Latest news reports on FRANCE, French politics and culture

FRANCE

Hollande’s ethical diplomacy called into question

François Hollande has recently met with the controversial king of Bahrain and Gabon’s president - leaders accused of being repressive or corrupt. The meetings have not been kept secret, but have been discreet.

FRANCE

French speed cameras pull in multimillion cash haul

Speed cameras on French roads have been on the increase since they were introduced in 2003, nearly halving the number of driving fatalities and earning an astounding €700 million in fines. But despite the impressive numbers, not everyone is happy.

FRANCE

Suspected serial rapist arrested after French campsite attacks

FRANCE

France dismantles Roma camps, deports hundreds

French authorities expelled at least 200 Roma from their encampments near the northern city of Lille on Thursday, deporting many of them to Romania. The move comes a day after France's interior minister voiced concern about "unsanitary camps".

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ON THE BLOGS

Pets abandoned in their thousands: the dark side of summer in France

Summer is not a good time to be a pet in France. Between 60,000 and 100,000 furry creatures are abandoned every year when their owners go on holiday, according to animal welfare groups.

LONDON 2012 GAMES

French Olympic runner fails doping test

French runner Hassan Hirt failed a drug test and was removed from the squad at the London Olympic Games, a source in the French team said Friday. Hirt will now face a disciplinary investigation. Hirt was eliminated in the heats of the 5,000m race.

FRANCE

Church's 'Prayer for France' angers gay rights groups

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FRANCE

French swimmers denied chance to race through Paris

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FRANCE

France heading back towards recession

The Banque de France warned Wednesday that it expects France's GDP to contract by 0.1 percent in the third quarter, following a similar fall in the second quarter. If confirmed, it would officially bring the country into recession.

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France's new government

FRENCH ELECTIONS 2012

New French foreign minister faces baptism of fire
FRENCH ELECTIONS 2012

Hollande’s new Socialist cabinet in numbers
FRENCH ELECTIONS 2012

Hollande names longtime ally Ayrault as prime minister

SYRIA

Sarkozy urges international intervention in Syria

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy called for urgent foreign intervention in Syria Wednesday after speaking with Syrian opposition leader Abdulbaset Sieda, in an apparent attempt to increase pressure on French President François Hollande.

FRANCE

Alleged mafia chief gunned down in Corsican butcher

One of Corsica’s most infamous crime figures, Maurice Costa, was shot dead in his local butcher’s shop on Monday, police reported, in what they believe is a settling of scores between criminal gangs.

AFGHANISTAN

French soldier killed, another wounded in Afghanistan

A French soldier was killed and another was wounded during a joint operation with the Afghan army in Kapisa province, the French government confirmed on Tuesday. The number of French soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 88.

FRANCE - NATO

French air force chief named NATO supreme commander

A French air force commander will take over NATO’s US-based strategic command centre, it was announced on Monday. Air Force Gen. Jean-Paul Palomeros (pictured) was nominated for the post by French President François Hollande.

FRANCE

France to launch crackdown on 15 crime 'hot spots'

France’s Socialist government is to focus its crime crackdown on 15 of the country’s most blighted districts. Among the priority areas, revealed on Saturday, are neighbourhoods in Marseille and Paris as well as one of the country’s oldest towns.

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OLYMPIC GAMES 2012