France – News Stories About France - Page 104

Nov 19, 2007 10:33 AM CST

Noah's Flood Transformed Agriculture

Melting glaciers inundated Black Sea, scattered farmers

(Newser) - The real-life inspiration for the biblical flood may have been responsible for the widespread adoption of agriculture in Europe, according to a new study. About 8,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, ice sheets melted, causing massive flooding in the Black Sea basin. That forced...

French Strikes Head Into Day 6

Nov 19, 2007 4:43 AM CST

French Strikes Head Into Day 6

Some trains back in service as support for action flags

(Newser) - The French transport strike headed into its sixth day today, with the unions losing some steam but hoping to hold out until tomorrow, when they will be reinforced by a separate strike of civil servants, lawyers and magistrates. Exasperated French commuters found some relief, as diminishing numbers of strikers meant...

Transit Strike Infuriates French

Nov 15, 2007 9:23 AM CST

Transit Strike Infuriates French

Sarkozy gamble may pay off as waits out unpopular strike

(Newser) - Anti-union sentiment rose as France's deeply unpopular transit strike entered its second day today, with most service on the national railways and the Paris metro suspended. Evidence is mounting, Reuters reports, that Nicolas Sarkozy will win this round, with union leaders already hinting at compromise, though they have not yet...

Transit Strike Cripples France

Nov 14, 2007 10:19 AM CST

Transit Strike Cripples France

Unions seek exit from huge work action

(Newser) - In France, the biggest strike since Nicolas Sarkozy's election paralyzed transportation services from national rail to the Paris metro today. Massive traffic jams, long waits for the few subway trains running, and fleets of bicycles were in evidence in the first day of what is seen as a critical showdown...

French Rail Workers Strike

Nov 13, 2007 8:02 PM CST

French Rail Workers Strike

Utility workers, teachers, civil servants plan strikes too; Sarkozy vows to fight

(Newser) - French rail workers tested Sarkozy's mettle today by walking off the job in defense of their pensions, the BBC reports. Only 90 of France's 700 high-speed trains will run tomorrow and subway service in Paris will be dead, according to the metro operator. "Tomorrow is going to be a...

Sarkozy, Unions in Showdown

Nov 13, 2007 11:20 AM CST

Sarkozy, Unions in Showdown

Strikes starting tonight will test French president's reform resolve, shape tenure

(Newser) - French railway workers will walk off the job again tonight, this time in an open-ended strike with some backup from subway, bus, electrical, and gas workers, all angry over Nicolas Sarkozy's proposal to end their special pension rights. The strike is expected to test the president's will for reforms aimed...

Sarko Vows a Friendlier France

Nov 7, 2007 5:28 PM CST

Sarko Vows a Friendlier France

He expresses love of America before joint session of Congress

(Newser) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy reaffirmed his love for America before a joint session of Congress today and pledged that France will be a "friend of the United States." Sarkozy was greeted warmly with standing ovations in a wide-ranging speech that touched on the American dream, the dangers posed...

Mr. Sarkozy Goes to Washington

Nov 6, 2007 7:02 AM CST

Mr. Sarkozy Goes to Washington

French prez sets aside economic differences for D.C. lovefest

(Newser) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives in Washington today for his first visit to the capital since his election, and the red carpet has been rolled out big time. President Bush will host a state dinner tonight for the newly eligible near-divorcé. The US and France have serious disagreements, especially on...

Britain to Fight Fat in 'Fit Towns'

Nov 1, 2007 4:56 PM CDT

Britain to Fight Fat in 'Fit Towns'

Government would broaden eco-friendly schemes to address health concerns

(Newser) - In light of dire predictions about the cost of the obesity crisis, England wants 10 previously planned eco-friendly towns to also combat obesity by promoting healthy lifestyles, the Guardian reported today. Among the proposals: more bike lanes; safe walking routes to school and the downtown area; larger and more modern...

Seven Spooky Spots

Oct 30, 2007 3:10 PM CDT

Seven Spooky Spots

From Transylvania to the Tower of London, these sites can give you chills

(Newser) - If you want to walk in Dracula's footsteps, hobnob with lake monsters, or bed down with aliens, Forbes recommends these locations:

Bran Castle, Brasov, Romania
Tower of London, London, England
Catacombs, Paris, France

French Sour on Wine Warnings

Oct 29, 2007 3:23 PM CDT

French Sour on Wine Warnings

Labels must include health cautions for pregnant women

(Newser) - France's new wine label warning pregnant women of alcohol's dangers has vintners coming uncorked, the Washington Post reports. The spreading European penchant for aggressive advisories has led to pictorial warnings that are seen as sacrilege from Champagne to Burgundy. Part of the problem is that, until recently, French doctors didn’...

Sarko in Snit Walks Out on
'60 Minutes' Interview

Oct 29, 2007 5:54 AM CDT

Sarko in Snit Walks Out on '60 Minutes' Interview

Lashes out at 'stupid' questions on divorce

(Newser) - In a "60 Minutes" interview aired last night, surly French President Nicolas Sarkozy called his press secretary an "imbecile," dismissed the interview as "stupid," and abruptly ended the conversation when asked about his estranged wife, Cécilia, Reuters reports. "If I had something to...

Sofitel to Go (Even More) Upscale

Oct 28, 2007 10:21 PM CDT

Sofitel to Go (Even More) Upscale

Owner Accor will take top properties into luxury market

(Newser) - Add Sofitel to Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Hermès—France's most luxurious brands. At least that is what its owner, Accor, wants to do. Accor plans to take the best of its 182 Sofitels up market, dumping 35 of the less felicitious Sofitels into a new brand called...

Sarko: France to Go Green

Oct 25, 2007 7:10 PM CDT

Sarko: France to Go Green

French leader is optimistic about a cleaner future

(Newser) - Nicolas Sarkozy called for a greener France today, including higher taxes on polluters, a 50% reduction of pesticide use, and the eradication of genetically modified crops. The French president spoke at the close of a national environment summit that counted Al Gore in attendance. But the conference failed to generate...

France Will Offer Free Museums

Oct 24, 2007 7:22 PM CDT

France Will Offer Free Museums

Culture ministry scraps entry fees in pilot program

(Newser) - Wandering leisurely through one French museum after another—priceless, right? Exactly, as of January 1, when the French culture ministry opens 14 of the country's museums to visitors free of charge. The pilot program, a campaign plank for Nicolas Sarkozy, is being greeted skeptically as columnists debate whether the policy...

France Passes Controversial DNA Immigration Bill

Oct 24, 2007 6:14 AM CDT

France Passes Controversial DNA Immigration Bill

DNA testing has citizens up in arms

(Newser) - France's hotly contested immigration bill that includes provisions for DNA testing passed the legislature yesterday. The bill tightens restrictions on would-be immigrants applying for entry to reunite with family members already in the country, and could include DNA testing to prove they're related to people living in France.

Housing Ills Ripple Across Pond

Oct 22, 2007 2:00 PM CDT

Housing Ills Ripple Across Pond

(Newser) - The American housing crisis is echoing in Europe, where home prices are dropping after a decade of rapid growth. The damage is limited, however, by intercontinental differences. High interest rates and shaken confidence are catching up to prices in France, Ireland, and particularly Spain, where new home construction had spurred...

Cecilia Who? Sarko Plays Field

Oct 22, 2007 1:05 PM CDT

Cecilia Who? Sarko Plays Field

Newly separated French prez unlikely to stay lonely

(Newser) - Nicolas Sarkozy's new bachelor status has the French abuzz about how swingin' their prez will be. The freshly divorced head of state has been spotted lunching with an ex-Bond girl, flirting with a well-known playwright, and carrying a letter reading “I haven’t seen you for an eternity and...

Cecilia Chats About the End of Her Marriage

Oct 19, 2007 5:36 PM CDT

Cecilia Chats About the End of Her Marriage

French first lady admits affair, says she wanted out of public eye

(Newser) - Cecilia Sarkozy told L'Est Republicain today that although she had "tried everything" to avoid divorce, her relationship with the French president wouldn't work. "France elected a man, not a couple," she said. Mme. Sarkozy confessed for the first time publicly that she fell in love with another...

French Support for Strike Wanes on Day 2

Oct 19, 2007 12:15 PM CDT

French Support for Strike Wanes on Day 2

Gov't won't budge; unions vow to return to normal tomorrow

(Newser) - French union leaders hailed yesterday's transit strike as a major success, with 75% participation, AFP reports, and many smaller unions were still holding out today. But the government won't budge on proposed pension reform, and public support waned as commuters faced a second day of the job action and tomorrow's...