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Month: July 2022

Spain invites Prince Albert to travel back a million years in time

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/07/2022

Prince Albert II on Tuesday travelled to the archaeological site of the Sierra d’Atapuerca near the city of Burgos in Spain to discover the fossil remains of the first human beings to settle in Europe around a million years ago.

Accompanied by Monaco’s Ambassador to Spain Catherine Fautrier-Rousseau, the Prince donned an explorer’s outfit to examine the rich excavation sites.

The Archaeological Site of Atapuerca is located near the city of Burgos, in the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León, in the North of the Iberian Peninsula.

The property encompasses over 284 hectares and contains a rich fossil record of the earliest human beings in Europe, from nearly one million years ago and extending into the Common Era. It’s considered an exceptional scientific reserve that provides priceless information about the appearance and way of life of these remote human ancestors.

Prince Albert exploring the Archaeological Site of Atapuerca, photo credit: G. Luci / Prince’s Palace

Just this summer, a bone from the jaw of what could be the first European hominid aged around 1.4 million years was found during excavations.

Prince Albert began his visit at the site of El Portalón de Cueva Mayor, before heading to the site of Sima del Elefante and that of Cueva Fantasma. He then visited the Museum of Human Evolution (MEH) and the National Centre for Research on Human Evolution (CENIEH).

Photo credit: G. Luci / Prince’s Palace

Interview: Abdulla Al Gurg, founder of Omere Institute

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/07/2022

Inspired by personal experience, Abdulla Al Gurg created the Omere Foundation, a global platform for preventative medicine that brings together innovation, technology, and organic healing to transform the future of aging.

The World Health Organisation estimates that by 2030, poor mental health will become the second most important cause of disability in the world.

The Omere Foundation has two objectives: to improve physical, mental, and emotional health and thereby, longevity, and to influence health policy so health systems and resources shift towards innovation in life science, disease prevention and wellness.

Monaco Life: Where did the idea for the Omere Institute come from?

Abdulla Al Gurg: I went through a health condition around four years ago. I was going downhill and I was quite depressed, and I believe that it caused my stroke. That was the ignition to the whole thing. I was quite paralyzed and I wasn’t really feeling myself. I tried everything. I was in London on all sorts of medication and I said to myself, ‘This is just not working for me’. I was numb. I was literally numb from the amount of medication I was on.

Then I came across this group of specialists and technicians who have a medical background and who have evolved in the industry to want to bring an organic way of doing things, or an advanced way of doing things.

And things evolved from there.

Did you feel then that you had an obligation to share your knowledge and experience with the wider community?

Yes, I felt like there are so many other people like me who are undergoing a lot of medical interventions, who feel they need to change course at some point.

First, it was the health issue, but then I was rejuvenating and I was beginning to unlock my potential. I was starting to do more business, I was becoming more efficient than I was previously, thinking more clearly… and I thought, this is phenomenal.

It allows people who are in stressful situations to actually enjoy doing business or actually rejuvenate while they’re living their lives.

My chronological age is 42, but my biological age is now 36. I am therefore six years younger. I found this phenomenal as I used to be three years older than my age. So, I figured I had to share this.

Can you tell us how it works?

It is based on a science called elementology. What the technicians do is they connect your genes to the elements in your genetic code and they have a unique algorithm which helps them to understand how to treat you to unlock your gene potential.

I was borderline diabetic and I had eight active cancer markers. But if you test me today, I have only two active cancer markers and diabetes has gone away. That’s because I changed my behaviour and they taught me how to do that. They triggered things in me too, because everybody has a certain pattern and we come with a hereditary code. That’s it in a nutshell.

Who would be interested in this?

People who are currently sick and are looking to change that situation, or those who are not necessarily sick but who may have hereditary issues in their family that they would like to avoid. Also, people who want to rejuvenate. There are so many people investing money in a pill that will stop the aging process. This is a method. And i’m not the only case study. There are hundreds and hundreds of case studies and samples of reverse aging with this model.

If it is the “Fountain of Youth”, then you have the biggest game changer in history at your fingertips. Why is this not more widespread?

It takes a while to catch on. Do you remember when you bought the first iPhone or Mac computer? Or when you invested in the first Tesla car? How expensive it was? This is exactly at that point of launch and I believe this will be the future of health care.

It’s just a matter of time, and that’s why I was very interested in not only setting up the Omere Institute, but also the Omere charity foundation, which connects directly with the Institute to become the conduit for taking this to the critical mass and to spread the word so the people who will benefit can afford the service now.

Because if, for example, you have a child who has recovered from cancer through this method, you would want donate so other people can benefit also, right?

The Foundation is a conduit for us to bring it to the people.

Currently, this method is only available to high-net-worth individuals then?

Yes, because we can service between only 70 and 90 people per year. But of course, in the long term, as this foundation becomes more and more active, we can commercialise and train more technicians.

Photo provided

 

 

 

 

Monaco-based Sea World Management signs strategic deal

by: Stephanie Horsman
28/07/2022

Sea World Management has signed a joint venture agreement with Columbia Shipmanagement out of Cyprus to create Columbia SeaWorld Management, a fully formed integrated maritime services platform for clients in this region.

Monaco has a new one-stop-shop for maritime services. Officially called Columbia Sea World Management, the company will be known by the snappier moniker of CSM Monaco and will cater to the tanker, bulker, container, cruise, MPP, offshore, superyacht, private jet, and asset management sectors.

“We are proud to become partners of such an important group and we are committed to using all our energy and expertise for the success of the initiative, which, I am sure, will allow us to expand our world and to bring benefit to all our clients,” said Roberto Corvetta, Sea World Management’s CEO.

The Columbia Group has vast leisure sector experience through its Columbia Blue operation, which offers maritime services for the expedition, cruise and yachting worlds. Additionally, the company provides management assistance for private jets, as well as hotel, hygiene, training and crewing services.

Sea World Management brings more than three decades of experience and a track record of offering investors and ship owners “a full platform of service functions to manage investments in all segments of shipping.” The company executes acquisitions, research, financial structures, and full technical management services.

“CSM Monaco will bring the entire CSM suite of integrated maritime services, logistics, catering, private jet management, specialised leisure project management, and event management to existing and new clients in France, Italy and Monaco while capitalising effectively on the excellent network Sea World Management has in the region,” said Mark O’Neil President and CEO of CSM Group. “By combining the joint venture partners’ respective shared values and qualities, CSM Monaco can drive in valuable efficiencies and economies of scale into this market.”

 

 

Countdown to AS Monaco’s curtain-raiser

by: Luke Entwistle
28/07/2022

The end of pre-season fixtures, a contract extension and a new kit release: it has been a busy week at AS Monaco with their season opener against PSV Eindhoven looming.

With under a week until their Champions League tie against PSV, Monaco travelled to the UK to face Premier League side Southampton. In an open, end-to-end and exciting match, Monaco took the lead through a ferocious Aleksandr Golovin strike.

Adam Armstrong levelled the score just after the break after Alexander Nübel could only parry Mohamed Elyounoussi’s initial effort. Stuart Armstrong revered the deficit with a smart finish on the swivel before James Ward-Prowse completed the scoring with a driven finish on the break.

However, despite the 3-1 defeat there were a plethora of positives. Takumi Minamino excited, Golovin looks to have refound his best form at the perfect time and after nine months on the treatment table, Krépin Diatta finally made his long-awaited return. His presence will feel like a new signing, and compliments an already stacked attacking force.

Prior to their trip to St. Mary’s, Monaco drew against Inter Milan before travelling back to Portugal for two games against FC Porto. The Principality side won the first match against Porto’s B team 2-0 thanks to a brace from debutant Breel Embolo. That match was a chance to give minutes to some of the most promising products in Monaco’s academy, with five featuring during the tie.

In the second match on Saturday, Monaco were dealt their first defeat of pre-season. Both sides had chances in the first-half, but two of the best fell to Monaco. Takumi Minamino almost got his first goal in Monégasque colours, but he was denied by a fine stop from the goalkeeper, before Wissam Ben Yedder was also smartly denied.

Porto took the lead from the spot mid-way through the second-half before they doubled their lead just minutes later. Ben Yedder halved the deficit in the dying stages with a well-converted penalty. However, Monaco couldn’t muster an equaliser and the game finished 2-1.

Away kit revealed

In that fixture, Monaco debuted their new away kit for the upcoming season. For their trips away from the Stade Louis II, they will wear a slick, simplistic black and white jersey. As with the home kit, Kappa’s design incorporates the club slogan “Rise, Risk, Repeat” into a modern design. The club’s main partner ‘eToro’ also features on the torso. The club’s crest is fixed in silicone on the heart side, as is the Monégasque crown, which is on the back collar.

Aguilar extends

Ruben Aguilar’s form at the back end of last season has earned the right-back a contract extension. He is now tied down with the Principality side until 2025.

Since his arrival from Montpellier in 2019, Aguilar has made 100 appearances for Monaco, including 39 in all competitions last season. He also featured in nine out of the last ten fixtures of the Ligue 1 campaign: a run of games that propelled them to the podium.

The winter arrival of Vanderson seemingly spelled trouble for Aguilar, but it would be Djibril Sidibé who would see his game time heavily limited. Upon the expiry of his contract this summer, Sidibé left, meaning that Aguilar will contend with Vanderson for a starting spot in Clement’s side next season.

In a press release from the club, sporting director Paul Mitchell said, “In addition to his footballing qualities, Ruben has been an important player who is unanimously appreciated by all the staff and playing squad. His fighting spirit, his ability to put himself at the service of the team and professionalism can be a source of inspiration for the younger players.”

After over two months of waiting, Monaco will finally return to competitive action on Tuesday as they face PSV Eindhoven at the Stade Louis II in the first-leg of their Champions League play-off.

Season ticket holders go free

AS Monaco announced on Wednesday that season ticket holders will be able to access Tuesday’s match against PSV Eindhoven as if it was a regular Ligue 1 match. Ordinarily, season tickets only apply to league matches, but for this season’s curtain-raiser, all season ticket holders will be able to access the Stade Louis II freely. More information on Monaco season tickets can be found here.

 

 

 

 

Take note: partial tunnel closure

by: Cassandra Tanti
28/07/2022

The Dorsale tunnel will be reduced to a single lane of traffic next week as part of ongoing works at the Grand Ida construction site in the Plati district.

The government announced on Thursday that from Monday 1st to Friday 5th August, between 9am and 4pm, there will be only a single traffic lane operational between the roundabouts of Aureglia and Canton in the Monaco to Nice direction.

This partial closure is an extension of the work carried out in April to create an access to the future underground car park and is being carried out during the day to lessen the impact on residents.

The Grand Ida project is due to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2023 and will provide 160 state housing apartments as part of the National Housing Plan. It will also offer private housing, a car park, a park, a crèche, a living center, offices and shops.

 

 

Laurent Banide: “I want to take ASM Women as high as possible”

by: Luke Entwistle
27/07/2022

Monaco Life catches up with recently-appointed AS Monaco Women’s manager Laurent Banide to talk about writing a new chapter in the Principality, his brief English excursion, and the state of women’s football.

Former AS Monaco manager Laurent Banide was last week appointed as the new head coach of the AS Monaco Women’s team, replacing Stéphane Guigo. Since his short spell as manager of the men’s side in 2010/11, the nomadic Frenchman has had multiple spells in the Middle East, including with the Kuwait national team, before most recently taking charge of League Two side Oldham Athletic. However, all roads lead back to Monaco, and Banide is eager to get started in his new role.

Monaco Life: After a short break since the end of your spell with Oldham in 2019, what motivated you to return to management with ASM Women?

Laurent Banide: When the investors Peak6 contacted me a few weeks ago, I made my decision very quickly. During that meeting I was very moved by Jérôme de Bontin’s speech. What convinced me was that there was already a beautiful project led by de Bontin and the president RudyTarditi; a project to take a team as high as possible, just like Lyon and PSG have done with their women’s teams. It is a very interesting project, and in addition that allowed me to stay at home, with my family and friends. It is very interesting to work at home and in such a super project.

Was there also an element of wanting to return to the Principality and write a new chapter after your various spells with AS Monaco, both as the first-team manager and as head coach of the academy side?

As you say, it’s quite a long story! Firstly, it was my dad’s region (Gérard Banide) and then mine. It’s already been about 40 years that we’ve been working in Monaco. We’ve all been in the Principality and we have an attachment to the country. It’s clear from my point of view that I should continue with Monaco.

Following your arrival in mid-season in 2010/11, you couldn’t save Monaco from relegation to Ligue 2. Do you have an overriding memory of that spell?

I don’t have a bad memory from that time. We build from successes and from defeats. We took 25 points from the 19 matches. But unfortunately, we lacked a little something; not a lot but just a bit. There was the odd injury, the conceding of a goal in the last minute. These things happen. Unfortunately, it was difficult for me and for everybody, for the supporters as well. Still, it allowed the club to bounce back and create this new story with the new owners. It was difficult to take.

Of course, taking the job with the women’s team, it’s in a different sector, but it is one that is developing enormously. It’s the future. It’s gradual, and on an individual level the players are becoming stronger, and there are more and more people involved in it. It’s an evolution of football and I am very happy to take charge of AS Monaco.

Following numerous spells in the Middle East, you moved to Oldham Athletic, a team in turmoil and with an extraordinarily high managerial turnover that has since dropped out of the football league. How do you evaluate your brief spell in English football?

I was very moved by the passion of the people over there. It was magnificent. There were huge amounts of supporters at the matches, and the passion of all those working at the club was magnificent. Unfortunately, as you say, it was a bit of a delicate period at the club, with lots of managerial changes. We worked a lot to try and bring a bit of calmness and balance. But unfortunately, it was difficult and very delicate for the management. As soon as things started to go badly, they just moved onto the next thing. It is regrettable because we really hadn’t been in the job long and it’s life. That’s how we grow. It’s unfortunate.

What have you been doing since that dismissal time in 2019?

My family was in London so I went to live with them and made the most of the London life. Because of Covid, I stayed a bit between London and Monaco, watching some Chelsea matches, some Monaco matches. The Covid period was a quiet one for me.

In general terms, how do you perceive the rise of the women’s game?

It’s the evolution of things! As you said, I noticed in the parks in England lots of girls play football, which isn’t something that I’ve seen here in the south of France. I think it’s true that in Anglo-Saxon countries there is already good evolution in terms of women’s football. There are a few training centres that have grown in Paris and Lyon and which bring the level of women’s football up. I think we have to follow this direction to be able to get a team promoted into the first division. It would be great for the Principality.

AS Monaco Women missed out narrowly on promotion last season. What are the objectives for the upcoming campaign?

Of course, the objective is to get promoted (to D3). We’re trying to build a great team for the coming years. It will take a little bit of time. Unfortunately, last season the final game was decided by small details. We have to forget that and look to the future and create a high-performing team.

The start of pre-season is on 1st August. I can’t wait to be on the ground, to meet the team, to work with my staff and to bring my experience in professional football and take them as high as possible.