Day: 25 November 2016

Only one day to go until TEDxMonteCarlo hits the stage at Grimaldi Forum on Saturday, when an impressive list of speakers will engage the audience across the one-day event, with short talks on topics that include sustainability, entertainment and global issues.
TED began in 1984 and the concept has become a global phenomenon: every second, 17 TED Talks are viewed at ted.com, in over 100 languages. As MonacoUSA Director Annette Anderson told Monaco Life earlier, “TEDxMonteCarlo is a prestigious event with global exposure that will reinforce Monaco’s message that the Principality and its residents are so much more than the stereotyped ‘bling and ker-ching!’ image portrayed by the media.”
A not-to-be-missed conference, the list of performers is as diverse as Monaco itself, with something for everyone, from Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag to Bertrand Petyt speaking about how art can be used for good and sustainability, and from Jenke Ahmed Tailly, a creative stylist working with celebrities like Beyoncé, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, to Alan Coxon, TV Presenter and Food Archeologist, who will explore “50 Tastes of Grey”.
Another powerful message will be delivered by Sara Elizabeth Dill, the Director and Chief Counsel Criminal Justice Standards and Policy, an expert in refugee determination, human trafficking and free speech. And Françoise Meunier, Director of Special Projects for the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer will share her views on life after cancer.
For a more comprehensive list of speakers and TEDxMonteCarlo ticket information see tedxmontecarlo.com
READ MORE: TEDxMonteCarlo visits Amber Summer

Arrests have come quickly in Belgium in the residency permits for sale scandal. These include an 86-year-old businessman, Pierre Salik, described as the ringleader of a group of Belgians, possibly as many as 12, who are alleged to have paid three members of Monaco’s Public Security service – two now retired – to issue and renew residency permits gained under false pretences.
The police also seized a large sum of money this week, according to the Belgian Federal Prosecution Service. Salik’s lawyer has said that his client, retired from the textile industry, is “shocked” by the allegations, which he denies.
In Monaco, an investigation has been opened into corruption, fraud, abuse of confidentiality and money laundering.
Article first published November 23, 2016.
READ MORE: Belgians denounced for fraudulent residency permits by Monaco’s Public Prosecutor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhUydlDLBNI
Aveillant, the radar technology company based in Cambridge, UK, has announced the operational deployment of its Gamekeeper drone detection radar in Monaco. This is the first operational drone surveillance system to provide coverage over an extended urban and coastal environment with a single sensor, the company says. The radar forms part of the full counter-UAS system provided by Monaco-based JCPX Development.
The Gamekeeper radar is designed to detect targets down to 0.01m2 cross-section, the size of a small consumer drone, and has a range of up to five kilometres. Aveillant’s unique technology does not scan across an area as traditional radar does, but continuously floodlights a volume of space, gathering 3D position and motion information from all targets, all of the time. Whilst the exact parameters of the technology are confidential, Aveillant’s unique approach allows detection and tracking capability beyond what is possible with other radars.
Following prototype testing in Monaco earlier in the year, the production unit successfully completed site acceptance testing and full commissioning in October. Positioned one kilometre from the coast, the radar monitors airspace above a large majority of the principality, including above the Stade Louis II, the harbour-side heliport, and out to a range of five kilometres over the sea.
David Crisp, Aveillant CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to have the system operating in Monaco, and have proved our spectacular performance. When you see a live track of these tiny aircraft 5 km away reported in real time and in full 3D, it brings home the power of Aveillant’s radar.”
Speaking for JCPX Development, Chairman Jean-Chistophe Drai said: “Gamekeeper forms a central part of our comprehensive counter-UAS system, which also includes cued infra-red cameras and countermeasures. We have already run a number of highly successful demonstrations with the system here in Monaco, and are receiving global interest as the use of UAVs continues to grow.”
There is increasing concern about drone incursions into unauthorised areas, including airport approaches, major sporting events, areas around nuclear facilities and other critical infrastructure. There is also a growing recognition that use of drones for valid commercial reasons, such as parcel delivery, is likely to become commonplace, and non-cooperative primary radar tracking of small UAVs is likely to be a requirement as part of the new air traffic control infrastructure. It is estimated that by 2020 the market for drone detection systems globally will exceed $11 billion.  (Source: Aveillant)
Article first published November 23, 2016.

Every Christmas in Monaco is heralded in true charitable fashion with the Ecumenical Kermesse, which once again will be held in the Fontvieille Chapiteau, this year on Saturday, December 3. Entrance is free and the doors open from 10 am to 6 pm.
There will be over 25 stalls including clothes, books, CDs, DVDs, antiques, Christmas decorations, Monegasque, Greek and British speciality stands, plus jewellery, household items, shoes, bags, gifts and novelties.
This year’s Tombola has over 20 prizes and tickets are just €2 each. The Snack Bar is open all day with a wide selection of delicious and inexpensive food and drinks.
Money raised will go to the charitable work of La Société de Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Paul’s Church, the Eglise Réformé de Monaco,
British Association of Monaco, La Communauté Espanagnole, and La Paroisse Grecque Orthodoxe.
For more information, especially for donation of items, contact Merville Spiers on +377 93 15 02 89.
Article first published November 20, 2016.
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