AFP: New promises for France's down-and-out suburbs 25 January

Youths battled police for a second night in Paris suburbs, burning down government buildings and injuring 64 police officers, who stepped up security in troubled towns. Images.

A second night of riots by youths in a Paris suburb left more than 80 police injured, buildings gutted and France on Tuesday facing heightened tensions in towns north of the capital. Voiced report.

On Wednesday France marks the centenary of the the birth of Simone de Beauvoir, the iconic figurehead of the 20th-century struggle for women's liberation. Her groundbreaking 1949 work on the female condition, "The Second Sex", her defiance of social taboos, and the legendary "open" couple she formed with her lifelong companion, the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, have propelled her to near-mythical status around the world. File images of Beauvoir and interview with Daniele Salenave, author of a new biography of the writer.

Herve Ynsa claims the title of France's "most tattooed man" -- and competes for the honour on the European circuit. From the age of 16, and at the cost of some 20,000 euros, he's added a sun, a samurai, a Japanese demon and other designs to his skin, but says his goal is to cover his entire body.

Amnesty International releases its 2008 report on human rights around the globe, finding "injustice, inequality and impunity" the hallmarks of the world today. On this 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the report accuses world leaders of breaking promises. It demands that governments close the yawning gap between promise and performance. A natural sound version of an AFPTV report. ***Embargoed for transmission until 05:01 GMT May 28th 2008 *** Note Amnesty International owns or has cleared rights for use of all footage until 28 June 2008

Mohamed Bacar fled as African Union and Comorian troops launched a military assault to re-take the island where he was self-declared leader, and is now claiming political asylum in France.

Mohamed Bacar fled as African Union and Comorian troops launched a military assault to re-take the island where he was self-declared leader, and is now claiming political asylum in France.

Promise Keepers.

France launches the newest super-liner, the world's largest, proudly bearing the name"S.S.France". Christened by Madame Charles De Gaule, the 1.035 foot craft will carry 2,000 passengers, France's bit for eminence on the North Atlantic run.