Monaco banker Cusdin gives evidence in Redknapp trial  telegraph.co.uk 26 Jan 12 The Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp was the only signature on records for the account at the centre of £189,000 bung allegations, a bank chief said. David Cusdin, vice-president of HSBC in Monaco between 2000 and 2005 (now a consultant with Safra Bank in Monaco Ed). Giving evidence via videolink at Southwark Crown Court, Mr Cusdin said he was aware that Redknapp had flown to the principality to open an account. "I don't have a recollection - but I could well have shaken his hand at the meeting," Mr Cusdin told the court. The ex-bank chief said he had known co-defendant Mandaric since the football chairman had sold club Nice in France.

PIP breast implant boss arrested in south of France  guardian.co.uk 26 Jan 12 The founder of the French firm which produced the faulty breast implants at the centre of a global health scare has been arrested in the south of France. Jean-Claude Mas, 72, head of Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) was taken into police custody just before 7am on Thursday morning after police arrived at the home of his partner in Six-Fours in the Var. The house was being searched by investigators. A deputy chief executive was also arrested at his home. PIP closed down in March 2010 after regulators discovered it was using a non-medical grade silicone in its implants. Angelique Chrisafis.

Nine arrested over murder of jeweler Thierry Unik  leparisien.fr 25 Jan 12 Nine people - six men and three women - were arrested Wednesday morning in connection with the investigation of the assassination, 26 Nov 11, of a jeweler in Cannes la Bocca during a hold-up. They were immediately placed in custody. The arrested are between 20 and 40. Among them three are suspected of involvement in the robbery. Investigators believe they are confronted with an organised crime gang. The arrests were made in Cannes and Vallauris. The jeweler, 42 year old Thierry Unik, was shot in the head just after the three robbers, wearing balaclavas and motorcycle helmets, entered through the front door. A fourth accomplice was waiting outside. AFP.

Dutch midfielder Nacer Barazite joins AS Moanco from Vienna  chronofoot.com 25 Jan 12 After the signing of two defenders, Monaco has turned their attention to attack with the arrival of Nacer Barazite, the former Arsenal player, from ACV Vienna. Born in the Netherlands, Barazite still has the opportunity to play for Morocco. Monaco are reported to have paid €3 million. Starting with Nijmegen, he joined Arsenal at  17 years old, without ever managing to make the first team. He joined ACV Vienna during the 2011 winter transfer window where he has scored 8 goals in the league this season and 11 goals in 12 European matches.

French PM 'green lights' F1 return to Var in 2013  worldcarfans.com 25 Jan 12 France is poised to return to the F1 calendar. Prime minister Francois Fillon has finally given the green light to the race at the Paul Ricard Circuit at Castellet in the Var to alternate annually with Belgium's Spa Francorchamps, beginning in 2013. Informal meetings with Bernie Ecclestone the F1 chief executive have already been held. Fillon's decision follows a minister's meeting last Thursday, and the Var region has also agreed. There are still some loose ends to tie up with the department of Alpes-Maritimes. French carmaker and F1 engine supplier Renault may also be closely involved with the French event. The eyes are now on the Belgian side, who must also validate the project.

Signing for the next Francophone Games in Nice  diplomatie.gouv.fr 25 Jan 12 Mr. Alain Juppé, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, will visit Nice 25 Jan 12, together with Mr. David Douillet, Minister for Sport, to sign the agreement establishing the grouping which will organise the next Francophone Games in Nice in 2013. The city of Nice was selected by the member states and governments of la Francophonie to host the 7th Francophone Games in September 2013. The Francophone Games have been held every 4 years since 1989, alternately in northern and southern countries. The last games took place in Beirut in 2009. The Nice Games will bring together more than 3,000 young francophone participants from 5 continents.

Menton drug trafficking ring between Italy and France dismantled  nicematin.com 24 Jan 12 The judicial police and drug squad of Nice have dismantled a major cannabis trafficking organisation between France, Italy and Morocco. In all fifteen people including several members of a family from Menton were indicted with eight remanded in custody. Two garages in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin are implicated in the case, suspected of installing hidden compartments into vehicles to transport drugs. Several cars and property worth around €1million have been seized.

Andreas Wolf first signing for AS Monaco under new ownership  skysports.com 24 Jan 12 Defender Andreas Wolf has left Werder Bremen and joined Monaco for an undisclosed fee. The former Nurnberg captain leaves Weserstadion after just six months of service and has signed a three-year-contract with the French Ligue 2 outfit. Wolf, 29, had last summer joined Bremen on a Bosman transfer and had a contract until June 2013. He had until Christmas been a first-team regular, but was recently struggling with a calf injury and Bremen were happy to accept money for his departure. Thomas Zocher.