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Day: 22 March 2023

Canua Island: Cannes Council unanimously rejects floating party island

by: Elsa Carpenter
22/03/2023
canua island

Canua Island, a floating restaurant, cocktail bar and beach club destination, could soon be anchored off the coast of Cannes, but not if local councillors get their way. 

Canua Island is a 41-metre-long by 31-metre-wide platform with everything from a gourmet restaurant and cocktail bar to a freshwater swimming pool. According to its website, a grand opening is scheduled for spring 2023, but Cannes officials are hoping that day won’t come to pass. Earlier this week, the city council voted unanimously against the project.  

In an official communiqué, the city council acknowledged the “potential interest” for certain municipalities that will find themselves in full view of Canua Island. For example, Mandelieu and its mayor Sébastien Leroy are all for the concept. But Cannes’ city councillors have unanimously voted against the idea and are now seeking support for their concerns from higher places. 

A letter sent to French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne by Cannes Mayor David Lisnard on Monday 20th March asks the senior official to intervene in a way that her predecessor, Édouard Philippe, failed to do when called upon back in 2018.  

The letter repeats the reservations held by the council, pointing to a desire to protect the local environment from the water, noise, air and visual pollution Canua Island could create as well as shared fears for the safety issues Canua Island might pose to the busy sea lanes of the area. 

No regulations exist for a concept like Canua Island

The main sticking point, however, is that no regulation exists for this type of development. Currently, Cannes’ many private beaches, restaurants and clubs have to pay a fee to the state in order to operate as well as abide by strict laws. Canua Island is unique in that nothing of this kind has ever been built in France before and hence there are no statutes governing its regulation.  

Additionally, local police forces are only able to legally exercise control over the first 300 metres from the coastline. Beyond that, and where Canua Island would drop anchor in the Golfe de La Napoule, the sea is under the supervision of the state. As Lisnard’s letter states, only the state can now intervene if the project is to be stopped or, at least, come under some form of regulation.   

Canua Island is being marketed as a multi-purpose events space as well as a “beach club” that could accommodate up to 400 people. Guests and staff would be ferried to their destination by private tender. The platform could be moved to different locations thanks to onboard motors. 

 

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Photo source: Canua Island

Basketball: Roca Team winning run continues

by: Luke Entwistle
22/03/2023

AS Monaco Basketball are on a nine-game winning run and are yet to be beaten in March. Le Portel were their latest victim (99-78) as the Roca Team continue to impress on all fronts. 

As well as the suspended Mike James, Monaco were also without Jordan Loyd on Tuesday. However, their absences were barely susceptible as the Roca Team dominated from start to finish.

Joan Makoundou takes his chance

It’s been a hectic few days for the Principality side. Their Euroleague victory over Virtus Bologna on Thursday was followed by two games over the weekend, which ensured qualification to the Coupe de France final in April.

Monaco returned to domestic action against Le Portel with first place in the Betclic Elite standings already well and truly consolidated. Their closest challenger is Boulogne-Levallois, who are currently three points behind.

However, there were no signs of complacency. Monaco had joy within the key early on, despite Le Portel’s stiff resistance, which weakened as the quarter progressed.

Joan Makoundou by AS Monaco Basket

The game was put to bed early by the Roca Team with an imperious second-quarter display. Yakouba Ouattara (21 points) scored early to give Les Monégasques a 10-point advantage, whilst Matthew Strazel (seven points, eight assists) was the creative heartbeat of the team.

Yoan Makoundou (11 points, five rebounds) was decisive in both sides of the court and, as he often does on the domestic scene, put his minutes to good use.

A decisive Friday

The result sealed, Monaco took their foot off the gas in the second half, but still almost reached the 100-point mark, and beat their opponents by a comfortable 21 points (99-78).

It was almost an exhibition for Monaco, a warm-up to Friday’s clash at the Salle Gaston Médecin against Valencia.

“I liked the mindset of the players, who did the work so that we didn’t have to worry,” began Sasa Obradovic.

“We made life easy. I managed to rest Loyd, whilst Makoundou made the most of his minutes. A more difficult match awaits us on Friday. This could be the match that qualifies us for the playoffs,” continued the Serbian coach post-match.

 

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Photo by AS Monaco Basket

Premier League Highlights: Arsenal’s lead extended, Tottenham in turmoil

by: Luke Entwistle
22/03/2023

The final gameweek before the international break was disrupted by FA Cup action, which allowed Arsenal to increase their lead at the top.

Games between Liverpool and Fulham, Manchester City and West Ham United, and Brighton and Manchester United were all postponed due to their FA Cup fulfilment. However, in the final round of fixtures in March, there was plenty of excitement in the matches that did go ahead.

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Newcastle United – Alexander Isak got both goals for Newcastle, including a crucial injury-time penalty as the Magpies closed the gap to Tottenham in fourth. Eddie Howe’s men are just two points off the Champions League places with two games in hand.

Brentford 1-1 Leicester City – Harvey Barnes cancelled out Mathias Jensen’s opener, although Brendand Rodgers’ Foxes remain engulfed in a fascinating relegation battle involving nine sides.

Southampton 3-3 Tottenham Hotspur – Ivan Perisic’s strike in the 74th minute gave Tottenham a two-goal lead, which looked conclusive. However, Theo Walcott grabbed one back before a James Ward-Prowse injury-time penalty rescued a point for the Saints.

Cue a post-match implosion from Antonio Conte, who criticised everyone apart from himself in an explosive post-match press conference. His job in North London is hanging by a thread.

Aston Villa 3-0 Bournemouth – The Villains made light work of their task on Saturday afternoon, easing past the Cherries. Their safety is all but secured, and they can now look up the table. The European places aren’t completely out of reach.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-4 Leeds United – Leeds secured a vital win in a thrilling game at Molineux that included six goals and two red cards. Leeds raced into a three-goal lead before two goals in quick succession for Wolves brought them back into the game. Rodrigo’s late goal sealed the points in injury time with Wolves finishing the game with nine men.

Chelsea 2-2 Everton – Chelsea looked to have turned a corner, but in a gameweek of late goals, Graham Potter’s side were pegged back at the Bridge. Chelsea squandered their advantage twice with Ellis Simms rescuing a vital point for the Toffees.

Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace – Bukayo Saka once again starred for Arsenal as they made light work of Crystal Palace, who sacked manager Patrick Vieira after the result. The former OGC Nice player had been on a barren run in 2023, and former manager Roy Hodgson has returned to take charge of his former club.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are now eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City, although the latter do have a game in hand.

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