France

France is set to approve gay marriage after its lower house of Parliament approved gay marriage legislation. The vote was 331-225 and followed increased homophobic attacks on suspected gays across the country after the Catholic church lead an effort to prevent its approval.

French President François Hollande championed the legislation he submitted, "marriage for all", as part of his socialist left-leaing stance that got hi m elected.

The horse meat scandal in Europe is growing larger by the day. Officials in England have confirmed that a dish served in 47 schools was pulled after tests confirm the presence of horse meat. Over the past week horse meat was found in meals labeled as beef sold in supermarkets in Britain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, and Ireland.

Additionally official in Ireland last month found both Horse and Pig meat in hamburger products. This being a large concern for Muslims and Jews who’s religion forbids the consumption of pork. Additionally Jewish dietary law forbids the eating of horse.

Seven American have been taken hostage Wednesday morning from a natural gas plant in Algeria that was run by BP during an attack which also killed at least two others. Six are believed to have been injured, including two Algerian policemen.

The incident comes after France attacked an al-Qaida-linked Malian rebels groups, and Algeria supported the action, and the U.S. provided logistical support to the operation.

Paris, France -

The French senate has passed a tax on the hugely popular Nutella spread, tripling the tax already on it.

The tax also applies to other products that also utilize palm and vegetable oil in high amounts and is an attempt to combat the increasing obesity rate.

France's lower house must not pass it before it came become law.

The measure is part of a bigger bill on financing the national health care system and aims to push manufacturers to use healthier alternatives.