News stops: No u-turn on shale gas, says ecology minster

THE French ecology minster, Delphine Batho, has said that the ban on shale gas exploration will not be lifted.

Speaking on BFM TV this morning the minister said the ban would stay in place as 'nowhere in the world has it been proven that this exploitation can be done without significant environmental damage and important health risks'.

The practice of fracking, which involves the injection of chemicals and water into underlying rocks, is currently banned in France as fears about where residues finally end up have been voiced.

Delphine Batho's statement is the clearest message yet that the new Socialist government will not dilute the current legislation, although protesters are sure to remain vigilant.

No regrets now
Remember when France went up against the UK in hoping to stage the 2012 Olympics? I wonder who is smiling now?

With the opening ceremony of the London Olympics just days away, Parisians could be forgiven for peering over the channel with jealous eyes. But in fact many are looking on in relief.

PSA Peugeot Citroen boss not happy
Not only has chairman, Thierry Peugeot, had to deal with a crumbling car market and how to cut 8,000 jobs, he claims politicians have been piling in and making his job very difficult indeed.

Criticism of the carmaker's strategy has come from President Francois Hollande, and seemingly everyone else beneath him, but Thierry Peugeot says the reality of the situation has to be faced, with such talk on set to make things worse.

French 2012 budget agreed
After four days of debate, French lawmakers approved a revised 2012 budget in the early hours of Friday which includes, among other measures, hiking taxes on the wealthy and scrapping former president Nicolas Sarkozy’s policy on overtime pay.

Cav comes good
Mark Cavendish has won the 22nd stage of his Tour de France career, sprinting away to win today's race from Blagnac to Brive-la-Gaillarde.

His Team Sky colleague, Bradley Wiggens, retained the famous yellow jersey and looks set to be crowned winner of Le Tour in Paris on Sunday.