Paris - French Prime Minister Francois Fillon on Monday launched the government's 26 billion-euro (33 billion-dollar) plan to pull the country out of the economic crisis, French media reported.

In the southern city of Lyon, Fillon outlined the proposal, which comprises 1,000 public projects, primarily involving infrastructure construction and renovation.

The plan, said Fillon, was part of an "urgent and concrete national mobilization to confront the ongoing crisis."

Some 11 billion euros are intended to provide cash to struggling enterprises, Fillon said.

Paris - There is a growing feeling in France that President Nicolas Sarkozy has created a kind of "elective monarchy," in the words of one of his critics, in which the prince wields his power to benefit primarily himself, his family and his friends.

The latest incident to raise this image was the forced transfer of two highly respected law officers after an anti-government demonstration disturbed an appearance by Sarkozy in the northern city of Saint-Lo.

London, Feb 02: French president Nicolas Sarkozy has admitted that his third wife Carla Bruni influences his politics.

Sarkozy, who celebrates his first wedding anniversary with Bruni today, told Le Point magazine that the views of his glamorous third wife mean a lot to him.

"I accord a lot of importance to what she tells me. Her views broaden my perspective, my thoughts,'' the Telegraph quoted Sarkozy, as telling the magazine.

Val d'Isere, France  - Val d'Isere, venue for the February 2- 15 alpine ski world championships, has a rich skiing tradition and has produced some of the biggest names in the sport.

The local sports club prides itself on being the most titled ski club in the world, with the legendary Jean-Claude Killy and the Goitschel sisters Christine and Marielle among its luminaries.

"Val d'Isere adores skiing and skiing adores Val d'Isere," the venue claims on its website.

Val d'Isere, France  - Sweden's Anja Paerson is out for a record tally of medals while Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal will be seeking to repeat his feat of two golds.

But while the two Scandinavians will be highly fancied, the medals at the 2009 alpine ski world championships will be hotly contested in a season which has produced many potential winners.

France - Magnus Moan of Norway made up a huge deficit on Finland's World Cup leader Anssi Koivuranta to claim his fifth season victory in Nordic combined skiing on Saturday.

Trailing Koivuranta by almost two minutes after the morning ski-jumping portion, Moan passed his rival in the closing stages of the
10-kilometre cross-country pursuit to win in 26 minutes 6.8 seconds.

Moan has now won three of the last four races, five in the season and a dozen overall.

Koivuranta trailed by 9.2 seconds and German Bjoern Kircheisen placed third with a deficit of 32.9 seconds.