31 ° C
Profile

Month: January 2025

Women’s Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships crown Europe’s finest in Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/01/2025

The prestigious European Women’s Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships reached a thrilling conclusion in the Principality over the weekend, with Europe’s top female players claiming well-deserved titles and cash prizes totalling over €46,000.

Between 9th and 13th January, the Novotel Monte Carlo played host to the European Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships for women. The event brought together nearly 150 of the continent’s finest chess players, representing 28 federations in a fierce battle of strategy and skill.

The Blitz Championship was ultimately won by Polish powerhouse Aleksandra Maltsevskaya, who delivered a stellar performance to clinch the gold medal with an impressive 10.5 points.

Her razor-sharp play left her just half a point ahead of Anna Ushenina of Ukraine and Swiss contender Alexandra Kosteniuk, who both finished with 10 points. A tiebreak analysis awarded the silver medal to Ushenina, while Kosteniuk secured bronze.

The Blitz event was played over 13 rounds under the Swiss system, with a time control of three minutes plus a two-second increment, and featured a prize fund of €15,200.

Two medals for Ukraine’s Anna Ushenina

The excitement continued with the Rapid Chess Championship, held over two days from 11th to 12th January. In an extraordinary display of talent, four players—Ukrainian Anna Ushenina, Sarasadat Khademalsharieh from Spain, Ukraine’s Yuliia Osmak, and Eline Roebers from the Netherlands—finished the tournament tied for the top spot with 8.5 points each.

Once again, tiebreak criteria proved decisive. Ushenina rose to the occasion, claiming her second medal of the event and solidifying her status as a true chess champion.

Khademalsharieh earned the silver medal with a brilliant showing, while Osmak’s consistency secured her the bronze. Eline Roebers, despite narrowly missing the podium, earned widespread admiration for her performance.

The Rapid event took place over 11 rounds using the Swiss system, with a time control of 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment. The cash prize for the Rapid Championship was €31,300.

The closing ceremony was a fitting finale to the week’s high-stakes competition. Among the dignitaries in attendance were European Chess Union (ECU) President Zurab Azmaiparashvili, Tournament Director and ECU Vice President Jean-Michel Rapaire, ECU Board members, and Chief Arbiter Stéphane Escafre. Their presence highlighted the growing significance of the event, which not only showcased elite chess but also celebrated the vibrant diversity of European talent.

 

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.

 

Left to right: Yuliia Osmak, Anna Ushenina and Sarasadat Khademalsharieh

Photo credit: Patricia Claros Aguilar

All the major motorsport events in Monaco in 2025 and beyond

by: Elsa Carpenter
14/01/2025

From the Monte-Carlo Rally and its nostalgic cousin to the high-octane racing of the Monaco Grand Prix and two rounds of the E-Prix, 2025 is going to be a busy year for motorsport in the Principality.

With the first high-powered race of the year set to get underway in just a few days, Monaco Life presents a rundown of all the major motorsport events due to take place in and around the Principality in 2025, as well as the provisional dates for races until 2031.

2025: a big year for racing

First up is the storied Monte-Carlo Rally, which will be held between 20th and 26th January. The event represents the opening round of the FIA World Rally Championship and is now in its 93rd edition.

See more: Monte-Carlo Rally returns with fresh challenges for 2025

Then comes the more retro Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique, which is reserved for cars that raced in the original rally event between 1911 and 1983. It will take place from 29th January to 5th February, with cars departing from Bad Hombourg, Monaco, Reims, and Turin at various times on the first day. They will head first to Place du Champ de Mars in Valence for a common start on 31st January. From there, stages will see the fleet tour southern France before arriving in the Principality on 5th February. The prize-giving ceremony will be held at the Salle des Etoiles that evening. The full schedule can be found here.

In spring, the Principality will welcome the eighth edition of the Monaco E-Prix for two rounds of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship on 3rd and 4th May. The grid will be fresh for racing following several weeks off after the Miami E-Prix in April.

Later that month, the iconic Formula 1 Grand Prix will be taking over the Principality between 22nd and 25th May. Homegrown Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc will no doubt be hoping to replicate his legendary win in 2024, which made him the first-ever Monegasque to claim the victor’s glory at their home race.

Next six years of the Monaco Grand Prix

Following the announcement in mid-November 2024 that the famous Monaco circuit would remain on the Formula 1 calendar until 2031, the Automobile Club of Monaco, which is responsible for the running of all the Principality’s motorsport events, has revealed provisional dates for all Grand Prix and racing events until then.

See more: Monaco Grand Prix guaranteed to stay on F1 calendar until 2031

In 2026, the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco will be held between 24th and 26th April, followed by the E-Prix on 16th and 17th May, and then the Grand Prix from 4th to 7th June.

The E-Prix will potentially take place on 15th and 16th May in 2027, following contract discussions, ahead of the Grand Prix between 3rd and 6th June.

The Historic Grand Prix will return in 2028 from 21st to 23rd April. Then comes the E-Prix, which is being planned for 13th and 14th May, before the Grand Prix from 1st to 4th June.

In 2029, the E-Prix will likely be held on 12th and 13th May. The Grand Prix, meanwhile, has been pencilled in for 31st May to 3rd June.

The following year, in 2030, the Historic Grand Prix will be welcomed back from 26th to 28th April, ahead of the E-Prix on 18th and 19th May, and the Grand Prix from 6th to 9th June.

In 2031, the E-Prix is being planned for 17th and 18th May, before the final confirmed Grand Prix in Monaco from 5th to 8th June.

It should be noted that all Monaco Grand Prix dates are subject to calendar approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

Read related:

F1’s 2025 grid is now complete: who’s in and who’s out for next season

 

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: Michael Alesi / Monaco Communications Department

Monaco USA to mark Trump’s inauguration with community event

by: Niki Borisova
14/01/2025

Monaco USA has announced plans for a community-focused, non-partisan event to mark Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President. The evening gathering will feature a live screening of the ceremony and a surprise guest.

Continuing its tradition of bringing Monaco’s American and international communities together, the Monaco USA association will host a friendly networking event on Monday, 20th January, in honour of incoming US President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The event will take place from 6pm to 8pm at Marius Monaco.

Attendees can enjoy a live screening of the ceremony, a cash bar, and a surprise guest, with free entry for all.

This event follows two gatherings organised by Monaco USA in late 2024: an Election Night party and a Results Day event, both of which brought together members of the Principality’s American and international communities to watch and discuss Donald Trump’s historic return to the White House.

Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, securing 312 Electoral College votes and the popular vote. His victory was attributed to economic concerns resonating with working-class voters and a shift in focus away from cultural issues by the Democratic Party.

Monaco USA, a non-profit association founded half a century ago, serves as a hub for the American community in Monaco, promoting cultural exchange and fostering ties between Monaco and the United States. Known for hosting events such as Independence Day celebrations, Thanksgiving dinners, and bi-monthly networking gatherings, the association also engages in community service and collaborates with the Monaco Ambassador to the US and the US Consul General in Marseille.

For more information, visit Monaco USA’s website.

 

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: Brandon Mowinkel, Unsplash

A fruitful tradition: Monaco shares its citrus bounty with the population

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/01/2025

Earlier this week, gardeners from Monaco’s Urban Development Department began harvesting bitter oranges from the Principality’s citrus trees, an annual tradition that sees the fruits picked and shared with the community free of charge.

Though modern-day Monaco is more urban than rural, the Principality’s history is rooted in agriculture. For centuries—if not longer—citrus trees have flourished in its Mediterranean climate. Today, the Principality is home to more than 1,100 citrus trees, including 516 bitter orange trees, or bigaradiers as they are known in French.

Every year in January and February, a team from the Urban Development Department harvests and collects the many fruits that grow on the untreated bigaradier trees in the Condamine, Moneghetti and Monte-Carlo neighbourhoods. This annual tradition preserves a vital connection to Monaco’s agrarian past and its enduring appreciation for citrus fruits.

In 2024, the harvest yielded 11.14 tonnes of bitter oranges, with 4.45 tonnes distributed freely to residents and institutions such as Lycée Rainier III, where the fruit was turned into jams and fruit pastes. This year, as in previous years, locals can request bitter oranges directly from the gardeners during the harvest.

The 2025 harvest began on Avenue de Grande-Bretagne and Rue Princesse Caroline on 13th January and will continue until 17th and 24th January, respectively, before moving to other locations, including Boulevard d’Italie from 20th to 24th January, Boulevard de Belgique from 20th to 31st January and Rue Grimaldi from 28th January to 7th February. The gardeners will work daily from 8am to 2.30pm, depending on weather conditions and progress.

This year, a new addition enhances the event. Locals and visitors can learn more about the harvest and its historical significance through On the Citrus Route, a special exhibition on Rue Princesse Caroline that celebrates the cultural heritage of Monaco’s citrus fruits. The exhibition will remain on-site until February 2025.

For more information about the harvest or the exhibition, contact the Urban Planning Department at +377 98 98 22 77 or via email at amenagement@gouv.mc.

Read related:

Applications open for the Monaco Ocean Protection Challenge 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. 

 

Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department

New mandatory meningitis vaccine introduced in France

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/01/2025

Parents in France are now receiving an updated child health booklet and must comply with new vaccination requirements against meningitis, following the latest recommendations from the High Council for Public Health (HCSP). The measures came into effect on 1st January 2025 and aim to improve preventive care and protection against meningococcal infections.

The revised child health booklet includes personalised advice for parents and highlights prevention and tailored recommendations for different stages of a child’s growth. Updates include guidance on non-violent parenting, healthy sleep routines, balanced screen time, and physical activity. The booklet also addresses neurodevelopmental disorder screening and introduces detailed tables for food introduction.

Another significant addition is the expansion of the mandatory health examinations to 20, with the inclusion of a new check-up at the age of six. Parents are encouraged to ensure their child’s health information is recorded in both the physical booklet and the digital ‘My Health Space’ (Mon espace santé), a shared medical record system.

In tandem with the new booklet, vaccination requirements for infants now include protection against meningococcal groups ACWY and B. These replace the previous meningococcal C vaccine, which has been mandatory since 2018. The change follows an increase in meningitis cases and updated strain data. Adolescents aged 11 to 14 are also strongly advised to receive the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

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: CDC, Unsplash

 

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