggest military project, as Airbus resumed talks with government buyers.

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FRANCE

Leading Jewish organisation's shift to the right sparks controversy

The head of France’s main Jewish umbrella group, the CRIF, denied on Wednesday that his organisation had veered to the right, but some within CRIF are questioning this after recent controversial events.

FISHING

France to support ban on bluefin tuna trade

France will support an international ban on trade of bluefin tuna in 18 months, French media report, weeks before EU countries decide whether to back calls for the over-exploited fish to be officially listed as an endangered species.

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FRANCE

Train workers stage nationwide strikes against downsizing plans

Workers at France's national railway company SNCF began a strike late Tuesday to protest against nationwide downsizing plans. Two thirds of high-speed trains are expected to run, as well as 50% of regional trains.

FRANCE

Far-left party reveals ‘veiled’ female candidate

The veil issue has shown its face in French politics once again, after radical anti-capitalist fringe party the NPA revealed that one of its candidates (pictured) in forthcoming regional elections wears an Islamic headscarf.

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AVIATION

Ten years on, French court asks who's to blame for Concorde crash

US airline Continental and three French aviation officials went on trial outside Paris on Tuesday in connection with the July 2000 crash of an Air France Concorde leaving Charles de Gaulle airport in which 113 people died.

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