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French judges want Sarkozy heard in kickbacks probe, says lawyer

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Investigating magistrates want court that deals with alleged ministerial wrongdoings to hear former president as 'assisted witness' in Karachi affair.

Power cuts as Storm Qumaira batters west of France

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Winds of up to 120km/h  swept parts of the country, cutting power mainly in the Loire Valley in the west, but also Normandy in the north-west.

French justice minister Taubira accused of political interference

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Top Paris prosecutor says minister sought to remove him on political grounds as she highlights plan to increase neutrality of France's legal system.

Head of France's BPCE bank 'probed over conflict of interest'

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Judicial investigation into 2009 appointment of Francois Perol, who was President Sarkozy's economics adviser, as chairman of merged bank.

Hollande popularity sinks below 20% on affair, unemployment

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With jobless total at 16 year high, the French president's poll ratings fall below 20% for the first time since his election win in May 2012.

France publicly destroys seized ivory worth $6m

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The three tonnes of ivory was crushed in front of the Eiffel Tower in bid to increase international pressure against elephant poaching in Africa.

France likely to extend mission in Central African Republic: minister

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Defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says UN will probably have to extend France's military mandate in the country when it expires in May.

Paris denies French school is teaching sharia law in Qatar

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Agreement between Lycée Voltaire in Doha and France does not involve changes to religion classes or dividing classes by sex, ministry insists.

Spanish boat breaks in two off French coast

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Cargo vessel slams into dyke after 'complete electrical breakdown' in high winds and strong seas off Anglet near Bayonne on Atlantic coast.

Hamburgers invade sit-down restaurants in France

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The huge popularity of the burger in France is largely due to demand from customers eating in rather than from takeaways, say researchers.