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Month: June 2021

Roca team back on form

by: Stephanie Horsman
14/06/2021

AS Monaco Basketball was on their home turf this weekend taking on Boulazac-Perigord, beating them handily 76 to 69.

The Roca team opened scoring at Gaston Medecin in front of some 900 fans with a slam dunk by rising star Ibrahima Fall Faye, setting the tone for the entire evening. He was omnipresent the whole first quarter, scoring a total of 13 points on the night.

Monaco dominated the first quarter, but Boulazac, despite recently being relegated to Line B, wasn’t about to be completely crushed. They rallied during the second quarter and sent the Roca boys into the locker room with a slim two-point lead, the score sitting at 40 to 38.

Newcomer Rasid Mahalbasic, who was on the court for ASM for the first time, opened the second half with a solid two pointer and soon after followed it up with two more at the free throw line.

Despite being in charge most of the second half, Boulazac seemed to be best under pressure and rallyed towards the end of match where, with only a minute left on the clock, they are within one basket of evening up the score.

JJ O’Brien and Mathias Lessort leapt into action, though, and pulled the boys ahead. When the final buzzer sounded, they had the win, beating their opponents 76 to 69.

“Boulazac deserves better than last place,” Coach Zvezdan Mitrovic said after the game. “For us, the matches are linked, the context is particular and the analysis difficult.”

Team Captain Dee Bost followed up this sentiment saying, “Boulazac is a good team. We had to stay focused not to let this match slip away. It’s good to find the taste of victory in front of our supporters.”

Monaco made 30 shots out of 66 attempts, going only five for 22 in three point range. They had a massive 40 rebounds, with nine of those going to newbie Mahalbasic. They collected 14 stray balls, had 21 assists and stole the ball eight times.

Mathias Lessort was high scorer with 15 points to his name, followed by Fall Faye who had 13. Rob Gray came up next with 11 points and JJ O’Brien was close behind with 10.

There won’t be much rest for the Roca team as they go on the road to Nanterre on Monday 14th June before returning home two days later to take on Strasbourg.

 
 
Monaco Life with AS Monaco Basketball press release, photo by AS Monaco Basketball
 
 

Over 12s called up for vaccination

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/06/2021

Teenagers are now eligible for vaccination in Monaco as the government pushes to inoculate as much of the population as possible, which currently stands at 55%.
In its weekly communication on Friday, the government revealed that 18,836 people in Monaco have received at least their first vaccination, equivalent to 49.12% of the population. When taking into consideration the fact that young children have not actually been invited to have the shot, that figure increases to 54.7% of the eligible population.
Of those, 15,129 have also received their second shot, equal to 80.32% of people vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the government on Friday opened its vaccination programme to those aged over 12 years, just ahead of France which is doing the same from Tuesday 15th June.
But how many kids are likely to be allowed to take the jab?
According to social media, the response from mothers in Monaco is mixed.
Some consider it unnecessary given the fact that the risk of Covid in children is low, while others say it will help their children build up resistance against the variants and that it will help with herd immunity.
The overwhelming opinion, however, is that most parents will seek advice from their GPs before moving ahead with the vaccination.
 
 
 

Monaco health pass on track for July

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/06/2021

The Monaco government says it is working with its French counterparts towards a July ‘health pass’, set to be launched by the EU in July.

When talk of a European health pass started the rounds this spring to allow for freer travel within the European Union by summertime, Monaco got to work immediately on their version, in collaboration with French officials, to ensure they were ready to go when the time arrived.

As it stands, that time is now fast approaching. Set for a European-wide launch in early July, Monegasque authorities are in the refinement stages, tweaking final technical details to allow all citizens and residents who want to use it the opportunity to do so when it goes live.

“We started work in April, with the support of the French authorities. Our system will be operational when it will be in the other European countries,” said Robert Colle, Secretary General of the Government.

The government is assuring the public that the country will “not experience any delays,” but are still ironing out the final terms of how the Principality’s version of the pass will look.

“We are working within a framework of government-to-government negotiations with France. I had an exchange of correspondence with the French Prime Minister, Jean Castex. Everything will be settled in due course,” said Monaco’s Minister of State, Pierre Dartout.

For those looking to go farther afield, “It will depend on agreements between the European Union and other countries,” said Robert Colle.

The system will be available in both paper form, or digitally in the form of a QR code, and will be valid in all EU countries. The certificate will be available in French and English and is free of charge. By having the health pass, it means that the bearer has either been vaccinated against Covid, has received a recent negative test result or has recovered from the virus.

 
Photo by Communication Department / Michael Alesi
 
 

‘Tarantino Night’ to benefit childhood cancer

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/06/2021

For the third edition of the Flavien Foundation’s ‘Pouce la Vie’ charity event, the organisers have chosen music from the world of American director Quentin Tarantino to create an evening not to be missed.  

Being billed as the first pop-rock concert in Monaco this year, the Flavien Foundation is organising the concert for charity at the Auditorium Rainier III on Friday 18th June at 8pm.

Presented by Yann-Antony Noghès, the theme of the evening will be ‘Tarantino Night’, offering an homage to Quentin Tarantino’s cinematic world.

On the schedule are pianist Yann Cassar, who will be accompanied by Call Me Winston, a Tarantino tribute orchestra. Also on the bill are Harmonica player Greg Zlap, violinist Zhang Zhang and guitarist Leopoldo Giannola.

The Flavien Foundation is the leading paediatric cancer and rare childhood disease charity in the Principality. Created in 2014 by a grieving father for his son, Flavien Maccario, who succumbed to brain cancer at just eight-years-old, the association has been not only a tribute to the boy’s life, but also a lifeline for other children suffering from cancer or other rare diseases.  

All funds raised from the evening will go to the foundation. Tickets are €25 for adults and €5 for under-16’s.

 

 

Two new radars on Moyenne Corniche

by: Stephanie Horsman
11/06/2021

Cap d’Ail Mayor Xavier Beck has announced the addition of new turret radars which will be installed this summer at two locations in the town.

Speed demons and those who text whilst driving beware. Two new radars are soon to be installed on the Moyenne Corniche in Cap d’Ail to try and thwart all manner of illegal acts by motorists using the thoroughfare this summer and beyond.

“One will be at the level of the Total petrol station and will check motorists in both directions, the other will be at the level of the Lequio car park and will just take in the upward direction,” said Mayor Beck, according to a report by Monaco Matin.

The radars will be able to spot people who are using the phone whilst driving, both talking and texting, as well as those not wearing seat belts, passing on white lines and, of course, those using excessive speed.

The Mayor, clearly fed up with his town being used as a racetrack, finished by saying, “Have fun watching the speed at which motorists exit the Rainier-III tunnel. They think they are on a freeway. It will be painful when they get the bill. It will calm everyone down. It has to stop. If we need to help motorists become reasonable, we will do it.”

 
 
Photo: Pixabay
 
 

Darren Star to receive Honorary Golden Nymph

by: Cassandra Tanti
11/06/2021

The 60th Monte-Carlo Television Festival will present its highest accolade, the Honorary Golden Nymph, to Emmy Award winner and executive producer of ‘Emily in Paris’, Darren Star.
Following a glamorous red carpet event on 18th June, Honorary President H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco will present the tribute to Darren Star at the Grimaldi Forum at the Opening Ceremony.
American film and TV writer, director and producer Darren Star is best known for creating many global television successes, including Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Sex and The City, and Younger along with a long list of other celebrated programs.
He is currently the creator and executive producer of the Netflix streaming sensation Emily in Paris.
“We are delighted to honour Darren Star at our 60th Anniversary Festival with the prestigious Honorary Golden Nymph,” said Laurent Puons, CEO of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. “He is an exceptional talent who has created many of the most-loved and hugely popular television programs for audiences around the world. We are particularly pleased he will be able to join us in Monaco to celebrate this very special award with us in person.”
An illustrious array of previous recipients of the Honorary Golden Nymph includes Dick Wolf, Ted Turner, Jerry Bruckheimer, Anne Sweeney, Stephen J. Cannell, Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner.
 
Photo provided by Monte-Carlo Television Festival