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Month: January 2024

Electricity bills set to soar by almost 10% in France

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/01/2024

Amid the storm of rising electricity bills, which will go up by nearly 10% in France come February, the French government has offered advice to households on how they can reduce their outgoings. 

As of 1st February, the cost of residential electricity in France will increase by as much as 9.8% during peak times and by 8.6% for the base rate, it was revealed by Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire in an interview with TF1 on Sunday 21st January.  

“It’s a difficult decision, but a necessary decision to protect public finances,” said Le Maire, referencing a need to move away from the “whatever it costs” measures that were introduced in France during the COVID pandemic and in reaction to the Europe-wide energy crisis brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.  

The price hike hasn’t come out of the blue – the reintroduction of a tax on electricity consumption tax that was suspended in 2021 was forewarned – yet few expected it to come so close to the vow made by the government in September 2023 to not raise prices above 10% during the course of 2024.  

How to reduce energy consumption at home 

Ahead of the public announcement that prices would be increasing, the French government released a guide featuring seven tips on how to lower energy consumption in the home.  

Among the measures suggested by the government’s guide is the reduction of thermostat temperatures by just 1°C, which can lower overall annual bills by an average of 7%. It also recommends keeping temperatures to a maximum 19°C to avoid inflated costs and setting boiler temperatures to 55°C, which can save consumers 10% per year. Other tips include working around peak hours and the higher tariffs they incur. 

 

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Photo source: Diego PH, Unsplash

Princess Grace Irish Library to celebrate 40 years of service in the name of culture and heritage

by: Niki Borisova
23/01/2024

Four decades of efforts to promote and commemorate the deep cultural ties between the Principality of Monaco and Princess Grace’s ancestral home of Ireland will be celebrated this year at the Princess Grace Irish Library with a series of captivating events and exhibitions honouring these connections. Here’s what to expect. 

To celebrate its landmark anniversary, the library’s team have curated a special programme of events and exhibitions that commemorates the historic ties between the Principality and Ireland, not just through the late Princess Grace, who was ever fond of her family’s Irish roots, but also those created by Irish poets, authors and artists who have spent time in Monaco.  

The events will also champion the “triangular link” between Ireland, the United States and Monaco with a series of lectures and multimedia presentations that will showcase the impact of Irish writers and musicians on the global view of Monaco. 

See more: Photos: Prince Albert II unveils statue of Princess Grace in Ireland

Music features heavily on the programme too. Students of the Académie Rainier III will be reviving treasured pieces from Princess Grace’s private music collection  and there will be a number of collaborations between Monaco’s and Ireland’s flagship musical conservatories. 

This spring, the library will also welcome Flor MacCarthy, an esteemed author, journalist, presenter and member of the Ireland Funds Monaco Scholar programme, for a special conference on her latest book, ‘The Presidents’ Letters – An Unexpected History of Ireland’, which includes a letter from Princess Grace.  

Bridging cultures  

Founded by Prince Rainier III in honour of his wife’s family roots, the Princess Grace Irish Library has been a hub for Irish literary excellence since 1984 and houses a significant collection of Irish-American books and music. 

The library’s online catalogue, accessible through its website, offers public access to over 500 Irish books and 1,000 rare Irish-American music scores that span from 1840 to the 1950s. 

Operated under the auspices of the Princess Grace of Monaco Foundation, with the Princess Caroline of Hanover as its president and Prince Albert II as its vice-president, the library stands as a testament to Princess Grace’s enduring cultural influence and the rich tapestry of Irish-American heritage in Monaco. 

Click here for more information.

 

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Photo of the Princess Grace Irish Library

Rugby community in shock after sudden death of club manager

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/01/2024

AS Monaco Rugby is in mourning following the unexpected death of club manager Vincent Romulus.

The Monegasque club revealed on social networks Tuesday morning that they had just been hit by the devastating news, responding in part:

“Vincent represented the very essence of our sport, a mentor, a benchmark, a dad for all of us. His authenticity, his strength and his heart of gold made him much more than a member of the club, but a pillar of rugby in France. He knew how to transmit and share the values of rugby like no one else. Today we mourn the loss of an exceptional man, loved by all.”

Vincent Romulus began as a player with AS Monaco Rugby 15 years ago before progressing to manager, and was reportedly in good health. The circumstances surrounding his death are unknown.

Vincent Romulus leaves behind his wife Béa and his children Léa and Hugo.

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Photo source AS Monaco Rugby Facebook page

Football: AS Monaco to face Rouen in the Coupe de France’s Round of 16 

by: Elsa Carpenter
23/01/2024

Almost a year to the day that Rodez knocked AS Monaco out of the Coupe de France in the first round, the Principality side turned history on its head with a hat trick from Wissam Ben Yedder that sees the Rouges et Blancs safely through to the Round of 16.  

In a match that took place over the weekend, AS Monaco proved themselves against rivals Rodez, who famously beat the Monegasque team in a tough penalty shootout last year at the Stade Louis II, knocking them out of the Coupe de France in the very first round. 

In their most recent face-off at the Stade Paul Lignon on 20th January, Monaco scored in the 10th minute with a penalty won by Folarin Balogun that was converted into a goal by the captain, Ben Yedder. Then it was Rodez’s turn, who equalised with a header by Stone Mambo just over 10 minutes later. 

Folarin Balogun then had a goal disallowed for AS Monaco just before half-time, leaving the teams level as they went into the changing rooms.  

See more: AS Monaco football club is on the market

During the break, manager Adi Hütter made the decision to bring on Maghnes Akliouche.  

“It was an attacking choice that paid off, since in the wake of Vandi’s curling effort that was off-target (49′), Wissam Ben Yedder would benefit from good work by Balogun to finish into an empty goal (1-2, 51′),” said a spokesperson for the side in the aftermath. “Our Number 10 had his double, and then shortly thereafter a hat trick, on a very good cross from Kassoum Ouattara, who had already been decisive against Lens (1-3, 58′)!” 

It was Ben Yedder’s first hat trick in the Coupe de France and the 250th goal in his career.  

Captain Wissam Ben Yedder has now scored 12 goals in 10 games for AS Monaco. Photo credit: AS Monaco FC

Monaco had another few attempts at a goal, but left the pitch 1-3.

The win takes them through to the Round of 16 in the tournament, which will see the Monegasque side next challenge Rouen. The match is set to take place at the Stade Robert-Diochon on 8th February.

 

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Photo credit: AS Monaco FC

Photos: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene watch on as Barbagiuans battle Cirque FC for Fights AIDS Cup

by: Elsa Carpenter
23/01/2024

Despite every effort on the part of Prince Albert and Louis Ducruet’s Barbagiuans, they simply couldn’t keep up with the ever-stylish Cirque FC, who walked away with their third Fight AIDS Cup win: 3-2.

The fourth edition of the Fight AIDS Cup was held at the Stade Louis II on the evening of 22nd January to the shouts and cheers of local fans who turned out to support their chosen side. 

At one end of the pitch were Prince Albert’s Barbagiuans, a mix of Monegasques and those with ties to Monaco, including F1 driver Charles Leclerc and Princess Stéphanie’s son Louis Ducruet, who were playing in the national colours of red and white.

At the other was a mix of international personalities, such as the former professional players Clarence Seedorf and Robert Pires, who both proved crucial to the success of Cirque FC.  

Monegasque F1 driver Charles Leclerc delighted fans by posing for pictures and taking selfies at the Stade Louis II. Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger

Princess Stéphanie’s Cirque FC took an early lead against the home side thanks to goals from Youri Djorkaeff and Clarence Seedorf. Robert Pires furthered their advantage, bringing the score to 3-0, after Gaël Givet committed a foul in the penalty box. Prince Albert, who was joined on the sidelines by Princess Charlene, jokingly shouted for VAR, but there was none available.

As the players returned from the changing rooms after halftime, it was clear that the determination was still there for the reinvigorated Barbagiuans. The scores climbed to 3-1 when Javier Ernesto Chevanton put the ball into Cirque FC’s net. Then he scored again, but his goal was disallowed, despite “friendly protests from the sovereign”.  

Before the game was up, the Uruguayan forward got another goal under his belt, taking the final tally to 3-2.  

Sébastien Frey, the captain of Cirque FC, commented on the victory, saying, “I’m delighted to have won the Fight Aids Cup for the third time… Once again this year, we were able to raise substantial funds for Fight AIDS Monaco.” 

Ducruet, meanwhile, had some words to share on the spirit and success of the event.

“This fourth edition has lived up to all its promises. I’m proud to see the Fight AIDS Cup evolve, always with the presence and support of football legends,” he said. “The idea is to put the spotlight back on the charity, and once again we’ve done just that. I know that the funds raised will be put to good use and I’m delighted to be contributing to the development and sustainability of Fight AIDS Monaco through the organisation of this event. I would have liked to keep the title for another year, but that’s the way it is. I saw that the participants enjoyed themselves, as did the public, and that’s what really counts. I congratulate Cirque FC and we’ll be back next year for a sporting result that I hope will be in Barbagiuans’ favour.” 

The total amount raised by the event is yet to be confirmed, but the 2023 edition generated an impressive €180,000, which was given to Fight AIDS Monaco to support its charity projects and campaigns here in both the Principality and abroad.  

Click on the images below to see more:

 

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Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger

Engine failure may have caused fatal Mandelieu helicopter crash  

by: Elsa Carpenter
23/01/2024

Details are slowly emerging about a tragic helicopter crash that occurred several hundred metres off the coast of Mandelieu on 11th January and left two dead.  

The pilot, 35-year-old Loreline Germain as identified in the local press, and her student, a 27-year-old currently known only as Vincent, are understood to have taken off from Cannes-Mandelieu Airport in a Robinson R22 a little before 4pm.  

Around a minute later, according to the preliminary investigations by the Bureau d’Études et Analyses pour la Sécurité de l’Aviation Civile (BEA), the pilot-instructor warned of engine failure over the radio. Within moments, the helicopter had crashed into the sea. 

See more: Helicopter crash off the coast of Mandelieu kills two

Following numerous witness accounts, dozens of emergency service personnel headed out into the bay in search of the helicopter and its passengers, but given the fading light, the task of locating the craft proved a complex task. The helicopter and the two people onboard weren’t found until after 6pm. 

At the time, Commander Xavier Wiik, who led the search and rescue operation, was quoted in the Nice Matin as saying, “There is no debris on the surface, only oil slicks.”   

The same news outlet has since reported that the helicopter was found at a depth of 30 metres and has been recovered.  

The BEA has classed the incident as an accident, noting a “loss of control in flight” and “failure or malfunction of a circuit or component” linked to the powertrain of the aircraft.  

Parallel investigations into the accident, one by the Gendarmerie, assisted by the Section de Recherches des Transports Aériens, and another by the BEA, continue.  

 

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Photo source: Ioana Baciu, Unsplash