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Day: 20 July 2026

Monaco’s Red Cross Gala returns to the essence of charity for 77th edition

by: Virginia D’Umas
20/07/2026

The 77th Monaco Red Cross Gala, which was held on Saturday 18th July at the iconic Salle des Étoiles marked a deliberate and meaningful shift for Monaco’s most prestigious social event. Presided over by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, the evening moved away from the era of ‘mega-star’ headliners to refocus on the event’s core mission: raising vital funds for humanitarian aid.

Behind the decision to forgo high-profile international artists lies a pragmatic approach to philanthropy. As Alfonso Ciulla, Artistic Director of the Monte-Carlo Summer Festival, explained, organisers opted to move away from expensive international stars to avoid the paradox of paying massive performance fees for an event intended to raise funds, ultimately aiming to return to the true essence of a charity gala.

By opting for Soul! Where Legends Come Back – an original production created by the Société des Bains de Mer – organisers have returned the spotlight to the spirit of the cause itself. The one-hour musical journey celebrated the legacy of African-American legends like Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, proving that the gala’s prestige remains undimmed by its leaner, more purposeful format. 

Soul! Where Legends Come Back—the original production created by the Société des Bains de Mer / Photo credit: Michaël Alesi

Culinary artistry

The evening’s atmosphere was elevated by a menu that balanced innovation with fine dining standards. Two Michelin-starred chef Marcel Ravin designed the gastronomic experience, executed with precision by Sporting Monte-Carlo’s Head Chef Thierry Saez Manzanares. The final note was delivered by celebrity pâtissier Cédric Grolet, whose signature dessert rounded off a dinner designed to impress the Principality’s most generous donors.

Art and philanthropy

A long-standing tradition of the gala is the fusion of artistic expression with charitable giving. This year, renowned Belgian artist Johan Creten gifted his work Éloge de l’Espoir to the Monegasque Red Cross. The hand-modelled ceramic mural, part of his acclaimed Odore di Femmina series – previously exhibited at the Louvre and the Centre Pompidou – served as a poignant centrepiece for the evening’s fundraising efforts.

A night of continued connection

The proceedings extended well beyond the traditional tombola, which featured an array of luxury prizes. For guests looking to keep the momentum of the night alive, the celebrations continued at the legendary Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo, which transformed into an intimate jazz-age speakeasy.

While the evening was defined by its elegance, the guest list underscored the gala’s global significance, welcoming leaders such as President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Kate Forbes, and Caroline Cross, President of the French Red Cross.

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Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II at the 77th Red Cross Gala in Monaco / Photo Credit: Michaël Alesi

 

Team Drogba Global Africa claims maiden E1 Monaco GP victory

by: Kayla Sauceda
20/07/2026

Team Drogba Global Africa secured its first E1 victory on Saturday 18th July, claiming the Monaco GP after an afternoon of intense racing in the Principality. While the team celebrated an impressive result, local fans were left wondering what could have been after Team Monaco displayed race-winning pace throughout the weekend before a critical mistake ended its hopes of a podium finish.

After securing its first ever pole position in Friday’s qualifying, Team Monaco entered race day as one of the favorites. Maxime Nocher led the opening race, later setting the fastest lap of Race 1 with a time of 1:15.422, demonstrating the speed the team had shown throughout the weekend.

Team Monaco with E1 CEO Jamie Copas after securing the team’s first-ever pole position during Friday’s qualifying in Monaco. Photo by Getty for E1

Difficulties for the home team appeared in the second race after missing the first corner of the mandatory start lap. Although Oban Duncan recovered to fourth on the water, accumulated penalties resulted in a DNF, sending Team Monaco into the Place Race instead of the Finals. The team later finished second in the Place Race to end the weekend seventh overall, falling short of the pace the team had displayed across the weekend.

Reflecting on the weekend, Maxime Nocher told Monaco Life: “There are a lot of emotions, actually. I did everything I could. It’s a bit hard to refocus after a disqualification. We have our first trophy, and it says ‘Monaco’ on it, so we did enough of a job yesterday. We would prefer another today, but this is good.”

The team also welcomed Prince Albert II to the paddock, where he congratulated the drivers and engineers on the progress made in its inaugural E1 season.

Although Team Monaco did not finish with the results they had hoped for, Team Drogba Global Africa delivered a near-perfect performance to secure a historic maiden victory. Tara Pacheco guided the team to victory in the opening Final, before teammate Micah Wilkinson held off Sam Coleman of Team Brady to seal the win. Team Brady finished behind them in second, with Sports.com Predict Team Miami Powered by Magnus completing the podium in third.

Team Drogba celebrated its first victory of the season, with its previous best result being a seventh-place finish at Lake Como. Wilkinson’s performance also earned him the PIF Pilot of the Day award. Speaking to Monaco Life after the victory, Tara Pacheco said: “We definitely knew that we had the pace on the qualifying laps, and today Monaco woke up with flat water and we knew how to perform with the boat on it and we did it.”

These results also moved Team Brady into the overall lead of the standings for the first time this season, leading Will Smith’s Westbrook Racing by Visit Angola by nine points. Team Drogba Global Africa also climbed to sixth in the standings, while Team Monaco now sits in ninth place.

The Monaco GP marked the final European round of the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship before heading to Angola on 12 and 13 September for the next stop of the season.

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Main photo credit: Getty for E1

Espace Lamartine offering new activities after reopening to the public

by: Virginia D’Umas
20/07/2026

The Espace Lamartine in Monaco has officially reopened its doors following a two-year closure caused by significant water damage. Mayor Georges Marsan, accompanied by members of the Communal Council and staff from the Mairie de Monaco’s Seniors and Social Action Service, presided over the inauguration on Thursday 16th July.

Historically focused on programmes for the elderly, the Espace Lamartine is now seeking to broaden its demographic reach. According to Nathalie Vaccarezza, the Communal Councillor delegated to the centre, the revitalised schedule is designed to accommodate a more diverse cross-section of the population, including the local workforce.

Diversifying the community offer

“We are developing after-work sessions aimed at the working population, as well as breakfast meetings,” Vaccarezza said during the inauguration. She highlighted that these initiatives are part of a broader strategy to foster a spirit of shared experience, ensuring the venue remains a space where different age groups can interact.

The facility’s expanded curriculum now includes over 200 monthly activities. While staples such as cardio drum classes, DIY workshops, and social work advisory services remain, the programme has added self-massage, foreign language courses, and introductory bachata classes.

Operational updates and access 

With the reopening of the facility comes the reactivation of its on-site dining services. The restaurant, A Pignata, is scheduled to resume operations on 3rd August. The restaurant will be open Monday through Friday, offering a fixed-price menu of 15 euros for members aged 60 and older, as well as beneficiaries of the Mairie’s Seniors Unit. In an effort to encourage social engagement, the facility permits members to invite one guest to dine.

Membership to the Espace Lamartine is open to Monegasque nationals, residents, and students aged 18 and over. While the standard annual membership fee is set at 200 euros, the Mairie has introduced preferential rates for students, municipal employees, and seniors to maintain accessibility.

Interested parties can register for activities or membership on-site at the facility, or via telephone and email channels provided by the Mairie de Monaco.

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Photo credit: Mairie de Monaco – Kevin Tchobanian

Ukraine releases recovered video of Monaco bombing after investigators restore deleted footage

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/07/2026

Ukrainian prosecutors have released previously unseen surveillance footage of the bomb attack that injured Monaco-based businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, his partner Anna and their 13-year-old son outside their apartment building in Monaco last month.

The video, made public to press agency AP by the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, shows the moments leading up to the explosion on 29th June and forms part of the evidence gathered during the investigation into the attempted murders.

According to prosecutors, the camera used to capture the attack had been secretly installed by those behind the bombing to verify that the explosive device had detonated as planned. The footage had subsequently been deleted but was recovered by specialists from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) during the investigation.

The recovered video shows a person wearing a hat approaching the entrance to the family’s apartment building carrying a bag. The individual appears to place an object near the doorway before leaving the scene. Moments later, Yermolaiev, Anna and their teenage son arrive at the entrance, where the device explodes as they approach.

All three survived the blast but sustained injuries.

Ukrainian prosecutors say deleted bombing video was restored by investigators

The release of the footage comes less than two weeks after Ukrainian authorities announced the arrests of two men in connection with the case. One suspect is a serving officer with Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR), while the second is a former law enforcement officer.

Prosecutors allege the two men murdered Anastasiia Berezovska, the Ukrainian woman suspected of planting the bomb in Nice, after she returned to Ukraine following the attack.

According to investigators, Berezovska travelled back to Ukraine on 1st July. After tracing her movements and communications, authorities concluded that she had met with the two men before being shot dead near Kyiv. Her body was later discovered with gunshot wounds to the head.

One of the detained suspects has reportedly confessed to the killing, telling investigators it was carried out to eliminate the alleged bomber and conceal those who organised the attack.

Two suspects arrested after death of alleged Monaco bombing suspect

The investigation is being carried out jointly by Ukrainian authorities and law enforcement agencies in several countries, including Monaco, where judicial authorities continue to investigate the attempted murders.

Monaco prosecutors have previously confirmed that the attack is being treated as attempted murder rather than terrorism and have issued an international arrest warrant as investigators work to identify everyone involved in planning and carrying out the bombing.

The arrests in Ukraine have significantly expanded the scope of the investigation, which now encompasses both the bombing itself and the subsequent killing of the woman accused of carrying it out.

The case remains one of the most complex criminal investigations linked to Monaco in recent years, involving an alleged contract bombing, international fugitives, cross-border investigations and the suspected murder of the woman accused of carrying out the attack.

See also: 

Vadym Iermolaiev breaks silence after Monaco bombing: “Our survival was nothing short of a miracle”

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Image taken from the video

Monaco’s mayoral race begins as preparations gather pace for 2027 municipal elections

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/07/2026

Monaco’s next municipal election is beginning to take shape, with the government formally launching preparations for the April 2027 vote and the first candidate officially entering the race to succeed long-serving Mayor Georges Marsan.

A communiqué published in the latest Journal de Monaco reminds prospective candidates that they must appoint financial representatives ahead of the campaign, in accordance with Monaco’s campaign finance legislation. The notice comes less than four months before the official pre-campaign period begins on 5th November 2026, with the election itself scheduled for 4th April 2027 and, if required, a second round on 11th April. The election dates were formally set by ministerial decree earlier this month.

Unlike previous municipal elections, however, the administrative notice arrives against the backdrop of a significant political transition.

The end of the Marsan era

For the first time in more than two decades, Monaco is preparing to elect a new mayor.

Georges Marsan, who has led the municipality since 2003, has previously confirmed that his current sixth term will be his last, bringing to a close one of the longest mayoral tenures in the Principality’s modern history.

His departure opens what is expected to be the most closely watched municipal election in years.

Marjorie Crovetto first to declare

The only officially declared candidate so far is Marjorie Crovetto, Monaco’s Second Deputy Mayor, who announced on 29 June that she will head the L’Évolution Communale list in the 2027 election.

Speaking to Monaco Info, Crovetto said she had been preparing “for many months” and would present her programme to voters in early autumn.

“We are working on ambitious projects for the future with a renewed team, strengthened by highly committed new members,” she said.

A lawyer by training, Crovetto has served on the Communal Council since 2007 and currently oversees quality of life, the environment and sustainable development.

Seen as the natural successor

Although no successor has been formally endorsed by Marsan, Crovetto has increasingly assumed mayoral responsibilities during his absences.

Throughout 2026, the Journal de Monaco has published a series of municipal orders delegating the functions of mayor to Crovetto for short periods, reflecting her role as the municipality’s senior deputy.

Those delegations, together with her senior position within the current administration, have fuelled expectations that she would become the continuity candidate for the governing municipal majority.

Campaign formally begins in November

The latest government communiqué is largely procedural, but it serves as the official starting point for the electoral timetable.

Under Monaco’s campaign finance rules, every electoral list must appoint a financial representative responsible for opening and managing the campaign bank account, with the appointment forming part of a valid candidacy. The Campaign Accounts Verification Commission is encouraging prospective candidates to begin those administrative steps now to avoid delays once the pre-campaign officially opens on 5th November.

More candidates expected

For now, Crovetto remains the only declared candidate.

No rival municipal list has yet been formally announced, although there are still several months before campaigning begins and additional candidates are widely expected to emerge.

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Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life

 

Leclerc secures Belgian GP podium as Ferrari heads to Hungary with renewed momentum

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/07/2026

Charles Leclerc produced one of his strongest drives of the season to finish second at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday, giving the Monegasque his fourth podium of the year and Ferrari’s ninth in the opening 10 races of the Formula 1 season.

The result came after an aggressive opening lap, a well-timed Ferrari strategy call and a determined chase of race winner Kimi Antonelli over the closing stages at Spa-Francorchamps. Lewis Hamilton added to Ferrari’s haul by recovering from an early collision and a five-second penalty to finish fourth, lifting the Scuderia’s points tally for the weekend to 30.

Leclerc made an excellent start from fifth on the grid, overtaking both George Russell and Max Verstappen on the run through Eau Rouge and along the Kemmel Straight to move into second place behind Antonelli. Ferrari’s race strategy then came into play when the team delayed both drivers’ pit stops, allowing them to take advantage of a Virtual Safety Car on lap 19. The perfectly timed stop briefly handed Leclerc the lead after he passed Lando Norris, before Antonelli reclaimed first place in the closing laps.

Although unable to prevent the Mercedes driver from taking victory, Leclerc remained within two seconds of the leader at the finish to claim the 54th podium of his Formula 1 career and Ferrari’s 845th overall.

“It was really enjoyable to lead the race and fight for the win until the closing laps,” Leclerc said afterwards. “Overall, we had good pace, which is something we didn’t expect on a track such as Spa-Francorchamps. A big thank you to everyone at the track and back in Maranello for continuing to push so hard.”

Hamilton’s race was considerably more complicated. Contact with George Russell on the opening lap brought out the Safety Car and earned the Briton a five-second penalty, but the Ferrari driver recovered impressively to climb back through the field and finish fourth. The result moves Hamilton back into second place in the drivers’ championship ahead of next weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Belgian Grand Prix was won by Antonelli ahead of Leclerc, with Verstappen completing the podium. Hamilton finished fourth, followed by Oscar Piastri, Isack Hadjar, Lando Norris, Gabriel Bortoleto, Arvid Lindblad and Franco Colapinto rounding out the top 10.

Formula 1 now heads directly to the Hungaroring for the Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the sport’s summer break. Ferrari will arrive in Budapest encouraged by a weekend that demonstrated both the SF-26’s competitiveness and Leclerc’s ability to challenge for victories on circuits where the team had not expected to be among the frontrunners.

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Main photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre