Mr Messer, with an eye to the future, insisted on an option to buy the company outright after three years, although most people thought that a trade sale or even a stockmarket flotation was more likely.

ECONOMIST: Face value

Mr. Cahuzac said between 600 and 800 wealthy French people leave the country each year, although he said the figures for 2012 will only be available in late 2013, after people have filed their tax forms.

WSJ: French Actor Depardieu Gets Russian Passport

The symptoms of gastroenteritis vomiting and diarrhea usually pass after one or two days, although they can be more severe in older or otherwise vulnerable people.

NPR: UK: Queen Hospitalized Over Stomach Illness

Although daily seminars are available on how to manage it, the clinic regularly treats people feeling extremely ill after going too high, too quickly.

BBC: NEWS | Health | The highest hospital in the world