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Day: 26 September 2025

France braced for widespread disruption as 2nd October strike gains momentum across sectors

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/09/2025

France is preparing for a fresh wave of national strike action on Thursday 2 October, with unions across education, transport, and public services rallying under a common call for a major mobilisation against austerity and stagnant wages.

The movement, initially sparked by the inter-union coalition’s frustration over failed negotiations with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, is now gaining strength across key sectors — particularly transport. All four of the SNCF’s representative unions — CGT-Cheminots, Unsa Ferroviaire, Sud Rail, and CFDT Cheminots — issued a joint communiqué on Thursday 25 September urging “massive mobilisation, through strike action and in the streets.”

“The Prime Minister has confirmed, if there was still any doubt, that he has no intention of changing course,” said the unions. “His government is continuing the agenda of privileging the wealthiest at the expense of workers. We demand real change — not just from the government, but from SNCF as well.”

The transport sector is expected to be particularly hard hit. While the previous strike on 18 September caused only moderate disruption — with around 90% of TGV trains still running — union leaders have warned that the impact on 2 October will be far more significant.

“This time, we’re united and determined,” said Sud Rail in a statement broadcast on French television. “The government has never looked so fragile. Now is the moment to strike hard — we have scores to settle.”

Education sector joins calls for better funding and pay

Education unions have also renewed their call for mobilisation. The CGU, which represents national education workers, reiterated its demands for more resources, new statutory positions, and fair wage increases after decades of stagnation. “October 2 must mark the beginning of a long mobilisation,” it said, urging staff to prepare general assemblies and consider strike extensions wherever possible.

The pressure on Prime Minister Lecornu has continued to mount since his appointment earlier this month. His newly announced “Effective State” plan — which includes spending freezes, administrative restructuring, and a freeze on communications budgets — has done little to ease tensions.

Unions demand end to austerity and meaningful government reform

While business groups prepare their own rally in mid-October, unions remain at the forefront of public opposition to the government’s economic policy. Over one million people reportedly joined the last protest day on 18 September. This second act, just two weeks later, could be even larger.

If confirmed, the scope of Thursday’s strike would mark the first major showdown between Lecornu and a united trade union front — and a significant test of the new Prime Minister’s ability to navigate France’s increasingly volatile political and social landscape.

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Photo credit: Kyriaki Topalidou, Monaco Life

Prince Albert II meets Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples minister and global youth leader at UN to strengthen environmental and social partnerships

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/09/2025

Prince Albert II continued his diplomatic engagements in New York this week with a meaningful exchange at the United Nations, this time with Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara. The meeting, held on Wednesday at UN headquarters, focused on shared environmental goals and support for Indigenous-led climate action.

Accompanied by her chief of staff Francisco Filippo, Minister Guajajara discussed Brazil’s ongoing efforts to empower Indigenous communities in the protection of tropical forest ecosystems — a mission closely aligned with Monaco’s expanding environmental outreach in Latin America.

Monaco’s Sao Paulo branch and Indigenous-led conservation

The conversation spotlighted Monaco’s deepening commitment to the region through the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s new outpost in São Paulo. At the centre of that work is the ‘Forests and Communities’ initiative, which supports Indigenous populations in safeguarding fragile ecosystems across the tropics.

According to the Palace, Prince Albert II and Minister Guajajara found clear alignment in their environmental visions, reinforcing the role of Indigenous knowledge and leadership in global conservation strategies.

Prince Albert II Welcomes Dialogue with Global Youth Compassion Leader

Later that afternoon, the Prince met with Asmita Satyarthi, Executive Director of the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, during a private visit to Monaco’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Representing Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, she presented the movement’s core mission: to train the next generation of youth leaders through the lens of compassion.

Their ‘Compassion Leadership Academy’ focuses on building what the organisation calls a “compassion quotient” among young people — an emotional intelligence-based approach to tackling global injustices, from child labour to climate inequality.

Satyarthi praised Prince Albert II’s leadership in environmental advocacy and child protection, and expressed interest in forming a future partnership with Monaco to scale the programme’s impact.

Compassion meets policy

Described as a form of “compassionate diplomacy”, the meeting reflected a shared belief in education and empathy as driving forces for global change. With Monaco’s strong track record in youth engagement and sustainability, a collaboration between the Principality and the Satyarthi Movement could mark a new chapter in socially-driven international policy.

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Main photo credit: Michaël Alesi, Prince’s Palace

Mercedes CLA 250+ EV review: Meet the new member of your family

by: Richard McCreery
26/09/2025

We have always talked about cars having their own personality, whether that comes from the styling, the brand image or the way it drives, and some people think that modern cars have less character, especially as they are becoming electrified. However, the pendulum is swinging the other way as new technology can improve the way the driver interacts with the vehicle. Your car was once just a carriage made of steel, rubber and glass, whereas now you can almost have a conversation with it. Or, at least, with the AI living in your car. 

Mercedes seems to have taken a leap forward with the technology in the new CLA 250+ with EQ Technology. You no longer fiddle with buttons or even touch screens because now you talk directly to it in order to control many of the car’s functions.

You wake up the AI by saying “Hey Mercedes” and off you go. Tell it to increase the fan speed or lower the passenger window and it understands. Ask it to find you a nearby restaurant and it will give you several options before directing you there. You can even ask it any sort of question, just as you would enter a question into Google, and it will give you a response. Voice commands have been around for decades but never really caught on. Here, it’s positively impressive, because it’s so easy to use and it works. It won’t be long before you are chatting away to your car like it was a trusted friend. 

The high-tech interior of the new Mercedes CLA 250+

Technology takes centre stage in the CLA, literally. A large screen stretches from one side of the car to the other, including a personal screen for the passenger. It is colourful, it works smoothly and if you can use a smartphone then you’ll feel at home in here.

The sunroof is a huge piece of glass that stretches uninterrupted from front to back and it can be darkened with a single command when the sun gets too hot or, at night, it will display a field of stars. The car can even park itself, which can be a bit unnerving the first time you take your hands off the wheel, as it spins by itself, but is actually a brilliant feature that might help save your alloy wheels. 

The AI-powered electric vehicle signals a new era for Mercedes

Battery technology is also improving rapidly – this one has 20% better energy density than any electric Mercedes before it. The CLA eliminates one of the concerns of EVs with its huge 922 kms of potential range around town (or  up to 791 kms on the combined WLTP cycle) and 800v electrical architecture that can give you up to 325 kms of range in just 10 minutes on a fast charger. Four levels of braking regeneration are possible, and it is relatively discreet when driving, but regen becomes less of an issue for the driver when the range is so good to start with. 

Around town, the CLA 250+ is serene, even with one of several artificial noises engaged, and rides very well on less than perfect roads. At one point, the car even warned me of a particularly large pothole coming up in the road ahead (called a “nid-de-poule, a hen’s nest in French, in case you were wondering), giving the impression that this car is really looking out for you.

The Mercedes CLA 250+ is a comfortable size for city driving

It’s not a huge saloon, so is easy to manoeuvre in traffic, and the single e-motor has enough instant power to respond quickly when you need it. 0-100km/h takes 6.7 seconds. Handling is more ‘reassuring’ than ‘sporty’ and in terms of speed it is nippy rather than furious, although the more powerful CLA 350+ should cater for drivers who desire a bit more oomph. As with all the best electric cars, at low speeds it feels more powerful than it is despite the extra weight of the battery.

Overall impressions? Well, it’s a talking car that is able to carry out your instructions and answer your questions, that is able to park itself, can understand the world around it and which actively helps make your drive easier and safer. It’s almost as if the car is alive, and it is certainly intelligent. It drives very nicely, it goes a long way on a charge, it has good luggage space (front and back), the massive glass roof is a nice feature and the interior is very modern without being too bling. With a starting price of 52,900€, you get a lot for your money in a very attractive package.

Richard McCreery is Monaco Life’s Car Contributor. See more of his reviews:

Review: The Grecale Folgore delivers Maserati’s signature character in electric form

 

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All photos courtesy of Mercedes

 

Monaco launches five-year Mediterranean mission with groundbreaking zero-emission vessel

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/09/2025

Prince Albert II officially launched the departure of the pioneering MODX 70 catamaran on Thursday 25th September, marking the start of Monaco’s most ambitious ocean initiative to date: a five-year Mediterranean expedition aboard this all-electric floating lab, classroom, and diplomatic platform, designed to redefine sustainable marine exploration.

A new chapter in Monaco’s ocean exploration legacy began on Thursday as the MODX 70 departed Port Hercule o officially launch the Missions Méditerranée (2025–2030) under the banner of the Explorations de Monaco.

The 21-metre catamaran, hailed as a first-of-its-kind in the Mediterranean, is fully electric and designed as a zero-emission vessel. It features cutting-edge propulsion systems — from Aeroforce wind wings and solar panels to hydro-generation technology — enabling clean, silent navigation without CO₂ emissions.

“This isn’t just another boat,” said Robert Calcagno, President and CEO of the Explorations de Monaco. “It’s a response to the urgent question: how can we explore, cooperate, and raise awareness while minimising our carbon footprint? The MODX 70 proves that new ways of sailing are possible in the Mediterranean.”

Prince Albert II at the helm of the new Monaco Explorations vessel. Photo credit: Frederic Nebinger, Prince’s Palace

A floating lab, a mobile classroom, and a voice for the sea

Far more than a research vessel, the MODX 70 will also serve as a cultural and educational platform. At each port of call, the catamaran will host school visits, mobile exhibitions, and community workshops, creating opportunities for dialogue and ocean literacy across the Mediterranean.

“Each stop will be a space for exchange,” said Xavier Prache, Director of the Explorations and Mission Leader. “We want young people, policymakers, and coastal communities to become true participants in a sustainable Mediterranean future.”

Prince Albert II at the Monaco Explorations departure. Photo credit: Frederic Nebinger, Prince’s Palace

Why the Mediterranean — and why now

While the polar regions and open oceans often draw attention, the Mediterranean remains one of the most biologically rich yet scientifically underserved seas on the planet. Home to over 17,000 marine species — 19% of them endemic — it is also warming 20% faster than the global average and faces intense pressure from pollution, overfishing and mass tourism.

Despite this, the region has few vessels dedicated to scientific research. The MODX 70 aims to fill that gap, offering a local, low-impact solution to collect critical data and trial practical responses to marine challenges.

Prince Albert II sending off Monaco Explorations new research vessel. Photo credit: Frederic Nebinger, Prince’s Palace

Contributing to global ocean goals

The Missions Méditerranée will support the international 30×30 target — protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 — by using science to inform conservation and enhance regional cooperation.

Starting with Greece, the MODX 70 will navigate the full breadth of the Mediterranean over the next five years, serving as both a scientific outpost and Monaco’s ambassador for a better-protected shared sea.

See also: 

Countdown begins for crucial Monaco-backed High Seas Treaty to take effect

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Main photo credit: Frederic Nebinger, Prince’s Palace