Latest news with #Jacques
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Princess Charlene and Prince Albert's Twins Steal the Show as They Mark Major Royal Milestone
Twins Crown Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella recently turned the landmark age of 10 years old. The two have had many first lately, ranging from their first Holy Communion to a major royal milestone over the weekend. Jacques and Gabriella took part alongside their parents Princess Charlene and Prince Albert in a state visit with French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife, First Lady Brigitte Macron, on June turning the milestone age of 10 last December, twins Crown Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella of Monaco continue to achieve royal firsts—and accomplished another one this week alongside their parents Prince Albert and Princess Charlene. On June 7, the twins were on hand to welcome the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, and his wife Brigitte Macron for the Macrons' state visit to Monaco—the first time, per Hello!, that the royal children had taken part in a state visit. The Macrons sweetly chatted with Jacques and Gabriella, and Gabriella thoughtfully presented flowers to the First Lady upon her arrival. The French couple is in Monaco to bolster the 'strong ties' between France and Monaco, Hello! reported. For the occasion Saturday, Charlene understood the assignment and wore a mint Dior jacket and a pair of tan trousers, and later changed to a stunning red gown for a state dinner in the Throne Room of their palace in Monte Carlo. Per Vanity Fair, this was the first time that the royal family of Monaco hosted a state dinner with a French leader in more than 40 years. Though Jacques and Gabriella were present earlier in the day, they didn't attend the state dinner alongside their parents. When speaking to La Gazette de Monaco about which achievements he's been most proud of in his 20-year reign, Albert said, touchingly, 'What I am most proud of is my marriage and my children, first and foremost.' He also added to the Monaco Tribune that his twins 'help keep me young, too. They take some keeping up with.' Turning 10 and being a part of their first state visit aren't Jacques and Gabriella's only milestones lately. They also, per Tatler, recently took part in their first Holy Communion, a significant step for Catholic children like the twins. 'The conversations I have with Jacques and those with Gabriella are so different, as well as the time spent with them,' Charlene recently said. 'Gabriella is very curious. She is intrigued by the world and life in general.' As for her son, 'he is curious and observant, more reserved,' Charlene said. 'He is naturally very calm.' Charlene also admitted that it was 'difficult to find time to spend one-on-one' with the twosome, which she had found 'essential when you are the parent of twins.' Of the state visit over the weekend, the twins were mentioned for their significant milestone, with the royal family of Monaco writing on social media that 'Crown Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella were also present to greet the presidential couple, demonstrating the familial and solemn character of this official reception.' 'This meeting illustrates the continuity of a relationship based on shared values, mutual trust, and a shared willingness to build together answers to great contemporary challenges,' the post continued. Read the original article on InStyle
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
I visited laid-back wine bar with a touch of French sophistication
There is something very appealing about simple wooden interiors, which make me want to put down my coat, grab a pew and glug down a refreshing glass of wine. A rustic table and a wine rack, visible from outside, was proving difficult to resist, especially as the sun was shining on a warm Ruthin evening. In the seventies, wine bars emerged as a concept, often seen as a more relaxed and sophisticated alternative to traditional, male-dominated pubs. But what makes a good wine bar now? Well, there's the wine, for starters. Jacques offers a vast selection of classic reds from Bordeaux and Burgundy. Or, you can sip a white wine from the Loire Valley region or swig a fizzy rose from Provence. The bar was absolutely heaving with bottles of the stuff, along with sparkling champagne and a host of different Belgium or European beers. The atmosphere is relaxed; the lights are dim with soft jazz playing in the background. There are paintings of French streets on the wall with peacock art cushions on the pews. We were sat on mis-matched paint splattered chairs, which give off a shabby chic relaxed vibe, and noticed a small roof terrace upstairs, where a few people were chatting and taking advantage of the good weather. Jacques wine bar has gone for Parisian flair with a menu influenced by French classics, which don't really need re-inventing. They include baked Camembert, frog legs or French onion soup for starters or baguettes with various French cheeses for lunch. There are plenty of sharing dishes such as a charcuterie platter, with a selection of cured meats and pâtés, served with homemade chutneys, bread and crackers or a selection of French cheeses. For mains, there are French classics such as beef bourguignon with tender braised beef in red wine with garlic, and puree de pommes de terre or ratatouille with stewed vegetables in a rich tomato sauce served with a warm crusty baguette. We noticed that some customers on the next table ordered the 'Moules Marinières' which was flamed mussels in a bacon butter sauce, with pickled lemon and parsley. They used a crusty bit of their baguette to mop the sauce up and appeared to be really enjoying it. On a Sunday, Jacques offer a variety of roasts served French style, such as a half roast chicken, roast potatoes, seasonal veg, purée de pommes de terre. However, we noticed a deal chalked on a blackboard, which offered their signature Steak Frites with a pint of beer or a glass of wine for just £15. It seemed too good of an offer to turn down. We decided to choose a glass of house white and a glass of house red to go with our Steak Frites. The white wine was tangy and crisp whilst the red wine was fruity and bold. The steak was cooked to our liking 'Medium rare' and was juicy, tender and succulent. The steak knife cut through the pan seared steak like butter and all the juices and flavour sizzled throughout the meat in a perfect haze of rouge. The steak butter was absolutely delicious and we were later told it was a secret recipe, although it seemed to be a combination of bacon, paprika and sage sauce. We were both given a generous portion of French fries and they were crispy and very morish due to a little hint of seasoning. We had a simple mixed lettuce salad on the side of both our plates. We were too happily stuffed for dessert but could see that they offered choices such as lemon tart, served with shortbread and ice cream, salted caramel chocolate pot or cheesecake for around £9. Instead, we sipped our wine and let our food go down as we were in no particular rush to leave. It reminded me of the perfect Parisian evening after a day of sightseeing and winding down with a glass of red. I half expected a man in a stripy t shirt to cycle past the window with some onions over his shoulder. Jacques wine bar has live music at the weekends and also put on a terrific roast. We saw notices for bottomless brunches for £25, which promised cocktails and chaos and a little French mischief for two hours. Yep, this little laid back wine bar has a certain 'Je ne sais quoi' and will leave you feeling full, happy and perhaps a little bit tipsy. The Facts Steak Frites with a glass of wine £15 with a service surcharge of 10% (£3) bringing the total to £33 Atmosphere - Va-Va Voom Car Parking - Limited Street parking or public car park just off St Peter's Square. Service - Confident and laid backed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bipartisan bill aiming to better future for Florida's at-risk youth heads to governor
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A bill now heading to the governor's desk promises to help keep children on the right path. Florida lawmakers passed legislation that prioritizes early intervention, ensuring at-risk youth receive the support they a bi-partisan push, the legislation revamps state statue to create a more efficient and responsive juvenile justice framework. Florida enacts Dexter's and Trooper's Law to combat animal abuse The bill aims to improve agency coordination with a focus on promoting education, strengthening families, and preventing youth from being involved in criminal behavior. 'As a former Department of Children and Families attorney, I have witnessed how delayed interventions, and systemic red tape can derail a child's future. I've seen parents begging for help, and I've seen the consequences when help comes too late,' said State Rep. Bracy Davis (D- Ocoee). Sponsors of the bill say schools, courts, service providers, and families now all have a role to play in building a better path forward for Florida's youth. 'These are youth who are running away from home. They're not showing up to school. They are right there at the cusp of something different — whether that's dependency or delinquency — and so the services are there to make sure that they don't go down that path,' said State Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole). Jacques added that one important piece of the bill focuses on improving the education system and addressing student attendance issues. 'Since the pandemic, unfortunately in Florida, we've seen a drop in attendance when it comes to school. So right now, with this bill, we've added additional measures for the schools to track how many absences are occurring and they have to report those in a more robust fashion — and not just the number of absences, but who is absent so we can start intervening in a very early stage,' Jacques said. Representative Jacques worked alongside the Department of Justice to get the bill across the finish line. He says this was a priority for the governor's administration and expects him to sign the bill into law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Death penalty expansion bills await Gov. DeSantis' signature
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Several bills passed during this legislative session could expand the state's use of the death penalty. This comes as Florida prepares to execute its sixth person this year. If there's no change, then that'll be the same number of people executed compared to all of 2023. For one, the state could soon have additional options other than lethal injection or the electric chair, if Gov. Ron DeSantis signs House Bill 903. DeSantis signs two new bills in Winter Haven 'In the event that our current methods are either unavailable or found to be unconstitutional, then the state can fall back on any method not deemed unconstitutional,' said State Rep. Berny Jacques, out of Clearwater. Jacques proposed the measure that could open the door to options like lethal gas or a firing squad. The U.S. Supreme Court has not deemed those uses unconstitutional. Jacques also worked on the House version of Senate Bill 1804 that could give prosecutors the green light to seek the death penalty over the human trafficking of children 12 and younger or trafficking those who are mentally disabled. 'That will live on with that child for the rest of their life, so it should not be that the perpetrator, the heinous individual gets the live the rest of their life on our dime,' he said. Maria DeLiberato is the executive director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. 'I see no evidence of this making us any safer,' DeLiberato said. The organization leader said a life without parole sentence gives victims and loved ones closure faster. She also said the group has members who are either victims of or connected to victims of heinous crimes. 'I certainly understand their sort of visceral desire for it,' DeLiberato said. 'It really, in the long run, doesn't make financial or moral sense when we get it wrong so many times and we can safely house people in the Department of Corrections for the remainder of their natural lives without incidence.' Pew Research Center finds most Americans favor a death penalty, but they also believe there's a risk. Two other bills could allow jurors to consider the death penalty over attempted political assassinations and for capital crimes committed at schools, churches, or public meetings. Earlier this year, DeSantis signed a bill mandating death sentences for those who are in the country illegally and convicted of first-degree murder. In 2023, the governor signed legislation that ended the unanimous jury requirement for the death penalty. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Vancouver Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Review: Workshop West's Horseplay offers charm while tackling weighty topics
Every once in a while, I leave an Edmonton theatre feeling lighter than when I entered. Such was the case this week, when I saw Horseplay at the Gateway. The new play — a world premiere — is written by Kole Durnford, a Metis creator originally from Stony Plain. It tells the highly imaginative story of the relationship between a jockey named Jacques (Lee Boyes) and a horse named Horse (Alexander Ariate). It's a love story, to be sure. But it's not exclusively about the love between people and animals. As theatre patrons enter the black box space, they find Horse sitting atop a tiny, grassy hill in the centre of the theatre. Ariate immediately builds audience rapport with a smile, a nod, and a casual comment about where to sit in this in-the-round configuration. When the show starts and Horse is joined by Jacques, the two begin to dish about dating over snacks (carrots for Horse, pasta for Jacques). Horse has a crush on a pretty filly in a neighbouring field and is so smitten that he blew off a training session with Jacques, who also knows what it's like to fall head over hooves. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The play begins with exuberant wordplay and giddy anticipation of love. But when Horse learns his future depends on winning an upcoming race, the two characters must grapple with sobering reality. So begins a contrapuntal conversation about the true nature of love and its limits and possibilities, whether you're a horse or a human. Durnford, a 2022 graduate of the acting program at Toronto Metropolitan University and a two-time Dora Mavor Award nominee, wrote Horseplay during a 24-hour playwriting contest for which he was subsequently short-listed. In the program notes, Durnford says writing the play and getting to know its characters helped him through a crisis in his life. After seeing this production (on the first night of previews), it's easy to see how. While many modern plays focus on despair, death, addiction and sexual abuse, this play sets its sights on joy. That's not to say there aren't moments of sadness (and yes, death rears its long-faced, horsey head). But Horseplay reminds us that while grief is real, it can be absorbed, integrated. The play includes a passionate analysis of various kinds of love, including romantic love, brotherly love and love that's borne unequally. Horseplay also tackles the prickly, potentially bruising question of where love goes when it disappears. These are weighty topics, but Durnford crafts a tale that carries them lightly. What gives the play its lift, in part, is the writing. It's fast-paced, clever and has a lot of fun with horse puns and sayings. (You, too, may have wondered about the origin of 'looking a gift horse in the mouth.') Director Heather Inglis has made excellent choices for the show that contribute to its sense of movement. The set design by Beyata Hackborn draws the eye upward, toward the ceiling, where a large and breezy mobile made of horse-shaped cutouts whirls lazily amid Sarah Karpyshin's delicate display of lights. Also, the players in this production really move. When Ariate gallops around the set, keeping his torso upright while his legs churn, he looks like a horse. Boyes, compact and intense, gives off jockey energy. But it is in the dance scenes (choreographed by Amber Borotsik) that Horseplay truly takes off. When Jacques hops on Horse's back, the audience can feel their connection. As a theatre lover, I am drawn to naturalism, in part because it can be easier to nail down. But the rollicking ride that is Horseplay — with its ketamine-infused dream sequence and Black Eyed Peas karaoke breakout — had me at the grassy knoll. This show, and its actors in particular, charms and tickles the audience, even as it lets us know there's often a bumpy ride ahead. Horseplay, a world premiere Theatre: Workshop West Playwrights' Theatre Playwright: Kole Durnford Director: Heather Inglis Featuring: Alexander Ariate, Lee Boyes Where: Gateway Theatre, 8529 Gateway Blvd Tickets: Pay what you will, available at or by calling 780-477-5955
