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Day: 7 October 2024

All schools in the Alpes-Maritimes closed on Tuesday due to weather alert, Monaco unaffected

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/10/2024

In anticipation of a significant rain event, the Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture has announced the closure of all educational institutions, including child care, primary schools, colleges, and high schools, for Tuesday 8th October. Météo France has placed the region under an orange weather alert for “rain-floods” as heavy showers are expected from the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The rain, which has been described as a “Mediterranean episode”, is set to begin around 3am and could last until approximately 2pm on Tuesday. Although the exact intensity of the rainfall is still uncertain, strong storms and gusty winds are likely to accompany the weather front, which will move across the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region overnight.

As a precaution, authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid travel where possible. The Prefecture also advises against walking or driving through flooded areas, warning of the dangers of submerged roads.

For updates, locals are encouraged to follow the situation closely on Météo France’s official channels.

While schools in the Alpes-Maritimes are set to close, Monaco will not be affected by this precautionary measure. According to a statement late Monday evening, educational institutions in the Principality will remain open, but residents are encouraged to stay alert and monitor local weather conditions closely.

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. 

See also:

Hurricane Kirk: Météo France issues weather alert for Riviera

Photo source: Unsplash

 

Hurricane Kirk: Météo France issues weather alert for Riviera

by: Elsa Carpenter
07/10/2024

Hurricane Kirk is moving across the Atlantic and heading for the European mainland. The incoming weather system, now classed as an extratropical storm, has led meteorologists at Météo France to issue a yellow weather alert for large parts of southern and eastern France.

A yellow weather alert for potentially very heavy rain, strong winds, and violent stormy conditions has been put in place for around half of France by the national weather monitoring service, Météo France.

The worst of the weather is expected to hit the Cévennes in the early hours of Tuesday 8th October, where an orange-level alert has been activated.

The Alpes-Maritimes, the Var and Monaco currently fall under the yellow weather alert, which will remain in place between 2am and 6pm on Tuesday 8th October. Météo France has acknowledged that the storms could be more intense than anticipated and has stated that the yellow-level alert may be upgraded to a more serious orange alert.

The storm will begin moving further northwards in the afternoon before petering out over the following days.

Forecasters in the UK are predicting similarly poor weather conditions for southern England between Wednesday and Friday of this week.

Read related:

France experiences wettest September in nearly 25 years

 

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: NOAA, Unsplash

In pictures: Princess Charlene and her beloved Chihuahua join Monaco march against pet abandonment

by: Niki Borisova
07/10/2024

Princess Charlene of Monaco and her treasured Chihuahua, Kita, were front and centre at the Rokethon 2024 walk against pet abandonment over the weekend, the inaugural edition of an event that sought to raise awareness about the issue and promote the adoption of rescued cats and dogs.

Monaco Life  joined many other animal lovers from the Principality and beyond at the Rokethon march on Saturday 5th October. Held in the vicinity of the Chapiteau de Fontvieille, the event was organised by the Rokethon Association with the goal of raising important funds for the Monaco Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA), of which Princess Charlene is President, and the Brigitte Bardot Foundation while also increasing public awareness of the prevalence of pet abandonment in today’s society.

Princess Charlene took a leading role in the march and was photographed tenderly holding her beloved Chihuahua, Kita, in her arms as the two participated in the walk.

“Abandoning a pet is an act of cruelty, and it’s a societal problem that we must all address,” the Princess told those who had gathered at the event.

See more: Interview: Chris DeRose and his role in South Korea’s ban on the dog meat trade

The Rokethon initiative aims to place animals at the forefront, if only for a day, in a bid to heighten awareness of the difficulties faced by the associations, like shelters and refuges, that are noting an ever-increasing number of abandonments. As such, the event aimed to educate the public on the importance of adoption and responsible pet ownership.

Princess Charlene with her Chihuahua, Kita, at the Rokethon event. Photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

The walk was open to all dog breeds, from the smallest pups to the biggest Rottweilers. In addition to the solidarity march, the Rokethon Association also organised for a number of side activities and events, such as a conference given by Chris DeRose. There was also a fashion show in tribute to Brigitte Bardot, dog artworks displayed throughout the Chapiteau and various stands with information booklets about animal shelters.

Watch the Monaco Life Instagram reel of the event below:

 

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Публикация от Monaco Life | News from Monaco (@monacolife_)

Read related:

Photos: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene inaugurate Monaco’s new animal shelter

 

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 credits: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

Yacht Club de Monaco launches E1 Pilot Academy for next-gen electric raceboat pilots

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/10/2024

The UIM E1 World Championship, the first-ever all-electric raceboat series, has partnered with the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) to launch the E1 Pilot Academy. This groundbreaking programme aims to identify and train a new generation of pilots for the series’ second season, which will take place in 2025.

Following a thrilling race hosted by the YCM last month—where HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco presented the winner’s trophy alongside celebrity team owners Tom Brady, Didier Drogba, and Marcelo Claure—the partnership now shifts its focus to talent development. The UIM E1 La Belle Classe Academy by YCM is scouting athletes from various racing disciplines to compete aboard E1’s cutting-edge electric RaceBird boats.

The first academy modules are scheduled to take place later this year on Monaco’s stunning waters, with YCM’s state-of-the-art facilities providing the base for the initiative. The goal is to give successful candidates the chance to race in world-class coastal cities, potentially including Monaco, under the management of high-profile team owners like Marc Anthony, Steve Aoki, and Will Smith.

Prince Albert II expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating: “The Pilot Academy will help identify the next generation of pilots for E1’s second season. I encourage all interested athletes to apply.”

The Raceboat at the 2024 UIM E1 Series in Monaco. Photo provided

YCM General Secretary Bernard d’Alessandri highlighted the academy’s role in Monaco’s vision for the future of yachting: “This collaboration with E1 allows us to train a new generation of professional pilots, integrating the latest technologies and contributing to the principality’s reputation as a leader in advanced yachting.”

With a focus on diversity and gender equality, E1 Co-Founder and CEO Rodi Basso said: “We are thrilled to relaunch the academy and work with YCM to nurture a diverse pool of talent.” The programme promises rigorous training to prepare participants for the E1 series.

Applications for the E1 Pilot Academy are now open.

For more on Monaco’s thriving yachting scene, read about the Monaco Smart and Sustainable Marinas,  the Monaco EnergyBoat Challenge, and the Yacht Club de Monaco’s innovations in sustainability.

See also: 

E1 Monaco: Team Brady back on top

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.  

Scam QR codes found on Monaco parking meters

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/10/2024

Fraudulent QR codes were discovered on 40 different parking meters in Monaco over the weekend. While the stickers have since been removed, officials are urging anyone who may have been affected by the scam to reach out to the police.

In the last few days, officials in Monaco have discovered that nearly half of the Principality’s street parking meters had been used in a new scam involving fraudulent QR codes being affixed to their surfaces.

Unsuspecting users were invited to scan the codes to pay their parking fees and were redirected to malicious websites. Called “quishing” or QR phishing, the QR codes led victims to fraudulent websites where they were asked to share payment details and other personal data with the scammers, thus opening them up to identity theft, financial fraud and even ransomware attacks.

Since detection, all of the offending stickers have been removed and the meters have been checked for further problems.

Parking meters in Monaco have several payment options, such as the MonaPass application, by coins and by card, but QR codes are not among them.

If anyone has fallen victim to the scam, they are being encouraged to contact the Monaco Police on +377 93 15 30 15.

 

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: Mairie de Monaco

Prince Albert II tours Belfort’s green projects on industry-focused visit 

by: Elsa Carpenter
07/10/2024

Monaco’s Prince Albert II spent the end of last week in northeastern France, where he visited the small city of Belfort on a trip that combined historical links and innovative new ideas. 

Belfort, a city of just over 46,000 inhabitants in the northeastern region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, not far from the Swiss border, welcomed the Monegasque sovereign on 3rd October.

The Prince was greeted at the town hall in the morning by the local mayor, Damien Meslot, and Florian Bouquet, the president of the Departmental Council, before he unveiled a commemorative plaque that signifies Belfort’s entry into the Grimaldi Historic Sites network.

Prince Albert then headed off on a tour of key industrial sites in Belfort, such as the Alstom site, where he was introduced to the group’s hydrogen projects and shown the new TGV M engines, which represent the future of rail transport.

“This visit provided an opportunity to explore initiatives related to the energy transition, with a stop at a renewable hydrogen production and distribution station that powers part of the Belfort area bus fleet,” said a representative for the Palais Princier de Monaco.

The Prince concluded his visit with a trip to the Citadelle de Belfort, a 17th century fortress that offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding countryside.  

To see photographs of Prince Albert’s Belfort trip, click on the images below:

 

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