Word: french
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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France's class divisions have little to do with a split between the political right and left. The differences and animosities between the old and the new can be found across the spectrum. "Some follow the tradition of élitist French politicians and leaders like Villepin, who honor philosophy, literature and oratorical skill, and regard intellectual performance as the primary political tool," says Rozès. "Others, like Sarkozy, are distrustful of that cliquish, insider atmosphere, and define and construct themselves by action, pragmatism, doing things." (See pictures of Paris expanding...
Good luck with that. Even Sarkozy's opponents concede that his pragmatism and push to modernize France - just as millions of regular French voters have modernized their own lives - are a large part of his appeal. Time-honored formalities, and the type of scheming in smoke-filled back rooms that the Clearstream scandal conjures up, are increasingly irrelevant in a country that now embraces everything from McDonald's to reality TV. (See the top 10 political sex scandals...
...year ban from public office and an irreparable blow to his reputation. Acquittal would allow him to continue his attacks on Sarkozy, and would add credibility to his claim that he is the victim of a presidential persecution campaign. The verdict could prove just as important for French society...
America lacks a language dictator like the Académie Française, whose 40 members, known as immortels, determined that the commonly used e-mail may not be accepted into the French language while un hamburger may. The closest thing here may be the copydesk of the New York Times, a stickler for protocol; yet it too is uncertain of its semiotic bearings. When the Obamas called on the Bushes after the election, the newspaper reported that "Mrs. Bush" greeted the Obamas and "Ms. Bush wore a brown suit." During the campaign, Hillary Clinton was two women in a single sentence...
...French-Algerian physicist at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) was arrested Oct. 8 after French officials discovered encoded e-mails between him and members of an al-Qaeda cell based in North Africa. Adlène Hicheur, who worked at CERN's Large Hadron Collider near Geneva, allegedly offered to help the group plan attacks in France. Initial news reports focused on Hicheur's work at the high-energy research lab, prompting speculation that al-Qaeda might be attempting to create nuclear or radioactive weapons. But a spokesman for CERN said the lab has been closed since last September...