The pretty kitties will be at Espace Léo-Ferréon Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April.
Organised by the De Gati de Mùnegu non-profit, the 6th edition of this unique beauty contest will feature over 220 cats belonging to 80 different breeders. Over 20 races will be present, including some rare ones such as the Pixie Bob, which looks like a little lynx.
Some owners enter their animal because they are from Monaco of course but others make the trip from all over Europe: France, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, for example, or even from the United States.
Edina Csora, Louis Coste, Yann Gobrecht, Thierry Fontaine and André Delsin are the five European judges who will decide the most handsome among them. And, as ever, there will be stands selling equipment, food and products for cats. Visitors will also find a wide range of cat-themed souvenirs.
Practical details:
Where: Espace Léo-Ferré, 25 Avenue Albert II
When: the exhibition is open from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The blessing will take place on Saturday at 9 am.
Pricess : 10 euros for over 13s, half price for 6-13 year olds, free for under 6s.
Please note: the nearest car park is the Papalins, 300 mètres from the venue.
The Sovereign is calling on the international community to promote peace through sport on April 6.
Involved in the #WhiteCard campaign organised by Peace and Sport since 2020, Prince Albert II again bradished the now traditional white card. The symbolic gesture means being part of the “International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.”
The Sovereign shared his commitment to the cause in an Instagram video: “As we navigate these challenging times, it is imperative to carry the message of peace, whether through a collective voice raised in unison or simple gesture of solidarity. Every action has the potential to make a difference.”
Begun by Peace and Sport in 2013, the campaign has seen many international celebrities promote the event, including Didier Drogba, former football player, and the last edition’s ambassador.
The white card enables you to show your support for the movement, wherever you are. As opposed to the yellow and red cards used in sport, the white card is not used as a punishment, but rather to promote peace.
Like Prince Albert II, you too can wave a white card to celebrate peace through sport!
Ultrasound renal denervation is performed under general anaesthetic and takes around thirty minutes.
It affects one in three adults in France*, i.e. 17 million people… While hypertension – high blood pressure – may seem to be a harmless condition, it can lead to serious, sometimes fatal complications. It is the leading cause of stroke and of dementia, the second leading cause of heart attacks and the second highest contributing factor to heart failure. Painless and without any particular symptoms, it is only detected in half of all cases, hence its reputation as a “silent killer”.
‘Normal’ blood pressure should not exceed 140/90 mmHg, and you can measure it yourself using a blood pressure monitor (on the arm or wrist), which can be bought in chemists’ or certain supermarkets for a few dozen euros. The home test is also recommended by healthcare professionals as it avoids “white coat syndrome” – anxiety and therefore a rise in blood pressure – experienced by some on a visit to the doctor’s surgery. You can find the list of approved devices on Stridebp.org, which will be available soon in French.
Kidneys are the key
Until now, the CHPG has had two solutions for treating patients who suffer from hypertension: advocating lifestyle changes (eating less salt, losing weight, exercising, stopping smoking), or treatment through drugs. But in the last fortnight or so, a third option has been introduced: renal denervation using interventional radiology ultrasound.
For those of us who didn’t go to medical school, here’s a simple explanation from Professor Atul Pathak, who is also President of the French Hypertension Society: “when you have high blood pressure, the SNS (sympathetic nervous system) is put under stress. It is present throughout the body, including in nerve fibres around the arteries that lead to the kidneys and communicate with the brain.”
Renal denervation involves destroying these small electrical wires around the artery of the kidney, which are thought to be responsible for high blood pressure. “To access the renal artery, we put a small wire up through the femoral artery in the groin. On the end of it is a device that emits ultrasound, which destroys the nerve fibres. It’s a real revolution,” says the specialist.
A first procedure on 8 March
On 8 March 2024, Professor Atul Pathak’s cardiology team and Professor Giuseppe Guzzardi’s interventional radiology team achieved a major first, treating two hypertensive patients for whom drug treatments had been unsuccessful, using this “very safe” method, which was first developed in Australia in 2009 by an American start-up. “It’s a technique that makes it possible to reduce blood pressure while avoiding too many drugs or ones that may have undesirable side-effects,” says the head of the cardiology department at the CHPG, while not ruling out the possibility that there will be “non-responders”, patients who will not improve after the innovative therapeutic procedure.
Women are particularly at risk of hypertension, as a result of the contraceptive pill, pregnancy or the menopause.
The Monegasque hospital currently has the capacity to treat 25 patients, but the number is set to increase rapidly. “I think we should be able to reach 100 this year,” says Professor Atul Pathak. The CHPG is the only facility to offer this technology within a radius stretching from Genoa in Italy to Perpignan.
* According to Santé Publique France figures in 2023.
The closing arguments of both the prosecution and defence were expected on Thursday.
Frequented by local and international stars such as Lady Gaga, Johnny Hallyday and Cristiano Ronaldo, the Sass’ Café on Princess Grace Avenue is in turmoil.
Among the eight defendants summoned before the criminal court on Wednesday this week, is the current manager of the restaurant/nightclub, Samuel Treves, the son of the founder, Sassa Treves. He is accused of having set up an “institutionalised policy” regarding prostitutes who frequent the establishment, and therefore, as reported by our colleagues from Monaco-Matin, gaining higher turnover “through drinks and tips paid into a shared ‘kitty’.”
The Portuguese citizen in his forties risks a fine of €9,000 to €18,000, and between 6 months and 3 years in prison, for procuring. He appeared in court along with seven other defendants, all on the same charges, except for a man who is also accused of drug offences and a woman who is also charged with money laundering.
“My name has been sullied”
As Monaco-Matin reveals, the case dates back to 2020, following anonymous witness statements that appear to be from sex workers, reporting drug trafficking. However after questioning them, the investigating officers suspected procuring was involved. In the magistrates’ view, the offence had indeed been committed, and remanded the eight accused before the court for allegedly aiding, abetting or acting as an intermediary for sex workers. The court hearing began on Wednesday 3 April and is due to end on Friday 5 April.
In his defence, as reported by the Monegasque daily, Samuel Treves said: “I am not a pimp. I am a good person, a hard-working businessman, my name has been sullied.”Also according to Monaco-Matin, prostitutes have been barred from the Sass’ Café since the beginning of the case.
A few weeks ago, a ministerial decree published in the Journal de Monaco introduced new safety measures concerning the use of terraces and balconies during the Monaco Grand Prix.
Monegasque flats are rented out at a premium during Grand Prix weekends. And terraces in particular. Some are willing to pay tens of thousands of euros to watch the race from the apartment buildings. Port Hercule is perhaps the most popular, as it has a view of the Sunday afternoon’s GP starting grid. However, authorisations are required. Owners or tenants of balconies and terraces overlooking the circuit may welcome guests for the event, with permission. The procedures are clearly explained on the Monegasque government website.
If you want to watch the Formula 1 cars racing from the comfort of your own home, you first have to make sure that your balcony or terrace and its railings are in good repair, and that everything has been checked by “an authorised entity in the Principality.”Certificates of ownership or tenancy agreements will then be required to apply for and obtain passes from the Police Department. To get the ‘golden ticket’, you need to begin the process at least 30 days before the Grand Prix. Be aware that balconies may accommodate up to two people per linear metre of railing.
The rules for balconies, terraces and loggias are set out in Ministerial Decree no. 2005-238 dated 9 May 2005. At the beginning of March, the Journal de Monaco published new articles concerning special measures “designed to guarantee an appropriate level of safety for the publicin premises that are not, by design, open to the public.”
The owner or occupier is responsible for a number of measures. First of all, they must check that the flat or office has a fire detection system [or at least a functioning smoke detector Ed.], and that the flat or office has a carbon monoxide detector if the premises have a gas-fired boiler. Also it is requested that additional cooking applicants do not exceed 20 kW, and that extra gas cooking appliances and naked flames are banned.
Another new measure, a safety officer must be appointed for each flat or office concerned. That person must be “aware of the number of people present in the premises during the competitions, so as to be able to communicate this information without delay to the authorities at their request,” and be able to raise the alarm with a potential security service in the building. The designated person must also comply with the provisions of Ministerial Order no. 2018-1079 dated 21 November 2018, as amended, relating to fire resistance of fittings used during the Grand Prix races.
The International School of Monaco’s will be hosting a ‘Reality Check’ on pressing global issues, on April 6.
The International School of Monaco (ISM) is organising its third TEDxYouth event on Saturday 6 April. The local manifestation of the international TEDx initiative demonstrates the School’s commitment to fostering young people’s interest in learning and debate.
The two-hour session is due to begin at the School at 2 pm. There will be an array of 11 young speakers, from 10 to 17 years old, as well as two adults: a parent, Filippo Ghirelli, who is the founder and Executive Chairman of Genera Group, and one of the School’s teachers, Katie Lattik.
Mr. Ghirelli’s field of expertise is energy transition, and he says, “Participating in TEDxYouth in Monaco is not only an honour, but it gives me a chance to combine my passion for mentoring the next generation with a reflective examination of our roots.”
The line-up of speakers is deliberately diverse so as to have as broad a range of points of view as possible on topics including the implications of fake news and the role of Artificial Intelligence, the impact of social media and awareness of climate change.
This year’s theme is Reality Check. The scheduled debates on cyberbullying, dreams, reality TV and more, were designed to focus the event on today’s challenges as seen from a young person’s perspective.
A new immersive and interactive experience about the Pelagos Sanctuary will surely prove popular, and will be accompanied by Manila Di Giovanni, CEO of DWorld. Attendees will also be entertained with performances by the ISM Year 4 Choir and the band Exodity.
Co-organiser Alicia Sedgwick says, “TEDxYouth events, organised for and by young people, present a combination of live speakers and TED Talk videos to inspire curiosity, ignite new ideas and empower young leaders.”
The presentations will be recorded and made available to a wide audience via the TED YouTube channel.
Tickets, priced at €10, are available at the School’s main reception and on the day. More details here.
The new coins bearing the star’s effigy will gradually be put into circulation between now and the summer of 2024.
After entering the Panthéon on 30 November 2021, Josephine Baker is being honoured once again. A pioneer of feminist and anti-racist activism and a member of the Resistance during the Second World War, the artist who died almost 50 years ago was an outstanding figure in the fight for minority rights. As well as Baker, two other exceptional women are featured on 10 and 50 cent coins: Simone Veil and Marie Curie.
As you may know, Josephine Baker and the Principality have a special bond. “She was, and will remain, a Monegasque at heart,” Prince Albert II solemnly declared at a ceremony in honour of her induction into the Panthéon. Considered one of the world’s first black celebrities, Josephine Baker was born into poverty in Saint-Louis, Missouri and went on to stardom in Paris, Europe and around the world. In Monaco, her place of eternal rest, she became friends with Princess Grace Kelly.
In the 1960s, Josephine Baker was living in her château in Les Milandes du Périgord with her “rainbow tribe”, and was drowning in debt. With unfailing generosity, she dedicated her time to the tribe’s 12 orphaned children from the four corners of the globe. In 1964, the château was put up for auction, but there was a last-minute reprieve thanks to Brigitte Bardot. Then a few years later, in 1968, when the building was finally sold, the singer and her tribe found themselves without a home. It was then that the actress and wife of Prince Rainier III came to her rescue.
Princess Grace Kelly moved Josephine Baker and her children into the Villa Maryvonne overlooking the Mediterranean in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. She also enabled the singer to return to the stage. After a number of performances including one at the Gala of the Monegasque Red Cross in 1974, Josephine Baker returned to Paris and began a series of shows at the Bobino. A few days after the show’s premiere, the entertainer suffered a brain haemorrhage and died on 12 April 1975. After a commemoration ceremony in Paris, her body was brought back to the Monaco cemetery, where it remains to this day.
The first flights will take off on Sunday 31 March and the last on 26 October 2024.
Fancy a trip? You can fly to the United States from the end of March with United Airlines, which has launched its seasonal service between Nice and New York/Newark a month earlier this year.
These flights are operated using Boeing 767-300 planes, “A premium aircraft with more spacious United Polaris and United Premium Plus Business Class cabins, 46 United Polaris Business Suites with direct corridor access, 22 United Premium Plus seats and 99 Economy Class seats,” a press release reads.
The airline points out that while food, soft drinks, fruit juices, beer and wine, tea, coffee and in-flight entertainment are free of charge in economy class, and most aircraft are equipped with adjustable headrests and on-demand personal entertainment systems, there are other classes offering premium services. These are the “United Polaris” business class, the “United Premium Plus” class and the “United Economy Plus” class, whose benefits are detailed on the airline’s official website.
This is what came out of the conference organised by Monaco’s Junior Economic Chamber.
Three of the Principality’s key players were invited by the JCE Monaco. Gaëlle Tallarida, Managing Director of the Monaco Yacht Show, Christian Tornatore, General Commissioner for the Tour de France stage in Monaco, and Richard Micoud, Head of Communications and Media at the Automobile Club de Monaco, discussed the new features, prospects and trends concerning the Principality’s emblematic events in 2024.
Rallies and Grand Prix
The Automobile Club de Monaco alone is responsible for six of the Principality’s unmissable events, from January to May. Every year, it organises three rallies and three Grand Prix races. As a measure of its popularity, there are some 200,000 visitors and a million live viewers for the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The Monaco Grand Prix has put innovations in place every year since the first edition in 1929. Regardless of its dimension, every change is important, both for the drivers’ performance and the spectators’ experience. The vehicles and the track are required to evolve at each event to keep up with new regulations and specifications.
This year, no major changes for the upcoming Grands Prix, except for a few details when building the circuit. On the other hand, in 2025, the single-seaters will ‘shrink’ from 5 to 4.50 metres long and from 2 to 1.80 metres wide, which will make overtaking easier, and therefore provide even more of a spectacle.
The final stage of the Tour de France will start from Monaco on 21 July
It’s not a scoop. This year, the emblematic final stage and time trial of the Tour de France is relocating from Paris and taking the Principality’s roads en route to the Promenade des Anglais, in Nice. Continuing with the innovations of previous years, the Tour’s cars and caravans will be exclusively electric or hybrid and will no longer be throwing out plastic “goodies” for spectators at the roadside.
The 22 team paddocks will be located so as to be very accessible to visitors, who will be able to see the riders up close as well as their latest carbon models, which will fly by at 100 kph during the race.
“Monaco is fertile ground for all athletes. As for us, theMonegasque Cycling Federation, we are very active and we’ve never had as manylicensees as this year thanks to the Tour de France,” says Christian Tornatore.
Monaco Yacht Show – 25 to 28 September
Its perfect organisation is the fruit of an entire year’s work: this year’s Monaco Yacht Show will showcase new products from over 500 exhibitors, and 105 super and mega yachts. It stands out from other shows since it is the only event to be 100% dedicated to super yachts measuring 24 metres and more.
This year, the MYS is expecting boats that are up to 120 metres long. It also includes boats with “greener” engines than in previous years, the environment being a key topic at the event.
The MYS has also needed to rethink the presence of “toys” to go with the boats, since the clientele is increasingly young (30-35 years old today versus an average of 50 in the past).
“Whether it’s security, hospitality, service, infrastructure, diversity of restaurants and international cultures…all these aspects mean thatevents in Monaco often owe their great success to the location,” said Gaëlle Tallarida in conclusion.
The world’s biggest hotel wine cellars are offering a rich programme of entertainment.
Created in 1874 at the behest of Marie Blanc, the legendary cellars are launching a year of festivities. This legendary venue, with 350,000 bottles spread over 2 kilometres of racks in a 1500m2 space, will be welcoming a host of guests for their 150th anniversary.
Stéphane Valeri, SBM’s Managing Director, believes the anniversary is an excellent opportunity to showcase the prestigious cellars: “The 150th anniversary of the Hôtel de Paris cellars celebrates not only Marie Blanc’s fabulous legacy, but also the passion and talent of our cellarmen and sommeliers, who are keeping this heritage alive, whether in the cellars, or in our thirty or so restaurants and bars today. For our group, it’s about sharing and handing down through the years.”
Having started on 21 March with a sumptuous private dinner, the celebration will feature a series of exclusive events throughout the year. On the programme: gourmet meals, conferences and masterclasses, in partnership with excellent wine and champagne houses.
The three events that will take place in the cellars are:
5 April 2024: The Bordeaux Grands Crus dinner, in partnership with Château Cheval Blanc, Château d’Yquem, Château Haut-Brion and Château Margaux, orchestrated by Chef Yannick Alleno. The dinner will be preceded by a wine tasting and a talk on “Climate change and its impact on the fine wines of Bordeaux”.
11 June 2024: Tenuta San Guido – Bolgheri dinner, also created by Yannick Alleno, preceded by a Master Class with the sommeliers and a private tasting with Priscilla Incisa Della Rocchetta from the Tenuta San Guido estate in Tuscany, which produces the great Sassicaia.
7 November 2024: Moët Hennessy dinner by Emmanuel Pilon, Chef at the Louis XV – Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris. Preceded by a tasting and a conference on “Climate change and its impact on Champagne,” the dinner will be a fitting end to the series of events.
In addition to these highly-anticipated events, the cellars play a less visible but vital logistical role throughout the year. They supply nearly 40 sales outlets in the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Resort with wines, champagnes, spirits and other beverages. 330,000 bottles of wine and champagne are uncorked and served each year, an average of 900 bottles a day.
In addition, the Route des Grands Crus will give diners at the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Resort’s restaurants an exclusive opportunity to taste a selection of fine French wines by the glass, showcasing the rich heritage of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo cellars.
On this historic occasion, the cellars wiill also unveil the first phase of their refurbishment. These improvements are part of a drive to modernise and safeguard this exceptional winegrowing heritage.
Finally, to mark the jubilee, SBM is launching a limited edition “Grande Champagne Premier Cru de Cognac”, a cognac of exceptional quality, which will be available from April 2024.
Practical info
Exclusive dinners on 5 April, 11 June and 7 November 2024
Masterclass with tasting of 8 wines on each of the above dates, from 10 am to noon
Un suspect a été interpellé vendredi dans l'enquête portant sur une série d'agressions sexuelles et de viols commises à Grenoble et sa périphérie par un homme circulant à trottinette, a appris samedi l'AFP de source proche de l'enquête.
Valentin Vacherot, Luca Catarina, Hugo Nys, Romain Arneodo. Les quatre mousquetaires monégasques se lancent dans le tournoi princier qui débute aujourd’hui avec les qualifications. Tour d’horizon.
Le groupe Nice-Matin est partenaire du Grand JT des Territoires de Cyril Viguier diffusé sur TV5 Monde. Ce journal télévisé, suivi par des millions de téléspectateurs à l’international, met en valeur les initiatives et les réussites dans les territoires français. Voici le sommaire de ce samedi.
Le 20 juin, les vignerons de Correns mettront aux enchères plusieurs barriques de leur vin blanc et des bouteilles des domaines tenus par des stars, comme Brad Pitt, George Clooney ou George Lucas. Le tout au profit de deux associations.
La présentatrice de « Zone Interdite » sur M6 prend la tête d’un nouveau rendez-vous hebdomadaire sur la chaîne avec "La grande semaine", un talk présenté en bande organisée.
Pour s’y rendre, il faut emprunter un petit chemin muletier. L’accès à la chapelle Saint-Roch, construite au XVIe siècle, se mérite. Et, pour sauver la bâtisse touchée par les affres du temps, la Ville va entreprendre de gros travaux.
Les Red Bull ont dominé les qualifications ce samedi à Suzuka, où le champion en titre s’est adjugé la pole devant son coéquipier Sergio Pérez. Dans le camp Ferrari, le Monégasque fait grise mine : relégué en 4e ligne...
As the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters kicks off this weekend, Monaco Life talks to Grigor Dimitrov to discover the man behind the tennis player. From his favourite pastimes in Monaco to his dedication to family and fitness, Dimitrov shares his perspectives on life, career milestones, and the advice that continues to guide him.
After a stellar performance to reach the finals in the recent Miami Open, Grigor Dimitrov has returned to the ATP top 10 in great form, ready to battle it out at this year’s Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters from 6th to 14th April.
It is an exciting time for Grigor Dimitrov, a Monaco Resident. Born in Haskovo, Bulgaria, in 1991, Dimitrov was introduced to tennis when he was just three years of age. He was barely able to hold the racquet given by his mother, Maria, a sports teacher and volleyball player. Still, the young Dimitrov started to play tennis every day, coached by his father Dimitar.
As Grigor Dimitrov tells Monaco Life, his family has been a constant support throughout his career – emotionally and financially. After becoming a professional at age 16, Dimitrov achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 3 in 2017 at 27 years of age.
Dimitrov’s style and skill on the court make him a captivating player to watch, earning him widespread acclaim as one of the most entertaining athletes in the Top 20. Despite media attention often focusing on his personal life, Dimitrov, characterised by his wisdom, candor, respect, and resilience, the ATP No. 9 says he is able to block out the noise and focus on his game, and life.
Grigor Dimitrov with the runner-up trophy at the Miami Open 2024. Photo credit: Elsa / Getty Images
Monaco Life:Let’s get personal. What do you like to do when you are in Monaco?
Grigor Dimitrov: To be honest, I like spending time with my family at home. We have a natural connection, and we all take pleasure in reliving moments of simple sharing by cooking together, for example. We can also meet up with family and friends in some of the many restaurants in Monaco.
How do you spend your free time off the tennis court?
I am trying to live my life to the fullest. I spend as much time with my family and friends and try to get home to Bulgaria as often as possible. Being with my family is incredibly precious because, in the end, I only see them a few times a year. We are constantly in touch by telephone or message, but there is nothing like the real moments spent together.
Fitness and staying in shape are constants, so even in my downtime, you can still find me in the gym or even taking yoga classes.
You are a jet setter. What is your advice for people who are constantly on the go?
Always have your basics prepared. There’s a core set of things you need, no matter the season, the weather, or the type of place you’re going. Always pack those first and then focus on the location-specific items.
What kind of traveler are you?
I love to explore when I have the opportunity. Whether in museums, visiting historical sites, or natural wonders; I love discovering and enjoying what the world has to offer.
What is your favourite cuisine in the world? Do you like to cook?
I am indeed lucky to have discovered a considerable number of types of cuisine during my travels. Last year’s Asian season was very interesting, and I admit to having made the most of the culinary discoveries possible. I rarely have time to cook, but when I have the chance, I really enjoy it!
What other interests do you have apart from tennis?
I love art and take great pride in my art collection. I also like design and am currently renovating my home. I’m also a big runner; even in the winter, you can find me trekking in the snow.
Grigor Dimitrov wearing Lacoste in Bulgaria. Photo credit: Laclef Production
You are the face of Lacoste. What appeals to you about modeling?
I love fashion and the ability to be involved in living art. It has many opinions and viewpoints, and it is an exciting contrast between sports and my daily life. Fashion has always inspired me creatively, and I am blessed to be able to live out that passion in colour!
Let’s talk about tennis. You are back at the top of your game; what drives you, and what are your goals going forward?
The motivation remains intact and changes over the years. I now have more experience, and physically working with my team allows me to always be very efficient. Thanks to all this, I can say that my best career years have arrived.
My main goal is to keep the momentum going and continue down the path of success I have worked so hard to pave for myself.
They say the 30s are the new 20s. What is your outlook on the game now that you are 32?
The game has evolved enormously over the last 10 years. The players who arrive on the circuit are already physically fit, and everybody is faster and stronger. You must move forward simultaneously and adapt quickly.
What inspires you to keep going and get better?
The desire to win!
Grigor Dimitrov, the Face of Lacoste, in Bulgaria. Photo credit: Laclef Production
Which significant advice did you get that still guides you to this day?
One of the most important pieces of advice I received from my mum is to be a good person, authentic, compassionate, and without making hasty judgments.
You made a new addition to your coaching staff ahead of the 2023 season: Jamie Delgado, former coach of Andy Murray, who now collaborates with your longtime coach Daniel Vallverdu. How is that collaboration going?
Jamie and Daniel have different approaches but a common goal. It’s a great collaboration with many complementarities. Everyone’s objective is to work with me on essential and specific points to meet my overall objectives.
What is your competitive edge when playing against younger players?
The experience gained over the years is undeniable, as is my ability to adapt to the modern game. I believe that I can always hinder these young players in their desire to impose their rhythm on the court.
What kind of counsel would you give a player just turning professional?
Keep your eyes open for all avenues of opportunity and take advantage of the time you have as a professional to push yourself to your full potential. Stay confident, and there’s always the next match.
In a crucial EuroLeague clash on home turf, AS Monaco’s Roca Team edged past Zalgiris Kaunas to secure a narrow won victory on Thursday 4th April.
The tightly contested game, which ended 69-66 in Monaco’s favour, has propelled the team to second in the EuroLeague standings, making a finish in the Top 4 ever more likely.
Missing key player Terry Tarpey due to surgery, the Rocas still fielded a strong lineup, with Donatas Motiejunas and Mike James making important contributions to the overall score.
From the outset, AS Monaco demonstrated a dominant defensive strategy, aggressively halting Zalgiris Kaunas’s attempts to establish their game. Motiejunas’s scoring and James’s strategic plays quickly gave AS Monaco an early lead, which influenced the rest of the game.
Coach Sasa Obradovic commented on the significance of the victory, saying, “This match and the fact that we played like this is very important for the team going forward. It’s too early to congratulate the team, but it’s one more win towards securing our place in the Top 4. Home-field advantage is important, we know that”
This victory sets the stage for Monaco’s final EuroLeague game against Bayern on 11th April at Salle Gaston Médecin, where a win would solidify their position and secure a considerable home advantage for the ensuing playoffs.
320 business leaders and local officials turned out for the Monaco Economic Board’s General Assembly meeting at the Hôtel Hermitage on 28th March, which championed the “better and better, and more and more” successes achieved by the Principality’s business scene over the last year.
The meeting is the 48th such event to have been held by the MEB since its inception in 1999 and while it provided a platform to congratulate the businesses present on their achievements, the focus was clearly on the future.
MEB Chair Michel Dotta opened the meeting with words of praise for the MEB and those gathered before introducing Monaco’s new Minister of Finance, Pierre-André Chiappori.
So far in 2024, representatives of the MEB have embarked on a trade mission to the Saudi capital of Riyadh and another similar venture in Morocco will be taking place between 15th and 18th April.
The MEB’s agenda is also packed with a range of upcoming local events on topics such as macroeconomic forecasts, sport business, artificial intelligence and intellectual property in conjunction with the group’s sponsors and partners, which include the likes of Banque Populaire Méditerranée, BNP Paribas Wealth Management, Gramaglia, Jutheau Husson, Monaco Asset Management and, new in 2024, CFM Indosuez Wealth Management, the Monterra Wealth Management Investment Fund and the Ordre des Experts Comptables de Monaco.
From left to right: Guillaume Rose, Executive General Director of the MEB; Pierre Dartout, Minister of State; Michel Dotta, President of the MEB; Pierre-André Chiappori, Government Advisor and Minister of Finance and the Economy. Photo credit: Monaco Economic Board
Collaborations, notably with Monaco’s diplomatic and consular corps and the Attractiveness Unit headed up by Frédéric Genta, will continue throughout 2024 as part of an economic development strategy aimed at attracting ever more investors and wealthy residents to the Principality.
Additionally, Team Monaco, the entity responsible for uniting the efforts of public and private sector companies in the international promotion of Monaco, will be very busy over the next few months with various missions and projects in the works.
Minister Chiappori closed the meeting with a speech on Moneyval progress and praised the Principality’s reactiveness, saying he was “dazzled to see the strength and speed with which we have been able to respond to these new imperatives”.
By the summer, under 27s in France will be able to enjoy unlimited rail travel on the nation’s TER and Intercités lines, outside of the Île-de-France area, thanks to a new train pass.
Back in September, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed the creation of a discounted rail pass for the country’s youth at the Congress of Regions of France in Saint-Malo.
Although not all of France’s regions were initially convinced by the idea, the concept will soon become a reality, with plans to roll out the €49 per month pass for those under the age of 27 by the start of the summer.
Minister for Transport Patrice Vergriete is leading the charge in favour of the new pass, which will allow unlimited travel on all TER and Intercités lines outside of the Île-de-France region, home to the capital of Paris.
The pass is currently be trialled in certain parts of the country and the authorities have pledged to reconsider the exemptive status of the Île-de-France by 2025.
Rafael Nadal, the five-time world men’s tennis champion, has announced that he will not play at the upcoming Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tournament due to a muscle injury sustained at the Australian Open in January.
The 37-year-old tennis star has had a spate of injuries that have forced him to withdraw from tournaments over the past few years, the latest of which being the 2024 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.
Nadal’s frustration was palpable in his social media post on X: “These are difficult times for me sportingly speaking. Unfortunately, I inform you that I am not going to play in Monte-Carlo. My body just won’t let me… And even if I am working hard and making the maximum effort every day with all the will to play and compete again at tournaments that have been very important for me, the truth is that I can’t play today. You have no idea how hard this is for me to not be able to play these events.”
His indomitable spirit was evident in the post, as was his disappointment, with the legendary player sharing, “The only thing I can do is to accept the situation and try to look at the immediate future, keeping the excitement and will to play in order to give me a chance for things to get better. Thanks again to all, as always, for all the support and best wishes!”
A perennial crowd-favourite, Nadal has won the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tournament a stunning 11 times.
The Monte-Carlo Masters, now in its 117th year, will take place at the Monte-Carlo Country Club from 6th to 14th April.
On the back of the success of the recent Saint Patrick’s Day event and a special Moules et Frites celebration commemorating the 60th anniversary of the twinning of Monaco with Ostend in Belgium, the next big occasion to take place at the Marché de la Condamine will be a British-themed party.
Set to take place on Tuesday 16th April, the British soirée will feature an array of Great Britain’s cultural quirks, from music to traditional dishes.
The event, which is being organised by the Mairie de Monaco, will get going at 7.15pm and last well into the evening.
To reserve a seat in the covered market’s communal seating area, speak with one of the shopkeepers or traders working in the Marché de la Condamine.
For more information on the upcoming British Party, click here.
Since its launch at the end of 2020, the Carlo shopping app has gone from strength to strength. More than 1,000,000 purchases were made by the app’s 65,000 users last year, creating cause for celebration and commendation among its designers and backers, namely the Monaco Government.
On 28th March, the Monaco Government and the company behind the Carlo app invited their more than 650 partners, from retail shops and restaurants to opticians and wellness centres, to MonacoTech for a review of the successful implementation of the digital system.
The Carlo concept is to encourage users, whether they are residents of the Principality, people living near to Monaco or tourists, to shop local by rewarding them with financial incentives, such as cashback and special offers.
More than 1,000,000 purchases were made via the app in 2023, which has 65,000 registered users. It is estimated that 2,000 people use Carlo each day.
On top of that, there are now more than 650 local businesses that offer customers the opportunity to use the app when shopping or paying for a variety of services, up from 500 a year ago.
Among the positive facts and figures, it was also announced at the meeting that the Monaco Government has decided to prolong its financial backing of the app until the end of March 2025.
This means that, in a bid to continue its support for local businesses, the government will extend its offer to cover the platform fees. Without this assistance, local businesses who feature on the app would otherwise have to pay 1% of the purchases made through Carlo to its developers.
In a statement released following the meeting, the government said it is “delighted with this collaboration with Carlo and partner traders, which contributes to the economic dynamism of the Principality”.
The team behind Carlo, which was created by engineer-turned-entrepreneur Antoine Bahri and established itself as a MonacoTech-backed startup, also unveiled the app’s new sponsorship programme.
New users referred to Carlo by an existing user will instantly receive €5 cashback, while those who recommend the app will earn a special one-off reward.
In a bid to improve safety and clamp down on speeding, a series of nine surveillance cameras now line Monaco’s Louis II tunnel.
One year ago, three men in their 30s lost their lives when the car they were travelling in crashed and burst into flames in the Louis II tunnel, which runs from the Port Hercule area of the Principality to the Larvotto neighbourhood.
Drugs and alcohol contributed to the crash – the driver’s blood alcohol level was 1.76 grams per litre while the legal limit in Monaco is 0.5 grams – but the man behind the wheel had also reached at least 148km/h in the moments before the fatal event.
Due to the lack of public surveillance in the tunnel at the time of the incident, the investigators of the case were forced to rely on a string of privately-owned cameras in order to better understand what exactly had happened.
The Monaco Government recently decided to rectify this absence and a new network of public surveillance cameras have now been installed in the Louis II tunnel, which forms part of Monaco’s iconic Grand Prix circuit.
According to Monaco locals, it is commonplace to see cars and other vehicles travelling at dangerously high speeds in the tunnel, so it is hoped that this new surveillance network will help deter drivers from going too fast and prevent any tragedies similar to the 1st April 2023 crash from happening in the future.
With the 2024 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters due to begin in a matter of days, the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco has confirmed that a free shuttle service to and from the Monte-Carlo Country Club will be up and running again this year. Here are all the details.
Kicking off the Masters 1000 clay court season on 6th April is the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, which will run until 14th April.
The event has long had a special place in the annals of tennis and the biggest names in the men’s tennis world always show up to play at the legendarily beautiful site that is the Monte-Carlo Country Club.
Upwards of 140,000 visitors are expected to attend the tournament over the course of its nine days and in order to facilitate their arrival and departure from the sea-facing venue, Monaco’s government recognises the need to provide reliable and convenient services to and from the event.
As such, the Compagnie Autobus de Monaco will be providing free shuttles, including the popular “bateau bus”, to all valid ticket holders.
The buses will run morning and evening, and will accommodate those arriving by car, by coach or by other means.
Morning shuttles will be picking up passengers from stops along the seafront route that runs from the Kennedy carpark at the northeastern tip of Port Hercule. The limit of the evening shuttle will be the Portier carpark.
The pick-up and drop-off spot for coach travellers will be at the Chemin des Pêcheurs car park.
The International School of Monaco’s upcoming TEDxYouth event, set for 6th April, is presenting itself as a ‘reality check’ on pressing global issues.
The International School of Monaco (ISM) is gearing up to host its third TEDxYouth event on 6th April, continuing its tradition of engaging young minds with powerful ideas. As a local iteration of the global TEDx initiative, the event showcases the establishment’s dedication to encouraging young people’s interest in learning and discussion.
Scheduled to start at 2pm at the school’s harbour-side location, the two-hour session will showcase a mix of 11 young speakers, ranging from 10 to 17 years old, alongside two adult speakers: a parent, Filippo Ghirelli, who is the founder and Executive Chairman of Genera Group, and a teacher from the school community, Katie Lattik.
Filippo will be bringing his expertise in energy transition and sustainability to the event, and says, “Participating in TEDxYouth in Monaco is not only an honour, but it gives me a chance to combine my passion for mentoring the next generation with a reflective examination of our roots.”
This diverse line-up is aimed at broadening the perspective of discussions, embracing topics from the implications of fake news and the role of Artificial Intelligence in modern settings to the nuances of social media impacts and climate change awareness.
This year’s theme, Reality Check, means that the event will be exploring modern topics important to both the speakers and listeners. By discussing cyberbullying, dreams, reality TV and more, it is clear that the event’s focus is on tackling today’s challenges from a young perspective.
Adding to the event’s appeal is the introduction of a new immersive and interactive experience linked to the Pelagos Sanctuary, brought to life by Manila Di Giovanni, CEO of DWorld. The event also promises to entertain attendees with musical performances from the ISM Year 4 Choir and the band Exodity.
Co-curator Alicia Sedgwick says, “TEDxYouth events, organised for and by young people, present a combination of live speakers and TED Talk videos to inspire curiosity, ignite new ideas and empower young leaders.”
The presentations will be recorded and uploaded to the TED YouTube channel, making them accessible to a wide audience. The TED Youtube channel can be found here.
Tickets, priced at €10, are available at the main reception or on the event day, with payment due upon collection. For more information, click here.
