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RivieraLife.tv News Review 2010 |
JANUARY 20102010 saw several cataclysmic weather events on the Cote d'Azur and New Year's Day saw the first of these:Video Killer waves on Riviera sweep beach walkers on New Year’s Day Deadly giant waves washed the shores of the French Riviera on New Year’s Day, killing at least three people.
A French court ruled that a Russian Orthodox cathedral built on the French Riviera nearly a century ago under Czar Nicholas II now belongs to Moscow. Russia wins court case and gets Nice cathedral A French court rejected an appeal by the widow of the 10th Earl of Shaftesbury, who was convicted for plotting to murder the aristocrat in 2004, making her 20-year prison sentence final. Court rejects appeal from wife of murdered English aristocrat The earl's decomposing body was found in April 2005 on a patch of wasteland on the French Riviera, five months after he disappeared from his home in Cannes. Finland's two-time world rally championship runner-up Mikko Hirvonen won the Monte Carlo Rally after leading from start to finish Polished finish sees Hirvonen to Monte Carlo Rally victory The Black Eyed Peas were the victims of a blunder at France's top music awards, where they were mistakenly named best international group. Black Eyed Peas denied NRJ award win The stars were originally declared winners at the NRJ Awards in Cannes, but there were boos when it was later revealed that an error had been made. German band Tokio Hotel were the real victors. The gloomy economic climate forced the Conseil Générale of the Alpes-Maritimes to implement spending cuts of €61 million. Alpes-Maritimes to cut budget by €61 million The housing crisis caused a dramatic €100 million downturn in transfer taxes, more than half the revenue of the Conseil Générale. Around two hundred supporters of French First Division strugglers Nice clashed with police after they invaded the pitch and tried to confront rival fans from Monaco. Nice supporters clash with police The pitch invasion followed their side's 3-2 defeat in the Riviera derby which left them fifth from bottom.
FEBRUARY 2010Carla Bruni's surprise withdrawal from Italy's San Remo music contest was blamed on a song in the competition that mocked her husband, the French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Bruni quits San Remo contest over song insulting Sarkozy The Aix-en-Provence Court of Appeal agreed to release Gérard Spinelli, the rightist mayor of Beausoleil, on a bail of €100,000. Mayor of Beausoleil released on bail Spinelli remained under investigation for "influence peddling and bribery" for alleged misuse of funds related to the 170m high Odeon Tower project currently under construction in Monaco. Police on the French Riviera hunted for the killer of 65-year-old Carol Hagues who was knifed to death in her flat near Nice. Police scour French Riviera for killer of Carol Hagues Police initially detained her young boyfriend, who reported finding her in a pool of blood, but he was released after questioning.
21 years old, Tony Ramoin, the Cannes born freestyle snowboarder from Isola 2000 won a Winter Olympics bronze medal in the Snowboardcross discipline. Isola 2000 Snowboarder Tony Ramoin wins Olympic bronze He is the first competitor from the region to win a medal at the Winter Olympics.
MARCH 2010The moment a killer wave hit a cruise ship and swept two people to their deaths, was caught on camera. Video ‘Tsunami’ kills two off Marseilles Two holidaymakers - a German and an Italian - were killed as at least three walls of water 30ft high crashed over the liner Louis Majesty. The ship was sailing from the Spanish city of Barcelona to Genoa in Italy with 1,350 passengers and crew when it was battered in the Med off the French Riviera.
Robert de Niro expressed his gratitude to the Matisse Museum and the city of Nice as the museum exhibited the work of Robert de Niro Sr. who died in 1993. Robert De Niro inaugurates exhibition of his father's paintings in Nice France's Socialist Party triumphed over the ruling right-wing UMP party in regional elections. Video Socialists triumph while National Front makes headway The far-right National Front made significant headway while the centrist MoDem party suffered a spectacular defeat. APRIL 2010Famous for his animals in formaldehyde, the British artist Damien Hirst presented ‘Cornucopia’ a retrospective of his work from the past 15 years at Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum as part of it's centenary anniversary year. A Cornucopia of Damien Hirst's work at Monaco's Oceanographic Museum His works evoke his favourite themes, including fear of nothingness. Former Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco, Jean-Paul Proust, died in Marseille following a disease he fought for several months. Ex Monaco Secretary of State Proust dies Proust had resigned on 26 Mar 10, after a term of five years during which he saw in the first years of the reign of Prince Albert II.
A breathtaking performance from Rafael Nadal saw him brush aside Fernando Verdasco in the all-Spanish final at the Monte Carlo Masters. Rafael Nadal sweeps aside Fernando Verdasco in Monte Carlo final Nadal was in dominating form as he dispatched Verdasco 6-0 6-1 in one hour 25 minutes to win his sixth consecutive title. Roger Federer did not take part in the tournament to focus on Estoril. Five months after the death of Prince Giorgio I, and after an often heated election campaign, Marcello Menegatto (31) is elected the new Prince of the Ancient Principality of Seborga. Seborga elects Prince Marcello the First A real estate developer and Swiss resident, he has lived in Seborga for the last 3 years. Nice Côte d'Azur Rugby Club radically changed its structure to improve it’s chances of promotion to Pro D2, following the resignation of former chairman John Hall. Paul White new Chairman of Nice Côte d'Azur Rugby Club Principal shareholder Paul White, English businessman and Monaco resident replaced Hall. General manager Anthony Hill, after two years of activity with the club, resigned with immediate effect.
MAY 2010Freak waves battered the southern French coast between Cannes and Nice causing major damage to beach constructions only a few days before the Cannes film festival was set to begin. Video Freak waves smash French Riviera Ten-metre-high waves battered the coastline, leaving one woman with a fractured leg and causing major material damage.
A couple of days before the Monaco Grand Prix, Mark Webber decided to escape the lunacy of the principality for a trip to Vence. Inspired Webber creates a big impression in Monaco Wherever it was that provided the inspiration, Webber was unstoppable in Monaco. An Africa-France summit opened in Nice after organisers drew up a guest list that left some disgraced leaders out in the cold while still inviting a few junta chiefs to the party. Africa-France summit guest list in Nice causes headaches President Nicolas Sarkozy played host to 38 African leaders in the Riviera city for a 24-hour gathering that was billed as a "summit of renewal" to revamp France's ties on the continent. JUNE 2010Inbetween panel discussions at the France-Africa Summit, President Nicolas Sarkozy inaugurated a thirty metres high monument by sculptor Bernar Venet. President Sarkozy and Mayor Estrosi unveil Nice 150 monument The sculpture marks the 150th anniversary of linking the capital of the Riviera with France. Founded in 1961, the 50th Monte Carlo TV Festival took place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco 06-10 June 10. 50 Years of the Monte Carlo TV Festival The MCTVF always attracts a relatively large number of TV industry heavyweights, partly because of the prestige of being nominated for, and/or winning a Golden Nymph.
A popular beauty spot on the French Riviera was closed to the public so that Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni could sunbathe in private. Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni ban locals from popular French Riviera beauty spot Beaches and a coastal path in the Lavandou area all fell into the new 'secure zone’ guarded by at least three policemen and monitored by security cameras.
JULY/AUGUST 2010Olympic rings trumped wedding rings when Prince Albert II of Monaco brought forward his nuptials to accommodate the International Olympic Committee. New date for Monaco royal wedding Prince Albert announced plans to marry South African swimming champ Charlene Wittstock (32) on July 8 next year, a date which, it now turns out, would clash with the IOC's July 5 to 9 meeting in Durban. Albert decided to get married a week early on July 2, 2011 so as not to miss the meeting.
Two nuns in their 80s from Roquebrune-Cap-Martin sought refuge in Menton after refusing to obey their superior who asked them to join a home for elderly sisters in the Ardèche. Riviera nuns on the run in Menton Sister Saint-Denis, 81, and sister Marie Daniele, 86, disappeared from the villa de l’eau July 12 before members of the congregation arrived to help them pack. SEPTEMBER 2010Sherman Oaks financial advisor Bruce Fred Friedman, who fled the country while under investigation for allegedly defrauding investors of hundreds of millions of dollars was arrested in Cannes. Fraud suspect Friedman arrested in Cannes Friedman, 60, ran a $228-million Ponzi scheme in which he promised to invest in rental properties but instead diverted millions of dollars to himself, family and friends. A bitter feud between Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi and his arch-rival Gianfranco Fini hit new depths when a newspaper run by Berlusconi's brother published articles accusing Fini of improper dealings over an apartment in Monaco bequeathed by a supporter of his former party, the right wing National Alliance. Monaco flat features in Berlusconi, Fini feud Fini denied accusations that the flat, which was left as a gift to the National Alliance in 1999, was sold at below its true value to an offshore company that was a front for the younger brother of his partner, Elisabetta Tulliani.
A new luxury train began running between Moscow and Nice in the south of France, in a flashback to the tsarist times when Russian aristocrats flocked to the French Riviera. Russia launches new train from Moscow to French Riviera The fares range from €306 to €1,200 euros for a luxury compartment with a shower and mini-bar. France reported a first case of dengue fever infection on its mainland in the southern city of Nice, and is trying to kill mosquitoes which might be carrying the deadly disease in the area. France sees first dengue infection in Nice The health ministry said it could not exclude an epidemic, and authorities asked residents to take measures such as using mosquito nets and removing places where mosquito larvae can grow.
OCTOBER 2010Since the days he slept rough on the French Riviera, as a young man struggling to make it as a painter, Robert Redford has come a long way. The actor-director turned founder of the Sundance television channel was in the Riviera city of Cannes at MIPCOM to promote the international ambitions of the network. Redford recalls penniless painter days on Riviera Redford spent a year in France when he was 18, and the first time he visited the Mediterranean resort he slept under the pier opposite the Carlton Hotel.
The number of protesters against pension reforms reached 3.5 million in all of France. In the Alpes-Maritimes, high school students protested in Valbonne, Menton, Antibes, Grasse, Cannes and Nice. Between 5,000 and 15,000 protesters in Nice Two marches took place, one from Cap 3000 and another from the CADAM administrative centre in west Nice. They converged near the airport, blocking its access. The march then went into the heart of Nice, Place Massena via the Promenade des Anglais, without incident. Sources revealed to RivieraLife.tv that Monaco is to make official its first Masonic Lodge. Masonry becomes official in Monaco Up until two years ago Freemasonry in Monaco existed under the constitutions of other countries. For close on two years the Palace of Monaco have been seeking to regularise Masonry. After lengthy discussions with French Masonry collapsed, subsequent discussions with UGLE (United Grand Lodge of England) took place and were successfully concluded.
NOVEMBER 2010A 71-year-old retired electrician is in a legal battle after coming forward with more than 200 hitherto unknown paintings by Pablo Picasso. Experts who examined the collection estimated it could be worth €60 million. Court battle looms as hundreds of Picassos turn up Pierre Le Guennec wrote to Claude Picasso, the artist's son, in a bid to get the canvases authenticated. Police officers seized the works from the couple's home on the Cote d'Azur.
The Grasse court has sentenced Vladimir Prokofieff, 65, former Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church in Cannes to a six month suspended sentence for embezzeling €405,000 in donations in 2006. Scam: Former Cannes bishop condemned Prokofieff argued that the donations, which were to be used to refurbish the church, were in transit in his personal bank account and that he was looking after the money and not appropriating it.
The Pope is expected to visit Monaco in 2012. In a letter to the archbishop of Monaco, the Holy See responded to an invitation made by the Prince's Palace and the Archbishop of Monaco, Monsignor Bernard Barsi. Pope expected to visit Monaco in 2012 In Monaco, where Catholicism is the state religion, some even fancifully imagined that Pope Benedict could marry Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock in July. Monaco's future princess, South African Charlene Wittstock, made her first official appearance as royal fiancee, waving to crowds from the balcony of her prince's palace. Monaco princess-to-be makes first ceremonial appearance Former Olympic swimmer Wittstock, 32, appeared smiling and waving in a beige Armani suit and brown hat for the annual royal appearance on the principality's national day. Robbers opened fire on a police car after holding up a luxury
jeweller at the Cap 3000 shopping mall in Saint-Laurent-du-Var. Three occupants of a small plane were killed when it crashed near Tourrettes-sur-Loup. Three dead in Tourrettes sur Loup plane crash The aircraft, a single engine type PA-28, crashed after hitting a tree on a steep uninhabited area covered with brush. France will host the next G20 summit of the world's leading economic powers on November 3 and 4 2011 in the Riviera resort of Cannes French G20 summit to be in Cannes November 2011 President Nicolas Sarkozy formally took on the G20's rotating presidency on Friday at the end of the G20 summit in Seoul, and France will hold it for the next year as leaders struggle to reform the global monetary system. More than 11,500 athletes started the 3rd Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais More than 11,500 in 3rd Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes The Ethiopian Tsegaye Boturu finished the 42.195-kilometer course first in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 26 seconds. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi was replaced by Eric Besson as Minister of Industry & Energy in a government shake-up. Nice Mayor Estrosi loses ministerial post in government shake-up Estrosi had been appointed Industry Minister 23 Jun 09. He was previously a minister responsible for France's overseas territories 19 Jun 07 but resigned 17 Mar 08 to focus on his responsibilities as Nice Mayor.
The
8th annual Angel Film Awards took place 2nd-5th December 2010 in the Art
Novo Theatre, Novotel, Monaco. The festival features non-violent movies.
In this report for RivieraLife.tv, Andrew Burroughs looks at a
selection of movies screened and talks to their directors including Sir
David Jason OBE who directed the short movie 'All The Way Up',
Mohy Quandour, Writer/Director of the Best Movie winner 'Cherkess',
Kinshirou Ogino, Director of 'Asakusa
Daydreams' and Paul Petersen,
Director of 'Simon Sez'. All
of the news stories featured on RivieraLife.tv can be found
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