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.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
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.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Nice Jazz Festival details
If you're planning a French villa Holiday this year in Nice, details of the Jazz Festival have been announced, with just 2 stages this year, instead of 3. The Arènes Roman amphitheatre is closed for renovation. The festival takes place between 18 and 25 of July, with 40 acts appearing, including BB King, Sonny Rollins, Lucky Petersen, Keziah Jones, Tracy Chapman, James Taylor and Y'ssou N'Dour. Uncertainty still surrounds the 2010 festival, as the mayor of Nice has proposed moving it from Cimiez, possibly to the Jardin Albert 1er by the seafront.
What a line-up to experience when enjoying your Holiday Home Rental in France.
What a line-up to experience when enjoying your Holiday Home Rental in France.
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