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Month: September 2016

Monaco-Nice derby, can Falcao play it out?

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/09/2016

Photo: Facebook AS Monaco
Photo: Facebook AS Monaco

AS Monaco’s Radamel Falcao scored his first Ligue 1 goal in more than two years last weekend, but Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim is wary over his fitness.
Jardim has urged patience, stating he’s unsure whether the Colombian striker is ready to complete a 90-minute game, according to goal.com.
Falcao scored his first goal in France’s top flight since August 2014 in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Rennes, following two unsuccessful seasons on loan with Manchester United and Chelsea.
Nevertheless, Jardim is keen to play down expectations surrounding the 30-year-old, whose struggles can be traced back to a cruciate knee ligament injury that forced him to miss the 2014 World Cup.
“It’s normal that he is not at 100 percent because he did not play for a month,” Jardim told a news conference in Monaco ahead of Wednesday’s derby against second-place Nice. “He needs to play more and more to reach his level. I don’t know if he’ll be able to play 90 minutes. We’ll see what happens, and we’ll have to substitute him if needed.”
The Portuguese coach added, “I think that playing a derby is very good, it’s a very important game for our fans and for us.
I think this year it’ll be a bigger game because it’s first against second and I think it’s been many years since we’ve had this derby with the two teams at the top of the league. Because of all this, we have all the reasons to play a good game,” he said.
Monaco play Nice Wednesday at 7 pm at Allianz Riviera in Nice.

Bizarre new glove law for two-wheelers

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/09/2016

Photo: Steve Parker
Photo: Steve Parker

Drivers and passengers of motorcycles and scooters on French roads must wear thick gloves from November 20 or risk being fined. According to a European study, wearing approved gloves can significantly reduce most (95%) of hand injuries. Two-wheeler users who ignore the new rule will be fined €68, or €45 if paid on the spot or within 15 days.
The new rule was first announced last year but has just been published in the official journal. The driver will lose 1 point on his licence. Not wearing a helmet entails a fine of €135 and 3 points.

Backes & Strauss to showcase in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/09/2016

Watches Top MarquesBackes & Strauss, the oldest diamond company in the world, is set to shine in Monaco next week at the opening of the Second Edition of Top Marques Watches & Jewellery.
The Master of Diamonds since 1789 will be exhibiting its Ultimate Bejewelled Timepieces at the luxury watch show, being held in the magnificent Salle Belle Epoque of the Hotel Hermitage from September 29 to October 1.
Backes & Strauss is just one of a number of prestigious names to have been confirmed for the “Pop-up” Show, which opens next Thursday during the Monaco Yacht Show.
Organisers also revealed today that a number of exclusive exhibits would be up for grabs in a fundraising Tombola for the Monegasque association Monaco Disease Power.
Guests invited to Thursday’s Opening Cocktail Party at the Hotel Hermitage’s Salle Belle Epoque will have the chance to win a number of incredible prizes including a bespoke brooch by designer Elena Sivoldaeva and a Rebellion Timepiece.
Parisian gallery Laurent Strouk has also donated an original painting by French artist Robert Combas following the success of his exhibition in the Grimaldi Forum this summer, while the event’s principal sponsor The Edmond de Rothschild group has offered a Barons de Rothschild Jeroboam of Champagne.
Under the honorary presidency of HSH Prince Albert, Monaco Disease Power supports the families of children with physical disabilities or mental illness. One of the main projects of the association in recent years has been the creation of a respite house for families in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and it is hoped that money raised at Top Marques Watches & Jewellery will contribute to the construction of a second centre.
Other brands to be represented at the Principality’s only event dedicated solely to Haute Horlogerie and Jewellery under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco include Swiss horologer Franck Muller, ultra-high-end watchmaker Cvstos and Greubel Forsey, creator of one of the rarest current-production timepieces, the Quadruple Tourbillion.
Heading up the list of luxury jewellery brands is Monaco resident Elena Sivoldaeva who will present her new Elena Sivoldaeva Exclusive collection.
 

Ireland blacklisted as tax haven

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/09/2016

blacklistIreland has been added to a ”blacklist“ of tax havens by the Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil just weeks after the European Commission ordered Apple to repay €13 billion in back taxes to the State. Among 67 nations on the list, Monaco also appears, despite strenuous efforts over the last few years to establish the Principality as fully compliant with transparency norms.
It is understood the decision to place Ireland on the list will have immediate implications for transactions between the two countries.
Grant Thornton tax partner Peter Vale said Ireland must strongly rebuff the decision by Brazil.
“We have, and it’s acknowledged by the OECD, one of the most transparent tax systems in Europe, if not the world. If having a low tax rate means you’re a haven, then perhaps.
“Most of the rationale and the basis for people calling it a tax haven is to do with structures that we have outlawed in response to the noise around it, while we would have strongly held the view that it wasn’t an Irish issue,” he said.
Ireland’s addition brings the total number of countries and dependencies listed as havens by Brazil up to 67. Also included on the list are Panama, the Isle of Man and Monaco. The Irish State appeared on the list on Tuesday, September 13.
Whether or not its presence on the list is due to the Apple Tax ruling is unclear. (Source Irish Independent)

IAEA briefs Prince on priorities

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/09/2016

Yukiya Amano. Photo: Dean Calma/IAEA
Yukiya Amano. Photo: Dean Calma/IAEA

The director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has visited Monaco. Yukiya Amano and Prince Albert discussed the importance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the IAEA’s role in helping countries to achieve them, especially in areas such as the protection of the environment and cancer control. Mr Amano also briefed the Prince on the current priorities of the Agency.
During his visit to the IAEA Environmental Laboratories in the Principality, Mr Amano was informed about current projects in the areas of tracing pollutants from oil spills, monitoring ocean contamination and acidification, and helping to improve seafood security.
The laboratories, established in 1961, are the only marine laboratories within the United Nations system. They played a major role in assisting Japan in tracking possible sea contamination in the aftermath of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in 2011. Next week’s Scientific Forum will focus on how nuclear technology can help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Prince gives lunch at Residence of the State Minister

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/09/2016

Ambassadeurs France ItalieOn Monday, September 19, Mr Gilles Tonelli, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, representing the Minister of State, received HE Mrs Marine de Carne of Trecesson of Coetlogon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic, and Mr. Cristiano Gallo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy who had presented, in the morning, their credentials to HSH Prince Albert.
An official lunch hosted by the Sovereign Prince was given in their honour at the Residence of the State Minister in the presence of numerous personalities.
A graduate from the Institute of Political Studies, HE Mrs Marine de Carne de Trecesson de Coetlogon was appointed as Southern Europe’s assistant director of the central administration in 2004, then became Adviser to the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union. As Deputy Director of Climate Change and Sustainable Development in the Directorate for European and International Affairs in 2010, she was promoted to Ambassador responsible for bioethics and corporate social responsibility in 2013.
With a degree in Political Science, HE Mr Cristiano Gallo began his diplomatic career in 1987 at the Cultural Relations Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA). In 1989 he joined the Italian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and in Maputo. He was promoted Counsellor of the Embassy in Riyadh in 1999 and first Counsellor in Bucharest in 2002. He was appointed as Minister Plenipotentiary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. In 2014, he returned to the MEA.