approval

In a ruling announced on Thursday, France's Constitutional Council has approved government plans to introduce further restrictions over the Covid-19 epidemic, including the requirement that people display a vaccination or negative test 'health pass' before entering public venues,  and the obligation for healthcare staff to be fully vaccinated.

An anti Covid-19 vaccine developed by US pharma firm Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech has been approved for use in France by the country's top health authority, the Haute Autorité de la santé (HAS), with vaccinations due to start on a voluntazry basis on Sunday, with a priority given for those most at risk.

Air France pilots have approved a plan by the airline to launch a sub-brand called 'Boost' this September, which will offer long- and short-haul services that are cheaper than the parent carrier in an effort to counter competition from Gulf airlines and budget services by Lufthansa and British Airways.

French utilities giant EDF, which will build the controversial new nuclear power station extension in south-west England, greeted the news as "the relaunch of nuclear in Europe”.

For nine months the Vatican has failed to approve Laurent Stefanini, President Hollande's protocol chief, as next French ambassador to Holy See.

France's lower and upper houses voted by strong majorities to approve the controversial 86 billion-euro debt bailout plan agreed on Monday.

The United Protestant Church of France, with about 250,000 members, said the reform was 'an option' for pastors, and 'not an obligation'.

The National Assembly approved by 438 votes to 86 a bill giving the state wide-ranging spying powers, strongly decried by rights' groups.

The European commissioner for economic and monetary affairs accepted revised French and Italian budget plans but warned of close scrutiny.

PM Manuel Valls's drastic plan to meet EU deficit requirements split his Socialist Party and was opposed by the Greens and conservatives.

The Constitutional Council has approved a top income tax rate of 75% after its terms were modified to make employers liable for the payment.