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France on Red Alert Ahead of D-Day Ceremonies

France went on red alert on Tuesday, stepping up security nationwide for the visit of a host of world leaders at the weekend for the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings of World War II.

Measures taken by the French authorities included imposing a no-fly zone over the Normandy beaches in northern France where some 132,500 Allied troops stormed ashore on June 6, 1944 to drive German forces out of France.

Four thousand troops and an extra 1,000 police have been mobilized under the Vigipirate security plan, which will be raised to the maximum level — scarlet — from June 4, ahead of the arrival of dignitaries, thousands of war veterans and media.

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Euro finals will mark end of French golden generation

LA GRANDE MOTTE, France, May 31 (Reuters) – Whatever the outcome of Euro 2004 for defending champions France, the tournament will mark the end of the generation brought to life by coach Aime Jacquet.

In the space of 10 years, the team, arguably the best France has ever produced, wrote the brightest and the darkest pages of French soccer’s story under Jacquet and his successor Roger Lemerre.

They became the first side to clinch the World Cup and the European Cup in succession before they experienced one of the biggest failures in World Cup history.

The generation emerged when Jacquet was named to replace the sacked Gerard Houllier after France were eliminated by Bulgaria in their last qualifying match for the 1994 World Cup finals.

French honoring WWII vets

He is a successful business man, proud father of two and a highly decorated World War II veteran, but Charles Uranga will soon be adding something new to his list of accomplishments.

Uranga and 99 other former U.S. soldiers will soon receive the most prestigious award the French government can bestow.

The veterans are being decorated in France on the 60th Anniversary of the Normandy landing for their part in the liberation of France during World War II.

The French Government has chosen these soldiers to be named Knight of the Legion of Honor.

The former soldiers are also receiving an all expense paid trip to Paris so they can accept this award in person.

Serena wins over French

Serena Williams won her fourth-round match and the hearts of fans at the French Open yesterday, while Daniel Nestor of Toronto and partner Mark Knowles of the Bahamas are through to the quarter-finals. Williams, jeered earlier in the tournament, drew only cheers after beating Shinobu Asagoe of Japan, 6-3, 6-1.

It was the sort of dominating performance so typical of the Williams sisters. Second-seeded Serena smacked 24 winners to three for Asagoe.

Williams, the 2002 champion, closed out the victory when she put away a swinging volley from the baseline — a shot most players wouldn’t even attempt. She curtsied and smiled as the centre court crowd applauded.