Auvergne

France counts cost of health reform

Doctors, nurses and other health professionals have taken to the streets of Paris to protest against government plans to cut back on a health service which has a projected overspend this year of eight billion pounds. The other day, an American friend, recently returned to live again in Paris, e-mailed from her sick bed.

“This is why I like France,” she wrote. “I have bronchitis and the doctor has just been to see me in my own home.

“He stayed long enough to examine me thoroughly and carefully, prescribe some drugs, drink two vodkas, eat pistachios by the fistful, and then chat about his days as a young doctor on an ashram in India. And all paid for by the state!”

France honours China with Champs Elysees new year parade

PARIS: Two days before the arrival of President Hu Jintao on a state visit, France is affording China a rare honour when it opens up the Champs Elysees in Paris for a traditional dragon-and-drums new year parade.

France, Germany urge US action to avoid sanctions

The duties would grow by 1 percent each month through the end of the year unless the United States complies with World Trade Organization rulings against the measures.

Legislation to eliminate the tax breaks and provide new measures aimed primarily at helping U.S. manufacturers has advanced in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

But it may not be possible for Congress to approve a final bill in the next month.

Powell: France has annoyed me

Calling the French a proud people with “strong views,” U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell admitted France has annoyed him at times — and he has been just as annoying to them.

“They have been with us through thick and thin. They were with us when we fought for our independence 229 years ago. But we have had disagreements with the French,” he told Philadelphia’s WPHT radio on Wednesday.