The French state will soon partially reimburse the cost of weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro for severely obese patients, expanding access to the expensive drugs, two informed sources told AFP on Wednesday. Wegovy, produced by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro are among a new generation of weight-loss drugs that have proven remarkably effective, hugely popular and lucrative in the past few years, though they do have some drawbacks.
Moise Kouame had expertly handled his nerves and high expectations to begin his first French Open main draw match on the front foot, he had demonstrated his enormous promise by playing so well, and he had paired his form with total self-assurance. Finally, with the 17-year-old up two sets to love and on his way to a perfect start, his 5,000-strong audience responded with an impromptu rendition of La Marseillaise. Their crooning provided the soundtrack for one of the statement wins of the tournament as Kouame, the latest young star to command France's attention, underlined his massive promise by spectacularly closing out his first grand slam match with a 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-1 win over the former US Open champion Marin Cilic.
France faced unusually hot weather on Monday, the national weather service said, after enduring record high temperatures for a month of May at the weekend. In the northwestern city of Rennes, 74-year-old Daniele Dupont tried to stick to the shade as she walked her dog in 27C on Monday morning "I'm going to close the shutters. I won't be going out this afternoon," she said in the capital of the Brittany region, across the Channel from the United Kingdom.
The proposal to abolish low-emission zones, or zones à faibles émissions (ZFEs), was introduced through amendments submitted by right-wing and far-right lawmakers to a bill aimed at "simplifying" French laws. It was passed in parliament in April, but the bill was immediately referred to the Conseil Constitutionnel, France's highest authority on constitutional matters and new laws. On Thursday, the Council ruled against the ZFE section of the bill, meaning that the low emission zones - enforced via the Crit'Air sticker system - will remain in place.
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the landmark legislation at the Elysee presidential palace on Thursday, Macron said the continued existence of the royal decrees was a "form of offence" and "a betrayal of what the Republic stands for". "That is why I am asking the government to take up the bill aimed at repealing the ," Macron said. On Wednesday, lawmakers on the National Assembly's law committee backed the bill, which now needs to go to a vote in both houses.
Theo McFarland will leave Saracens at the end of the season to join a team in France. The 30-year-old has made 86 appearances for the London club since signing in 2021 and was part of the side that won the Prem title in 2023.
France will ban the sale of cannabidiol (CBD) edibles from May 15, while still allowing it to be sold to be smoked, AFP learnt from several sources on Thursday. CBD is a non-psychoactive derivative of the cannabis plant that is touted by its users as reducing pain, stress, anxiety and inflammation. Contacted by AFP, the Directorate General for Food (DGAL) did not respond immediately, but the government is expected to issue a statement in the coming days, the Ministry of Agriculture said.
The Mast of Fraternity and Memory, inaugurated this month, marks a turning point in France's complicated relationship with the legacy of its history of enslavement just as the French president, Emmanuel Macron, comes under pressure to make key announcements on a process of reparatory justice.
In 2023 I went to the French towns of Amiens and Bourges to do some research on cathedrals for certain scenes in Dear Monica Lewinsky. I had already written most of the novel; a lot of it was based on some scholarship I've done, reading books, and memories of my own study abroad program in France in the 1990s.
The Paris Prosecutor's Office announced on Thursday that the minor, suspected of using the online alias 'breach3d', faces two computer crime allegations linked to an intrusion in which between 12 million and 18 million lines of data were offered for sale on cybercrime forums.
Trains were already having a bit of a moment as more people ditched flying in favour of an option that is not only better for the environment but also offers a much more comfortable - if slower - passenger experience.
The national anti-organized crime prosecutor's investigation revealed that structured criminal networks are actively recruiting participants and systematically targeting the families of known cryptocurrency holders.
The court ruled that his judgement was impaired at the time of the attack -- a finding that could have reduced the sentence to 13 years -- but said a longer term was justified given the 'undeniable seriousness' of the crime.
The larger share of the order consists of 200 Scania intercity buses equipped with CNG fuel systems designed for extended range, allocated to services within the Paris region.
The mission, to be launched 'as soon as conditions allow', will be strictly peaceful and defensive. Its primary goals are to reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance operations in the strait.
Classic France is a country of nuance with a love of conversation and freedom and an aversion to fanaticism. Contemporary Houellebecq describes France as a museum, where landscape turns into decor and where rural areas are emptying out.
