Johnny Summerton
Johnny Summerton is a broadcaster, writer and journalist based in Paris. Visit his site for a look at some the stories making the headlines here in France <a href="http://www.persiflagefrance.com" title="http://www.persiflagefrance.com" target="_blank">http://www.persiflagefrance.com</a> or for his travel pieces log on to <a href="http://www.urlswurld.blogspot.com" title="http://www.urlswurld.blogspot.com" target="_blank">http://www.urlswurld.blogspot.com</a>
Articles by this Author
There's Nothing Like Good Neighbours
- By Johnny Summerton
- Published 08/17/2008
- World Affairs
- Unrated
And if the case of the recent discovery of the body of a 70-year-old man in his apartment in the town of Aix-les-Bains in southeastern France is anything to go by, he had anything but "good neighbours"
While there's nothing too unusual perhaps in the report of an elderly person's death going unnoticed, especially when he or she lives alone, there must be more than a little cause for concern in cases such as this one
How Could Parents Forget?
- By Johnny Summerton
- Published 08/17/2008
- World Affairs
- Unrated
It's a question that has preoccupied many here in France over the past month, and sadly made the headlines far too often It's also one to which it's difficult to provide an answer
Sarkozy Set For a Constitutional Showdown
- By Johnny Summerton
- Published 08/3/2008
- World Affairs
- Unrated
Hardly the sexiest headline by any stretch of the imagination But there again when it comes to institutional reform and changes to the constitution, the subject matter is hardly guaranteed to instill much enthusiasm
Adieu PPDA
- By Johnny Summerton
- Published 07/24/2008
- World Affairs
- Unrated
There was an end of a television era here yesterday as Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, affectionately known in this country as PPDA, made his final broadcast as anchorman on TF1's prime time news slot
Think of a news anchor in your own country, someone who has been around for donkeys years and at a certain time of the day when the small screen is flickering becomes almost part of the sitting room furniture
Sarkozy to Blame For Royal's Break-in?
- By Johnny Summerton
- Published 07/24/2008
- World Affairs
- Unrated
This is a political piece that by its very definition can only be filed under "Strange" on any website
It concerns last year's defeated candidate in the French presidential elections, Ségolène Royal, and her claims that she is paying the price for comments she made recently about the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy
Sarkozy's "Astonishing" Olympic Announcement
- By Johnny Summerton
- Published 07/18/2008
- World Affairs
- Unrated
So it's official The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, will be attending the opening of the Olympic games in Beijing,
After a "productive" 30-minute meeting with the Chinese president, Hu Jintao, Sarkozy's office officially released the news on Wednesday that it had already leaked to the French media last Friday
Poppy's Plight
- By Johnny Summerton
- Published 07/18/2008
- Pets
- Unrated
She first came to our attention after we had visited a local show at the village hall organised by a nearby refuge for abandoned dogs and cats
At the ripe old age of eight Poppy, we were told, had been "rescued" from owners who had over time collected more than 30 dogs, many the result of interbreeding, and who understandably had found themselves no longer able to cope
Sarkozy's G8 Ennui
- By Johnny Summerton
- Published 07/18/2008
- World Affairs
- Unrated
He was bored, the poor man You could see it in his eyes and his body language
Betancourt's Unsung Hero
- By Johnny Summerton
- Published 07/17/2008
- World Affairs
- Unrated
Since the dramatic rescue last week of 15 hostages held by Colombia's leftist rebel movement the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or Farc, much of this country's attention - if not the world's - has been focused on Ingrid Betancourt
Finally though one of France's leading national daily newspapers, Le Figaro, has caught up with reports that have appeared elsewhere around the globe
Sarkozy's Union-Bashing Barb
- By Johnny Summerton
- Published 07/16/2008
- World Affairs
- Unrated
Sometimes a politician can believe his or her own spin just a little too much that it leaves many onlookers gasping in disbelief and checking their ears to make sure they've heard correctly
Such has been the case here in France since Saturday when the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, came up with what surely has to be the most unlikely interpretation of recent events in this country