15 ° C
Profile

Day: 4 March 2022

Ukrainian refugees begin convoy through France

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/03/2022

The Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes has announced that “several hundred refugees arrive at the border every day”, entering by bus and car, many passing through on their way to Portugal and Spain.  

Refugees form war-torn Ukraine are starting to make their way west in a trickle that is expected to become a tidal wave in the coming days and weeks.

A week into the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the border officials at the La Turbie tollbooth, the entry point into France from Italy, are noticing an increase in refugees entering the French territory every day.

This perfectly legal act has nonetheless drawn attention to the Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes, which plans to be ready for larger numbers of people coming in.

“France is at the initiative of a regime which is coordinated between all the Member States and will play its part by welcoming those who must be in these tragic moments,” said Benoit Huber, Chief of Staff to the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes. “These people have the right to return to French national territory. Most of them today want to go to Spain or Portugal, where there is a Ukrainian community. It is important to note that, but, in any case, those who would ask to benefit from a protective regime here will be able to do so.”

France’s prefectorial authorities are already taking steps to register potential refugees as well as to help them integrate into their new surroundings should they choose to stay.

“We have set up a one-stop shop which is intended to centralise first of all the requests which could be made by Ukrainian nationals, or the people who welcome them in our department, but also to answer the many questions and initiatives which are taken by the mayors and by the communities of the department to best coordinate the methods of reception of the populations,” Huber explains.

Under the law, Ukrainian nationals have the right to reside in France for 90 days, under certain conditions.

“Those who have a biometric passport can enter and stay for 90 days, without difficulty. Those who do not have such a document are invited to go to the French consular representations of neighbouring countries such as Romania or Poland for example.”

 

 

 

New pollen monitoring system nothing to sneeze at

by: Stephanie Horsman
04/03/2022

Monaco now has a new pollen monitoring network designed to take the guesswork out of local pollen levels to better assess daily allergy risks.

It’s that time of year again. As the mimosa trees bloom and the pines spread their yellow fairy dust, allergy sufferers pull out the tissues and settle in for a few months of red eyes and runny noses.

Whilst nothing but a good antihistamine can change that, the Department of the Environment can help allergy sufferers know what each day has in store for them, pollen-wise, with their new pollen monitoring network.

In collaboration with RNSA-Oberon, an alliance between the French National Aerobiological Surveillance Network and Oberon Sciences, the government’s new system makes it possible to examine pollen levels on a daily basis.

Three pollen sensors have been placed on the rooves of the Jardins d’Apolline, Quai Antoine Ier and St. Charles School.

The measurements correlate with meteorological data, making it possible to monitor specific allergens.

Data collected throughout the day, as well as forecasts for following two days, are published on the government’s website, social media networks and on the media spaces developed as part of MonacoExtend, such as bus shelters and Yourmonaco.mc.

Levels range from one to four, with one being no risk, two being low, three being medium and four being high.

Cypress pollen has been particularly prevalent recently, with windy and sunny days intensifying its spread. The concentration of cypress pollen will grow over the coming weeks, hitting a zenith this month.

 

 

Photo source: Government Communication Department

 

 

 

Monaco Foundry partners with Olam Ventures

by: Cassandra Tanti
04/03/2022

Monaco Foundry, an impact focused global startup incubator in Monaco and brain trust of leaders and industry experts, has partnered with Olam Ventures, the first global incubator for student entrepreneurs.

With over 80 student entrepreneurs to date and plans to inspire hundreds of next generation entrepreneurs every year, Olam Ventures brings together talented students and industry experts from all around the world to create innovative startups.

Like Monaco Foundary, Olam Ventures aims to increase the success rate for early-stage companies with founders who demonstrate generosity of spirit and with sustainable innovations that can positively impact the lives of people and the planet.

According to a statement released by Monaco Foundary, the plan is to build the largest startup ecosystem with hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs where they can connect with the right stakeholders seamlessly. “Monaco Foundry is excited to support and assist Olam’s great initiative to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs,” reads the statement. “With more than 300 million startups being created annually and only 0.05% receiving venture capital backing, Olam is excited about Monaco Foundry’s vision to de-risk and democratise (potentially tokenized) shares and offer access to this eco system to their global community of student entrepreneurs.

“Olam sees huge value in offering this partnership and the capabilities it will generate to their student entrepreneurs. This partnership alone will impact the potential increase of the GDP of local economies and increase the success rate of innovative startups which the world needs.”

With access to Monaco Foundary’s pool of entrepreneurs and partners on hand to advise the student entrepreneurs, Olam Ventures will also help the company maximize the value of their program through social media posts and mentions during a workshop/conference.

Monaco Foundry has a strong track record of incubating and accelerating startups which they systematically de-risk and develop for investors through a proprietary accreditation process. Startups are verified, vetted for value creation and validated through this process created by the Monaco Foundry’s team of serial entrepreneurs, former senior government advisers and Fortune 500 executives. Unlike traditional VCs, the Monaco Foundry process is designed to assist a wider array of founders to achieve success including women and people from diverse backgrounds. 61% of Monaco Foundry’s startups are led by women.

 

 

 

Monaco Life with press release

 

 

 

Roca Team tantalisingly close to toppling league leaders

by: Luke Entwistle
04/03/2022

A valiant AS Monaco performance ended in disappointment as a late Barcelona rally was enough to snatch the victory (88-83), leaving the Roca Team’s play-off hopes hanging in the balance.

Sasa Obradovic will nonetheless be buoyed by another positive showing on Thursday against another of the Euroleague big-hitters, alluding to the possibility of European basketball next season.

Monaco’s chances of achieving this objective have been simultaneously helped and hindered by the ban on Russian teams from the European division, which came into effect this week.

On the one hand, Monaco’s four victories from five against the Russian sides have been annulled. On the other, Unics Kazan, in front of whom Monaco had to finish in order to contest in the Euroleague, have, for now at least, been expelled from the competition. Finishing in the top 8 is now all that is required to qualify for the Euroleague next season.

Although ultimately succumbing to defeat, the match against Barcelona adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests that Monaco are finding themselves more and more at home at this level.

Monaco matched the Catalan giants toe-to-toe for large periods of the match, notably in a tightly-contested first-quarter (20-20).

Although Barcelona grew a slender lead in the second, which was quickly concretised in a blistering start to the third-quarter, Monaco remained unperturbed.

From the depths of almost certain defeat, Monaco summoned a stunning comeback, not only wiping out the 16-point deficit, but even taking the lead in the fourth-quarter.

Barcelona reacted in a way befitting of a side that sit pretty at the top of the Euroleague standings. Monaco were not willing to roll over, however, and having restored parity, both sides matched each other blow-for-blow.

The superior experience of the home-side would count, an exhibition of fluid attacking basketball providing a snapshot of the levels that Monaco must reach if they are to challenge for European titles.

A sumptuous Mike James (19pts) three-pointer gave Monaco late hope, but it was the Spanish side that prevailed on a night (88-83).

For Obradovic, the defeat was bitter-sweet. “We had a chance. Maybe it was a lack of experience at the end. Overall though we played very well. We have a lot of talent in this side, and we can quickly and easily get ourselves in a position to change the game in our direction.”

That ability to switch games on their head must now be applied on a macro-level, as Monaco look to return to winning ways against Bourg-en-Bresse on Saturday.