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Month: October 2016

Calais refugee camp closure creates chaos

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/10/2016

Migrants and anarchists clashed with police over the weekend ahead of the closure of the so-called Jungle refugee camp outside Calais planned for Monday. The estimated 7,000 residents will be offered places in other refugee centres dispersed thoughout France and 60 buses will be used to transport them.
Authorities estimate that about 200 migrants have succeeded in reaching England by stowing away on vehicles heading for the Port of Calais and Eurotunnel. There have been dozens of fatalities, many involving young people.
On Saturday, the British authorities took a group of adolescent girls to the UK, saying that the dismantling of the camp would otherwise leave them prone to sexual abuse.
Heavy machinery will move in on Tuesday to flatten the tents and shelters left behind and a significant force of police and para-military personnel will be on hand to quell any violent protests.
Meanwhile, the UK continues to fund a three-metre high wall 1 kilometre-long along the road that leads to the Calais ferry port. This replaces a double fence deemed not to be secure enough to stop migrants blocking the access road from the A16 motorway.

AS Monaco win improves Ligue 1 standings

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/10/2016

Photo: Google
Photo: Google

Monaco’s footballers have moved to within one point of Nice at the top of France’s Ligue 1 after a 6-2 win over Montpelier on Friday.
The score suggests a one-sided match, but this was far from the case during the first half. It had looked as if Monaco might underperform having played in Moscow on Tuesday in a Champions League game. Only two goals were scored in the first half, with Monaco’s coming from a free kick by Radamel Falcao, back on the team after a one month absence following a concussion injury at Nice on September 21.
AS Monaco’s next Ligue 1 game will be away against Asse next Saturday, October 29.

Annual fair starts Friday, security checks at entrances

by: Cassandra Tanti
21/10/2016

Patrice Cellario, Minister of Interior explaining security measures in place during the fair. Photo © Communication / Charly Gallo
Patrice Cellario, Minister of Interior explaining fair’s security measures. Photo ©Communication/ Charly Gallo

Security will be increased this year for the popular annual “Foire Attractions”, which opens October 21 at 7 pm and runs until Monaco’s National Day, November 19, in Port Hercules.
Due to security checks at the entrances and the likelihood of queues forming, Minister of Interior Patrice Cellario has announced that steps will be taken to minimise the risk to pedestrians who may spill over on to the road along blvd Albert 1er.
Traffic restrictions will come into force between rue Princesse Caroline streets and rue Suffren Reymond, and a number of parking spaces will be suspended. The measures are intended to enhance security on the thoroughfares as well as inside the fair itself, so that all those who visit the 80 stalls, rides and attractions – organised by the Town Hall – can enjoy it to the full.
The fair is open from Sunday to Thursday, 10 am to 11 pm and Friday and Saturday until midnight (1 am on November 18).

Major traffic impact as Testimonio II project starts

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/10/2016

TESTIMONIIPreparatory work on the major Testimonio II development will start soon and involve major changes to traffic patterns at the eastern end of boulevard du Larvotto.
TESTIMONII rouendacoutA temporary bridge will be built over avenue Princesse Grace, resulting in a provisional one-way system between the Roccabella and the small roundabout to the right of the Monte-Carlo Bay.
Road users travelling towards Monte-Carlo will be diverted to boulevard d’Italie. Access to the Meridien Beach Plaza, the Roccabella and the Summer Sporting will be available only to traffic travelling eastwards towards the French border. However, the car parks for these buildings will be open throughout the work.
Three bus stops will be suspended, Plages, Sea Club and the Larvotto terminus. The Plages bus stop, close to the Estoril, will become the terminus for the 5 and 6 bus routes. The 110 airport shuttle will operate normally towards Menton, but the 110 travelling from Menton west to the airport will run along boulevard d’Italie.
The diversions will start on Monday, October 24, and last for seven months.
The Testimonio II development will involve the building of 150 homes for Monegasques, the relocation of the International School of Monaco, a number of private homes, a new green space, and parking for 700 vehicles.
Operation Testimonio II

GasLog signs 7-year charter party

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/10/2016
Gaslog LNG tanker

Photo: GasLog
Photo: GasLog

Monaco-based GasLog has signed a time charter party with Centrica to charter a vessel for a period of seven years.
The vessel, a 180,000 cubic metre LNG carrier with XDF propulsion, has been ordered from Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea. Centrica will charter the vessel from GasLog for a period of seven years starting in the second half of 2019. The daily charter rate is in line with GasLog’s average long-term charter rate.
Paul Wogan, Chief Executive Officer of GasLog Ltd., commented, “I am delighted to secure a new charter with Centrica, one of the leading European energy companies. This new charter is consistent with GasLog’s strategy of securing long-term contracts with high quality counterparties and further extends the dropdown pipeline to GasLog Partners.
“Centrica is an important new customer for GasLog and we look forward to providing them with first-class LNG shipping services as they continue to expand their LNG activities.”
Following this charter, GasLog has five new builds with contracts of between seven and 10 years, which deliver over the next three years providing significant inbuilt revenue and EBITDA growth.
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, GasLog LNG Services, the company operate 24 LNG carriers including 19 owned vessels as well as five vessels owned or leased by Royal Dutch Shell plc.
 

Monaco Red Cross "an example of our refusal to accept indifference"

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/10/2016

Photo: Monaco Red Cross
Photo: Monaco Red Cross

The Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Elhadj As Sy, has praised the Red Cross Societies of small European countries – including Monaco – for their commitment to cooperation and collaboration.
Speaking at a meeting of National Societies of Small European Countries (NASO-SEC) in Monaco, Mr Sy said the network showed the importance of international coordination, and of the impact that such partnerships can have on global humanitarian affairs.
“This network was born out of a shared desire to be heard, to have a voice at the regional and international levels, and to meaningfully contribute to the work of the IFRC and of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement,” said Mr Sy. “It is a platform to exchange ideas, to learn from each other and to partner for effective humanitarian response.”
Elhadj As Sy, Secretary General of the IFRC since August, 2014. Photo: IRFC
Elhadj As Sy, Secretary General of the IFRC since August, 2014. Photo: IRFC

Mr Sy cited the practical impact of the network, including in Nepal where, following the 2015 earthquake, the Monaco, Liechtenstein and Luxemburg Red Cross Societies worked together to support the Nepal Red Cross and affected communities. He noted as well the assistance provided to vulnerable migrants stranded on the border between Italy and France by Monaco Red Cross volunteers who worked alongside the Italian Red Cross to assist about 1,000 people.
“Over the past 18 months and right across Europe, Red Cross volunteers have been at the side of vulnerable people on the move,” said Mr Sy. “The response of the Monaco Red Cross is an example of this commitment and of our refusal to accept the indifference that has, for too long, greeted the deaths and suffering of people seeking safety and dignity.”
Mr Sy was welcomed to the NASO-SEC meeting by Monaco Red Cross President, HSH Prince Albert II and was joined by Red Cross leaders from Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The IFRC Secretary General also participated in a high-level roundtable discussion on migration hosted by the Minister of State of the Monaco Principality, HE Mr Serge Telle. (Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies IFRC)