French news headlines from past few days: This French Life

IF you have had a busy week then catch up with some of the main news headlines from France over the past few days.

These include the possible return of bordellos, Simone Veil being officially recognised into the Académie Française and the arrival of a Russian benefactor in a French newsroom.

France24 - Increased African literacy boosts number of French speakers in world
There are more and more French speakers in the world, the International Organisation of La Francophonie - which represents the French-speaking world - said as it turns 40 this year.

Frenchwoman sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing six babies - Telegraph
A court in Normandy on Thursday convicted a 38-year-old woman of killing six of her newborn babies – a crime she acknowledged – and sentenced her to 15 years in prison.

France debates the return of bordellos - Telegraph
French MPs are calling for bordellos to return to France more than 60 years after they were banned.

France against immediate bluefin tuna trade ban | www.english.rfi.fr
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has repeated calls to postpone an international ban on trade in bluefin tuna until after the release of a scientific report on the fish due next year.

BBC Sport - Rugby Union - France coach Lievremont attacks fans over racist mail
France coach Marc Lievremont has hit out after receiving letters claiming Guadeloupe-born back Mathieu Bastareaud shows a lack of allegiance to France.

France24 - Auschwitz survivor becomes ‘immortal’ of Académie Française
Veteran feminist politician and Holocaust survivor Simone Veil Wednesday becomes an "immortal", as members of France’s most prestigious intellectual club, the Académie Française, are known

French law drives country’s first television wine channel into exile - Times Online
Edonys, a private group which hopes to start broadcasting later this year, has been warned by France’s Higher Audiovisual Council that it will receive authorisation only if it drops plans for programmes featuring wine-tastings and expert discussions.

'Kingdom of fabric' sues novelist for weaving a tissue of lies about revered Paris store - The Guardian
Lalie Walker wrote latest thriller as a tribute to a Montmarte fabric store, but store's owners say the book is defamatory

Struggling French newspaper reborn under Russian - CNBC
A small and shrinking newspaper with roots going back to the French Resistance was reborn Wednesday thanks to a risky euro50 million ($68.78 million) bet by one of Russia's most influential tycoons.

Chief of French chefs holds herself hostage to avoid being fired - Telegraph
The chief of the French chef's association has barricaded herself into her office in an attempt to stop union members from giving her the sack.

France's posties take bosses to cleaners with £100m laundry bill - The Independent
La Poste fears it could have to pick up a €115m (£103.5m) tab for le pressing after a Toulouse court ruled it should pay for 12 postal workers to keep their uniforms spotless.