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Day: 28 July 2020

Photos: UPAW 2020

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/07/2020

The 4th edition of the urban art project UPAW has been deemed another great success, combining urban art and preservation of the Planet in Monaco under this year’s theme: A Free Mediterranean.
Urban Painting Around the World (UPAW) made its mark on Monaco between 18th and 20th July with a live street art show in front of the Oceanographic Museum featuring artists Mr Oneteas, Dario Vella, Jazi, Ashpe, Pheno and Dave Baranes.
The artists had the opportunity to present their works to Prince Albert II of Monaco, each bearing a clear message on the preservation of the Mediterranean.
A piece by Dave Baranes, for example, highlighted the fact that a whale was found with 100 kilograms of plastic in its stomach, and that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean within 30 years if drastic action isn’t taken.

Painting by Dave Baranes

Meanwhile, a silent auction raised €12,000 for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s Beyond Plastic Med – BeMed initiative, which strives for a plastic-free Mediterranean.
“Many thanks to UPAW for their continued support towards the Foundation’s conservation actions,” said the Prince’s Foundation on social media, “and congratulations to the artists who, each year, contribute to raising awareness on the stakes related to environment protection, thanks to their talent.”
 
See the photos below, click to enlarge…

 
 
Photos © Axel Bastello
 
 

Outdoor heater ban

by: Staff Writer
28/07/2020

France plans to ban heaters used by restaurants and cafes on outdoor terraces from early next year, as it accelerates a shift to a low-carbon economy, the government said.
Because the ban could impact a sector hard-hit by the coronavirus crisis, it will not come into force until after the end of the coming winter to give business time to adapt.
“What’s at stake is ending ecologically aberrant practices that lead to totally unjustified energy consumption,” Environment Minister Barbara Pompili said on French TV.
On 1st January, Rennes became the first French city to ban heated terraces. Environmental NGOs estimate that France has least 12,500 heated terraces.
“This is a courageous decision,” said Thierry Salomon of energy conservation group NegaWatt, adding that in northern European countries with far colder climates, restaurants typically provide terrace clients with plaids.
He said that as some restaurants introduced terrace heating, others were forced to follow in order not to lose customers.
Negawatt estimates a 75 m2 terrace, heated with gas November to March, emits as much CO2 as a car circling the earth three times.
Restaurants say the ban will add to their worries.
“The timing is very bad, in the middle of the coronavirus crisis, 80% of our turnover comes from terraces now,” said restaurant owner Aurore Begue.
One Parisian enjoying a sunny terrace was less worried.
“When heaters came, it was progress, but really, we do not need them. We can put on a coat or sweater,” said Marie-Laure Bonnot, 77.
Some restaurant owners too were philosophical.
“This is a measure that could be expected, and, given the climate situation, it is hard to oppose it,” said Stephane Malchow of brasserie Mollard.
Paris hotel and restaurant trade group GNI’s Romain Vidal said the industry would find better ways to heat terraces, using efficient heaters, certified renewable energy and wind shields to reduce heat loss.
“France created the terrace culture. We need to continue that culture without damaging the planet,” he said.
(Reuters)
 

Government in talks with Monacair

by: Stephanie Horsman
28/07/2020

Struggling Monegasque company Monacair has met with the government to discuss future plans.

The Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Didier Gamerdinger, along with the Department of Labour and the Department of Equipment and Town Planning met with representatives of Monacair on Monday to talk about the social plan announced by the company.  

The meeting focused primarily on the number of jobs that will be affected and the accompanying measures that the company intends to implement. In a press statement, Mr Gamerdinger said he will be paying close attention to the negotiations.

Monacair shocked the Principality when earlier this month, the company announced it was being forced to lay-off 32 of its 76 person workforce due to fall out from the Covid crisis. The reduction affected pilots and ground staff alike and spurred the government to intervene to assist the company in sorting out a “social plan” to restructure the company.  

Since 2016, Monacair has been the sole operator of regular transport services between the Principality and Nice Airport. As such, their reduction in service has also resulted in a massive loss in passengers and revenue.

Monacair was founded in 1988 by Stefano Casiraghi, former husband of Princess Caroline, who was tragically killed in a speed boating accident in 1990. Today, his sons, Andrea and Pierre are the majority shareholders in the company.

 

Photo © Department of Social Affairs and Health
 
 

AS Monaco Basketball welcome two new players

by: Stephanie Horsman
28/07/2020

The Roca Team has signed two exciting new players to its roster, American dunker Marcos Knight and playmaker Damien Inglis, a French Guiana native, both of whom will start the 2020-21 season.

Marcos Knight joins the team from MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg in Germany where he was voted MVP of the last Bundesliga finals and was part of the team when they reached the championship finals for the first time ever.  

The 30-year-old Georgia native went to Middle Tennessee State University where he was a standout player before making his way to Europe to start his professional career. In his last two seasons, the ambidextrous Knight shot an average of 18.7 points in the 2018-19 season.

“Playing the EuroCup and the Jeep Elite will be two exciting challenges for me,” Knight said after his signing. “I am very happy to come to Monaco, I’m joining a famous European club who has high objectives. This is what I was looking for for the rest of my career.” 

AS Monaco has also added 25-year-old Damien Inglis to the roster. Inglis moved to France when he was 14, and by then already had the taste and talent for basketball. He played for INSEP, the renowned training institute for excellence in sport that also churned out superstar Tony Parker.

He comes to the Roca Team most recently from SIG Strasbourg, but has played with the American NBA Milwaukee Bucks, Limoges, Centre Federal, and Choral Roanne in his 10-year career.

Last season he was called up for the All-Star Game LNB, where he scored 29 points, including a last second three-pointer that put the game into overtime.  

“I’m super motivated and excited to start with my new club. Monaco has ambition and we will do everything to write great pages,” said Inglis. “I’m joining the Roca Team to win as many matches as possible in Jeep Elite and Eurocup and on an individual level to continue to reach heights. We will have a great team and we will work hard.”

 
 

AS Monaco Esports victory

by: Stephanie Horsman
28/07/2020

The finals of the Supa Strong Championships France in Street Fighter V took place last weekend in Paris, and two AS Monaco E-Sports reps landed on the podium, with one winning the top spot.

Two players for the Red and Whites competed last weekend in the final round of the Supa Strong Championships France and both came home in the top three.

Mr Crimson showed his mettle by finishing first, unbeaten in the preliminary rounds, while his teammate Kilzyou took home the bronze.  

In the competitions, Kilzyou had slipped into third position but was still in the game. He played and won against Akainu with a 7-4 win before losing to Luffy in a 3-7 disappointer. This left Mr Crimson directly qualified for the finals where he handily picked off Luffy in a 7-3 match, thus taking the French Street Fighter V Championships.  

Mr Crimson is known in the real world as Nathan Massol, a 25-tear-old Frenchman who is described in his bio as being “rigorous, invested and cold-blooded” in his playing style.

 

Photo: Mr Crimson (far left) and Kilzyou (2nd from right), by AS Monaco