The French public prosecutor has called for the church of scientology to shut down in France, accusing it of "mental manipulation". The church is on trial for attempted fraud and false advertising. Christine Forey, the state prosecutor has put in a request that there be a minimum fine of 300,000 Euro. The church harassed former members after they left, it is 3 such members that brought the case forward. It is the first such trial to be held under the new anti-cult legislation.

Forey said "This is about protecting potential victims", and that Scientology was "an essentially commercial enterprise". The church continued to send information to the former members, although they had requested to be removed from the mailing lists. The church maintains that this was due to a computer errror.

As one would expect, the church is outraged by this case and likens it to a witch hunt.

Zimbabwe fights US Sanctions.

Cartoon animator Chuck Jones has a heart failure and dies at age 89.

Source: BBC