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Month: August 2024

Total ban on mobile phones in French schools possible by 2025

by: Stephanie Horsman
28/08/2024

Students in some 200 schools across France will be required to surrender their mobile phones at the school gates each morning of the coming academic year as the government trials a new initiative to limit reliance on smartphones and impose “digital breaks” on pupils.  

The advent of smartphones has made staying in touch a lot easier, but it has also brought a certain disconnect that the government in France is looking to address—especially among its youth population. 

Building on an initiative introduced in 2018, nearly 200 French secondary schools across the country will be participating in a new scheme this coming academic year that will prohibit pupils under the age of 15 from taking their phones into class with them. 

Unlike the previous law, which allowed students to keep their phones with them but prohibited their use during school hours, this trial scheme requires students to give up their phones upon arrival at school each morning. 

The goal here is to create an imposed “digital break” on students, as well as to tackle worries about the now well-documented negative effects of too much screen time on children. Sleep disruption, reduced physical activity and increased obesity top the list, with other concerns such as depression, poor socialisation abilities and decreased cognitive and memory skills also cited by researchers. 

“The experiment with this digital break will begin in the 2024 school year in nearly 200 secondary schools, and the generalisation of this digital break should be able to take place from January 2025,” says Nicole Belloubet, France’s Minister of National Education. 

The decision to step up the rules on phones in schools comes on the heels of an expert report submitted to the government back in April. Belloubet, though firm on the topic, concedes that using digital technology in schools in general is fine, it is simply the added screen time outside classes that has become problematic. 

Read related:

France releases guide for parents after report highlights the dangers of excessive screen use

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo source: Paul Hanaoka, Unsplash

 

Outgoing Minister of State Pierre Dartout awarded rank of Commander of the Order of Saint-Charles

by: Elsa Carpenter
28/08/2024

Monaco’s Prince Albert II has bestowed the rank of Commander of the Order of Saint-Charles upon outgoing Minister of State Pierre Dartout, who will soon pass the baton to Didier Guillaume after four years as the Principality’s highest authority after its Sovereign Prince. 

Almost four years to the day since Pierre Dartout assumed his role as Monaco’s Minister of State in September 2020, the French civil servant has been rewarded for his “exemplary service and unwavering loyalty” by Prince Albert II.  

At a ceremony held in the Palais Princier de Monaco on Tuesday 27th August, the Prince awarded Dartout the rank of Commander of the Order of Saint-Charles, decorating the Limoges native with a medal and adding to his list of formal recognitions, which includes being an Officer of the Legion of Honour and a Commander of the National Order of Merit.

Prince Albert II of Monaco has awarded Pierre Dartout the rank of Commander of the Order of Saint-Charles. Photo credit: Axel Bastello / Palais Princier de Monaco

Dartout, who was born in 1954, began his career in government as a Grade 2 civil servant in the French Ministry of the Interior in 1980. He has worked throughout mainland and overseas France over the past four decades, from La Réunion to French Guiana, and from Calvados to the Vendée, the Pays-de-la-Loire and the Loire-Atlantique. 

He has worked as Prefect of numerous French departments and regions, including the Pyrénées-Orientales, the Drôme, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, the Var (between 2004 and 2007), the Val-de-Marne, Champagne-Ardenne, Aquitaine, Gironde, Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes. Locally, he held the positions of Prefect of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, Prefect of the Southern Defence and Security Zone, and Prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône from 2017 until 2020, when he became Minister of State in Monaco.  

In a statement released by the Palace on Monday 10th June, Prince Albert II expressed his “deepest gratitude” to Dartout, noting his “exemplary service and unwavering loyalty”. 

“During his tenure in Monaco, Mr. Dartout enabled the Principality to navigate the health crisis while supporting long-term goals of sustainable development, digital transition, attractiveness and administrative modernisation,” read the statement. 

It was also confirmed in June that Didier Guillaume will formally assume the role of Minister of State on Monday 2nd September.  

Read more: 

Monaco announces new Minister of State: Didier Guillaume to succeed Pierre Dartout

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo credit: Axel Bastello / Palais Princier de Monaco

Additional fuel cap offered for TotalEnergies customers

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/08/2024

TotalEnergies is set to introduce a new fuel discount for its energy customers in France, capping prices at €1.95 per litre at select service stations starting 2nd September.

TotalEnergies customers in France with gas or electricity contracts will enjoy the reduced fuel price at numerous service stations across the country. The energy firm has revealed that these customers will benefit from a new capped price of €1.95 per litre, offering protection from market price fluctuations.

This new cap represents a reduction from the current €1.99 per litre cap available to all motorists. The €1.95 price will be available at over 1,000 of TotalEnergies’ 3,300 service stations, primarily located in rural regions and along motorways, where fuel delivery costs tend to be higher.

More than four million eligible customers will need to present their TotalEnergies club card (carte club) to access this benefit at the pump. Those who do not already have a card can order one via the TotalEnergies app. While waiting for the physical card, customers can use a temporary digital version to secure the discounted rate.

New customers who sign an energy contract with TotalEnergies and obtain or order a club card will also be eligible for the discount.

Meanwhile, drivers who are not TotalEnergies customers will continue to access the €1.99 fuel cap at any of the company’s service stations until at least December 31, 2024, with a possibility of the offer being extended into 2025.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Image source: TotalEnergies

 

19th Palermo-Montecarlo Race: Black Jack 100 shatters records in a thrilling edition

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/08/2024

The 19th Palermo-Montecarlo race has lived up to its reputation, delivering unforgettable moments and intense competition.

Held from 20th to 22nd August, the Palermo-Montecarlo race was organised by Circolo della Vela Sicilia in collaboration with the Yacht Club de Monaco and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

Among the highlights was the extraordinary duel between the event’s two favourites: Black Jack 100, a 100-foot Maxi yacht helmed by Yacht Club de Monaco member Tristan Le Brun, and Lucky, another formidable contender. The race began with challenging conditions, as 18-knot winds greeted the competitors at the start line.

Throughout the 500 nautical miles, Black Jack 100 and Lucky were locked in a fierce battle, with neither willing to cede ground. However, it was Black Jack 100 that ultimately prevailed, crossing the finish line first after 1 day, 20 hours, 34 minutes, and 22 seconds—a performance that set a new course record. This achievement comes nine years after the same vessel, under its former name Esimit Europa 2, set a record in 2015 that remained unbeaten until now.

“This was my first regatta with fantastic conditions that ended with a win and a record—what more could I have asked for?” said Remon Vos, the new owner of Black Jack 100. 

Helmsman Tristan Le Brun attributed their success to the relentless pressure from their closest rival, Lucky. “Lucky made the race difficult for us,” he explained. “We opted for a strategy to never lose distance from them, to not give them an opportunity to escape. For us, the result is an honour, a challenge, and part of our ongoing quest to break as many records as possible.”

American sailor Bryan Ehrhart, representing Lucky, praised his team’s efforts despite the outcome. “Our sailors did an extraordinary job, and only the lighter wind prevented us from keeping in their wake. Despite that, we’re very satisfied,” he said.

In the end, while Black Jack 100 claimed line honours and the coveted Giuseppe Tasca D’Almerita Trophy, while Lucky took home the win in the Maxi category on corrected time. Around 50 boats from 11 different nations participated in this edition, including the Yacht Club de Monaco’s own Gorilla Gang XL and Foreign Affair, which finished 22nd and 24th, respectively.

As the sailing community celebrates the new record set by Black Jack 100, all eyes now turn to the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona. The prestigious event kicks off with the Preliminary Regatta, where the Yacht Club de Monaco will be well represented by members Sir Jim Ratcliffe of Ineos Britannia and Matteo de Nora of Emirates Team New Zealand.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Main photo credit: Della Vela Sicilia, Studio Borlenghi

SBM teases new quintessentially English restaurant for Mareterra district

by: Elsa Carpenter
27/08/2024
Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer CEO, Stéphane Valéri, has revealed exciting plans for the soon-to-be-completed Mareterra neighbourhood in Monaco, hinting at the gourmet experience that awaits residents and visitors in this new district. 

It was revealed in an interview with Radio Monaco that Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), Monaco’s most prolific hospitality group, will soon be opening a new restaurant in the Mareterra neighbourhood. 

According to comments made by SBM CEO Stéphane Valéri, the restaurant will be “the largest” in the district and will be “located on the central square”. 

Valéri added, “It will have a chic and relaxed English ambience where you can eat all day, from breakfast until late at night.” 

The restaurant will likely be called Marlow, a name with links to natural sources of water, though the inspiration for the name is yet to be confirmed by SBM. 

The Mareterra project, the biggest development in Monaco for decades, began in 2015 and is due for completion by the end of November. 

Read related:

The mighty Mareterra to become a reality sooner than expected

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo by Monaco Life

Countdown begins for first-ever Monaco Comic Con

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/08/2024

Calling all lovers of comic strips, anime, sci-fi and fantasy! The Principality’s Grimaldi Forum is set to host the inaugural edition of Monaco Comic Con this November. Here’s what we know about the event so far. 

Comic book conventions, more commonly known as comic cons, are wildly popular across the world. The biggest and arguably best-known of these events is held in San Diego, California, where each year, upwards of 150,000 fans converge to meet their favourite comic strip writers, actors, creators and experts. Many visitors go the extra mile, dressing up as their preferred characters and engaging in cosplay in a bid to embody their heroes for the weekend. 

Now this concept is coming to the Principality.  

Between 14th and 17th November, the Monaco Comic Con will be making its debut at the Grimaldi Forum.  

The organisers say they will offer fans hundreds of experiences, screenings and exhibitions, as well as the chance to peruse rare collectibles alongside thousands of other enthusiasts and to meet big names from the industry. 

To keep up with the latest updates and news about the Monaco Comic Con event, click here. 

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo source: Erik McLean, Unsplash