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Day: 13 January 2025

Inter-lane traffic trial for motorcyclists extended to summer 2025

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/01/2025

The experimental scheme allowing cross-line traffic for powered two- and three-wheelers has been extended once again, this time until 31st July 2025.

Initially launched in August 2021, the program was set to conclude on 31st December 2024, but a new order issued on 27th December 2024 has prolonged its duration for a further seven months.

The experiment permits motorcyclists to navigate between lanes of slow-moving or stationary traffic on highways and expressways under strict conditions. It was first extended to 15th September 2024 and then to the end of December 2024. This latest extension is intended to provide additional time to evaluate the safety and feasibility of inter-lane traffic and determine whether it can eventually be formally incorporated into traffic legislation.

The scheme applies to 21 departments across France, including the Alpes-Maritimes, Rhône, and Île-de-France regions. In these areas, inter-lane traffic is authorised on roads with two carriageways separated by a median, with a speed limit of at least 70 km/h. Motorcyclists must not exceed 50 km/h while moving between the two left-most lanes and must adhere to specific safety rules to minimize risks.

Despite its widespread practice among riders, inter-lane traffic is not currently enshrined in French law. This ongoing experiment is aimed to assess whether it can be safely regulated and formally authorised. Until then, non-compliance with the established rules can result in fines and a three-point penalty on the driver’s license

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: Samuel Regan-Asante, Unsplash

Opportunity to lease prime commercial space for leisure centre opens in Cap d’Ail

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/01/2025

An exciting business opportunity has emerged in Cap d’Ail, where entrepreneurs are invited to submit a tender to open a new leisure centre in a prime 1,273 m² commercial space in the Z.A.C. Saint Antoine complex. This is a unique chance for entrepreneurs to develop a dynamic recreational facility, catering to a wide range of activities and attracting both local residents and visitors.

Local authorities envision a facility that will cater to children, teenagers, and adults, with activities such as bowling as a central feature. The premises may also include a snack bar to serve patrons.

On-site visits will be held over the coming weeks to give potential applicants a closer look at the premises. These visits are scheduled for 15th January, between 10am and 2pm; 20th January, from 2pm to 3:30pm; and 22nd January, from 9:30am to 11am.

Interested applicants can obtain an application file from the Société Dominale d’Exploitation at 24 Rue du Gabian in Monaco. The form is also available to download from the Mon Entreprise portal.

The deadline for submitting completed applications is 14th February at 12pm. All submissions must include the required documents to be considered. If the applicant is a legal entity, each partner must submit a complete file by the same deadline.

Entrepreneurs and businesses with innovative visions for entertainment are encouraged to seize this chance to make a lasting impact.

Read related:

New youth leisure centre to open in Fontvieille in early spring

 

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: Nice Côte d’Azur

Formula E: Double-points finish for Maserati MSG Racing in Mexico City

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/01/2025
Mexico City Maserati MSG Racing

Monaco-based Maserati MSG Racing is celebrating its first double-points finish of the Formula E season after Stoffel Vandoorne finished in P7 and Jake Hughes secured P10 in Mexico City. The weekend of racing saw the team overcome challenging qualifying sessions and make strategic gains on a track known for its limited overtaking opportunities.

Both Maserati MSG drivers faced difficulties in qualifying, with Vandoorne starting in P13 and Hughes in P16 on a track notorious for a lack of good overtaking spots. However, the team’s strategic planning and clean race execution allowed them to make significant progress.

Vandoorne gained five positions during the race, while Hughes climbed six places, securing 7th and 10th place finishes, respectively.

Despite initial concerns about tyre performance and tricky track conditions, the team’s use of Attack Mode and careful energy management played a crucial role in securing points. Vandoorne’s well-timed activation of Attack Mode after a late Safety Car helped him solidify his position in the Top 10. Meanwhile, Hughes, who narrowly missed out on points at the finish line, was promoted to P10 after a post-race penalty for McLaren’s Taylor Barnard.

In his post-race comments, Hughes expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying, “Honestly, we’re very happy with the race. I think we executed a good strategy. We got a bit unlucky with the timing of one of the safety cars; I think that cost us a point or two. But the car was good, I felt good on energy, I felt like I was moving through the field OK, so it was really rewarding to come away with a point. Considering we started P16, that feels like a very good race.”

Vandoorne echoed his teammate’s sentiments, saying, “We executed a very good race; we can all be proud of that. The day didn’t start very well with qualifying; we messed up some things, but we rebounded and had a super strong race.”

Maserati MSG Racing now holds P8 in the Team Standings with eight points. Vandoorne sits at P12 in the Drivers’ Championship with seven points, while Hughes moves up to P16 with one point.

The team’s performance in Mexico highlights significant growth and sets the stage for further improvement as they head to Jeddah for the next round on 14th February. For the full Formula E-Prix calendar, click here.

Read related:

Formula E: Tough start to the season for Maserati MSG Racing at São Paulo E-Prix

 

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: Maserati MSG Racing 

France and the EU adopt free instant transfers in major payments overhaul

by: Niki Borisova
13/01/2025
free instant transfer

France has eliminated fees for instant bank transfers as part of a sweeping European Union regulation aimed at improving accessibility and security in digital payments. Effective 9th January 2025, instant transfers, which previously cost users an average of €1.02 per transaction, are now priced the same as standard transfers.

Instant transfers allow funds to move between accounts in less than 10 seconds and are available 24/7, unlike standard transfers, which often require one to three business days for processing. Despite this advantage, adoption of the faster method in France has been slow, with only 6% of transfers being instant during the first half of 2023, according to Capital.fr. Financial authorities believe that fees were a significant deterrent to customers.

To enhance security, the new EU regulation that removed the fees also requires banks to offer a free tool that verifies whether the account name matches the IBAN before a transfer is completed. This measure aims to reduce errors and combat fraud, which is more prevalent with instant transfers. Because these transfers are irrevocable once sent, they are often targeted by scammers, with fraud rates reportedly 20 times higher than traditional methods.

While instant transfers bring significant benefits, there are limitations. SEPA instant transfers are capped at €15,000, making them unsuitable for large transactions. However, for everyday payments, such as reimbursing friends or making small purchases, the convenience outweighs these restrictions.

This move to make instant transfers free of charge supports the EU’s broader goal of reducing dependence on global payment giants like Visa and Mastercard. European alternatives, such as Wero, are emerging to facilitate peer-to-peer payments and strengthen the region’s payment infrastructure.

Although these changes are expected to be widely embraced, experts recommend caution. Instant transfers should only be used with trusted recipients, and users should always double-check account details before sending.

With enhanced security measures and improved infrastructure now in place, instant transfers are poised to become the norm across the eurozone.

Read related:

Why UK tax changes are driving high-net-worth individuals to Monaco: Expert insights

 

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: Anna Shvets, Pexels

Zondacrypto becomes AS Monaco Basketball’s main partner for EuroLeague campaign

by: Niki Borisova
13/01/2025

AS Monaco Basketball has announced a new partnership with Zondacrypto, naming the cryptocurrency exchange platform as the team’s main partner for its ongoing EuroLeague campaign. As part of the agreement, Zondacrypto’s logo will feature prominently on the front of the players’ jerseys during competition games.

Speaking about the new partnership, AS Monaco Basketball CEO Oleksiy Yefimov said, “We are proud to welcome Zondacrypto as our main partner for the EuroLeague. Their drive to push technological boundaries mirrors our ambitions on the court. Together, we aim to inspire and achieve new milestones in European basketball.”

Zondacrypto has been building its presence in sports sponsorship in recent years and already collaborates with high-profile teams such as Juventus FC, Atalanta BC, Bologna FC and CANYON//SRAM Racing. The exchange also maintains several local partnerships in the Principality, including with the AS Monaco football team, the Princess Charlene Foundation and the automotive event Top Marques Monaco.

See more: Zondacrypto partners with Princess Charlene Foundation for a night of giving

For Zondacrypto, a European cryptocurrency exchange with regulatory licences in eight countries, partnerships like the new deal with AS Monaco Basketball represent opportunities to integrate modern financial technologies into new platforms.

“Educating about modern financial technologies through sports has been our strategy for some time now, delivering business results while supporting clubs with strong community impact. We are pleased to welcome the Roca Team to our crypto family,” shared Zondacrypto CEO Przemysław Kral.

Read related:

TV Monaco partners with AS Monaco Basket for exclusive EuroLeague coverage

 

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: AS Monaco Basketball

 

Prince Albert II sends poignant message to President Biden as California battles devastating fires

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/01/2025
Los Angeles fire

In a heartfelt letter to outgoing US President Joe Biden, Prince Albert II of Monaco expressed his profound sorrow over the devastating wildfires engulfing the city of Los Angeles. He extended his condolences to the people of California, acknowledging the massive human and material toll of the disaster, which Gavin Newsom, the state’s governor, has called the worst disaster in US history.

Barely a week after his letter regarding the attack on the city of New Orleans, Prince Albert II, who is half-American through his late mother, Grace Kelly, has written again to President Biden to convey his sorrow over the latest tragedy to strike the US—the vast outbreak of wildfires in and around Los Angeles.

“I am deeply moved by the tragic consequences of the multiple wildfires currently ravaging California. The human and material losses are devastating,” the Prince’s letter reads. “On behalf of my family and the people of Monaco, I wish to express our heartfelt solidarity and compassion to the victims, the homeless and those who have been evacuated.”

Prince Albert also commended the bravery of the firefighters and rescue workers who are still battling the blazes, which are being fanned by high winds.

“I also want to commend the incredible work of the firefighters and the rescue teams, whose courage and unwavering commitment are a true example of dedication,” he wrote.

An estimated 14,000 firefighters continue to battle the blazes across southern California. Photo source: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

In closing, the Prince extended a hand of friendship and support to Americans during this challenging time, adding, “Please be assured, Mr. President, of our profound solidarity in this difficult ordeal.”

24 people have lost their lives in the fires, according to the latest media reports, while another 16 remain missing. As of the morning of Monday 13th January, 14,000 firefighters, 84 aircraft and 1,354 fire engines were deployed across southern California.

Approximately 105,000 Los Angeles residents remain under mandatory evacuation orders, with a further 87,000 under evacuation warnings. An estimated 12,000 structures, including homes and commercial properties, have been destroyed.

Over the weekend, Accuweather estimated that the financial losses from the fires could range between $250 billion and $275 billion.

Read related:

Prince Albert sends condolences to President Biden in wake of horrific NYE attack in New Orleans

 

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. 

 

Photos source: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection