France

27 January 2008 -- French bank Societe Generale says the rogue stock trader suspected in one of the world's largest-ever bank frauds held market positions worth $73 billion when the fraud was discovered last week.

In a statement Sunday, the bank says action was taken last week to liquidate the deals, limiting losses to $7.2 billion.    » read more »

26 January 2008 -- French police have detained a young bank trader blamed for losses of more than $7 billion at France's second largest bank, Societe Generale.

Judicial officials say authorities are holding Jerome Kerviel for questioning Saturday at the headquarters of the French financial police in Paris. The 31-year-old had not been seen in public since Societe Generale announced the record trading loss Thursday.

French investigators searched Kerviel's home in the Paris suburbs Friday as part of their investigation of the former stock index futures trader.    » read more »

24 January 2008 -- Tens of thousands of French teachers, hospital staff and other public sector workers marched Thursday in cities across France, joining a one-day strike against government reform plans.

Turnout estimates for Thursday's protests varied widely. The French news agency quotes the country's largest union as saying 400,000 strikers participated nationwide. Police estimates put the number at about half that figure.    » read more »

Leading French tour production, promotion and booking company joins Warner Music family

19 December 2007 -- Three British-linked terrorism suspects have been released from the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and sent back to Britain. At the same time a French court has convicted five former Guantanamo inmates of terrorist links.

Jordanian-born Jamil el-Banna, Algerian-born Abdenour Sameur, and Omar Deghayes from Libya were all long-time legal residents in Britain before they were detained at Guantanamo.

The three men were among more than a dozen British citizens or residents sent to the prison camp. The British citizens were all released by January 2005.    » read more »

MTV's #1 Original Series on Cable Among P12-34 in 2007 is Also #1 on MTV.com

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 11, 2007 -- Building on a triumphant third season, which reached over 72 million viewers, MTV is extending the drama into 2008 with 8 bonus episodes of "The Hills." Set to air this spring, "The Hills" saga will continue with an anticipated journey to Paris as Lauren Conrad finally accomplishes a life-long dream.    » read more »

28 November 2007 -- Riots have broken out for a third straight night in a northern Paris suburb despite heavy police presence.

Rioters burned several cars in Villiers-le-Bel Tuesday night, where the deaths of two young people whose motorbike collided with a police car Sunday set off the violence.

The riots have also spread to the southern French city of Toulouse, where police say 10 cars and a library were set on fire.

Police say the violence has injured 120 officers since Sunday. Four of the officers near Paris were seriously wounded by buckshot from hunting rifles.    » read more »

November 6, 2007 -- PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, distinguished guests: Laura and I offer you a warm welcome to the White House -- or should I say: Bienvenue a la Maison Blanche.

In 1777, another George W. welcomed to America another Frenchman. His name was Lafayette. The two leaders built a strong friendship, based on common values and common virtues. They both recognized the power of human freedom. They both served with courage in freedom's cause. And they both anticipated that freedom would advance in other lands following its victory here in America.    » read more »

07 October 2007 -- Vandals have broken into a Paris art museum during a street festival and severely damaged a classic by French impressionist Claude Monet.

Officials with the Orsay Museum said Sunday the vandals entered a back door and punched a fist through the 19th century masterpiece The Bridge at Argenteuil, leaving a 10 centimeter gash in the canvas. The intruders fled when they set off an alarm.

Museum officials call the damage heartbreaking, but say the painting can be repaired.    » read more »

Washington, 28 September 2007 -- On September 28, Bruce Springsteen kicked off a North American tour in support of his new album Magic. He launched the 23-date outing in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

After wrapping up concerts in Boston, Massachusetts on November 19, the band will head to Europe where 13 concerts are scheduled in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, the U.K. and France.

Bruce Springsteen's "Magic" hits record stores on October 2.

Source: VOANews.com

23 September 2007, Paris (By Lisa Bryant) -- Legendary French mime artist Marcel Marceau has died at the age of 84. Known throughout the world for his humor and pathos as the stage character Bip, Marceau was a tireless performer who inspired many other artists. From Paris, Lisa Bryant has more on his remarkable career.    » read more »

21 September 2007 -- Afghan authorities say a suicide bomber has struck a convoy of French troops in Kabul, killing at least one soldier and wounding several Afghan civilians.

Police say the attack happened in a western part of the city early Friday.

French soldiers are deployed in the region as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance force in Afghanistan.    » read more »

16 September 2007 -- France's foreign minister says world powers should brace for a possible war with Iran over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

In an interview broadcast Sunday on French radio and television, Bernard Kouchner said negotiations to resolve the nuclear standoff with Tehran are the top priority.

But, Kouchner said, in his own words, "We must prepare for the worst, and the worst is war."

He stressed that he does not believe war is imminent.    » read more »

Senators Dick Durbin, Barack Obama Call on State Department to Publicly Ask France to Follow American Example of Cooperation on Manuel Noreiga's Extradition and Extradite Hans Peterson Immediately

6:23 PM ET

IBAF president Schiller pleased with continued growth of international talent pool and player development

09/07/2007, Lausanne, SWITZERLAND -- Major League Baseball (MLB) announced this week that through the close of the third annual MLB International (MLBI) European Baseball Academy on Aug. 30, seven Academy participants have signed professional contracts with six different MLB Organizations.    » read more »