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French budget minister files defamation suit against Mediapart

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French budget minister Jérôme Cahuzachas announced he is to sue Mediapart over its report that he held a secret Swiss bank account until 2010.

French luxury hotel boss to submit to DNA test over Dati child claim

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French court orders hotel and casino chain boss Dominique Desseigne to undergo DNA test to establish if he fathered former justice minister's child.

Alarming fall in sperm count among French men

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Study finds average sperm count among French men fallen by a third since 1989, while the country has one of the highest fertility rates in Europe.

French railways to make yobbish passengers cough up

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French railways operator launches a crackdown on soaring 'uncouth behaviour' on its trains which it says is deterring many people from using them.

Two arrests in Toulouse gunman investigation

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A man and a woman suspected of criminal links with Mohamed Merah, who shot dead seven people in and around Toulouse in March, have been arrested.

Bank of France chief sparks war of words over call for euro to dump City

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Comments by Bank of France chief that the City of London should no longer be financial centre for the euro meet with sharp rebuke in Britain.

Hollande pays steep price for steel plant reprieve

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The French government's handling of the dispute at ArcelorMittal's steel plant in Florange, in Lorraine, has been widely judged as a major blunder.

France, UK, protest against expansion of Israeli settlements

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France and Britain summon Israeli ambassadors in protest at the intended construction of 3,000 new homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Ally of new UMP boss calls for fresh leadership vote

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Country's main conservative party edges closer to resolving crisis as former minister backs calls for new poll to pick a leader.

Steel reprieve comes at price for France's Hollande

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Stand-off over steel giant ArcelorMittal's plant has unnerved investors, confused unions and exposed his new government to ridicule.