French News, Tues 19 May 2009 published by Riviera Radio: confusion among the region’s teachers and parents
There is confusion among the region’s teachers and parents over the Ascension holiday and the long weekend. The Education Minister Xavier Darcos has left open the option of schools closing on Friday to prevent high levels of absenteeism, which was more than 30 percent last year.
Exams began yesterday without problems for university students in Nice and Toulon. There had been fears ongoing industrial action by students may have disrupted the exam period. Last Friday, barricades which had been in place for three months, were removed.
Socialist leader, Marie-George Buffet will be in Nice tonight to address supporters ahead of the European elections. She is due to meet the party faithful at the Palais Acropolis at 8pm. Marie-Christine Vergiat heads the ticket for the left in the South East; the European elections are on 7 June.
The biggest non-film event of the Cannes Festival, the AMFAR Aids benefit dinner, will be held at a new venue this year. In a surprise move, the gala hosted by actress Sharon Stone and former American President Bill Clinton, will be held in an enormous marquee in the grounds of the Eden Roc Hotel. Around 8-900 guests, most of them A-list celebrities, will attend the 15th annual dinner, which had been previously held at the Moulin de Mougins. The new deal will see the AMFAR event at the Eden Roc for the next decade. France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has called on Burma's ruling military junta to free pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is on trial in Rangoon. In an open letter entitled "Why Aung San Suu Kyi must be freed", she said that Suu Kyi's poor health meant that her life could be at threat if she was sent to prison. Suu Kyi is being tried on charges she violated conditions of her most recent house arrest; if found guilty she faces up to five years' imprisonment.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
SPORT
Football-4 clubs are still in the mix to join West Bromwich Albion in being relegated from the English Premier League on the final day of the season on Sunday.
Middlesboro would appear to be almost certainly doomed and the other berth on the trap door will be filled by either Newcastle,Hull or Sunderland who lost last night.
Cricket-England romped to an innings victory against West Indies in the second test at Chester Le Street on Monday to take the series 2-nil and regain the Wisden Trophy.
James Anderson was again England’s leading wicket taker in the tourists second innings taking 4 for 38 as West Indies crumbled to 176 all out to lose the match by an innings and 83 runs.
England needed 7 wickets at the start of the final days play and despite morning showers they wrapped up the win in the third over after lunch.
Attention now shifts to the one day series.The first match is at Headingly on Thursday.
Rugby Union-Jonny Wilkinson has confirmed that he’s joining Toulon on a two year deal in the Summer.
The England World Cup winning hero is leaving Newcastle after 12 years despite having a year left on his contract.
He’s only played 4 games this season after dislocating his left knee in September.
Reports suggest that Wilkinson’s deal with Toulon could be worth 700,000 Euros a year.
And in Tennis-Maria Sharapova has returned to action after a 9 and a half month injury lay off with a hard fought win over Tathiana Garbin in the first round of the Warsaw Open on Monday.
The 22 year old Russian who’s fallen from world number one to 126 during her absence had to show plenty of grit as she came through the match in 3 sets.
She’s now hoping to stay fit for the French Open which gets underway next week.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
French Villa Holiday News.
French News, Mon 18 May 2009: Sexual Harassment, thieves, football, cricket...
Two Cannes policemen have begun legal action claiming sexual harassment at work. The homosexual officers, who are members of the Cannes Municipal Police service, claim they have been subjected to abuse for more than 12 months from colleagues and superior officers.
Thieves have escaped with an expensive and high-octane booty during a weekend robbery in Villefranche. During the burglary overnight between Saturday and Sunday burglars took a collection of watches valued at 800-thousand euros; a black Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorino, value 275-thousand euros; and a Bentley Continental GT cabriolet, valued at 180-thousand euros. The victim is an Englishman in his 30s.
A Cannes woman has died during a canyoning excursion at Breil-sur-Roya.
The 38-year-old died after being caught in strong currents near Maglia.
Two other men had to be rescued by a special police mountain rescue unit in a three hour operation yesterday afternoon. Police have warned the area is especially dangerous because of the unusually high snowfall throughout the winter which is now melting.
Leftist activists have vandalised a motor yacht belonging to disgraced financier Bernard Madoff. The boat, called “Bull” is moored at the Port Gallice, on the Cap d’Antibes. In a stunt for television cameras, the activists daubed the boat with slogans as part of the European Election campaigns. They are proposing a Europe-wide tax on luxury yachts.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
SPORT
Cricket-England will be looking for some quick wickets at the start of day 5 of the second test against West Indies at Chester Le Street as they attempt to wrap up a two nil series victory.
By stumps on day four the tourists were on 115 for 3 in their second innings after being made to follow on.They’re still 144 runs behind.
On day 4 James Anderson took 5 for 87 as West Indies were dismissed for 310 in reply to Englands firs innings total of 569 for 6 declared.
Football-It’s all over for West Bromwich Albion who have been relegated from the English Premier League following defeat against Liverpool on Sunday.Here are the details from BBC Sport(TAKE PREM UPDATE)
There’s 1 game tonight.Portsmouth who are safe from relegation fears play Sunderland who aren’t at Fratton Park.
Sunderland could do with all 3 points to make sure of their survival but 1 point might do the trick too although it would make for a nervy final day of the season next Sunday.
In Scotland it’s advantage Rangers again as the battle for the SPL title heads for its final weekend.
Rangers are 2 points clear of Celtic who could only manage a goalless draw at Hibs on Sunday.
A win for Rangers at Dundee United next Sunday will secure the title.Celtic have to beat Hearts at home and hope that Rangers only draw or lose their game.
Tennis-Roger Federer has finally beaten his nemesis Rafael Nadal.
The world number two won his first title of the year by beating Nadal 6-4 6-4 in the final of the Madrid Masters on Sunday.
It’s only his second win on clay against Nadal in 11 attempts.
World number 1 Dinara Safina has won the Madrid Open as she completed her preparation for the French Open.
Safina beat Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 6-4.
The new roof on Wimbledon’s centre court was put through its paces on Sunday as 15 thousand people turned out to watch an exhibition match.
Andre Agassi,Steffi Graff,Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters played mixed doubles and singles matches as the rain fell outside.
Henman said afterwards that the court played brilliantly with the roof closed and it’s going to be a big hit with the public if and when it’s needed during the Wimbledon Championships.
Golf-The amateur player Shane Lowry has won the Irish Open at Baltray-Nick Dye reports
And in cycling Mark Cavendish of Great Britain won the 9th stage of the Giro d’Italia but the stage won’t count to the overall classification following a rider protest.
Riders were unhappy with the city centre course in Milan after a Spanish competitor was seriously hurt in a crash during Saturday’s stage and the times from the race were cancelled.
Danilo di Luca still holds the race leaders jersey.
Tennis-Andy Murray is through to the last 8 of the Madrid Masters following a comfortable straight sets win over Tommy Robredo of Spain.
Rafael Nadal is also through and didn’t even need to play as his opponent in the 3rd round Phillip Kolschreiber was unable to make it out on court owing to a leg injury.
World number 2 Roger Federer is also through.He beat James Blake.
And in Cycling-Michele Scarponi has won the 6th stage of the Giro d’Italia.
The Italian won the grueling 258 kilometer stage with race leader Danillo di Luca finishing 36 seconds behind.He retains the leaders jersey.
Two Cannes policemen have begun legal action claiming sexual harassment at work. The homosexual officers, who are members of the Cannes Municipal Police service, claim they have been subjected to abuse for more than 12 months from colleagues and superior officers.
Thieves have escaped with an expensive and high-octane booty during a weekend robbery in Villefranche. During the burglary overnight between Saturday and Sunday burglars took a collection of watches valued at 800-thousand euros; a black Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorino, value 275-thousand euros; and a Bentley Continental GT cabriolet, valued at 180-thousand euros. The victim is an Englishman in his 30s.
A Cannes woman has died during a canyoning excursion at Breil-sur-Roya.
The 38-year-old died after being caught in strong currents near Maglia.
Two other men had to be rescued by a special police mountain rescue unit in a three hour operation yesterday afternoon. Police have warned the area is especially dangerous because of the unusually high snowfall throughout the winter which is now melting.
Leftist activists have vandalised a motor yacht belonging to disgraced financier Bernard Madoff. The boat, called “Bull” is moored at the Port Gallice, on the Cap d’Antibes. In a stunt for television cameras, the activists daubed the boat with slogans as part of the European Election campaigns. They are proposing a Europe-wide tax on luxury yachts.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
SPORT
Cricket-England will be looking for some quick wickets at the start of day 5 of the second test against West Indies at Chester Le Street as they attempt to wrap up a two nil series victory.
By stumps on day four the tourists were on 115 for 3 in their second innings after being made to follow on.They’re still 144 runs behind.
On day 4 James Anderson took 5 for 87 as West Indies were dismissed for 310 in reply to Englands firs innings total of 569 for 6 declared.
Football-It’s all over for West Bromwich Albion who have been relegated from the English Premier League following defeat against Liverpool on Sunday.Here are the details from BBC Sport(TAKE PREM UPDATE)
There’s 1 game tonight.Portsmouth who are safe from relegation fears play Sunderland who aren’t at Fratton Park.
Sunderland could do with all 3 points to make sure of their survival but 1 point might do the trick too although it would make for a nervy final day of the season next Sunday.
In Scotland it’s advantage Rangers again as the battle for the SPL title heads for its final weekend.
Rangers are 2 points clear of Celtic who could only manage a goalless draw at Hibs on Sunday.
A win for Rangers at Dundee United next Sunday will secure the title.Celtic have to beat Hearts at home and hope that Rangers only draw or lose their game.
Tennis-Roger Federer has finally beaten his nemesis Rafael Nadal.
The world number two won his first title of the year by beating Nadal 6-4 6-4 in the final of the Madrid Masters on Sunday.
It’s only his second win on clay against Nadal in 11 attempts.
World number 1 Dinara Safina has won the Madrid Open as she completed her preparation for the French Open.
Safina beat Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 6-4.
The new roof on Wimbledon’s centre court was put through its paces on Sunday as 15 thousand people turned out to watch an exhibition match.
Andre Agassi,Steffi Graff,Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters played mixed doubles and singles matches as the rain fell outside.
Henman said afterwards that the court played brilliantly with the roof closed and it’s going to be a big hit with the public if and when it’s needed during the Wimbledon Championships.
Golf-The amateur player Shane Lowry has won the Irish Open at Baltray-Nick Dye reports
And in cycling Mark Cavendish of Great Britain won the 9th stage of the Giro d’Italia but the stage won’t count to the overall classification following a rider protest.
Riders were unhappy with the city centre course in Milan after a Spanish competitor was seriously hurt in a crash during Saturday’s stage and the times from the race were cancelled.
Danilo di Luca still holds the race leaders jersey.
Tennis-Andy Murray is through to the last 8 of the Madrid Masters following a comfortable straight sets win over Tommy Robredo of Spain.
Rafael Nadal is also through and didn’t even need to play as his opponent in the 3rd round Phillip Kolschreiber was unable to make it out on court owing to a leg injury.
World number 2 Roger Federer is also through.He beat James Blake.
And in Cycling-Michele Scarponi has won the 6th stage of the Giro d’Italia.
The Italian won the grueling 258 kilometer stage with race leader Danillo di Luca finishing 36 seconds behind.He retains the leaders jersey.
Friday, May 15, 2009
French Villa Holiday News.
French News, Fri 15 May 2009: Train Strikes
The trains are on strike in our region. Controllers walked off the job at 6 pm last night in a snap strike. Only one in four services will be operating today between Les Arcs and Ventimille, while buses will replace trains on some lines. The walkout was prompted by security concerns after an SNCF employee was assaulted. Services are expected to return to normal tomorrow morning.
A Nice football fan was killed by a police officer on Wednesday night, after the match against Marseille. 46-year-old Christophe Abadie from Frejus was apparently heading for home after an altercation in a bar, during which he allegedly shot one man and injured another. He was stopped by three police personnel, but when he accelerated towards one of the officers they opened fire. Abadie was hit in the throat and killed.
There is still no sign of two patients who escaped from a Nice psychiatric hospital 10 days ago. 37-year-old Charhan BEN-MAY-MOON and 19-year-old Ismael DIABY escaped from the Sainte-Marie facility. Police are scouring hundreds of hours of CCTV footage in an attempt to trace the whereabouts of the pair.
Between 150 and 300 hospital workers handed out leaflets and protested yesterday in the streets of Nice and Grasse over reforms of their sector, dubbed the Bachelot Law. Nationwide as many as 8 500 (police
estimate) and 25-thousand people (according to unions) marched in 40 cities, with by-far the biggest turnout in Paris.
SPORT
Formula 1-The sports teams are to meet the President of the F.I.A Max Mosley today in an attempt to resolve the escalating dispute over budget caps.
Ferarri,Toyota,Red Bull and Renault have threatened to quit Formula 1 if plans for an optional 40 million pound budget cap from next season are not shelved.
The meeting in London will also be attended by the Formula 1 rights holder Bernie Ecclestone.
Lewis Hamilton says he hasn’t given up on retaining the drivers championship this season.
McLaren are having a wretched season so far and Hamilton is only 7th in the standings trailing Championship leader Jenson Button by 32 points.
He says McLaren still have the ambition to win but if the team has still not scored many points by mid season then it will be time to knock the challenge on the head.
Cricket-England are in a commanding position going into the second day of the second test against West Indies in Chester le Street.
England closed day one on 302 for 2 having won the toss and deciding to bat on a sluggish wicket.
Both Ravi Bopara and Alistair Cook made centuries.Bopara was eventually out for 108 but Cook is still there on 126 not out.
Football-There’s been heartache for Leeds United fans as the former Premier League giants were consigned to yet another season in the third tier of English football last night.
Leeds lost their league 1 semi final play off against Millwall 2-1 on aggregate after only managing a one all draw at Elland Road last night.
So in the Premier League tomorrow.Everton face West Ham.Manchester United play Arsenal.Middlesboro face Aston Villa.Newcastle are at home to Fulham.Stoke play Wigan and Tottenham face Manchester City.
On Sunday Chelsea play Blackburn and West Brom face Liverpool.
Portsmouth play Sunderland on Monday.
Rugby Union-The Guinness Premiership final between Leicester and London Irish takes place at Twickenham tomorrow.
Leicester who finished top of the table at the end of the regular season are the favourites.
Tennis-Andy Murray is through to the last 8 of the Madrid Masters following a comfortable straight sets win over Tommy Robredo of Spain.
Rafael Nadal is also through and didn’t even need to play as his opponent in the 3rd round Phillip Kolschreiber was unable to make it out on court owing to a leg injury.
World number 2 Roger Federer is also through.He beat James Blake.
And in Cycling-Michele Scarponi has won the 6th stage of the Giro d’Italia.
The Italian won the grueling 258 kilometer stage with race leader Danillo di Luca finishing 36 seconds behind.He retains the leaders jersey.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
The trains are on strike in our region. Controllers walked off the job at 6 pm last night in a snap strike. Only one in four services will be operating today between Les Arcs and Ventimille, while buses will replace trains on some lines. The walkout was prompted by security concerns after an SNCF employee was assaulted. Services are expected to return to normal tomorrow morning.
A Nice football fan was killed by a police officer on Wednesday night, after the match against Marseille. 46-year-old Christophe Abadie from Frejus was apparently heading for home after an altercation in a bar, during which he allegedly shot one man and injured another. He was stopped by three police personnel, but when he accelerated towards one of the officers they opened fire. Abadie was hit in the throat and killed.
There is still no sign of two patients who escaped from a Nice psychiatric hospital 10 days ago. 37-year-old Charhan BEN-MAY-MOON and 19-year-old Ismael DIABY escaped from the Sainte-Marie facility. Police are scouring hundreds of hours of CCTV footage in an attempt to trace the whereabouts of the pair.
Between 150 and 300 hospital workers handed out leaflets and protested yesterday in the streets of Nice and Grasse over reforms of their sector, dubbed the Bachelot Law. Nationwide as many as 8 500 (police
estimate) and 25-thousand people (according to unions) marched in 40 cities, with by-far the biggest turnout in Paris.
SPORT
Formula 1-The sports teams are to meet the President of the F.I.A Max Mosley today in an attempt to resolve the escalating dispute over budget caps.
Ferarri,Toyota,Red Bull and Renault have threatened to quit Formula 1 if plans for an optional 40 million pound budget cap from next season are not shelved.
The meeting in London will also be attended by the Formula 1 rights holder Bernie Ecclestone.
Lewis Hamilton says he hasn’t given up on retaining the drivers championship this season.
McLaren are having a wretched season so far and Hamilton is only 7th in the standings trailing Championship leader Jenson Button by 32 points.
He says McLaren still have the ambition to win but if the team has still not scored many points by mid season then it will be time to knock the challenge on the head.
Cricket-England are in a commanding position going into the second day of the second test against West Indies in Chester le Street.
England closed day one on 302 for 2 having won the toss and deciding to bat on a sluggish wicket.
Both Ravi Bopara and Alistair Cook made centuries.Bopara was eventually out for 108 but Cook is still there on 126 not out.
Football-There’s been heartache for Leeds United fans as the former Premier League giants were consigned to yet another season in the third tier of English football last night.
Leeds lost their league 1 semi final play off against Millwall 2-1 on aggregate after only managing a one all draw at Elland Road last night.
So in the Premier League tomorrow.Everton face West Ham.Manchester United play Arsenal.Middlesboro face Aston Villa.Newcastle are at home to Fulham.Stoke play Wigan and Tottenham face Manchester City.
On Sunday Chelsea play Blackburn and West Brom face Liverpool.
Portsmouth play Sunderland on Monday.
Rugby Union-The Guinness Premiership final between Leicester and London Irish takes place at Twickenham tomorrow.
Leicester who finished top of the table at the end of the regular season are the favourites.
Tennis-Andy Murray is through to the last 8 of the Madrid Masters following a comfortable straight sets win over Tommy Robredo of Spain.
Rafael Nadal is also through and didn’t even need to play as his opponent in the 3rd round Phillip Kolschreiber was unable to make it out on court owing to a leg injury.
World number 2 Roger Federer is also through.He beat James Blake.
And in Cycling-Michele Scarponi has won the 6th stage of the Giro d’Italia.
The Italian won the grueling 258 kilometer stage with race leader Danillo di Luca finishing 36 seconds behind.He retains the leaders jersey.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
French Villa Holiday News.
French News, Tues 12 May 2006
Equine anaemia tests
Results are expected tomorrow on the first of hundreds of horses across the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var, who have been quarantined since a suspected outbreak of equine infectious anaemia. It was first detected on April 7 at the Hippodrome on the Cote d’Azure, in a horse from Carcés in the Var. This has led to seven horse facilities and properties being placed under quarantine, effecting around 160 horses, donkeys and even a circus zebra. The minimum incubation period for the disease is 35 days.
Break-out inquiry
Two patients from a Nice psychiatric hospital remain on the loose six days after a break-out from the facility. The inmates escaped after climbing over the roof of the Saint-Marie facility. 37-year-old Italian-Moroccan Charhan Benmaimoun, who is considered dangerous, and 19-year-old Ismaël Diaby remain on the run. An inquiry is underway into their escape.
Beach restaurant demolished
A beach restaurant at Cagnes-sur-Mer was demolished yesterday by the Prefecture; the latest step in a battle to reclaim beaches for the public. The demolition signalled the end of a 12-year legal battle, which cost 50-thousand euros. There are four other restaurants on the beach also facing demolition.
Royal fundraiser
Almost 20-thousand euros was raised for the Prince Albert II Foundation. The funds from the dinner, at Monaco’s Zest Restaurant, will be used to continue the Foundation's environmental work. The food was prepared by the 2008 Chef of the Year, Yannick Alléno, and Ronan Kervarrec the Chef at the Zest. Guests were also treated to a 15 minute film extract of the Prince’s voyage to the Antartic.
Prison guard agreement
The two main unions involved in last week’s prison blockades yesterday signed an agreement with the Justice Minister, Rachida Dati. Guards blockaded prisons across the country, including Nice and Grasse, preventing the movement of prisoners and stopping visitors from entering.
Caterpillar peace package
The long running dispute at the Caterpillar factories could be drawing to a close. The American manufacturer yesterday announced improved redundancy packages for 733 workers. Facing the sack the employees briefly took their bosses hostage during negotiations.
Output drops
France saw sharp falls in industrial output in March, which were much larger than forecast. French output was down 1.4% on the previous month, said national statistics office INSEE. Economists had predicted a decline of only 0.5%. Production of electronic goods and output in the energy and food sectors fell, outweighing a rise in transport.
SPORT
Football - Newcastle United are out of the relegation zone in the English Premier League with 2 matches to go before the end of the season. Sheffield United are through to the Championship playoff final after beating Preston 1 nil last night to take the semi final tie 2 one on aggregate. The Blades will meet the winners of tonight’s other semi final play off between Reading and Burnley-Burnley lead one nil from the first leg.
Formula One - Ross Brawn has insisted that there’s no pecking order at Brawn GP and the team does not operate a favouritism policy. Brawn was speaking following threats from Rubens Barrichello that he’d hang up his helmet if he found that his teammate and championship leader Jenson Button was being favoured. He told the BBC that Brawn GP does not have a one and a two driver and they’re both on equal terms and conditions.
Cricket - The former England cricketer Chris Lewis has appeared in court charged with smuggling 140,000 pounds worth of Cocaine into the UK. Lewis who’s 41 was arrested at Gatwick airport last December. Jurors at Croydon Crown Court were told yesterday that he’d brought the drugs concealed in fruit and vegetable juices from St Lucia. Both Lewis and his co-defendant Chad Kirmon who’s a basketball player deny the charges.
Rugby Union-The Scotland captain Mike Blair has been called into the Lions squad to replace injured scrum half Tomas O’Leary. The 28 year old’s call up means that there are now 3 Scottish players in the South Africa tour party.
Cycling - Allesandro Petacchi has the overall lead in the Giro d’Italia after the 3rd stage. The Italian won Monday’s stage to eclipse Britain’s Mark Cavendish-The gruelling mountain sections start today.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, workmen dismantled a large sculpture mocking European Union member states Monday after its Czech artist demanded its removal from the EU's headquarters. The 16-metre high "Entropa" sculpture portrays Bulgaria as a squat toilet, Italy as a football ground, and the Netherlands as entirely flooded, with only a few minarets sticking out. It caused outrage when it was unveiled in January, but has attracted many visitors to see it in the entrance of an EU building that is often used for summits. It had been due to remain on display in Brussels until the Czech Republic's EU presidency ends in June, after six months. But the artist, David Cerny, said he no longer wanted to be associated with the Czech Republic because its new government involves former communists.
Equine anaemia tests
Results are expected tomorrow on the first of hundreds of horses across the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var, who have been quarantined since a suspected outbreak of equine infectious anaemia. It was first detected on April 7 at the Hippodrome on the Cote d’Azure, in a horse from Carcés in the Var. This has led to seven horse facilities and properties being placed under quarantine, effecting around 160 horses, donkeys and even a circus zebra. The minimum incubation period for the disease is 35 days.
Break-out inquiry
Two patients from a Nice psychiatric hospital remain on the loose six days after a break-out from the facility. The inmates escaped after climbing over the roof of the Saint-Marie facility. 37-year-old Italian-Moroccan Charhan Benmaimoun, who is considered dangerous, and 19-year-old Ismaël Diaby remain on the run. An inquiry is underway into their escape.
Beach restaurant demolished
A beach restaurant at Cagnes-sur-Mer was demolished yesterday by the Prefecture; the latest step in a battle to reclaim beaches for the public. The demolition signalled the end of a 12-year legal battle, which cost 50-thousand euros. There are four other restaurants on the beach also facing demolition.
Royal fundraiser
Almost 20-thousand euros was raised for the Prince Albert II Foundation. The funds from the dinner, at Monaco’s Zest Restaurant, will be used to continue the Foundation's environmental work. The food was prepared by the 2008 Chef of the Year, Yannick Alléno, and Ronan Kervarrec the Chef at the Zest. Guests were also treated to a 15 minute film extract of the Prince’s voyage to the Antartic.
Prison guard agreement
The two main unions involved in last week’s prison blockades yesterday signed an agreement with the Justice Minister, Rachida Dati. Guards blockaded prisons across the country, including Nice and Grasse, preventing the movement of prisoners and stopping visitors from entering.
Caterpillar peace package
The long running dispute at the Caterpillar factories could be drawing to a close. The American manufacturer yesterday announced improved redundancy packages for 733 workers. Facing the sack the employees briefly took their bosses hostage during negotiations.
Output drops
France saw sharp falls in industrial output in March, which were much larger than forecast. French output was down 1.4% on the previous month, said national statistics office INSEE. Economists had predicted a decline of only 0.5%. Production of electronic goods and output in the energy and food sectors fell, outweighing a rise in transport.
SPORT
Football - Newcastle United are out of the relegation zone in the English Premier League with 2 matches to go before the end of the season. Sheffield United are through to the Championship playoff final after beating Preston 1 nil last night to take the semi final tie 2 one on aggregate. The Blades will meet the winners of tonight’s other semi final play off between Reading and Burnley-Burnley lead one nil from the first leg.
Formula One - Ross Brawn has insisted that there’s no pecking order at Brawn GP and the team does not operate a favouritism policy. Brawn was speaking following threats from Rubens Barrichello that he’d hang up his helmet if he found that his teammate and championship leader Jenson Button was being favoured. He told the BBC that Brawn GP does not have a one and a two driver and they’re both on equal terms and conditions.
Cricket - The former England cricketer Chris Lewis has appeared in court charged with smuggling 140,000 pounds worth of Cocaine into the UK. Lewis who’s 41 was arrested at Gatwick airport last December. Jurors at Croydon Crown Court were told yesterday that he’d brought the drugs concealed in fruit and vegetable juices from St Lucia. Both Lewis and his co-defendant Chad Kirmon who’s a basketball player deny the charges.
Rugby Union-The Scotland captain Mike Blair has been called into the Lions squad to replace injured scrum half Tomas O’Leary. The 28 year old’s call up means that there are now 3 Scottish players in the South Africa tour party.
Cycling - Allesandro Petacchi has the overall lead in the Giro d’Italia after the 3rd stage. The Italian won Monday’s stage to eclipse Britain’s Mark Cavendish-The gruelling mountain sections start today.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, workmen dismantled a large sculpture mocking European Union member states Monday after its Czech artist demanded its removal from the EU's headquarters. The 16-metre high "Entropa" sculpture portrays Bulgaria as a squat toilet, Italy as a football ground, and the Netherlands as entirely flooded, with only a few minarets sticking out. It caused outrage when it was unveiled in January, but has attracted many visitors to see it in the entrance of an EU building that is often used for summits. It had been due to remain on display in Brussels until the Czech Republic's EU presidency ends in June, after six months. But the artist, David Cerny, said he no longer wanted to be associated with the Czech Republic because its new government involves former communists.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
French Villa Holiday News.
French News, Tues 12 May 2009
Equine anaemia tests
Results are expected tomorrow on the first of hundreds of horses across the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var, who have been quarantined since a suspected outbreak of equine infectious anaemia. It was first detected on April 7 at the Hippodrome on the Cote d’Azure, in a horse from Carcés in the Var. This has led to seven horse facilities and properties being placed under quarantine, effecting around 160 horses, donkeys and even a circus zebra. The minimum incubation period for the disease is 35 days.
Break-out inquiry
Two patients from a Nice psychiatric hospital remain on the loose six days after a break-out from the facility. The inmates escaped after climbing over the roof of the Saint-Marie facility. 37-year-old Italian-Moroccan Charhan Benmaimoun, who is considered dangerous, and 19-year-old Ismaël Diaby remain on the run. An inquiry is underway into their escape.
Beach restaurant demolished
A beach restaurant at Cagnes-sur-Mer was demolished yesterday by the Prefecture; the latest step in a battle to reclaim beaches for the public. The demolition signalled the end of a 12-year legal battle, which cost 50-thousand euros. There are four other restaurants on the beach also facing demolition.
Royal fundraiser
Almost 20-thousand euros was raised for the Prince Albert II Foundation. The funds from the dinner, at Monaco’s Zest Restaurant, will be used to continue the Foundation's environmental work. The food was prepared by the 2008 Chef of the Year, Yannick Alléno, and Ronan Kervarrec the Chef at the Zest. Guests were also treated to a 15 minute film extract of the Prince’s voyage to the Antartic.
Prison guard agreement
The two main unions involved in last week’s prison blockades yesterday signed an agreement with the Justice Minister, Rachida Dati. Guards blockaded prisons across the country, including Nice and Grasse, preventing the movement of prisoners and stopping visitors from entering.
Caterpillar peace package
The long running dispute at the Caterpillar factories could be drawing to a close. The American manufacturer yesterday announced improved redundancy packages for 733 workers. Facing the sack the employees briefly took their bosses hostage during negotiations.
Output drops
France saw sharp falls in industrial output in March, which were much larger than forecast. French output was down 1.4% on the previous month, said national statistics office INSEE. Economists had predicted a decline of only 0.5%. Production of electronic goods and output in the energy and food sectors fell, outweighing a rise in transport.
SPORT
Football - Newcastle United are out of the relegation zone in the English Premier League with 2 matches to go before the end of the season. Sheffield United are through to the Championship playoff final after beating Preston 1 nil last night to take the semi final tie 2 one on aggregate. The Blades will meet the winners of tonight’s other semi final play off between Reading and Burnley-Burnley lead one nil from the first leg.
Formula One - Ross Brawn has insisted that there’s no pecking order at Brawn GP and the team does not operate a favouritism policy. Brawn was speaking following threats from Rubens Barrichello that he’d hang up his helmet if he found that his teammate and championship leader Jenson Button was being favoured. He told the BBC that Brawn GP does not have a one and a two driver and they’re both on equal terms and conditions.
Cricket - The former England cricketer Chris Lewis has appeared in court charged with smuggling 140,000 pounds worth of Cocaine into the UK. Lewis who’s 41 was arrested at Gatwick airport last December. Jurors at Croydon Crown Court were told yesterday that he’d brought the drugs concealed in fruit and vegetable juices from St Lucia. Both Lewis and his co-defendant Chad Kirmon who’s a basketball player deny the charges.
Rugby Union-The Scotland captain Mike Blair has been called into the Lions squad to replace injured scrum half Tomas O’Leary. The 28 year old’s call up means that there are now 3 Scottish players in the South Africa tour party.
Cycling - Allesandro Petacchi has the overall lead in the Giro d’Italia after the 3rd stage. The Italian won Monday’s stage to eclipse Britain’s Mark Cavendish-The gruelling mountain sections start today.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, workmen dismantled a large sculpture mocking European Union member states Monday after its Czech artist demanded its removal from the EU's headquarters. The 16-metre high "Entropa" sculpture portrays Bulgaria as a squat toilet, Italy as a football ground, and the Netherlands as entirely flooded, with only a few minarets sticking out. It caused outrage when it was unveiled in January, but has attracted many visitors to see it in the entrance of an EU building that is often used for summits. It had been due to remain on display in Brussels until the Czech Republic's EU presidency ends in June, after six months. But the artist, David Cerny, said he no longer wanted to be associated with the Czech Republic because its new government involves former communists.
Equine anaemia tests
Results are expected tomorrow on the first of hundreds of horses across the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var, who have been quarantined since a suspected outbreak of equine infectious anaemia. It was first detected on April 7 at the Hippodrome on the Cote d’Azure, in a horse from Carcés in the Var. This has led to seven horse facilities and properties being placed under quarantine, effecting around 160 horses, donkeys and even a circus zebra. The minimum incubation period for the disease is 35 days.
Break-out inquiry
Two patients from a Nice psychiatric hospital remain on the loose six days after a break-out from the facility. The inmates escaped after climbing over the roof of the Saint-Marie facility. 37-year-old Italian-Moroccan Charhan Benmaimoun, who is considered dangerous, and 19-year-old Ismaël Diaby remain on the run. An inquiry is underway into their escape.
Beach restaurant demolished
A beach restaurant at Cagnes-sur-Mer was demolished yesterday by the Prefecture; the latest step in a battle to reclaim beaches for the public. The demolition signalled the end of a 12-year legal battle, which cost 50-thousand euros. There are four other restaurants on the beach also facing demolition.
Royal fundraiser
Almost 20-thousand euros was raised for the Prince Albert II Foundation. The funds from the dinner, at Monaco’s Zest Restaurant, will be used to continue the Foundation's environmental work. The food was prepared by the 2008 Chef of the Year, Yannick Alléno, and Ronan Kervarrec the Chef at the Zest. Guests were also treated to a 15 minute film extract of the Prince’s voyage to the Antartic.
Prison guard agreement
The two main unions involved in last week’s prison blockades yesterday signed an agreement with the Justice Minister, Rachida Dati. Guards blockaded prisons across the country, including Nice and Grasse, preventing the movement of prisoners and stopping visitors from entering.
Caterpillar peace package
The long running dispute at the Caterpillar factories could be drawing to a close. The American manufacturer yesterday announced improved redundancy packages for 733 workers. Facing the sack the employees briefly took their bosses hostage during negotiations.
Output drops
France saw sharp falls in industrial output in March, which were much larger than forecast. French output was down 1.4% on the previous month, said national statistics office INSEE. Economists had predicted a decline of only 0.5%. Production of electronic goods and output in the energy and food sectors fell, outweighing a rise in transport.
SPORT
Football - Newcastle United are out of the relegation zone in the English Premier League with 2 matches to go before the end of the season. Sheffield United are through to the Championship playoff final after beating Preston 1 nil last night to take the semi final tie 2 one on aggregate. The Blades will meet the winners of tonight’s other semi final play off between Reading and Burnley-Burnley lead one nil from the first leg.
Formula One - Ross Brawn has insisted that there’s no pecking order at Brawn GP and the team does not operate a favouritism policy. Brawn was speaking following threats from Rubens Barrichello that he’d hang up his helmet if he found that his teammate and championship leader Jenson Button was being favoured. He told the BBC that Brawn GP does not have a one and a two driver and they’re both on equal terms and conditions.
Cricket - The former England cricketer Chris Lewis has appeared in court charged with smuggling 140,000 pounds worth of Cocaine into the UK. Lewis who’s 41 was arrested at Gatwick airport last December. Jurors at Croydon Crown Court were told yesterday that he’d brought the drugs concealed in fruit and vegetable juices from St Lucia. Both Lewis and his co-defendant Chad Kirmon who’s a basketball player deny the charges.
Rugby Union-The Scotland captain Mike Blair has been called into the Lions squad to replace injured scrum half Tomas O’Leary. The 28 year old’s call up means that there are now 3 Scottish players in the South Africa tour party.
Cycling - Allesandro Petacchi has the overall lead in the Giro d’Italia after the 3rd stage. The Italian won Monday’s stage to eclipse Britain’s Mark Cavendish-The gruelling mountain sections start today.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, workmen dismantled a large sculpture mocking European Union member states Monday after its Czech artist demanded its removal from the EU's headquarters. The 16-metre high "Entropa" sculpture portrays Bulgaria as a squat toilet, Italy as a football ground, and the Netherlands as entirely flooded, with only a few minarets sticking out. It caused outrage when it was unveiled in January, but has attracted many visitors to see it in the entrance of an EU building that is often used for summits. It had been due to remain on display in Brussels until the Czech Republic's EU presidency ends in June, after six months. But the artist, David Cerny, said he no longer wanted to be associated with the Czech Republic because its new government involves former communists.
Monday, May 11, 2009
French Villa Holiday News.
French News, Mon 11 May 2009
Kandel election win
UMP candidate, Benoit Kandel, has been declared the winner of a partial cantonal election in Nice. The former gendarme received almost 60% of the vote to defeat his opponent Frederique Gregoire-Concas. Mr Kandel will be officially welcomed to the Conseil General this morning.
Motorcycle event crash
A young motorcyclist from Nice was injured during a rally. The 24-year-old a member of the Moto-Club de Nice received head injuries when his machine left the road at Sospel during a time-trial. He was taken to hospital in Nice after plunging around five metres of the road.
Swimmer saved from sea
A 48-year-old man is in a serious condition in hospital after being rescued from the sea off Menton. The man got into difficulties around 9 o’clock yesterday morning off the Fossan beach. He was pulled from the water by a passerby, and revived by a volunteer fireman.
Gasquet positive test
French tennis player Richard Gasquet has admitted testing positive for cocaine, but insists he will clear his name. The 22-year-old, who could face a two-year ban from the sport, failed the test at the Miami Masters in March. In a statement the French Tennis Federation said it was "very surprised" by the news.
SPORT
Formula One - Jenson Button will come to the Monaco Grand Prix with a healthy lead in the drivers’ championship after taking the chequered flag in Barcelona on Sunday. Button led home a Brawn GP one two with teammate Rubens Barrichello finishing second. Mark Webber in the Red Bull came home in third.It was another bad weekend for Ferarri. Kimi Raikonnen was out of the points again after having to retire with a hydraulic problem while Felipe Massa slipped to sixth when he was forced to go into fuel saving mode when a pit stop problem resulted in not enough fuel going into his car.McLaren are also in poor shape with Heikki Kovalienen retiring after just 7 laps and Lewis Hamilton finishing 9th.Button leads the drivers’ championship with 41 points from Rubens Barrichello who’s got 27.Sebastien Vettel has 23 points with Red Bull teammate Mark Webber on 15 and a half.
Football - Manchester United are closing in on the defence of their English Premier League title. Meanwhile, tonight Newcastle face Middlesboro in a relegation 6 pointer at St James Park.Middlesboro are second from bottom with Newcastle one place above them. They’re both on 31 points along with the bottom club West Bromwich Albion who won on Saturday to close the gap. A win for either club tonight could lift them out of the relegation zone with Hull City dropping into it. The Championship play of semi final second leg game between Sheffield United and Preston is on tonight at Bramall Lane.The score is tied at one all from the first leg.
Cricket - Ian Bell and Ryan Sidebottom have been added to the England squad for the second test against West Indies which starts in Durham on Thursday. Monty Panesar makes way for Sidebottom while Bell is rewarded for some good early form in the county championship.England won the first test at Lords by 10 wickets.
Cycling - Belgian Tom Boonen looks set to be banned from this years Tour de France after testing positive for cocaine. Boonen who won the Paris Roubaix race last month also tested positive for the drug last year.His team Quick Step say the news is embarrassing and Boonen clearly needs help.
Golf - Henrik Stenson of Sweden has won the Players Championship at Sawgrass by 4 strokes. The Swede hit 6 birdies in a final round of 66 to end on 12 under par.England’s Ian Poulter finished second on 8 under.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, move over Jet Set -- here comes the Pet Set. An airline catering exclusively to furry passengers takes to the skies this July with a promise to make air travel everything the domestic animal could want. The first Pet Airways flight will depart July 14 from Teterboro, a small airport outside New York, en route to Washington, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles, said founder Alysa Binder. Flights, which will cost 149 dollars each way, will be on a modified Beechcraft 1900 supplied under contract with Suburban Air. The plane usually fits 19 passengers. This time there will be room for 50 cats and dogs.
Kandel election win
UMP candidate, Benoit Kandel, has been declared the winner of a partial cantonal election in Nice. The former gendarme received almost 60% of the vote to defeat his opponent Frederique Gregoire-Concas. Mr Kandel will be officially welcomed to the Conseil General this morning.
Motorcycle event crash
A young motorcyclist from Nice was injured during a rally. The 24-year-old a member of the Moto-Club de Nice received head injuries when his machine left the road at Sospel during a time-trial. He was taken to hospital in Nice after plunging around five metres of the road.
Swimmer saved from sea
A 48-year-old man is in a serious condition in hospital after being rescued from the sea off Menton. The man got into difficulties around 9 o’clock yesterday morning off the Fossan beach. He was pulled from the water by a passerby, and revived by a volunteer fireman.
Gasquet positive test
French tennis player Richard Gasquet has admitted testing positive for cocaine, but insists he will clear his name. The 22-year-old, who could face a two-year ban from the sport, failed the test at the Miami Masters in March. In a statement the French Tennis Federation said it was "very surprised" by the news.
SPORT
Formula One - Jenson Button will come to the Monaco Grand Prix with a healthy lead in the drivers’ championship after taking the chequered flag in Barcelona on Sunday. Button led home a Brawn GP one two with teammate Rubens Barrichello finishing second. Mark Webber in the Red Bull came home in third.It was another bad weekend for Ferarri. Kimi Raikonnen was out of the points again after having to retire with a hydraulic problem while Felipe Massa slipped to sixth when he was forced to go into fuel saving mode when a pit stop problem resulted in not enough fuel going into his car.McLaren are also in poor shape with Heikki Kovalienen retiring after just 7 laps and Lewis Hamilton finishing 9th.Button leads the drivers’ championship with 41 points from Rubens Barrichello who’s got 27.Sebastien Vettel has 23 points with Red Bull teammate Mark Webber on 15 and a half.
Football - Manchester United are closing in on the defence of their English Premier League title. Meanwhile, tonight Newcastle face Middlesboro in a relegation 6 pointer at St James Park.Middlesboro are second from bottom with Newcastle one place above them. They’re both on 31 points along with the bottom club West Bromwich Albion who won on Saturday to close the gap. A win for either club tonight could lift them out of the relegation zone with Hull City dropping into it. The Championship play of semi final second leg game between Sheffield United and Preston is on tonight at Bramall Lane.The score is tied at one all from the first leg.
Cricket - Ian Bell and Ryan Sidebottom have been added to the England squad for the second test against West Indies which starts in Durham on Thursday. Monty Panesar makes way for Sidebottom while Bell is rewarded for some good early form in the county championship.England won the first test at Lords by 10 wickets.
Cycling - Belgian Tom Boonen looks set to be banned from this years Tour de France after testing positive for cocaine. Boonen who won the Paris Roubaix race last month also tested positive for the drug last year.His team Quick Step say the news is embarrassing and Boonen clearly needs help.
Golf - Henrik Stenson of Sweden has won the Players Championship at Sawgrass by 4 strokes. The Swede hit 6 birdies in a final round of 66 to end on 12 under par.England’s Ian Poulter finished second on 8 under.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, move over Jet Set -- here comes the Pet Set. An airline catering exclusively to furry passengers takes to the skies this July with a promise to make air travel everything the domestic animal could want. The first Pet Airways flight will depart July 14 from Teterboro, a small airport outside New York, en route to Washington, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles, said founder Alysa Binder. Flights, which will cost 149 dollars each way, will be on a modified Beechcraft 1900 supplied under contract with Suburban Air. The plane usually fits 19 passengers. This time there will be room for 50 cats and dogs.
Friday, May 8, 2009
French Villa Holiday News.
French News, Thurs 7 May 2009
Suspected swine flu in Monaco
A 27-year-old Monaco resident is isolated in hospital, suspected of contracting swine flu. The man, who recently returned from a trip to Mexico, was admitted to the L’Archet hospital yesterday. He contacted the Princess Grace Hospital after displaying flu symptoms; after being examined he was transferred to the L’Archet infectious diseases unit. Officials are now awaiting the results of blood tests to confirm if it is an actual case of H1N1 flu. There are now seven confirmed cases of the virus in France.
Orange network woes
600-thousand mobile phone users were without service for more than three hours yesterday afternoon, because of a fault in the Orange network. The problem also affected internet and television connections, as well as fixed phones on the network. The problem with two network routers in Nice affected all Orange services throughout the Alpes-Maritimes and Var.
Guatanamo inmate in Nice
A former detainee from Guantanamo Bay, released after seven years, will soon be living in Nice. 42-year-old Algerian Lakhdar Boumediene was accepted by French authorities after being freed by the Americans. In 10 days' time he'll join his sister-in-law in an apartment block in the des Moulins area.
'Glacier' to close
The Environment Minister yesterday confirmed the closure of the controversial “Glacier” rubbish site in Villeneuve-Loubet. However, no official date has yet been announced for when the facility will be shut down.
Spreading the word
The popularity of Riviera Radio continues to spread. The latest figures reveal on-line listeners are up to almost 140-thousand, an increase of around 25%. And while most are in France, people are also listening via their computers in the UK, US, Germany, Italy, Canada and Ireland.
Prison peace plan
France’s prison strike, which has hit facilities in Nice, Grasse and Toulon, enters its fourth, and most likely final day. Prison guards have been blockading jails across the country, preventing the movement of inmates and access to visitors since Monday. Unions will present a new peace deal to members today, thrashed last night in marathon talks with the Justice Minister.
Cult leader recaptured
French police yesterday recaptured a cult leader jailed for child abuse after he escaped last week from a prison on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion in a helicopter. Dozens of police clad in bullet-proof vests raided a building in Saint-Denis, less than two kilometres from the prison where Juliano Verbard and two fellow prisioners escaped in a helicopter hijacked by accomplices on April 27. Five of Verbard's accomplices, including three who hijacked the helicopter, were captured in the raid, which was broadcast live on television. 27-year-old Verbard, the leader of a cult called the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, was serving a 15-year term for raping and sexually assaulting children.
SPORT
Football - The European Champions League final will be between Manchester United and Barcelona. Barcelona won their place after going through on the away goals rule following a one all draw against Chelsea-but last night’s game at Stamford Bridge was mired in controversy.
Formula One - The son of the President of the F.I.A Max Mosley has been found dead at his home in West London. Alexander Mosley who was 39 was found at the property in Notting Hill on Tuesday. Police say they’re treating the death as non suspicious. Reports suggest that Mr Mosley may have suffered a drugs overdose.
Cricket - A Ravi Bopara century in an otherwise poor display of batting saved England’s blushes on day 1 of the 1st test against West Indies at Lords. Bopara had got to 118 not out at stumps in England’s total of 289 for 7. The players returning from the Indian Premier League looked rusty. Kevin Pietersen was out without troubling the scorers and Paul Collingwood also failed to make an impact. Fidel Edwards was the pick of the West Indies bowlers finishing the day with figures of 4 for 53.
Rugby Union - Tom Shanklin’s hopes of touring with the Lions is in the balance after he suffered a dislocated shoulder in last night’s match between Cardiff Blues and Dragons. The Wales star was forced off the field with the injury and was taken to hospital for a scan.
The England fly half Toby Flood will be out of action for 6 months after surgery on a ruptured left Achilles. Flood suffered the injury during Leicester Tigers’ Heineken Cup semi final win over Cardiff Blues last Sunday. He’ll miss England’s summer tour of Argentina.
Tennis - Ana Ivanovic has been knocked out of the Italian Open in Rome. Ivanovic was beaten in three sets in the third round by Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. The defending Champion Jelena Jancovic, world number one Dinara Safina and the number 4 seed Venus Williams are all through to the quarter finals.
Athletics - Paula Radcliffe says she’s targeting the World Championships in August for her return from injury but she won’t be taking any unnecessary risks. The 35 year old marathon world record holder had surgery in March to remove a bunion on her right foot and she’s hoping to resume training next month. The star also says that the bunion has been responsible for a succession of injuries dating back three years.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, six Chinese who sped through a Swiss highway at up to 229 kilometres per hour have each been fined up to 95,000 francs (62,000 euros, 84,000 dollars) for speeding and other traffic offences. According to a verdict published by the district court of Horgen, the judge threw out the defence that the Chinese drivers were unaware of Switzerland's highway speed limit of 120 kilometres per hour. It ruled that they had "intentionally exceeded the speed limit." The group was stopped by police on May 5 in 2008 while travelling in luxury vehicles, including Lamborghinis, from Italy to France where they were due to catch a flight home.
Suspected swine flu in Monaco
A 27-year-old Monaco resident is isolated in hospital, suspected of contracting swine flu. The man, who recently returned from a trip to Mexico, was admitted to the L’Archet hospital yesterday. He contacted the Princess Grace Hospital after displaying flu symptoms; after being examined he was transferred to the L’Archet infectious diseases unit. Officials are now awaiting the results of blood tests to confirm if it is an actual case of H1N1 flu. There are now seven confirmed cases of the virus in France.
Orange network woes
600-thousand mobile phone users were without service for more than three hours yesterday afternoon, because of a fault in the Orange network. The problem also affected internet and television connections, as well as fixed phones on the network. The problem with two network routers in Nice affected all Orange services throughout the Alpes-Maritimes and Var.
Guatanamo inmate in Nice
A former detainee from Guantanamo Bay, released after seven years, will soon be living in Nice. 42-year-old Algerian Lakhdar Boumediene was accepted by French authorities after being freed by the Americans. In 10 days' time he'll join his sister-in-law in an apartment block in the des Moulins area.
'Glacier' to close
The Environment Minister yesterday confirmed the closure of the controversial “Glacier” rubbish site in Villeneuve-Loubet. However, no official date has yet been announced for when the facility will be shut down.
Spreading the word
The popularity of Riviera Radio continues to spread. The latest figures reveal on-line listeners are up to almost 140-thousand, an increase of around 25%. And while most are in France, people are also listening via their computers in the UK, US, Germany, Italy, Canada and Ireland.
Prison peace plan
France’s prison strike, which has hit facilities in Nice, Grasse and Toulon, enters its fourth, and most likely final day. Prison guards have been blockading jails across the country, preventing the movement of inmates and access to visitors since Monday. Unions will present a new peace deal to members today, thrashed last night in marathon talks with the Justice Minister.
Cult leader recaptured
French police yesterday recaptured a cult leader jailed for child abuse after he escaped last week from a prison on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion in a helicopter. Dozens of police clad in bullet-proof vests raided a building in Saint-Denis, less than two kilometres from the prison where Juliano Verbard and two fellow prisioners escaped in a helicopter hijacked by accomplices on April 27. Five of Verbard's accomplices, including three who hijacked the helicopter, were captured in the raid, which was broadcast live on television. 27-year-old Verbard, the leader of a cult called the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, was serving a 15-year term for raping and sexually assaulting children.
SPORT
Football - The European Champions League final will be between Manchester United and Barcelona. Barcelona won their place after going through on the away goals rule following a one all draw against Chelsea-but last night’s game at Stamford Bridge was mired in controversy.
Formula One - The son of the President of the F.I.A Max Mosley has been found dead at his home in West London. Alexander Mosley who was 39 was found at the property in Notting Hill on Tuesday. Police say they’re treating the death as non suspicious. Reports suggest that Mr Mosley may have suffered a drugs overdose.
Cricket - A Ravi Bopara century in an otherwise poor display of batting saved England’s blushes on day 1 of the 1st test against West Indies at Lords. Bopara had got to 118 not out at stumps in England’s total of 289 for 7. The players returning from the Indian Premier League looked rusty. Kevin Pietersen was out without troubling the scorers and Paul Collingwood also failed to make an impact. Fidel Edwards was the pick of the West Indies bowlers finishing the day with figures of 4 for 53.
Rugby Union - Tom Shanklin’s hopes of touring with the Lions is in the balance after he suffered a dislocated shoulder in last night’s match between Cardiff Blues and Dragons. The Wales star was forced off the field with the injury and was taken to hospital for a scan.
The England fly half Toby Flood will be out of action for 6 months after surgery on a ruptured left Achilles. Flood suffered the injury during Leicester Tigers’ Heineken Cup semi final win over Cardiff Blues last Sunday. He’ll miss England’s summer tour of Argentina.
Tennis - Ana Ivanovic has been knocked out of the Italian Open in Rome. Ivanovic was beaten in three sets in the third round by Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. The defending Champion Jelena Jancovic, world number one Dinara Safina and the number 4 seed Venus Williams are all through to the quarter finals.
Athletics - Paula Radcliffe says she’s targeting the World Championships in August for her return from injury but she won’t be taking any unnecessary risks. The 35 year old marathon world record holder had surgery in March to remove a bunion on her right foot and she’s hoping to resume training next month. The star also says that the bunion has been responsible for a succession of injuries dating back three years.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, six Chinese who sped through a Swiss highway at up to 229 kilometres per hour have each been fined up to 95,000 francs (62,000 euros, 84,000 dollars) for speeding and other traffic offences. According to a verdict published by the district court of Horgen, the judge threw out the defence that the Chinese drivers were unaware of Switzerland's highway speed limit of 120 kilometres per hour. It ruled that they had "intentionally exceeded the speed limit." The group was stopped by police on May 5 in 2008 while travelling in luxury vehicles, including Lamborghinis, from Italy to France where they were due to catch a flight home.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
French Villa Holiday News.
French News Tues 5 May 2009
PACA TGV route
The route for the high-speed TGV train through the PACA region will be announced on 30 June. The route of the service has been hotly debated for a number of years, with many towns fighting to ensure they are not bypassed. Ecology Minister Jean-Louis Borloo is due to unveil the details.
More CCTV cameras
The total number of surveillance cameras in Nice will climb to 500 by the end of next year. There are already 200 cameras in the City and surrounding suburbs. A further 150 will come on line by the end of 2009, and a further 150 the following year. Many of the cameras will be installed in areas identified as risky.
Don't look rubbish
A French couple has unveiled a program that could bring a whole new look to the Cote d’Azur; decorated rubbish bins. They have designed a series of large, printed, hard-wearing plastic covers which can be easily applied to most domestic wheely-bins. The first new look bins, around 600 in total, will be unveiled later this month at the MIN wholesale food market.
Fourth swine flu case
France now has four confirmed cases of swine flu. The Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot says this figure is almost certain to reach five, and could possibly climb as high as eight. Meanwhile, the French government yesterday sent 100-thousand bottles of Tamiflu to Mexico to help combat the outbreak.
Prison strike violence
Prison guards in France have clashed with police during protests against overcrowding in French jails. At France's largest prison, Fleury-Merogis, south of Paris, wardens began a four-day action by setting barricades on fire and hampering inmate transfers. Police used tear gas to dispel the protesters and open access to the jail.
SPORT
Football – Three games to go and the tension is growing at the foot of the English Premier League as another of the strugglers lost last night, Hull going down 1-nil to Aston Villa.
Thierry Henry sat out training on Monday ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League showdown with Chelsea on Wednesday night. Henry picked up a knee injury during Saturday’s win over Real Madrid but is expected to be fit.
The veteran Liverpool centre-back Sami Hyypia is to join the German side Bayer Leverkusen on a two year deal at the end of the summer.The 35 year old Finn has undergone a medical and will leave Anfield in the summer. He’s been at Liverpool for 10 years and has made 317 appearances.
Cricket - The England coach Andy Flower has admitted that some of his side are under prepared for the first test against West Indies which starts at Lords tomorrow. Flower says that the players who’ve been taking part in the Indian Premier League are without a doubt under prepared for first class cricket although he stressed he wasn’t criticising E.C.B policy. Kevin Pietersen, Ravi Bopara and Paul Collingwood have all been in South Africa with the I.P.L although Collingwood didn’t actually make any appearances for the Delhi Daredevils.
Rugby Union - Alan Quinlan’s place in the Lions squad is in doubt after he was cited for allegedly eye gouging the Leinster captain Leo Cullen during Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi final. The Munster player is to appear before a European disciplinary panel as soon as it can be arranged and could face a lengthy ban if found guilty.
Jamie Noon is the latest England player to pack his bags for France.The Newcastle centre is leaving the club after 10 years and is believed to be signing for Brive.
Tennis - Venus Williams struggled to a 3 set win over Lucie Safarova in the second round of the Italian Open in Rome on Monday. The number 4 seed took the first set easily enough but lost the second 6-4 before recovering to take the decider. Her sister Serena who’s seeded 2 will start her campaign later today with a second round tie against Patty Scheider.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, a man trying to rob a factory in Sydney got stuck on its slippery, steep roof in pouring rain, triggering a three-hour rescue operation by police and firefighters in the early hours of Sunday. New South Wales state police said in a statement a rescue unit tried to reach the man, three storeys above ground, but it was too risky to climb onto the roof in the rain. Firefighters then tried to get to the man with a ladder, but couldn't reach him. Another truck with a longer ladder was brought in while a police helicopter was used to light the area. After his rescue the man was found to be carrying items including a helmet with a light, bolt cutters, a small ladder, backpack, tarpaulin, ropes and harnesses, police said. The 53-year-old has been charged with an attempted break-in.
PACA TGV route
The route for the high-speed TGV train through the PACA region will be announced on 30 June. The route of the service has been hotly debated for a number of years, with many towns fighting to ensure they are not bypassed. Ecology Minister Jean-Louis Borloo is due to unveil the details.
More CCTV cameras
The total number of surveillance cameras in Nice will climb to 500 by the end of next year. There are already 200 cameras in the City and surrounding suburbs. A further 150 will come on line by the end of 2009, and a further 150 the following year. Many of the cameras will be installed in areas identified as risky.
Don't look rubbish
A French couple has unveiled a program that could bring a whole new look to the Cote d’Azur; decorated rubbish bins. They have designed a series of large, printed, hard-wearing plastic covers which can be easily applied to most domestic wheely-bins. The first new look bins, around 600 in total, will be unveiled later this month at the MIN wholesale food market.
Fourth swine flu case
France now has four confirmed cases of swine flu. The Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot says this figure is almost certain to reach five, and could possibly climb as high as eight. Meanwhile, the French government yesterday sent 100-thousand bottles of Tamiflu to Mexico to help combat the outbreak.
Prison strike violence
Prison guards in France have clashed with police during protests against overcrowding in French jails. At France's largest prison, Fleury-Merogis, south of Paris, wardens began a four-day action by setting barricades on fire and hampering inmate transfers. Police used tear gas to dispel the protesters and open access to the jail.
SPORT
Football – Three games to go and the tension is growing at the foot of the English Premier League as another of the strugglers lost last night, Hull going down 1-nil to Aston Villa.
Thierry Henry sat out training on Monday ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League showdown with Chelsea on Wednesday night. Henry picked up a knee injury during Saturday’s win over Real Madrid but is expected to be fit.
The veteran Liverpool centre-back Sami Hyypia is to join the German side Bayer Leverkusen on a two year deal at the end of the summer.The 35 year old Finn has undergone a medical and will leave Anfield in the summer. He’s been at Liverpool for 10 years and has made 317 appearances.
Cricket - The England coach Andy Flower has admitted that some of his side are under prepared for the first test against West Indies which starts at Lords tomorrow. Flower says that the players who’ve been taking part in the Indian Premier League are without a doubt under prepared for first class cricket although he stressed he wasn’t criticising E.C.B policy. Kevin Pietersen, Ravi Bopara and Paul Collingwood have all been in South Africa with the I.P.L although Collingwood didn’t actually make any appearances for the Delhi Daredevils.
Rugby Union - Alan Quinlan’s place in the Lions squad is in doubt after he was cited for allegedly eye gouging the Leinster captain Leo Cullen during Saturday’s Heineken Cup semi final. The Munster player is to appear before a European disciplinary panel as soon as it can be arranged and could face a lengthy ban if found guilty.
Jamie Noon is the latest England player to pack his bags for France.The Newcastle centre is leaving the club after 10 years and is believed to be signing for Brive.
Tennis - Venus Williams struggled to a 3 set win over Lucie Safarova in the second round of the Italian Open in Rome on Monday. The number 4 seed took the first set easily enough but lost the second 6-4 before recovering to take the decider. Her sister Serena who’s seeded 2 will start her campaign later today with a second round tie against Patty Scheider.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, a man trying to rob a factory in Sydney got stuck on its slippery, steep roof in pouring rain, triggering a three-hour rescue operation by police and firefighters in the early hours of Sunday. New South Wales state police said in a statement a rescue unit tried to reach the man, three storeys above ground, but it was too risky to climb onto the roof in the rain. Firefighters then tried to get to the man with a ladder, but couldn't reach him. Another truck with a longer ladder was brought in while a police helicopter was used to light the area. After his rescue the man was found to be carrying items including a helmet with a light, bolt cutters, a small ladder, backpack, tarpaulin, ropes and harnesses, police said. The 53-year-old has been charged with an attempted break-in.
Monday, May 4, 2009
French Villa Holiday News.
French News Mon 4 May, 2009
Probable PACA swine flu case
Authorities say there is one “probable” case of swine flu in our region, the Provence Alpes Cote-d’Azur. It is one of eight “probable” cases across the country, following confirmation late last week of the first two cases of swine flu in France. All of the infected people had recently visited Mexico or the U.S. French Health authorities say they remain calm and vigilant, with experts believing the full effects of the virus may not be know until next autumn.
Fatal flat fire
Investigations continue into the cause of a fire in Antibes early Saturday morning that killed an elderly couple. They died of smoke asphyxiation during the fire in their top floor home, in the “Le Galia” apartment block.
Jet ski rescue
A jet skier from Villefranche was rescued in the early hours of yesterday morning in the sea off Monaco. His motor cut out around four miles from the coast on Saturday afternoon. But it wasn’t until three o’clock the next morning that he was brought to shore.
Mountain helicopter airlift
A 60-year-old cross country skier had to be rescued by helicopter yesterday afternoon from the Parc Mercantour. The 60-year-old from Vallaruis was injured in a fall. He was suffering from severe hypothermia when he was airlifted to safety.
St Tropez season starts
Monaco’s Prince Albert was among the celebrities leading the summer charge to Saint Tropez. The Prince and his companion, Charlene, were pictured relaxing in the world famous resort yesterday. Also spotted over the weekend, Ivana Trump and Victoria Silvstedt.
Prison warder strike
French justice minister, Rachida Dati, faces another crisis as prison officers launch a crippling four-day strike over a lack of resources to deal with France's overcrowded prisons. Warders from the biggest three unions will today begin blocking all prisoner movement and transfers at more than 190 prisons, eventually blocking all outside visits, including those from lawyers and families.
Large Hadron Collider fixed
Engineers have fixed the "Big Bang" machine after an electrical fault led to it being shut-down in September last year. The last of 53 replacement magnets for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) - the largest scientific instrument ever built - has been lowered into the 16-mile tunnel straddling the Swiss-French border which houses the machine. And scientists say they are back on track to re-start the particle accelerator in the autumn.
SPORT
Football - Newcastle United and their North East neighbours Sunderland continue to struggle towards the bottom of the English Premier League after both sides lost on Sunday.
Birmingham City have joined Wolves in being automatically promoted to the Premier League after beating Reading 2-1 in their final Championship game on Sunday. Reading have to settle for a place in the play offs where they’ll meet Burnley in the semi final. The other play off will be between Preston and Sheffield United. Cardiff City just missed out on the play offs to Preston on the number of goals scored. At the bottom Norwich City were relegated along with Southampton and Charlton. It’s the first time that Norwich have dropped into the 3rd tier of English football since 1960.
Rugby Union - Leicester Tigers are through to the Heineken European Cup final following an extraordinary semi final against Cardiff Blues on Sunday. The match went into extra time after Blues had battled back magnificently in the second half to tie the match 26 all. After the 20 minute extra time period the match had to be settled by penalty shoot out for the first time in the history of the European Cup. Leicester eventually came through when Jordan Crane landed the sudden death kick after Martyn Williams had missed for Cardiff. The Tigers will play Leinster in the final.
Boxing - Ricky Hatton is considering his future after his crushing IBO light-welterweight world title defeat by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas. Hatton was knocked down 3 times before being KO’d at the end of the second round.He was taken to hospital for a brain scan but was later released and given a clean bill of health. At the age of 30 many commentators and medical experts say it’s time he retired.
Formula One - The president of the F.I.A Max Mosley says that the sport could survive without Ferarri. Mr Mosley’s comments came after the president of Ferarri Luca di Montezemolo referred to plans for a 40 million pound budget cap for teams as fundamentally unfair. The .F.I.A president says that Ferarri would have to obey the new rules or leave the sport adding that Formula 1 could survive without them although it would be very sad.
Cricket - Pakistan won the final one day international against Australia by 7 wickets in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Australia win the series 3-2.
Tennis - Rafael Nadal has won the Rome Masters after defeating the defending champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets. The win extends Nadal’s unbeaten run on clay to 30 matches and confirms him as overwhelming favourite to retain the French Open. For Djokovic the defeat means that he’ll drop from World number 3 to number 4 when the new A.T.P rankings are published next week. Andy Murray will be the new world number 3.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has compared himself to Jesus Christ and Napoleon, boasted on Friday that he was the world's most popular leader. The conservative premier, in his third term in office, said opinion poll findings in his possession showed his popularity at just over 75 percent, making him far more popular than U.S. President Barack Obama -- or any other head of government. "The opinion polls I know say that he (Obama) is at 59 percent. Only (Brazilian President Luiz Inacio) Lula tops 60 percent -- he is at 64 percent. So mine is a record high," he told reporters in Naples where he attended a May Day concert. Berlusconi, who regularly complains of unfair treatment by the media despite directly or indirectly controlling 90 percent of Italy's television, put his own popularity at 75.1 percent.
Probable PACA swine flu case
Authorities say there is one “probable” case of swine flu in our region, the Provence Alpes Cote-d’Azur. It is one of eight “probable” cases across the country, following confirmation late last week of the first two cases of swine flu in France. All of the infected people had recently visited Mexico or the U.S. French Health authorities say they remain calm and vigilant, with experts believing the full effects of the virus may not be know until next autumn.
Fatal flat fire
Investigations continue into the cause of a fire in Antibes early Saturday morning that killed an elderly couple. They died of smoke asphyxiation during the fire in their top floor home, in the “Le Galia” apartment block.
Jet ski rescue
A jet skier from Villefranche was rescued in the early hours of yesterday morning in the sea off Monaco. His motor cut out around four miles from the coast on Saturday afternoon. But it wasn’t until three o’clock the next morning that he was brought to shore.
Mountain helicopter airlift
A 60-year-old cross country skier had to be rescued by helicopter yesterday afternoon from the Parc Mercantour. The 60-year-old from Vallaruis was injured in a fall. He was suffering from severe hypothermia when he was airlifted to safety.
St Tropez season starts
Monaco’s Prince Albert was among the celebrities leading the summer charge to Saint Tropez. The Prince and his companion, Charlene, were pictured relaxing in the world famous resort yesterday. Also spotted over the weekend, Ivana Trump and Victoria Silvstedt.
Prison warder strike
French justice minister, Rachida Dati, faces another crisis as prison officers launch a crippling four-day strike over a lack of resources to deal with France's overcrowded prisons. Warders from the biggest three unions will today begin blocking all prisoner movement and transfers at more than 190 prisons, eventually blocking all outside visits, including those from lawyers and families.
Large Hadron Collider fixed
Engineers have fixed the "Big Bang" machine after an electrical fault led to it being shut-down in September last year. The last of 53 replacement magnets for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) - the largest scientific instrument ever built - has been lowered into the 16-mile tunnel straddling the Swiss-French border which houses the machine. And scientists say they are back on track to re-start the particle accelerator in the autumn.
SPORT
Football - Newcastle United and their North East neighbours Sunderland continue to struggle towards the bottom of the English Premier League after both sides lost on Sunday.
Birmingham City have joined Wolves in being automatically promoted to the Premier League after beating Reading 2-1 in their final Championship game on Sunday. Reading have to settle for a place in the play offs where they’ll meet Burnley in the semi final. The other play off will be between Preston and Sheffield United. Cardiff City just missed out on the play offs to Preston on the number of goals scored. At the bottom Norwich City were relegated along with Southampton and Charlton. It’s the first time that Norwich have dropped into the 3rd tier of English football since 1960.
Rugby Union - Leicester Tigers are through to the Heineken European Cup final following an extraordinary semi final against Cardiff Blues on Sunday. The match went into extra time after Blues had battled back magnificently in the second half to tie the match 26 all. After the 20 minute extra time period the match had to be settled by penalty shoot out for the first time in the history of the European Cup. Leicester eventually came through when Jordan Crane landed the sudden death kick after Martyn Williams had missed for Cardiff. The Tigers will play Leinster in the final.
Boxing - Ricky Hatton is considering his future after his crushing IBO light-welterweight world title defeat by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas. Hatton was knocked down 3 times before being KO’d at the end of the second round.He was taken to hospital for a brain scan but was later released and given a clean bill of health. At the age of 30 many commentators and medical experts say it’s time he retired.
Formula One - The president of the F.I.A Max Mosley says that the sport could survive without Ferarri. Mr Mosley’s comments came after the president of Ferarri Luca di Montezemolo referred to plans for a 40 million pound budget cap for teams as fundamentally unfair. The .F.I.A president says that Ferarri would have to obey the new rules or leave the sport adding that Formula 1 could survive without them although it would be very sad.
Cricket - Pakistan won the final one day international against Australia by 7 wickets in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Australia win the series 3-2.
Tennis - Rafael Nadal has won the Rome Masters after defeating the defending champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets. The win extends Nadal’s unbeaten run on clay to 30 matches and confirms him as overwhelming favourite to retain the French Open. For Djokovic the defeat means that he’ll drop from World number 3 to number 4 when the new A.T.P rankings are published next week. Andy Murray will be the new world number 3.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has compared himself to Jesus Christ and Napoleon, boasted on Friday that he was the world's most popular leader. The conservative premier, in his third term in office, said opinion poll findings in his possession showed his popularity at just over 75 percent, making him far more popular than U.S. President Barack Obama -- or any other head of government. "The opinion polls I know say that he (Obama) is at 59 percent. Only (Brazilian President Luiz Inacio) Lula tops 60 percent -- he is at 64 percent. So mine is a record high," he told reporters in Naples where he attended a May Day concert. Berlusconi, who regularly complains of unfair treatment by the media despite directly or indirectly controlling 90 percent of Italy's television, put his own popularity at 75.1 percent.
Friday, May 1, 2009
French Villa Holiday News.
French News, Friday 1 May 2009
Call to action
Trade unions have called for French people to come out in force for the traditional May Day marches. Some 300 rallies are planned throughout the country, including in Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Grasse and Toulon, as demonstrators protest against the government's handling of the economic crisis. However, because the protest falls during the school holidays in our region, organisers believe the turnout may be down.
Tram funding boost
The French Government has handed over 43.7 million euros for the extension of Nice’s tram network. Ecology Minister Jean-Louis Borloo announced the funding as part of his Department’s support for environmentally friendly projects. The funds will be used to extend Line One, and to create a second line between the City and the airport.
Muguet sellers reprieve
The Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes will turn a blind eye to illegal muguet sellers today. Non-professionals traditionally sell small bunches of flowers, mostly lily-of-the-valley, on the first day of May.
The merry, merry month of May
The May Festival gets underway today in Nice. A celebration of all things Nicoise the Fete takes place in the Cimiez Gardens every weekend throughout the month. There will be displays of traditional dancing and music, as well as handicrafts and local foods.
Higher state of alert
The French Government last night raised the state of alert over swine flu. After an emergency meeting of Ministers and health experts in Paris, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said, as a precaution, the alert was being increased to phase five, with all government services mobilised. There are five suspected cases still being monitored across the country, but so far there have been no actual cases of swine flu in France.
War heroes exhumed
Experts will begin exhuming hundreds of British and Australian troops from a World War I mass grave in northern France before laying the fallen soldiers to rest in a new war cemetery. Up to 400 Australian and British troops, lost in the Battle of Fromelles in 1916, are thought to have been buried in pits by German forces. Between now and September, a team of archaeologists is to recover the soldiers' remains, in hope of identifying as many as possible and giving them a fitting burial.
SPORT
Formula One - Championship leader Jenson Button has backed the introduction of a 40 million pound budget cap from 2010. The cap is part of wide ranging proposals to shake up the sport announced by the F.I.A on Thursday. Teams would be free to choose whether to be governed by the cap but those who opt out would face a number of restrictions. Those who comply would have greater technical freedom and unlimited out of season testing. Button says he’s sure that the manufacturers and bigger teams don’t want it but for a team like Brawn it will be necessary for the future.
Football - Hamburg beat Werder Bremen one nil away last night in the first leg of the Uefa Cup semi final. The other tie which is an all Ukrainian affair ended in a one all draw between Dynamo Kiev and Shaktar Donetsk.
So, four games left in the English Premier League as attention focuses on the relegation battle again this weekend. Tomorrow Chelsea play Fulham. Manchester City host Blackburn. Middlesboro second from bottom face Manchester United in the lunchtime game. Portsmouth host Arsenal. It’s Stoke against West Ham, Tottenham against West Brom and Wigan against Bolton. On Sunday, Liverpool play Newcastle and Sunderland play Everton. Aston Villa play Hull on Monday.
Cricket - England name their captain and 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 later today. Paul Collingwood is set to be named captain for the June tournament which is being played in England. A press conference has been called at 2.15 French time this afternoon at Lords where the chairman of selectors Geoff Miller will announce the details.
Rugby Union - England’s elite rugby director Rob Andrew has warned that any players who move to France must attend all training sessions with the national team in order to be selected. Andrew and the England manager Martin Johnson want French clubs to abide by the same agreement for player release as their English counterparts. Three England players, Ricki Flutey, Tom Palmer and James Haskell are moving to France at the end of the season and Jonny Wilkinson has been holding talks with Toulon.
Tennis - Roger Federer is through to the quarter finals of the Italian Open following a straight sets win over Radek Stepanek. Defending champion Novak Djokovic is also through.He thrashed Tommy Robredo 6-1 6-1. And World number 1 Rafael Nadal also moved into the last 8 with ease following a 6-1 6 love demolition of Robin Soderling.
Cycling - Lance Armstrong says he’s satisfied with his progress following his return to the saddle in the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico. Armstrong was 8th after stage 1 of the race and says he feels strong and the recovery from his collar bone injury is working out well. He’s using the New Mexico race as preparation for the Giro d’Italia later this month.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, a New York woman has been charged stealing as much as $12 million in gold bullion and jewellery over a period of six years, lifting the ill-gotten booty from her employer by concealing the stash in the lining of her pocketbook. The district attorney for New York City's borough of Queens said Teresa Tambunting, 50, was arraigned on Wednesday on charges of first-degree grand larceny and first-degree criminal possession of stolen property from Jacmel Jewelry. In January, an inventory audit conducted at Jacmel revealed that nearly 386 kg of gold merchandise worth about $12 million was unaccounted for, Brown's statement added. After an investigation was initiated, Tambunting returned to Jacmel a suitcase containing 30 kg of gold. On February 13, an additional 204 kg of gold was recovered from Tambunting's residence.
Call to action
Trade unions have called for French people to come out in force for the traditional May Day marches. Some 300 rallies are planned throughout the country, including in Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Grasse and Toulon, as demonstrators protest against the government's handling of the economic crisis. However, because the protest falls during the school holidays in our region, organisers believe the turnout may be down.
Tram funding boost
The French Government has handed over 43.7 million euros for the extension of Nice’s tram network. Ecology Minister Jean-Louis Borloo announced the funding as part of his Department’s support for environmentally friendly projects. The funds will be used to extend Line One, and to create a second line between the City and the airport.
Muguet sellers reprieve
The Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes will turn a blind eye to illegal muguet sellers today. Non-professionals traditionally sell small bunches of flowers, mostly lily-of-the-valley, on the first day of May.
The merry, merry month of May
The May Festival gets underway today in Nice. A celebration of all things Nicoise the Fete takes place in the Cimiez Gardens every weekend throughout the month. There will be displays of traditional dancing and music, as well as handicrafts and local foods.
Higher state of alert
The French Government last night raised the state of alert over swine flu. After an emergency meeting of Ministers and health experts in Paris, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said, as a precaution, the alert was being increased to phase five, with all government services mobilised. There are five suspected cases still being monitored across the country, but so far there have been no actual cases of swine flu in France.
War heroes exhumed
Experts will begin exhuming hundreds of British and Australian troops from a World War I mass grave in northern France before laying the fallen soldiers to rest in a new war cemetery. Up to 400 Australian and British troops, lost in the Battle of Fromelles in 1916, are thought to have been buried in pits by German forces. Between now and September, a team of archaeologists is to recover the soldiers' remains, in hope of identifying as many as possible and giving them a fitting burial.
SPORT
Formula One - Championship leader Jenson Button has backed the introduction of a 40 million pound budget cap from 2010. The cap is part of wide ranging proposals to shake up the sport announced by the F.I.A on Thursday. Teams would be free to choose whether to be governed by the cap but those who opt out would face a number of restrictions. Those who comply would have greater technical freedom and unlimited out of season testing. Button says he’s sure that the manufacturers and bigger teams don’t want it but for a team like Brawn it will be necessary for the future.
Football - Hamburg beat Werder Bremen one nil away last night in the first leg of the Uefa Cup semi final. The other tie which is an all Ukrainian affair ended in a one all draw between Dynamo Kiev and Shaktar Donetsk.
So, four games left in the English Premier League as attention focuses on the relegation battle again this weekend. Tomorrow Chelsea play Fulham. Manchester City host Blackburn. Middlesboro second from bottom face Manchester United in the lunchtime game. Portsmouth host Arsenal. It’s Stoke against West Ham, Tottenham against West Brom and Wigan against Bolton. On Sunday, Liverpool play Newcastle and Sunderland play Everton. Aston Villa play Hull on Monday.
Cricket - England name their captain and 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 later today. Paul Collingwood is set to be named captain for the June tournament which is being played in England. A press conference has been called at 2.15 French time this afternoon at Lords where the chairman of selectors Geoff Miller will announce the details.
Rugby Union - England’s elite rugby director Rob Andrew has warned that any players who move to France must attend all training sessions with the national team in order to be selected. Andrew and the England manager Martin Johnson want French clubs to abide by the same agreement for player release as their English counterparts. Three England players, Ricki Flutey, Tom Palmer and James Haskell are moving to France at the end of the season and Jonny Wilkinson has been holding talks with Toulon.
Tennis - Roger Federer is through to the quarter finals of the Italian Open following a straight sets win over Radek Stepanek. Defending champion Novak Djokovic is also through.He thrashed Tommy Robredo 6-1 6-1. And World number 1 Rafael Nadal also moved into the last 8 with ease following a 6-1 6 love demolition of Robin Soderling.
Cycling - Lance Armstrong says he’s satisfied with his progress following his return to the saddle in the Tour of the Gila in New Mexico. Armstrong was 8th after stage 1 of the race and says he feels strong and the recovery from his collar bone injury is working out well. He’s using the New Mexico race as preparation for the Giro d’Italia later this month.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, a New York woman has been charged stealing as much as $12 million in gold bullion and jewellery over a period of six years, lifting the ill-gotten booty from her employer by concealing the stash in the lining of her pocketbook. The district attorney for New York City's borough of Queens said Teresa Tambunting, 50, was arraigned on Wednesday on charges of first-degree grand larceny and first-degree criminal possession of stolen property from Jacmel Jewelry. In January, an inventory audit conducted at Jacmel revealed that nearly 386 kg of gold merchandise worth about $12 million was unaccounted for, Brown's statement added. After an investigation was initiated, Tambunting returned to Jacmel a suitcase containing 30 kg of gold. On February 13, an additional 204 kg of gold was recovered from Tambunting's residence.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
French Villa Holiday News
French News Thurs 30 April 2009
SWINE FLU OUTBREAK
A-M prepared for outbreak
Health authorities in the Alpes-Maritimes say they are prepared for an outbreak of swine flu. The major hospitals in Nice say they have emergency plans in place which they are ready to launch if required.
15 false alerts
In the past week 15 people have been tested at the l’Archet hospital for swine flu, but all cases were false alerts. However, doctors believe there will be more suspected cases as school classes resume next week.
Two "probable" French cases
Health Officials in Paris say there are two “probable” cases of swine flu in France. A man and a woman in their 30s, both of whom had recently visited Mexico, have shown symptoms of the virus. Confirmation of test results is expected within 48 hours.
Flight ban campaign
Meanwhile, France says it will request an EU-wide ban on all flights to Mexico, source of the swine flu outbreak. Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot says France will push for the flight ban at today’s meeting of EU health ministers. However World Health Organization officials say a ban may be pointless. Madame Bachelot said there was no suggestion yet of stopping flights from Mexico back to the EU, which would leave Europeans stranded there or force them to find other ways home.
May Day marches
In other news, unions are preparing for mass rallies tomorrow, May Day. Marches are planned in Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Grasse and Toulon. A mass show of force is not anticipated as tomorrow is also the final day of the school holidays.
Kidnap/torture trial underway
The alleged leader of a kidnap gang has gone on trial in Paris accused of torturing and killing a Jewish man - a crime that shocked France in 2006. Youssouf Fofana - who admits kidnapping 23-year-old Ilan Halimi but denies killing him - shouted "God is great" in Arabic as he entered the courtroom. Some 26 of his alleged associates are also on trial for lesser offences. The trial, due to last until July, will be held behind closed doors because of the young age of two of the defendants.
French tourists killed
At least five people were killed and dozens injured when a bus carrying French tourists overturned yesterday on a California highway. Several passengers were ejected from the bus directly onto the road. The tour bus, carrying around 40 passengers, was on its way from San Francisco to southern California when the crash happened yesterday afternoon. An investigation has begun into the cause of the accident.
Internet bill put to vote
A controversial French bill which could disconnect people caught downloading music illegally three times returns to parliament on Wednesday for debate. The legislation, backed by President Nicolas Sarkozy, was surprisingly rejected in a vote earlier this month. If passed, the bill would set a tough global precedent in cracking down on internet piracy.
SPORT
Football - Manchester United will take a one goal advantage into the second leg of their Champions League semi final against Arsenal following last night’s first leg at Old Trafford.
Steven Gerrard should be fit to play for Liverpool against Newcastle this weekend. The midfielder has been undergoing treatment on a groin injury which has kept him out of action since April the 8th.
Formula 1 - McLaren have escaped with a suspended 3 race ban after admitting breaching the rules at a special enquiry by the World Motorsport Council in Paris. The team admitted 5 charges of breaching the rules following the incident involving Lewis Hamilton and Jarno Trulli under the safety car towards the end of the Australian Grand Prix. The full penalty will only be enforced on the team if any further facts emerge about the incident or if there is any further breach of the rules. McLaren described the verdict as very fair.
Athletics - Two Olympic medallists are among 6 athletes who have failed drugs tests after the re-testing of samples from the Beijing Olympics. The International Olympic Committee says that re-testing for the hormone Cera has led to 7 positive tests. The Bahrain athlete Rashid Ramzi who won gold in the 1500 meters and the Italian Cyclist Davide Rebellin who won a silver medal at the games have both been named as having tested positive and are set to be stripped of their medals.
Cricket - Graham Onions celebrated his call up into the England squad with a six wicket haul for Durham in the county championship against Somerset on Wednesday. Onions took 6 for 31 as he was selected for England ahead of his Durham teammate Steve Harmison. There was no place in the squad either for Michael Vaughan or Ian Bell. Ravi Bopara will almost certainly play at number 3 in the first test against West Indies which starts on May the 6th.
Tennis - Andy Murray has crashed out in the second round of the Italian Open in Rome after being beaten in 3 sets by Juan Monaco of Argentina. World number one Rafael Nadal is through to round 3. He beat Andreas Seppi of Italy in straight sets while Roger Federer beat Ivo Karlovic 6-4 6-4.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, in a development that Darwin himself could not have foreseen, a beagle has become the world's first transgenic dog - and it glows in the dark. The dog called Ruppy - short for Ruby Puppy - has been created by scientists in South Korea. The puppy was bred to produce a fluorescent protein that glows red under ultraviolet light, but it's red skin colour can also be clearly seen in daylight. Byeong-Chun Lee, of the Seoul National University, headed the team that created Ruppy and her four beagle siblings, each possessing the bizarre fluorescent bodies.
SWINE FLU OUTBREAK
A-M prepared for outbreak
Health authorities in the Alpes-Maritimes say they are prepared for an outbreak of swine flu. The major hospitals in Nice say they have emergency plans in place which they are ready to launch if required.
15 false alerts
In the past week 15 people have been tested at the l’Archet hospital for swine flu, but all cases were false alerts. However, doctors believe there will be more suspected cases as school classes resume next week.
Two "probable" French cases
Health Officials in Paris say there are two “probable” cases of swine flu in France. A man and a woman in their 30s, both of whom had recently visited Mexico, have shown symptoms of the virus. Confirmation of test results is expected within 48 hours.
Flight ban campaign
Meanwhile, France says it will request an EU-wide ban on all flights to Mexico, source of the swine flu outbreak. Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot says France will push for the flight ban at today’s meeting of EU health ministers. However World Health Organization officials say a ban may be pointless. Madame Bachelot said there was no suggestion yet of stopping flights from Mexico back to the EU, which would leave Europeans stranded there or force them to find other ways home.
May Day marches
In other news, unions are preparing for mass rallies tomorrow, May Day. Marches are planned in Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Grasse and Toulon. A mass show of force is not anticipated as tomorrow is also the final day of the school holidays.
Kidnap/torture trial underway
The alleged leader of a kidnap gang has gone on trial in Paris accused of torturing and killing a Jewish man - a crime that shocked France in 2006. Youssouf Fofana - who admits kidnapping 23-year-old Ilan Halimi but denies killing him - shouted "God is great" in Arabic as he entered the courtroom. Some 26 of his alleged associates are also on trial for lesser offences. The trial, due to last until July, will be held behind closed doors because of the young age of two of the defendants.
French tourists killed
At least five people were killed and dozens injured when a bus carrying French tourists overturned yesterday on a California highway. Several passengers were ejected from the bus directly onto the road. The tour bus, carrying around 40 passengers, was on its way from San Francisco to southern California when the crash happened yesterday afternoon. An investigation has begun into the cause of the accident.
Internet bill put to vote
A controversial French bill which could disconnect people caught downloading music illegally three times returns to parliament on Wednesday for debate. The legislation, backed by President Nicolas Sarkozy, was surprisingly rejected in a vote earlier this month. If passed, the bill would set a tough global precedent in cracking down on internet piracy.
SPORT
Football - Manchester United will take a one goal advantage into the second leg of their Champions League semi final against Arsenal following last night’s first leg at Old Trafford.
Steven Gerrard should be fit to play for Liverpool against Newcastle this weekend. The midfielder has been undergoing treatment on a groin injury which has kept him out of action since April the 8th.
Formula 1 - McLaren have escaped with a suspended 3 race ban after admitting breaching the rules at a special enquiry by the World Motorsport Council in Paris. The team admitted 5 charges of breaching the rules following the incident involving Lewis Hamilton and Jarno Trulli under the safety car towards the end of the Australian Grand Prix. The full penalty will only be enforced on the team if any further facts emerge about the incident or if there is any further breach of the rules. McLaren described the verdict as very fair.
Athletics - Two Olympic medallists are among 6 athletes who have failed drugs tests after the re-testing of samples from the Beijing Olympics. The International Olympic Committee says that re-testing for the hormone Cera has led to 7 positive tests. The Bahrain athlete Rashid Ramzi who won gold in the 1500 meters and the Italian Cyclist Davide Rebellin who won a silver medal at the games have both been named as having tested positive and are set to be stripped of their medals.
Cricket - Graham Onions celebrated his call up into the England squad with a six wicket haul for Durham in the county championship against Somerset on Wednesday. Onions took 6 for 31 as he was selected for England ahead of his Durham teammate Steve Harmison. There was no place in the squad either for Michael Vaughan or Ian Bell. Ravi Bopara will almost certainly play at number 3 in the first test against West Indies which starts on May the 6th.
Tennis - Andy Murray has crashed out in the second round of the Italian Open in Rome after being beaten in 3 sets by Juan Monaco of Argentina. World number one Rafael Nadal is through to round 3. He beat Andreas Seppi of Italy in straight sets while Roger Federer beat Ivo Karlovic 6-4 6-4.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, in a development that Darwin himself could not have foreseen, a beagle has become the world's first transgenic dog - and it glows in the dark. The dog called Ruppy - short for Ruby Puppy - has been created by scientists in South Korea. The puppy was bred to produce a fluorescent protein that glows red under ultraviolet light, but it's red skin colour can also be clearly seen in daylight. Byeong-Chun Lee, of the Seoul National University, headed the team that created Ruppy and her four beagle siblings, each possessing the bizarre fluorescent bodies.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
French Villa Holiday News
French News, Tues 28 April 2009
Grand stadium plans
Plans to build a new football stadium in Nice have been relaunched. The initial project was scrapped after an inquiry found the correct procedures were not followed in awarding the building contract. The Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi has announced the formation of a steering committee to oversee plans for project. The stadium will have a capacity between 30 and 40-thousand seats, and be suitable for European and international matches. The venue, to be built on the plain de Var is expected to be completed by mid 2013.
Land up for grabs ?
The SNCF has told officials in Nice that it will consider the possibility of handing over some land from the Saint-Roch station to the city. The 46-hectare site is more than double the size of the main rail station in central Nice. The land could be used for housing, schools or public buildings.
Avalanche warning
Officials from the Alpes-Maritimes have reissued their avalanche warning for mountain areas. Heavy snowfalls throughout yesterday and overnight have increased the risk of avalanches. The alert is at its second highest level, 4/5.
Swine flu alert
French health officials remain on alert because of the risk of swine flu. Three suspected cases in northern France have been dismissed after test results proved negative; they are still awaiting results for a fourth patient in a Paris hospital. They called on anyone considering travelling to Mexico to be extremely cautious.
Jobless numbers up
French unemployment rose between 60,000 and 70,000 last month, Economy Minister Christine Lagarde has warned. Speaking before the release of the official data for March, she said the figure was still an improvement on the 79,900 who lost their jobs in February. France's unemployment rate is currently running at 8.2%, one of the highest in Western Europe. It is expected to go above 10% by the end of this year.
Chopper jail break
A convicted sex offender and cult leader has escaped by helicopter from a prison on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion. 27-year-old Juliano Verbard serving a 15-year term, and two followers, were pulled on to the helicopter by three accomplices. The accomplices had pretended to be tourists when boarding the helicopter, but then forced the pilot to land in the prison grounds before flying off. They then landed a few hundred metres away, and drove off in a waiting van.
Nuclear test case
A court in French Polynesia has begun hearing complaints from former workers at France's nuclear weapons test sites. The cases, being heard for the first time, relate to work in Mururoa and Fangataufa and seek recognition and compensation for ill health. Eight cases have been lodged, although five of the workers have already died of what has been called radiation-linked diseases. Last month the French Government enacted legislation to allow compensation.
SPORT
Football - Newcastle United are still in desperate relegation trouble after a scoreless draw last night against Portsmouth.
Champions League semi-finals tonight, and Chelsea travel to Barcelona. Many top sports writers think Barcelona are the team to beat in the Champions League this season although they’re not ruling out a Chelsea side resurgent under Guus Hiddink.
There was one game in the Championship in England last night and Norwich City remain in the bottom three following a 2 nil home defeat by Reading. Norwich must now win their final game and hope that Barnsley who are one place above them in the table lose or they’ll be relegated to League 1. Reading still have a chance of automatic promotion If they beat Birmingham in their final game and Sheffield United fail to win.
Formula One - BMW Sauber have pledged to bounce back from their disastrous start to the season. Team boss Mario Thiessen says there’ll be a big development package for Barcelona and it’s only hoped that it pays off. BMW have just 4 points so far this season and Thiessen conceded that they just haven’t been good enough.
Cricket - Australia have taken a 2-1 lead in their one day series against Pakistan following a 27 run win in match 3 in Abu Dhabi. Australia made 198 for 7 from their 50 overs including 66 from skipper Michael Clarke before bowling Pakistan out for 171.
England will announce their first test squad of the summer tomorrow with all eyes focused on who’ll get the number 3 position. Ian Bell, Michael Vaughan and Owais Shah are all in contention with Bell appearing to show the best form so far this season. New coach Andy Flower and the selectors will also have to grapple with the old 6 batsmen or 5 bowlers conundrum with Andrew Flintoff’s injury adding an extra headache to the decision making.
Rugby Union - The Lions’ coach Ian McGeechan says he won’t be rushed into announcing a replacement for scrum half Tomas O Leary who’s been ruled out of the tour of South Africa with a broken ankle.McGeechan says that there’s still some rugby to watch this season and he won’t be making an instant choice. Those being considered for the role include England’s Danny Care, Chris Cussiter of Scotland, Dwayne Peel of Wales and Ireland’s Peter Stringer.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, a Serbian union official who chopped off his finger and ate it in a protest over wages that in some cases have not been paid in years, said Monday he did it to show how desperate he and other workers were. "We, the workers have nothing to eat, we had to seek some sort of alternative food and I gave them an example," Zoran Bulatovic told Reuters. "It hurt like hell." Bulatovic, a union leader at the Raska Holding textile factory in Novi Pazar in southwest Serbia, used a hacksaw to cut off most of his left-hand little finger Friday. Bulatovic said he decided to act after his deputy, "a single mother of three, was the first to say she would cut off her finger. I could not allow her to do that," he said.
Grand stadium plans
Plans to build a new football stadium in Nice have been relaunched. The initial project was scrapped after an inquiry found the correct procedures were not followed in awarding the building contract. The Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi has announced the formation of a steering committee to oversee plans for project. The stadium will have a capacity between 30 and 40-thousand seats, and be suitable for European and international matches. The venue, to be built on the plain de Var is expected to be completed by mid 2013.
Land up for grabs ?
The SNCF has told officials in Nice that it will consider the possibility of handing over some land from the Saint-Roch station to the city. The 46-hectare site is more than double the size of the main rail station in central Nice. The land could be used for housing, schools or public buildings.
Avalanche warning
Officials from the Alpes-Maritimes have reissued their avalanche warning for mountain areas. Heavy snowfalls throughout yesterday and overnight have increased the risk of avalanches. The alert is at its second highest level, 4/5.
Swine flu alert
French health officials remain on alert because of the risk of swine flu. Three suspected cases in northern France have been dismissed after test results proved negative; they are still awaiting results for a fourth patient in a Paris hospital. They called on anyone considering travelling to Mexico to be extremely cautious.
Jobless numbers up
French unemployment rose between 60,000 and 70,000 last month, Economy Minister Christine Lagarde has warned. Speaking before the release of the official data for March, she said the figure was still an improvement on the 79,900 who lost their jobs in February. France's unemployment rate is currently running at 8.2%, one of the highest in Western Europe. It is expected to go above 10% by the end of this year.
Chopper jail break
A convicted sex offender and cult leader has escaped by helicopter from a prison on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion. 27-year-old Juliano Verbard serving a 15-year term, and two followers, were pulled on to the helicopter by three accomplices. The accomplices had pretended to be tourists when boarding the helicopter, but then forced the pilot to land in the prison grounds before flying off. They then landed a few hundred metres away, and drove off in a waiting van.
Nuclear test case
A court in French Polynesia has begun hearing complaints from former workers at France's nuclear weapons test sites. The cases, being heard for the first time, relate to work in Mururoa and Fangataufa and seek recognition and compensation for ill health. Eight cases have been lodged, although five of the workers have already died of what has been called radiation-linked diseases. Last month the French Government enacted legislation to allow compensation.
SPORT
Football - Newcastle United are still in desperate relegation trouble after a scoreless draw last night against Portsmouth.
Champions League semi-finals tonight, and Chelsea travel to Barcelona. Many top sports writers think Barcelona are the team to beat in the Champions League this season although they’re not ruling out a Chelsea side resurgent under Guus Hiddink.
There was one game in the Championship in England last night and Norwich City remain in the bottom three following a 2 nil home defeat by Reading. Norwich must now win their final game and hope that Barnsley who are one place above them in the table lose or they’ll be relegated to League 1. Reading still have a chance of automatic promotion If they beat Birmingham in their final game and Sheffield United fail to win.
Formula One - BMW Sauber have pledged to bounce back from their disastrous start to the season. Team boss Mario Thiessen says there’ll be a big development package for Barcelona and it’s only hoped that it pays off. BMW have just 4 points so far this season and Thiessen conceded that they just haven’t been good enough.
Cricket - Australia have taken a 2-1 lead in their one day series against Pakistan following a 27 run win in match 3 in Abu Dhabi. Australia made 198 for 7 from their 50 overs including 66 from skipper Michael Clarke before bowling Pakistan out for 171.
England will announce their first test squad of the summer tomorrow with all eyes focused on who’ll get the number 3 position. Ian Bell, Michael Vaughan and Owais Shah are all in contention with Bell appearing to show the best form so far this season. New coach Andy Flower and the selectors will also have to grapple with the old 6 batsmen or 5 bowlers conundrum with Andrew Flintoff’s injury adding an extra headache to the decision making.
Rugby Union - The Lions’ coach Ian McGeechan says he won’t be rushed into announcing a replacement for scrum half Tomas O Leary who’s been ruled out of the tour of South Africa with a broken ankle.McGeechan says that there’s still some rugby to watch this season and he won’t be making an instant choice. Those being considered for the role include England’s Danny Care, Chris Cussiter of Scotland, Dwayne Peel of Wales and Ireland’s Peter Stringer.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, a Serbian union official who chopped off his finger and ate it in a protest over wages that in some cases have not been paid in years, said Monday he did it to show how desperate he and other workers were. "We, the workers have nothing to eat, we had to seek some sort of alternative food and I gave them an example," Zoran Bulatovic told Reuters. "It hurt like hell." Bulatovic, a union leader at the Raska Holding textile factory in Novi Pazar in southwest Serbia, used a hacksaw to cut off most of his left-hand little finger Friday. Bulatovic said he decided to act after his deputy, "a single mother of three, was the first to say she would cut off her finger. I could not allow her to do that," he said.
Monday, April 27, 2009
French Villa Holiday News.
French News Mon 27 April 2009
A young woman from the Var, who gave birth on board a helicopter taking her to hospital, died with her baby when it crashed on Corsica. The pilot, co-pilot and a doctor were also killed when the chopper ploughed into a mountain range Saturday night. Officials say the helicopter took off from Ponte-Leccia to take 21-year-old Justine Gressler, who was in labour, to a hospital in Bastia. The baby was born during the flight. Some 20 minutes after take-off, the craft disappeared from air traffic controllers' screens and a search was begun. The wreckage was found early on Sunday on a mountain range southwest of Bastia. Officials said the helicopter had been ripped in half.
Youth jobless jumps
Youth unemployment in the Alpes-Maritimes has increased by 27% over the past 12 months. The jobless rate for those under 25 is rising by more than 3% a month. The number of jobless is almost 8-thousand. The national youth unemployment rate is 31.6%.
Double weather warning
The Prefecture has issued a double weather alert. Officials say strong rain storms are forecast across the Department throughout today, tonight and tomorrow. Meanwhile, in the mountains, the risk of avalanche remains severe with more snow falling above 18-hundred metres. Up to 50 centimetres of snow has fallen in some parts of the Mercantour National Park.
Swine-flu tests
French health authorities last night said the results of tests on three suspected swine flu victims in the north of the country were negative. However, a 52-year-old woman, recently returned from Mexico, remains in a Paris hospital. The disease is being blamed for more than 100 deaths in Mexico, and French health authorities are asking anyone who has recently visited the country to get in touch.
Balloon tourists hurt
Eight French people were on board a hot air balloon that crashed over the weekend in Egypt. Three Egyptian operators and 13 foreign tourists were hurt when the balloon came down during a tour of the ancient city of Luxor. Several people were taken to hospital with minor injuries after the balloon apparently hit a mobile phone mast.
SPORT
Formula One - Jenson Button has increased his lead at the top of the Drivers Championship with victory in Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.The Brawn GP driver had the perfect race strategy in the desert heat taking the chequered flag with ease ahead of Sebastien Vettel in the Red Bull and Jarno Trulli in the Toyota. Lewis Hamilton drove a tidy race to finish fourth and Ferarri finally got some points with Kimi Raikkonen taking 6th place. Button leads the drivers championship with 31 points from Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello who’s got 19. Brawn are also way ahead in the constructors championship with 50 points from 4 races ahead of Red Bull on 27 and a half points. Next stop Barcelona in two weeks.
Football - The Chelsea Captain John Terry has criticised sections of the West Ham support following Saturday’s match between the two clubs at Upton Park. Terry and teammate Frank Lampard were taunted by sections of the crowd and objects were thrown in their direction. Both players especially Lampard had ties with West Ham before developing their careers across London.
The final of the Scottish Cup will be between Rangers and Falkirk.Falkirk booked their place in the final with a 2 nil win over Dunfermline on Sunday while Rangers beat St Mirren 3 nil on Saturday.
There’s 1 game in the Championship in England tonight. Norwich City need a win to lift them out of the relegation zone. The Canaries are at home to promotion chasing Reading.
Cricket - Alistair Cook has declared himself fit for the first test between England and West Indies next week after hitting 74 for Essex against the tourists. Cook suffered a fractured left finger three weeks ago and says that while it’s still sore it’s definitely a lot better.
Athletics - Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya has won the London Marathon in a new course record of 2 hours, 5 minutes and 9 seconds. The women’s race was won by last year’s champion Irina Mikitenko of Germany.
Tennis - There’s no stopping Rafa Nadal on clay. The World number one has clinched his 5th successive Barcelona Open title with victory over fellow Spaniard David Ferrer. Nadal won in straight sets 6-2 7-5
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, hikers will no longer be able to stroll naked through the idyllic Alpine countryside of Appenzell Innerrhoden after the conservative Swiss canton banned nude walking there. Appenzell Innerrhoden has become hugely popular for naked ramblers due to its tranquil, picture-perfect meadows and valleys. But the hordes offended Appenzellers' sensitivities and they voted Sunday to order them to cover up. "It's ridiculous that Appenzell is getting an international reputation for such a despicable habit," said Peter Schmid, who turned up bearing the canton's traditional long sword to vote against nude hiking at the annual open-air Landsgemeinde. The Landsgemeide is a popular assembly that takes place in Appenzell town on the last Sunday of April. Participants vote by raising hands to decide on local issues, a privilege reserved to men only until women were admitted in 1990. Between 3,000 and 4,000 voters, many wearing traditional robes, turned up at this year's Landsgemeinde. Appenzell canton will now impose a 200 Swiss franc fine.
A young woman from the Var, who gave birth on board a helicopter taking her to hospital, died with her baby when it crashed on Corsica. The pilot, co-pilot and a doctor were also killed when the chopper ploughed into a mountain range Saturday night. Officials say the helicopter took off from Ponte-Leccia to take 21-year-old Justine Gressler, who was in labour, to a hospital in Bastia. The baby was born during the flight. Some 20 minutes after take-off, the craft disappeared from air traffic controllers' screens and a search was begun. The wreckage was found early on Sunday on a mountain range southwest of Bastia. Officials said the helicopter had been ripped in half.
Youth jobless jumps
Youth unemployment in the Alpes-Maritimes has increased by 27% over the past 12 months. The jobless rate for those under 25 is rising by more than 3% a month. The number of jobless is almost 8-thousand. The national youth unemployment rate is 31.6%.
Double weather warning
The Prefecture has issued a double weather alert. Officials say strong rain storms are forecast across the Department throughout today, tonight and tomorrow. Meanwhile, in the mountains, the risk of avalanche remains severe with more snow falling above 18-hundred metres. Up to 50 centimetres of snow has fallen in some parts of the Mercantour National Park.
Swine-flu tests
French health authorities last night said the results of tests on three suspected swine flu victims in the north of the country were negative. However, a 52-year-old woman, recently returned from Mexico, remains in a Paris hospital. The disease is being blamed for more than 100 deaths in Mexico, and French health authorities are asking anyone who has recently visited the country to get in touch.
Balloon tourists hurt
Eight French people were on board a hot air balloon that crashed over the weekend in Egypt. Three Egyptian operators and 13 foreign tourists were hurt when the balloon came down during a tour of the ancient city of Luxor. Several people were taken to hospital with minor injuries after the balloon apparently hit a mobile phone mast.
SPORT
Formula One - Jenson Button has increased his lead at the top of the Drivers Championship with victory in Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix.The Brawn GP driver had the perfect race strategy in the desert heat taking the chequered flag with ease ahead of Sebastien Vettel in the Red Bull and Jarno Trulli in the Toyota. Lewis Hamilton drove a tidy race to finish fourth and Ferarri finally got some points with Kimi Raikkonen taking 6th place. Button leads the drivers championship with 31 points from Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello who’s got 19. Brawn are also way ahead in the constructors championship with 50 points from 4 races ahead of Red Bull on 27 and a half points. Next stop Barcelona in two weeks.
Football - The Chelsea Captain John Terry has criticised sections of the West Ham support following Saturday’s match between the two clubs at Upton Park. Terry and teammate Frank Lampard were taunted by sections of the crowd and objects were thrown in their direction. Both players especially Lampard had ties with West Ham before developing their careers across London.
The final of the Scottish Cup will be between Rangers and Falkirk.Falkirk booked their place in the final with a 2 nil win over Dunfermline on Sunday while Rangers beat St Mirren 3 nil on Saturday.
There’s 1 game in the Championship in England tonight. Norwich City need a win to lift them out of the relegation zone. The Canaries are at home to promotion chasing Reading.
Cricket - Alistair Cook has declared himself fit for the first test between England and West Indies next week after hitting 74 for Essex against the tourists. Cook suffered a fractured left finger three weeks ago and says that while it’s still sore it’s definitely a lot better.
Athletics - Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya has won the London Marathon in a new course record of 2 hours, 5 minutes and 9 seconds. The women’s race was won by last year’s champion Irina Mikitenko of Germany.
Tennis - There’s no stopping Rafa Nadal on clay. The World number one has clinched his 5th successive Barcelona Open title with victory over fellow Spaniard David Ferrer. Nadal won in straight sets 6-2 7-5
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, hikers will no longer be able to stroll naked through the idyllic Alpine countryside of Appenzell Innerrhoden after the conservative Swiss canton banned nude walking there. Appenzell Innerrhoden has become hugely popular for naked ramblers due to its tranquil, picture-perfect meadows and valleys. But the hordes offended Appenzellers' sensitivities and they voted Sunday to order them to cover up. "It's ridiculous that Appenzell is getting an international reputation for such a despicable habit," said Peter Schmid, who turned up bearing the canton's traditional long sword to vote against nude hiking at the annual open-air Landsgemeinde. The Landsgemeide is a popular assembly that takes place in Appenzell town on the last Sunday of April. Participants vote by raising hands to decide on local issues, a privilege reserved to men only until women were admitted in 1990. Between 3,000 and 4,000 voters, many wearing traditional robes, turned up at this year's Landsgemeinde. Appenzell canton will now impose a 200 Swiss franc fine.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
French Villa Holiday News.
French News, Fri 24 April 2009
The official list of entrants for this year’s Cannes Film Festival was unveiled yesterday. Quentin Tarantino's World War II saga Inglourious Basterds tops the list of contenders for the Palme d’Or. Others include Ken Loach's Looking for Eric, starring French footballer Eric Cantona, and the latest films from Ang Lee, Pedro Almodovar and Jane Campion. Twenty films will compete for the coveted Palme d'Or at this year's event, which runs from 13 to 24 May. Tarantino won the top honour in 1994 with his second film Pulp Fiction. The 46-year-old is the only American director in contention for the prize, won last year by French school drama The Class.
150 reasons to celebrate
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi will today outline 150 projects to mark the 150th anniversary of the reattachment of Nice to France. There will be five major themes for the projects; a green City, historic city, a bright city, a dynamic city and a city on the move. The anniversary of reattachment of Nice is 10 June.
More public housing
171 new public housing apartments were yesterday officially inaugurated in the Bon Voyage area of Nice. It is part of a massive program to upgrade the standard of housing in the city, and destroy sub-standard apartment blocks in the Ariane area.
New swim record
Antibes swimmer Alain Bernard yesterday became the first person to register a time under 47 seconds for the 100 metres freestyle. He clocked 46”94 during the semi-finals of the French championships. It is the fourth career world record for Bernard.
'The Jungle' closing
The French Government is set to remove a camp where illegal migrants gather near the port of Calais to try crossing to Britain. In a move local residents and businesses will welcome, French Immigration Minister Eric Besson also said Britain needed to do more to help tackle the problem and that the two countries would discuss possible steps.The Jungle, as the makeshift tent city is known locally, sprang up after France closed a large Red Cross centre at nearby Sangatte in 2002 under pressure from Britain.
Election result annulled
France's highest court yesterday annulled the 2008 election of a mayor in the southern town of Perpignan, after the head of a polling station tried to change the result by smuggling in ballots in his socks. When the votes for the election were counted in March last year, polling station head Georges Garcia was caught with ballots supporting Jean-Paul Alduy, a member of France's ruling UMP party, in his pockets and socks. Garcia was then caught again trying to get rid of envelopes containing ballots. The Council of State, France's highest court, confirmed a lower court ruling that annulled the vote. The election will be held again at a date to be fixed.
SPORT
Football - Southampton have effectively been relegated from the English Championship after being docked 10 points by the Football League. The former Premier League club who were relegated from the top flight in 2005 now face playing in the 3rd tier of English football for the first time since 1960. The league decided they should be docked points after the parent company Southampton Leisure Holdings went into administration.
Roy Keane says he thinks he can guide Ipswich Town to promotion next season. The former Manchester United star has signed a two year deal at Portman Road and takes charge of his first game tomorrow.
The weekend's Premier League games could help to sort out some of the issues at the bottom of the table. Bolton play Aston Villa. Everton host Manchester City. Fulham play Stoke. Hull host Liverpool. Manchester United play Tottenham. West Brom face Sunderland and West Ham play Chelsea. On Sunday, Arsenal play Middlesboro and Blackburn play Wigan.
In the French first division the leaders Marseilles are away at Lille tomorrow. Monaco travel to Le Mans and Nice host St Etienne.
Formula One - The future of the British Grand Prix is in doubt again today after legal proceedings were started against the company leasing the Donnington Park track. The track owners Wheatcroft and Son are seeking 2 point 47 million pounds in rent arrears from Donnington Ventures Leisure as well as forfeiture of the lease. D.V.L secured the 150 year lease in 2007.The circuit has a 10 year contract to host the race starting next year. Wheatcroft and Son say they regret taking legal action but the money has been owing since September last year and has not been forthcoming despite numerous assurances of payment by D.V.L.
The fourth race of the Formula 1 season takes place in Bahrain this Sunday. Jenson Button leads the drivers championship with 21 points from Brawn GP Teammate Rubens Barrichello. First practice for Sunday’s race gets underway at 9am French time this morning.
Cricket - Michael Vaughan was out for 24 on day two of the County Championship game between Durham and Yorkshire at The Riverside on Thursday as he attempts to force his way back into the England reckoning. The former England skipper was caught behind off the bowling of Steve Harmison who’s also struggling to regain his England place.
Tennis - Rafael Nadal has been handed a bye into the semi finals of the Barcelona Open after his opponent in the quarters David Nalbandian withdrew with a hand injury. The world number one will now play either Radek Stepanek or Nikolay Davydenko.
Athletics - A protest by Tamil’s in the centre of London may force the organisers of the London Marathon to change the race route on Sunday. A Protest by Tamil’s has been taking place in Parliament Square since the start of the month. Race organisers have been holding a series of meetings to discuss whether the route should be changed to avoid the protest.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, a police officer in Scotland has confessed to following the Jedi faith beloved of Star Wars film fans, respected policing analysis group Jane's reported Thursday. Pam Fleming, a 45-year-old beat officer in Glasgow for Strathclyde Police, said that she thought all police officers "should be Jedis," when interviewed by Jane's Police Review. "For me, it is not a joke," she said. "Being a Jedi is a way of life. "I love the Star Wars films and the concept of being a Jedi, that the faith is not divisive." Fleming said she knew of other Jedis in Strathclyde Police -- the force apparently has eight in total.
The official list of entrants for this year’s Cannes Film Festival was unveiled yesterday. Quentin Tarantino's World War II saga Inglourious Basterds tops the list of contenders for the Palme d’Or. Others include Ken Loach's Looking for Eric, starring French footballer Eric Cantona, and the latest films from Ang Lee, Pedro Almodovar and Jane Campion. Twenty films will compete for the coveted Palme d'Or at this year's event, which runs from 13 to 24 May. Tarantino won the top honour in 1994 with his second film Pulp Fiction. The 46-year-old is the only American director in contention for the prize, won last year by French school drama The Class.
150 reasons to celebrate
Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi will today outline 150 projects to mark the 150th anniversary of the reattachment of Nice to France. There will be five major themes for the projects; a green City, historic city, a bright city, a dynamic city and a city on the move. The anniversary of reattachment of Nice is 10 June.
More public housing
171 new public housing apartments were yesterday officially inaugurated in the Bon Voyage area of Nice. It is part of a massive program to upgrade the standard of housing in the city, and destroy sub-standard apartment blocks in the Ariane area.
New swim record
Antibes swimmer Alain Bernard yesterday became the first person to register a time under 47 seconds for the 100 metres freestyle. He clocked 46”94 during the semi-finals of the French championships. It is the fourth career world record for Bernard.
'The Jungle' closing
The French Government is set to remove a camp where illegal migrants gather near the port of Calais to try crossing to Britain. In a move local residents and businesses will welcome, French Immigration Minister Eric Besson also said Britain needed to do more to help tackle the problem and that the two countries would discuss possible steps.The Jungle, as the makeshift tent city is known locally, sprang up after France closed a large Red Cross centre at nearby Sangatte in 2002 under pressure from Britain.
Election result annulled
France's highest court yesterday annulled the 2008 election of a mayor in the southern town of Perpignan, after the head of a polling station tried to change the result by smuggling in ballots in his socks. When the votes for the election were counted in March last year, polling station head Georges Garcia was caught with ballots supporting Jean-Paul Alduy, a member of France's ruling UMP party, in his pockets and socks. Garcia was then caught again trying to get rid of envelopes containing ballots. The Council of State, France's highest court, confirmed a lower court ruling that annulled the vote. The election will be held again at a date to be fixed.
SPORT
Football - Southampton have effectively been relegated from the English Championship after being docked 10 points by the Football League. The former Premier League club who were relegated from the top flight in 2005 now face playing in the 3rd tier of English football for the first time since 1960. The league decided they should be docked points after the parent company Southampton Leisure Holdings went into administration.
Roy Keane says he thinks he can guide Ipswich Town to promotion next season. The former Manchester United star has signed a two year deal at Portman Road and takes charge of his first game tomorrow.
The weekend's Premier League games could help to sort out some of the issues at the bottom of the table. Bolton play Aston Villa. Everton host Manchester City. Fulham play Stoke. Hull host Liverpool. Manchester United play Tottenham. West Brom face Sunderland and West Ham play Chelsea. On Sunday, Arsenal play Middlesboro and Blackburn play Wigan.
In the French first division the leaders Marseilles are away at Lille tomorrow. Monaco travel to Le Mans and Nice host St Etienne.
Formula One - The future of the British Grand Prix is in doubt again today after legal proceedings were started against the company leasing the Donnington Park track. The track owners Wheatcroft and Son are seeking 2 point 47 million pounds in rent arrears from Donnington Ventures Leisure as well as forfeiture of the lease. D.V.L secured the 150 year lease in 2007.The circuit has a 10 year contract to host the race starting next year. Wheatcroft and Son say they regret taking legal action but the money has been owing since September last year and has not been forthcoming despite numerous assurances of payment by D.V.L.
The fourth race of the Formula 1 season takes place in Bahrain this Sunday. Jenson Button leads the drivers championship with 21 points from Brawn GP Teammate Rubens Barrichello. First practice for Sunday’s race gets underway at 9am French time this morning.
Cricket - Michael Vaughan was out for 24 on day two of the County Championship game between Durham and Yorkshire at The Riverside on Thursday as he attempts to force his way back into the England reckoning. The former England skipper was caught behind off the bowling of Steve Harmison who’s also struggling to regain his England place.
Tennis - Rafael Nadal has been handed a bye into the semi finals of the Barcelona Open after his opponent in the quarters David Nalbandian withdrew with a hand injury. The world number one will now play either Radek Stepanek or Nikolay Davydenko.
Athletics - A protest by Tamil’s in the centre of London may force the organisers of the London Marathon to change the race route on Sunday. A Protest by Tamil’s has been taking place in Parliament Square since the start of the month. Race organisers have been holding a series of meetings to discuss whether the route should be changed to avoid the protest.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, a police officer in Scotland has confessed to following the Jedi faith beloved of Star Wars film fans, respected policing analysis group Jane's reported Thursday. Pam Fleming, a 45-year-old beat officer in Glasgow for Strathclyde Police, said that she thought all police officers "should be Jedis," when interviewed by Jane's Police Review. "For me, it is not a joke," she said. "Being a Jedi is a way of life. "I love the Star Wars films and the concept of being a Jedi, that the faith is not divisive." Fleming said she knew of other Jedis in Strathclyde Police -- the force apparently has eight in total.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
French Villa HolidayNews
French News, Wed 22 April 2009
Addressing a mass rally yesterday in Nice, French President Nicolas Sarkozy promised new security laws. In a televised speech on security, the President said he would introduce new legislation banning gangs, making it a crime to intrude on a school and forbidding street demonstrators from wearing balaclavas. Mr Sarkozy, campaigned heavily on security themes during his 2007 presidential bid, a tactic that proved popular with his right-of-centre electorate. He said yesterday: "I haven't changed one iota and I even intend to move up a gear (on security)."
Rapid response group
Earlier, at a meeting of law enforcement officials and victims’ groups, the President announced the establishment of a mobile response force to be operating in the Nice area by next year. The City is also getting 100 extra police officers, and a further 200 video surveillance cameras, for a total of 500.
Public security forum
A meeting on public security, one of a series being organised throughout the Department, is being held this evening in Menton. The public forum begins at 6pm at the Palais de l’Europe.
Woman survives 5-storey fall
A 29-year-old woman yesterday survived a 5-storey fall from a Cap d’Ail apartment block. The victim, from Sri Lanka, fell from a balcony at the “Eden Cap” building around 10.45 yesterday morning. She landed on a Fiat Doblo vehicle, severely damaging the car, but alive. The circumstances of the incident are being investigated.
Monaco's British invasion
The number of British people living in Monaco has risen dramatically over the past decade. The latest census figures from 2008, show 2 666 UK nationals in the Principality, a 42% increase from the year 2000. They are the fourth biggest group in Monaco, behind the Monegasque, French and Italians. The number of American residents has fallen by point-2 of a percent, to around 300, over the same period. Meanwhile the number of Swedish residents stayed the same, at just under 300, while the number of Irish residents doubled to 65.
Calais crackdown
French police yesterday detained 190 people in an operation against undocumented migrants near the port of Calais. More than 300 officers were involved in the operation. The port has become a magnet for migrants trying to enter the UK illegally across the English Channel. Police cordoned off a migrant squatter camp known as "the jungle" and detained 150 people in an early morning raid. Forty other migrants were detained at two other locations along the coast.
SPORT
Football - Liverpool have been involved in their second 8 goal thriller in a week but has it done their title chances any good.
In the Championship in England last night. Reading practically secured their place in the play offs with a 2 nil away win at Derby. Derby aren’t safe from the chance of relegation yet. Coventry and Barnsley drew one all-a win would have put Barnsley 4 points clear of the drop zone but they’ll have to carry on sweating now. And relegated Charlton drew 2 all with Cardiff-The point will probably be enough to see Cardiff into the play offs.
Rugby Union - Paul O’Connell says he’s delighted to have been given the captains job for the Lions tour of South Africa. The Ireland second row forward was chosen ahead of his teammate Brian O’Driscoll. The squad contains 14 Ireland players,13 Welshmen, 8 England internationals and 2 Scots. The Lions tour starts at the end of May and features 3 tests against the Springboks in June.
There was 1 game in the Guinness Premiership last night. Worcester were 13 points to 6 winners at Gloucester. The defeat is a major blow to Gloucester’s play-off hopes. They now need to win their final game against Wasps on Saturday and hope that other results go their way.
Tennis - Sir Cliff’s out of a job and there’ll be no more singing in the rain on centre court at Wimbledon from this summer’s championships as the new retractable roof has been completed and is in place. Play on centre court could now continue to as late as 10 pm and floodlights have also been fitted meaning there’ll be no more bad light affecting play either.If he wants to break into Living Doll Sir Cliff will have to move over to number 1 court or any of the outside courts where there will be no protection from the weather or his singing.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, an Australian entrepreneur has brought a whole new meaning to the phrase "waste paper" with an ingenious green scheme to make luxury stationery from wombat dung. Darren Simpson, a self-confessed "poo expert," has big plans for the square-shaped fecal deposits of a wombat named Nugget, whose waste is supposed to act as a territorial marker. "It's not your normal poo. It's not round or long -- it's actually little bricks and it's very, very fibrous," Simpson said. "When you break it open, basically what you can see through it is plant matter. So they're a good little pulper." With the help of Nugget's keeper, Simpson harvests the animal's droppings and then boils them down to the fibres to make handmade paper -- the latest in his line of peculiarly Australian products. The wombat poo paper, which is made by combining the sterilised waste with cotton fibres, was launched in Tasmania state last month, and follows the success of Simpson's "roo poo" paper, made from kangaroo droppings.
Addressing a mass rally yesterday in Nice, French President Nicolas Sarkozy promised new security laws. In a televised speech on security, the President said he would introduce new legislation banning gangs, making it a crime to intrude on a school and forbidding street demonstrators from wearing balaclavas. Mr Sarkozy, campaigned heavily on security themes during his 2007 presidential bid, a tactic that proved popular with his right-of-centre electorate. He said yesterday: "I haven't changed one iota and I even intend to move up a gear (on security)."
Rapid response group
Earlier, at a meeting of law enforcement officials and victims’ groups, the President announced the establishment of a mobile response force to be operating in the Nice area by next year. The City is also getting 100 extra police officers, and a further 200 video surveillance cameras, for a total of 500.
Public security forum
A meeting on public security, one of a series being organised throughout the Department, is being held this evening in Menton. The public forum begins at 6pm at the Palais de l’Europe.
Woman survives 5-storey fall
A 29-year-old woman yesterday survived a 5-storey fall from a Cap d’Ail apartment block. The victim, from Sri Lanka, fell from a balcony at the “Eden Cap” building around 10.45 yesterday morning. She landed on a Fiat Doblo vehicle, severely damaging the car, but alive. The circumstances of the incident are being investigated.
Monaco's British invasion
The number of British people living in Monaco has risen dramatically over the past decade. The latest census figures from 2008, show 2 666 UK nationals in the Principality, a 42% increase from the year 2000. They are the fourth biggest group in Monaco, behind the Monegasque, French and Italians. The number of American residents has fallen by point-2 of a percent, to around 300, over the same period. Meanwhile the number of Swedish residents stayed the same, at just under 300, while the number of Irish residents doubled to 65.
Calais crackdown
French police yesterday detained 190 people in an operation against undocumented migrants near the port of Calais. More than 300 officers were involved in the operation. The port has become a magnet for migrants trying to enter the UK illegally across the English Channel. Police cordoned off a migrant squatter camp known as "the jungle" and detained 150 people in an early morning raid. Forty other migrants were detained at two other locations along the coast.
SPORT
Football - Liverpool have been involved in their second 8 goal thriller in a week but has it done their title chances any good.
In the Championship in England last night. Reading practically secured their place in the play offs with a 2 nil away win at Derby. Derby aren’t safe from the chance of relegation yet. Coventry and Barnsley drew one all-a win would have put Barnsley 4 points clear of the drop zone but they’ll have to carry on sweating now. And relegated Charlton drew 2 all with Cardiff-The point will probably be enough to see Cardiff into the play offs.
Rugby Union - Paul O’Connell says he’s delighted to have been given the captains job for the Lions tour of South Africa. The Ireland second row forward was chosen ahead of his teammate Brian O’Driscoll. The squad contains 14 Ireland players,13 Welshmen, 8 England internationals and 2 Scots. The Lions tour starts at the end of May and features 3 tests against the Springboks in June.
There was 1 game in the Guinness Premiership last night. Worcester were 13 points to 6 winners at Gloucester. The defeat is a major blow to Gloucester’s play-off hopes. They now need to win their final game against Wasps on Saturday and hope that other results go their way.
Tennis - Sir Cliff’s out of a job and there’ll be no more singing in the rain on centre court at Wimbledon from this summer’s championships as the new retractable roof has been completed and is in place. Play on centre court could now continue to as late as 10 pm and floodlights have also been fitted meaning there’ll be no more bad light affecting play either.If he wants to break into Living Doll Sir Cliff will have to move over to number 1 court or any of the outside courts where there will be no protection from the weather or his singing.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, an Australian entrepreneur has brought a whole new meaning to the phrase "waste paper" with an ingenious green scheme to make luxury stationery from wombat dung. Darren Simpson, a self-confessed "poo expert," has big plans for the square-shaped fecal deposits of a wombat named Nugget, whose waste is supposed to act as a territorial marker. "It's not your normal poo. It's not round or long -- it's actually little bricks and it's very, very fibrous," Simpson said. "When you break it open, basically what you can see through it is plant matter. So they're a good little pulper." With the help of Nugget's keeper, Simpson harvests the animal's droppings and then boils them down to the fibres to make handmade paper -- the latest in his line of peculiarly Australian products. The wombat poo paper, which is made by combining the sterilised waste with cotton fibres, was launched in Tasmania state last month, and follows the success of Simpson's "roo poo" paper, made from kangaroo droppings.
French News
French News, Tues 21 April 2009:
The visit of the French President today is expected to disrupt traffic and parking around Nice. Nicolas Sarkozy will visit the police facility at des Moulins, before a round-table discussion with law enforcement officials and victims groups at the Acropolis. The President will be accompanied by Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, Justice Minister Rachida Dati and Finance Minister Eric Woerth. Parking and circulation will be affected in Saint Augustin, and around the Acropolis and Palais des expositions until 3pm.
Monaco budget shortfall
The Monaco Government yesterday reported a 14%, or 23-million euro, shortfall in receipts for the first three months of 2009.
Circus tickets on sale
Tickets for the 2010 International Circus Festival have gone on sale on-line. The 34th edition of the event will take place under the big top in Fontvieille between January 14 and 24 next year. Ticket prices range from €25 - €95, up to €170 for the gala performance. Children’s tickets begin at €10. The website for reservations is www.montecarlofestivals.mc
Protest violence
Police last night arrested 210 people after a demonstration in central Paris by Tamils angry at the situation in Sri Lanka turned violent. Several hundred demonstrators gathered near the Gare du Nord train station for the protest, which had not been declared to the authorities, and began turning over bins and throwing bottles at the police. One policeman was among four people injured, said the police, who held 164 of those initially detained for further questioning.
Tax time
French taxpayers should keep an eye on their letterboxes this week, with their 2009 tax returns expected to start arriving from Friday. As many as 6-million taxpayers are expected to benefit from a change in the two tiers of the tax structure. The first level is now 5.5% and the second 14%.
SPORT
Football - Liverpool can go back to the top of the English Premier League tonight if they beat Arsenal at Anfield. In the Championship in England last night Burnley beat Sheffield United by a goal to nil at Turf Moor. The result improves Burnley’s chances of making the play off’s but dents United’s hopes of automatic promotion.Tonight in the Championship Charlton play Cardiff, Coventry play Barnsley and it’s Derby against Reading.
Cricket - Andrew Flintoff came out on top as his Chennai Super Kings thrashed Kevin Pietersen’s Bangalore Royal Chargers in the IPL on Monday. The Super Kings won by 92 runs in Port Elizabeth to go top of the IPL table. Pietersen was out for a golden duck.
Rugby Union - Lions coach Ian McGeechan will name his squad for the tour of South Africa later today with Paul O’Connell expected to be named captain. The squad will leave for the 10 match tour which includes Tests against the Springboks in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg on May the 24th. Sale have been deducted one league point from the Guinness Premiership and fined 5 thousand pounds for fielding an unregistered player in a recent match against Harlequins. The penalty was handed down after Sale included hooker David Ward in the squad for the match.The decision has dented Sale’s chances of making the play offs. They now need a bonus point against Northampton in their final game and hope other results go their way.
Boxing - Wladimir Klitschko has branded David Haye an embarrassment to the sport ahead of their World Heavyweight title fight in Germany on June the 20th. At a news conference on Monday,Haye sported a T shirt portraying him holding the severed heads of the Klitschko brothers. His opponent says that that’s taking it too far and he’ll make Haye pay in the ring.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, move over Miss Piggy, show business has found its new pink-snouted celebrities - meet Piggy, Lilly, Pauli and Fredi, the stars of Austria's latest reality show, Pig Brother. For the next six weeks, the four little piglets will be followed by live cameras and their private lives splashed across the Internet, all part of a marketing ploy by a local food fair. The goal is to be named "Super Pig". The town of Helfenberg in northern Austria is organising its third annual Speck (German for bacon) Spectacle in early June and Pig Brother is just the appetiser. Each week, viewers will get to vote for the "Favourite pig of the week" and each Sunday, the little porkers will have to take part in Pig Olympics to gather the points needed to win. True to reality-show format, the piglets - philosopher Pauli, diva Piggy, friendly Lilly and courageous Fredi - will be filmed non-stop for a month and a half as they eat, sleep and roll themselves in the mud.
The visit of the French President today is expected to disrupt traffic and parking around Nice. Nicolas Sarkozy will visit the police facility at des Moulins, before a round-table discussion with law enforcement officials and victims groups at the Acropolis. The President will be accompanied by Interior Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, Justice Minister Rachida Dati and Finance Minister Eric Woerth. Parking and circulation will be affected in Saint Augustin, and around the Acropolis and Palais des expositions until 3pm.
Monaco budget shortfall
The Monaco Government yesterday reported a 14%, or 23-million euro, shortfall in receipts for the first three months of 2009.
Circus tickets on sale
Tickets for the 2010 International Circus Festival have gone on sale on-line. The 34th edition of the event will take place under the big top in Fontvieille between January 14 and 24 next year. Ticket prices range from €25 - €95, up to €170 for the gala performance. Children’s tickets begin at €10. The website for reservations is www.montecarlofestivals.mc
Protest violence
Police last night arrested 210 people after a demonstration in central Paris by Tamils angry at the situation in Sri Lanka turned violent. Several hundred demonstrators gathered near the Gare du Nord train station for the protest, which had not been declared to the authorities, and began turning over bins and throwing bottles at the police. One policeman was among four people injured, said the police, who held 164 of those initially detained for further questioning.
Tax time
French taxpayers should keep an eye on their letterboxes this week, with their 2009 tax returns expected to start arriving from Friday. As many as 6-million taxpayers are expected to benefit from a change in the two tiers of the tax structure. The first level is now 5.5% and the second 14%.
SPORT
Football - Liverpool can go back to the top of the English Premier League tonight if they beat Arsenal at Anfield. In the Championship in England last night Burnley beat Sheffield United by a goal to nil at Turf Moor. The result improves Burnley’s chances of making the play off’s but dents United’s hopes of automatic promotion.Tonight in the Championship Charlton play Cardiff, Coventry play Barnsley and it’s Derby against Reading.
Cricket - Andrew Flintoff came out on top as his Chennai Super Kings thrashed Kevin Pietersen’s Bangalore Royal Chargers in the IPL on Monday. The Super Kings won by 92 runs in Port Elizabeth to go top of the IPL table. Pietersen was out for a golden duck.
Rugby Union - Lions coach Ian McGeechan will name his squad for the tour of South Africa later today with Paul O’Connell expected to be named captain. The squad will leave for the 10 match tour which includes Tests against the Springboks in Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg on May the 24th. Sale have been deducted one league point from the Guinness Premiership and fined 5 thousand pounds for fielding an unregistered player in a recent match against Harlequins. The penalty was handed down after Sale included hooker David Ward in the squad for the match.The decision has dented Sale’s chances of making the play offs. They now need a bonus point against Northampton in their final game and hope other results go their way.
Boxing - Wladimir Klitschko has branded David Haye an embarrassment to the sport ahead of their World Heavyweight title fight in Germany on June the 20th. At a news conference on Monday,Haye sported a T shirt portraying him holding the severed heads of the Klitschko brothers. His opponent says that that’s taking it too far and he’ll make Haye pay in the ring.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, move over Miss Piggy, show business has found its new pink-snouted celebrities - meet Piggy, Lilly, Pauli and Fredi, the stars of Austria's latest reality show, Pig Brother. For the next six weeks, the four little piglets will be followed by live cameras and their private lives splashed across the Internet, all part of a marketing ploy by a local food fair. The goal is to be named "Super Pig". The town of Helfenberg in northern Austria is organising its third annual Speck (German for bacon) Spectacle in early June and Pig Brother is just the appetiser. Each week, viewers will get to vote for the "Favourite pig of the week" and each Sunday, the little porkers will have to take part in Pig Olympics to gather the points needed to win. True to reality-show format, the piglets - philosopher Pauli, diva Piggy, friendly Lilly and courageous Fredi - will be filmed non-stop for a month and a half as they eat, sleep and roll themselves in the mud.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
French News
French News, Mon 20 April 2009
Mont Boron tunnel
Long a dream of motorists, a tunnel beneath Nice’s Mont Boron could become a reality within a decade. The latest proposal is for a 400 metre long bi-directional tunnel which could accommodate 20-thousand vehicles a day. It is believed a 1-euro-50 toll would help finance the cost of the 125-million euro project.
Satellite dish crackdown
Authorities across the Alpes-Maritimes are expected to launch a crackdown on television satellite dishes. Dishes which exceed 1 metre and have been erected without a permit could be removed. Others that have been installed without permission from co proprieties will also be taken down.
Shopkeeper anger
Restaurateurs and store owners in Nice’s rue de France are petitioning to have the existing pedestrian zone extended. They claim their businesses are suffering because potential customers stop when they reach the end of the car-free zone.
Back to school
French carmaker Renault is going back to school to re-educate its sales force. In preparation for a future recovery in the vehicle trade, Renault will be at the CERAM business school during the start of this week.
Renault business class
A man described as the military leader of the Basque separatist group Eta has been captured in south-western France. Jurdan Martitegi was detained with two other suspected Eta members yesterday near Perpignan in a joint Franco-Spanish security operation. Another six suspected Eta members were detained in Bilbao and other cities.
Caterpillar dispute breakthrough
A long-running industrial dispute at the Caterpillar factories at Grenoble and Echirolles may have been settled. The two month stand-off may come to an end after nine hours of talks yesterday in Paris. The unions have successfully reduced the number of jobs to be axed. The measures will now be put to a vote of workers.
SPORT
Tennis - Rafael Nadal has continued his magnificent run in Monte Carlo by winning the Rolex Masters title for a fifth consecutive year. The world number one beat the number 3 seed Novak Djokovic in Sundays final in three sets 6-3 2-6 6-1. Nadal who’s still only 22 was pushed hard by Djokovic who dominated the second set and also had some break points at the start of the third but he stepped up a gear shortly afterwards and took the third set with eventual ease. The Spaniard has now equalled Roger Federer’s mark of 14 tournament wins in the elite Masters 1000 series. Only Andre Agassi has won more with 17 titles. His victory over Djokovic came in 2 hours and 44 minutes and extends his winning streak in Monte Carlo to 27 matches. He takes home 434 thousand euros in prize money. The doubles final was won by the second seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic who beat top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan 6-4 6-1.
Formula One - Sebastien Vettel once again showed how skilful he is in wet conditions by winning the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Monday thus securing Red Bull’s first ever victory in the sport.Vettel led home a Red Bull one, two with teammate Mark Webber grabbing his best ever finish in second place. Jenson Button in the Brawn GP was third with his teammate Rubens Barrichello fourth. The McLarens showed some improvement with Heikki Kovaleinen in fifth and world champion Lewis Hamilton sixth. But It was another miserable weekend for the Ferarri’s.Felipe Massa didn’t finish the race and Kimi Raikonnen was out of the points in 10th. It’s Ferarri’s worst start to the season since 1981. So after 3 races Jenson Button leads the drivers’ championship with 21 points ahead of Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello who’s got 15. Sebastien Vettel is in equal 3rd place with 10 points along with Toyota’s Timo Glock.
Football - The 2009 F.A Cup final in England will be between Chelsea and Everton who beat Manchester United in the semi final yesterday. There was 1 game in the Championship in England on Sunday, Ipswich won the East Anglian derby against Norwich by 3 goals to 2.The defeat leaves Norwich stuck in the relegation zone. In Scotland on Sunday Rangers were 3 two away winners at Hibs in the SPL. The gap at the top between leaders Celtic and Rangers is just one point again. In the French first division Marseille stay top of the table following a 2-1 win at L’Orient on Sunday.On Saturday Monaco beat Rennes 3-1 and Nice lost two nil at Nantes.
Cricket - Andrew Flintoff comes up against Kevin Pietersen later today in the Indian Premier League as the Chennai Super Kings meet the Bangalore Royal Challengers. The two had contrasting fortunes in the opening games with Flintoff’s Chennai side going down to the Mumbai Indians while Pietersen’s Royal Challengers beat Shane Warne’s Rajastan Royals.
Rugby Union - Bath are back in the Guinness Premiership play off places thanks to a narrow 15 points to 14 win at Bath on Sunday. In the other games yesterday Leicester guaranteed themselves a play off place with a 16 points to 13 win at Saracens while Wasps were 36 points to 18 winners at Bristol.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, a Spanish builder with big debts kidnapped his bank manager at gunpoint and demanded a 50,000 euro loan plus his luxury car, police in the southern city of Malaga said on Friday. "He needed money urgently, the company had stacked up large debts recently," a spokeswoman said. The builder accosted his bank manager in a car park near the bank in the Mediterranean resort of Marbella on Tuesday, and told him, falsely, that accomplices had taken his family hostage. The builder then forced the executive to drive 20 km to Estepona, sign over his luxury car and transfer 1,500 euros to the builder's bank account. The banker persuaded his kidnapper to let him call a colleague and told him, in code, that he had been kidnapped. Police tracked them down to an office in the town and seized the kidnapper as they left the building.
Mont Boron tunnel
Long a dream of motorists, a tunnel beneath Nice’s Mont Boron could become a reality within a decade. The latest proposal is for a 400 metre long bi-directional tunnel which could accommodate 20-thousand vehicles a day. It is believed a 1-euro-50 toll would help finance the cost of the 125-million euro project.
Satellite dish crackdown
Authorities across the Alpes-Maritimes are expected to launch a crackdown on television satellite dishes. Dishes which exceed 1 metre and have been erected without a permit could be removed. Others that have been installed without permission from co proprieties will also be taken down.
Shopkeeper anger
Restaurateurs and store owners in Nice’s rue de France are petitioning to have the existing pedestrian zone extended. They claim their businesses are suffering because potential customers stop when they reach the end of the car-free zone.
Back to school
French carmaker Renault is going back to school to re-educate its sales force. In preparation for a future recovery in the vehicle trade, Renault will be at the CERAM business school during the start of this week.
Renault business class
A man described as the military leader of the Basque separatist group Eta has been captured in south-western France. Jurdan Martitegi was detained with two other suspected Eta members yesterday near Perpignan in a joint Franco-Spanish security operation. Another six suspected Eta members were detained in Bilbao and other cities.
Caterpillar dispute breakthrough
A long-running industrial dispute at the Caterpillar factories at Grenoble and Echirolles may have been settled. The two month stand-off may come to an end after nine hours of talks yesterday in Paris. The unions have successfully reduced the number of jobs to be axed. The measures will now be put to a vote of workers.
SPORT
Tennis - Rafael Nadal has continued his magnificent run in Monte Carlo by winning the Rolex Masters title for a fifth consecutive year. The world number one beat the number 3 seed Novak Djokovic in Sundays final in three sets 6-3 2-6 6-1. Nadal who’s still only 22 was pushed hard by Djokovic who dominated the second set and also had some break points at the start of the third but he stepped up a gear shortly afterwards and took the third set with eventual ease. The Spaniard has now equalled Roger Federer’s mark of 14 tournament wins in the elite Masters 1000 series. Only Andre Agassi has won more with 17 titles. His victory over Djokovic came in 2 hours and 44 minutes and extends his winning streak in Monte Carlo to 27 matches. He takes home 434 thousand euros in prize money. The doubles final was won by the second seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic who beat top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan 6-4 6-1.
Formula One - Sebastien Vettel once again showed how skilful he is in wet conditions by winning the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Monday thus securing Red Bull’s first ever victory in the sport.Vettel led home a Red Bull one, two with teammate Mark Webber grabbing his best ever finish in second place. Jenson Button in the Brawn GP was third with his teammate Rubens Barrichello fourth. The McLarens showed some improvement with Heikki Kovaleinen in fifth and world champion Lewis Hamilton sixth. But It was another miserable weekend for the Ferarri’s.Felipe Massa didn’t finish the race and Kimi Raikonnen was out of the points in 10th. It’s Ferarri’s worst start to the season since 1981. So after 3 races Jenson Button leads the drivers’ championship with 21 points ahead of Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello who’s got 15. Sebastien Vettel is in equal 3rd place with 10 points along with Toyota’s Timo Glock.
Football - The 2009 F.A Cup final in England will be between Chelsea and Everton who beat Manchester United in the semi final yesterday. There was 1 game in the Championship in England on Sunday, Ipswich won the East Anglian derby against Norwich by 3 goals to 2.The defeat leaves Norwich stuck in the relegation zone. In Scotland on Sunday Rangers were 3 two away winners at Hibs in the SPL. The gap at the top between leaders Celtic and Rangers is just one point again. In the French first division Marseille stay top of the table following a 2-1 win at L’Orient on Sunday.On Saturday Monaco beat Rennes 3-1 and Nice lost two nil at Nantes.
Cricket - Andrew Flintoff comes up against Kevin Pietersen later today in the Indian Premier League as the Chennai Super Kings meet the Bangalore Royal Challengers. The two had contrasting fortunes in the opening games with Flintoff’s Chennai side going down to the Mumbai Indians while Pietersen’s Royal Challengers beat Shane Warne’s Rajastan Royals.
Rugby Union - Bath are back in the Guinness Premiership play off places thanks to a narrow 15 points to 14 win at Bath on Sunday. In the other games yesterday Leicester guaranteed themselves a play off place with a 16 points to 13 win at Saracens while Wasps were 36 points to 18 winners at Bristol.
Yourcotedazur now publishes the French regional news for people interested in Holiday Home Rental in France and
French Villa Holidays.
And finally, a Spanish builder with big debts kidnapped his bank manager at gunpoint and demanded a 50,000 euro loan plus his luxury car, police in the southern city of Malaga said on Friday. "He needed money urgently, the company had stacked up large debts recently," a spokeswoman said. The builder accosted his bank manager in a car park near the bank in the Mediterranean resort of Marbella on Tuesday, and told him, falsely, that accomplices had taken his family hostage. The builder then forced the executive to drive 20 km to Estepona, sign over his luxury car and transfer 1,500 euros to the builder's bank account. The banker persuaded his kidnapper to let him call a colleague and told him, in code, that he had been kidnapped. Police tracked them down to an office in the town and seized the kidnapper as they left the building.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
French News
French News, Fri 17 April 2009: biker arrest... gare du Sud plans... velos bleu roll-out
Biker arrest
A 43-year-old man was arrested at les Arcs station at lunchtime on Wednesday as part of a worldwide swoop by Canadian police against the Hells Angels motorcycle group. 123 people were nabbed around the world as part of Operation Shark. The man, and his co-accused, after facing charges of drug trafficking, profiting from crime and murder.
Gare du Sud plans
The redeveloped gare du Sud in Nice will be ready for use by July 2013. The 10-million euro project, the latest in a long list of plans for the building, includes a library, gym, sport and culture centre and 900 parking places.
Avalanche alert
The Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes has re-issued its avalanche warning for mountain areas. 30 to 50 centimetres of snow has fallen in areas above 2-thousand metres. There is a strong fear that this wet and heavy snow could cause avalanches.
Velo bleu
Work began yesterday to install Nice’s new free bicycle network. Ninety cycle stations will be installed across the city over the next two months. “Velo Bleu” is set to be rolled out in July.
Nice semi-marathon
The 18th edition of the Nice semi-marathon takes place this Sunday. Traffic will be disrupted from the port of Nice, along the Promenade des Anglais, to Avenue Gambetta. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi will be lining up with almost 2-thousand other athletes for the 21.1 kilometre event.
Pirate trial
Eleven Somali pirates captured this week by a French warship are being taken to Kenya for trial according to the French defence ministry. The pirates will be tried under an agreement between the EU and Kenya. They were captured by a warship from an EU force deployed to tackle a recent surge in piracy.
Advertising spending good
The latest studies have revealed that 90% businesses are continuing to spend the same amount on marketing as last year, despite the economic downturn. In France spending has dropped only 5%. Spending on the internet continued to grow last year, but slowed in the last quarter, while newspapers are struggling to keep readers. The Aegis media agency says it expects the advertising spending in the U-K to grow in 2010.
SPORT
TENNIS - World number 2 Roger Federer was the biggest casualty in a rain blighted Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday as he crashed out in the 3rd round. Federer who admitted afterwards that he was having big problems with his serve lost 6-4 7-5 to fellow Swiss and number 12 seed Stalislas Wawrinka who’ll now play the German qualifier Andreas Beck in the quarter finals. Beck, who’d never won a masters series match before this tournament beat Juan Monaco of Argentina in three sets. The fact that any tennis took place on Thursday was a tribute to the organisers who worked extremely hard to get the courts fit for play. Third seed Novak Djocovic who beat Albert Montanes in three sets is now up against the number 7 seed Fernando Verdasco who beat fellow Spaniard and number 10 seed David Ferrer 6-2 6-1.
Out on the Princes Court Andy Murray will resume his third round match against the Italian qualifier Fabio Fognini. Murray is leading by a set to love following a marathon tie breaker and he’s 1 love up with a break of serve in the second. The first match on Centre Court is the 3rd round clash between defending champion and top seed Rafael Nadal and Nicolas Lapenti of Ecuador.Lapenti had broken the world number one’s serve in the opening game when the rain forced the players of court yesterday evening.
Formula One - Lewis Hamilton was quickest in first practice this morning for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.The McLaren ace was slightly quicker than the Brawns of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Heikki Kovaleinen in the second McLaren was 4th fastest. Lewis Hamilton is running with a new look front wing and interim diffuser which appears to have given the McLaren a little more pace.
Football - Manchester City’s European dream is over for another season after they lost their UEFA cup quarter-final tie. Hamburg will play German rivals Werder Bremen in the semi final. The other semi will be between Dynamo Kiev and Shaktar Donetsk. It’s F.A Cup semi finals weekend in England. Arsenal play Chelsea tomorrow afternoon at 6.15 French time while on Sunday Everton face Manchester United at 5pm.Both ties are being played at Wembley Stadium. In the English Premier League tomorrow Aston Villa play West Ham. Middlesboro take on Fulham. Portsmouth play Bolton. Stoke face Blackburn and Sunderland play Hull. On Sunday Manchester City host West Brom and Tottenham play Newcastle.
Rugby Union - Jonny Wilkinson is holding discussions with the French club Toulon about a big money move to the South of France this summer. Phillipe Saint-Andre who becomes director of rugby at Toulon on the 1st of July has confirmed that the players representatives are in discussions with the club’s chairman. It’s reported that the Paris side Racing Metro are also interested in signing Wilkinson.
Yourcotedazur.comHoliday Home Rental in France and French Villa Holiday rental specialists will now publish a regular news update on this site.
Biker arrest
A 43-year-old man was arrested at les Arcs station at lunchtime on Wednesday as part of a worldwide swoop by Canadian police against the Hells Angels motorcycle group. 123 people were nabbed around the world as part of Operation Shark. The man, and his co-accused, after facing charges of drug trafficking, profiting from crime and murder.
Gare du Sud plans
The redeveloped gare du Sud in Nice will be ready for use by July 2013. The 10-million euro project, the latest in a long list of plans for the building, includes a library, gym, sport and culture centre and 900 parking places.
Avalanche alert
The Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes has re-issued its avalanche warning for mountain areas. 30 to 50 centimetres of snow has fallen in areas above 2-thousand metres. There is a strong fear that this wet and heavy snow could cause avalanches.
Velo bleu
Work began yesterday to install Nice’s new free bicycle network. Ninety cycle stations will be installed across the city over the next two months. “Velo Bleu” is set to be rolled out in July.
Nice semi-marathon
The 18th edition of the Nice semi-marathon takes place this Sunday. Traffic will be disrupted from the port of Nice, along the Promenade des Anglais, to Avenue Gambetta. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi will be lining up with almost 2-thousand other athletes for the 21.1 kilometre event.
Pirate trial
Eleven Somali pirates captured this week by a French warship are being taken to Kenya for trial according to the French defence ministry. The pirates will be tried under an agreement between the EU and Kenya. They were captured by a warship from an EU force deployed to tackle a recent surge in piracy.
Advertising spending good
The latest studies have revealed that 90% businesses are continuing to spend the same amount on marketing as last year, despite the economic downturn. In France spending has dropped only 5%. Spending on the internet continued to grow last year, but slowed in the last quarter, while newspapers are struggling to keep readers. The Aegis media agency says it expects the advertising spending in the U-K to grow in 2010.
SPORT
TENNIS - World number 2 Roger Federer was the biggest casualty in a rain blighted Monte Carlo Masters on Thursday as he crashed out in the 3rd round. Federer who admitted afterwards that he was having big problems with his serve lost 6-4 7-5 to fellow Swiss and number 12 seed Stalislas Wawrinka who’ll now play the German qualifier Andreas Beck in the quarter finals. Beck, who’d never won a masters series match before this tournament beat Juan Monaco of Argentina in three sets. The fact that any tennis took place on Thursday was a tribute to the organisers who worked extremely hard to get the courts fit for play. Third seed Novak Djocovic who beat Albert Montanes in three sets is now up against the number 7 seed Fernando Verdasco who beat fellow Spaniard and number 10 seed David Ferrer 6-2 6-1.
Out on the Princes Court Andy Murray will resume his third round match against the Italian qualifier Fabio Fognini. Murray is leading by a set to love following a marathon tie breaker and he’s 1 love up with a break of serve in the second. The first match on Centre Court is the 3rd round clash between defending champion and top seed Rafael Nadal and Nicolas Lapenti of Ecuador.Lapenti had broken the world number one’s serve in the opening game when the rain forced the players of court yesterday evening.
Formula One - Lewis Hamilton was quickest in first practice this morning for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.The McLaren ace was slightly quicker than the Brawns of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. Heikki Kovaleinen in the second McLaren was 4th fastest. Lewis Hamilton is running with a new look front wing and interim diffuser which appears to have given the McLaren a little more pace.
Football - Manchester City’s European dream is over for another season after they lost their UEFA cup quarter-final tie. Hamburg will play German rivals Werder Bremen in the semi final. The other semi will be between Dynamo Kiev and Shaktar Donetsk. It’s F.A Cup semi finals weekend in England. Arsenal play Chelsea tomorrow afternoon at 6.15 French time while on Sunday Everton face Manchester United at 5pm.Both ties are being played at Wembley Stadium. In the English Premier League tomorrow Aston Villa play West Ham. Middlesboro take on Fulham. Portsmouth play Bolton. Stoke face Blackburn and Sunderland play Hull. On Sunday Manchester City host West Brom and Tottenham play Newcastle.
Rugby Union - Jonny Wilkinson is holding discussions with the French club Toulon about a big money move to the South of France this summer. Phillipe Saint-Andre who becomes director of rugby at Toulon on the 1st of July has confirmed that the players representatives are in discussions with the club’s chairman. It’s reported that the Paris side Racing Metro are also interested in signing Wilkinson.
Yourcotedazur.comHoliday Home Rental in France and French Villa Holiday rental specialists will now publish a regular news update on this site.
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