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Stay alert: French tax officials show examples of tax fraud emails
Familiarising yourself with scam emails is one way of avoiding falling victim
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Rare case of Lassa fever, transmitted by rats, reported in France
The patient is a soldier who had recently returned from abroad. People who may be at risk through contact with him are being traced
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Drivers at risk as trend for road sign thefts grows in France
This ‘extremely stupid act could have serious and irreversible consequences’ says one mayor
French pill fills air with muguet scent
Inventor came up with the idea after an unfortunate and malodorous episode in Switzerland
A French inventor has developed a pill that means people can fill the air with the aroma of lily of the valley when they break wind.
Christian Poincheval, from Mayenne, took four years to develop the scented wind-breaking pill - the fifth after ones that produce aromas of rose, violet, chocolate and ginger.
He said he came up with the idea for the aroma tablets after he suffered unpleasant flatulence following an otherwise enjoyable meal in Switzerland a decade ago.
Shortly after his malodorous Swiss experience, Mr Poincheval contacted a laboratory in La Flèche, Sarthe, and work on the pills began - though the chocolate ones are the most popular, he said. They are now sold all over the world, at a cost of about €20 for a 10-day supply.
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