No. 14: Gay Marriage Now Legal in France

French President Francois Hollande fulfilled a major campaign promise today by signing into law a measure legalizing gay marriage, reports Reuters. The first same-sex weddings can be held in 10 days, notes the BBC. Opponents in the heavily Catholic country aren’t done protesting the move, however, and plan another demonstration on May 26. France becomes the 14th…

France and Cameroon Paid Boko Haram $3.15 million To Free French Hostages

Members of fundamentalist sect Boko Haram were paid an equivalent of around $ 3.15 million by French and Cameroonian negotiators before freeing seven French hostages this month, a confidential Nigerian government report obtained by Reuters said.

The memo does not say who paid the ransom for the family of seven, who were all released on April 19, although…

France: Mali Fighting Over Now, Time for Talks

With French forces retaking the last city held by rebels, Paris is now looking for the Mali government and “legitimate representatives” from rebel groups to talk, reports al-Jazeera. “We have arrived at a moment of change,” says France’s defense minister, declaring that “the French intervention has succeeded.” Now, says a spokesman for the…

France Launches Mali Ground Offensive

(AP) – French troops pressed northward in Mali today toward territory occupied for months by Islamist militants, military officials said, announcing the start of a land assault that will put soldiers in direct combat “within hours.”

France’s defense minister says soldiers were headed away from the relative safety of the capital toward the rebel strongholds in the north…

France: Mali Campaign Over Within ‘Weeks’

France’s foreign minister is optimistic about the campaign it started in Mali Friday, saying it will be over within “weeks.” He rejected a comparison to the Afghanistan war, adding, “we have no intention of staying forever,” the BBC reports. The country’s defense minister was also positive, saying the mission is “developing favorably,”…

France Launches Airstrikes in Mali

(AP) – France launched airstrikes today to help the government of Mali defeat al-Qaida-linked militants who captured more ground this week, dramatically raising the stakes in the battle for this vast desert nation.

French President Francois Hollande said the “terrorist groups, drug traffickers and extremists” in northern Mali “show a brutality that threatens us all.” He vowed…

‘No place in cycling’: Lance Armstrong stripped of Tour de France titles

Nigeria crash out of FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after losing 5-3 on penalties to France

Flamingoes will be taking the next available flight back home as they lost gallantly to France 5:3 on penalties at the quarter-finals of the on-going FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Faraway Azerbaijan.

The match ended 0:0 after extra-time and fortune favoured France as they were able to convert all their 5 spot-kicks competently. As Sarah Nnodim notched her penalty kick…

Air France Asks Passengers to Pay for Fuel!

Airline asks passengers to pay for gas after credit card is declined

Deschamps: France could use some fresh blood

Didier Deschamps has revealed that he is likely to make a number of changes to his France squad for the upcoming friendly against Uruguay.

Deschamps replaced Laurent Blanc as national team coach after this summer’s European Championship, and will be in charge of les Bleus for the first time against La Celeste on August 15.

“Some of those who went…