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Month: August 2023

Year’s biggest super moon to rise this week

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/08/2023

A rare lunar event is set to take place on 31st August: a super moon and a blue moon occurring at the same time. Here we explain what that means as well as the best time to look up into the night sky.

After the month’s first super moon on 1st August, the second lunar event is due to grace the skies on 31st August.

Because it is the second full super moon in the month, it is also called a blue moon. And it will be the largest of all four super moons occurring this year.

What is a supermoon?

This week, the Moon will be 357,344km away from Earth, and because this is closer than usual, the Moon will appear significantly bigger. It will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than a classic super moon.

It will not, however, be blue.

As to why it is called a blue moon, explanations vary. Most use the term to explain this unusual lunar event when two full moons occur in the same month, the second of which is termed the blue moon. Others believe it originated in 1883 after the eruption of Krakatoa, which sent dust into the atmosphere and made the Moon blue in colour.

How often do blue super moons occur?

It takes roughly 29.5 days for the Moon to go through a whole cycle and most months go for 30 or 31 days, so it’s not that common for a full moon to happen twice within the same calendar month.

They occur once every two-and-a-half years, so if you miss this blue super moon, you’ll have to wait until 31st May 2026 to see the next.

Best time to see the blue super moon

To observe it at its best in Monaco and France, you’ll have to take out your telescope on 31st August 2023 at around 3.35am and hope for clear skies.

The next super moon (not blue moon) can be seen on Friday 29th September. It will be the last super moon of the year.

 

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Photo credit: Ganapathy Kumar, Unsplash

What’s new for La Rentrée 2023? 

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/08/2023
La Rentrée 2023

Students going back to school can expect a few changes to come into effect for the 2023/24 academic year. Here’s what you need to know.  

Several new reforms are being set in motion for the coming school year, all intended to improve the learning experiences of France and Monaco’s young people.  

From weekly support sessions to the option of practical maths classes as well as sweeping updates to the vocational school system, the new academic year features improvements designed to benefit and better equip students for the future.  

SIXTH GRADE 

First year middle school students, or 6ème collégiens, will now be offered an hour a week of support for French and/or maths as well as homework via the “Devoirs Faits” programme. This is included in the 26 mandatory hours for sixth graders and the move was triggered by recommendations from teaching staff.  

The idea is that sixth grade students will have the chance to work outside the confines of the general maths and French programmes, allowing for different ways of learning concepts and problem solving not taught in class. This means it’s tailor-made to fit each child’s skill sets and needs for a “deepening” of understanding.  

The “Devoir Faits” system, which was formerly optional, is now compulsory for all sixth graders to help ease them into middle school and its less structured days. The key here is to help kids take on an independent approach to completing assignments during out-of-hours study hall sessions. They are meant to work alone, but help is available if needed. 

MANDATORY MATHS 

Maths in première has been reintroduced into the core curriculum for those who have not chosen maths as one of their three specialities. It had previously only been an option. The subject matter will be taught for a total of one and a half hours each week and will consist of practical maths lessons such as learning about statistics, probabilities, data processing and the like.  

VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS 

The changes in vocational instruction affect terminale or graduating students in particular. For those entering then workforce immediately after graduation, there will be a 50% increase in traineeship to help prepare them.  

For those continuing studies, four intensive weeks of adapted courses are on the cards to ease the transition from high school to higher education.  

The state has also announced it will be paying a traineeship allowance to high school pupils who are preparing for a vocational diploma at secondary level (CAP, vocational baccalaureate, additional mention, certificate of crafts) and to high school students engaged in complementary training of local initiative (CFLI) after a CAP or a vocational baccalaureate. 

The amounts vary depending on the year and level.  

For more information on each of the changes, visit the official French government portal here.  

 

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Photo source: Kenny Eliason, Unsplash

Dates for Monaco Grand Prix, ePrix and Historic Grand Prix revealed

by: Luke Entwistle
29/08/2023
Charles Leclerc at the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix, the Monaco ePrix and the Historic Monaco Grand Prix will all take place within the space of a month again next year.

From 27th April until 26th May 2024, Monaco will well and truly live up to its name as the ‘Home of Motorsport’ with three major events taking place within the Principality.

27th April: Monaco ePrix

The ePrix will return for its seventh edition in late April.

The event has now become a fixture on the calendar; in the early days of Formula E, the ‘electric odyssey’ only visited Monaco every other year. However, the Covid pandemic changed that, and Formula E will come to the Principality for a fourth consecutive year in 2024.

The event is gaining in popularity and thousands watched on from the grandstands as Nick Cassidy took the chequered flag last year.

The 2022 Monaco ePrix podium. Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

10th-12th May: Historic Monaco Grand Prix

Every other year, the streets of Monaco travel back in time as cars that have marked the rich history of motorsport are revived over the course of a weekend of thrilling racing.

For the event’s 14th edition, the format will remain unchanged, with eight series and classes on display. As always, multiple anniversaries and milestones will be celebrated over the course of the race weekend. More information on the cars and drivers competing will be revealed in due course.

Charles Leclerc made headlines at the last edition of the event in 2022, crashing Niki Lauda’s 1974 Ferrari at La Rascasse during an exhibition lap. However, famous modern-day drivers also compete in the main races, with Esteban Gutierrez a notable participant back in 2022.

24th-26th May: Monaco Grand Prix

The 2024 Formula One calendar was released back in July, and Monaco retains its usual place as the final race of May. The season will start in Bahrain on 2nd March 2nd and finish in Abu Dhabi on 8th December.

There have been many changes to the calendar, which have sought to reduce travelling and create a better flow of races within regions. Japan has therefore been moved to April, Azerbaijan to September and Qatar will now be back-to-back with the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

The 24-race calendar, the biggest in the history of the sport, will once again pay a visit to the Principality after the uncertainty surrounding the iconic race’s future was resolved.

 

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Photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Press Office

Regulators issue shock statement over EU-Monaco negotiations

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/08/2023

Negotiations between the European Union and Monaco have taken a hit after top regulators voiced their concerns to the European Commission over the deal.

After eight years of talks, the planned Association Agreements between the European Union and three non-member microstates – Monaco, Andorra and San Marino – may have been compromised.

With just months until negotiations are expected to conclude in Monaco, Europe’s top finance regulators, who monitor EU banks, financial markets and the insurance and pensions sectors, have voiced concerns over the EU’s stronger ties with the three nations, saying tighter relations could allow illegal money and unlawful practices to slip into the EU, threatening the bloc’s consumers.

In a letter to the European Commission, obtained by Politico, the regulators reportedly say that the three microstates have “historically maintained less rigorous financial regulations” and “may be prone to money laundering and other illicit activities”.

They add that companies may try to set up shop in the microstates in an attempt to take advantage of the “lighter” financial standards, which would create “significant risks to consumers” in the EU.

This, they say, would undermine years of work in holding financial firms accountable in the fight against illegal activities.

POLITICIANS REACT

The letter has raised alarm within the EU with Paul Tang, a Dutch MEP for the Socialists and Democrats, saying, “Proper scrutiny and safeguards are essential to ensure we don’t let any Trojan horse through our gates”.

The MEP, who has worked on money laundering and tax legislation, adds, “When the European watchdogs issue a joint warning, we’d better listen.”

MONACO’S EFFORTS TO MEET EU STANDARDS

The Monaco government says that it has been tightening its financial sector for years, but it was a bombshell report in January 2023 by the EU finance watchdog Moneyval that pushed Monaco into overdrive. It suggested the Principality “step up” its efforts to “investigate and prosecute money laundering, to confiscate and recover proceeds of crime and to strengthen its supervisory system”.

Monaco has since taken significant steps to meets its obligations, including the establishment of a financial crimes task force, creating a national action plan, and the signing of an MOU between the Attorney General, the Director of Public Security and SICCFIN to facilitate the sharing of information and procedures between the three bodies.

BEYOND FINANCE

Financial services is only a part of what is being negotiated in the Association Agreements. They also are meant to be a vehicle to remove trade obstacles whilst following many EU regulations to benefit from free movement of people, goods, services and capital.

The European Commission had hoped to conclude the deals by the end of the year, but this new disclosure by regulators may delay, or even blow up, the finalisation.

By Cassandra Tanti and Stephanie Horsman. Photo by Monaco Life

 

RELATED STORY:

Moneyval: Latest meeting of financial crimes committee sees adoption of several key measures

 

 

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Thousands face delays in and out of UK after widespread air traffic control issue 

by: Elsa Carpenter
28/08/2023
uk air traffic

Hundreds of flights in and out of the UK have been cancelled and many more times that significantly delayed following a nationwide air traffic control issue that caused UK aviation to grind to a near halt.

A flight planning issue that meant flight plans had to be managed manually began causing problems for airlines and airports sometime in the morning of Monday 28th August, and it wasn’t long before every major airport in the UK had been similarly affected. 

Although now remedied, as confirmed by the UK’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) at 3.15pm BST, the prolonged delay in getting schedules back up and running properly has meant that thousands of Britain-bound flights as well as those heading overseas have either been severely delayed or cancelled altogether.  

“Sincerely sorry” 

“The flight planning issue affected the system’s ability to automatically process flight plans, meaning that flight plans had to be processed manually which cannot be done at the same volume, hence the requirement for traffic flow restrictions,” reads a statement from NATS. “Our priority is always to ensure that every flight in the UK remains safe and we are sincerely sorry for the disruption this is causing… We are now working closely with airlines and airports to manage the flights affected as efficiently as possible. Our engineers will be carefully monitoring the system’s performance as we return to normal operations… Please contact your airline for information on how this may affect your flight.” 

Hundreds of flights cancelled 

According to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, by 2.30pm BST, 232 flights or 8% of all departures from the UK had been cancelled. 271 flights or 9% of all arrivals into UK airports had also been cancelled. 

Locally, several flights destined for the UK have been scrapped, predominately flights heading to London airports. All flights to the capital until at least 8.45pm are appearing as cancelled on the official Nice Côte d’Azur website. For flights heading elsewhere in the UK, many passengers to regional airports are facing long waits inside the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport terminals or out on the tarmac, as well as cancellations. 

It is a similar story for British flights heading to the Riviera, with widespread delays and cancellations appearing on the information boards of Nice’s airport.  

Although things are slowing getting back to normal, the delays are predicted to continue well into Tuesday 29th August, causing considerable problems for the many international passengers hoping to enjoy the last few days of the summer holidays either at home or on holiday.  

 

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Photo source: Tomek Baginski, Unsplash

 

Cap d’Ail petrol station closed indefinitely after falling rock hits car

by: Stephanie Horsman
28/08/2023

The TotalEnergies petrol station on the Moyenne Corniche in Cap d’Ail has been closed after a piece of rock broke free from a cliff above and smashed into an unsuspecting vehicle.  

The dramatic cliff side above the Total station reminded one unlucky motorist on the morning of Wednesday 23rd August that nature can be unpredictable.  

A piece of rock came loose, ricocheting down the hill and smashing into a car parked near the fuel station’s car wash. It reportedly collided with the driver’s side of the vehicle, but fortunately the owner of the car wasn’t inside at the time and no one was hurt.  

LONG PROCESS 

There is no word on when the station will be reopened, as it will be necessary to secure the area to ensure no more incidents like this occur, but there is little chance there will be a fast fix. 

This task has fallen to the Syndicat à Vocation Multiple (SIVOM), according to Cap d’Ail’s Mayor Xavier Beck and as reported by Monaco Matin, who will determine the stability of the cliff as well as to remove any other partially dislodged pieces of rock that may break free in future. 

The primary theory behind why the rock may have broken free is that the latest round of heatwaves has caused stress in the area. The land, like humans, suffers in extreme conditions, causing unexpected events such as this to happen.  

TotalEnergies, which runs the service station, will need to present a dossier to the Cap d’Ail town hall with a clear picture of how the company intends to shore up the cliff side following assessment of the situation by SIVOM. This could include the installation of netting as well as securing the surrounding areas.

 

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Photo credit: Engin Akyurt, Unsplash