12 ° C
Profile

Day: 24 February 2022

Polar regions under the spotlight in new Monaco symposium

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/02/2022

Monaco has brought together some of the world’s leading scientists for a symposium at the Oceanographic Museum this week to discuss how changes in our planet’s polar regions are affecting Earth’s climate, and how this concerns us all.

The symposium, presented to the press on Wednesday, is the first of its kind for the Principality and is organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) as co-conveners, in collaboration with the Scientific Centre of Monaco, the Oceanographic Institute and the Prince Albert I of Monaco Foundation.

The scientists will offer assessments and views on their fields in either the Arctic or the Antarctic. Recommendations from the symposium will form a report for management and collective action in the poles to protect and enhance resilience of the ecosystems to climate change.

Day one, 24th February, saw Prince Albert II of Monaco deliver the keynote address in person. Topics covered throughout the day include ‘Understanding Polar Changes’ and ‘Contribution of Polar Changes to Global Climate’. It also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding of the Polar Initiative.

Day two will cover the ‘Effects of Polar Changes Upon Global Human Societies and Humanities’ and ‘Management Responses in the Face of Uncertainties’.

Panellists throughout the two days include specialists from the Polar Research Board of the US National Science Academy, NASA’s Cyrospheric Space Programme, and the Alfred Wegener Institute.

The event is endorsed as an action of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Prince Albert I and Prince Albert II

But it also holds special meaning to Monaco, this being the centenary year marking the death of Albert I, the Explorer Prince.

Prince Albert I paved the way at the end of the 19th century by organising several expeditions to the Arctic and Spitsbergen to better understand these environments which were then unknown and preserved.

After discovering the North Pole in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, and completing the journey by going to the South Pole, Prince Albert II created his Foundation, convinced that only international cooperation can save the poles. It has advocated for a number of issues including a ban on the use of heavy fuel oil in the Arctic, and for the creation of Marine Protected Areas in Antarctica, to name just a few.

Executive Director of the Oceanographic Museum Robert Calcagno and Céline Le Bohec, head of research in the Polar Biology department by Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life 

During Wednesday’s press conference, Executive Director of the Oceanographic Museum Robert Calcagno announced the publication of his new book ‘At the heart of the polar worlds, challenged by global warming and exploitation’ (Au cœur des mondes polaires, entre réchauffement et convoitises) published by Glénat. The book invites readers to discover the richness and fragility of the polar regions to better understand the need to preserve them.

The museum also announced a new interactive summer exhibition starting 4th June called ‘Polar Mission’. It will cover five thematic spaces, spread over two levels, and allow visitors to discover the poles and the wildlife they shelter, as well as the people who inhabit and explore them. Objects and documents, digital content and immersive devices will come together for a 360° experience.

 

 

Photo of Olivier Wenden, Vice-President and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and Céline Le Bohec, head of research in the Polar Biology department by Cassandra Tanti, Monaco Life 

 

 

Weekend Ski Report: 25th to 27th February

by: Luke Entwistle
24/02/2022

The final weekend of February will provide great skiing conditions. A lack of fresh snowfall at many resorts will be amply compensated by beautiful, clear skies throughout the region, and a handful of great events.

Isola 2000 – There are currently 25 ski slopes and 17 ski lifts open at Isola. The resort hasn’t experienced any snowfall since Valentine’s Day, but visitors can still expect there to be between 95 and 80 cm of snow. The forecast is for sunny, albeit chilly conditions, with highs of 7°C and lows of -7°C. The col de la Bonette and la Lombarde roads are closed until the end of the winter season.

Auron – There are currently 23 ski slopes and 14 ski lifts open at the resort, with between 85-75 cm of standing snow following the region-wide snowfall last week. It will be largely sunny over the weekend, though visitors can expect cloudier skies on Friday. It will also be considerably milder than last week with highs of 7°C and lows of -5°C. In terms of access, Route de la Tinée, Route de la Bonette, Piste de la Moustière, Piste de Demandols all remain closed. The resort will be hosting a snowshoeing festival on Saturday, with a variety of different routes on offer depending on ability.

Les Deux Alpes – There is a large choice of runs at the resort with 80 ski slopes and 43 ski lifts currently open. Fresh snowfall on Monday means that there is 65cm of fresh standing snow. It will be largely cloudy on Friday, but this will give way to beautiful sunny conditions for the remainder of the weekend.There will be lows of -9°C and highs of 4°C.

La Colmiane – There are 14 ski slopes and six ski lifts open at the resort, with between 75 and 45 cm of standing snow thanks to the region-wide snowfall on 14th February. Although it is expected to be largely sunny over the weekend, there are strong winds expected, especially on Saturday where winds between 60-75 km/h are expected. It will be chillier compared to last week, with highs of 6°C and lows of -5°C. On Friday, there will be a torch-lot ski descent for children at the resort followed by fireworks on Sunday. The resort also hosts a market on Saturdays, and will continue to do so until the end of March.

Greolieres les Neiges – There are four ski lifts open, as well as 30km of open runs. There is 40 cm of powdery standing snow at the resort, with 30 cm at lower levels. There is also the possibility of a light-dusting of snow on Saturday. Greolieres will experience clear skies throughout the weekend, and although it will be cooler than last weekend, highs of 11°C and lows of -5°C means it will be one of the milder resorts this weekend. The resort isn’t reporting any road closures.

Limone Piemonte – The Italian resort is reporting 1 open run and 2 ski-lifts. This is due to current strong winds, which could also be disruptive on Saturday, with more strong winds expected. Snow levels vary from 10 cm to 45 cm. It will be largely sunny, although a bit more cloud is expected on Friday with lows of -3°C, highs of 9°C. Passage through the Roya valley currently isn’t possible due to the collapsed bridge at Tende. Drivers must instead pass through Ventimiglia and the journey from Monaco is currently approximately three hours.

Valberg – There are 25 ski slopes and 13 ski lifts open. The resort currently has between 80 and 60 cm of standing snow, following the snowfall on Valentine’s Day. Conditions will be good throughout the weekend with wall-to-wall sunshine expected, with winds of up to 45 km/h on Friday. It is expected to be cooler than last weekend with highs of 8°C and lows of -3°C.

Note: Snow tyres must be worn on the roads up to the ski resorts.

 

Photo: Les Deux Alpes webcam

 

 

 

Third of Blue Fund still available

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/02/2022

It’s been revealed that there is €7 million left in the government’s Blue Fund, which means that there is plenty of scope for local businesses to make a digital upgrade and have around half the cost covered by the State.

In an interview with Monaco Matin, the Minister of Finance and the Economy Jean Castellini revealed that €13 million of a €20 million fund designed to revitalise the local economy had been allocated since 2020, with an average of €28,000 per project.

That leaves €7 million still available, which is great news for Monegasque companies who want to create a new digital landscape, or upgrade their current one, and have up to 51% subsidised by the government.

According to Frederic Genta, the Interministerial Delegate for the Digital Transition, 90% of the projects to date have been carried out by 150 Monegasque companies, 15 of which have been created since the implementation of the Blue Fund, injecting at least €26 million into the local digital economy.

“The Principality’s key sectors (real estate, finance, commerce) have been transformed,” said Genta to Monaco Matin, “and companies tell us almost 300 jobs have been created in digital: marketing, engineers, developers, jobs that we want to attract to Monaco because they are talents and vital forces.”

The Blue Fund is one of four pillars created by the government as part of the Principality’s recovery plan from the Covid pandemic. It also includes the Green Fund for the energy transition, the White Fund for the building and construction industry, and the Red and White Fund for the revival of the economy through trade and consumption including initiatives like the Carlo app.

The finance minister suggested the Blue Fund could be refinanced in 2022 and 2023 “in the best interest of all”.

 

SEE ALSO:

What is the Blue Fund?

Government praises success of Operation Carlo

 

 

Photo source: Unsplash

 

 

 

Russian invasion: stocks take a hit and oil prices break $100 a barrel

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/02/2022

Oil prices have topped $100 a barrel and stock markets took a tumble in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with the rouble hitting an all-time low, falling to 86.98 to the dollar, whilst “safe haven” currencies saw a rise.

The world stock markets saw predictable movements in the wake of Russia’s war-provoking attacks on Ukraine on Thursday. European markets opened 2.5% to 4% lower than normal, whilst government bonds, the US dollar, the Japanese yen, the Swiss franc and gold all rallied as investors looked for a safe place to store their assets.

Germany’s DAX was one of the hardest hit, falling 3.7%, mostly due to German reliance on Russian energy and the amounts its companies sell to Russia. The FTSE 100, the UK stock market, was down 2.3%, with losses believed to be limited by the jump in oil prices which have surpassed the $100 a barrel line, the first time this has happened since September 2014.

The Pan-Asian indexes and Europe’s STOXX 600 index for the equities market have both fallen, 2.6% and 2.7 % respectively, with the STOXX hitting its lowest point since May 2021 and a full 10% below January’s record high.

US markets are predicted to follow roughly the same patterns as their European counterparts.

Russia’s currency, the rouble, has weakened by nearly 7%, falling to 86.96 to the dollar. The Russian and Ukraine markets both have gone into freefall, with the Russian market dropping more than 10% after opening was initially suspended.

Much of Europe is reliant on Russian gas, and if the Russian President Vladimir Putin decides to cut the lines, Europe will see natural gas prices go through the roof, adding to the already steep 10% rise experienced this winter.

 

 

Russia invades Ukraine as defiant Putin warns NATO, US

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/02/2022

Russian troops launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine on Thursday, as President Vladimir Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to “consequences you have never seen.”

Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of an invasion that could cause massive casualties, topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government and threaten the post-Cold War balance on the continent.

Ukrainians started fleeing some cities, and the Russian military claimed to have incapacitated all of Ukraine’s air defenses and air bases within hours.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared martial law, saying Russia has targeted Ukraine’s military infrastructure. Ukrainians who had long braced for the prospect of an assault, while never knowing precisely when it would come, were urged to stay home and not to panic even as the country’s border guard agency reported an artillery barrage by Russian troops from neighboring Belarus.

Putin justified it all in a televised address, asserting that the attack was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine. He accused the western alliance of ignoring Russia’s demands to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and for security guarantees. He also claimed that Russia does not intend to occupy Ukraine but will move to “demilitarise” it and bring those who committed crimes to justice.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel on Thursday denounced Russia’s attack on Ukraine and pledged to hold Moscow “to account”.

“We strongly condemn Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine. In these dark times, our thoughts are with Ukraine and the innocent women, men and children who face this unprovoked attack and fear for their lives,” said von der Leyen.

French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and reiterated France’s support to him “in economic and financial matters and in terms of defensive equipment,” said the Elysee in a press release.

“France strongly condemns Russia’s decision to wage war on Ukraine,” Emmanuel Macron said on Twitter. “Russia must immediately end its military operations. France stands in solidarity with Ukraine. It stands with the Ukrainians and works with its partners and allies to end the war.”

Leaders of European countries are due to meet for a summit on Thursday at 8pm in Brussels to discuss”massive” sanctions against Moscow. The first EU sanctions came into force on Wednesday evening in response to Monday’s recognition of the independence of separatist territories in eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden pledged new sanctions to punish Russia for the aggression that the international community had expected for weeks but could not prevent through diplomacy.

Biden in a written statement condemned the “unprovoked and unjustified attack,” and he promised that the U.S. and its allies would “hold Russia accountable.” The president said he planned to speak to Americans on Thursday after a meeting of the Group of Seven leaders. More sanctions against Russia were expected to be announced Thursday.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba described the assault as a “full-scale invasion” and said Ukraine will “defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.”

 

 

 

Monaco Life with AP, AFP. Photo: Handout/Kremlin.ru/AFP

 

SEE ALSO: 

European Commission condemns Russian aggression

 

 

 

Monaco kicks into gear for Grand Prix season

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/02/2022

Preparations are now underway for the Principality to transform itself, or part of itself, into a Grand Prix race track, with major works set to begin in a week’s time and a callout for people to staff the events.

Monaco is one of a handful of F1 street circuits in the world, and getting the track ready normally takes around two months.

This year, like the last, three racing events are planned in order to catch up with the usual rhythm of alternating Historic Grand Prix following its cancellation in 2020.

Therefore, in addition to the traditional Formula 1 Grand Formula and its related events, both the Historic Grand Prix and the e-Prix will all be held again this year.

The track assembly has been brought forward several weeks to match the schedule. The e-Prix will be the first to kick off the trifecta on 30th April.

In addition to the annual asphalt operation, reported this week in Monaco Life, the preparatory work for the installation of the infrastructures necessary for safety, development, television recordings, reception of the public, advertising, access and public paths began on 22nd February with the removal of street objects and furniture.

The assembly work, and the related restrictions to traffic, will begin on 7th March in the port area and on 20th March in the Monte-Carlo district.

People can expect the usual traffic adjustments and parking bans depending on the area.

The MonaBike station at Place Sainte-Dévote will be moved to Promenade Honoré II by 21st March and that at Parking des Pêcheurs will not be accessible from 21st May.

Users of public car parks and bus services will be informed of the measures that will be applicable to each phase of the implementation of the structures.

Meanwhile, the Automobile Club of Monaco is looking for staff to fill rolls in ticket control at entrances, providing spectator information, and ushers in the Security-Control department.

To submit an application, you must be aged between 18 and 60 years. Registrations can be made at the website www.acm.mc.

The 5th Monaco e-Prix, 13th Historic Monaco Grand Prix and 79th Monaco Grand Prix will take place respectively on Saturday 30th April, from Friday 13th May to Sunday 15th May, and from Thursday 26th May to Sunday 29th May.

 

 

Photo: Carlos Sainz races at the Monaco Grand Prix 2021, Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre