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Nice, France: got Christmas Present, the new Tram line underground to Airport

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By Wally Sarkeesian

Nice is my favorite city in France however, traveling from Airport to downtown especially in night the taxis are extremely expensive, some time more expensive than some short flight, But now they have really done it with this new Tram transportation Congratulations vive la Nice.

After commissioning the first stretch between Cadam and Magnan on June 30, Line 2 arrives at the airport

This is one of the major dates of this long-term project: the tramway serves the two terminals of the airport. This section of line 2 was inaugurated this Friday by Christian Estrosi.
The rest of the line? It will be put into service in two stages. We take stock of the calendar.
Until the port in September 2019.

In September 2019, the delivery of the line will be final with the opening of the section Jean-Médecin / Port.

It will take 26 minutes to cross Nice from west to east, from the airport tarmac to the port docks.
And soon line 3 …

At the same time, work on Line 3, in the plain of Var, is progressing well. The delivery of this section, which will serve Saint-Isidore (and therefore the stadium Allianz Riviera and Ikea) is scheduled for late 2019.

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France: The Armenian Church is dedicating a Mass and prayers in Nice in memory of the victims of July 14

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Armenian niceMembers of the Armenian community came in large numbers Sunday, July 17 at 10:30 am at St Philippe Nice where the Primate of the Armenian Church of France and of Europe, Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan celebrated Holy Mass and the Office for the Dead in memory of victims of the bombing in Nice. He was accompanied by Father Krikor Khachatryan the parish priest and the deacons and cantors. Interrupting his stay in London, Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan wanted to go to the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church Nice to bring their compassion. The bishop said his great sorrow for the bereaved families and sent his sympathy and prayers to the injured.

At this Mass also attended the Church of Saint Mesrop priest Father Chnork Bagdassarian London and the great Chancellor and delegate of the Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem Philippe Piccapietra, came specially from Zurich, to share the pain of Nice and of Nice. Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan was very excited to chair this poignant ceremony, by the presence of an altar boy of 10 who had escaped this tragedy and who was there to serve Mass.

The faithful then went on the Promenade des Anglais to gather here and pray. “We came to honor the victims and show our solidarity, our compassion and share the pain of Nice and Nice. To pray is an act of faith but also of resistance, because it must have hope in life, “said the bishop.

Krikor Amirzayan

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The City Of Nice: A Seaside Idyll And A Jihadist Hotbed

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The attack in Nice has killed over 80 people.

The attack in Nice has killed over 80 people.

By Claire Bigg

July 15, 2016

Nice is best known for its beaches, sun-drenched café terraces, and glamorous lifestyle.

But the French Riviera city, where an attacker plowed a truck through a crowd on Bastille Day and killed more than 80 people in what President Francois Hollande called a monstrous terrorist act, is also a longtime hotbed of Islamic militancy.

According to French government figures, Nice has the second highest number of radical Muslims after the volatile Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis. If one takes into account its relatively small population, Nice, with barely more than 343,000 inhabitants, is proportionally the most radicalized area in France.

The Paris prosecutor said on July 15 that while no one has claimed responsibility, the attack on a Nice promenade “bears the hallmark of terrorist organization.” Authorities identified the dead attacker as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a 31-year-old Frenchman of Tunisian descent, and media reports said he was from Nice.

Patrick Amoyel, a professor of psychology and a Nice-based expert on Islamic extremism, says the city has a long history of jihadist radicalization.

“It goes back to the implantation of armed Islamic groups and networks, of the Islamic Salvation Front, which arrived massively on the French Riviera after 1995-97,” he says. “So there has long been a strong presence of Islamic forces that are purportedly moderate but constitute a breeding ground.”

Nice has seen a string of arrests of suspected Islamic militants in recent years.

After authorities said a family of 11 people, including several children and an infant, left their home in Nice to join extremists fighting in Syria in the autumn of 2014, Mayor Christian Estrosi announced the launch of a 24-hour hotline to help families and individuals confronted with Islamist radicalization.

Combating Radicalization

Several other government-backed initiatives have also been put in place over the past few years to combat radicalization in France.

Experts says radical Islam is on the rise nationwide and specifically in the Nice region, with recruiters operating in mosques, sports facilities, outside schools, and on social networking websites.

Amoyel heads Entr’Autres, a local association that seeks to combat the radicalization of young men and women in Nice.

He said recruiters tap in the mounting sense of exclusion felt by many French youths of Maghreb descent.

“Based on their belief that they are victims, that there are conspiracies, on their anti-Semitic views, these people enter a system of revenge against the West, against modernity,” he said.

One of France’s most prominent jihadist recruiters, Omar Diaby, hails from Nice. A former petty criminal of Senegalese descent, Diaby — who is in his early 40s — left for Syria two years ago.

He first recruited fighters for the Al-Nusra Front, a group based in Syria and affiliated with al-Qaeda. He has since created his own extremist group and is believed to have brought dozens of boys and men from his French hometown over to Syria.

“He had a snack bar to which he invited young people, he gave them video games for free,” says Amoyel. “He also ran a football club. The young men he recruited were usually between 16 and 25 years old.”

Entr’Autres works with psychologists, social workers, parents, and imams in an effort to reach out to radicalized youths.

Amoyel says the group has faced an uphill battle to help re-insert these youths into society.

“We are able to reverse the course for about half of those who are in the process of being radicalized,” he says. “Concerning those who are already deeply radicalized, we are happy if we are even able to reduce their terrorist temptations.”

His predictions are just as glum.

According to him, the radicalization of Muslim youths in France will “accelerate over the next 10 years.”

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Nice terror attack: Truck driver who killed 84 named as ‘loner’ French-Tunisian criminal

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Nice update

‘Loner’ Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel was killed by police after unleashing carnage on the 30,000-strong crowd in Nice Credit: Matrix

A terrorist who used a hired lorry to kill at least 84 people in a rampage during Bastille Day celebrations in Nice has been named as a convicted criminal well known to the police for armed attacks.

Tunisian-born Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel – described as a “weird loner” who “became depressed” when his wife left him – was a French passport holder who lived in the Riviera city and was regularly in trouble with the law.

The 31-year-old delivery driver’s wife is this afternoon in police custody as officers question her about his alleged Islamist links. Bouhlel was reportedly not on a terrorist watch list or suspected of being security threat.

At least 10 children are among the dead following the “cowardly and barbaric” atrocity that left several British national among the many injured.

Officials feared the death toll will rise, as dramatic footage emerged of the mass killer being shot dead by police in the cab of his truck after unleashing carnage on the 30,000-strong crowd.

As hundreds remained in hospital – including 50 fighting for their lives in intensive care – investigators have been searching the home of Bouhlel in the Abattoirs area of Nice and carried out a controlled explosion on a white box van nearby.

Investigating sources said Bouhlel’s last appearance in a criminal court was as recently as March, when he was found guilty of violent contact. Despite this, he had no known links with terrorism and was not under surveillance.

An investigating source said: “An operation is currently underway at the dead suspect’s home in Nice. It is being raided by officers.”

Neighbours described him as a “very weird loner” and father of three who had recently become estranged from his wife and had become depressed following the breakdown of his marriage.

A woman living in the same shabby apartment block as Bouhel today told how he “seemed very weird”. She told The Telegraph: “He lived alone. He said very little to anyone and wasn’t very polite. He wouldn’t hold the door open for you.”

Bouhel left his French identity card in the hired 19-tonne lorry used to murder dozens of people on Thursday night.

His truck had zigzagged through crowds massing on the Promenade des Anglais, killing anyone he could.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/15/nice-terror-attack-driver-who-killed-84-on-french-riviera-was-cr/

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Armenian Foreign Ministry reports on death of second Armenian citizen in Nice

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nice attackForeign Ministry on Friday, July 15 reported on the death of a second Armenian citizen in the French city of Nice after an armed man drove a truck through a crowd who had gathered to celebrate the Bastille Day.

Another Armenian woman was reported dead earlier, while several others were injured.

According to Nice pastor father Grigor Khachatryan, the woman resided in the city. She was on the scene of the attack with family members, no information is currently available about them.

A terrorist gunman killed over 80 people and wounded scores when he drove a heavy truck at high speed into a crowd that had watched Bastille Day fireworks in the French Riviera city of Nice late on Thursday, officials said.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said 18 were in a critical condition. Many more were also wounded in the attack along the famed seafront Promenade des Anglais as the fireworks ended just after 10:30 p.m. (2030 GMT).

The driver also opened fire before police shot him dead.

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Nice Update: At Least 75 Dead as Truck Plows Into Crowd in Southern France, Driver Killed

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nice terrorby Phil Helsel, Becky Bratu and Emmanuelle Saliba,

A truck plowed into pedestrians during Bastille Day celebrations in the popular French seaside city of Nice Thursday, leaving at least 75 people dead, officials said.

The deputy of the Alpes-Maritimes department where Nice is located, Eric Ciotti, told French broadcaster BFM-TV early Friday that 75 people were confirmed dead. Former Nice mayor Christian Estrosi said 77 were dead.

A spokesperson for France’s Interior Ministry said on Twitter: “The individual who was driving the truck was neutralized. Investigation will determine if he was acting alone.” Police urged residents to stay in their homes.

The truck struck the crowd at around 10:40 p.m. local time (4:40 p.m. ET) shortly after a fireworks display, officials and witnesses said.

Estrosi, president of the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur region that includes Nice, told French media that the driver also shot at people and was fatally shot by police. A senior U.S. military official told NBC News that guns and explosives were found in the truck.

“White truck literally racing through crowds of all ages. People either caught in path or forced to jump onto rocks over beach barrier,” witness Andrew Botros, an Edinburgh man who owns a holiday apartment in Nice, told NBC News in a Twitter message. “Some dead. Horrific,” Botros said.

A senior U.S. military source told NBC News that French authorities are reporting that the truck “purposefully” and “maliciously” struck the crowd.

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France: Dozens reported dead as truck plows into crowd in Nice, France (GRAPHIC IMAGES)

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truck bomb niceDozens of people have been killed and many more were injured after a truck plowed into a crowd in Nice, France during Bastille Day celebrations.

The local police prefect has confirmed that least 30 people were dead and over 100 were injured in the crash, Reuters reported, citing BFM TV.

Sebastien Humbert, the perfect for the Alpes-Maritime area, detailed the circumstances of the crash, explaining the high number of casualties to BFM.

“A truck rammed into the crowd over a long distance, which explains this extremely heavy toll,” he said.

BFM also said that authorities have classified the the incident as an “attack.”

“There are people in blood, probably full of wounded,” a reporter for the Nice Matin newspaper said.

According to an eyewitness report cited by BFM, the driver of the truck shouted, “Allahu Akbar!” before the attack.

President of the Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur region Christian Estrosi said on Twitter that “dozens” of people were been killed in the incident.

Local media has dubbed the incident an act of terror, reporting at least 50 fatalities. No official confirmation has been released so far.

Police have cordoned off Promenade des Anglais completely following the attack. Nobody is able to leave the area at the moment, Alain Marchall, the BFM correspondent at the site, reported.

“The promenade is closed, locked, as I am speaking. It is impossible to [gain] access. The police and private security have cordoned it off. We cannot move forward or go along Promenade des Anglais,” he said.

“I see residents who wonder how they can access their apartments, which is impossible at the moment.”

France`s president, Francois Holland, is convening an emergency meeting at an Interior Ministry crisis center, Reuters reported.

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Most bizarre seen in NICE, France, Chinese billionaire takes 6,400 staff on holiday to Paris and Cote d’Azur

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By Wally Sarkeesian

Chian-in-NiceLi Jinyuan took more than half of 12,000 employees on the trip to France

He booked up 140 hotels in Paris and 4,760 rooms in Cannes and Monaco

Trip was in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Tiens Group Company 

Staff formed the largest ever human chain saying ‘Tiens’ dream is Nice’

A Chinese billionaire has taken 6,400 of his staff on a four day holiday to France which finished with a world-record breaking human chain in the Cote D’Azur. 

Tiens Group Company Chairman Li Jinyuan booked up 140 hotels in Paris where the group visited the Louvre and various cultural sites in one of the world’s most famous and revered cities.

The huge group of tourists then made their way to the glamorous Cote D’Azur, where Li Jinyuan booked 4,760 rooms in 79 four-and five-star hotels in Cannes and Monaco.

Li Jinyuan, 57, is listed as a billionaire on the Forbes rich list and took more than half of his staff to the region to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the founding of the company

It took 147 buses to take the tourists from their hotels to the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, where Guinness World Record officials where on hand to validate the world’s biggest ever human chain

It took 147 buses to take the tourists from their hotels to the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, where Guinness World Record officials where on hand to validate the world’s biggest ever human chain.

The 6,400 employees arranged themselves to spell out the phrase ‘Tiens’ dream is Nice in the Cote d’Azur’, to celebrate 20 years of partnership between the Chinese company and the French region.

France is expected to be 33million Euros better off thanks to the all-expenses-paid staff trip.

The group were expected to spend 13million in Paris, home of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc De Triomph and The Louvre.

Nice was expected to be 20million better off thanks to the visit – and many of the guests stayed in hotels Cannes, where the famous film festival is to be held next week, and Monaco, long known for being a playground of the rich and famous.

Li Jinyuan, 57, is listed as a billionaire on the Forbes rich list and took more than half of his staff to the region to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the founding of the company.

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“Armenia businesses” to the Nice International Fair

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ESTROSI_LALAYAN_MAZMANIAN-480x375-480x375International Fair of Nice has officially opened Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 10:30 am with the opening of the Pavillon d’honneur “Armenia businesses” by Christian Estrosi deputy mayor of Nice accompanied by various personalities, including Mr. Bernard Kleynohf President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Nice Côte d’Azur.

In this centenary year of the Armenian Genocide that dictates every Armenian Association to be mobilized, creative and dynamic, we must salute the exemplary work done by the CEFA (Room Budget Armenian Franco) who was able to imagine this project and introduce and educate NICEXPO organizer of the Fair, as well as get the support of the Town Hall of Nice.

To achieve this result, the CEFA also received active operational support of Armenian Associations of Côte d’Azur will take turns to host the stand until Sunday, March 15 closing day of the Fair.

Besides support of the French Riviera associations, the CEFA could not build the project without the synergy implemented in Armenia through the ITAPs Company (Project Management & Capital Investment) founded by a young entrepreneur Armenian Narek Arakelyan graduated from HEC Paris.

Also of note during the inauguration attendance at the booth of Mr. Samvel Lalayan Vice-Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Marseille, as well as Bernard Hatemian President CCIFA (Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Armenian) Marseille which has shared the CEFA his experience in organizing such events.

Another added bonus for the presence of “Armenia businesses” to the Nice International Fair, the timing coincidence with the traditional Nice living trainees UFAR (French University in Armenia) organized by SOS Armenia Coast Association -d’Azur since 1995. Thus, at number four this year and excited to participate in such an event that allows them to meet every day a curious French public to learn more about Armenia, trainees the UFAR will be present every day on the stand to inform visitors in a hostess role for three students Anita Khachatryan, Ani Hovhannisyan Venera Danielian and helped in their task by their classmate Artur Vardanian.

Note also the very active participation of the Union of Armenian Women of Nice and the French Riviera present every day on the stand, particularly for fuel daily Armenian delicious pastries made by them that win success crazy with the public.

On the program stand animations include in particular the sale of gourmet specialties and Armenian wine, the history of USA (Armenian Union Sportive de Nice) oldest sports associations Nice after OGCN, selling books, sketches of children of the school Barsamian, Armenian songs by the choir of Barsamian school ARMTAB presentation of products (computer Tablets) sale of Armenian objects, taste for young and old alike, CEFA conference “The climate of investments in Armenia “presentation Armenian recipes, Armenian coffee stand and pastries, to promote tourism in Armenia, presenting the UFAR presence MM. Jean-Jacques Montois and Arayik Navoyan respectively Rector and University Vice-Rector, presentation of a film about the bread “Lavash” intangible heritage inscribed in UNESCO, etc.

Among the objectives of the CAFS is the promotion of Armenian products and services with particular trade between Armenia and France, especially the PACA region to strengthen economic relations between the two countries through the development of Armenian producers promoting the export to France but throughout Europe.

For this, the CEFA has secured the partnership of the following Armenian companies:

• The Internet portal CometoArmenia.am administered by the Armenian tourism agency TOUR DELICE

• SABERATOURS

• The company “Van Ardi” producer of genuine Armenian wine based in the former wine region of Ashtarak

• Fruits “Ararat” juice

• The company “ArmTab Technologies” and its ultra competitive tablet computers

• The company “ApagaTechnologies” offering a wide range of consulting and engineering information technology sector

• The company “Sarkis Sahakyan,” named after its founder, master jeweler recognized in Armenia and abroad

• The creator of art Anna Avakian

• The Luys company developing the concept of “Living Jewelry”

• The company “Asha and hobby Year” which manufactures original bags and accessories for women

Founded in April 2014, so there was less than a year, the CEFA has demonstrated its full capacity to fulfill the mission it has set.

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