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Day: 16 June 2020

National Council moves forward on several new bills

by: Stephanie Horsman
16/06/2020

In the fifth public meeting in three months, the National Council on Tuesday evening examined a variety of new bills including one for small business owners and the possibility of extending Monaco’s economic aid beyond the end of the month.

The National Council discussed on Tuesday evening the simplification of proxy voting, to allow those who live in government housing to use their domiciles as home offices, and to permit digital fundraising vis-a-vis the use of tokens. They also proposed a new law which would allow debate at the end of a budgetary year on the balance sheet.

Currently, voters in municipal and national elections are required to go through a complicated system to vote by proxy. The new law allows for a much simpler voting process, until which time the Principality changes over to electronic voting.

Additionally, people whose professional activity is conducted from home in a space owned by the state now have the right to both live and work in the same space. The new bill also has removed a surcharge paid by Monegasque tenants.  

In order to make way for alternative financing methods, the Council debated allowing digital fundraising with tokens as payment. This paves the way for other possible methods to be utilised in future.

Finally, the proposal on the table involved the establishment of a law regarding the year-end budget, opening up the possibility for earlier discussions on how the money of the previous year is spent as well as the ability to bring forward any amendments.

It is not yet clear what will happen regarding the extension of the €350 million economic aid package that had been allocated in the depths of the pandemic. The earmarked funds are set to end on 30th June, but the Council is pushing for help to be extended beyond this date.  

“Our positioning is clear, no abrupt end to aid,” said Stephane Valeri, President of the National Council, in Monday’s press conference.  “We have used less than half of the credits voted at the end of June, so we have room.”

 
Photo courtesy: National Council of Monaco
 

'Olivia O' docks in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/06/2020

The stunning reverse-bow explorer yacht Olivia O has finally arrived in Monaco for its billionaire owner, shipping magnate Eyal Ofer.
The 89-metre explorer yacht was designed and built by Norwegian yard Ulstein Verft at the Palumbo Shipyard in Malta. It is reportedly the first time that Ulstein’s trademarked X-Bow has appeared on a yacht.
The shipbuilder is more accustomed to creating commercial ships for the oil industry, which explains why Monaco-based billionaire Eyal Ofer, whose fortune partly derives from shipping, recruited Ulstein to design his latest toy.
The Monaco Yacht Club happily welcomed the arrival of Olivia O on Monday 15th June with this tweet:


Olivia O is reportedly the largest ever explorer vessel in terms of volume built in the 80 to 90 metre range and is characterised by her striking reverse bow and explorer profile.
“Olivia O is arguably one of the most robust and capable superyachts ever built. Her commercial hull design and Norwegian build quality are truly impressive, able to handle the toughest sea conditions with ease,” Patrick Coote, Head of Northrop & Johnson Europe, told Monaco Life. “We’re starting to see more and more interest in this type of vessel from clients who increasingly want to venture to remote locations and experience some of the planet’s last remaining wilderness.”
The interior of Olivia O was designed by Nathalie Droulers and reportedly follows an oriental theme, as requested by the owner’s wife. “The client had a really clear idea that she wanted to start with a Japanese mood,” Nathalie told Boat International.

Photo: Explorer Yachts, all rights reserved

In the bathrooms, marble has been replaced with a luxed-up version of Italian terrazzo.
Droulers described the overall style as “rationalist” with lots of textures and simple, pale colours.
She can sleep up to 20 people in eight cabins spread out over five decks. She also features a spa, gym, large cinema room, a 10-metre swimming pool and a helipad.
The owner
Eyal Ofer is chairman of the Monaco-based Ofer Global, active in shipping, real estate, technology, banking and investments. Eyal’s net worth is estimated at €9.4 billion and he was ranked #193 on Forbes Billionaires List 2020.
Eyal Ofer, Chairman Ofer Group

Eyal also owns a vast art collection, half of which was inherited from his late father, Sammy Ofer, who was Israel’s richest man.
Eyal Ofer is well known for his philanthropy, particularly to the arts, donating millions to the National Maritime Museum and the Tate Modern in the UK through the Eyal and Marilyn Ofer Family Foundation, which continues his family’s philanthropic tradition.
 
 
Top photo courtesy Explorer Yachts, all rights reserved, the photo may not be redistributed without prior authorisation.
 

Message to other media: Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without a link to the original content.

 
 

Shibuya strengthens position in video game sector with new thriller

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/06/2020

Monaco’s Shibuya Productions is at it again. The team that delivered the record-breaking video game Shenmue 3 is behind a new psychological thriller set to be released this year on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Less than a year after the worldwide release of its game Shenmue 3, distinguished with three Guinness World Records, Shibuya Productions has reaffirmed its position in the ultra-competitive gaming sector with a new title, Twin Mirror.
The Monaco-based production company unveiled the teaser for its new video game, co-produced with the French Studio Dontnod, exclusively during the PC Gaming Show.
“This is a great opportunity to reach a new audience. As a production company we are always looking for new ways to entertain people, that’s why we have decided to partner with Dontnod Entertainment,” Cedric Biscay, CEO of Shibuya Productions, told Monaco Life.
“It’s pretty rare for a young company like Shibuya Productions to release two big games within one year.”
So, here is the plot. Following the tragic death of his best friend, Sam Higgs decides to return to Basswood, his hometown, to pay a last tribute. But it quickly becomes clear that this small town in West Virginia, which Sam thought he would never see again, contains dark secrets. The former investigative journalist will have to use his extraordinary analytical spirit to unveil the mysteries hanging over the city and its inhabitants. Faced with his past, Sam will be torn between his quest for truth and his desire to reconnect with his loved ones. Who can he trust?

Sounds exciting, right? Sam’s deduction skills will allow the player to relive his memories, trace the truth, and analyse puzzling scenes to uncover the hidden secrets of Basswood. Each of the choices the player faces and all the information they collect will affect Sam’s investigation and story. There is no right or wrong decision – the player can shape their own experience of the game.
“The players are so happy with the improvements we have made and the international press is impressed with the result,” said Mr Biscay. “Which is amazing because there are so many competitors worldwide and it’s never easy to be noticed.”
Twin Mirror is the first of Shibuya Production’s narrative games. It will be released this year on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. The digital PC version will be available exclusively on the Epic Games Store for one year.
So what’s next for the unstoppable Shibuya Productions?
“We have many ideas for upcoming projects, especially combining sustainability and entertainment. In French, we call this divertissement durable. We think it will be a good match with Monaco!” revealed Mr Biscay.
 

Related stories:

Interview: Cédric Biscay, CEO Shibuya Productions

 
 

Monaco extends free Covid testing for one month

by: Stephanie Horsman
16/06/2020

The government says it is not “lowering its guard” against the possibility of a Covid-19 rebound and will provide another month’s worth of free testing for residents and workers in the Principality. 

The month-long campaign ended on Saturday with 35,000 people coming forward to be tested for Covid-19 antibodies. The government was hoping a majority of the 90,000 residents and workers in the Principality would take part in the health initiative.  

Nonetheless, the results showed a fairly low rate of infection with only 2.8%, or 983 people, testing positive out of all those who were screened. After testing positive, these patients were asked by an on-site physician to go to a laboratory for a serological follow up test. If this test was also positive, the patient was asked if they wanted a PCR test to determine if the disease was still active. Only one person tested positive for an active Covid-19 virus and was placed under medical supervision.

Children under the age of five made up 259 of the tests and 2,377 school children were also screened. 5,838 residents over the age of 65 were administered to, 800 of which were tested at their homes as they were unable to visit the testing centre.

Minister of Social Affairs and Health Didier Gamerdinger announced at a 15th June press conference that “make-up tests” would be available for those who had been unable to make the first two rounds of testing. These sessions will take place on Tuesdays for the next four weeks from 23rd June to 14th July at the Espace Leo Ferré from 8:30am to 6pm.

The aim, according to the minister, is “to continue to follow the population who so wishes. The Principality is attentive to the health situation and does not lower its guard in the face of a possible epidemic rebound.”

The next intended step is for health care professionals to take up where the testing centre leaves off. Discussions as to how and when this will happen are currently underway.

 
 

Beausoleil beautifies city centre

by: Stephanie Horsman
16/06/2020

The mayor of Beausoleil has invested €10,000 to give the town a makeover in time for summer and entice people back to the small seaside town.

As the warm weather approaches and lockdown measures are eased, the businesses of Beausoleil are reopening their doors and inviting clients and guests to return. But with all the uncertainty still swirling around border openings and summer travel, the town of Beausoleil thought it wouldn’t hurt to give the town centre a bit of a facelift to entice visitors and cheer up residents.

“It is a question of bringing real support to the economic sector of Beaune with a plan to revive the local economy. Many measures are implemented to help local trade to overcome the current crisis, limit their economic damage and ensure the employment of staff in bars, restaurants and small shops,” a source at the town hall told Monaco Matin earlier this week.

Some of the new additions include 15 mulberry trees that offer a pleasant air of inclusiveness.

Restaurants have been granted temporary use of public space to enlarge their outdoor seating options until the end of August. Over 90% of the town’s 50 establishments are benefitting from this additional space, especially important during this period when social distancing rules mean table space comes at a premium. In order to comply with noise limits, the terraces are available for use until 10:30pm from Sunday to Thursday, and until 12am on Fridays and Saturdays. 

To perk up even the grumpiest soul, musicians wander the streets every weekend evening from 6pm to 8pm in what the town is calling “musical aperitifs”. The objective is to draw foot traffic and to “recreate a social bond” amongst tourists and residents. 

Workshops have also been organised by Mouv’Azur and the CCAS Senior’s Club to get people, especially the elderly who tended to be the most isolated during confinement, out and about. Card and board games are being set up in local bars, as well as yoga and senior sport sessions. For more info on the workshops and events, call 06 11 33 03 95.