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Disposable mobile on sale
A new disposable mobile phone has been launched in France.
The ready-to-go and throw away phone is made by the company BIC, which is better known for its razors and lighters. It comes fully charged and with 60 minutes of talk time. A new disposable mobile phone has been launched in France. ... more -
France's model heath care for new mommies
Morning Edition, July 10, 2008 · Mary Lou Sarazin went to Paris to teach. When the job ended, she was newly married to a French husband and pregnant. Her visa had expired, however, and she couldn't renew it right away, so she returned to New York a little over a year ago to finish graduate school and have the baby.
Sarazin, 34, has since received health care in both France and the United States. Her experience has given her a firsthand look into why France has earned a reputation for being a good place to be pregnant and have a child.
In New York, pregnant and unable to find work, Sarazin couldn't find health insurance that she could afford. Eventually, she did get limited coverage through New York Medicaid, the state program for the poor and uninsured, but it only covered her prenatal and hospital care. Once the baby was born, she would be uninsured again.
"I just felt like when I was in New York, it was always stress, stress, stress," she says. "I just didn't like the care I was receiving. And I didn't want to stress out about something I shouldn't have to stress out, not at the time of my pregnancy."
----WAY more at the link. You may choose to read it or listen. It clocks in at 8 minutes. It's a great article and gives way to thinking. I believe that every Country has something uniquely awesome about them that if all countries took something from each other the world would most defiantly become better....and in this case the French know their mommies. Morning Edition, July 10, 2008 · Mary Lou Sarazin went to Paris to teach. When the job ended, she was newly married to a French husban... more -
One armed French man fails to swim the channel.
Retired carpenter Olivier Desmet, 56, lost his left forearm in a motorbike accident back in 1976. He'd spent eight months training in a local pond in his home village of Wargnies le Grand in northwest France and bulked up by 10kg (22 lbs) on a "rigorous" diet of chips and beer to provide insulating blubber against the cold.
Now that is a training regime I reckon I can commit to... Retired carpenter Olivier Desmet, 56, lost his left forearm in a motorbike accident back in 1976. He'd spent eight months traini... more -
Just 5 minutes to capture Paris!!!
On a visit to Paris I realized I had just 5 minutes of battery left on my camcorder. This is the result...
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Tourist Beats Daughter Into Coma
A French tourist has beaten his four-year-old daughter's head against the stone base of a Rome monument so hard the child is now in a coma.
And when passers-by finally managed to snatch the child away, the man tried to bash his own head against the stone.
The pavement in the Piazza Venezia at the heart of the city is still stained with blood after the violent attack late last night.
Paediatric hospital Bambino Gesu said the child, named Luna, was already in a coma with severe head injuries when she was admitted shortly before midnight.
"Her condition is stable but very critical," spokesman Daniela Perrotta told reporters.
The father, who has been named as 37-year-old Julien Monnet, was behaving strangely moments before the attack, according to a Canadian tourist who grappled to try and stop him.
Traffic officer Anna Esposito told Italian broadcasters: "He was holding the child in an unhealthy way. The child was crying and screaming.
"He was holding the girl by her arm and then started striking her (head) against the stone," Ms Esposito said.
The Canadian grabbed the child while she struggled to hold the man and called for reinforcements.
"He was like a furious beast," she said.
Police have since said that Monnet's backpack contained medicine indicating he was receiving treatment for psychiatric problems.
Monnet is believed to live with the child's mother near Paris - she is thought to have been on holiday in Turkey at the time of the attack and had no idea they had travelled to Rome.
Police say Monnet appeared to be in a state of shock when arrested, before being taken to Rome's Coeli jail on suspicion of causing grave injury. A French tourist has beaten his four-year-old daughter's head against the stone base of a Rome monument so hard the child is now ... more -
Belgian King Wants to Try Again - Leterme's Resignation Rejected
Earlier this week, Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme offered to resign. But on Thursday evening, King Albert II asked him to stay on for one last try to solve the country's political crisis.
As recently as Tuesday, Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme had thought he was out of a job (more...). But on Thursday evening, Belgium's King Albert II decided against accepting Leterme's letter of resignation and asked three other senior politicians to explore ways to solve the ongoing crisis that threatens to break the 177-year-old country apart.
Leterme had offered to quit after failing to solve an ongoing dispute between parties from either side of Belgium's linguistic divide. He said in his letter that "communities' conflicting visions of how to give a new equilibrium to our state have become incompatible" and that the "federal model has reached its limit."
King Albert II, however, wants politicians representing the country's 6.5 million Dutch speakers and 4 million French speakers to try again. "The king has refused to accept the resignation of the government and has asked the government to promote the chances of success of this mission as much as possible," the palace said in a statement issued to the media.
The king has also appointed two senior Francophone politicians Francois Xavier de Donnea and Raymond Langendries along with Karl-Heinz Lambertz, who leads Belgium's small German-speaking community, to try and find a way out of the country's political dead-end.
Read more... Earlier this week, Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme offered to resign. But on Thursday evening, King Albert II asked him to stay on... more -
Sebastien Tellier Webcam
In this edition of Global Fix we celebrate Bastille Day by going straight to the French! Singer, songwriter Sebastien Tellier introduces us to his favorite line-up of French musicians. In this edition of Global Fix we celebrate Bastille Day by going straight to the French! Singer, songwriter Sebastien Tellier introduc... more
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Language tosses Belgium from crisis to crisis
The divide between Dutch and French-speaking parts has plunged the country into a constitutional crisis.
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African Bloggers
Bloggers in Africa fight government censorship to go above and beyond the role of mainstream journalists.
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French first lady releases new album
She charmed the queen of England, captivated Israel, impressed President Bush and won over the hardest sell of all -- the French.
But can France's first lady, top model turned songstress Carla Bruni who married President Nicolas Sarkozy in February, keep spinning the magic once her new album comes out July 11?
Its success, or failure, could be an affair of state.
The Italian-born Bruni (officially Bruni-Sarkozy) makes an unlikely spouse for any national leader. But in France, where a deep conservatism runs through the lush heartland, she is in many ways the very antithesis of a first lady.
A self-described modern woman, the 40-year-old one-time single mother makes no secret of her freewheeling past, including high-profile trysts with the likes of Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton.
Yet while the French have been scandalized by Sarkozy's own splashy lifestyle and his very public divorce just months after winning office, they have taken to Bruni in a big way.
With her high society upbringing and easy elegance, Bruni has defied France's special laws of gravity, gaining accolades from the press and favorable ratings in opinion polls.
"She has even shown herself to be a very intelligent woman," said Jean-Luc Parodi, a longtime political analyst. "The way she has handled herself since her marriage shows a real finesse in understanding both the president and French society."
The title of the new album -- her third -- is revealing: "Comme si de rien n'etait" (As If Nothing Had Happened). It comes out in numerous European countries July 11, sandwiched between the G-8 summit in Japan and a July 13 summit of world leaders in Paris. The album is to be released in the United States in August, under its French title.
At the Elysee presidential palace -- where the first lady maintains an office but has yet to take up permanent residence -- Bruni's fortunes are of keen strategic interest. An aide and friend of Sarkozy, Pierre Charon, has been assigned to guide her through the minefields of French politics.
"For the moment, she's a good card," said Colombe Pringle, executive editor of the celebrity magazine "Point de Vue," before adding: "It can turn very fast ... It might backlash."
"It's important that (the album) is good," she said.
Sarkozy took office in May 2007 with sky-high approval ratings but within six months had used up that reservoir of support. His messy October divorce from Cecilia Sarkozy and a brash, showy style that won him the nickname "President Bling-Bling" alarmed the French who like their presidents to appear, well, presidential.
Beyond image, Sarkozy's failure to quickly bring about promised change, like easing pinched pocketbooks, sealed the disappointment.
Then Carla to the rescue. She charmed the queen of England, captivated Israel, impressed President Bush and won over the hardest sell of all -- the French. ... more -
Most Obnoxious Tourists?
Remember the tightwad tourist whose baggy shorts, frequent complaining and shouted questions about why none of the locals spoke any English made the ugly American the world's Visitor From Hell? Well, it's time for Archie Bunker to move over and make way for Petulant Pierre. According to a recent international survey, the French are now considered the most obnoxious tourists from European nations, and behind only Indians and the last-place Chinese as the worst among all countries worldwide. And it's not only the rest of the world that have a gripe with the Gallic attitude: the French also finished second to last among nations ranking the popularity of their own tourists who vacation at home.
But it's the unflattering image being reflected from abroad that may give pause to the millions of French travelers now heading off to summer vacation destinations across the globe. Will that move them to improve behavior the poll characterized as impolite, prone to loud carping and inattentive to local customs? If so, that's just the start: the study also describes the voyageur français as often unwilling or unable to communicate in foreign languages, and particularly disinclined to spending money when they don't have to — including on those non compris tips. Over all, French travelers landed 19th out of 21 nations worldwide, far behind the first-place Japanese, considered most polite, quiet and tidy. Following the Japanese as most-liked tourists were the Germans, British and Canadians. Americans finished in 11th place alongside the Thais.
Continued story at the link. Remember the tightwad tourist whose baggy shorts, frequent complaining and shouted questions about why none of the locals spoke any En... more -
Man arrested in connection with murder of French students
"A 21-year-old man was arrested today in connection with the brutal murder of two French students at a bedsit in south London."
Detectives, who believe the pair may have been the victims of a savage robbery, said two Sony PSP consoles, costing £130 each, were stolen from Mr Bonomo's rented flat.
"The two French students who were bound up and brutally murdered at a bedsit in south London may have been tortured for their bank and credit card pin numbers, police said yesterday.
Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez, both 23, were found at Bonomo's flat in New Cross, south London, on Sunday night. They had been stabbed more than 200 times, bound, gagged, and tortured over several hours."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/jul/05/knifecrime.ukc... "A 21-year-old man was arrested today in connection with the brutal murder of two French students at a bedsit in south London.�... more -
Students stabbed to death and set alight
Two French research students found stabbed to death following a flat fire had been tied up and suffered horrific, excessive injuries, police have said.
The biochemistry students had been studying at Imperial College, London.
The bodies of Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez, both 23, were found in a ground-floor flat in New Cross, south-east London, on Sunday night.
They had suffered a total of 243 stab wounds to the head, neck and chest before being set alight. Two French research students found stabbed to death following a flat fire had been tied up and suffered horrific, excessive injuries, ... more -
Découvrir la Valeur de l’Art
Découvrir la Valeur de l’Art
Bonjour, je m’appelle Cappy Price et je vous invite à Découvrir la Valeur de l’Art.
• Dollar contre Euro
o Tout le monde sait que l’économie américaine est en dégression
o Entre 2002 et 2007, le dollar a perdu près de 40% (pour cent) contre l’Euro. Rien qu’en 2007, le dollar est tombé de 10% et jusqu'à présent, c’est une perte de plus de 7%
• Marché Boursier
o Les principes fondamentaux d’économie nous rappellent que le marché boursier, qui se négocie actuellement autour de 150% de Produit Brut National, contre sa moyenne actuelle de 57%, est surestimé et vulnérable
• Couverture Excessive
o L’inflation et la couverture excessive ont rapidement dévalué l’importance des investissements traditionnels
o Les consommateurs recherchent des alternatives avec une capacité à préserver leur valeur économique a travers les périodes de turbulence
• Quote Brinson
o On estime l’art un investissement aussi précieux que l’or, l’argent et les francs suisses
o Historiquement, l’art se préserve bien pendant les crises économiques, y compris les guerres et récessions, et possède une valeur unique, lui donnant une protection de prix systématique
o A la fin de la journée, l’art n’est comparable a rien d’autre et il est démontré qu’il n’y aucune corrélation avec les mouvements boursiers
o En particulier pendant les crises de turbulence économique, l’art est un atout qui non seulement fait plaisir mais est aussi profitable
# # # Découvrir la Valeur de l’Art Bonjour, je m’appelle Cappy Price et je vous invite à Découvrir la Valeur de l’Art. ... more -
Frances Jewish & Muslim leaders unite to encourage tolerance
The French Muslim & Jewish communities have both choosen their new leaders this sunday which are vowing to make their faith more tolerence & more openess to those outside their faiths.
Mohammed Moussaoui- the head of France's Representative Muslim Council called for launching open days for Mosques to allow the public to visit.
Gilles Bernheim- tapped to be the next Grand Rabbi of France- called for the Jewish faith to reach out to non-Jews though talks aswell as writing.
France is home to the largest Muslim & Jewish communities in Europe. The French Muslim & Jewish communities have both choosen their new leaders this sunday which are vowing to make their faith more t... more -
Mind of Man: five things about pregnancy that will eff you up
Wow, things you should know before your wife / girlfriend gets preggers ... wow ...
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Top Five Ways to Learn A Second Language In Bed: French
Learn how to speak French by purchasing these sexy product.. Click on our link to find out more..
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France's Sarkozy Pledges Support for Lebanon's New President
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has pledged support for Lebanon's new president and for efforts to promote national unity, following the country's deadly political crisis.
Sarkozy spoke after arriving in Beirut Saturday for a one-day visit aimed at supporting the country's peace efforts. He said Lebanese President Michel Suleiman has a big responsibility to achieve national reconciliation.
Sarkozy is leading a French delegation that includes Prime Minister Francois Fillon, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and the leaders of all of France's major political parties.
The delegation is expected to hold talks with Mr. Suleiman and representatives from 14 Lebanese political factions, including the Shi'ite opposition group Hezbollah.
President Sarkozy is the first Western head of state to visit Lebanon-a former French colony- since Mr. Suleiman took office May 25, following an Arab-mediated agreement to end the crisis. Lebanon is trying to recover from recent deadly sectarian violence that nearly resulted in a civil war. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has pledged support for Lebanon's new president and for efforts to promote national unity, follo... more -
French Spider-Man Arrested for Scaling NYT Building
Alain Robert, a French stuntman known for climbing tall buildings, scaled the north face of the New York Times building on Thursday, ascending 52 stories to the roof and clutching a bright green banner, before police officers arrested him around 12:22 p.m.
Police and security officials cordoned off the sidewalk below, on West 41st Street, as a crowd assembled. The words on the banner were illegible from the sidewalk, but from office windows inside the tower the slogan on the banner could be clearly read: “Global warming kills more people than 9/11 every week.”
The man later confirmed, moments after being arrested on the roof of the tower, that he was Alain Robert, a 46-year-old stuntman famous for scaling structures like the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, the Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Eiffel Tower and Montparnasse Tower in Paris. He wore a T-shirt with his name and the address of a Web site (thesolutionissimple.org), exercise pants and climbing shoes. He had long blond hair. He used no rope, harness or parachute.
Police officers blocked off the sidewalk at the base of the building and asked members of the crowd to move along. Construction workers on a building directly across West 41st Street, facing the northern face of the building, looked on with expressions of astonishment and amusement. A crowd gathered on the sidewalk, pointing, gawking and capturing pictures and images with cellphones, digital cameras and video cameras.
“This is a publicity stunt, it looks like,” Janet L. Robinson, the chief executive of The New York Times Company, said as she entered the building. “There is definitely going to be an arrest.”
Wearing a backpack slung over one shoulder, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr., the chairman of The Times Company and publisher of The Times, who is himself an avid climber, ducked under the police tape and examined the spectacle. He declined to comment. Alain Robert, a French stuntman known for climbing tall buildings, scaled the north face of the New York Times building on Thursday, a... more -
300 days as Robinson Crusoe
"French explorer and adventurer Xavier Rosset is about to embark on a 300 day trip to live alone on a remote tropical island in the South Pacific. His adventures will be filmed and used for a 52 minute documentary.
Xavier’s only luggage will be a Swiss army knife, machete video camera and a solar panel for charging the camera. He will spend 10 months alone on an island to develop another way of life through an exciting adventure, a return to the elemental sources. Xavier will survive alone on an island without human interference and without polluting emissions.
The ambition of this documentary is to make a reflection on our lifestyle, our current system and our relationship to nature. And the most important thing is to put the dream and emotion at the heart of adventure natural.
He will find timber to build a shelter, feed on the rudimentary fishing, plants and the harvesting of rainwater to survive".
By Cheyenne Morrison "French explorer and adventurer Xavier Rosset is about to embark on a 300 day trip to live alone on a remote tropical island in t... more
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