AS Monaco secured a hard-fought draw against Paris Saint-Germain (0-0) in a match dominated by the controversial return of prodigal son Kylian Mbappé.
With a departure from PSG pending, it was perhaps Mbappé’s last professional match at the Stade Louis II. The France captain, who joined Les Parisiens for €180m back in 2017, is expected to join Real Madrid at the end of the season, but prior to that, he was tasked with captaining his side to victory on Friday night.
Whilst Monaco have struggled for form at home in recent months, earning just one point from their last four games at the iconic Stade Louis II, Adi Hütter’s side were at the races against the league leaders.
“We have to get used to playing without Kylian Mbappé” – Luis Enrique
Mbappé was kept quiet by the consistently impressive Wilfried Singo and at the other end, Monaco created chances, almost at will. Folarin Balogun drew an early save from Gianluigi Donnarumma and it was a sign of things to come with the Italian goalkeeper going on to have a decisive performance.
He then tipped over from a curled Takumi Minamino effort before Maghnes Akliocuhe forced Donnarumma into two important interventions before the break.
As the teams emerged for the second half, there was one notable absentee – Mbappé. The Frenchman had suffered a knock during a collision with Guillermo Maripán midway through the first half, but post-match, PSG manager Luis Enrique revealed that his choice to take off his talisman was tactical.
“It was 100% the coach’s decision. Sooner or later we will have to get used to playing without Kylian Mbappe. It is my decision and one that I take with the objective of doing the best for the team,” reacted the Spanish manager, who became increasingly irate with journalists’ line of questioning.
Goalkeepers reign in the Principality
With Mbappé sat up in the stands alongside his mother, Fayza Lamari, PSG grew into the game, but not before Wissam Ben Yedder rattled the bar with a thunderous volley.
Bradley Barcola, the heir apparent to Mbappé’s throne, was particularly influential off the bench, testing Radoslaw Majecki on two occasions. Vitinha also stung the palms of the Polish goalkeeper, who has validated Hütter’s choice to replace Philipp Köhn between the sticks.
Majecki, who in the words of Hütter had a “fantastic game”, had a decisive impact on the game, just like his opposite number, Donnarumma. With goalkeepers proving pivotal, both sides were forced to settle for a draw, which consolidates PSG’s position as league leaders, and keeps Monaco in third… for now.
A point and the performance to match
“It is a good point for PSG as well,” reacted Hütter, who was full of praise for his side, both on a collective and individual level. “It was a good response after the last four home games. Those performances weren’t acceptable with four games and just one point. This point against PSG is different because the performance was really good,” added the Austrian manager.
After a string of poor performances, Monaco now have four points in their last two games, which has reasserted their Champions League credentials. With three consecutive games against relegation candidates in Strasbourg, Lorient and Metz, Les Monégasques must be wary not to undo their hard work against ‘inferior’ opposition.
Explore the world of art, scenography and opportunity at the Pavillon Bosio’s annual Open Day this March.
Located on the Rock of Monaco and also known as the École Supérieure d’Arts Plastiques de la Ville de Monaco (ESAP), Pavillon Bosio is a higher education establishment for art and scenography.
The school awards the National Diploma in Plastic Arts (Bac +3) and the National Higher Diploma in Plastic Expression equivalent to the grade of Master (Bac +5).
On 16th March, it will host its annual Open Day for prospective students, art enthusiasts, and the general public to explore the institution’s facilities and programs.
This year, the Open Day will be conducted in both virtual and in-person formats. People will have the chance to meet with current students and faculty members, gain insights into the academic environment, and tour the various studios and workspaces that define the school’s creative atmosphere.
The virtual program includes a presentation about the school and its curriculum, led by the director of studies alongside teachers and students. This session is planned for 11am and will be accessible through the Pavillon Bosio’s official YouTube channel, providing an overview of the school’s approach to art and scenography education. The link to the Youtube channel can be found here.
The school has also announced that application forms for the entrance exam, as well as for the admission and equivalence commissions, are now available on its website here.
On 23rd March, the great and the good of Monegasque society, including members of the Grimaldi family, will be donning their finest disco attire and heading to the Salle des Étoiles of the Sporting Monte-Carlo for one of the Principality’s biggest parties of the year: the Bal de la Rose.
Created by Princess Grace back in 1954, the Rose Ball has become a major date in the social calendar of Monaco and is an occasion that has, over the years, come to represent the glamourous heritage of the Principality.
Since the passing of Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld, who served as the gala’s artistic director for many years, Christian Louboutin has stepped into the role to decide the theme and aesthetics of this fabulous event.
After a vibrant Bollywood theme in 2023 and a 1920s spectacle in 2022, both concepts chosen by Louboutin, this year will celebrate all things disco and Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, which organises the party, has secured the perfect headline act.
Gloria Gaynor, known for title hits such as ‘I Will Survive’, ‘Let Me Know’ and ‘I Am What I Am’, will be taking to the prestigious stage to entertain a full house of VIP guests – tickets to the event have already completely sold out.
But music is just one element of the Bal de la Rose.
For decades now, the event has helped raise important funds for the Princess Grace Foundation, a charity founded in 1964 by the late Princess that is dedicated to developing humanitarian, philanthropic and cultural projects to improve the lives of children around the world.
As such, an auction featuring an exceptional array of prizes and lots is held each year during the Rose Ball.
Ahead of the main event, the director of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Cecilia Bartoli, will be performing a very special show alongside the internationally acclaimed piano virtuoso Lang Lang at the Opéra Garnier. More information about this part of the celebrations can be found here.
Whether you’re a prospective buyer, a seasoned investor, or simply leasing property in Monaco, understanding the complexities of one of the world’s most exclusive real estate markets is paramount. We speak to real estate lawyer Sophie Marquet to unravel the layers of challenges inherent in the pursuit of property transactions in the Principality.
Sophie Marquet is head of the Real Estate and Construction team at CMS Monaco. She is also one of the founding partners, an Avocat Défenseur at the Monaco Bar, and she has spent close to 20 years practising in the Monaco real estate market, both in litigation and counselling.
As Sophie Marquet explains, the Monaco property market is unlike anywhere else in the world, and given the sheer amount of money involved in any property transaction here, it makes sense to take certain steps and precautions.
Monaco Life: How does the Monaco real estate market differ from that in neighbouring France and other cities in the world?
Sophie Marquet: The size of the territory of Monaco makes the value of property extremely high here, and just Monaco itself – the environment, the safety of the Principality – makes it so special that it significantly increases prices. Combined, this makes it a very unique market in terms of value.
With this value comes many consequences, because owning real estate in Monaco is an investment, and people want to protect that investment. Not getting authorisation to undertake building works, for example, can have significant impact on your investment.
What is the difference between a real estate lawyer and a notary, which is mandatory for all property sales in the Principality?
There is a difference in the mission of a notary and a lawyer. Notaries guarantee the legality of a deed, and the fact that ownership of a property cannot be challenged by third parties. Most of the time, the notary is acting for both parties.
Our mission, as lawyers, is to make sure the transaction protects your best interests, either as a vendor or buyer, in view of your specific objectives, which requires independent and tailored advice.
As early as possible, because anything that is signed may be legally binding, and at that point you may be committed and engaged in liability or risk forfeiting a deposit as a purchaser.
Meanwhile, the costs of getting out of a binding contract – if at all possible – or the costs of litigation and legal advice later on in the process may be a lot higher than getting advice upfront.
People tend to see lawyers as litigators only, necessary for when there is a battle or problem to resolve, which is of course important. But lawyers are also here to provide advice upfront so you have a clear path, especially considering the value of real estate in Monaco.
In the early stages, people are generally only assisted by real estate professionals, who are very skilled at providing professional advice on aspects like the quality and value of the property, but not necessarily in legal aspects, and most importantly not on the pitfalls of acquisitions.
Often, the issues that we see relate to those preliminary documents, or later on when plans to do building works in the property are not given appropriate authorisations. These are the kinds of issues that could have been anticipated at the purchase phase. So, as soon as the project comes into your mind, I think you should seek advice.
What should buyers pay attention to in Monaco?
Buyers need to pay attention not only to the property itself, but also to the building, because most of the works being done need governmental and co-ownership authorisations.
It is very important that you know the rules of co-ownership in advance, and have information on the co-ownership of the building you are purchasing in, if doing works is important to you.
Seeking advice before buying or renting in Monaco can be less costly in the long run. Photo by Monaco Life
Are regulations more strict in Monaco?
I wouldn’t say they are more strict; I think they are carefully adapted to the specifics of the Principality and the market, but I can say that there are more instances where a permit for works is required, as opposed to France, for example.
What advice do you give people who are renting a property in Monaco?
Firstly, if something is of particular importance to a tenant, they should read the lease carefully before signing, because a lease is a contract, and once a contract is signed, they have to comply with it. For example, check simple things, like if animals are allowed in the apartment if you have a pet.
Secondly, I would encourage seeking legal advice as early as possible when you feel that there may be an issue with your rental relationship. Open and honest discussion with the landlord is always useful, but just don’t wait too long before you get legal advice. I hear a lot of misconceptions on tenants’ rights and duties in Monaco.
Landlords should also carefully draft their lease agreements, and assess the quality of the tenants prior signing, for predictability reasons.
Most importantly, landlords should carefully follow any defaults on the rental payment, as to avoid accumulating large debts. They are legitimate in requesting from the agencies to whom they confide the management of the property, that they reserve their rights and / or take legal action sooner rather than later, being conscious of any sign that a tenant may not be able to pay the rent any longer, or may even leave the Principality.
Because once they leave Monaco to enter another jurisdiction – even France – it makes the process of recovering the money more complicated. I see a lot of benefit to the landlords who take provisional measures upfront.
Airbnb rental is an issue that is being heavily debated in France and throughout Europe. How can owners prevent their property being used for financial gain, particularly during events such as the Monaco Grand Prix?
Landlords who do not want to allow sub-letting should make sure they carefully draft this into their lease agreements, and they should take immediate action in court to prevent/stop the practice if they find that there has been a breach of the contract.
My advice for the tenant is to very carefully read the lease agreement because there may be a risk of the lease being terminated for that reason alone.
And it is important to remember that Airbnb is a public platform, so it is very easy for someone to prove that their apartment was placed on Airbnb.
Building work is an essential part of property rights, but it can also be a real nuisance for neighbours. What advice would you give owners to preserve the value of their property?
There are rules within co-ownership, set by the règlement de copropriété, that the buyer is subject to. When you want authorisation for certain works, there are different types of votes, from the lenient to the strictest. Often, it may end up in a discussion/negotiation to compensate for the potential nuisances anticipated as a consequence of the projected works, regardless of whether the building rules – as complied with by the architect – have been thoroughly checked.
What we often see is that when someone wants to do works that will have an impact on the co-ownership because of noise or disturbance, the person can offer the co-ownership advance compensation – financial, repairing damage, or repainting regardless of damage, for example. This may facilitate obtaining a vote if the co-owners fear future nuisance. Old buildings are obviously more fragile, so the co-ownership is very legitimate in being concerned that the works could compromise the building.
In short, owners who would like to do building work in their property should seek legal advice early in the process beyond the assistance of their architect.
New construction sites are a common occurrence in Monaco. Photo by Monaco Life
Construction works and the development of new high rise buildings are a constant in Monaco. What are peoples’ rights in this regard?
If you want to have more information about potential building projects near a property you plan to buy or rent, take advice from a lawyer. We are able to determine the governmental authorisations in the area, and analyse whether it is subject to public/private easements. This will show if any properties have a restriction on being built any higher. A lot of people don’t actually do these checks, but it can be very useful, especially in a place like Monaco.
What about loss of sunlight and/or view by new building projects?
Some people think they have a right to sunlight and a view, per se, but that is not necessarily the case. Because Monaco is a small area, you cannot assume that there will never be a major project next to yours.
Firstly, we would make an analysis to assess building regulations and to determine if there is a private easement, as I mentioned earlier, that prohibits such a type of construction.
If you know that there will be a major project next to your home, seek legal advice. Beyond the legal analysis of any existing easements, we also work with experts, who can, for example, calculate how the light enters the apartment and from which angle, and how a new building may impact that light. The more proof you have, the better case you have in court to prove that you have a real prejudice.
It is possible to ask the jurisdiction to appoint an expert to analyse the impact before and, maybe in some extreme cases, stop the project completely pending further investigation.
If a tenant is renting a more luxurious property in Monaco but does not get the services promised and expected in the deal, what should they do?
Renting an exceptional property generally comes with exceptional services and materials, etc. So while the tenant is due to the pay the rent and comply with all the rules, the landlord also has a duty to provide the services contracted so that the tenant has jouissance paisible (peaceful enjoyment) of the property.
We have seen with case law that jurisdictions tend to recognise the prejudice caused by the landlord to the tenant for not providing the standards expected from renting such property, and to award damages. Such damages may compensate with the rents due where the tenant has defaulted in rental payment.
But it is important to note that a tenant is not entitled to default on rental payments first, just because there is a loss of service; they are risking termination of the lease. This is a typical case of seeking advice.
Against the backdrop of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March, Monaco’s government has launched a campaign to encourage insured residents aged 50 to 80 to take full advantage of the Principality’s free screening programme.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of the disease worldwide. Almost 50,000 new cases are reported in France each year and colon cancer causes the second highest number of cancer-related deaths in men and the third highest in women on an annual basis in Monaco’s closest neighbour. The average age of sufferers is 71 for men and 72 for women.
With these statistics no doubt in mind, the Monaco Government has launched a fresh campaign to encourage all residents of the Principality who are aged 50 to 80 and who are insured by its healthcare service to make use of the free screening services on offer here.
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There are many reasons why people put off getting checked. For some, it is embarrassment, others simply don’t think that they are at risk, while more still fear that screening will be painful at worst and uncomfortable at best.
To put these concerns to bed, the government has teamed up with the Department of Social Affairs and Health and the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace’s (CHPG) Screening Centre to send out an invitation to pick up an at-home testing kit to the Principality’s most at risk residents.
EASY TO USE
The kits allow a person to produce a sample in their own time. The sample is then placed in a pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope to be posted to the CHPG labs, where it is checked for cancerous lesions free of charge.
Results get sent to the patient, as well as to their personal doctor, within the following week. If the test is negative, there is no need to do anything for two more years. If it is positive, the person’s physician will be directly informed by the Screening Centre and further tests will be arranged on behalf of the patient.
To show solidarity for the cause and for those suffering with or touched by the disease, the Prince’s Palace will be lit up in blue on 1st March.
For more information, contact the Screening Centre on +377 97 98 83 02.
It is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and given that this form of cancer is the third most common worldwide, Monaco is using ‘Blue March’ to encourage residents aged over 50 to take full advantage of its easy-to-use free screening programme.
There are many reasons why people put off getting checked. For some, it is embarrassment, others simply don’t think that they are at risk, while more still fear that screening will be painful at worst and uncomfortable at best.
Yet colorectal cancer is the third most common form of the disease worldwide. Almost 50,000 new cases are reported in France each year and colon cancer causes the second highest number of cancer-related deaths in men and the third highest in women on an annual basis in Monaco’s closest neighbour. The average age of sufferers is 71 for men and 72 for women.
As part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March, Monaco has launched a fresh campaign to encourage all residents of the Principality who are aged 50 to 80 and who are insured by its healthcare service to make use of the free screening services on offer here.
EASY TO USE
The public is encouraged to pick up an at-home testing kit from the CHPG. The kits allow a person to produce a sample in their own time. The sample is then placed in a pre-addressed and pre-stamped envelope to be posted to the CHPG labs, where it is checked for cancerous lesions free of charge.
Results get sent to the patient, as well as to their personal doctor, within the following week. If the test is negative, there is no need to do anything for two more years. If it is positive, the person’s physician will be directly informed by the Screening Centre and further tests will be arranged on behalf of the patient.
To show solidarity for the cause and for those suffering with or touched by the disease, the Prince’s Palace will be lit up in blue on 1st March.
For more information, contact the Screening Centre on +377 97 98 83 02.
The Monaco Garden Club, now under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II and the Presidency of Princess Caroline, was founded in 1968 by Princess Grace. The late Princess was very fond of beautiful blooms, a passion that provided the impetus for the creation of an annual International Bouquet Competition.
For the 55th edition of the event, the club has decided on a theme that brings together the Principality’s traditional bouquet competition with its love of the marine world.
As such, the seven categories open to florists include: vintage sailboats, coral reefs, fishing nets, storms at sea, icebergs and lunch on board. All are open to interpretation, allowing participants a broad canvas to work with.
The final – and always highly popular – category is reserved exclusively for young floral creatives aged six to 14 and calls for designs linked to the beach.
The event is open to all, whether professional or amateur. It is expected to draw competitors from all over Europe who are inspired to share their own take on the nautical theme with the world.
TWO JURIES
The show has two sets of jurists. The official jury is made up of judges, professors, international authors and specialists in floral art. They are responsible for awarding the special Princess Grace of Monaco Prize, along with the gold, silver and bronze for each category.
The second jury is headed up by Princess Caroline and will be comprised of “personalities from the literary and artistic world”, who will give awards for a selection of virtues, such as originality in interpretation, elegance in composition, charm, best floral decoration, humour in design and colour harmony.
All of the entries will be on display to the public at the Yacht Club de Monaco on 4th May from 6pm to 7.30pm and on 5th May from 9.30am to 6pm. Entry is free.
To register to be a part of the 55th International Bouquet Competition or for more information, click here.
A chance meeting through John Christodoulou’s charitable foundation has led to an exciting London-based business venture shared 50/50 between the Monaco-based property developer and Greek pop icon Konstantinos Argiros.
The two men have gone into business together to purchase equal shares in two freehold properties on Beauchamp Place in Knightsbridge, London.
Christodoulou, a billionaire philanthropist and Goodwill Ambassador for the prestigious Monaco Ambassadors Club, and his new business partner made the announcement that they would be teaming up to buy the buildings, which are located close to the famed Harrods department store, on 23rd February. The partnership marks a departure from Christodoulou’s usual style of modus operandi ownership.
The properties were acquired for an as-yet undisclosed sum, but it has been confirmed that the business partners now intend on redeveloping and renovating the properties for sale.
SHARED VISION
Although the pairing has come as a surprise to some, the men share other common goals outside of this shrewd investment. They also share a plan to work together more philanthropically, according to a statement released by Christodoulou’s company, the Yianis Group, “in the welfare and further development of communities”.
Christodoulou and Argiros first met in April 2023, when Argiros showed his support for the Yianis Christodoulou Foundation in a pan-Cyprian student competition called ‘Love Cyprus’.
The competition showcased the talents of children from 200 schools by promoting “the beauty and culture of Cyprus, through the creativity of these young people”. Prizes of €180,000 were donated to the eight winning schools.
Left to right: Konstantinos Argiros, John Christodoulou and Prince Albert II. Photo courtesy of Yianis Group
OTHER EVENTS
Christodoulou and Argiros have also participated in other events together, such as event in Limassol, Cypress last year that championed the environmental protection works being carried out by Prince Albert II and his eponymous foundation. There, a special honour was given to Prince Albert by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.
French mobile users will now be connected to Monaco Telecom upon entering the Principality from March 5th in a move designed to improve the quality of the mobile network service in the Principality.
The Prince’s Government announced on Thursday 28th February that all subscribers to French mobile services will be switched to the Monegasque network in the Principality from March 2024.
“Faced with the permanent growth of mobile uses and having to deal with a high population density and limited frequency resources, the Prince’s Government wanted to initiate this transition towards a unified mobile network,” said Christophe Pierre, Director of Platforms and Digital Resources within the Interministerial Delegation in charge of the Digital Transition. “Supported by State Services, it was possible thanks to the cooperation of French operators and our national operator and will ultimately promote quality of service and homogeneous coverage for all subscribers of foreign mobile services.”
Who is affected and how does it work?
Current customers of Orange and Sosh are not affected by the move as they are already automatically connected to Monaco Telecom when present in the Principality.
Customers of French operators Bouygues Telecom, Free and SFR, or their B&You and Red by SFR offers will notice the change, as will customers of all virtual operators on these networks, such as La Poste Mobile, NRJ Mobile, CIC Mobile.
These network subscribers will therefore “roam” when they come to Monaco and will be using the Monaco Telecom mobile network, which they will see listed at the top of their phone screen, instead of the name of their French operator.
“The objective is to allow users, as is the case when they go to one of the countries in the Europe zone, to benefit, for incoming and outgoing calls or for internet connection, from the telephone network of the local operator,” says the government.
How much will it cost?
Each French operator is free to apply its own price rules, however most will include Monaco in the Euro zone, therefore apply no additional cost in most cases.
In order to be able to use the Monaco Telecom network, subscribers to French mobile services must make sure that “data roaming” is on, that the code +33 is dialled for all calls to France from within Monaco, and that the “automatic network selection” mode is on or “Monaco Telecom”is manually selected.
French singer Behia is coming to Monaco for one night only on 20th March for a high-octane performance of songs from her latest album at La Note Bleue.
Author, composer and, above all, performer, Behia is a product of the jazz scene of the 1960s. Born in Paris, jazz clubs were part of the night-time landscape, one she was encouraged to be a part of by her jazz-loving father, who introduced her at an early age to the great vocalists of the 1930s and 1940s.
What started as a mere love of music would blossom into a career and take Behia around the country, as well as around the world.
Locally, the high-energy artist has played numerous festivals and shows in the south of France, such as Les Estivales du Conseil Départemental des Alpes-Maritimes, the Saint-Raphaël Jazz Festival, Jazz au Château in Cagnes-sur-Mer, Jazz Art Lympia in Nice and the Roquebrune Cap-Martin Festival, but never before has she sung in the Principality.
That will change on 20th March, when Behia and a Franco-Italian quartet made up of Guido Bombardieri, JB Bolazzi, Sandro Massazza and André Bolazzi hit the stage at La Note Bleue in Monaco’s lively Larvotto neighbourhood.
Behia will be belting out tunes from her latest album, a Cole Porter tribute called Night and Day with Cole Porter, which is being released by Black and Blue Records and features five new songs. After the show, Behia will be available to sign copies, adding a truly personal touch to the evening.
For a taster of what’s in store, check out the video below:
Reservations are not required, but are strongly advised. To reserve a seat, call +377 93 50 05 02.
Quintessentially Irish, a fascinating new documentary film written and directed by veteran documentarian Frank Mannion, is due to be released on 12th March, just ahead of Saint Patrick’s Day. It is set to feature a plethora of famous faces with family connections to the Emerald Isle, including Monaco’s very own Prince Albert II.
The essence of the documentary is the capturing of what it means to be Irish.
In the film, Mannion takes viewers on a magical tour of the island, showcasing its many beautiful sites as well as delving into the origins of horseracing, whiskey, Gaelic sport and, of course, Guinness.
The Irish diaspora is explored in depth – it used to be said that the Irish people themselves were their biggest export – and Mannion introduces his audience to some of the world’s most influential and well-known people who, despite coming from other countries, still consider themselves Irish.
Among those is US President Joe Biden, who made a highly publicised trip to Ireland in April 2023. During his visit, he was interviewed at the White House in Dublin, the Aras an Uachtaráin, which is the official residence of the President of Ireland and was designed and built by the acclaimed Irish architect James Hoban.
Another high-profile appearance comes from Monaco’s Prince Albert, who granted Mannion special access to the Palais Princier de Monaco for filming. In a recently released clip from the documentary, the two sit down together to talk about Prince Albert’s own connections and ties to Ireland through his late mother, Princess Grace.
The Monegasque sovereign, charmingly wearing a shamrock tie for the occasion, opens up about his mother’s family history, saying, “Through my mother’s family, through the Kellys of County Mayo and the ancestral house in Drumilra, we knew that the Irish connection was very solid.”
Other notables in the film include former James Bond Pierce Brosnan, Oscar winner Jeremy Irons, multimillionaire businessman Michael Smurfit, President of Ireland since 2011 Michael Higgins, Guinness heir Rory Guinness and, interestingly, Jamaican Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt and his agent, Ricky Simms, an Irishman who currently lives in Monaco.
“Quintessentially Irish reflects the modern reality that Ireland is much more than clichéd representations of leprechauns,” says Mannion of the film. “The country has a renewed national self-confidence that is reflected in the thrilling mix of a new generation of artists and novelists; the inward investment brought in by the filming of Game of Thrones, Normal People, Banshees of Inisherin and Star Wars: The Last Jedi; and the huge revenues pumped into the Irish economy by tech companies like Apple and Google.”
He adds, “There are 23 million Americans who claim Irish heritage and six million Brits with an Irish grandparent. They are our target audience. I look forward to seeing what audiences make of this valentine to all things great and Irish. Hopefully, audiences will feel that Quintessentially Irish is the perfect film to watch this Saint Patrick’s Day.”
Quintessentially Irish will be available on major online platforms including Amazon Instant, Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu and Vimeo on 12th March followed by a DVD launch.
In an effort to combat violence in all its forms within the sporting community, France’s Ministry of Sport has announced the launch of a new reporting system for victims and witnesses of abuse.
In collaboration with the Olympic and Paralympic Games Committee, the French Ministry of Sport officially unveiled a new series of tools and mechanisms to improve the way in which victims and witnesses can report acts of abuse on Monday 26th February 2024. It forms part of a national strategy against abuse in the sporting community that goes back to December 2019.
At the heart of this initiative is a national unit for processing reports of violence in sport and providing victims of abuse – sexual, physical, and psychological abuse as well as sexist remarks, excessive controlling behaviours and mistreatment – with the support they need. The unit also handles instances of complicity or failure to report such incidents. The main access point for the unit is via email: signal-sports@sports.gouv.fr.
In due course, the Ministry will also be rolling out a wide range of promotional materials to help raise awareness on the issue. These include posters, social media clips and visuals tailored to various communication platforms that are particularly targeted at young athletes and their guardians. Aimed at key stakeholders in French sports, such as sporting federations, the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), the French Paralympic and Sports Committee (CPSF) and Paris Games 2024 organising committe, these resources are also accessible to anyone keen on advocating against abuse in sport.
The effort to fight against sports violence aligns with a wider dedication to athlete welfare, which will be highlighted at the IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury and Illness in Sport, which is taking place in Monaco from 29th February to 2nd March. The conference will delve into the latest in athlete care, emphasising the shared goal of protecting athletes’ health and creating safer sports environments.
In a closely contested match at the Paris La Défense Arena, AS Monaco withstood a formidable comeback from Nanterre 92 to claim an 80-86 win, with Mike James delivering a standout performance.
The high stakes Betclic Elite league fixture, which took place on 28th February, attracted a record crowd of over 15,000.
In a game of fluctuating momentum, AS Monaco, led by Mike James’ career-high 31 points, initially dominated, but saw their 18-point lead diminish as Nanterre rallied in the final quarter before a home crowd.
Nanterre, led by Justin Bibbins, managed to narrow the gap to a single possession. Yet, guided by coach Sasa Obradovic and powered by Mike James’ key plays in the final moments, AS Monaco held off the surge to take the important victory.
Reflecting on the match, James said, “Nanterre has one of the teams with the most quality in our league. It’s obviously a challenge to manage all these competitions, the important thing is to keep up the pace and stay healthy.”
The Monegasque side will now be looking ahead to their next away game, this time in the Euroleague, against FC Barcelona on Friday 1st March.
Monaco’s bobsleigh pilot, Boris Vain, has marked a historic achievement at the 2024 BMW IBSF World Championships, clinching the best World Championship result for bobsleigh sport in over 20 years for Monaco. Alongside push athlete Antoine Riou, Vain secured seventh place in the two-man bobsleigh event, captivating enthusiasts worldwide with their stellar performance.
The last time Monaco saw such success was in 2004 when Patrice Servelle and Sébastien Gattuso finished fourth at the two-man Bobsleigh World Championships held in Königssee, Germany.
Boris Vain, known for his remarkable athleticism and determination, previously made waves as the push athlete for Rudi Rinaldi, leading Monaco to its best Olympic result. At the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, the Monegasques clinched a remarkable sixth place, showcasing Monaco’s prowess on the international bobsleigh stage.
Bobsleigh holds a significant place in Monaco’s sporting history, with Prince Albert II of Monaco contributing to its legacy. Under the name Albert Grimaldi, Prince Albert participated in five Winter Olympic Games from 1988 to 2002, representing Monaco as a bobsleigh pilot in Calgary (Canada), Albertville (France), Lillehammer (Norway), Nagano (Japan), and Salt Lake City (USA). Prince Albert also had the honor of carrying his nation’s flag in the 1988, 1994, and 2002 Olympic Games, cementing Monaco’s presence in the global bobsleigh arena.
Looking ahead, pilot Boris Vain is poised to continue making waves in the bobsleigh world as he gears up to compete in the four-man bobsleigh event at the BMW ISBF World Championships in Winterberg, scheduled for 2nd to 3rd March.
On Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th February, a fleet of Apple Maps vehicles will be touring around the Principality as they collect up-to-date street-level imagery of Monaco for the tech company’s mapping service.
“Smile, you’re on camera!” reads a post published on the Monaco Government’s social media channels during the first day of filming.
In all, it will take two full days for the Apple-branded vehicles to make a complete tour of the Principality, capturing street-level images of Monaco’s many streets, boulevards and avenues with their 360° onboard cameras as they go. You might even see some portable devices being used in pedestrian zones of the Principality.
Cars fitted with specialist cameras will be touring the streets while portable devices will be employed in pedestrian areas. Photo credit: Stéphane Danna / Monaco Communications Department
The images will later be compiled and uploaded to Apple’s Maps service – called Plans in French – which is the default map system of iOS, iPadOS, macOS and watchOS.
The images will not only be of a higher quality to the current versions, but they will also enhance the reliability of the maps by integrating all of the new building projects that have been launched or completed since Apple’s last mapping visit to the Principality.
Residents and visitors to Monaco who end up on film need not worry about their identities being revealed through the images, however, as Apple promises that all visible faces and vehicle registration plates will be blurred in the final product.
Further information about Apple’s image collection project can be found here.
