Globe trotter and French President Nicolas Sarkozy needs to lighten up. Between Hillary Clinton “nutcrackers” and dozens of books quoting the idiocy of George W. Bush, politicians in countries with freedom of speech are subject to mockery and the entrepreneurs who cash in on it.

That’s why a French judge yesterday rejected Sarkozy’s lawsuit against a company selling a voodoo doll featuring some of his most derided lines. His lawyer claimed he had absolute rights to his own image, but the judge ruled the doll was "within the authorized limits of free expression and the right to humor."

The company also made a similar doll mocking Sarkozy’s former presidential opponent, Ségolène Royal, who decided not to sue because, she says, “I have a sense of humor.” The French have a word for this dig: Touché.

Related Stories:
· Sarkozy Loses "Voodoo Doll" Case [BBC]
· Vacation Altercation: French President Jumps Aboard Photog's Boat [Jaunted]

[Photo: Daily Mail] ]]> ced138 2008-10-30T09:18:27-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/6/5/101326/8083

Paris' famed Rue Saint-Honore will be a catwalk of condolences today as fashion's elite gather at the Église Saint-Roch to pay tribute to the late Yves Saint Laurent. Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano and Valentino have RSVP'd to the invite-only funeral service along with celeb friends Claudia Schiffer and model-turned-first-lady, Carla Bruni.

Notably absent will be Karl Lagerfeld who is conveniently "away on business," presumably still underlining the errors in Alice Drake's recent joint biography of Lagerfeld and YSL.]]> CourtScott 2008-06-05T12:02:08-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/3/7/12473/18315

Cécilia Ciganer-Albéniz, the ex-wife of Nicolas Sarkozy isn't letting him have all the re-marrying fun. She's getting hitched to her lover Richard Attias in New York later this month. (The two previously had a year-long affair in 2005.)

The news was leaked by Versace, which is proud to brag that it's the label of choice for the wedding party. Rumor has it the pair will keep the luxe life up after the nuptials: They were spotted checking out a pad at the recently-renovated Plaza hotel across from Central Park.

Central Park? If they wanna top the globe-trotting Sarko--and his new wife, Carla Bruni--they're gonna need to go further afield than that.

Related Stories:
· Sarkozy's Ex to Re-Marry in New York [AFP, via Google]
· Cecilia Weds for "Revenge" [Page Six]
· Encore, Sarko and Bruni [Jaunted]
· Sarko and Carla Acting American in Paris [Jaunted]

[Photo: Daily Mail]]]> pbb 2008-03-07T13:00:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/2/4/114951/2607

After a globe-trotting whirlwind romance, Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni got hitched in Paris this weekend. And though they spent their wedding night at the Palace of Versailles, they could do much better to keep up their Super World Traveler status.

Ryanair, the airline the couple sued over a witty ad, has lots of departures from Paris. What better way to put a ridiculous lawsuit to rest than snagging a super-cheap seat on the low cost carrier?

Flights leave Paris Beauvais airport--which is about 50 miles north of the city--for Stockholm, Rome, Dublin and Valencia among other spots. Sarko hardly seems like the romantic type, but what bride wouldn't love a trip to Venice? And if the duo isn't ready to put the feud with Ryanair behind them, no worries: Beauvais is also served by Wizz Air and Centralwings.

Related Stories:
· Sarkozy Marries Royally with Versailles Wedding Night [Guardian]
· Encore, Sarko and Bruni [Jaunted]
· Ryanair coverage [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2008-02-04T12:00:01-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/1/28/17171/3018

The European press can't spill enough ink over Nicolas Sarkozy and his paramour Carla Bruni, who've been traveling up a storm lately. (They've been spotted at both Disneyland Paris and touring Egypt's pyramids.) But the latest jab at their whirlwind romance has Sarko tres irrité.

Ryanair, which isn't known for its subtlety, used a photo of the couple in an ad in today's issue of Le Parisien. The thought bubble above Bruni says:

With Ryanair, my whole family can come to my wedding.

That may be--as long as her relatives don't want to check bags--but the French president didn't appreciate the joke. Ryanair's apologized, but Sarko plans to sue the airline for "improper use of the president's image."

Related Stories:
· A Ryanair Ad Provokes the Ire of the Elysee [Le Figaro, in French]
· Sarkozy to Sue Airline over Advert [AP, via CNN]
· Sarkozy Fails to See Ryanair Joke [Press Association]
· Sarkozy Threatens Suit Against Ryanair [Telegraph]
· Ryanair coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Le Figaro]]]> pbb 2008-01-28T17:18:11-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/12/18/12422/406

French President Nicolas Sarkozy just divorced his wife two months ago--but that isn't stopping him from enjoying Disneyland Paris without a lovely companion. Sarko was spotted at the theme park, just outside the city, with Carla Bruni, a former model and present-day singer-songwriter who's been linked to Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton.

The pair were on hand to take in Euro Disney's Christmas Parade, which continues until January 6. Also on tap for Christmas at the park is Mickey's Winter Wonderland, a kid-friendly musical production, and Belle's Christmas Village, a Disney-approved holiday fair like the ones you find throughout Europe.

Oh, and unlike Sarkozy, Disneyland Paris is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year!

Related Stories:
· Disneyland Paris [Official Site]
· Nicolas Sarkozy coverage [Jaunted]
· France Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: AP Photo/Francois Mori]]]> pbb 2007-12-18T14:00:02-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/