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French Assembly Votes to Ban Religious Symbols in Schools
The 494-to-36 vote, with 31 abstentions, came hours after the minister of national education, Luc Ferry, said in a radio interview that the law would stretch much further than religious symbols and require all students to attend physical education classes and accept what is taught on the Holocaust and human reproduction.
Three weeks ago, Mr. Ferry, a philosopher and best-selling author, said bandannas and excessive hairiness would be banned from public schools if they were considered religious signs.
The draft law bans “ostensibly” religious signs, which have been defined by President Jacques Chirac and a government advisory commission as Islamic head scarves, Christian crosses that are too large in size and Jewish skullcaps. Sikh turbans are also likely to be included.
0 Read MoreHoliday studio for weekly rent on the frence riviera in Nice !!
Holiday studio for weekly rent on the frence riviera in Nice !!
Moderne studio situated in the most central part of Nice close to hotel the " Meridien " and at the entry of a car free shopping zone " Pieton " at 100 meter from the beach " Ruhl plage " This studio in a modern building has no noise problems and is situated on the second floor with a sunny veranda with a neat bath room with bath and further an inbuilt kitchen. rentals.Weekly rentals from 300 euros, all charges included and airport pickup on arrival with personnal and friendly service. Pictures of studio can be viewed on www.riviera-rental.com
What backlash? Diners say oui to French cuisine
French eateries in the Los Angeles area — from $100-a-plate haute cuisine to $20 bistros — seem to be emerging as the next big dining trend, an industry consultant says.
“Anti-French feelings may be high,” says Ron Paul, president of Technomic, a restaurant consulting firm. “But the palate doesn’t play politics. French dining is doing very, very well.”
Sure, the nation’s politics swung anti-French last year when France loudly protested the Iraq war. Sales of French wine hit the skids.
So did business at some French restaurants. But a surprising number of them, particularly on the West Coast, have entered 2004 standing taller than the Eiffel Tower.
0 Read MoreDebate over religious symbols divides France
France’s National Assembly is expected Tuesday to approve a controversial bill, drafted by President Jacques Chirac’s conservative cabinet, that would ban all conspicuous religious dress, and symbols, in public secondary schools.
And while the prohibition would affect large Christian crosses as well as Jewish skullcaps, the target has been the nation’s growing Muslim population.
The bill’s co-author, Professor Gilles Kepel, told NBC News that the choice was critical for the French government: Either French state schools crack down on religious dress and symbols, or those schools will no longer function as the “learning fields’’ of a free, French and secular society.
0 Read Moreenglish speaker requires bilingual penpal
hi all
i’d like to make contact with any one in france, i’m gonna spend some time there this year promoting my business.
e mail able@reapthebenefit.com
0 Read MoreIn search for a French penpal
Hi my name is Chloe and I am a teenage American Girl (16 years old) I an looking for a penpal that speeks french. I don’t speak French very well though.
2 Read MoreDriving in France for British drivers
French police are set to get the power to deprive British drivers of their licences.
Motorists who commit minor traffic offences in France could for the first time incur points on their licences at home.
The plan is part of a major clampdown on foreign drivers in France and would see them punished for offences including speeding and illegal parking.
Penalties imposed in France would contribute to the 12 points needed to incur a driving ban in this country.
0 Read MoreUnited States and France: Together Again Over Lunch
UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 6 — A year before, the two men had faced off across the Security Council with icy stares and chilly comments. Back together again at the United Nations on Friday, Colin L. Powell, the American secretary of state, and Dominique de Villepin, the French foreign minister, had nothing but warm words.
They were drawn here by a shared interest in a donors’ conference held by the United Nations, the World Bank and the United States that raised $520 million for war-ravaged Liberia. They used the occasion to meet over a working lunch at the Waldorf Towers official residence of the United States ambassador to the United Nations, John D. Negroponte, and to make common cause on the issue that had separated them last February — Iraq.
0 Read MoreHELP !
I am searching for someone who may know of a relative from france who went on holiday to Ireland in 1988, around the last week in february or first week or so in March. One town they visited was Sligo in the North West of Ireland and stayed in a Hostel Called The "White House" in the Town Centre. One jacket that this person wore was a yellow,hooded longed sleeved obviously well prepared for Irish weather. They are possibly from the south of France, male, about five foot and five inches in height, shallow skined, dark brown to black hair. This person was probably on a mid term break from collage and in his early to mid twenties in age. I have a cousin whom is giving me this description of this person whom they met at that time. They are now quite ill.
2 Read MoreFrance to open elite school of haute cuisine
 ‘The French may still have a certain reputation for arrogance but we can’t afford to rest on our laurels,’ said manager Corinne Mentzelopoulos of famed Bordeaux winemaker Chateau Margaux.
The institute, which opens in October exclusively to experienced restaurateurs, critics and other industry professionals, will be based in the eastern town of Reims – the heart of champagne country.
The venture has the backing of food companies, champagne houses and the government – as well as celebrity French restaurateur Alain Ducasse and tyremaker Michelin, which also publishes a famous gourmet guide to restaurants.
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