Following the huge success of the first Monaco Pour l’Emploi event last September, which attracted some 3,650 jobseekers to the Principality, the jobs fair is being reprised in February with a bigger and “more ambitious” format that will feature more opportunities in additional sectors.  

On Friday 16th February, an “expanded and therefore more ambitious” version of the employment forum will be taking place at the Grimaldi Forum and it is looking to draw in potential job candidates from across the region. 

The event is free and open to all, and will be divided into 12 different sectors of employment to give those who are laser-focused on their next career a chance to pinpoint specific employers, whilst also allowing those who may not know exactly what their future holds the opportunity to browse and see what options are available.  

In addition to the jobs fair itself, there will also be an employment coaching centre run by the Monaco Employment Service, the Directorate of Human Resources and Civil Service Training, and the Monaco Social Fund. Here, candidates can learn what to expect in an interview situation and receive advice on how to prepare as well as how to improve their chances of success.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Companies who would like to be a part of the Monaco Pour l’Emploi event should contact the dedicated agency being used to organise stands on +377 97 97 35 55 or send an email to info@monacopourlemploi.mc. Registrations can also be made online here.

Jobseekers need only show up armed with their CV although pre-event online submissions are also possible here.

For more information, click here. 

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Photo source: Brooke Cagle, Unsplash

According to Forbes, a third of us put healthier eating at the top of our New Year’s Resolutions each year. That might involve cutting out heavily processed foods or adding more greens to go-to meals, but given the daily bombardment of information we receive about what we should – and shouldn’t – be eating, there are millions among us who prefer to follow a specific dietary plan. But which is best? 

That accolade, says a new nutritional report from US News, goes to the Mediterranean diet. In fact, it’s the seventh year in a row that the olive oil and fresh produce rich diet that taken out the gold.  

Interestingly, the Mediterranean style of eating took first place in the rankings for the best diet nutritionally as well as being voted the easiest to follow, best for families to follow, best for healthy eating and best for heart, joints and bones, as well as for diabetes sufferers. 

Findings on the Mediterranean diet say that adherents can lower their risk of diabetes, dementia, memory loss, depression, high cholesterol and breast cancer while extending age expectancy and improving bone and heart health.  

See more: Your guide to sustainable seafood restaurants in Monaco

The main focus of the Mediterranean diet, which is more of a lifestyle than an actual diet in the traditional sense, is simple yet delicious dishes that are heavy on fruits, vegetables, olive oil and oily fish, and light on red meat, refined sugar and butter. Additionally, eggs, dairy and poultry are eaten in smaller quantities than in other diets.  

DASH, MIND AND VEGAN DIETS RANK AHEAD OF PALEO, KETO AND ATKINS

In second place on the list of 30 diets came DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), with the MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet capturing third. All three top diets focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds as staples. The vegan diet rounded out the Top 10.  

Among the more well-known diets to feature on the list were the Jenny Craig diet in 18th, Paleo in 20th, Keto in 25th and the Atkins diet in 26th. SlimFast came next in 27th followed by the controversial shake and supplements-led HerbaLife Nutrition diet in 29th.  

The lowest ranked diet on the list may come as a surprise to some. The raw food diet, which asks people to abstain from eating anything cooked, processed, microwaved, exposed to pesticides or that has been genetically engineered, got the thumbs-down for being too restrictive for most and downright unsafe for others. 

“The world of diet and nutrition can be overwhelming and filled with misinformation and inaccurate health claims,” says Shanley Chien, Senior Health Editor at US News, adding that she hopes the report will help clear up misperceptions about diets and assist people on their path to healthier eating.  

Click here to read the report for yourself.

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Photo source: Jez Timms, Unsplash

Authorities in Monaco have just foiled a new scam doing the rounds, this time involving foreign driver’s license holders. Victims are being asked to contact the government.

On Friday 5th January, the government revealed that the Monegasque Digital Security Agency (AMSN) had just taken down the site https://teleservicegouv-monaco.info/ – a fake teleservice website similar to that operated by state services.

This new scam relates to requests to exchange a foreign driver’s license, in which the victim is instructed to hand over personal details and money.

While the site is no longer operational, the government instructs any resident who has fallen victim to the scam, and suffered financial loss or who have transferred personal data to the addresses circulation@teleservicegouv-monaco.info or mclimousine.recrutement@outlook.fr, to report to the Directorate of Public Security.

How to spot a scam?

While digital scams such as this can look very similar to official services, it is quite easy to spot a fraudulent website by simply looking at the website url. All online procedures from the Monaco Government services contain gouv.mc/ in their address. If any site asking for money or information does not contain gouv.mc/, the government strongly recommends that recipients do not open it.

The official address for online procedures in the Principality is: https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/

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Photo credit: rupixen.com, Unsplash

Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, Monaco’s biggest hotel and restaurant portfolio, is celebrating a significant milestone in its journey towards becoming the world’s first completely Green Globe-certified resort with a raft of new and renewed certifications from the sustainability-focused brand. 

The Green Globe certification standard, which assesses environmental impact and energy usage in hospitality establishments and groups around the world, is widely recognised as a reputable global benchmark for excellent sustainability practices in tourism.  

Its latest round of certifications have just been announced, and the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) resort has performed very well.  

Among the biggest winners are the Hôtel Hermitage, which received gold level certification for its five consecutive years of environmental commitments, while Monte-Carlo Beach has been awarded platinum status after a decade of sustainable practices. Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort is also poised to attain platinum status within the month.  

Other SBM properties, including the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo and the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, have also been awarded Green Globe certifications. This recognition extends to the One Monte-Carlo conference centre and the Aigue Marine headquarters, indicating a widespread commitment to sustainable practices across SBM’s diverse portfolio. The Casino de Monte-Carlo is currently in the process of obtaining its first certification. 

“The final objective is to become the world’s first completely Green Globe-certified resort,” said a spokesperson for SBM of the recent recognitions.  

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Photo credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

Portuguese midfielder Gelson Martins is to move to Greek side Olympiacos FC after four years with AS Monaco. The 28-year-old joined the Principality team in 2019 for a reported €30 million fee, but this transfer is rumoured to have been agreed for a much reduced €3 million. 

On 2nd January, AS Monaco confirmed in a press release that Martins would be leaving the side for Olympiacos.

The player came to Monaco back in 2019 from Atlético Madrid in a transfer that reportedly cost the Principality’s football club in the region of €30 million.

During his time in Monaco, Martins wore the Rouge et Blanc kit 129 times and scored 16 goals as well as helping 14 more on their way to the back of the net, but had been noticeably absent from games in recent months.

“By signing up with Oympiakos, currently third in the Elláda Superleague and the most successful club in Greek football history, the 28-year-old attacking midfielder is now preparing to discover a fourth league after Portugal, Spain and France,” said the Monegasque team via an official statement. “AS Monaco wishes him every success for the rest of his career.”

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Photo credit: AS Monaco Football

The Soldes d’Hiver – or Winter Sales in English – officially began in Monaco on 2nd January, giving shoppers who didn’t get their fill during the Christmas period a chance at nabbing some amazing deals from their favourite brands and shops.  

Monaco’s sales periods are set by ministerial decree and are limited to two sessions each year. In 2024, the winter sales will be taking place until 15th February, while the summer dates have already been set for 28th June to 12th August.  

Merchants selling sporting goods, however, have a different schedule this winter. Sales for this sector are delayed until 15th February and will run to 31st March. The summer schedule syncs up with the rest of the retail industry.  

RETAIL COMPETITION 

Monegasque businesses have the jump on the French, whose winter sales don’t begin until 10th January and run only until 6th February.

“We start the sales earlier and we end them later. It is a small advantage,” says Alexandre Pasta, the president of the Union des Commerçants et Artisans de Monaco. “People wait for this period to get good deals.” 

See more: A guide to the best shopping malls in and around Monaco

The competition from online retailers is, nonetheless, still a present threat.  

“We are facing a dilemma. The internet is a source of competition, but merchants are rethinking and expanding their offerings through these channels,” says Pasta. 

But despite these challenges, the retail industry is strong in Monaco and 2023 was a positive year for its shop owners and franchises.  

“We know that Monaco is a diamond and that our merchants will continue to have shops,” he concludes.  

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Photo by Monaco Life

Before it’s reduced to a pile of pine needles on the living floor, now is the perfect time to turn your Christmas tree into compost that can be used in the parks and gardens of Monaco and the surrounding area. Here’s how.

Until 26th January, the Mairie de Monaco, in collaboration with the Société Monégasque d’Assainissement and the Monegasque government, is running a Christmas tree recycling scheme that allows residents to freely and, more importantly, ecologically, dispose of their natural Christmas trees.

11 drop-off zones across the Principality are now up and running: Place Saint-Nicolas, Place Sainte-Dévote, the Jardins d’Apolline intersection of the Promenade Honoré II, Allée Saint Jean-Paul II, Esplanade Albert 1° opposite the Casino supermarket, Boulevard du Larvotto before the Rue du Portier junction, Place des Moulins, Pont Sainte-Dévote at the upper entrance of the SNCF station, Place Saint-Charles, Boulevard de Belgique next to the Bosio bus stop and Avenue Hector Otto near Escorial. 

The idea is to encourage people to drop off their Christmas trees at dedicated sites rather than dumping them in rubbish bins or at the déchèterie.  

In the past, the trees collected have been transported to a composting centre in Carros where they are transformed into useful mulch and other easily biodegradable materials that can be used in gardens and parks.  

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Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

Over the coming days and into the start of next week, it’s going to feel significantly colder in the Principality of Monaco and the French Riviera. In some places, temperatures will be as much as half – if not more – of what has been experienced so far in 2024, and Météo France is warning of potential snowfall even at “low altitude”. 

Nationally, according to Météo France, temperatures will fall by an average of 10°C over the next few days. 

The main driver is that an anticyclone is heading in France’s direction for the weekend, bringing with it generally “dry, sunny but cold” weather with “noticeable wind” for much of the country.  

SNOW, ICE AND FROSTS 

Down in the southeastern corner of France, however, meteorologists are forecasting more “unsettled conditions”.

A bulletin released by Météo France on Wednesday 3rd January notes, “It will then be necessary to monitor the risk of snow at low altitude, particularly in the PACA region, at the start of [next] week.” 

The ski stations of the region are anticipating good snowfall throughout Friday 5th January as well as on-and-off next week.

The coldest weather has been announced from Sunday through to Tuesday, with icy conditions and widespread frost predicted for almost all of the country. Météo France’s forecast indicates that “only a few coastal areas in the northeast and southeast could escape it”. 

In Monaco, the coldest day of next week looks to be Wednesday, when the daytime maximum is unlikely to exceed 7°C. 

At the start of next week, Météo France is forecasting that maximum daily temperatures will struggle to get above 0°C in a “good half of the country”, however the Mediterranean coast is expected to get off more lightly.

If this does indeed come to pass, the national thermal indicator could fall below the symbolic 0°C mark for the first time since February 2018.  

HEAVY RAIN ON FRIDAY 

Right across the south of France, which cocoons the Principality of Monaco on three sides, Météo France has forecast considerable rainfall for Friday 5th January.

Given the likelihood of strong winds accompanying the driving rain, the Mairie de Monaco has announced that the events planned in the Village de Noël for that day have been rescheduled. The M.Orange concert has been brought forwards to Thursday 4th January at 6.30pm while the Merveilleuses Princesses parade has been pushed back to the closing day of the Christmas Village, Sunday 7th January, at 6.30pm.  

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Photo by Monaco Life 

Following the shock departure of Claude Palmero in 2023, Salim Zeghdar, appointed acting Administrator of the Prince’s Assets, has been officially elevated to the key role by Sovereign Ordinance.

It is official. Salim Zeghdar has become one of the most powerful men in Prince Albert’s inner circle.

After accepting an acting role on 7th June 2023 following the controversial ousting of Claude Palmero, Salim Zeghdar was appointed Administrator of the Prince’s Assets (l’administrateur des biens) by Sovereign Ordinance No. 10.283, published in the Journal de Monaco on 22nd December 2023.

At the same time, Valentina Franco was appointed Assistant (Attaché) to the Administrator of the Prince’s Assets, effective 1st January 2024.

Who is Salim Zeghdar?

Salim Zeghdar was born 8^th August 1970 in Monaco. On Friday 5^th July 2019 in the Journal de Monaco, it was confirmed that Zeghdar had been naturalised as a Monegasque citizen.

The 53-year-old is a well-known local figure, most notably as deputy president of the luxury trade show Top Marques, as well as managing director of Monaco Live Productions, and most recently as general director of the newly-launched TV Monaco.

Salim Zeghdar’s role now is to manage the personal fortune of the Prince, the Princely Family, and that of the Sovereign House.

The controversy continues

Claude Palmero, 67, was a key figure in the Palace for 22 years, first serving under Prince Rainier III and then his son, Sovereign Prince Albert II.

After becoming embroiled in the so-called ‘Rock Files’ (Dossiers du Rocher), a series of unverified leaked documents alleging corruption at the highest levels, Palmero was relieved from his position on 7^th June 2023.

Claiming innocence, Palmero lodged an appeal against his dismissal with Monaco’s constitutional court, known as the Supreme Tribunal, on 13^th July, seeking one million euros in compensation and his reinstatement. His case was rejected. Palmero has since indicated that he will take his case to the European Court of Human Rights.   

Meanwhile, Prince Albert, together with his sisters Princess Caroline and Princess Stephanie, are reportedly taking legal action against Palmero.

In an interview with Monaco Matin in November 2023, the Prince said that an audit had been conducted on the ‘Sovereign Household’ following Palmero’s sacking, prompting the Princely family to file a “criminal complaint”.

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Photo of Salim Zeghdar at the press launch of Top Marques in 2023, by Monaco Life

AS Monaco Basket ended 2023 with a win, but lost out to tough opponents Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in the EuroLeague in their first game of the new year.  

It was a bittersweet end to the year for the Roca Team, who suffered defeat to Panathinaikos in the EuroLeague on 20th December with a final score sheet of 90-91 despite strong performances from Alpha Diallo and Mike James.  

Then came a more positive pitting against FC Bayern Munich on 22nd December, which the Monaco side won fairly comfortably –  80-91 – thanks James’ 28 points and Elie Okobo’s 19. 

Next was a Betclic Elite away game against Boulogne-Levallois on 26th December. That ended in victory for the Roca Team, with a score of 77-85 and standout performances from Okobo, who contributed 20 points and eight assists, and Matthew Strazel, with 21 points.   

Then it was time for the final game of the year; a EuroLeague fixture at home in Monaco against FC Barcelona that the Monegasque side won with relative ease (91-70). The game featured a stellar offensive and defensive display led by a dynamic duo in the form of James and Diallo.  

INTO 2024 

The new year began with a EuroLeague game against fearsome opponents Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv at the Bloomfield Stadium in Israel. AS Monaco finished 10 points behind their rivals: 93-83.  

Despite the defeat, the team’s performance was commendable. On each side of the court, James and Maccabi’s Bonzie Colson both stood out with 27 points apiece, and the game was marked by similarly intense competition throughout. 

UPCOMING HOME GAMES 

AS Monaco’s next EuroLeague fixture at home will be against Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz on 9th January. The Monegasque side will also play Real Madrid at the Salle Gaston Médecin on 19th January.  

In the French Betclic Elite league, the closest home game will be against Le Mans on 21st January.

For all fixtures, home and away, click here.  

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Photo credit: AS Monaco Basket

Following weeks of silence regarding the mayor’s arrest and subsequent indictment on corruption charges, the Mairie de Monaco has announced that Camille Svara will be replacing Georges Marsan “for an indefinite period”.  

It is almost three weeks since news broke that Georges Marsan, Monaco’s mayor of 20 years who had been elected to office for an unprecedented sixth term in March 2023, had been among six individuals arrested on suspicion of corruption. He reportedly spent 48 hours in police custody between Thursday 14th and Saturday 16th December.  

On the day of his release, a statement made by the General Prosecutor of Monaco was published by the Monaco Matin that confirmed a judicial investigation has been opened “on counts of active corruption against a national public official, passive corruption by a national public official, active influence peddling and passive ‘illegal taking of interest’ by a national public official and criminal association”. 

See more: Monaco Mayor Georges Marsan among five individuals facing corruption charges

Marsan responded via his legal advisor Thomas Brezzo with comments that were similarly released by the French language newspaper:  

“My actions have always been for the benefit of [Monaco’s] citizens, and have always been motivated by the general interest and standing of the Principality of Monaco… I believe I am being subjected to abusive measures and real harassment. I confirm: I have never taken advantage of my position. I cannot wait for my innocence to be proven,” said Marsan through his lawyer. 

MARSAN TO BE FORMALLY REPLACED  

On Wednesday 3rd January, it was announced by the Mairie de Monaco that Camille Svara will be replacing Marsan. 

Svara has been a member of the Municipal Council since 2003 and has previously headed up the Department for Seniors and Social Action as well as the Médiathèque de Monaco. The 67-year-old, who is married with two children, has a Master’s degree in private law, a diploma from the Ecole Nationale des Impôts and is an Officier de l’Ordre de Saint-Charles, one of Monaco’s highest national honours. 

According to the Mairie, Svara has agreed to assume Marsan’s responsibilities at the head of Monaco’s Municipal Council “for an indefinite period”. 

“This provision allows all municipal services to continue their missions and thus guarantee the continuity of municipal public services,” concludes the statement. 

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Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

A trailblazer with 15 albums to his name and an enduring career at Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo as well as at the head of the Académie Princesse Grace’s music department, Massimiliano Greco is a prolific and exciting musician who has spent years building up a vast repertoire of compositions within both the classical and contemporary dance spheres.  

Now his hard work and unique talent have been recognised at the Foligno Danza Festival in Italy, where he was recently awarded the prestigious Music and Dance Award 2023.  

Upon receiving the accolade, the noted Monaco-based pianist said, “I am deeply honoured to receive the Music and Dance Award 2023 and I’d like to say thank you to all people on the dance world for the great inspiration I received in many years working together.” 

According to a spokesperson for the event, the prize is a celebration of a career that has been “marked by a profound dedication to enriching the dance world”. 

Greco continued his acceptance speech by saying, “It is a testament to the power of collaboration between music and dance, and I am humbled to have played a role in this artistic fusion. This recognition only fuels my passion for creating music that moves the soul and inspires the body. I am dedicated to continuing this journey of artistic exploration, pushing boundaries, and nurturing the beautiful relationship between music and dance.”

Click here to read more about Greco’s impressive musical career.

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Photo supplied

Did you know that the boulevards and avenues of Monaco are home to more than 1,000 citrus trees? Among them are 580 untreated bitter orange trees or oranges amères that are harvested for their crop by the municipal gardeners of the Principality each winter.  

These trees are spread across the Condamine, Moneghetti and Monte-Carlo districts, and their fruit, known as bigarades, are a distinctive feature of the local landscape. 

HARVEST AND DISTRIBUTION DATES 

Though the schedule of the harvest depends on the weather conditions and the maturity of the crop, the Monegasque government has released a preliminary timeline for the collection and distribution of the several tonnes of bitter oranges that are expected this season.  

In the Condamine neighbourhood, the harvesting will take place on Rue Princesse Caroline from 29th January to 10th February and on Rue Grimaldi from 15th to 26th February. Over in the Moneghetti neighbourhood, the Boulevard de Belgique will see harvest activities from 15th to 26th January.

Meanwhile, the Monte-Carlo neighbourhood will have its harvest on Avenue de Grande Bretagne from 8th to 19th January, on Boulevard de Suisse from 22nd to 26th January, and on Boulevard d’Italie from 29th January to 2nd February. 

Residents interested in obtaining a share of these bitter oranges during the harvest can do so by simply asking the gardeners on-site.

In 2023, just over two tonnes of the total eight-tonne harvest were distributed free of charge to locals and to the Lycée Rainier III, where the bigarades were transformed into delicious jams and jellies by the school’s culinary students. 

For more information, call +377 98 98 22 77. 

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department