French Defense Minister Herve Morin is in Chad for a meeting with beleaguered President Idriss Deby, whose government has been holding off rebels threatening to take the capital.

Embattled French bank Societe Generale faces new worries with a trial opening Monday in Paris over a vast money laundering scandal that took place several years ago. The trial implicates staff and the bank itself, which is still reeling over a massive trading loss.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy got married Saturday to former super model Carla Bruni, becoming the first sitting French president in history to tie the knot while in office. Lisa Bryant reports on the marriage from Paris.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and his French counterpart Herve Morin discussed NATO's involvement in Afghanistan during a meeting Thursday at the Pentagon, but neither would provide many details of their talks. VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.

A French court has sentenced six aid workers to eight years in prison, after they were found guilty in Chad of the attempted kidnapping of more than 100 children. Chad agreed to extradite them so they could serve their jail time in France. Jade Heilmann has more from our West and Central Africa bureau in Dakar.

A Rwanda delegation heads to France today (Monday) to ascertain the role Paris played in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. This comes after President Paul Kagame held a news conference with the French Foreign minister.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has made a visit to India's famed Taj Mahal, but without his model-singer girlfriend, Carla Bruni.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy says he hopes an international consensus is near to allow countries like France to sell India peacetime nuclear technology. Mr. Sarkozy's comments came during a visit to New Delhi meant to strengthen military and political cooperation between his country and India. Anjana Pasricha reports from the Indian capital.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and foreign minister colleagues from France and Britain issued a statement Thursday urging global pressure on Burma's military government to end human rights abuses and return the country to civilian rule. The appeal was issued at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland after Rice's departure for Washington. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

The Financial Services Institute of Australia says an $8 billion fraud at France's second biggest bank would have been driven by a desire for performance rather than greed.

French banking giant Societe Generale says a futures trader has defrauded it of over $7 billion in one of the biggest financial frauds in history.

Paris, the charming capital of France, is home to Europe's most famous monuments and museums, astounding architecture and sophisticated cuisine. Those who are planning a romantic couple getaway should consider a trip to Paris this spring.