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Month: June 2020

'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.
 

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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.

 
 

Borders reopen for European travel

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/06/2020

Most of Europe reopened its doors to holidaymakers on Monday in the largest lifting of lockdown restrictions since the beginning of the pandemic.
As expected, France opened its borders to travellers from EU member states on 15th June as well as those from Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, and the Vatican. People will be allowed to visit the county without a health certificate, proof of essential travel, or any form of quarantine upon arrival.
But passengers from Spain and the UK will be required to self-isolate for 14 days, in tit-for-tat reaction to the current regulations in place in both countries.
In a televised address to the nation on Sunday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron said it was time “to turn the page of the first act of the crisis” and “rediscover our taste for freedom”.
But he warned: “This doesn’t mean the virus has disappeared and we can totally let down our guard. … The summer of 2020 will be a summer unlike any other.
Travellers on the European Continent are now able to move freely between most of the 22 EU countries in the Schengen area, but some nations, including Spain, the Netherlands and Malta, have decided to keep restrictions for slightly longer.
Travel from outside the EU
In Sunday’s address, President Macron also announced that international borders with countries outside of the EU will reopen from 1st July “where the epidemic has been controlled”.
A joint statement from Interior Minister Christophe Castaner and Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian added: “This opening will be gradual and differentiated according to the health situation in the various third countries and in accordance with the arrangements that will have been agreed at European level by then.”
While a plan is yet to be laid out by the EU Commission, at this stage that rules out any potential travel between France and the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.
However, like everything related to the coronavirus crisis, this too doesn’t appear to be clear-cut.
Monaco Life was informed by the US Embassy service for France on Monday that American nationals can now travel to France and – as long as they are asymptomatic – will be let in to the country and asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
As of 1st July, we were informed, Americans may be able to travel without quarantine.
But as always, the situation is constantly evolving, and Monaco Life will aim to keep our readers updated on the latest information we receive.
 
Photo: Pixabay
 

Photos: Princely Family cheers on #54

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/06/2020

The Princely couple, together with twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, came out on Saturday to cheer on the Princess Charlene of Monaco #54 Ferrari, competing in the first ever Virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Prince and Princess were on hand at the lounges of the Automobile Club de Monaco to wish all the 24 Hours of Le Mans racers good luck.

 

 

But they were essentially there to root for the #54 Strong Together Ferrari, the official car of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation designed by the Princess’ brother and General Secretary of the foundation Gareth Wittstock. 

From a simulated racing cockpit, Francesco Castellacci, Giancarlo Fisichella and Tony Mella took turns at the wheel along with Felipe Massa, whom they were in contact with digitally from Brazil. 

 

 

The aim was for the Strong Together message to be conveyed to the race’s worldwide audience, that in this time of crisis everyone should work together and do their part to stop the Covid-19 virus.

The crew of the #54 car were in complete accord with this sentiment and put out appeals for donations to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance for medical research for a coronavirus vaccine, via the Princess Charlene Foundation.

“This appeal for donations during the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual was important to me,” said the Princess. “The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation exists to save lives. Generosity plays a key role in medical research.”
 

 

Prince Albert gave a live interview during the coverage of the 24-hour event emphasising the importance of the race as a technical feat and supporting his wife’s endeavour to use the race as a vehicle to raise funds for a worthy cause.  

 

 
After an action-packed race with plenty of head-to-head battles, the Rebellion Williams Esport #1 Oreca LMP, driven by Louis Deletraz, Raffaele Marciello, Nikodem Wisniewski and Kuba Brzezinski, won the Virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans. The #93 Porsche 911 RSR took victory in the GTE class, while the Strong Together #54  Ferrari 488 GTE came eighth in class and 36th in the overall standings.
 
Photos: © Photos : Eric Mathon / Palais Princier