After the 2021 edition, which saw only select runners allowed to participate due to the health situation, the 2022 Monaco Run is open to all and coming next weekend.
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Registration now open for Pink Ribbon Monaco Walk
Photo source: Monaco Run
Another dominant display from AS Monaco Basketball got their domestic campaign back on-track, once again stating their play-off credentials with a 97-85 victory over Gravelines-Dunkerque on Sunday.
A lack of finesse in the opening stages saw the Roca Team trail early on. They did, however, take the ascendency in the latter stages of the first-quarter, finishing with a slender lead thanks to a Dwayne Bacon three-pointer on the buzzer (23-20).
That momentum was carried into the second-quarter, an energetic performance reaping rewards as the gap grew (33-22), before a shift put the home side on the back foot. Monaco collapsed in dramatic style before the half-time buzzer, conceding 16 points, whilst scoring only four of their own (37-38).
Any notions of a second consecutive loss in the Betclic Elite were nonetheless quickly dispelled after the half-time interval. Sasa Obradovic’s men came out with a renewed vigour and determination as his side romped into an unassailable lead at the end of the third-quarter (71-59), Donta Hall inflicting the lion’s share of the damage (18 points on the night).
Against a side that has improved in their game-management in recent weeks, Dunkerque struggled to wrestle back control of the fixture. Despite narrowly prevailing in the fourth-quarter, they couldn’t eat into the home side’s advantage in any significant way, Monaco sauntering to the win (97-85).
However, Obradovic wants his side to be even more dominant, stating post-match, “We need to get ourselves in a position where we can’t even imagine losing, and for that we need a team at 100% both physically and mentally.” The Serbian manager is nonetheless pleased with his side’s improved consistency, adding, “It is always good to win. Especially since we know how hard it is to string wins together in the Betclic Elite and the Euroleague, even more so after the two tough away matches that we’ve just had.”
Leaders Boulogne-Levallois remain tantalisingly out of reach of the Principality side, although the latter continues to exert pressure, whilst maintaining a firm grasp on their play-off spot. Attention now switches back to the Euroleague, where their play-off spot is much more precarious. A win against a visiting Zalgiris side on Thursday would certainly tighten that grip on the eight spot.
Photo source: AS Monaco Basketball
The committee charged with combatting financial crimes in the Principality of Monaco has met for the first time with Minister of State Pierre Dartout at the helm.
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Monaco strengthens legislative arsenal against financial crime
Photo by Stephane Danna, Government Communication Department
Monaco’s first-half siege on the Lyon goal secured a dominant 2-0 victory on Saturday, the team reaching the top four in Ligue 1 on a memorable night at the Stade Louis II.
An exemption allowed up to 8,000 fans into the Stade Louis II and those in attendance didn’t waste any time making themselves heard or in fact seen. The arrival of the players was greeted with the unfurling of a huge tifosi and a pyrotechnic display amongst a carnival atmosphere.
Supporters didn’t even have time to settle into their seats before Monaco hit the front, a resurgent Jean Lucas latching onto a Wissam Ben Yedder cross to nod in against his former employers.
A Lyon side lacking in any attacking creativity in the first-half had to endure an onslaught on their goal, keeping the deficit to a minimum. Gelson Martins, Kevin Volland and Jean Lucas all had glorious chances to double the score. As Philippe Clement stated post-match, the score-line could have looked more emphatic at the break. “We could have led by 3 or 4-0 at the break,” he said.
If more chances had fallen to the prolific Ben Yedder, that could well have been the case. However, the Frenchman would get his chance mid-way through the first-half, and he made no mistake. Playing on the last-man of Lyon’s incomprehensibly high-line, he latched onto a well-weighted Sofiane Diop pass and slotted past the keeper into the far corner, via a nick off the post.
Lyon didn’t live up to their billing in the opening period, the line-up looked strong on paper, but left a lot to be desired in reality. It was therefore no surprise that Peter Bosz rang the changes at the break, bringing on new signings Tanguy N’dombele, Mathis Cherki and former Monaco man Romain Faivre.
The changes failed to inspire. Clement’s men provided a masterclass in game-management, their aggressive defending and solid structure restricting Lyon to half-chances and shots from range. Time drifted in the second-half as the game lulled, the lack of on-pitch excitement didn’t quieten the Ultras behind the goal however, who remained in good voice until the end, growing in confidence as their side neared a vital victory.
The full-time whistle was merciful for Lyon, putting them out of their misery, and confirming what had already been long-since established. Monaco, meanwhile, revelled in their surprisingly comfortable win against their rivals for the Champions League places, taking the opportunity to celebrate with the fans.
Clement refused to get carried away with the occasion post-match, stating, “I am happy with the progression of my team, even if it wasn’t a perfect match. It is an important victory.” The Belgian coach told Monaco Life that he was impressed with his side’s aggression: “It was a positive aggression. It is the basis of football, being aggressive and winning duels. If you don’t win duels, you don’t win matches.”
Monaco will need to take that aggression and drive into their next fixture against a Ligue 2 side in Amiens, who will be up for the fight as they visit the Stade Louis II on Tuesday for a Coupe de France quarter-final clash.
Click on the Instagram video below…
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Photo source: AS Monaco
A new year signifies a time for change for many. 2021 ended with global congresses making firm commitments to the planet – 2022 is now the time to make that change.
In November, as world leaders joined together to make a pledge to a new global agreement, international conservation charity ZSL published an analysis conducted of palm oil producers, which found that 93% have not assessed climate risk, despite the industry contributing significantly to the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Last year we witnessed more natural disasters and observed more species sadly moving closer to the brink of existence, 2022 must be the time that we come together, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support planet Earth – something ZSL is working tirelessly to do.
The analysis of 100 producers, processors and traders of palm oil found that only seven companies had conducted and published an assessment of the risks posed to their business by climate change, meaning only 7% of companies are transparent about their operations and finances are likely to be impacted the climate.
Compiled by ZSL’s SPOTT team – an initiative developed by ZSL to incentivise transparency of reporting and the implementation of best practice – the results show just how slow the palm oil sector has been to act. This comes despite the industry being described as “highly exposed to global and local climate transitions” in a recent report by Orbitas, due to the industry’s high export volume, reliance on land and use of emissions-intensive fertilisers and diesel fuels.
Using the scenario of global average temperature rising 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, demand will soon outpace supply due to population growth and increasing demand for bio energy. This will push palm oil prices and land value up, increasing pressure on producers to intensify production and putting the environment at even greater risk – unless producers move swiftly towards sustainable low carbon techniques.
“Unsustainable palm oil production is one of the biggest contributors to habitat loss in the tropics as it involves clearing and burning forests and peatland to make way for palm oil plantations,” says Eleanor Spencer, ZSL’s Sustainable Business Specialist for Asia. “The process of deforestation also contributes to the acceleration of climate change, as does the draining of carbon-rich peat which, once drained, release the stored carbon into the atmosphere. This way of production significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, and risks accelerating biodiversity loss and contributing to climate-related issues faced by consumers across the world.”
There is little doubt that the unsustainable expansion of oil palm plantations in Indonesia has played a leading role in the destruction of vast areas of rich tropical forest, which has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. This is of enormous conservation concern as these forests are home to threatened species, from the Sumatran tiger to the rhinoceros hornbill, many of which are unique to Indonesia.
The urgency of the climate crisis has never been clearer or more widely acknowledged. It’s time for change and we cannot continue if this is at the cost of vital natural ecosystems like Indonesia’s. It is vital that the industry moves forward in a sustainable way.
To enable change, ZSL developed by an online platform supporting sustainable commodity production and trade, Sustainability Policy Transparency Toolkit (SPOTT). By tracking transparency, SPOTT incentivises the implementation of best practices. SPOTT assesses commodity producers and traders on the public disclosure of their policies, operations and commitments related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. SPOTT scores companies annually against sector-specific indicators to benchmark their progress over time. Investors, buyers and other key influencers can use SPOTT assessments to inform stakeholder engagement, manage risk, and increase industry transparency.
It’s essential that we empower change and work together towards effective outcomes including reducing global CO2 levels. Economies worldwide need to come together and make the shift to a sustainable, low-carbon future, we may have to face the fact these dazzling and diverse habitats could be lost.
Together, with radical measures and nature-based solutions we have an opportunity to change the future of our planet. ZSL’s pioneering work around the world shows that nature can return and thrive given the right combination of help. Our vision for the future, a world where wildlife thrives, is underpinned by the Sustainable Development Goals and is led by the power and insight of our world leading science, boots on the ground field conservation and practical experience of caring for endangered animals in our Zoos. Vitally, our conservation interventions are low-cost and high impact.
As individuals we have the ability to make change, but we need your help. At this crucial moment for our planet, I invite each of you to make a transformative change for the future of our shared planet. We must all put nature at the heart of our decision making.
Visit zsl.org to learn more about how you can support us as we create a world where wildlife thrives.
James Wren is the ZSL Executive Director of Fundraising and Engagement.
Top photo: Conservation riparian and oil palm in Sumatra, by Calley Beamish, all photos by ZSL
Figures show that 71% of the eligible resident population in Monaco is now fully vaccinated. It comes as France announces it will be easing vaccination pass rules when pressure on hospital’s subsides.
The latest IMSEE report, which dropped on 4th February, includes all vaccinated Monaco residents over the age 12 who have received two doses. Broken down by age groups, the over 75’s had the highest coverage, reaching 94.5%, whilst those in the 12 to 17 age group were the lowest takers, sitting at 46%.
As far as boosters go, again it was those over 75 who had the best uptake, with 76% having had a third jab. Those aged 18 to 34 have been slowest to get the booster, with just under 20% accepting the shot.
In real numbers, this comes to 27,623 people who’ve had one dose, 28,176 who have been double vaxed, and 16,699 who have had the booster. The figures represent all vaccinations given in the Principality, including those provided to nationals from other countries. French citizens received 14,047 first, second and booster shots, while Italians accounted for 316.
The gender distribution of who is getting inoculated is nearly evenly split, with women edging out men by a sliver at 50.6%.
Meanwhile, in France, the government is starting to back away from its vaccine pass requirements, with Health Minister Olivier Veran announcing on Wednesday that the pass will only remain in place until hospitals are no longer cancelling non-emergency procedures to make room for Covid patients.
“When we have emptied intensive care units, or at least (…) when there is no further cancellation of procedures and if no new variant is in circulation, then the utility of the vaccine pass will be debatable,” the minister told BFM TV.
France is still some way off reaching its goal, though. Currently, there are around 3,700 Covid patients in intensive care. In order to eliminate the pass, that number would need to be somewhere around 1,000.
If no new variant rolls through, that could be achieved by summer, said the health minister, adding, “The vaccine pass will come to an end, and judging by current trends, it is likely that the end will come before the month of July.”
Veran also said that rules could be reduced to allow those with one or two doses to get the pass, if they have already had the virus.
“Scientists say that in order to benefit from the pass, one needs to have been exposed to the virus at least three times,” he said. “This exposure can be by way of injection or infection” and includes “at least one vaccine dose”.
Since the middle of last month, people have had to show proof of inoculation to enter bars, restaurants, cinemas and other public venues. Before, they were required only to show a recent negative test.
While the Monaco Government has not mandated a vaccine pass, its residents are still subject to the laws of France when crossing the border.
Photo source: Government Communication Department
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