Prince Albert will join an exceptional line up of speakers, including teenage activist Greta Thunberg and Pope Francis, for a digital Earth Day summit on Thursday. Here is how you can stream the event live.
To celebrate and raise awareness for the 51st Earth Day on Thursday 22nd April, earthday.org has gathered a diverse lineup of activists, global leaders, musicians, educators, industry leaders, influencers and artists from around the world for the second annual digital livestream event. Discussions, performances, presentations and films will explore the innovative and powerful solutions to ‘Restore Our Earth’.
‘Earth Day Live: Restore Our Earth’ will be streamed live at 12pm ET (6pm Monaco time) on Thursday via earthday.org, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, YouTube, and GEM-TV, a streaming platform founded in Monaco.
The virtual event will be hosted by Founder of Earth Uprising and Youth Climate Activist Alexandria Villaseñor, and Milana Vayntrub, Actress, Comedian, Writer and Director.
As a part of Earthday.org’s partnership with TED Countdown, the digital event will include three original TED Countdown Talks by John Marshall, Cory Combs and Rumaitha Al Busaidi. The program will also feature segments from Education International’s Teach for the Planet: Global Education Summit, Hip Hop Caucus’ We Shall Breathe virtual summit, as well as Earth Uprising’s Youth Speaks Summit.
“For over half a century, hundreds of millions of people from around the globe have taken political and volunteer action on Earth Day, yet multiple accelerating environmental and health crises continue to envelop our planet, impacting everyone but particularly the poor and vulnerable who live among us,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of Earthday.org. “On behalf of the one billion people who will take part in Earth Day this year, even in the midst of a second year of the pandemic, we demand that the talking stop and that governments and corporations commit to net-zero emissions by 2040 with an interim goal of cutting emissions in half by 2030. Anything less will deprive our children of their right to inherit a habitable planet.”
Among this year’s powerful lineup are Prince Albert II of Monaco, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, Actress and Producer Kristen Bell, Award-Winning Conservationist, Photographer and Author Chris Packham, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Ibrahim Thiaw, White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy, Youth Climate Activist Greta Thunberg, and Pope Francis.
For more information on Earth Day Live and Earth Day 2021, visit: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2021/
The Metropole Hotel has swung open its doors in spectacular style with a picture-perfect floral installation that immerses guests in the vibrance and beauty of spring. Monaco Life was there for a sneak peak of the lobby’s new showpiece ahead of the hotel reopening on Wednesday.
After closing for a major backhouse renovation in late 2020, the Metropole Hotel reopened its revolving doors on Wednesday with a stunning celebration of the season – a floral scene that is designed to mesmerise guests but which also, perhaps unwittingly, represents the new life that is being breathed into the 135-year-old hotel.
“We have just reopened the hotel after the first of three renovations, which took place completely in the back of house,” Managing Director Serge Ethuin told Monaco Life. “There is nothing new to show our guests who have been anxiously awaiting our reopening, so it was incredibly important that our artistic directors create something very strong, where our guests can feel part of the mood we are trying to evoke, that they become immersed in the decoration. And I think we have reached our objective.”
Photo of the entrance floral display at the Hotel Metropole, by Studio Phenix
The display begins in the entrance hall where, below the hotel’s elegant chandelier, a flower-laden wooden window frames the lobby like a scene straight out of a Disney fairy tale.
The lobby itself is an explosion of colour, with cherry blossoms, orchids and hydrangeas delicately embracing a wooden swing upon which guests can sit and snap their perfect Instagram pic.
The story continues on the backwall, with a forest of green and pink. It is an oasis of tranquillity and is, arguably, the hotel’s finest floral installation to date.
A family passion
The display was created by Monegasque company Roni, a family business of four generations whose works are commissioned for celebrity events, luxury hotels and exclusive restaurants throughout the world.
Passion, creativity and an eye for detail have been handed down the generations to Nicolas Barelier, who serves as Artistic Director, alongside his siblings Emmanuel, Jean-Marie and Audrey.
The installation at the Metropole Hotel is a seamless blend of fresh and silk flowers, which were handmade especially for this project. Remarkably, it took just three days to complete the display.
“We are honoured to return to the Metropole Hotel,” Nicolas Barelier told Monaco Life. “They are the only ones who really let us imagine what we want, which is very important. The concept this year is clearly spring, but we want it to say: ‘Welcome to the Hotel Metropole. Take a seat, and have your picture taken.”
Nicolas (top) and Emmanuel Barelier (bottom) of Roni, photo by Monaco Life
The extravagant display will not only be admired by hotel guests but also customers who have eagerly awaited the reopening of Michelin-starred restaurant Yoshi.
“I have guests who love Yoshi so much they have booked the restaurant three times for the next week or so,” revealed Serge Ethuin. “We are delighted, because in these first days, when our international and French customers cannot come to eat in Monegasque restaurants, we can welcome our regulars, our locals… so we are reopening almost for the family. It’s fantastic.”
In addition to the award-winning Japanese restaurant, the hotel’s bar and its terrace have also reopened, as well as room service for hotel guests. However, the French restaurant and the Odyssey restaurant surrounding the pool will remain closed because of health restrictions.
Behind closed doors
The five-month renovation has completely revamped the kitchens of the hotel, reinvigorating Chef Christophe Cussac and his team.
“People do not see what has been done in the back of house, but it is a revolution for our teams, it is so exciting,” Chef Cussac told Monaco Life, adding that guests can expect some new dishes among the tried-and-tested signature plates of the restaurant because, “our customers who come regularly will have missed our dishes.”
After securing their dream kitchens, Chef Cussac and his team are now anxiously awaiting the second phase of renovation which will reconceptualise all of the restaurants.
“We know that there are still two phases coming, especially in the restaurants and guest rooms, and I am already projecting myself there,” said the chef. “Then we will do something different, a completely different concept with the restaurant itself.”
Metropole Hotel Managing Director Serge Ethuin and Executive Chef Christophe Cussac, by Monaco Life
Opening at half capacity
As one of only a handful of palaces in Monaco, the intimate Metropole Hotel should be reopening to a full list of bookings during the event-heavy month of May. However, with travel restrictions still in place and audience numbers heavily reduced, the hotel’s figures have been drastically reduced.
“We are more than 60% behind the number of bookings of the last Historic Grand Prix of Monaco, which was three years ago,” said the hotel managing director. “But we are happy because our opening is good for the destination, for the image of Monaco, and it is good for us.”
For the fast-approaching Monaco Grand Prix in late May, Mr Ethuin says the hotel is 40% booked. “We have adjusted our strategy to allow people to stay for a shorter period as opposed to the four-day minimum. So, we may be full on the Saturday and Sunday, and at least that is good news.”
Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo
Phase two
The original plan was to close the hotel again in October 2021 for phase two of the renovation, the largest stage that would tackle all of the bedrooms, the creation of new exceptional suites, and the refurbishment of restaurants, the lobby bar and banqueting rooms over a period of six months.
However, because of the Covid epidemic, the strategy has changed.
“We will not close at all this year anymore,” revealed Mr Ethuin. “We are reducing the second closure as much as possible to perhaps only the month of January or February. As a result, we might have to close for a third time, but again it will be for a very short period of time with as few disruptions to our guests as possible. Our strategy is changing, but fundamentally we want to stay in business as much as possible for our local and international market.”
AS Monaco Basketball have beaten Boulogne-Levallois at an away game 85 to 78, continuing their domination in Jeep Elite action and maintaining the top spot in the standings.
The Roca team had another exceptional night when facing off against the Metropolitans 92 on Tuesday, beating the seventh ranked team comfortably.
Boulogne-Levallois took the early lead with two big slam dunks by Vitalis Chikoko, but Monaco caught up quickly after Marcos Knight landed a three-pointer, followed by another by team captain Dee Bost.
The Metropolitans were no push-overs and held their own, with the first quarter being a game of cat and mouse between the two teams, though Monaco held onto the lead throughout.
By halftime, it was a bit of a different story, with the Roca boys having a solid lead of 49 to 38.
The second half opened with the big three-pointer by the Mets’ Archie Goodwin, but it wasn’t enough to stop Monaco’s momentum. They never let up the pressure and by the end, they comfortably won 85 to 78.
The win was sweeter still as the last time the two teams clashed last September, Boulogne-Levallois beat Monaco 72-62.
“The most important thing is always to win, and we wanted to take our revenge for the first leg,” said Coach Zvezdan Mitrovic. “The plan was to attack Mets interiors with Lessort, we did it right. I want to greet the new ones (Frazier and Faye) who helped us a lot. It’s not easy for them because they have missed a lot of training with our EuroCup trips.”
Marcos Knight was high scorer on the night with 18 points under his belt. Rob Gray was close on his heels with 16. Monaco made 27 shots out of 54, going six for eight in three-point range. They had an incredible 31 rebounds, six steals and 21 assists, with Knight taking credit for six of them alone.
In other Roca team news, the scheduled EuroCup match against the Kazan Unics which saw Monaco travel to the Russians on 27th April has now been switched so the opponents will come to Monaco that night and travel to Russia on the 30th.
The change, announced Monday by Euroleague, was “in agreement with the two clubs.”
In the event of no clear winner, a tie-breaker will be played on Sunday 2nd May, rather than Wednesday 5th May. The ruling was made due to the obligation by Monaco to submit to a period of isolation upon returning from a non-EU country.
But first, the Roca team returns for more Jeep Elite action against SIG Strasbourg on Friday at 9pm in Strasbourg.
Monaco Life with AS Monaco Basketball press release, photo by AS Monaco Basketball
Government officials took time out on Tuesday to visit the site of the Testimonio II state housing project that is currently under construction, marking a major step forward in providing adequate state-sponsored housing for Monegasques and a new home for the International School of Monaco.
As part of the National Housing Plan for Monegasques, the Testimonio II (T2) project is moving forward with both of the towers, called Testimonio II and Testimonio II bis, having received visits from high-ranking officials this week including Minister of Equipment, Environment and Town Planning Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Minister of Finance and Economy Jean Castellini, and President of the National Council Stéphane Valeri.
The officials had the opportunity to visit several model apartments, which range in size from two to five rooms and are all fully furnished with equipped kitchens to make them move-in ready.
The new apartment blocks will have a total of 348 state-owned units, with T2 housing 181 state-owned flats and T2 bis having 167. There will also be 59 private residences and five villas on the site. Additionally, there will be 1,100 public parking spaces, a creche with the capacity to look after 50 children manged by the Town Hall, and new premises for the International School of Monaco.
An automated pedestrian link between Boulevard d’Italie, Boulevard du Larvotto and Avenue Princesse Grace will also be installed as well as a public space at the foot of the two towers.
The delivery schedule is set to be as early as the last quarter of 2022 for the Testimonio II tower and the first quarter of 2023 for the Testimonio II bis tower.
Photo by Michael Alesi / Government Communications Department
In a colossal turn of events, the European Super League has started to unravel just days after it was announced, with all six English Premier League teams withdrawing after pressure from fans and government.
News of a new European Super League (ESL) was publicly revealed on Sunday night but it appears to be over before it started. Unexpected backlash from supporters and the government has spurred the league’s six biggest English clubs to abandon the league.
This has left the new association up the creek without a paddle less than 48 hours after it was launched.
Chelsea was the first to go, followed by Manchester City, then by 11pm Tuesday the final four – Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham – all made their adieus.
The volte face has left the club owners’ reputations in tatters, and some fans are calling for blood. In the case of Manchester United for example, Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward, who was a key architect of the new league, resigned his post after confidence in him became shaky.
Most of the clubs have tried to underplay their decision to backout, but Arsenal owned their mistake, saying fan response was a key contributor and they needed “time for further reflection and deep thought.”
In a statement, they went on to say, “It was never our intention to cause such distress, however when the invitation to join the Super League came, while knowing there were no guarantees, we did not want to be left behind to ensure we protected Arsenal and its future. As a result of listening to you and the wider football community over recent days, we are withdrawing from the proposed Super League. We made a mistake, and we apologise for it.”
Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy also issued an apology, saying, “We regret the anxiety and upset caused by the ESL proposal.”
The English aren’t the only ones having second thoughts. It’s reported that Italian clubs Milan and Internazionale were also considering abandoning the leaky ship. This leaves the Spanish teams, Atletico, Madrid and Barcelona, as well as Juventus flapping in the wind.
Despite the major setback, the Super League is vowing to move forward with their plans, albeit with a pause to “reshape the project.”
“Despite the announced departure of the English clubs, forced to take such decisions due to the pressure on them, we are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations,” reads a statement from the ESL. “Given the current circumstances, we shall reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always having in mind our goals of offering fans the best experience possible while enhancing solidarity payments for the entire football community.”
As the clubs, one-by-one, made public their intentions to exit the ESL, UEFA’s President, Aleksander Ceferin breathed a sigh of relief. He released a statement saying, “It is admirable to admit a mistake and these clubs made a big mistake. But they are back in the fold now and I know they have a lot to offer not just to our competitions but to the whole of the European game. The important thing now is that we move on, rebuild the unity that the game enjoyed before this and move forward together.”
The fat lady hasn’t exactly sung, but without a serious change in perspective, it looks as if the ESL is DOA.
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