French for Australians - Learn to speak French Audio CDs

Basic CDs Berlitz 6 Book

Berlitz Basic French 136 page fully illustrated course book and 6 Audio CDs Other Learn to Speak French Audio click here Berlitz Basic French - Course Book and 6 Audio CDs Brand New : 6 CDs * Audio CDs that play on Car/Home/Portable CD Player * Compatble with iPOD and mp3 devices * Go online for free additional materials Learning French is now made even simpler with Berlitz Basic French the affordable self-study audio course using the Berlitz conversational approach lauded by millions. For years the way to learn a language was through repetition and grammar drills - but current research shows that people learn best and retain more when engaged in meaningful real-life conversations. Berlitz B more here.....

CDs Time + Audio French drive 4 Drive Guide - Learn while - Reference

Drive Time French Learn French while you Drive Reference Guide and 4 CDs Get Other French Language Learning click here Drive Time French - Reference Guide and 4 Audio CDs - Learn to speak French Brand New (still shrink wrapped): Reference Guide and 4 CDs Now anyone can learn a foreign language while commuting to work running errands or even taking a trip with the family. The new all-audio Drive Time series starts with an ingenious "On-Ramp" CD that eases language learners into French with simple practical expressions and engaging warm-up exercises. Three additional CDs contain 18 lessons that cover all of the essentials-vocabulary pronunciation grammar and basic conversation. Drive Time also find out more.....

French for

French for Children Activity Book CDs and Parents CD Other Learn to Speak French Audio click here French for Children Activity Book 2 Program Audio CDs 1 Parents Audio CD Brand New Includes A Full Color Activity Book (80 pages)- A complete Language Course A wide range of Activities Games French-language songs the cartoon adventures of Superchat Stimulating Program CDs - Numerous -activities drawn from the activity book additional activities created especially for the CD the songs for all the units each exciting episode of Superchat. Parents/Instructors CD - Tips for helping children get the most out of the program Additional games and activities All the program songs collected together the a more information.....

Learn - French French CD Dummies + Book For Audio to Speak

French for Dummies 3 Audio CDs Book Our Complete Range French Audio Language Learning click here for individual titles: Pimsleur French click here - Pimsleur Conversational French click here Michel Thomas French click here Learn in your Car French click here French for Dummies - 3 Audio CDs and Book The fun and easy way to communicate effectively in a new language! Want to speak French? Don't have a lot of time? This practical audio set is designed to help you learn quickly and easily at home or on the road. From basic greetings and expressions to grammar and conversations you'll grasp the essentials and start communicating right away! Plus you can follow along with the handy 96-page portabl find out more.....

booklet 101 Audio and French Verbs

French Verbs 101 Keep your vocabulary on the cutting edge Get Other French Language Learning click here French Verbs 101 - 36 page listening guide and 4 Audio CDs Brand New (still shrink wrapped) Learn in Your Car Verbs 101 CDs - French Pack contains 4 audio CDs and a 36-page listening guide. No sentence is complete without that one essential part: the VERB! An excellent beginner to intermediate student's verb guide that: demystifies verb conjugations; features an interactive audio format; organises verbs into patterns to simplify learning and recall; focuses on learning just the key verbs must used in everyday conversation. Learn in Your Car Verbs 101 presents 101 most used verbs in all con more here.....

kit 2 French Learn started Michel - to Audio CDs Speak French speak get -

Michel Thomas Speak French Get Started Kit Other Learn French Audio Book CDs Click here for other Michel Thomas Audio Language Learning click here Michel Thomas Speak French Get Started Kit- 2 Audio CDs : Brand New : 2 Audio CDs No passport required! The world’s greatest language teacher is at your side. "There's no such thing as a bad student--just a bad teacher." --Michel Thomas No books. No writing. No drills. And nothing to memorize--ever! With his patented method Michel Thomas has taught languages to top celebrities and--through his bestselling audio programs--more than a million everyday learners around the world. At the end of this five-CD advanced program you will have acquire more here.....

8 Instant Audio NEW French Immersion

Instant Immersion French 8 Audio CDs - play in your car - portable CD player - or at home - (they are not computer software) Get Other French Language Learning click here Instant Immersion French 8 Audio CDs - Learn to speak French Brand New : 8 CDs From Provence to Paris now you can join the conversation with Instant Immersion French the dynamic audio language learning system on 8 compact discs. Providing effective progressive instruction in all the basics of structure syntax and grammar Instant Immersion French for Travelers emphasizes the building blocks of proper speech and conversational skill-building all set to a lively lesson plan of practical French vocabulary. Not a phrase book not extra info.....

- in Learn

Learn in Your Car French - The Complete Language Course 9 Hours of Audio - Level I II and III The complete Course - French Level 1 2 and 3 is available click here Get Other French Language Learning click here Learn in Your Car - French - The Complete Language Course - 9 Audio CDs Brand New : 9 Audio CDs - plus three listening guides plus zippered carry case plus bonus DVD This exciting new edition includes a 60-minute Travelogue DVD of the relevant destination countries for each language. This added feature will enrich the learning experience and add that extra stimulus to motivate users with their studies. New material in this second edition includes a variety of internet and digital media/ more information.....

Speak Pimsleur -Discount to CD's Learn - French AUDIO Basic French

Pimsleur Basic French Totally Audio - only 30 minutes a day 5 CDs Brand New - Latest Pimsleur Release Get Other French Language Learning click here Pimsleur Basic French 5 Audio CDs - Learn to speak French Brand New : . 5 CDs The Pimsleur Method provides the most effective language-learning program ever developed. The Pimsleur Method gives you quick command of French structure without tedious drills. Learning to speak French can actually be enjoyable and rewarding. The key reason most people struggle with new languages is that they aren't given proper instruction only bits and pieces of a language. Other language programs sell only pieces — dictionaries; grammar books and instructions; more here.....

Audio CDs - Book French to Pimsleur - Learn Speak French Conversational

Pimsleur Conversational French - Audio CD 8CDs 16 Lessons Audio CDs play on Car/Portable/Home CD player Other French Audio Language Learning click here Other Pimsleur Audio click here Pimsleur Conversational French - Audio CD - Learn to Speak French Brand New : 8 CDs HEAR IT LEARN IT SPEAK IT The Pimsleur Method provides the most effective language-learning program ever developed. The Pimsleur Method gives you quick command of French structure without tedious drills. Learning to speak Italian can actually be enjoyable and rewarding. The key reason most people struggle with new languages is that they aren't given proper instruction only bits and pieces of a language. Other language programs s find out more.....

- French Learn French

Michel Thomas Speak French Advanced Other Learn French Audio Book CDs Click here for other Michel Thomas Audio Language Learning click here Michel Thomas Speak French Advanced - 5 Audio CDs : Brand New : 5 Audio CDs No passport required! The world’s greatest language teacher is at your side. "There's no such thing as a bad student--just a bad teacher." --Michel Thomas No books. No writing. No drills. And nothing to memorize--ever! With his patented method Michel Thomas has taught languages to top celebrities and--through his bestselling audio programs--more than a million everyday learners around the world. At the end of this five-CD advanced program you will have acquired: A powerful more information.....

Teach & CD Audio Your Baby Teaching Guide

Teach Your Baby French Audio CD and teaching guide Get Other French Language Learning click here Teach your Baby French - Audio CD and Teaching Guide Brand New : . 1 CD Teach Your Baby French helps your child learn more than one language during the crucial window of opportunity: The first three years of life! Teaching counting colours body parts animals clothes and more Teach Your Baby French focuses on concepts and objects which infants can comprehend instead of abstractions like time or social greetings. Teach Your Baby French helps stimulate a baby's neural pathways build vocabulary and develop innate grammar understanding - in more than one language! Children learn multiple languages mor more information.....

Yourself Book Audio Beginners French and

Teach Yourself Beginners French Cover all the Basics Get Other French Language Learning click here Teach Yourself Beginners French Book and 2 Audio CDs Brand New - 2CDs and Book cover all the basics go at a steady pace build your confidence to speak Teach Yourself Beginner’s French is the right course for you if you really want to learn French but are daunted by the prospect of complicated grammar classes and coursebooks. This book starts right from the beginning and explains everything in simple English. There are hints throughout to make learning easy and you can learn at your own pace with plenty of practice of each new point. It is a friendly introduction to the language which will extra info.....

Audio to Learn - Thomas CDs French French Michel

Michel Thomas Speak French for beginners Other Learn French Audio Book CDs Click here for other Michel Thomas Audio Language Learning click here Michel Thomas Speak French - 10 Audio CDs : Brand New : 10 Audio CDs Learn French with Michel Thomas--no passport required! No books. No writing. No drills. And nothing to memorize--ever! With his unique audio program Michel Thomas taught French to celebrities corporate leaders and schoolchildren around the world. Now you can enjoy the same immediate and amazing results. You will go from the basics to fluency in no time with this complete course. The premium method fit for a princess . . . and you! Stars and Heads of State who have used Thomas's me more information.....

Yourself

Teach Yourself Instant French By Elisabeth Smith 35 Minutes a Day - in Six Weeks you will speak French Get Other French Language Learning click here Teach Yourself Instant French Book and 2 Audio CDs Brand New Book and 2CDs 35 minutes a day in 6 weeks you'll speak french! Teach Yourself Instant French is the book for you if you want to speak basic French immediately or if you have tried other courses without success. The carefully structured method targets only the most important vocabulary and grammar and gets you speaking straight away. The special learning programme takes only 35 minutes a day for six weeks and has fewer than 400 words for you to learn. The grammar is explained in a no-no more information.....

2 FRENCH CDs Audio French 15 - Book

15 Minute French DK Eyewitness Guide by Caroline Lemoine A complete course with Book and 2 60 minute CD's Get Other French Language Learning click here 15 Minute French Book and 2 Audio CDs - Learn French in 15 minutes a day Brand New Book and 2CDs Parlez-vous Francais in just 15 minutes! What can you do in fifteen minutes?...Wait in a supermarket queue? Flick through the latest celebrity magazine? Now with this revolutionary new system for learning a language you can learn French in just 15 minutes a day and speak and understand the language with confidence. This unique visual approach makes learning quick easy and fun. No homework no writing no fuss. Practice just 4 times a week for 3 mont more information.....

Audio 5 Learn French to Builder Vocabulary - CDs French Thomas Speak -Discount speak - - Michel

Michel Thomas Speak French Vocabulary Builder Other Learn French Audio Book CDs Click here for other Michel Thomas Audio Language Learning click here Michel Thomas Speak French Vocabulary Builder - 5 Audio CDs : Brand New : 5 Audio CDs No passport required! The world’s greatest language teacher is at your side. "There's no such thing as a bad student--just a bad teacher." --Michel Thomas In just six hours you can enrich your French vocabulary with the Michel Thomas™ method You already know and trust the Michel Thomas method™ for learning a new language--no books no writing no drills. And nothing to memorize--ever! Now the next generation of Michel Thomas-method teachers is more details.....

Special - -mp3s French

French Special Edition Deluxe Language Course 20 Audio CDs Flashcards 9 listening guides and more... Get Other French Audio Language learning Audio click here French Special Edition Deluxe Language Course 20 Audio Cds and more - Learn to Speak French Brand New : 20 Audio CDs and more Global Access Special Edition is a comprehensive beginner through advanced language learning program designed for travel business and personal enrichment. This 20 CD program begins with 1 60-minute audio CD of survival words and phrases needed for travel. Next 9 audio CDs feature beginning intermediate and advanced grammar concepts essential for language mastery. Then test your comprehension with 3 immersion aud find out more.....

- Pack Travel Berlitz CD Audio Phrase and French Book

Berlitz French Travel Pack 224 page phrase book and Audio CD Get Other French Audio Language learning Audio click here Berlitz French Travel Pack 1 Audio Cd and Phrase Books - Learn to Speak French Brand New 1 Audio CD 224 page Phrase Book This travel pack offers a fast and effective way for travellers to learn basic words and phrases. Based on the Berlitz listen-and-repeat approach the CD features more than 300 essential expressions while the book contains more than 1200 words and phrases. * 1 200 words and phrases * sections color-coded by topic * easy-to-understand pronunciation * dictionary * menu reader * emergency expressions * CD includes more than 300 useful words and expressions * l find out more.....

in Level - - Your - CDs Learn 1

Learn in Your Car French Level 1 The complete Course - French Level 1 2 and 3 is available click here Other Learn French Audio Book CDs Click here Learn in Your Car French - 3 Audio CDs : Brand New : 3 Audio CDs plus a full Text Listening Guide The Learn in Your Car French is the first system ever designed to teach a language in your car...or anywhere...without a textbook. Simple and effective you can learn to converse in another language while driving walking or doing tasks around the house. Each course is organized the way you learn best - by learning words and phrases - and building these into sentences and clear conversations. Arrange hotel accommodations order in restaurants change mon more details.....

Car 2 - Level - Your

Learn in Your Car French Level 2 The complete Course - French Level 1 2 and 3 is available click here Other Learn French Audio Book CDs Click here Learn in Your Car French Level 2 - 3 Audio CDs : Brand New : 3 Audio CDs plus a full Text Listening Guide The Learn in Your Car French is the first system ever designed to teach a language in your car...or anywhere...without a textbook. Simple and effective you can learn to converse in another language while driving walking or doing tasks around the house. Each course is organized the way you learn best - by learning words and phrases - and building these into sentences and clear conversations. Arrange hotel accommodations order in restaurants ch more details.....

- -

Learn in Your Car French Level 3 The complete Course - French Level 1 2 and 3 is available click here Other Learn French Audio Book CDs Click here Learn in Your Car French Level 3 - 3 Audio CDs : Brand New : 3 Audio CDs plus a full Text Listening Guide The Learn in Your Car French is the first system ever designed to teach a language in your car...or anywhere...without a textbook. Simple and effective you can learn to converse in another language while driving walking or doing tasks around the house. Each course is organized the way you learn best - by learning words and phrases - and building these into sentences and clear conversations. Arrange hotel accommodations order in restaurants ch more details.....

1 CD Audio

Earworms Rapid French Volume 1 Musical Brain Trainer Get Other Earworms Musical Brain Trainers click here Get Other French Audio Language learning Audio click here Earworms Rapid French - Musical Brain Trainer - Volume 1 - Audio CD Brand New (still shrink wrapped): Audio CD + 20 page booklet. earworms mbt™ is a revolutionary accelerated learning technique that takes the hard work out of learning. By listening to these specially composed melodies with their rhythmic repetitions of French and English a few times you pick up over 200 essential words and phrases that will not just be on the tip of your tongue but burned deeply into your long-term memory in next to no time. If you like musi more details.....

CD Volume

Earworms Rapid French Volume 2 Musical Brain Trainer Get Other Earworms Musical Brain Trainers click here Get Other French Audio Language learning Audio click here Earworms Rapid French - Musical Brain Trainer - Volume 2 - Audio CD Brand New (still shrink wrapped): Audio CD + 20 page booklet. earworms mbt™ is a revolutionary accelerated learning technique that takes the hard work out of learning. By listening to these specially composed melodies with their rhythmic repetitions of French and English a few times you pick up over 200 essential words and phrases that will not just be on the tip of your tongue but burned deeply into your long-term memory in next to no time. If you like musi more here.....

French learning Childrens - Me French Teach musical

Teach Me French - Deluxe A Musical Journey through the Day Get Other French Language Learning Audio Books click here Teach Me French - Audio CD and teaching guide Brand New 1 CDs Booklet and teaching guide The Teach Me... series includes a delightfully illustrated book with song lyrics and translations in English. For children ages 2 and up. 21 Favourite Songs Including: -Are You Sleeping -Twinkle Twinkle Little Star -The Wheels on the Car -Dinner is Delicious -Days of the Week -Head Shoulders Knees Toes ...and many more! Since 1985 the Teach Me... series has been embraced by teachers parents and children alike because of its innovative inviting and fun approach to foreign language learning. more here.....

Teach Words Child First your

Baby's First Words in French Teach Your Child French Get Other French Language Learning click here Baby's First Words in French - Book and CD - Newborn to 2 Years Expand Your Child's Mind and Horizons with a Second Language! Reccomended for babies and toddlers up to 2 years of age. Brand New - Still shrinkwrapped Before they focus in on their native language babies have an amazing ability to hear and absorb sounds that adults unconsciously block out like the subtleties of a foreign language. "Baby's First Words in French" is an introduction to the sounds of French and locks in a child's ability to learn these sounds. Created by linguistic experts "Baby's First Words in French" is more details.....

- Lonely

Lonely Planet - Fast Talk Audio - French Other Language Learning French Audio Book CDs Click here Lonely Planet - Fast Talk Audio - French Brand New - CD and Book Fast Talk Audio - French is a pocket-sized phrasebook and CD companion packed with key phrases for short trips. Read and listen to all the language you need for sightseeing shopping eating drinking and more. Lonely Planet's Fast Talk with Audio series gives you all the basics you may need for an easy and hassle-free short trip away. This practical pocket-sized phrasebook and CD companion is your best bet to laughing eating and telling it like it is - in a way that even locals will understand! Includes an easy pronunciation find out more.....

Fun

LinguaFun French Card Games and Audio CD Other Childrens Language Learning Audio click here Lingua Fun French - Card Games and Audio CD Brand New Language Learning Card Games and CD Play exciting games like Go Fish Solitaire Gin Rummy and more as you combine red white and blue cards to form sentences. Become instantly fluent with colourful cards making over 10 000 possible sentences. Included is a 45-minute audio CD for pronunciation! Two unique card decks: The Family deck focuses on basic vocabulary and everyday family activities. The Travel deck is the fastest and the most enjoyable way to pick up key travel phrases. About the French Language For the period up to around 1300 some linguists extra info.....

CD France visit French 3

French Crash Course Essential Vocabulary Phrases and Pronunciation for quick and Easy mastery 3 Audio CDs - play in your car - portable CD player - or at home Get Other French Language Learning click here French Crash Course - Learn to Speak French on 3 Audio CDs Brand New : . 3 CDs Designed to pinpoint the most relevant information needed for daily communication Instant Immersion French Crash Course provides a quick and thorough program for travelers students and business people alike who want to master key speaking skills fast. This 3 CD audio suite features salutations the alphabet pronunciation and much more enabling you to converse with ease. Join the millions of people worldwide who ha more details.....

Teach - -

Teach Me Everyday French Volume 1: Written by Judy Mahoney illustrated by Patrick Girouard Other Childrens Language Learning Audio click here Teach Me Everyday French - Volume 1 - Judy Mahoney - Book and Audio CD Brand New Teach Me Everyday is the newest title available from the award winning Teach Me series. Kids love to learn a new language! And what better way than through the joy of song! Teach Me Everyday contains a 32 page hard cover book beautifully illustrated helping to capture your childrens attention and feed there imaginations! Accompanied by an Audio CD full of popular childhood songs. All songs are professionally recorded in French . The colour book contains full lyrics and tra more here.....

Fun Activity DVD the CD Audio Live Lyric Learn - - Language way

Learn French the Fun Way Lyric Language Live CD DVD and Book Value pack Other Childrens Language Learning Audio click here Other French Language Learning Audio click here Lyric Language Live - Learn French the Fun Way - Audio CD DVD and Activity Book Brand New The Multiple Award Winning Lyric Language series is one of the most successful audio and video language programs available. It teaches foreign languages to children through music and delightful bilingual lyrics. It's also perfect for ESL students! Includes a 70 minute DVD video with a full colour Lyric Book an audio CD containing 21 bilingual songs About the French Language For the period up to around 1300 some linguists refer to the o more details.....

CD Discount - - 16 French Level Pimsleur Comprehensive 1 Audio

Pimsleur Comprehensive French Level 1 Get other Pimsleur Comprehensive French click here Get other French Language audio click here Comprehensive French I includes 30 lessons of essential grammar and vocabulary -- 16 hours of real-life spoken practice sessions -- plus an introduction to reading. Upon completion of this Level I program you will have functional spoken proficiency with the most-frequently-used vocabulary and grammatical structures. You will be able to: * initiate and maintain face-to-face conversations * deal with every day situations -- ask for information directions and give basic information about yourself and family * communicate basic information on informal topics and par more here.....

Pimsleur Audio CD - Discount - 2 Level

Pimsleur Comprehensive French Level 2 Get other Pimsleur Comprehensive French click here Get other French Language audio click here Comprehensive French II includes 30 additional lessons (16 hrs.) plus Readings which build upon the language skills acquired in Level I. Increased spoken and reading language ability. Level II will double your vocabulary and grammatical structures while increasing your spoken proficiency exponentially. Upon completion of a Level II you will be able to: * engage in fuller conversations involving yourself your family daily activities interests and personal preferences * combine known elements into increasingly longer sentences and strings of sentences * create wit find out more.....

Level - 3

Pimsleur Comprehensive French Level 3 Get other Pimsleur Comprehensive French click here Get other French Language audio click here Comprehensive French III includes 30 additional lessons (16 hrs.) plus Readings which build upon the language skills acquired in Levels I and II. Increased spoken and reading language ability. Level III will increase your vocabulary and grammatical structures and triple your spoken proficiency. Upon completion of a level III you will be able to: * participate in most informal and some formal discussions on practical social and some semi-professional topics * form longer sentences while maintaining the target language syntax * be understood even by native speaker more here.....

Attoub fights lengthy gouging ban

Stade Francais prop David Attoub has appealed against his 70-week ban for gouging in a Heineken Cup match against Ulster last month, competition organisers said overnight. "David Attoub has today lodged an appeal against both the finding of foul play and level of sanction imposed by an independent disciplinary hearing last Tuesday," said a statement posted on the ERC website. "The independent appeal committee will be appointed as soon as practicable." The 28-year-old, who played for France in 2006, was suspended for gouging flanker Stephen Ferris's eyes in an ill-tempered game won 23-13 by Ulster in Belfast. ERC said they had taken into account the fact the player had already been suspended three times in the past and sanctioned for a similar offence in the 2004-05 season. "This is the worst act of contact with the eyes I have had to deal with," judge Jeff Blackett said in a statement posted on the ERC website at the time. -

Imam lends support to French burqa ban

An Imam in Paris has given his support for a law against full-face veils and burqas in France. A Parliamentary Commission in France is about to deliver its findings after a six-month investigation into the religious, cultural and social significance of the more conservative style of dress by Muslim women. Hassen Chalghoumi, who heads a mosque in a northern suburb of Paris, said women who wanted to cover their faces should move to Saudi Arabia or other Muslim countries where that was a tradition. The report will be handed to the national assembly on Tuesday after which the French Government is likely to pass a law banning clothing that covers the face while they are in public. President Nicolas Sarkozy supports a ban calling the veils an affront to women's dignity.

French kiss all-male boardrooms goodbye

The French government has passed a radical affirmative action plan that will force publicly-listed companies to hire more women in their boardrooms. At the moment women hold fewer than 10 per cent of boardroom seats in publicly-listed companies, but the new laws will see that figure rise to 40 per cent. Women hold a certain place in French society - they are famed writers, musicians and supermodels. Men adore them in the bedroom, but not, it seems, in the boardroom. Avivah Wittenberg Cox, the CEO of 20-first, one of Europe's leading gender consultancies, has welcomed the new legislation. "I think this is the beginning of what we might actually consider true meritocracy," she said. "What we've had until now, I would suggest, is actually a pretty established millennium of affirmative action in favour of masculine leadership styles, networks and norms. "We will now be able to reach beyond that and promote some women." In Spain, women fill just 4 per cent of board seats. It too recently introduced a similar, though voluntary, scheme. In 2003 Norway became the first country to pass a law requiring boards to have at least 40 per cent of seats occupied by women. According to the Norwegian government, the quota is not simply a strike for equality - it makes sound economic sense in a country that has weathered the economic storm better than most. The minister of trade and industry in the Norwegian government at the time, Ansgar Gabrielsen, says the quota system ensures women are no longer disadvantaged. "From my perspective, in a country where 50 per cent of the population is women, where they have had 50 per cent of the students in higher education for decades, there was no reason to keep them out of the boards," he said. "What is the reason that only 6 per cent of the members of the board are women? I have been in the business world, so I know how it works, how they elect people to the boards and how they elect friends, how they elect people from the same schools, from the same hunting or fishing club or golf club or whatever, there was no reason to go on with that. "And I think that in 20 years, we would laugh of the situation that in many countries it's only one of 10 members of boards [that] are women. It will change all over the world, I'm sure."

Alix creator dead at 88

French cartoonist Jacques Martin, creator of the popular comic book hero Alix and a collaborator on the Tintin books, has died aged 88. Martin collaborated with Tintin creator Herge for 19 years on numerous cartoon books featuring the famous boy reporter and his faithful dog Snowy. Enjoying success in his own right after his creation Alix sprang from the pages of Tintin to become its own brand, Strasbourg-born Martin plundered Imperial Rome, Egypt and the Napoleonic era for the backdrops to his stories. Due to failing eyesight, Martin had long left the drawing to others. He died on Thursday (local time) in Switzerland. -

Forgiven Bastareaud returns for France

France coach Marc Lievremont has forgiven Mathieu Bastareaud for lying about being attacked after a loss to New Zealand last year and named him in a 30-man squad for the Six Nations championship. The 21-year-old centre had said he was attacked by up to five people as he returned to the team hotel following a 14-10 defeat by the All Blacks in Wellington last June. Back in France, after being told CCTV footage showed him entering the hotel uninjured, he admitted lying and said he had fallen in his bedroom because he was drunk. Bastareaud was ordered by the French Rugby Federation (FFR) to do 18 sessions of community service for the benefit of amateur rugby but he was not suspended. "The unhappy episode of this summer is forgotten," Lievremont said. "Bastareaud deserves to be back because he is performing well with his Stade Francais club and because he has started to do the community service he has been sentenced to." The France coach also recalled 32-year-old scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, fly half Benjamin Boyet, wings Aurelien Rougerie and Julien Malzieu and full-back Clement Poitrenaud. Half-back Frederic Michalak, winger Cedric Heymans, centre Florian Fritz and full-back Maxime Medard were left out of a squad already without suspended scrum-half Julien Dupuy plus prop Fabien Barcella and centre Damien Traille, who are both injured. "There are some players we rely on, we appreciate but who have not performed as well in recent weeks. It doesn't mean they are too old or forgotten or rejected," Lievremont said. Another surprise was the call-up of newcomer Fabrice Estebanez, a 29-year-old former rugby league international, who plays either at centre or fly half with Brive. France will start its Six Nations campaign against Scotland at Murrayfield on February 7. Forwards: Thomas Domingo, Luc Ducalcon, Sylvain Marconnet, Nicolas Mas, William Servat, Dimitri Szarzewski, Sebastien Chabal, Romain Millo-Chluski, Lionel Nallet, Pascal Pape, Julien Bonnaire, Thierry Dusautoir (c), Imanol Harinordoquy, Alexandre Lapandry, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Louis Picamoles. Backs: Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Morgan Parra, Benjamin Boyet, Francois Trinh-Duc, Mathieu Bastareaud, Fabrice Estebanez, David Marty, Yannick Jauzion, Vincent Clerc, Benjamin Fall, Julien Malzieu, Aurelien Rougerie, Alexis Palisson, Clement Poitrenaud. -

Space rocks land tourists in Sudanese jail

Three European tourists have been detained in Sudan for acquiring the remnants of a rare meteorite that hit a remote region in 2008, their lawyer said. Lawyer Adil Yacoub Ahmed says the tourists, two from France and the other from Belgium, were arrested 500 kilometres north of the capital Khartoum. "They were arrested two weeks ago in Abu Hamad and were transferred on Sunday to the Bahri prison," he said. Mr Ahmed says the trio were "just tourists, who had no intention of committing a crime". A Western diplomat confirmed the arrest of the three, without giving further details. Sudan's interior ministry previously released a statement confirming French and Belgian tourists had been arrested "for acquiring ... the remains of meteorites, which constitutes an offence" under Sudan's laws governing archaeological activity. The meteorite, named 2008 TC3, struck north Sudan in October 2008, near the Egyptian border. Space rocks that make it through the Earth's atmosphere can be extremely valuable and this rare example has been the object of research by Sudanese and United States scientists. The arrests come in the context of tense relations between Sudan and France, which is harbouring Abdel Wahid Nur, the exiled leader of a key Darfuri rebel group. Paris is also a fervent supporter of the decision in March by the International Criminal Court to issue a warrant for the arrest of Sudan's President Omar al-Beshir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. But Mr Ahmed says the case is criminal, not political. "They are doing well, they are being well treated, they have been able to speak to their families, and I hope to be able to secure their release tomorrow," he said. He added the Sudanese authorities still had to determine the nature of the rocks in their possession. -

Polanski wins damages over photos

Filmmaker Roman Polanski won more damages on Tuesday (local time) from French publications that printed photographs of him at his Swiss home where he is confined pending extradition proceedings in a child sex case. A Paris court convicted the magazines VSD and Voici and the weekly newspaper Journal de Dimanche of breaching Polanski's privacy by publishing zoom-lens pictures of him and his children without permission. It ordered them to pay a total of 16,000 euros ($24,700) in fines, costs and compensation to him and his wife, French actress Emmanuelle Seigner. Polanski is under house arrest while Swiss authorities consider a demand by the United States to deport him to face charges of having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl in California in 1977. -

70-week gouging ban for French prop

Stade Francais prop David Attoub has been hit with a mammoth 70-week ban from rugby union for gouging after what the disciplinary chief who imposed the penalty labelled "the worst act of contact with the eyes that I have had to deal with". The ban, which has been backdated to start on December 18, means, as things stand, Attoub cannot play rugby again until April 22, 2011 ruling him out of the remainder of the current European season and most of next term's campaign. It is the second-most severe suspension to have been handed out for a gouging offence in the professional era, exceeded only by the two-year ban handed to Richard Nones, a prop with French club Colomiers, in 1999. Attoub, 28, was cited for gouging Ulster lock Stephen Ferris during a stormy European Cup clash on December 12 in Belfast that the Irish province won 23-13. Eye gouging is regarded as one of the worst acts of foul play in the 15-man game and the International Rugby Board (IRB), the sport's global governing body, have instructed disciplinary authorities to come down hard on those found guilty of the offence. Judge Jeff Blackett, the disciplinary supremo at England's Rugby Football Union (RFU), who heard Attoub's case said it was the IRB directive and the player's previous history of gouging, which included a suspension for contact with the eye/eye area in a European match in the 2004/05 season, that saw him impose a penalty which has the potential to end the forward's career. Blackett, who found Attoub guilty of the offence on Friday but only passed sentence when the disciplinary hearing reconvened on Monday, determined his action was "in the top-end in the level of seriousness for an offence of contact with the eye/eye area". In a statement issued on Tuesday, Blackett said: "This is the worst act of contact with the eyes that I have had to deal with: it is a case of deliberate eye gouging". The initial hearing on December 18 was adjourned until January 15 to allow for more evidence to be gathered after doubts were cast on the veracity of photographs which showed the incident. But Blackett's ruling made clear he accepted the images were genuine and he delivered a damning indictment of Attoub's conduct. "When he was shown the incriminating photographs and asked to explain what he saw or what was happening he replied that he did not know," Blackett said. "He refused to accept the possibility that his finger was in the eye. "It was this evasiveness which satisfied me that his account was less than truthful and that he knew that he had deliberately attacked the eyes of an opponent but was trying to evade responsibility." The ban follows a 24-week ban given to Attoub's team-mate and scrum-half Julien Dupuy who also gouged Ferris in the same match. -

Alarm over anthrax-tainted heroin

The health ministry in France has issued a warning after eight people died and seven fell sick in two European countries from using heroin contaminated by anthrax. "Since December 6, there have been 15 confirmed cases of anthrax among heroin users, 14 in Scotland and one in Germany," the ministry's General Directorate for Health (DGS) said in a statement. "Eight people died," it said. "The likeliest source is heroin contaminated by anthrax spores." Most of the casualties had injected the heroin, but others also inhaled it or smoked it. Anthrax is a potentially lethal bacterium that exists naturally in the soil and can also occur among cattle. It is also, more notoriously, a potential bio-terror weapon. The ministry said the contaminated drug may also be circulating in France and other European countries. "There is no outward sign or colour enabling the user to tell whether the heroin has been contaminated by anthrax, and contaminated heroin dissolves or is used in the same way as uncontaminated heroin," it said. -

Govt issues IE security warning

The Federal Government has ramped up warnings about Microsoft's web browser Internet Explorer, which has come under attack from hackers. The Government is warning that people risk having their computers infiltrated and passwords stolen unless they install temporary fixes from Microsoft or use alternative browsers. The Government says Microsoft has acknowledged all recent versions of the program are vulnerable. It also says people should remember to regularly update their security software and change passwords oftenly. The French and German governments have warned internet users in Europe to avoid Microsoft's popular web browser. The concern follows revelations that hackers used a crack in Internet Explorer to mount an attack on Google and a number of other companies. Senior lecturer in network engineering at Melbourne's RMIT University, Mark Gregory, says industry and governments are not prepared for the changing threats to cyberspace. "The digital network is like the wild west. It is unregulated," he said. "It is being used in ways that it wasn't meant to be used and we need to get organisations, companies and governments ... focused on taking action to make the digital network more secure for the general public." Bill Caelli, from the Information Security Institute at the Queensland University of Technology, says the Government and regulators must step in to protect internet users. "How many builders have put smoke detectors in the new homes and houses? How many people have put fences around their pools to protect children?" he said. "So safety and security has never, ever been market-driven. It's always been driven by regulatory [sic], by society itself, and that's the role of government." The Government says Microsoft has not solved the security glitch and Australians should use alternative browsers. Dr Gregory says it is good advice. "There are other browsers that are available that appear to be being targeted less by the hackers and by these organisations than what Internet Explorer is being targeted," he said. "I don't think there was any inference in what they said that Internet Explorer was any more deficient in terms of security than any of the other browsers, just that it was being targeted more. "On that basis you'd have to argue that if security was a principal concern then using another browser would be wise until the incidence is reduced." Editor's note (19 January 2010): This story has been amended to reflect the fact that web users can install temporary fixes from Microsoft to reduce their risk.