This summer has already seen a certain amount of disruption and inconvenience in the travel sector as holiday-hungry passengers are dealing with higher prices, IT glitches and mass cancellations. Can travellers expect things to get better soon? The short answer is… probably not.
Photo by Monaco Life
Monaco is celebrating bees with the 11th edition of APIdays, highlighting the tiny creatures that play a huge part in keeping the circle of life going by pollinating an estimated 80% of all of Europe’s wildflowers, preventing inbreeding and helping plants reproduce effectively.
According to bee experts at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, a third of the world’s food production depends on bees.
Think about that for a moment. A full one-third of our global food output is reliant on a tiny insect. Couple this with the benefits bees give the planet, including the making of delicious honey, creating jobs for rural peoples as beekeepers, and pollinating vast numbers of plants to keep their proliferation going, and it’s no surprise this humble creature has been given its own special day.
Since 2011, the Principality has celebrated APIdays, a programme led by the French National Union of Beekeeping (UNAF) to promote “bees, environmental sentinels”.
Several hives have been operational on the roof terrace of the Museum of Philately and Coinage in Fontvieille and are monitored by the UNAF, with help from a team at the Gardens Section of the Department of Urban Amenities.
This year, on 24th and 25th June from 9am to 4pm, the Department of Urban Amenities will be offering free events at the UNESCO Gardens on the Fontvieille Terraces, giving people the opportunity to learn more about these fascinating insects.
Beekeepers will be on hand to provide information and raise awareness about the key role played by bees, the importance of protecting them, and the development of beekeeping in France. The theme chosen for this year’s events is ‘Flowers, bees… and humans’.
The program will include a presentation on the benefits of melliferous plants, an exhibition on the history of bees, natural wax candle-making workshops, a chance to observe and learn how to identify pollinating wasps, hornets and bees, discussions with the lead beekeeper who will demonstrate how to extract honey, as well as fun games and quizzes for the kids.
Photo by Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department
A manslaughter and involuntary injury investigation has been opened into the death of Sergeant Thierry Perard on Sunday, the first firefighter to have died on duty in the history of the Principality.
Prince Albert was among many members of the community to express his condolences to the family and peers of Sergeant Thierry Perard, who died from toxic smoke inhalation on what should have been a day of celebration, Father’s Day.
“It is with great sadness that HSH Prince Albert II learned of the death of Sergeant Thierry Perard in the performance of his duties”, said the Palace in a statement, adding that it was “the first time in its history that the firefighter’s unit from the Principality loses one of its own, in the performance of his duty to save lives.”
Sergeant Thierry Perard was responding with his unit to a raging apartment fire in Le 21 residence building on Avenue Princess Grace on Sunday. Hours later, the government confirmed that the firefighter, with 26 years of experience, had died.
“His Serene Highness wishes to assure the wife and daughter of this firefighter that together with His family, He shares their deep sorrow,” said the Palace. “He also endorses the strong emotion of the Corps of Firefighters of the Principality, and of all the Public Force, deeply affected by this terrible event.”
Meanwhile, Minister of State Pierre Dartout on Monday visited La Condamine barracks with Minister of the Interior Patrice Cellario to express the government’s sympathy to firefighters and the family of the victim.
“The tragic death of Sergeant Thierry Perard is a painful reminder of the total commitment of firefighters to help our national community,” said the government in a statement.
Sergeant Thierry Perard reportedly entered the 400sqm home just after 1pm searching for its missing occupants, the toxic flames fuelled by large amounts of burning furniture and winds entering from three facades. It was, say experts, an “unprecedented” random phenomena.
Sergeant Perard was transported to hospital with toxic smoke inhalation and later died of his injuries. He had served 26 years in the brigade.
In total, 65 firefighters were called to the scene at the seaside district of Larvotto. The blazing apartment was situated on the first of five floors of block B, opposite the Grimaldi Forum, which is currently hosting the Monte-Carlo Television Festival.
On Monday, it was confirmed to Monaco Matin that the Public Security office, under the supervision of the General Prosecutor’s Office of Monaco, had opened an investigation for manslaughter and involuntary injury. The apartment is believed to be owned by a woman aged almost 100 years. Forensic experts from Marseille have been sent in to deteremine the origin of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the situation that led to the death of Sergeant Perard.
Photo by Stephane Dana, Government Communication Department
Sotheby’s has announced that it is opening a Monaco-based gallery of private sales next month, headed up by Artcurial alumni Louise Grether.
Photo provided
Photo of Monaco Yacht Show 2021 by Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life
Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Toulouse means that AS Monaco Women go into the second leg of their promotion play-off with everything to play for. Just one game stands between them and their objective.
The second leg of the tie, to be played in Toulouse next Sunday, couldn’t be more finely balanced. After achieving a 100% win rate in the regular season in the R1, and following a battling 3-2 win against Bourges in the semi-final, their whole season comes down to just one more 90 minute match.
Manager Stéphane Guigo said in the wake of last week’s win that his side were the “underdog” going into the tie, but Monaco didn’t live up to that tag. Instead, they proceeded to dominate large swathes of the match, and were ultimately disappointed to come away with just a draw.
Monaco should have taken the early lead early on, but fine margins denied them. Bree Fuller struck the bar in the opening 10 minutes and Laura Domecq miscued an attempted chip when through on goal.
Against the run of play, it was the former professional side Toulouse who took the lead following a slick counter-attack, which was finished by Sophie Rougé. Thereafter, what had been an open, end-to-end affair, settled into a rhythm and both sides found chances at a premium for the remainder of the half.
A youthful Monaco, however, struck back early in the second-half, as Fuller got her just rewards for her hard-work on the right wing, although she would do so in confusing circumstances. Although the offside flag was raised, the referee never blew the whistle and it was clear that the last touch came off a Toulouse boot. Les Violettes downed tools and switched off. Fuller profited by surging into the box and finishing low to the keeper’s left.
Having restored parity, Monaco searched for a second, and would get it in the 75th minute. After a goalmouth scramble which saw Domecq’s initial effort scuppered, and a rebound smashed against the post from Fuller, the ball once again fell at the feet of Domecq, who made no mistake with her second chance.
But there was to be one cruel, final twist. An innocuous Sonia Roumiga cross caught out the Monaco goalkeeper, who misjudged the flight of the ball, and the ball nestled in the far corner of the net. Neither side could find a winner in the dying stages and the game finished 2-2. Everything is still to play for in the second-leg.
Post-match Guigo reflected on his side’s frustrating profligacy, telling Monaco Life, “We lacked efficiency. We knew we’d have to convert our chances, but that is part of the game. It’s up to us to alter the tie.”
He continued, “We approached the match as we had to and had chances. Then we’re stung once, we fight back to level and then take the lead, but then we finish 2-2 from a cross; it’s a bit frustrating. Monaco and Toulouse are around the same level so it will be won on efficiency and we know that we have to go there and win.”
Given that the away goal rule is in effect in the tie, Monaco have to go there searching for a win (or a high scoring draw). Some of Monaco’s best performances this year have come under pressure, and they will have to produce one more if they are to achieve that much-coveted promotion to the D2.
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