Day: 10 December 2017

Flamboyant entrepreneur Xavier Niel – often described as France’s most influential person – is close to finalising a deal to take a majority holding in Eir, Ireland’s biggest telecoms company.

Neil, who in 2014 bought the majority stake in Monaco Telecom previously owned by Cable & Wireless Communications, is expected to take a stake of 90 percent currently held by US funds Anchorage Capital and Davidson Kempner and Singapore’s GIC.

The deal would value the former state-owned company at €1.5 billion. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year. The sale would be the sixth change of ownership since 1999.

Niel, 50, is the man behind Iliad, the internet service provider and owner of France’s Free mobile service. In addition to his holding in Monaco Telecom, he is also co-owner of the French newspaper Le Monde. He is said to be close to Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.

READ ALSO 

News

The closing gala dinner marking the bicentenary of the creation of the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince – the Prince’s Guard – was held on Friday, December 8, at the Salle des Etoiles in the presence of Prince Albert.

The Prince received imprint No 01 of the “Bicentennial Calendar” from Colonel Fringant, Superior Commander of the Police Force, in the presence of Princess Stephanie and her son, the Carabinier of first class Louis Ducruet.

Throughout the year, a series of commemorations marked the occasion, including an exhibition at the Prince’s Palace, entitled “Two centuries of history, 1817-2017” from June 13 to October 15.

The Prince’s Carabinieri Orchestra also took part in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August, in the presence of the Prince.

A stamp marking the bicentennial was published by the Monaco Stamp Office and a commemorative coin of two euros was minted, with 15,000 pieces.

READ ALSO 

Prince’s orchestra joins autumn festival for seniors

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2) signed a financing agreement on November 8 with the Chinese Foundation for the Protection of the Environment for a project that culminates at the end of this month.

On Friday, December 8, FPA2 stated that a document was signed by its Vice-President, HE Bernard Fautrier, and Fu Wenjuan, President of the Chinese Foundation for the Protection of the Environment.

The objective of this recent agreement is the funding of a project investigating cyanobacterial water blooms in Taihu Lake, China’s second-largest freshwater lake.

This project involves the in-depth study of the efflorescence of cyanobacteria – the bacteria that caused the Great Oxidation 2.4 of billion years ago, making possible the evolution of living creatures – forming “flowers of water”. This phenomenon provides valuable information on the state of water pollution, and the subsequent creation of an information platform open to the general public, will constitute an educational tool as well as a working basis for scientists.

The project will end at the end of December 2017, with the submission of a survey report on the pollution of the lake.

READ ALSO

Prince visits Yersin, attends cocktail reception in Martinique

The Monaco Government Tourist & Convention Authority, along with Hotel Metropole and Fairmont Monte-Carlo, recently hosted the legendary Bollywood director, producer and television personality Karan Johar, in association with Millionaire Asia magazine.

The visit was planned in association with the luxury, lifestyle and business magazine Millionaire Asia India, which exclusively photographed multi-faceted Karan – often known as KJo – from the amazing views of the two hotels against the enchanting views and backdrops of Monaco, the magazine wrote.

The Casino, Port Hercules, Buddha Bar, the Café de Paris and the Grand Prix Circuit were among the other splendours of Monaco that the star experienced.

“The alluring essence of the Principality lies in legendary style and sophistication, which finely blends with the world-class, modern and state-of-the-art luxury,” said Rajeev Nangia, India Director, Monaco Government Tourist Bureau.

“Destination Monaco takes immense pride and happiness in hosting the star entrepreneur Karan Johar to the illuminated world of glamorous dreams. Since his visit to Monaco, Karan has been sharing his Monaco memories with the world across his social media accounts.”

READ ALSO

Tourism looks towards India