News stops: French archaeologists find pharaoh boat

A FRENCH archaeological mission has discovered an Egyptian funeral boat that dates from 3000BC.

The boat is made up of large wooden planks six metres in length and 1.5 metres wide, with an Egyption minister saying the find dates from the era of Pharaoh Den, one of the First Dynasty kings.

The team behind the find was from the archaeological mission of the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology based in Cairo, and it is hoped the boat will go on display at the planned National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation next year.

Helicopter crashes in the Var
Update: The helicopter was operated by Eurocopter and six employees of the company have died.

A helicopter has crashed in the mountains near the village of La-Palud-sur-Verdon, in the Var.

The crash took place earlier today and it is believed five people have died, and whilst not confirmed Le Figaro says it was a Puma army helicopter.

FGM reconstructive surgery made me 'complete'
A BBC news report says that in France there have been about 100 convictions relating to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) - many of them have resulted in parents and FGM practitioners being sent to jail.

France Soir comes to an end
The famous daily newspaper, France Soir, which was web based since late last year has come to an end after a Paris commercial court ordered its liquidation.

French MPs won't face expenses questions
Quick to protect themselves, French MPs have voted against proposals which would have seen them have to account for the €76,000 tax-free expenses they currently receive.