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France re-establishes ties with Iraq

France announced Monday that it had re-established diplomatic relations with Iraq, severed under the leadership of the dictator Saddam Hussein.

In Paris, a French Foreign Ministry spokesman said that France “wants to participate in the political and economic reconstruction of Iraq.”

Political analysts said that, given France’s longstanding opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, it was unlikely that it would suddenly win reconstruction contracts.

Australian Cyclist McEwen Wins 9th Stage of Tour de France

Australian cyclist Robbie McEwen has won the ninth stage of the Tour de France, but Frenchman Thomas Voeckler remains the overall leader as the race heads into the mountains.

McEwen finished the 160.5-kilometer ride between St. Leonard de Noblat and Guéret in 3:32:55, just ahead of Norway’s Thor Hushovd. Stuart O’Grady of Australia was third in the sprint finish.

Thomas Voeckler of France retained the overall lead, 2:53 ahead of O’Grady. Sandy Casar of France is third overall. Five-time champion Lance Armstrong of the United States is sixth overall (9:35 off the lead). Armstrong is trying to win the Tour for a record sixth time.

Swastika attack woman 'lied'

The alleged admission came shortly after the she was taken into custody – four days after the alleged assault on a train in the suburbs of Paris.

The 23-year-old woman said six men cut her clothes and drew swastikas on her body, accusing her of being Jewish.

The woman has been detained for falsely reporting a crime, state prosecutor Xavier Salvat told AFP news agency.

She could face up to six months in prison and a 7,500-euro ($9,200) fine if convicted.

The case has sparked widespread condemnation amid concern that racist and anti-Semitic attacks are on the rise in France.

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France Airport to Reopen Part of Terminal

France’s busiest airport will reopen the undamaged part of a terminal in which the roof collapsed in May, killing four people, the transport minister said Wednesday.

Gilles de Robien said a segment of the three-building 2E terminal at Charles de Gaulle airport would return to service on July 15.

“We can open the terminal that didn’t give way,” he told France-Info radio.

In the May 23 disaster, falling glass, steel and masonry killed four travelers two Chinese, one Czech and one Lebanese. Three others were injured