The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified the ‘Eris’ Covid strain a variant of interest as cases rise globally. Here’s what we know.
Known as EG.5 or Eris, it is a relative of the Omicron subvariant that made its rounds in 2022 and is has been detected worldwide including in China, the United States, the UK as well as in France, where there’s been an estimated 35% of new cases of this strain, according to the French Public Health Department (Santé Publique).
LOW RISK BUT MORE CASES
Whilst the WHO has judged the health risk as low, there have been jumps in the number of new Covid cases in France as well as a 26% rise in hospitalisations across all age groups of people suspected to have the Covid virus. The French levels are consistent with those being seen in the US and UK.
“Based on the available evidence, the public health risk posed by EG.5 is evaluated as low at the global level,” WHO said. “While EG.5 has shown increased prevalence, growth advantage, and immune escape properties, there have been no reported changes in disease severity to date.”
Scientists are saying that Eris seems to have a talent for evading antibodies, which has allowed it to proliferate. The timing is not ideal, as in a few weeks, people will be back to school and work after holidays and travel, the latter of which helps spread the disease faster.
Even so, as the risks are no higher, health care workers, who say the emergence of a new variant was no surprise, are just asking people to be careful and practice safety methods such as hand washing to help keep the virus from spreading as much as possible. They also stress that vaccinations are the best defence against this and future variants, and that people should consider boosters when they are available.
Monaco has met another key international standard in the fight against money laundering, this time with an agreement that will unite the Attorney General, the Director of Public Security and SICCFIN.
The Prince’s Government announced on Friday 11th August that a tripartite agreement on cooperation, coordination and exchange of information in the fields of money laundering, the financing of terrorism and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction has been entered into by Monaco’s Attorney General – the main legal advisor to the government, the Director of Public Security, and SICCFIN (Service d’Information et de Contrôle sur les Circuits Financiers).
The agreement responds to the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) Recommendation No. 2 adopted in 2013, which states that countries should have national policies which ensure that policy-makers, the financial intelligence unit (FIU), law enforcement authorities, supervisors and other relevant competent authorities have effective mechanisms in place which enable them to cooperate and exchange information with each other concerning the development and implementation of policies and activities to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
According to the government, “The agreement, by evoking the rights and obligations of the three signatory authorities, defines in a very practical and concrete way the relationships that they must maintain between them in order to promote and strengthen the exchange of information.”
The government says the move will consecrate current good practices between the authorities, particularly in the urgent processing of certain communications andrequests and by setting deadlines for response, as well as helping to identify trends and patterns of money laundering in the Principality.
“This shared analysis will therefore allow a better apprehension of the risk and optimise the criminal response provided by the authorities investigation and prosecution,” concluded the government.
The Sheba Medical Centre Gala at the Hotel Hermitage was a massive success, with the facility raising more than half a million euros for the Middle East’s largest hospital treating sick children and refugees.
Known locally as the Hospital of Peace, the Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan, Israel, is known for its colour, religion and nationality-blind approach to care in a region where these things are touchy, and often dangerous, topics.
The facility, which also offers care to many of the region’s sick children free of charge, relies on donations to be able to keep the wheels turning.
GALA EVENT
To facilitate the continued efforts, Dr Arnon Afek, Deputy Director General of the Sheba Medical Centre, along with Dorit and Marc Assaraf and Dr Yana and Dr Karl Hauptmann, co-sponsors of the evening, hosted 160 guests including celebrities, people from the worlds of art and society, as well as international business leaders to a gala event at the Hôtel Hermitage on 3rd August.
Dany Michalski, Anna Maria Kaufmann, Kriemhild Siegel, Ulrich Graf and Katrin Countess Goëss-Enzenberg, Stefan Dimitri Prince Strudza, and Helen Countess Selikowitz Modini were amongst the guests who helped make the evening a hit, with donations topping out at €550,000.
PROCEEDS FOR KIDS
The proceeds will go to much needed medical equipment and to the Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital wing of the Sheba Medical Centre.
“We would like to thank all guests for their generous support,” said Dr Afek at the event. “The Sheba Medical Centre was again voted one of the 10 best hospitals. On the one hand, our ‘City of Health Hospital’ stands for innovation and transformation. But it is also always the hospital of peace and help.”
Three Monaco Yacht Club (YCM) teams battled it out at the front of the field during the Copa del Rey sailing tournament, held in Palma de Mallorca, over the weekend.
YCM’s crews were combative in the seas surrounding the Mallorcan capital last Saturday. The 41st edition of the Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) sailing competition was held amidst perfect sailing conditions. 70 boats competed in eight different categories in an exciting and jam-packed schedule.
Five days of competition came to a head on Saturday with three of YCM’s teams securing promising results. Moonlight’s crew, skippered by Graeme Peterson secured a fifth place in the ClubSwan 50 class. Peterson and his crew were closely followed by another YCM team, Cuordileone, skippered by Leonardo Ferragamo.
Saling coming closer ashore
There was another sixth-place finish for a Monégasque crew in Palma. In the ORC 2 class, Roberto Tamburelli on Rachistar concluded a strong weekend for the YCM’s crews and proved that they are up there with the best. Team Malizia’s exploits in the Ocean Race earlier this year are further proof the institution’s international competitiveness.
Sailing is coming to slightly more local shores later this month. The countdown is on for the 18th edition of the Palermo-Monte-Carlo, which will land on Monégasque shores on 27th August.
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Escaping to higher altitudes for some fresh mountain air is the perfect antidote to the busy coast and summer temperatures of the Côte d’Azur. Read on to discover the Monaco Life list of top rural hotels in the region.
From remote hotels with pristine mountain views to châteaux replete with luxury spas and excellent restaurants, there are some wonderful high-altitude resorts and venues to be found if you know where to look.
Thankfully, we do. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best.
Pure Montagne Resort & Spa
Found in the Vésubie valley, around an hour and a half from Monaco or a little longer if you take the scenic route, the Pure Montagne Resort & Spa reigns supreme as the finest “aparthotel” in a region sometimes described as a “Niçoise Switzerland”.
34 suites and rooms across five chalets sit alongside a Nordic-inspired spa, lounge rooms and a bar that make this destination the perfect place to unwind in stunning natural scenery. Here are tonnes of activities to be discovered outside too, from bike rides and hiking to wild swimming and the Vésubia Mountain Park, of which the hotel is a partner.
The spa facilities at Pure Montagne. Photo credit: Pure Montagne Resort & Spa
Fiocco di Neve Relais & Spa
Next up is the Fiocco di Neve Relais & Spa – meaning snowflake in Italian – in the Piedmontese village of Limone. This place is a bit harder to reach at the moment than it should be as works on the Tende tunnel, which was near destroyed by Storm Alex some years ago, are not yet complete and a provisional date for reopening has been pushed to sometime in 2024. Still, the beauty of this idyllic Italian mountain town continues to draw in tourists and visitors willing to “go the extra mile”.
Head into Piedmont for an alpine escape Italian-style. Photo credit: Fiocco di Neve Relais & Spa
The Fiocco di Neve Relais & Spa is found in the town centre, thus offers excellent nearby amenities and services. The rooms are spread across a range of suites suitable for those suitable for family groups to couples looking for a romantic getaway.
The inclusion of a spa at this hotel makes that a very real probability and it is luxuriously decorated in a way only Italians know how to achieve. The White Restaurant & Lounge Bar is also worth a visit and serves up exquisite gourmet cuisine inspired by regional produce that is backed up a wine cellar housing some 700 different labels.
Domaine Ribiera
The setting of the five-star Domaine Ribiera is perhaps more Provence than alpine, but it is situated in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department so we will leave the classification of this resort up to you.
Surrounded by greenery, from forests to rolling hills, this place certainly ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to a rural retreat thanks to its verdant locale and 12 hectares of landscaped grounds. But the Domaine Ribiera also comes with heaps of high-end amenities, not least its very own golf course, spa and restaurant, Le Ribiera.
The hotel has 20 rooms, six of which are luxury suites, and it is part of the Les Collectionneurs network of “hôtels de charme” picked by Monaco’s beloved Alain Ducasse.
The Domaine Ribiera has earned Alain Ducasse’s seal of approval. Photo credit: Domaine Ribiera
Villa Morelia
Back in the French alps, near the town of Barcelonnette and at the “gateway” to the Mercantour National Park, is the Villa Morelia. An elegant country house, it is set in a hectare of parkland with a swimming pool and boasts magnificent mountain views from every side.
There are multiple accommodation options, including a Grande and a Prestige suite, as well as a gastronomic restaurant that the Michelin Guide describes as offering “a certain bourgeois charm… a flattering setting for a market cuisine, seductive and faithful to tradition”.
The Villa Morelia near Barcelonnette. Photo credit: Alpes-Haute-de-Provence
Château de Taulane
For the first of our recommendations in the Verdon area, we head to the four-star Château de Taulane. This is a great destination for couples and groups looking to blend a spot of golf with some true relaxation at a top-notch spa. There’s also a great restaurant within the grounds, which is open from April through to October.
The Château de Taulane is a vast 18th century estate, with some 29 rooms typically available, but another 18 on offer if you’re looking to book the place out for an event or wedding. One thing to note is that if you were hoping to get away with your pet in tow, no animals are permitted at this address.
Château Taulane combines relaxation, sport and haute cuisine. Photo credit: Château Taulane
Hôtel & Spa des Gorges du Verdon
Finally, we come to the Hôtel & Spa des Gorges du Verdon, which is located at almost 1,000 metres above sea level in the heart of the Verdon area. This four-star hotel is also very close to the jaw-droppingly beautiful canyon that makes this region famous. It is home to a Cinq Mondes Spa that will also take your breath away too.
Each of its 30 rooms and suites, including one duplex for those needing extra space, opens onto a gorgeous panoramic view of the surrounding landscape that promises to “lift your spirits” and fulfill those desires to escape from the urban coast.
There’s an onsite restaurant with an equally lovely terrace, as well as a sister restaurant called Le Styx in the nearby village.
Views galore from the Hôtel & Spa des Gorges du Verdon. Photo credit: Hôtel & Spa des Gorges du Verdon
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New manager, new sporting director: the 2023/24 season heralds a new era at AS Monaco, but perhaps one that doesn’t mark such a radical departure from its predecessor.
As Adi Hütter and Thiago Scuro, the replacements for Philippe Clement and Paul Mitchell took their seats for their first media outing in July, the page had been officially turned. Mitchell’s departure as sporting director had been planned, Clement’s less so. The Belgian paid the price for a poor end to the season, which leaves Les Monégasques without any form of European football this campaign.
A sprinkling of continuity in an evolving project
However, Scuro and Hütter may not represent the most radical of departures from their predecessors. The project hasn’t been torn up and re-written over night. Scuro’s appointment in particular feels like a natural evolution of the project. The Brazilian arrives from Bragantino, and like his predecessor Mitchell, has a history of working within the Red Bull system. Mitchell is conscious of not being a “volatile element” in the project, and through the appointment of Scuro, as well as his assistance throughout the summer, he is hoping to maintain an element of stability.
Adi Hütter (left) and Thiago Scuro (right) at their unveiling. Photo source: AS Monaco
“We will keep the same philosophy over multiple seasons,” said Scuro upon his presentation. Hütter also shares similarities with Clement, although from the outset, the former has seemingly managed to instil a more dynamic, fluid attacking system. “It is by pressing high that we can put an aggressive style in place,” said Hütter.
The Austrian isn’t, therefore, the most radical of departures from his predecessor either. That is ultimately the plan at Monaco. Following years of turbulence prior to Mitchell’s arrival, there is a need for stability: the calm after the storm.
A perfectible roster
The most important positions filled, Monaco’s attention turned towards creating the optimal conditions to allow Hütter to thrive. Scuro’s South American connections perhaps allowed Jean Lucas’ departure to finally materialise. The Brazilian has been on the transfer list for some time, and he has now joined Santos. However, unlike in some previous seasons, it hasn’t been a revolving door at the club’s Performance Centre in La Turbie this summer.
Monaco’s Philipp Köhn in action against Arsenal. Photo source: AS Monaco
Much of Monaco’s business was dependent on outgoings. Axel Disasi and Youssouf Fofana were both expected to depart this summer – and for big money. However, the suitors were not necessarily forthcoming. Disasi was on the shortlists of many clubs, but at the top of none of them. Chelsea finally came to the table in August and quickly concluded a deal. The €45m figure received for the France international gives the Principality club some wriggle room in the market, and further arrivals seem imminent. Despite links away, Fofana remains at the club.
Philipp Köhn and Mohammed Salisu are the only two arrivals so far. It is hoped that Köhn will be an improvement on Alexander Nübel, who didn’t always live up to the big occasion. The Swiss goalkeeper’s performances for Monaco in pre-season are a source of optimism.
A reduced margin for error
Salisu has yet to feature for Monaco since his arrival from Southampton, but the Ghanaian international has already accrued considerable experience given his young age. Extra depth is needed in defence, but the foundations have been well-laid for a more solid campaign at the back.
Further reinforcements are being targeted further up the pitch in the midfield and attack, and the need for an extra striker has been made much more pressing in the wake of Breel Embolo’s ACL injury. Monaco will be looking to conclude as much business as early as possible to avoid the slow starts that have plagued previous campaigns.
Adi Hütter at his unveiling. Photo source: AS Monaco
It is all the more important to start quickly this season. With the reduction of the top flight from 20 to 18 teams, there will be four fewer games, reducing the margin for error. Slow starts will be more severely punished with less time to make up the deficit.
“We want to bring stability.”
The strength of the club’s rivals makes the race for Europe an exciting one. Rennes and Marseille look particularly strong following considerable recruitment this summer, Lille have retained many of their key assets, Nice will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing campaign, whilst Strasbourg, now backed by BlueCo, could represent a fresh challenger. With the expansion of the Champions League from next season, there will be four spots up for grabs in Ligue 1 – as the club prepares to celebrate its cententary in 2024, there is a determination to once again compete on the continent.
Adi Hütter alongside Aleksandr Golovin at the Emirates Stadium. Photo source: AS Monaco
Heading into the season, which kicks off against Clermont Foot on Sunday, there is no denying that Monaco are one of the league’s most unknown quantities. But equally, this is no longer a club that will change its entire orientation and philosophy at the drop of a hat – the project is what it is, and it is here to stay.
“My history confirms it. I have always had long relationships with my coaches. We want to bring stability. Working with the same people over the long-term allows you to get results,” said Scuro. Working within the same confines breeds success too. This new duo in many ways are an extension, not a deviation, from the old regime, and that is no bad thing for a club that is looking to reassert itself in France’s elite.
Make sure you’re never left out of the conversation.
