News headlines from France

HERE is a look over the past few days of what has been making the news headlines in France.

Sarkozy pays back €14,000 in personal expenses - Guardian
The expenses came to light in the first state audit of a French leader's spending since Louis XVI just before the French revolution.

Madonna stage accident kills two - BBC
A second person has died following the collapse of a stage being constructed for a Madonna concert in France.

Cavendish goes all out for green jersey as Sorensen takes stage - The Guardian
Mark Cavendish wants to be on the top podium spot in Paris.

Fear and loathing at the Avignon festival - The Guardian
After its first week, the shape of this year's Avignon festival is beginning to emerge, revealing its unique talent for renewal without fundamental change.

Threats of violence, a new bargaining tool for French execs? - France 24
Nortel employees know their fate is sealed and that there is little they can do to save their plant. However, staff say they want “decent” compensation for their years spent working for Nortel.

France to spend 1 billion Euros on A H1N1 vaccine - France 24
The Government will spend one billion euros on ninety-four million doses of the vaccine to combat the influenza A H1N1 virus.

Official data shows French consumer prices fell in June - France 24
French consumer prices over 12 months fell by 0.5 percent in June.

France eases Sunday shop ban - The Guardian
Under the new amended bill, shops in three big metropolitan areas, Paris, Marseille and Lille would be permitted to open on Sundays.