|
Local News Nice Owner Shortlisted To Buy Manchester United - Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of OGC Nice, has emerged as one of the two finalists for the acquisition of one of the world's biggest football clubs, Manchester United. The purchase could pose a problem for OGC Nice as UEFA regulations prohibit two clubs with the same owner from competing in the same European competition. Mr Ratcliffe has stated that he would be willing to offer €6 billion and allow the Glazer family to keep almost 20% of the club. The other finalist is the president of Qatar Islamic Bank, Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Manchester United's new owner is expected to be announced in the coming days. Marseille Residents Return Following Building Collapse - 138 out of the 302 residents who were evacuated from their apartments in Marseille following the collapse of buildings on Rue de Tivoli on April 9 will be able to return home today. The Marseille city authorities have ensured that the safety of the buildings is guaranteed after conducting three studies. The remaining residents will have to wait for further safety measures to be put in place, and the authorities estimate that it could take a few more weeks. Luxury Real Estate Market Booming - Despite economic hardships and rising interest rates, the luxury real estate market in Nice is booming. In 2022, some exceptional properties were sold on the French Riviera, with several transactions exceeding 25 million euros. Nice Matin today reveals the top 10 most expensive villas sold in Nice last year, with three selling for more than 25 million euros each. The properties are located in various areas of Nice, including Mont-Boron and Fabron, with stunning sea and city views. Iconic Hitchcock Villa Sold - Meanwhile, an iconic villa in St Jeannet that was used in Alfred Hitchcock’s 'To Catch A Thief' has been sold for €3.6M. The villa "Les Bolovens" in Saint-Jeannet was the setting for the famous final kissing scene between Grace Kelly and Cary Grant. The 400 sq. meter property with 5,000 sq. meters of land had retained its original decor and was previously owned by a real estate company since 1963. Several other notable properties with connections to cinema, rock, and politics are on sale in the French Riviera, including le Domaine de Beaumont in Valbonne which was used during several summers by John & Jackie Kennedy before he became President. Marseille Kidnapping - Four people have been charged in connection with an alleged kidnapping in Marseille. Last Saturday three men assaulted a man in the 5th arrondissement and attempted to bundle him into the boot of a car. It's believed the incident is related to drugs trafficking. The three men and one woman have been charged with offences including kidnapping and forcible confinement. Forest Fire In The Var - A forest fire broke out yesterday in Saint-Paul-en-Forêt in the Var. The fire spread over an area of 5000m² and needed more than 60 firefighters to contain it. The road to Fayence has was closed yesterday afternoon. Police Force Reorganisation - The city of Nice has announced a significant reorganization of its municipal police force, with new shift schedules being introduced for officers. The changes include longer shifts and the creation of a traffic patrol unit. Officers working the night shift will see an increase in their pay. This is the first major overhaul of the municipal police schedule in six years, and comes in response to the ongoing security threat facing the city. Airbus/Air France Appeal - The Paris Public Prosecutor's Office has said that it's appealing against a court decision in which Airbus and Air France were exonerated in the case involving the crash of Air France flight 447. 228 people died in the crash of the flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris in 2009. In its decision, the court said that no "certain causal link" between any fault and the crash could be demonstrated. Scooter Explosion - A teenager has been seriously injured and hospitalized after an electric scooter battery exploded in an apartment in the center of Nice, causing a fire that required the intervention of thirty firefighters and eight vehicles. The 14-year-old victim inhaled toxic fumes and had to be placed in a hyperbaric chamber at the Lenval Children's Hospital. The explosion caused significant damage to the apartment building and neighboring properties. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion. Nice Tree Planting Initiative Mocked - The mayor of Nice has set a goal of planting one tree per inhabitant by 2026, but the city's Green Party has mocked the plan as a joke. Christian Estrosi announced the plan to plant 280,000 trees in addition to the 70,000 already present in the city. The Green party has praised the mayor's willingness to plant trees but criticized his lack of attention to the details. They argue the plan is unrealistic and suggested that the mayor should focus on more serious environmental issues. Léotard Funeral - François Léotard, will be laid to rest on May 3 in Fréjus, where he served as a deputy and mayor for 20 years. The funeral will take place at Notre-Dame and Saint-Léonce Cathedral and will be followed by a private burial in the family vault at the Saint-Etienne cemetery. Léotard was a prominent figure in French politics during the 1980s and 1990s, serving as minister of Culture and later of Defense under different governments. Grand Prix Preparations - As the 6th E-Prix and 80th Monaco Grand Prix approaches, the Automobile Club de Monaco held a safety briefing for their volunteer commissioners, who play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the event. The ACM emphasized the importance of self-protection and the need for a military-like organization to guarantee the safety of all involved. The commissioner's duty also includes representing the ACM and the Principality in the public eye. The ACM and the government of Monaco thanked the commissioners for their hard work and recognized them as the best in the world championship. |
