French Stand Up For France

We American's have all heard the stories about how France wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the Allies in World War II. We have heard plenty of stories about how the French have no backbone and let others do their fighting. More importantly we hear about how the French dodge important issues and don't stand up for themselves or what is right.

Today that cannot be said. I commend them for the stunning move in announcing that all football games will be halted upon booing their national anthem.

The culture of European nations is much more obvious in its discussion AND tolerance and intolerance of racism, nationalism and sexism. You could call it complaints based on acceptance. Yet for France to take exception to their anthem sets the stage for all Frenchmen to subject themselves to world criticism over national pride. And should the world condemn them, France's indignation will ultimately gain them respect.

France can't lose on this decision in this writers opinion. They have in fact taken the high road in this bold decision.

Good for France. Like other world citizens, I've had my issues with French opinion and moral global positions. This is one that earns my respect. Even if they change their mind (and may buckle), the fact they stood their ground on this issue in the first place is a welcome sight.

Brangelina twins named honorary citizens of Nice

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's twins have yet to be born, but already they've been named honorary citizens of Nice, France.

"All their lives they will be Niçois and all their life they will be able to come to Nice and we will receive them with great honor," Nice mayor Christian Estrosi said on Friday.

"We are very happy for this choice of Mrs. Angelina Jolie and Mr. Brad Pitt and I want to say to them that I wish a lot of joy to them and the babies, and great success for all of their lives," Estrosi added.

In France, being born in the country is generally not enough to confer citizenship. However, if France is the primary residence for the twins for at least five years after they turn 11, then they can obtain French citizenship once they reach age 18, according to the French Foreign Ministry website.

Jolie has been known for her nomadic lifestyle, but she and Pitt did purchase a $60 million French estate in May, so it is possible the couple plans to set roots there following the birth of the twins.

Jolie has been in Nice's Lenval hospital since Monday, and her doctor said in a Wednesday press conference that the babies would not be born for another two or three weeks.

PCM EXCLUSIVE: She's About To Pop!

Angelina Jolie has reportedly been admitted to the maternity ward of Lenval Hospital in Nice, France. The French media and press are saying that she is definitely due to give birth to her twins any moment now!

Brangelina did not have twins yet

Representatives for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie denied reports that the couple's twins have been born.

"Angelina has not given birth. She is fine, enjoying her home and her family in France," a rep for Jolie told People.

Brad Pitt's L.A.-based talent manager, Cynthia Pett-Dante, issued a statement to Reuters denying the reports, as well. "It's not true. It's a rumor," she said.

Entertainment Tonight was the first to announce the story that Angelina had given birth. Their web site posted the following at 8:16 a.m. PDT Friday: "Just this morning a source who says she was inside the delivery room tells ET yes, the babies were born and yes, mother and babies are fine!"

According to MSNBC News Service, "Entertainment Tonight" continues to stand by their report, as of 5:34 p.m. ET Friday.

A British publication, NOW Magazine, also reported that the twins had arrived and were named Isla Marcheline and Amelie Jane.

Numerous other sites have stepped up to deny the reports, including People, E! and US Weekly.

Although France has strict privacy laws regarding health matters, officials at the Etoile Maternite Catholique de Provence in Aix-en-Provence, one of southern France's top maternity clinics, said that Jolie had not been there. Town hall officials said that although they were aware of the media reports, they did not know if they were true.

Locals, including the mayor and an inn owner, confirmed that the couple recently moved to southern France, where they just bought a $60 million estate.

Jolie-Pitts buy $60 million French estate

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have put down roots in the south of France. The wandering couple, who has four children and twins on the way, reportedly bought a $60 million estate that takes up 1,000 acres and includes 35 bedrooms, a vineyard, lake, forest and a moat.

Although reps for the duo have yet to comment, an insider confirmed the purchase to E! News.

"It's called Chateau Miraval in a village called Brignol, which is near from Aix-en-Provence," the source said. "And it's absolutely unbelievable."

"Brad and Angelina are thrilled, they love the place and have already been furniture shopping to fill the place as it's massive...The whole family can't wait to move in."

Apparently the sprawling estate features stone-walled terraces with 13 varieties of olives, 20 fountains, aqueducts and a stream that traverses through hidden tunnels and leads to the lake.

The source said that the Jolie-Pitts will have privacy in their new home, as it is surrounded by forests. Although ponies and goats graze in nearby fields, paparazzi should not be able to take pictures of the growing brood.

The family hopes to move within the next several months, but since their April arrival in France, they have been staying in a villa in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat that belongs to Paul Allen, cofounder of Microsoft. He is a friend of Jolie, who met him while filming 2004's Shark Tale.

Pitt and Jolie had been searching for a house in the area for the past year. Other famous residents are U2 frontman Bono, whom the couple recently visited, and Johnny Depp and his partner Vanessa Paradis.

It Takes Two for Eva and Tony

Once wasn't enough to seal the deal for Eva Longoria and Tony Parker. After marrying in a civil ceremony in Paris City Hall on Friday, the two had a huge church wedding on the supposedly lucky 7/7/07.

Apparently 250 guests made it to the historic Church of Saint Germain l'Auxerrois near the Louvre museum for the nuptials - including Desperate Housewives co-stars Felicity Huffman, Teri Hatcher and Nicollette Sheridan.

A reception followed at a 17th century castle outside of Paris, the Chateau of Vaux le Vicomte.

One can't help but wonder if the lavish arrangements were a conscious effort to upstage the Tom Cruise-Katie Holmes Rome spectacle last year! Nevertheless, let's hope two ceremonies bring twice the luck for this May-December couple (Longoria's 32 and Parker's 25).