21 ° C
Profile

Month: August 2025

Monaco Yacht Show Summit returns with sustainability agenda

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
21/08/2025

The Monaco Yacht Show Summit returns from 24th to 27th September with sustainability at its core. This year’s programme centres on Monaco’s new Blue Wake initiative, designed to highlight eco-responsible solutions in yachting.

The summit kicks off with the Grand Opening Night on Tuesday 23rd September at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, where the first Blue Wake Awards will recognise companies leading environmental sustainability in the sector. The awards replace traditional yacht showcasing with recognition for practical environmental solutions already being implemented.

The opening conference on Wednesday officially launches the 34th edition, focusing on tangible progress in sustainable yachting.

Seven panel discussions

SuperYacht Times is organising seven roundtable discussions at the MYS Conference Hall above the Yacht Design & Innovation Hub at Port Hercule.

Wednesday starts with electrification in yacht propulsion at 14:40, hosted by Justin Ratcliffe, while at 16:00, Sophie Spicknell leads a discussion on underwater noise pollution.

The day ends with an exclusive screening of ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ from 18:15-21:00, with director Toby Nowlan hosting a Q&A session. Access is by invitation only.

Thursday covers sustainable marina development at 11:00 with RAK Properties, The Ocean Cleanup, Safe Harbor, and MDL Marinas.

Meanwhile, the afternoon sessions examine yacht refits as a sustainability pathway at 14:40 and sustainable luxury design at 16:00.

Friday concludes with yacht stability challenges at 14:40. The final session at 16:00 explores sustainable superyacht destinations with representatives from Abu Dhabi Tourism, Old Doha Port, Balearic Marine Cluster, Bahamas Tourism, and Egypt Tourism Board.

Blue Wake Awards

The Water Revolution Foundation leads the awards selection using science-based methodology. Five categories include Refit/Builder Shipyard, Nautical Supplier, Luxury Products & Services, Tenders/Water Toys, and a Special Jury Award.

The jury includes representatives from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Blue Marine Foundation, and Boat International.

All panel discussions are free with a valid MYS pass.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Main photo credit: Monaco Yacht Show

Mosquito threat intensifies in France: unprecedented rise in chikungunya, dengue and West Nile cases

by: Cassandra Tanti
21/08/2025

On 21st August, Santé publique France issued a sobering mid-summer alert: France is witnessing a historic surge in indigenous cases of chikungunya, dengue, and West Nile virus – all transmitted via mosquito bites.

As of 19th August, authorities have identified 27 local outbreaks of chikungunya, resulting in 154 confirmed cases – a sharp rise from the 23 outbreaks and 115 cases recorded just a week earlier. Santé publique France describes the situation as “an unprecedented summer”. Previous years had never seen more than around 30 cases of chikungunya in mainland France.

Gradual but rising dengue incidence

Dengue cases, also spread by the tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, are increasing. As of 19th August, there were seven active clusters with 13 cases, up from six clusters and 11 cases the prior week. Though still below the total recorded in the summer of 2024, which stood at 66 cases, the upward trend is clear.

West Nile virus spreads further north

The West Nile virus, transmitted primarily by the common Culex mosquito rather than the tiger mosquito, is also spreading. This summer has seen 13 human cases so far, including cases in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

Underlying causes: expansion of the tiger mosquito and climate change

Entomologist and Pasteur Institute researcher Rachel Bellone told France 3 that these outbreaks are driven by the widespread colonisation of France by the tiger mosquito, combined with travellers importing infections, which then spark local transmission when bitten by infected mosquitoes. She noted that “we have already nearly matched last season’s total before even reaching the peak period”.

Aedes albopictus, first detected in southern France in 2004, has since colonised almost all of metropolitan France, thriving thanks to its resilience and adaptation to changing climates. Warming summers and persistent heatwaves, like those experienced this year, have facilitated its spread and increased the risk of transmission.

Symptoms and public health advice

Chikungunya, dengue, and West Nile virus often present with flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and fatigue, making early diagnosis challenging. Santé publique France is urging vigilance in reporting suspected cases for swift response. Prevention remains focused on individual protection – using repellents, wearing long clothing, and eliminating stagnant water to disrupt mosquito breeding cycles. Local surveillance and containment are also seen as crucial to preventing further spread.

What this means for Monaco

Although Monaco benefits from robust local mosquito monitoring, the ongoing surge in neighbouring France is a serious reminder on the importance of vigilance, preparedness, and swift vector control.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Unsplash

Women over 50 are rewriting the rules of success – and they’re just getting started

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/08/2025

They’ve heard “no” more times than they can count. They’ve been told they’re too late, too old, too ambitious. And yet, the 200 women featured in the fifth annual 50 Over 50 list by Forbes are proving, with extraordinary clarity, that some of the most powerful breakthroughs in business, science, politics and art are being led by women who have already celebrated their 50th birthdays.

This year’s 50 Over 50 list is a portrait of what happens when experience, resilience and confidence intersect. These are women who are shaping the future while drawing on a lifetime of lived wisdom – entrepreneurs launching billion-dollar biotech companies, meteorologists preparing nations for climate disaster, CEOs rewriting the rules of retirement, and artists and activists using their platforms to provoke change.

As Mika Brzezinski, co-founder of the Know Your Value initiative and partner in the list’s creation, puts it: “This list has never been about reinvention. It’s about expansion – about women taking everything they’ve learned and using it to make their boldest impact yet.”

Transforming industries, one second act at a time

Among the standout names is Suma Krishnan, 60, an Indian-American biotech founder whose company Krystal Biotech is now worth over $4 billion. Her work on gene therapy is offering life-changing treatment options for rare diseases like cystic fibrosis and a severe skin disorder. “I came here as an immigrant when I was 20 years old to go to grad school, pretty poor with nothing,” she told Forbes. “I would never have imagined that I would have a drug approved with my own company, with my own IP—not in a million years. But I am a fighter, and if I have a will, I’ll make it happen.”

In Puerto Rico, Ada Monzón, 60, the island’s first female meteorologist, is a lifeline for three million residents during catastrophic hurricanes. In the finance world, Thasunda Brown Duckett, 52, CEO of TIAA, is focused on rewriting the playbook on retirement savings after watching her own father miss out on three decades of company contributions due to lack of access and awareness.

And Priscilla Almodovar, 58, has made history as the first woman to lead Fannie Mae. She is now one of the most powerful voices on housing affordability in the United States—an issue that continues to plague millions amid soaring interest rates and shrinking access to credit.

Powered by purpose, not permission

The women on this list are no strangers to being underestimated. Actress Halle Berry was warned not to take the role in Monster’s Ball—the one that won her an Oscar. She was later told to keep her health journey private. She ignored that advice too, and has since launched her own wellness business, opening up a new chapter as an entrepreneur.

Alice Wong, born with spinal muscular atrophy and told she wouldn’t survive into adulthood, founded the Disability Visibility Project and was awarded a MacArthur “genius” grant in 2024.

Their shared thread? They are not waiting for permission. As Chéri Smith, 56, founder of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, put it: “Being over 50 has given me superpowers. It has sharpened my focus and deepened my resolve. I move with understanding and purpose, not fear.”

The fierce urgency of now

Each of the 200 women selected for this year’s list rose through a rigorous, months-long vetting process that began with thousands of public nominations. They were chosen not for fame or wealth, but for measurable impact — people making life better for others, building companies that change lives, or reshaping systems that no longer serve the present.

Climate change, health equity, economic inclusion—these aren’t abstract ideas for the women on this list. They are pressing realities. “This work is bold, urgent, and absolutely not for the faint of heart,” says Smith.

Or, in the words of Halle Berry, who has broken 10 bones filming and is now taking on the equally unforgiving world of business: “Fighting is in my blood. I’m not afraid of fighting. It doesn’t scare me one bit.”

The fifth edition of 50 Over 50 doesn’t just challenge the myth of decline, it dismantles it completely. These women aren’t reinventing themselves. They’re building what they’ve been preparing for their whole lives.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Hidden danger: seafloor heatwaves could become 50% more frequent than at the surface

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/08/2025

Marine heatwaves on the seafloor could become more than 50% more frequent than those at the ocean’s surface by the end of the century, according to a new study led by scientists at Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The findings raise urgent concerns for seafloor species with little ability to escape extreme temperatures, threatening biodiversity, fisheries and even the offshore wind sector across northwestern Europe.

Marine heatwaves are periods when sea temperatures remain unusually high for at least five days, typically above the 90th percentile of historical records for that time of year. While the devastating impacts of surface heatwaves on seaweed, corals, seabirds, crustaceans and fish are well documented, much less is known about conditions on the seafloor. The new study, however, suggests that climate change could push temperatures in these deeper habitats to extreme levels with far-reaching consequences.

Spotlight on the northwestern European shelf

The research focused on the northwestern European shelf, one of the world’s most productive and heavily fished marine regions. Spanning the North Sea, English Channel, Celtic and Irish Seas, the Bay of Biscay and parts of the Norwegian Sea, the area is also home to Europe’s fastest-growing offshore wind industry. With both ecological and economic importance at stake, scientists warn that more frequent and intense seafloor heatwaves could severely disrupt ecosystems and the human industries that depend on them.

Species at risk

Unlike pelagic species that can move across vast areas of open water, bottom-dwelling organisms such as shellfish, crustaceans and seafloor fish have limited mobility. This makes them especially vulnerable to sudden and sustained temperature rises. The study warns that by the close of this century, large portions of the year — even winter months such as February — could be classified as marine heatwave conditions on the seabed, placing immense pressure on species already stressed by human activity and climate change.

Cutting-edge modelling

Using advanced regional climate models, scientists from Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the National Oceanography Centre demonstrated that seafloor ecosystems face an even greater rise in heatwaves than those at the surface. The collaborative team included Dr Robert J. Wilson, Dr Yuri Artioli, Prof. Ana M. Queirós, Dr Giovanni Galli, Dr James Harle, Prof. Jason Holt and Dr Sarah Wakelin. Their high-resolution modelling offers a more detailed projection than global-scale studies, providing valuable insights for future marine planning, fisheries management and conservation strategies.

A call for a 3D view of the ocean

Dr Robert Wilson, the study’s lead author, said: “Until now, we have largely predicted future marine heatwave rates based on what will happen on the sea surface. We have shown that this can be highly misleading for critical European seafloor ecosystems, where climate change will cause more frequent extreme temperatures than at the sea surface. It is therefore critical that marine heatwave monitoring and assessment move beyond the surface and shift to a 3D view of the ocean.”

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo credit: NOAA, Unsplash

Massive Peugeot 308 recall in Europe over rear seat belt safety risk

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/08/2025

Thousands of Peugeot 308 cars across Europe are being recalled after safety concerns were raised about faulty rear seat belts. Authorities warn that the anchorage could fail during a collision, putting passengers at serious risk.

The recall affects vehicles produced between 12th October 2015 and 1st December 2019. According to Europe’s product safety platform Rapex, the rear seat belt anchorage may not withstand the force of an impact, potentially causing it to detach. Peugeot dealers are contacting affected customers, and repairs will be carried out free of charge. Owners can check whether their car is included by consulting the VIN code on their registration documents.

A wider Stellantis problem

This latest recall follows several other large-scale safety operations involving Stellantis brands. In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands of vehicles fitted with the 1.5 BlueHDi diesel engine were recalled amid reliability concerns. Other marques in the group — including Citroën, DS, Fiat, Opel and Alfa Romeo — have also faced recalls over risks ranging from fire hazards to faults with automatic emergency braking systems.

What drivers should do

Peugeot has advised all owners of the affected 308 models to contact their dealership without delay. Repairs involve reinforcing the anchorage of the rear seat belt and are considered essential. For peace of mind, drivers can verify whether their vehicle is affected by checking their registration papers or contacting their local Peugeot service centre.

Safety first

While the recall does not include a stop-drive order, experts say the defect should not be ignored given the crucial role of seat belts in passenger safety. With millions of Stellantis vehicles sold in Europe, the group is under pressure to reassure customers and ensure that recalls are carried out swiftly and efficiently.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo credit: Bence Balla-Schottner, Unsplash

EU sends revised trade draft back to Washington as tariff talks continue

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/08/2025

The European Commission has returned a revised draft joint statement on trade and tariffs back to Washington, signalling that negotiations with the United States are still in motion despite an initial framework deal struck last month.

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels on Tuesday 19th August, a European Commission spokesman confirmed that the bloc had responded to a US draft text received last week. “I can confirm that we have sent back the draft joint statement to the US,” the spokesman said, adding that discussions at political level remain ongoing.

High-level negotiations

Talks are continuing between European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. While progress has been made, officials on both sides have underlined that work is still needed to finalise the joint statement. “The work continues,” the Commission spokesman told reporters, underscoring the sensitive nature of the negotiations.

Progress since July framework deal

The European Union and the United States agreed a framework trade deal in late July, which set a baseline tariff of 15%. However, much of the agreement has yet to be implemented. Brussels is awaiting further executive orders from the White House to cover sector-specific carve-outs, most notably in the automotive industry.

Looking ahead

Officials expect the next stage of talks to focus on clarifying the scope of exemptions and providing greater certainty for industries most affected by transatlantic tariffs. While the return of the draft text suggests progress, both sides appear cautious as they attempt to balance domestic pressures with the broader goal of stabilising EU–US trade relations.

See also: 

EU–US trade deal sparks outrage as 15% tariff hits European exports

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo credit: Christian Lue, Unsplash