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Day: 15 February 2020

Third win in a row

by: Staff Writer
15/02/2020

Islam Slimani managed the only goal of the game as AS Monaco came out victorious over Montpellier Hérault SC 1-0 at the Stade Louis II on Friday, replacing their visitors in fifth with the win.
Monaco welcomed Montpellier to the Principality without suspended midfield pair Adrien Silva and Aurélien Tchouameni, and their defence looked particularly exposed when Florent Mollet found space in the box early on but his shot hit Benjamin Lecomte’s legs (6′). Monaco soon settled into their stride, though, and Slimani came close to breaking the deadlock at the other end after a nice one-two with Wissam Ben Yedder, only to see his effort was comfortably collected by Dimitry Bertaud – standing in for the suspended Geronimo Rulli – in the Montpellier goal (17′). Robert Moreno’s side should have carried at least a 1-0 lead into the interval. Aleksandr Golovin missed a gilt-edged chance from close range (27′) before Slimani headed past the far post (35′). Stevan Jovetic the span a wonderful attempt from the edge of the box narrowly wide (37′) before Ben Yedder found the outside side-netting (39′) and referee Ruddy Buquet’s whistle went with the scores, somehow, at 0-0.
The second half was less than 10 minutes old when Slimani made amends for his first-half profligacy, though. Golovin swung a corner into the visitors’ box and Slimani met it ahead of Hilton to head home his ninth goal of the Ligue 1 Conforama campaign (52′). Tiemoué Bakayoko – making his own timely return from suspension at just the right time with Silva and Tchouameni sitting out – then came close to doubling Monaco’s lead when he met a Ben Yedder cutback but his effort crashed back off the woodwork (70′). Ben Yedder and Slimani combined again late on, but this time Slimani failed to get his feet sorted out in time and the chance went begging (83′). Monaco nonetheless looked comfortable in closing out the 1-0 win which lifts them into a provisional fifth.
Slimani has had to fight for his place since Moreno succeeded Leonardo Jardim as coach in December, but having scored goals as a substitute against Paris Saint-Germain and Amiens SC since the turn of the year, he started in attack alongside Ben Yedder and Jovetic and was once again the stand-out player. Slimani is also a maker – only Angel Di Maria has laid on more than the Algerian’s eight this term – and Monaco would do well to at least extend his loan from Leicester City beyond the end of the season.
 
Source: Ligue1
Photo: AS Monaco
 

Hôtel de Paris earns 5th star

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/02/2020

The Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo has received a 5th star, the highest level, in the international rankings of the esteemed Forbes Travel Guide 2020.
The rankings are carried out each year by the prestigious American publication who selects the best of the best hotels, restaurants, spas and resorts around the globe, based on a select criteria of excellence.
The additional star recognises the extraordinary work done by the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo’s teams since their reopening last year and celebrates the successful reincarnation of the iconic establishment. This award sets the hotel apart as being the sole property on the French Riviera to be presented with the five-star distinction.
The ongoing history of high standards, thoroughness and exceptional service that sets the Hôtel de Paris apart and that has been the impetus for the award, uses more than 900 indicators based on criteria such as customer service and satisfaction, use of a broad choice of luxury products, general comfort and top shelf amenities. Fifty roving inspectors travel the world anonymously examining establishments and select only those who meet their strict high-quality standards.

“We are proud to receive this Five Star award issued by Forbes Travel Guide 2020,” said Ivan Artolli, Managing Director of the Hôtel de Paris. “This award recognises the skills and know-how of the teams at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo who work to satisfy demanding international customers.”
Inspectors who visited the hotel particularly noted the stunning architecture, which has recently been enhanced from its original Belle Époque facade by architects Gabriel Viora and Richard Martinet. Rooms have been meticulously upgraded, including two ‘Diamond Suites’, the Princess Grace Suite and the Prince Rainier III Suite. The hotel was also noted for its fantastic wine cellar, which carries over 350,000 bottles.

A total of 1,898 establishments have been granted a place in the listings, including only 432 five star establishments.
“If the list of the best rooms in the world, selected by the Forbes Travel Guide includes the most beautiful accommodation, the interest goes beyond the appearance of the room,” said Filip Boye, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide. “Each hotel on this list has been thoroughly tested and found to be extremely comfortable, quiet, and offering superior services and technological amenities. Travellers who go there will bathe in luxury, to their delight.”
 
Photos courtesy: SBM Monte Carlo
 
 

Orthodox icons exhibition

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/02/2020

The Cathedral of Monaco is hosting an exhibition of extraordinary embroidered icons in conjunction with the Russian Consulate.
From 13th February to 3rd April, the Cathedral of Monaco will be showing a series of embroidered iconic images made available by the Prikosnovenie Workshop in Moscow. The works of art have deep roots in Russian Orthodox Church history. They are lovingly hand stitched with embellishments of gold thread and precious stones and were primarily used as encouragements for soldiers about to go into battle or heading off to military campaigns.
Embroiderers of Russia are world-renowned and many can be linked to the great families of Russia, including representatives from princely and czarist families.
This great art is being revived almost single-handedly by Natalia Gorkovenko at the ‘Prikosnovenie’ Workshop (touch in English). She is one of the first people in modern Russia to become interested in making creations using this art form. The workshop’s pieces are becoming highly valued by collectors and churches with exhibitions being launched all over the world.
Since a successful exhibit at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in 2012 where more than 40 of these sacred iconic images were displayed as modern art, their popularity has continued to increase, spurring similar shows in the USA, Paris, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Greece and, of course, Russia.
The works are hauntingly beautiful and clearly painstakingly created, with each bead, stitch and jewel hand sewn “just so” so as to create these modern day masterpieces for us all to enjoy.
 
 

Extended Monaco progress report

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/02/2020

It’s been less than nine months since the Prince’s government unveiled the Extended Monaco programme, yet the initiatives that have been implemented in that time are nothing short of impressive.
A progress report on the first stages of the Extended Monaco programme have been presented to the press and the figures show the Principality is definitely on the right track.
The aim of Extended Monaco is to shift to an entirely digital transformation, offering a new cycle of economic prosperity, enhancing quality of life and making public service even more valuable.
Frederic Genta, Inter-ministerial Delegate in Charge of the Digital Transition, is responsible for implementing the programme and in 2019, roughly 30 new procedures or actions were implemented, including great strides in e-education, e-administration and smart mobility practices.
The hard work has shown some solid results. The Principality’s position in the United Nations ranking on connected states has risen an impressive 100 places. On top of that, the digital economy now represents a turnover of €826 million with growth of 27% between 2013 and 2018.
Three new laws have made “turning digital” possible in daily life and have turned Monaco into a connected city. More than 1,500 soft mobility routes are calculated every day by City Mapper, over 1,000 requests for local information are carried out daily, and 2,000+ journeys per day are made by electric bikes via MonaBike’s app.
Moreover, every student in Monaco is trained for one hour per week in coding – a world first – while educational guidance is available for students in grades three through 12 with the CAESO app.
A 200 m2 complex has been dedicated to e-education and is equipped with 3-D printers, computers and other digital tools to assist teachers in designing new educational content.
Finally, over 45% of civil servants are now connected via messaging tools, and 1,000 online training modules are available for public officials and agents. All this translates in concrete terms to 1.4 tonnes of paper being saved within the administration.