This French Life

France and Germany rebuild ties but EU waits for old axis

Analysts said a thaw in the relationship that has dominated the continent since World War II would benefit Europe as a whole, but that there were still a host of differences on key issues such as changing EU treaties.

France and Germany rebuild ties but EU waits for old axis (via AFP)

With France and Germany apparently patching up their economic differences, their decades-old axis could retake its place at the heart of Europe, but analysts are waiting for actions to back up the rhetoric. French President Francois Hollande's recent…

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EU airport restrictions on liquids slightly relaxed

FROM today, 31 January, passengers travelling through EU airports will be able to include duty free items such as alcohol or perfumes in their carry-on luggage, no matter where in the world they were bought.

But the items must remain in their sealed bag provided at the shop counter when you bought it and you still have to have the receipt.

The European Commission expects to remove all the remaining restrictions by 2016.

Download: Prepare liquids for security control (.pdf)

Sarkozy eyes a comeback after Hollande's public and private woes

But with his successor languishing in the polls rocked by revelations of a secret affair, Sarkozy has been testing the political water to assess whether he will have a realistic shot at recapturing the presidency in 2017.

Sarkozy sees comeback chance in Hollande public and private woes (via AFP)

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy has spoken out about his successor's turbulent love life in the latest sign that the right-winger is bent on a comeback to the political frontline. Sarkozy withdrew from public life and stepped down from the leadership…

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UK and France to share knowledge on drone and missile projects

UK, France tighten defence ties with drone and missile projects (via AFP)

Britain and France brought their defence cooperation closer on Friday, announcing joint projects to build combat drones and unmanned anti-mine vehicles. British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande struck a series of deals…

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French teenage jihadists back home to face the music

French teen jihadists home to face the music (via AFP)

Two French school students who ran away to fight in Syria were back home Tuesday with some explaining to do to their bewildered parents and teachers and the police. The two boys, aged 15 and 16, flew to Turkey on January 6 with the apparent intention…

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Air traffic control strike set to hit French flights

STRIKE action by air traffic controllers in France looks set to ground many flights tomorrow, 30 January.

Eurocontrol, the body that oversees flights in Europe, says that unions are set to call their workers out and that they expect to see a 20% reduction in flights from Roissy, Orly and Beauvais.

Airlines are advising passengers that delays and cancellations are likely, so if you are planning on flying later today and tomorrow your first stop should be your airline's website to check if you are able to travel.

The protests have come about after the EU put forward its Single European Sky plan which looks to harmonise the control of aircraft across Europe.

However, unions have said that whilst they originally supported the changes, recent demands have shifted the balance and would put increased pressure on workers.

Car in De Gaulle assassination attempt on show in China

Car in De Gaulle assassination attempt on show in China (via AFP)

The bullet-sprayed car in which Charles de Gaulle escaped assassination, as portrayed in "The Day of the Jackal", went on show in Beijing Tuesday in an exhibition marking 50 years of Chinese-French ties. The black Citroen DS 19 sped De Gaulle and his…

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A record number out of work in France

French registered jobless rises to record 3.3 mn in December (via AFP)

France on Monday said the number of registered jobless rose to a record 3.3 million in December, belying President Francois Hollande's pledge to reverse the trend by the end of last year. The number of job-seekers rose by 10,200, the labour ministry…

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Protesters on the streets of Paris voice anti-Hollande feelings

Thousands stage 'Day of Anger' protest against French president (via AFP)

Thousands marched through Paris on Sunday in a "Day of Anger" against embattled President Francois Hollande's policies, including his decision to legalise gay marriage. The protest called by a motley group of some 50 small and mainly right-wing organisations…

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A 'bachelor' president at the Élysée Palace

France's 'bachelor' president begins new chapter after split (via AFP)

French leader Francois Hollande on Sunday began a new chapter in his presidency as a bachelor after splitting from his partner of eight years following an affair with a younger actress. Under intense media scrutiny since the revelation of the affair…

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