Paris, May 16 : Canadian Adham Sharara was re-elected as president of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) during the World Championships here.

Sharara, who has held the position since succeeding Chinese Xu Yinsheng in 1999 to become the sixth ITTF chief, beat his only rival Stefano Bosi of Italy, the chief of European Table Tennis Federation, 149-53 in a vote at the ITTF General Meeting Wednesday.

An electrical engineer by trade, Cairo-born Sharara was last re-elected in Yokohama, Japan, in 2009.

French retail chain Carrefour and U. S. retail giant Walmart could review their plans to set up stores in India, in case the government doesn't relax some of the "tough" norms in its foreign investment policy.

Both Carrefour and Walmart have reportedly written to the Indian government, expressing their reluctance to make investments in the Indian multi-brand retail market due to uncertainties around the FDI policy.

Paris, May 13 : The 52nd edition of the world's premier table tennis event will be held in Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy May 13-20 with a record 463 men and 360 women participating.

The players are from 130 countries and regions competing for the five gold medals on offer - men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles, reports Xinhua.

Paris, May 8 : France has identified its first case of coronavirus infection, a virus akin to SARS, the health ministry announced Wednesday.

"This is the first and the only case confirmed in France to date", with an infection by a new virus from the coronavirus family, the ministry said.

It said the infected person had stayed in the United Arab Emirates before returning to France, and is now placed in isolation, reported Xinhua.(IANS)

Paris, April 25 : France's second largest carmaker Renault has said its revenue fell by 11.8 percent to 8.26 billion euros ($10.75 billion) during the first quarter amid persistent economic downturn in the European bloc.

In a statement issued by Renault Wednesday, the company said it sold 608,455 vehicles in the first three months of 2013, down by 4.7 percent for the same period last year as "in Europe, the market was tougher than expected", where the group reported 10-percent fall in its sales.

As to the automotive division, it contributed negatively to the group total revenue with 7.73 billion euros, down 12.6 percent, reported Xinhua.

France-based device manufacturer Archos has recently unveiled a new line of three impressive no-contract, fully unlocked Android smartphones - the Archos 35 Carbon; Archos 50 Platinum, and the Archos 53 Platinum.

Though, of late, the Archos brand has chiefly been associated with bargain tablets, the unveiling of the new Android smartphone line by the company hints at its apparent attempt to target all consumer levels in the smartphone market.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on Tuesday announced that it acquired a 100 per cent stake in French IT services firm Alti SA in an all-cash deal worth Rs 533 crore (_75 million).

The strategic acquisition of Alti, which is owned by its management and private equity funds IDI and CM-CIC LBO Partners, will help the India software firm expand its presence in Europe.

French firm, Dassault, which emerged victorious in India’s search for a supplier of fighter aircrafts in a multi-billion dollar deal, has told the government officials that there should be separate contracts for 18 aircrafts that will be flown to the country by Dassault and 108 aircraft to be produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in the country.

Paris, April 3 : FC Barcelona have paid a heavy price for the 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie away to Paris Saint Germain after star player Lionel Messi had to be substituted at the halftime break and defender Javier Mascherano too being stretchered off late in the game.

Nogaro (France), April 1 : Indian driver Sailesh Bolisetti of team Scorpus Racing finished a credible 13th on his first eventful race outing in the Euro Racecar series here at the Circuit Paul Armagnac.

Having qualified 18th, Bolisetti immediately put his underlying pace to good use and set out to claw his way back up the grid in the 450 bhp Chevrolet Corvette here Sunday.

After passing a couple of cars on the opening lap, he seemed to have the pace for a top-10 finish but some mechanical issues with the braking system prevented him from making required progress.

Paris, March 31 - Paris' iconic Eiffel Tower Saturday evening was the target of a bomb threat, leading police to evacuate about 1,500 people from the wrought iron structure raised in 1889, police sources said.

Police evacuated the world famous monument after receiving an anonymous call of bomb attempt made from a phone booth, Xinhua reported.

Around 6.30 p. m., the police advised all the people on the site to leave. In less than an hour later, around 1,500 visitors and employees were evacuated peacefully.

According to the findings of a study by BBC World News, television continues to the primary device for users on the news front, especially in `Breaking News' situations; notwithstanding the increasing usage of smartphones, tablets and PCs for hunting news.

Paris, March 29 : French President Francois Hollande has said that his priority is to tackle unemployment, the biggest headache for the Socialist government since he took office 10 months ago.

In a live television interview on France 2 Thursday, Hollande reiterated his commitments to the French people although his popularity plummeted in latest poll surveys and the country's economy continues to deteriorate.

Paris, March 23 : Actor Brad Pitt has reportedly spent a staggering 5 million pounds to buy a luxury yacht.

Pitt, 49, who is currently staying here in France with his six children and fiancee Angelina Jolie, is keen to take his family out for a sail, reports thesun. co. uk.

"Brad's always wanted a classic sail yacht and this one is perfect. It sleeps eight, but you can have more on board if you are just going out for a day," a source said.

"He loves the idea of taking the kids out around the islands along the coast of the South of France near St Tropez," the source added.(IANS)

Paris, March 18 : Celebrity couple Brad Pitt and fiancee Angelina Jolie are reportedly planning to have similar tattoos as part of their soon-to-happen wedding.

The couple, who raises six children - Maddox, 11, Pax, nine, Zahara, eight, Shiloh, six, and Knox and Vivienne, four - will ink the name of their children and wedding date, reports contactmusic. com.

According to the latest figures released, the unemployment rate in France increased to 10.6 per cent during the third quarter of the current financial year.

France's national statistics agency Insee said on Thursday that the total unemployment level has risen 0.3 percent point to 10.6 per cent from 10.3 per cent recorded in the third quarter of 2012.

The high level of unemployment in the second largest economy in Europe would add pressure on the government of President Francois Hollande to implement the labour market reform, which has been a contentious issue in the country.

Paris, Feb 19 : Footballer David Beckham and wife Victoria are here to celebrate son Cruz's birthday with the entire family.

The star couple are here with sons Romeo and Brooklyn and daughter Harper to celebrate third son Cruz's birthday, who turns eight Feb 20, reports dailymail. co. uk.

Dressed in a pair of jeans and overcoat, David looked serious with Harper in his arms, while Victoria wore a blue dress as she hid her face behind sunglasses. (IANS)

Paris, Feb 19 : France and China would launch a new round of cooperation and exchanges to further their historic relations, French President Francois Hollande has said.

Addressing a reception here marking the Chinese Lunar New Year, Hollande Monday said some cabinet members have visited China after the new French government was sworn in last May.

A number of French entrepreneurs are developing their business in China, an important country in the world, he said, adding that he would also pay a visit to China this year, reported Xinhua.

Procurement of 126 Rafale fighter jets from French firm Dassault Aviation is the top priority for Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters at the Aero India 2013 show, which began on February 6 in Bangalore, Browne said that negotiations for the deal were going on track, and they expect the deal to be finalised by the mid of 2013.

Speaking on the topic, he added, "The deal for procuring 126 multirole combat aircraft is highest priority for us."

Paris, Jan 11 : Inviting French investments in India''s infrastructure, food processing industries, hi-tech and green technologies, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has said economic and commercial relations between India and France were affected by the economic slowdown but are again growing steadily and there is considerable untapped potential for further growth.