Bad Economic News

The Banque de France predicts that the French economy will enter into recession in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Freescale, the semiconductor manufacturer, has laid off 500 at its Toulouse plant, which manufactured semiconductors for the ailing auto industry using what the firm's American management calls an obsolete technology. Freescale will continue R&D operations at the site, however.

Death of the Minitel

Few will mourn, but some old-timers will remember when the Minitel was le dernier cri and the Métro was festooned with signs decorated with the mysterious numbers 36 15.