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Day: 8 March 2026

Monaco completes evacuation of nationals stranded in Middle East conflict

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/03/2026

The final group of Monégasque nationals stranded in the Middle East arrived home on Sunday, completing an emergency repatriation operation that began when the United States and Israel launched a major military offensive against Iran.

When fighting broke out in the early hours of Saturday 28th February — killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggering retaliatory Iranian strikes across the region — airports including Zayed International Airport in the UAE and Kuwait International Airport were struck, leaving travellers stranded across the Gulf. By that Sunday evening, the Prince’s Government had identified 60 Monégasque nationals and residents caught up in the crisis, all of whom were in contact with authorities. The government urged those affected to follow safety guidelines issued by local authorities and to maintain contact with the Principality.

All those concerned were in Doha and Dubai at the time of the first strikes. Over the days that followed, the government’s crisis unit worked to bring them home, with Isabelle Berro-Amadéi, Minister-Counsellor for External Relations and Cooperation, and Benjamin Valli, Director of Diplomatic and Consular Relations, present at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport on Sunday 8th March to receive the final arrivals.

The Prince’s Government credited the operation’s success to a swift and coordinated response from its crisis cell, active continuously since 28th February. It extended particular thanks to Ambassador Evelyne Genta, Monaco’s envoy to the United Arab Emirates, and to the Directorate of Diplomatic and Consular Relations throughout.

In a statement, the government said it wished “to pay tribute to the composure, patience and sense of responsibility shown by the Monégasque nationals concerned throughout this trying period,” and extended its best wishes to all of them “for a happy reunion with their families.”

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti

 

Leclerc leads Ferrari’s charge at season opener as Russell wins in Melbourne

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/03/2026

Charles Leclerc came from fourth on the grid to lead the 2026 Australian Grand Prix before ultimately finishing third, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton fourth, as Scuderia Ferrari collected 27 points on the opening weekend of the new Formula 1 season.

George Russell took victory for Mercedes at Albert Park on Sunday, leading home team-mate Kimi Antonelli in a 1-2 for the Silver Arrows. Leclerc crossed the line 15.5 seconds behind Russell, with Hamilton a further 0.6 seconds back in fourth. Lando Norris finished fifth for McLaren, Max Verstappen sixth, and Haas rookie Ollie Bearman seventh. Arvid Lindblad scored points on his Formula 1 debut in eighth, with Gabriel Bortoleto ninth for Audi and Pierre Gasly tenth for Alpine.

Leclerc into the lead, then a duel

Leclerc’s start was one of the moments of the race. Launching from fourth, he swept into the lead through Turn 1 ahead of pole-sitter Russell, while Hamilton — starting seventh — had moved up to third before the end of the first sector. What followed across the next ten laps was a sustained battle between Leclerc and Russell, the two swapping the lead repeatedly as the Monegasque driver refused to yield. Russell passed on lap two; Leclerc responded immediately to reclaim position on lap three. That exchange set the tone for an opening phase that team principal Fred Vasseur described as the most compelling racing he had seen in a decade.

“There were some pessimistic comments about this new Formula 1 going into the season,” Vasseur said. “I think today’s race start and then the first ten laps were the most exciting we have witnessed in the past ten years — and not just because we were in front.”

Leclerc’s assessment

After the race, Leclerc pointed to the learning value of the weekend while noting the gap that still needs to be closed. “We were quite strong, which was a positive given that our expectations yesterday were not that high,” he said. “I had a good start and learned a lot on those opening laps. There are lots of things to manage at the same time — energy deployment, tyres, overtakes — and I’m happy with how I handled the situation from inside the car. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the pace to hold onto first place later on. We’ve got to be on it in terms of development and push to the maximum to reduce the gap.”

What’s next

The Formula 1 season moves directly to Shanghai, where the Chinese Grand Prix takes place from 13th to 15th March — the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 campaign.

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Photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre