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Day: 2 February 2022

Belgian brothers win Historic Monte-Carlo Rally

by: Luke Entwistle
02/02/2022
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Following a two-year absence, the Historic Monte-Carlo Rally returned last week, crowning brothers Philippe and Antoine Cornet De Ways Ruart champions in the 24th edition of the race at Port Hercule on Wednesday.

The Historic rally is a nostalgic treat for motorsport fans, who get to see classic Porsches, Renaults, Volkswagens, Mini Coopers and more race across some breathtaking landscapes. It is also a truly pan-European event. Not only does it attract drivers from all over the continent, it also begins at a variety of different start points.

Thursday night saw departures from Bad Homburg in Germany, Milan in Italy, and Reims in France. The three diffuse locations share one commonality, the end destination – Monaco. The unique format, Christian Tornatone, General Commissioner of the Automobile Club of Monaco, says, must be kept. “I think everyone likes it, and we have to stay with this traditional, historic format.” Although 256 competitors would begin the rally, not all would end it, and some wouldn’t even make it to the competitive stages, which would begin upon arrival in the Principality.

The competitors gradually arrived on Friday, having completed their respective long-distance journeys, passing through check-points on the way. The competitive racing, however, began on Saturday, with 17 picturesque but challenging stages to complete.

Making their way up to Valence, the competitors would race in some treacherous conditions through the beautiful Ardeche region. The cars, although accustomed to battling through the elements, found it difficult on Monday’s stage. Passing through the Col de L’Echarasson was made almost impossible by the heavy snowfall, forcing drivers to circle back on themselves as the stage was ultimately cancelled.

The competitive racing continued on Tuesday, the Cornet De Ways Ruart brothers successfully constructing a lead. The Belgian duo completed the final stage, arriving at Port Hercules in Monte-Carlo early Wednesday morning, where they were greeted with a bottle of champagne, an apt reward for their exploits over the course of the event.

Having secured the victory, Philippe expressed his delight at the accomplishment, saying, “It was a great honour and a fantastic event. We were very lucky, and at times it was intense.”

Motosport lovers, having missed out on experiencing the event last year due to the pandemic, were this year treated to a truly nostalgic, competitive exhibition of classic car racing, that is sure to live long in the memory of all those that experienced it.

 

 

Photo by Monaco Life

 

 

Unemployment in Eurozone hits all-time low

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/02/2022

Finally, there is some good news on the horizon. Eurostat, the official statistical agency, logged the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in the region at 7% in December, the lowest level seen since data gathering began in April 1998.

The 27 members of the EU, which includes nations that do not use the euro as their currency, also saw the jobless rate fall to 6.4 %, another historic low.

“The Eurozone ended 2021 – the year after the worst recession since World War II – with its lowest ever unemployment rate, a testimony to the success of our collective response to this crisis,” said Paolo Gentiloni, the EU Economics Affairs Commissioner.

Before December 2021, the lowest unemployment rates in the 19 Eurozone countries, classified as those who use the euro as their currency, and the 27 EU nations, were 7.2% and 6.5 % respectively. This was back in March 2020, just before the spate of lockdowns and border closures brought about by the pandemic.

In human terms, the new findings equal 1.8 million more people who have jobs.

Officials cite the handling of the Eurozone debt crisis as the primary reason unemployment figures were kept down. Rather than choosing the austerity path, as was the case in 2010 to 2015, authorities jointly agreed on a huge spending push during the height of the crisis. The gamble paid off.

The strategy is also being touted as the explanation for Europe’s meteoric economic surge in 2021, which saw the Eurozone economy grow by 5.2%.

Despite the decidedly rosy picture, disparities do exist. For example, unemployment in Germany was at a super low 3.2%, whilst Spain’s sat at a distressing 13%. Some 13.6 million were jobless in the EU in December, 11.5 million in the Eurozone.

France’s joblessness has seen a steady drop to 7.4%, still above the average, but improving. Italy’s rate is at 9%.

The high employment concentration in certain countries is being explained by difficulty in finding workers for certain jobs. This could mean those countries will be seeing demands for higher wages in the coming months and these demands will go hand-in-hand with the current controversy surrounding the drastic rise in consumer prices, notably for energy, in Europe.

Christine Legarde, the European Central Bank (ECB) chief, says that high inflation is temporary and linked to the crisis, but the ECB will soon come under pressure to raise interest rates and cut back on stimulus packages if wages rise.

“There is very little the ECB can do against the current inflation drivers, but once inflation expectations start to move up and wage growth accelerates, a rate hike will no longer be far away,” said Carsten Brzeski of ING bank.

Interest rate hikes would be unwelcome news for the Eurozone’s biggest debt-holders, such as Spain, Italy, Greece and France, adding additional strain to already tight budgets.

 

Micallef maintains 100% record despite fractured hand

by: Luke Entwistle
02/02/2022

Monegasque boxer Hugo Micallef overcame a hand fracture in the first round of his bout against Gonzalo Omar Manriquez to win his second professional fight in Barcelona on Saturday.

Following up his win in Paris in September looked to be a tall-order in the opening stages. A fracture to Micallef’s right-hand, which was successfully masked from his opponent, forced him into using only his left-hand for the remainder of the fight.

Despite his disadvantage, welterweight boxer Micallef still won the unanimous vote of the judges over the six rounds, consigning his Argentinian opponent to a third defeat in professional boxing.

Post-fight, Micallef was happy with his performance. “I felt very quick and powerful,” he said to the assembled press. However, he added that he was disappointed not to be able to give a knock-out blow to his opponent. “My only frustration was the fact that it was impossible to bring an end to the fight before the bell, being unable to use my left-hand.”

The young Monegasque, who competed in over 100 amateur fights, has shown great promise in his early career, and having battled through adversity, he now seeks to maintain his 100% record.

But before that, he must recover. The injury sustained in his latest fight will keep him out of action for the next month.

 

Photo source: Hugo Micallef Instagram 

 

 

Sanremo bands compete for Eurovision 2022

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/02/2022

Italy’s quintessential Sanremo Music Festival is currently underway and fans can catch the acts live at the Ariston Theatre, locally on Italian television station RAI, or online at RAI’s Raiplay site.  

The 72nd Sanremo Music Festival is running now until Saturday 5th February with a total of 25 acts playing over the five nights. The winner of the competition will have the chance to represent Italy at the 2022 Eurovision competition being held this year in Turin.

The first two nights split the acts in half for their debut performances and on the third night, Thursday, all 25 acts will reprise their acts in a single evening.

Friday night is cover night, where the performers will team up with a non-competing artist to do a duet of an Italian or international classic tune from the 1960’s to the 1990’s.

All-time international favourites such as the 1963 Ronettes hit, ‘Be My Baby’, Elton John’s ‘Your Song’ from 1970, ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’, the Britney Spears hit from 1998, 1983’s ‘What a Feeling’ by Irene Cara and Aretha Franklin’s 1967 classic ‘(You Make me Feel Like ) A Natural Woman’ are amongst the songs audience members will be able to enjoy. Add to this the selection of all-time classics by Italy’s own artists over the decade and music lovers will have a night to remember.

Saturday, the fifth and final evening, will see the acts perform one final time before the winner is selected.

There is a twist to the contest, though. Differing from other Eurovision-related contests, the winner of the night is not necessarily going on to compete at Eurovision.

The performers were all asked ahead of time whether they would be willing to represent Italy in the contest, which will be held in May. If the winner of Sanremo has not indicated they would like to go onto Eurovision, RAI will choose another act internally to attend.

The Sanremo Music Festival is the world’s longest running annual television music festival. The first edition was held in January 1951 and was broadcast on RAI radio station Rete Rossa with only three competitors singing 20 songs. It came about as a way to revitalise the economy after the devastating effects of World War II and became an Instant hit with music fans.

 

 

Screenshot of Monday night’s performance on RAI

 

 

 

Monaco mourns death of former Chairman of Board of Auditors

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/02/2022
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The government of Monaco has announced the passing of one of their own with the death of James Charrier, former Chairman of the Monaco Board of Auditors from 2004 to 2016.

Born in 1927, Charrier started his career in administration as a tax inspector in 1947. A graduate of the Ecole Nationale d’Administration, he spent his entire career in the Auditor’s Court as an auditor, referendum advisor, master advisor, and chamber president.

In 1974, he was appointed to the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Court of Auditors where he was first Advocate General, then First Advocate General.

He joined Monaco’s Board of Auditors in 1969 as a member before being appointed Vice-Chairman in 1989. In 2004, he was elevated to Chairman where he held the post until his retirement in 2016.

As a member of the board, Charrier carried out audits in various fields, primarily financially-related, including the budget and accounts of the country.

Additionally, as Chairman, he updated the Board through the development and application of the Sovereign Ordinance of 2nd July 2008, which strengthened its resources.

James Charrier was also Grand Officer of the Order of Saint-Charles and Commander of the Order of Grimaldi. He was, in France, Officer of the Legion of Honour and Commander of the National Order of Merit.

The government has expressed deep sadness at the loss and has sent heartfelt condolences to his family.

The Board of Auditors is a supreme public audit institution in the Principality of Monaco. Its main functions are audit of the accounts, budgetary and financial management of Monaco, the commune and public institutions.

 

 

Photo by Direction de la Communication / Charly Gallo

 

 

 

James fires Roca Team to comeback victory

by: Luke Entwistle
02/02/2022
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AS Monaco Basketball brushed last weekend’s demoralising overtime defeats aside with a controlled performance against Euroleague strugglers Panathinaikos on Tuesday. Mike James was once again unstoppable, picking up a 29-point haul.

The win keeps them on the brink of the play-off places, although the Principality side’s rivals for the top-8 all have games in-hand.

In a large but sparsely occupied Greek sports hall, it seemed as if the latest chapter in Monaco’s recent tale of woe was set to be written. Panathinaikos cut through the Principality side’s defence with the same ease as Boulogne-Levallois had on Sunday, the Parisian side eventually racking-up 115 points in that fixture.

James would, however, come back to haunt his former side. The American point guard has spent two spells at the Greek side, and his contribution was decisive.

Post-match he revealed the inspiration for his match-winning performance, saying, “My last round game (against Real Madrid) was awful so I didn’t want to play badly twice in a row.”

Monaco’s passivity in the defensive phase during the first-quarter (27-19), which ceded a healthy lead to the home side, was more than compensated by an emphatic second-quarter. Their 30-point haul not only made up the deficit, but also gave Monaco a healthy half-time lead.

An 11-point run from the Greek side in the third-quarter put the pressure on Sasa Obradovic’s men, their inability to kill-off games offering Panathinaikos an unlikely route back into the tie.

Monaco’s response was, however, emphatic. An incredible run (16-2) in which James took 13 points, including a couple of three-pointers, definitively settled the game late-on. The 83-91 defeat consigned the Greek’s to their 16th Euroleague defeat of the season, whilst Monaco registered their 11th victory.

Post-match, Obradovic was very complimentary of the performance, singling out James for praise. “I am very happy with my players,” he said. “We found strength in the end… Mike James nailed some shots that only he can pull off.”

The Roca Team are on the road once again on Thursday as they came up against Crvena Zvezda in the Euroleague.

 

 

Photo source: AS Monaco Basketball