French forces step up efforts in Mali's Gao region

Published April 08, 2013

Associated Press

BAMAKO, Mali –  French military forces are stepping up their military operations against jihadists in the northern Malian region of Gao.

French Col. Emmanuel Dosseur said Monday that his forces don't want to give the impression that they're going to "abandon our Malian friends."

France has been talking about reducing its presence in its former colony in the coming months, but also has said it aims to keep about 1,000 soldiers there.

French forces are proceeding cautiously because it's believed a French hostage being held by the militants is in the area.

Al-Qaida-linked militants inspired by a radical interpretation of Islam ruled Gao and northern Mali for nearly 10 months before the French-led military operation forced them into the surrounding desert.

But the militants have launched some attacks since being ousted from power.

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Lawyer: French Ex-President Sarkozy facing charges

Published March 21, 2013

Associated Press

PARIS –  A lawyer says preliminary charges have been filed against former President Nicolas Sarkozy in connection with allegations he illegally took donations from France's richest woman for his 2007 election campaign.

Lawyer Antoine Gillot told French TV i-Tele that Judge Jean-Michel Gentil in the southwestern city of Bordeaux placed Sarkozy under investigation — a step short of formal charges — after hours of questioning Thursday.

Sarkozy in November was named a key and potentially indictable witness in an investigation involving 90-year-old L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt.

Gillot represents former butler, who was also questioned Thursday along with Sarkozy.

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French mother arrested for slitting throats of her 3 children

A French woman has been arrested after her three children were found with their throats slit at their home near Paris Friday.

Sky News reports that two of the kids—a  9-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son—died of multiple stab wounds. Their 17-year-old brother was still alive when emergency services arrived, but later died of his wounds.

Their father, a doctor, discovered the scene after returning home in the morning from work, according to judicial sources and police. He was reportedly in a state of shock.

"The children had their throats slit but we are still awaiting forensic reports," authorities told Sky.

Police launched a hunt for the mother after the bodies were found, eventually apprehending her and holding her in Paris.  

The family lived in a suburb east of Paris called Dampmart.

Investigators said the couple was having marital problems.

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