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Day: 2 March 2022

Dual-nationality Russians will not be exempt from air space ban

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/03/2022

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine shows no signs of letting up, the EU has hit back, banning Russian flights from EU airspace as well as targeting oligarchs, even those with dual nationalities, from entering the EU via private jet or other means.

European Union officials are ramping up their show of displeasure toward the Russians for the invasion of Ukraine by imposing a blanket flight ban on Russian planes.

The announcement came from European Commission (EC) Chief Ursula von der Leyen, who said “We are shutting down Russian-owned, Russian-registered or Russian-controlled aircraft.”

The rule means that any airplane, including private jets owned by oligarchs, will no longer be able to travel freely into or out of the EU, nor will they be able to use EU airspace to travel to destinations where the ban is not in effect. The UK is also part of the ban.

This will be a particularly tough blow to Russian carriers who make up about 70% of all air traffic between the EU and Russia.

“The measures apply to Russian nationals even if they have dual nationalities, they will be covered by those. And it doesn’t matter whether they are EU residents, if they are Russian nationals, they will be covered,” said an EU official after the announcement.

“Russian nationals or a Russian company cannot charter, own or control a plane that will be flying into the EU, out of the EU or overflying the EU. So that’s the rule,” the official went on to say.

Dozens of cancellations from Moscow’s Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo airports have already been logged, with a toothless Russian retaliation stating any nation who bans them is also banned from using Russian airspace.

After a bit of a delay, US President Joe Biden announced in his annual State of the Union address Tuesday night that the US was joining the EU and Canada in the ban, effectively closing the circle on Russian travel options.

“I am announcing that we will join our allies in closing off American airspace to all Russian flights, further isolating Russia and adding an additional squeeze on their economy,” Biden said.

The ban comes on top of a number of other sanctions the US, Europe and other nations have imposed on Russia that have caused the ruble to tumble and the economy to be hit.

 

 

 

Cova opens second Monaco location

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/03/2022

Fashionable Italian tea room and restaurant Cova has opened at a second location at the new Palais de la Plage, the ultra-high end building overlooking Larvotto Beach on Avenue Princesse Grace.

Cova has been a Monaco institution since its inception on Boulevard de Moulins in 2016. Now, a second establishment, run by restaurateur Flavio Briatore, has flung open its doors at the Palais de la Plage.

“Since we opened the first Cova on Boulevard des Moulins, Cova Monte Carlo has become an essential address and a point of reference in the Principality. With this second establishment at the Palais de la Plage, we are proud to represent Italian excellence and tradition in Monaco,” said Briatore about the latest opening.

The original Cova was established in Milan back in 1817 by Antonio Cova, a Napoleonic soldier, making it one of Italy’s oldest pasticceria. A place of elegance and style, this romantic tearoom and pastry shop has been exported around the globe to places as far flung as Kuwait, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Paris, Japan, as well as to Monaco.

In 2013, the chain became part of the LVMH group. This new Cova extends the brand’s European presence.

“We signed a long-term partnership with Flavio Briatore in 2016,” said Paola Faccioli, CEO of Cova, “to which we have now added a second location in Monaco, offering local and cosmopolitan customers excellent products and impeccable service.”

She goes on to explain that the eatery in the Palais de la Plage combines “the emblematic characteristics of the historic Milanese place with innovative elements and materials reminiscent of contemporary design.”

The interior is clean and sleek, whilst retaining an old-world charm. The combination of white woodwork, blue velvet upholstery and gold gilt make for an airy, inviting location and a nice way to pass a few hours chatting with friends or watching the world go by. For an al fresco dining experience on sunny days, there is also a large 40m2 terrace.

The owners hope the new Cova will fast become a gathering spot for those in the know, offering a selection of pastries throughout the day from breakfast to aperitif time.

 

 

 

Photo by Benedetta Pizzonia, Monaco Life

 

 

 

Mobilising for Ukraine: collection at Espace Léo Ferré

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/03/2022

The Marie is organising a collection of basic necessities this Thursday and Friday for the people of Ukraine.

The Embassy of Ukraine in France has listed the following items that are needed: sleeping bags and blankets; hygiene products like soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, nappies and infant formula, razors, shaving foam, and sanitary towels; first aid: disposable gloves, surgical masks, bandages, dressings, and antiseptic solutions.

Donations can be dropped off between 9am and 5.30pm, Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th March, at the Espace Léo Ferré in Fontvielle.

The items will be transported by the Civil Protection department of the Mairie.

 

 

Formula E tickets go on sale

by: Luke Entwistle
02/03/2022

As the Principality gets ready to host the 5th edition of the Monaco ePrix, fans can now reserve their places for the electric spectacle, which is due to take place next month.

The single-seat electric cars will take to the streets of Monaco on 30th April in what will be an action-packed, condensed day of racing, with free practice, qualifying and the race itself all set to take place on just one day. Fans will be allowed access to the stands from 7am, with the main event starting at 3pm.

The eighth season of the championship, which is an eco-friendly alternative to the F1 championship, has already travelled to Saudi Arabia and Mexico. Before arriving on the Principality’s shores, it will also be heading to Rome.

It will be a special race for the Venturi Racing team, who will be on home soil and currently sit top of the Teams’ Championship. Their Swiss driver Edoardo Mortara already has one race win under his belt this season and sits at the top of the Drivers’ Championship. The team will be hoping that either he or his team-mate, ex-F1 driver Lucas di Grassi, can add to that tally in Monaco.

Following events in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021, Monaco is now, for the first time, looking forward to hosting the championship in consecutive years. This year will look notably different to last year’s race, with the lifting of Covid measures heralding the mass return of fans to the stands around Monte-Carlo, as the electric cars follow the route of the iconic F1 track.

Fans can reserve their tickets now in the following ways:

Website: www.monaco-eprix.com

Ticketing office: 44, Rue Grimaldi, 98000, Monaco

Email: location@monaco-eprix.com

Tel: 00 377 93 15 26 24

 

 

Major works set to begin on hospital as Vinci takes on phase one

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/03/2022

The Prince’s Government of Monaco has recruited Vinci Construction to undertake the structural work and covered enclosure of the new Princess Grace Hospital Centre, paving the way for phase one to commence.

The contract, worth €98 million, involves the construction of the first new building consisting of two sets of 16 levels and an underground car park on six levels for a total floor area of ​​65,000 m2.

This major operation for the Principality is part of the expansion and modernisation of the Princess Grace Hospital Centre. It will be carried out in the immediate vicinity of the existing hospital without interrupting its activity, in a dense urban environment located in an earthquake zone. The Vinci Construction teams will carry out all the execution studies digitally using Building Information Modelling (BIM).

The work is due to be completed by the end of 2025.

Vinci says that an acoustic protection dome will be put in place during the earthworks and support phase to limit noise pollution. Made up of 70 cables with a span of 37 metres covered with 2,800sqm of acoustic tarpaulins, it will reduce site noise by up to 12 decibels.

The project is part of the Exegy approach launched by Vinci Construction, aimed at reducing its carbon footprint. 85% of the concrete used on the project will be low carbon, with a formulation that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. In addition, the bioclimatic design of the envelope will contribute to the thermal comfort of the building, which is aiming for high performance certification.

The hospital complex will feature concrete corrugated louvres on its entire facade, providing patients with plenty of natural light and a sea view for the majority of rooms.

Phase two will see the commissioning of the operating theatre section and specialist rooms, while the end of phase three will mark a fully operational CHPG.

 

 

Design image by AIA Life Designers – NMI – AIA Ingénierie – Tractebe

 

 

 

 

Women of Monaco Lunch at the YCM

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/03/2022

The 3rd Women of Monaco Lunch in celebration of International Women’s Day will be held at the Yacht Club of Monaco on 8th March in support of the Princess Grace Foundation.

Organised by 5 Stars Events and its founder Sandrine Knoell, the event will bring together 60 women from different nationalities, fields of work, and backgrounds.

“The 8th March has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries and was officially recognised by the United Nations in 1977,” says Sandrine Knoell. “We want to mark in the Monegasque calendar 8th March as a day when women are recognised for their achievements without regards to any ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political differences.”

Ms Knoell says the aim of the Women of Monaco Lunch is to build support for the community of women in the Principality of Monaco and recognise the merit among them with the Women of Monaco Awards 2022 in the categories of Art, Charity, Image, Business, and Green.

“We will have the pleasure to have with us lawyer Christine Pasquier, one of the founding partners of CMS Monaco law firm and co-head of the private clients team. Widely recognised as one of the most experienced Avocats Defenseurs in Monaco, she is specialises in family law, which is crucial for women,” says Knoell.

The theme of the day is Capri and Maison Chantecler Capri will be a partner of the event, revealing its Spring Season Collection. Meanwhile, stylist Oscar Sciré will give a fashion show of his tailor-made collection.

 

 

Photo from left to right: Marpessa Hennick, Rosalyn Benguigui, Sabrina Monteleone-Oeino (Sabrina Monte-Carlo), Maya Ghanem, Carol Asscher, Monica Bregoli