21.   France accused most of its European Union partners of hypocrisy and betrayal Monday as political fallout from French nuclear test blasts continued to poison EU relations.

22.   France conducted the third of its controversial series of test blast under French Polynesia last Friday, but shied away from mention of it.

23.   France provoked an international outcry last month by announcing plans to conduct eight test blasts in French Polynesia beginning in September.

24.   French military officials, saying France lags behind in test simulation, have voiced concern they would be unable to modernize their aging nuclear warheads without test blasts.

25.   French officials say the tests are needed to enable France to shift to simulation technology that will eliminate the need for further test blasts.

26.   French Defense Minister Charles Millon announced Wednesday that the last nuclear test blast in the South Pacific will take place in late February, three months ahead of schedule.

27.   French officials said the tests are needed to develop simulation technology on computers to make future test blasts unnecessary.

28.   French officials said the tests are needed to develop simulation technology to make future test blasts unnecessary.

29.   French President Jacques Chirac faced new criticism among fellow European leaders for his decision to resume nuclear weapons test blasts in the South Pacific.

30.   France has announced plans for eight new test blasts beginning in September, sparking widespread opposition from anti-nuclear activists as well as governments around the world.