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Day: 26 January 2026

Solberg makes history with debut Monte Carlo Rally win

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
26/01/2026

Swedish driver Oliver Solberg has secured his maiden Rallye Monte-Carlo victory alongside co-driver Elliott Edmondson, dominating the 94th edition from start to finish.

The pair led from the second stage and built an advantage of more than 50 seconds in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, claiming their second WRC win.

“I don’t think I’ve realised it yet. It’s been an emotional day,” said Solberg after crossing the finish line. “I would like to warmly thank Toyota for their confidence in us.”

The 24-year-old’s victory literally rewrites the history books. No Swedish driver had won Monte Carlo since Ove Andersson in 1971. Solberg also became the event’s youngest winner in nearly 90 years, and the first member of his rallying family to conquer Monte Carlo – something his father Petter, the 2003 world champion, never achieved.

Japanese manufacturer takes over the podium

Toyota celebrated an unprecedented clean sweep, with Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin taking second nearly 52 seconds behind, while SĂ©bastien Ogier and Vincent Landais finished third more than two minutes back.

For nine-time world champion Ogier, it marked his first time finishing off the top two steps at Monte Carlo since 2013. “Oliver definitely did better than anyone expected,” Ogier said. “It’s good for the championship to have some new blood.”

Saturday’s unique spectacle

Saturday evening saw Monaco’s streets spectacularly come alive as competitors tackled a special stage through Monaco’s F1 circuit for the first time in 18 years.

Despite heavy rain, thousands packed Port Hercule to watch cars navigate a 2.69 kilometre course in the thrilling wet conditions.

During Saturday’s race at Monaco’s F1 circuit. Photo credit: Automobile Club de Monaco

Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria took Hyundai’s only stage win of the rally. The spectacle attracted celebrity guests including F1 driver Liam Lawson and cycling stars Tadej PogaÄŤar and Chris Froome.

Toyota president Akio Toyoda also made a personal appearance, experiencing the action from Takamoto Katsuta’s car.

Competitors encountered torrential rain, fog, snow, ice and mud across the four-day event in the French Alps. Even with a comfortable margin, Solberg endured two nervous moments on Sunday morning but recovered to seal his historic win.

Regarding the WRC2 division, LĂ©o Rossel claimed victory alongside Guillaume Mercoiret in a CitroĂ«n C3 Rally2, continuing his family’s dominance after his brother Yohan had claimed three straight victories before crashing out early this year

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Main photo credit: Automobile Club de Monaco 

Monaco’s Jardin Animalier to undergo major modernisation after safety works

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/01/2026

Monaco’s Jardin Animalier Rainier III will remain closed throughout 2026 for essential cliff safety works, followed by a major modernisation project ordered by Prince Albert II, the Palace announced.

The animal garden, which sits beneath a cliff face, requires extensive safety operations to secure the rock face above. These works demand constant vigilance to protect the animals, staff, and the cliff’s natural ecosystem, according to the Palace statement.

Ambitious modernisation ahead

Once safety works are complete, the garden will undergo a comprehensive transformation designed to improve animal welfare and visitor experience. The project will create larger habitats better adapted to the animals’ needs, with increased vegetation and mixed-species enclosures where appropriate.

The visitor route will be completely redesigned to offer a more immersive experience, with modernised facilities that harmonise with the natural environment.

Prince Rainier III’s legacy

The Jardin Animalier was founded by Prince Rainier III, Prince Albert’s father, who established the zoo as part of his commitment to animal conservation. Prince Rainier created the garden on the southern slope of the Rock of Monaco, where it has operated for decades as one of the Principality’s family attractions.

The modernisation project reflects Prince Albert II’s continuation of his father’s conservation legacy, while updating the facilities to meet contemporary animal welfare standards and visitor expectations.

Updates to follow on social media

The Palace said progress on the project and major milestones will be shared regularly on the Jardin Animalier Rainier III’s social media channels.

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Photo by Monaco Life

 

Barbagiuans win Fight Aids Cup on penalties as Charles Leclerc makes surprise appearance

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
26/01/2026

The Barbagiuans of Monaco have claimed the sixth Fight AIDS Cup title following a tense penalty shootout at Stade Louis-II, with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc making a surprise appearance in the warm-up and opening half.

The charity match, held under the patronage of Princess StĂ©phanie of Monaco, brought together football legends and raised funds for Fight Aids Monaco’s work against HIV.

Leclerc joined the Barbagiuans for the opening 45 minutes before making was for the football professionals.

Penalties decide close contest

Cirque FC featured 2004 Ballon d’Or winner Andriy Shevchenko as captain, with former AC Milan colleague Marco Simone coach. The Barbagiuans were without injured Ludovic Giuly, who had to settle for a place on the bench.

The Barbagiuans took an early lead through Javier Chevanton, but Cirque FC hit back quickly when Maxime Gonalons levelled the scores at 1-1.

Both teams created opportunities throughout a competitive match, but neither could break the deadlock in normal time.

The match went to penalties, where goalkeeper Flavio Roma managed a vital save. Olivier Veigneau then stepped up to convert the decisive spot-kick and seal victory for the Barbagiuans.

Louis Ducruet’s Barbagiuans de Monaco, photo credit: FrĂ©dĂ©ric Nebinger / Philippe Fitte

Ducruet celebrates victory

Barbagiuans president and event organiser Louis Ducruet said in a pool interview with Monaco Life: “Finally, a victory. If we do it every two years, that’s good. But really, it needs to be every year. So we’re happy. We finished on penalties, but that means the match was balanced and intense. Both sides played well. It was a good match.”

This marks the second time the Barbagiuans have lifted the trophy, while Cirque FC have won on four occasions.

Meanwhile, in an official statement, he also reflected on the evening’s importance, “This Fight AIDS Cup represents far more than a football match,” he said. “Seeing football legends come together and such strong commitment around the cause championed by Fight Aids Monaco is a tremendous source of pride. This victory is a collective one, in service of an essential cause.”

The evening concluded with a gala where ex-Chelsea and Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard was presented with the Fred Allard Trophy as best player of the match in his debut appearance.

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Main photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Philippe Fitte

Prince Albert II watches Team Monaco make E1 World Championship debut in Jeddah

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/01/2026

Prince Albert II travelled to Jeddah on Saturday to support Team Monaco’s debut in the UIM E1 World Championship, marking the first time the Principality has fielded a team in the all-electric powerboat racing series.

The Prince watched from the Jeddah Corniche Circuit as Team Monaco competed in the season opener, finishing in 10th place with five points. Aoki Racing Team claimed victory in an intense final on the Red Sea, fending off defending champions Team Brady to take an early championship lead with 40 points.

Photo source: E1

“It made perfect sense to be part of this great adventure”

Interviewed during the race about seeing Team Monaco on the water, Prince Albert II said: “For me it made perfect sense to be part of this great adventure. We have been supportive of the E1 series over the years and we have finally been able to put a team together.”

The Prince emphasised the team’s dual mission of competitive racing and environmental advocacy. “We’ll try and be competitive and achieve the best results possible in the championship. More importantly if we can help to be ambassadors of sustainability and care for our global ocean we will have achieved something great.”

Photo credit: Getty Images for E1

Racing under number 98—Monaco’s country code—the team aligns with the Prince Albert II Foundation’s ocean regeneration mission. The Principality’s entry into E1 follows years of supporting the championship, which Monaco hosts annually at Port Hercule.

Dramatic racing on the Red Sea

The Jeddah race featured intense foil-to-foil action as Aoki Racing’s Sara Misir and Team Rafa’s Cris Lazarraga battled heading into the opening corner. Misir, making her debut for Aoki, came out on top after a slight touch between the two RaceBirds and went on to dominate the remaining six laps.

She was awarded the PIF Pilot of the Day for her performance. “It feels good! Dani went out there and came P1 so I knew I had big boots to fill,” Misir said after the race. Her teammate Dani Clos had secured the inside lane in the first final, setting up her victory.

Photo source: E1

The E1 Championship features teams with both male and female pilots racing electric RaceBirds on tight, technical circuits. The competition was established to accelerate innovation in electric marine technologies while promoting sustainable urban waters and coastal environments.

Championship standings and sponsors

Following the Saudi season-opener, Aoki Racing Team leads with 40 points, ahead of Team Brady (33 points) and Team AlUla championed by LeBron James (24 points). Team Monaco sits in 10th place with five points.

The championship next heads to Lake Como, Italy, on 24th and 25th April as part of its global tour. Monaco will host the championship at Port Hercule on 17th and 18th July, providing Team Monaco with a home race advantage.

See more of Monaco’s debut in E1 in the photo gallery below, photos sourced from E1

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Main photo source: E1

Woman found dead in Beausoleil home, husband held in custody

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/01/2026

An 88-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of killing his 85-year-old wife after her body was discovered at their home in Beausoleil on Sunday, according to the Nice prosecutor’s office.

The man presented himself at Monaco’s Princess Grace Hospital seeking treatment for superficial wounds on Sunday morning, where he told staff he had killed his wife, local newspaper Monaco Matin reported.

Police then found the woman’s body at the TĂ©nao residence at chemin Romain in Beausoleil. The prosecutor’s office said she had “several bleeding wounds” and that a knife was believed to have been used.

The man was treated for his injuries, requiring stitches, before being taken into custody near the Monaco border. He has been formally held “for spousal homicide in the context of a flagrant offence investigation,” the prosecutor confirmed on Sunday evening.

The investigation has been assigned to the SLPJ police unit in Menton.

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Photo credit: Joshua Coleman, Unsplash

 

Monaco advances anti-corruption strategy in response to European watchdog

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/01/2026

Monaco is developing a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy for senior government officials, with Minister of State Christophe Mirmand leading the effort to respond to recommendations from the European anti-corruption watchdog GRECO.

Mirmand chaired the fourth meeting of the steering committee on Friday, reviewing progress on measures addressing issues raised in GRECO’s evaluation report published in June 2024. The report assessed Monaco’s systems for preventing corruption among high-level executive officials.

Framework nearing completion

The committee, which has now met four times, has reached consensus on how to address corruption risks in senior executive roles. Officials said the framework is designed to fit Monaco’s institutional structure while meeting international standards.

“The steering committee’s activities are part of a demanding and constructive process, reflecting a clear intention to strengthen national mechanisms for preventing and combating corruption in a progressive and pragmatic manner,” Mirmand said in a statement.

He added that the work has involved all relevant government entities and has the backing of Prince Albert II.

Public release expected soon

The steering committee is finalising the anti-corruption strategy and an accompanying action plan, both of which will be made public by the government in the coming weeks. No specific date has been announced.

The public release will allow scrutiny of how Monaco intends to implement GRECO’s recommendations. The Group of States against Corruption, part of the Council of Europe, conducts regular evaluation cycles of member states’ anti-corruption frameworks.

Monaco’s response to the GRECO evaluation has taken several months, with the steering committee working through sensitive questions about governance oversight at the highest levels of the Principality’s executive branch.

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Main photo credit: Stephane Danna, Government Communications DepartmentÂ