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Day: 23 February 2022

Less than 1% test positive in back-to-school campaign

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/02/2022
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Close to 5,000 students, teachers and staff took advantage of free, voluntary Covid tests upon the return to school this week, and only 37 returned a positive result, better than the first campaign in January.

The Monaco government released the results of its school screening campaign on Wednesday, which had taken place on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd February.

Like the operation carried out at the start of the new school year in January, the objective was to allow students and school staff to test themselves on a voluntary basis after the school holidays and manage a possible spread throughout the Principality.

“The result of the operation is very satisfactory considering more than eight out of 10 people present at the school wanted to be screened,” said the government in a statement.

In total, 4,964 people took a Covid test, and 37 of them had a positive result for Covid-19. They included 35 students, 20 of whom were residents of the Principality, and two non-resident school staff.

The positivity rate equates to just 0.7% (0.9% among students and 0.2% among staff), compared to 1.9% in January 2022.

“While still present, this highlights a circulation of the virus that is significantly down compared to the return from the Christmas holidays,” said the government.

Positive self-tests were then confirmed with a PCR test.

Residents and employees who would like to benefit from a free PCR test, without medical prescription, at the National Screening Centre in the Rainier III Auditorium are invited to do so by contacting the Covid-19 Call Centre on 92.05.55.00.

 

 

 

Prince Albert II welcomes Serbian president to Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/02/2022

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has made an official visit to Monaco where the Sovereign Prince bestowed upon him the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles, the highest award given in the Principality.

In October 2020, Prince Albert was invited to Belgrade, a trip to be remembered as the Prince’s first official international outing since the pandemic and one where leaders of the two nations were able to discuss important issues, such as the start of stronger economic ties.

On Tuesday, almost a year and a half later, Monaco has returned the invitation, welcoming Serb President Aleksandar Vucic to the Prince’s Palace on Tuesday.

During the visit, the Prince decorated President Vucic with the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles, rewarding merit and recognising the services rendered to the State or to the Prince personally.

Prince Albert received the Serbian equivalent on his 2020 visit, being offered the Order of the Republic of Serbia.

Prince Albert gives Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles

It has been 15 years since the countries began diplomatic relations, and on this occasion, the two signed a framework cooperation agreement that included themes important to both sides, including environmental concerns, the promotion of tourism, the preservation of the oceans, renewable energies, and the conservation of biodiversity. Of course, economic possibilities between the two countries were also on the agenda.

President Vucic was treated to a private trip to the Oceanographic Museum, followed by a performance of the lyrical opera Werther by Jules Massenet at the Opera de Monte-Carlo.  

The president was accompanied by an entourage that included his Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selakovic and Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to France Natasa Maric. Monaco resident and Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic was not able to attend the meeting as he was playing in Dubai, but he was represented by his uncle, Goran Djokovic, honorary consul of the Republic of Serbia in Monaco.

 

 

Photos: Gaetan Luci, Axel Bastello, Eric Mathon / Prince’s Palace

 

 

 

 

James rescues Roca Team with on-the-buzzer winner

by: Luke Entwistle
23/02/2022

A defiant Sasa Obradovic claimed that AS Monaco Basketball’s play-off dreams were still alive after an astonishing Mike James three-pointer secured victory in the dying seconds against Unics Kazan (79-76) on Tuesday.

Victory temporarily lifts Monaco back into that much-coveted 8th place in the Euroleague, inflicting a crucial loss on their Russian opponents who are a direct rival for those play-off places.

Neither side was in full attacking flow during the first-quarter. It was the home side who manufactured the better chances, their ability to create within the key allowing them to grow a slender lead (22-19).

A drastically superior efficiency outside the key (42% compared to 23%), albeit from fewer attempts, kept Unics Kazan in the tie, Mario Hezjona and OJ Mayo inflicting most of the damage. In light of the profligacy of his teammates, Mike James took matters into his own hands seconds before the half-time buzzer. With a mere 9.5 seconds on the clock, the American ran the length of the court and launched a pin-point three-pointer to send Monaco into the break with an eight-point lead (44-36).

The trend of superiority inside, but inferiority outside, of the key carried into the second-half. The only exceptions to that rule in the third-quarter were James (25) and Alpha Diallo (11), the latter growing into the game, and making his mark.

Having grown a comfortable 15-point lead at the beginning of the fourth-quarter with a nine-point streak, including a rifling shot from Yakkuba Outtara (4) outside the key, fears of another late Roca Team collapse were sparked by a Unics eight-point streak of their own. This was thankfully broken by a Donatas Motiejunas’ (11) two-pointer, the relief within the hall palpable.

That was merely an interlude. The onslaught on the Monaco board continued with another unanswered seven-point streak, bringing the Russian side within two-points with less than four minutes on the clock.

You could hear a pin drop in the hall when Mayo’s three-pointer levelled the scores with seconds to spare, a sense of despondency and déjà-vu engulfing the 3,000 strong crowd.

Unlike in previous fixtures, Monaco didn’t fold under the pressure. Just as James ended the first-half having run the length of the court before converting a three-pointer, history repeated itself at the end of the second. This time he dealt the fatal blow, as the home fans sprung from their seats to fervently celebrate a battling victory.

Obradovic was still disappointed with his side’s game-management post-match. “Every time it’s the same. We played well and then suddenly, without any reason, we gave up our lead. We made mistakes that don’t belong at this level.”

Monaco did, however, take the victory, and Obradovic claimed that, “the dream is still there, and we have everything in our hands. We’ll attack every game as every game is very big.”

Diallo told Monaco Life that the players aren’t getting ahead of themselves. “It’s always good just to take things one game at a time. This was a good win on our home court, it’s always good to protect on our home court, and now we’re looking forward to Friday’s match against Fenerbahce.”

If Obradovic’s dream of the play-off basketball at the end of the season is to become a reality, a victory in that match is essential.

Click on our Instagram post below to see videos of the game…

https://www.instagram.com/p/CaUIqnvsNqB/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

Photo by Luke Entwistle

 

 

European Commission condemns Russian aggression

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/02/2022

Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, has told the Munich Security Conference that Russia and China seek a “new era to replace the existing international order” as Russia builds up troops on Ukrainian borders.

Eastern European nation Ukraine is in the spotlight, and not for their recent celebrations marking 30 years of independence. In fact, that very independence is being threatened as Russian troops entered two regions in the eastern part of the country, calling them “peacekeeping missions”.

The two regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, are rebel strongholds, and have been the premise for a massive 150,000-strong amassing of troops along the Ukrainian border, with Russia now recognising these regions to be in themselves independent.

The Russians say they are defending these areas against Ukrainian aggression and the West has called it unacceptable, threatening sanctions against the Russians, which may in the end be a rather toothless response to the situation.

It’s a mess of biblical proportion, and one that hasn’t been seen since the worst periods of the Cold War, with world leaders fearing outright war against Putin’s maniacal machine and Europe being sucked in, though for now, it is hoped that strong enough sanctions and diplomatic actions will keep the wolf at bay.

In a speech given at the Munich Security Conference held last weekend, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen said that, “We are facing a blatant attempt to rewrite the rules of our international system. One only has to read the recent communiqué issued by Russian and Chinese leaders. They seek a ‘new era’, as they say, to replace the existing international order. They prefer the rule of the strongest to the rule of law, intimidation instead of self-determination, coercion instead of cooperation. We still hope that peace will prevail, and that diplomacy will take us there.”

Von der Leyen went on to encourage the continuation of EU solidarity, saying, “Since the start of this Kremlin-made crisis, the European Union and the transatlantic community are fully aligned and united. We are supporting Ukraine to withstand the enormous pressure from Moscow. When the Russian government tried to divide us, over and over again, we have responded with one voice and a common message.” 

Putin kicked back with a televised speech of his own that is being called “angry”, “impatient” and “threatening”, but mostly it sounded like the chest-beating voice of a bully who knows he has everyone’s full attention and who was stuck on repeat.

His words on Ukraine came across as obsessive, with claims that the nation has never really existed in the first place. Through the rant, though, his stance on key security demands remained clear: No NATO expansion, and definitely no Ukrainian membership.

At this point, Putin seems to have anticipated sanctions and has wholly disregarded them as relevant. Now the question is, if this isn’t enough to put a halt to his march on Ukraine, what will be? 

 

 

 

Photo: Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General, North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Ursula von der Leyen, President, European Commission. Source: European Commission media centre

Kermesse coming to the Big Top in Fontvieille

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/02/2022

The Sister Marie Charity is holding its annual fair under the marquee in Fontvieille in early March, offering various international stands and food stalls to visitors for a good cause.  

Come one, come all to the Big Top in Fontvieille on 4th and 5th March for the annual International Fair held by the Sister Marie Charity, a non-governmental organisation that works with the elderly to prevent destitution in all forms in Monaco and the surrounding villages.

Sister Marie Charity provides older residents financial support in the form of monthly aid to help them live more comfortably, as well as giving “one-off” aid in the event of exceptional situations.

The works done by the association also are of a more caring variety. They organise snack events, birthday celebrations, and other events to brighten up the daily lives of these people and give them a chance to socialise with people their own age, an important aspect considering the isolation many elderly people face.

Another event put on by the organisation is a yearly trip to the mountains for 15 lucky beneficiaries, as well as yearly parcel-giving at Christmas and Easter to 150 people.

Sister Marie’s main source of income is from this fair, making it a hugely vital occasion for the charity.

This year, visitors will be able to find bargains at the various stands and will be able to enjoy lunch at a buffet, or at the Greek, Polish, Spanish or Swiss food stalls. On Friday evening, a Spanish-themed dinner will be held, featuring a massive paella cooked by 3 Tapas Monaco and after-dinner cakes will be served by the Technical and Hotel School of Monaco. The dinner will be held at 8pm on the 4th of March and reservations can be made in advance by calling +377 93 30 14 77 or purchased on-site for €50.

On Saturday 5th, Monegasque shop la Môme de Monac is organising a fashion show at 2:45pm featuring their latest collections.

The fair’s hours are on Friday 4th March from 10am to 8pm and the on Saturday 5th from 10am to 5pm.

 

 

Top photo: Visit the Greek stand and taste all the Greek goodies as well as Gyro me pita. It is a great opportunity to purchase Greek products, and/or make any kind of donation.