Cancer is the leading noncommunicable cause of death in France and accounted for over 185,000 deaths in the country in 2022. With almost 500,000 new cases reported each year and an incidence rate that has doubled since 1990, finding effective new ways of treating and preventing cancer has never been more of a priority.
That mission is the primary focus of a meeting of more than 1,500 oncologists and healthcare professionals from the Francophone world, who are set to meet in Monaco later this month: the Monaco Biennial Cancer Congress, which is now in its 16th edition, will be held at the Grimaldi Forum from 23rd to 26th January.
These specialists will be convening to “present and evaluate all the major advances in oncology, pharmacy and haematology, in patient care, diagnostics, therapeutic treatments, screening technologies and care available”.
“News in cancerology has continued to develop both in terms of research, patient care and the evolution of treatments over the last two years,” says Professor Xavier Pivot, the president of the event. “The Monaco Biennial Cancer Congress allows us to take stock of the state of our progress in all disciplines and to disseminate as widely as possible knowledge on the means of combating and future developments against cancer.”
Under the aegis of the Centre Scientifique de Monaco and the CHPG
In all, there will be some 90 different scientific sessions to choose from, including some new additions and particularly special events.
“A new feature for this edition is the establishment on 24th January of 12 academic sessions with communications of original work selected by a jury of experts,” explains Professor Pivot. “This approach will place the [event] as an important academic milestone, allowing the promotion of players in French oncology, strengthening the dissemination of knowledge. This edition will give us the opportunity to provide a comprehensive update on the state of knowledge.”
The conference will also look at how the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the diagnosis of pathologies and the treatment of patients is coming to the forefront. Several sessions will be devoted to this topic.
The event is being organised by Publi Création-Lena Group with the support of AFISM under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco and under the aegis of the Centre Scientifique de Monaco and the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace.
Click here for more information about the congress.
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Following the huge success of the first Monaco Pour l’Emploi event last September, which attracted some 3,650 jobseekers to the Principality, the jobs fair is being reprised in February with a bigger and “more ambitious” format that will feature more opportunities in additional sectors.
On Friday 16th February, an “expanded and therefore more ambitious” version of the employment forum will be taking place at the Grimaldi Forum and it is looking to draw in potential job candidates from across the region.
The event is free and open to all, and will be divided into 12 different sectors of employment to give those who are laser-focused on their next career a chance to pinpoint specific employers, whilst also allowing those who may not know exactly what their future holds the opportunity to browse and see what options are available.
In addition to the jobs fair itself, there will also be an employment coaching centre run by the Monaco Employment Service, the Directorate of Human Resources and Civil Service Training, and the Monaco Social Fund. Here, candidates can learn what to expect in an interview situation and receive advice on how to prepare as well as how to improve their chances of success.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Companies who would like to be a part of the Monaco Pour l’Emploi event should contact the dedicated agency being used to organise stands on +377 97 97 35 55 or send an email to info@monacopourlemploi.mc. Registrations can also be made online here.
Jobseekers need only show up armed with their CV although pre-event online submissions are also possible here.
OlegGrishchenko’s story is one of passion, resilience, and unwavering dedication, especially now, as he navigates the challenges brought on by the war in Ukraine, continuing to champion the cause of Ukraine’s elephants.
As acting Chairman of the Ukrainian Elephant Welfare Group, Oleg Grishchenko managed to safeguard the protection of Ukraine’s elephants as war rages on in the region. Oleg has been working with animals professionally for almost 30 years, but elephants are his true passion. His journey is remarkable, and it is distinguished by a deep connection to these majestic animals, as well as a desire to improve conditions for elephants in captivity.
Oleg’s journey began in 1992 after finishing high school. He had the opportunity to travel to China and spend nine months in Beijing. Faced with unexpected expenses, he was unable to afford the return airfare to Ukraine, which lead him on a transformational journey back home involving various modes of transport, including a seven-day train journey to Kharkiv.
During this long journey, Oleg bought a book to help pass the time. It was called ‘Among the Elephants,’ by Iain Douglas-Hamilton, and it sparked such an interest in these animals that it gave him a new life goal.
As fate would have it, Oleg discovered an Asian elephant at the Kharkiv Zoo, and after enrolling in night school, Oleg progressed from keeper at the Zoo to head of the zoological department. He is considered an expert in ungulates and elephants.
Tragedy struck in 2015, when Oleg was attacked by a female elephant. He lost his right arm, but it didn’t alter his dedication to working with and researching elephants.
He also played a crucial role as chief project zoologist when the Kharkiv Zoo underwent extensive renovations and improvements for the elephants. The zoo re-opened to the public in 2021. Just five months later, in February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine.
Asian Elephant Aung Neing Lay at the Kharkiv Zoo
Monaco Life: How did the political unrest and war affect your zoo and the animals?
We welcomed 600,000 people, a record number of visitors, when the Kharkiv Zoo opened its doors after it was completely renovated at the end of 2021, confirming our conviction that the people of Kharkiv are interested in the zoo and love it very much.
On 24th February 2022, at 4:30am, missiles hit Kharkiv, and the war, which completely changed the lives of the city and the zoo, began. On that day, the zoo was not open to visitors. In the first months of the war, when the battle for Kharkiv was being waged, the city was fired upon with rockets and artillery, and bombed by aircraft. Many zoo employees did not come to work, and others left the city. Kharkiv transport, businesses, city utilities and infrastructure were paralysed. Some zoo employees came to the zoo, sometimes with their families and pets, and stayed in the basement buildings. Between the shellings, these colleagues had to leave the shelter, quickly feed the animals and clean their enclosures, only to return to the bomb shelter and wait out the next round of bombs, rockets and shellings.
The zoo had food stores for animals that could last two or three weeks; this worried us immensely as vendors were not operating. Additionally, the bank was not in operation, and we had no access to our accounts. The Ukrainian forces were able to hold the city and fend off the Russian occupying forces. The city was no longer fully surrounded but rather was restricted in a semi-circle formation; the rockets and artillery fire continued. The zoo is located at the city’s centre, and it survived the artillery and rocket attacks during the most intensive part of the battle.
From April to May of 2022, the Russian forces were pushed away from the city, and little by little, Kharkiv was able to restart its economy, which allowed the municipality and city war administration to finance the zoo minimally (employee wages, animal feed, utilities).
Ukrainian zoo accepts domestic animals to keep them alive
Until May of 2023, the zoo was closed, and many of the staff lived on zoo property, from where they could complete essential animal care duties. The zoo was forced to accept many animals from citizens who were leaving and could not take their pets with them. For the most part, these were exotic and terrarium-housed animals. As the zoo was freshly renovated, not all of our animals had been transported back to us from Europe, and we had available enclosures for these animals. Much later, we were able to return many of these pets back to their owners.
Orangutans at the Kharkiv Zoo
It is also important to mention that we took in many injured animals from the Feldman Ecopark Zoo. These animals were victims of Russian attacks, as the zoo is located in the suburbs of Kharkiv. Our zoo was able to house 10 chimpanzees, four Sumatran orangutans, three jaguars, four tigers, two lions and plenty of other smaller animal species.
Did you evacuate any animals from your zoo?
When the city of Kharkiv was semi-surrounded by Russian occupying forces, and the western part of the city was free and connected to roads across all of Ukraine, we prepared for an evacuation. However, after Ukrainian troops pushed the Russians out of the city in September and freed the Kharkiv region, the issue of animal evacuations was put to rest.
Did you have any warning to prepare the animals for this situation?
None! Before the war, President Zelensky addressed the nation and informed us that there would be no war, and we believed him. We made a mistake.
Were there any animal evacuations or deaths?
We did not need to evacuate our animals and there were no deaths of animals at the zoo caused by shellings or bombings. Unfortunately, older animals with serious chronic health concerns did not survive the stress. We lost two Japanese macaques, who were in their senior years.
Which zoos were affected the most by this war?
It is imperative to first and foremost highlight Feldman Ecopark Zoo. This park was located in the Kharkiv suburbs, exactly where the Ukrainian and Russian forces met. The park was hit by rockets and artillery fire fire, and some animals were killed. Other animals escaped after the destruction of their enclosures. However, it was possible to evacuate many of the animals. Tragically, three colleagues of the park were killed.
Amur tiger Elisey at the Kharkiv Zoo
Many animal welfare groups and the public were very concerned about the welfare of your elephant Aung Neing Lay. I understand Aung was very stressed and sedatives were donated. Did you need to give them to him?
No, we did not give him sedatives, even though we had them ready. The zoo is located in the centre of the city, not far from the central square, where before the war, many festivals were held, sometimes with fireworks, so our elephant was comfortable with such noises. However, the vibrations from explosions, which the elephant was very sensitive to, were a problem.
We observed his behavior; during periods with explosions, the elephant stopped moving and stood with his ears spread wide for a period of time, and eventually began moving again. We did not see panic or anything similar to it; of course, the animal was nervous, but he was able to cope on his own. For example, a noticeable comfort behaviour for him was eating hay and branches. Eating hay calmed him down.
Can you tell us about Aung and when he arrived at the Kharkiv Zoo and where he came from?
Aung Neing Lay is a Burmese name that translates to “Born a Victor”. He was born in Emmen (Netherlands) on November 9th, 1997. His mother’s name is Yu Zin, and his father is Nein Tein; these are also both Burmese names. In 2002, within the ЕЕР Asian Elephant program, Aung Neing Lay was welcomed into the Kharkiv Zoo. This year, he will turn 26, which is considered an adult age amongst elephants.
How is Aung doing now?
He is doing completely fine. He is a hero elephant! He has sufficient feed, and we can, despite the difficulties in staffing shortages, maintain daily care protocols, including caring for his feet and training. At the moment, we do not give him the opportunity to roam the larger outdoor enclosure and try to keep him in enclosures closer to the building. Kharkiv Zoo has two elephant buildings; in case of any danger, he will be able to retreat into one of the buildings quickly.
Asian elephant Aung Neing Lay at the Kharkiv Zoo
How are the other four elephants doing in the zoos in Ukraine?
As of today, in total, there are five elephants kept in Ukraine. All of these are Asian Elephants. The Kharkiv and Kyiv Zoos house one male elephant each. The Mykolaiv Zoo houses two male elephants, and the Odesa Zoo houses one senior female elephant. All of them are alive and well despite the fact that these cities are victims of occasional rocket fire or drone attacks. This year, all the elephants had access to outdoor enclosures and pools, and all elephants were provided fresh grass and branches.
Did you have many visitors to the zoo this summer?
In May of this year, the military administration of Kharkiv City allowed the zoo to open its doors to visitors. During air raids, visitors are recommended to seek shelter in a metro station; two stations are located next to the zoo. The zoo is open free of charge to all who wish to visit us, and there are many visitors, especially on the weekends. We carry a very important social mission during these difficult times since the city of Kharkiv remains a city with “front-line” status.
What are the activities of the Ukrainian Elephant Welfare Group and when was it started?
The Ukrainian Elephant Welfare Group (UEWG) was created in 2022 by colleagues from the three Ukrainian zoos that house elephants – Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Mykolaiv. They came together to support one another during these difficult, war-torn times. Two experienced elephant keepers were conscripted into the Ukraine Armed Forces. Their departure affected the level of professionalism in keeping elephants at the zoos. Tragically, Dima Reznik, an elephant keeper from Mykolaiv Zoo, was killed in battle in June 2023. It was a great loss.
Elephant enclosure at the Kharkiv Zoo
Which zoos or organizations were the first to provide aid to the Kharkiv Zoo?
During the very start of the war, we began receiving aid from Polish, Czech Republic, Slovakian and Berlin zoos.
In March 2022, we established contact with the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). They led the Emergency Appeal for Ukrainian Zoos Fund, providing financial aid, food, and veterinary equipment. We appreciate the EAZA’s ongoing moral support and express heartfelt gratitude.
Collaborating with the European Elephant Group (EEG), all four Ukrainian elephant-housing zoos received a year’s worth of granulated elephant feed – a significant help.
As the zoo is still in need of medical equipment and supplies, Monaco Life readers can help the Kharkiv Zoo and other zoos in Ukraine by making a donation via the link below or writing to Oleg to discuss their needs.
Main photo: an early image of Oleg Grishchenko, all photos courtesy Kharkiv Zoo
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Mediterranean diet voted best and easiest to follow by experts
According to Forbes, a third of us put healthier eating at the top of our New Year’s Resolutions each year. That might involve cutting out heavily processed foods or adding more greens to go-to meals, but given the daily bombardment of information we receive about what we should – and shouldn’t – be eating, there are millions among us who prefer to follow a specific dietary plan. But which is best?
That accolade, says a new nutritional report from US News, goes to the Mediterranean diet. In fact, it’s the seventh year in a row that the olive oil and fresh produce rich diet that taken out the gold.
Interestingly, the Mediterranean style of eating took first place in the rankings for the best diet nutritionally as well as being voted the easiest to follow, best for families to follow, best for healthy eating and best for heart, joints and bones, as well as for diabetes sufferers.
Findings on the Mediterranean diet say that adherents can lower their risk of diabetes, dementia, memory loss, depression, high cholesterol and breast cancer while extending age expectancy and improving bone and heart health.
The main focus of the Mediterranean diet, which is more of a lifestyle than an actual diet in the traditional sense, is simple yet delicious dishes that are heavy on fruits, vegetables, olive oil and oily fish, and light on red meat, refined sugar and butter. Additionally, eggs, dairy and poultry are eaten in smaller quantities than in other diets.
DASH, MIND AND VEGAN DIETS RANK AHEAD OF PALEO, KETO AND ATKINS
In second place on the list of 30 diets came DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), with the MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay) diet capturing third. All three top diets focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds as staples. The vegan diet rounded out the Top 10.
Among the more well-known diets to feature on the list were the Jenny Craig diet in 18th, Paleo in 20th, Keto in 25th and the Atkins diet in 26th. SlimFast came next in 27th followed by the controversial shake and supplements-led HerbaLife Nutrition diet in 29th.
The lowest ranked diet on the list may come as a surprise to some. The raw food diet, which asks people to abstain from eating anything cooked, processed, microwaved, exposed to pesticides or that has been genetically engineered, got the thumbs-down for being too restrictive for most and downright unsafe for others.
“The world of diet and nutrition can be overwhelming and filled with misinformation and inaccurate health claims,” says Shanley Chien, Senior Health Editor at US News, adding that she hopes the report will help clear up misperceptions about diets and assist people on their path to healthier eating.
Authorities in Monaco have just foiled a new scam doing the rounds, this time involving foreign driver’s license holders. Victims are being asked to contact the government.
On Friday 5th January, the government revealed that the Monegasque Digital Security Agency (AMSN) had just taken down the site https://teleservicegouv-monaco.info/ – a fake teleservice website similar to that operated by state services.
This new scam relates to requests to exchange a foreign driver’s license, in which the victim is instructed to hand over personal details and money.
While the site is no longer operational, the government instructs any resident who has fallen victim to the scam, and suffered financial loss or who have transferred personal data to the addresses circulation@teleservicegouv-monaco.info or mclimousine.recrutement@outlook.fr, to report to the Directorate of Public Security.
How to spot a scam?
While digital scams such as this can look very similar to official services, it is quite easy to spot a fraudulent website by simply looking at the website url. All online procedures from the Monaco Government services contain gouv.mc/ in their address. If any site asking for money or information does not contain gouv.mc/, the government strongly recommends that recipients do not open it.
The official address for online procedures in the Principality is: https://monservicepublic.gouv.mc/
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Over the coming days and into the start of next week, it’s going to feel significantly colder in the Principality of Monaco and the French Riviera. In some places, temperatures will be as much as half – if not more – of what has been experienced so far in 2024, and Météo France is warning of potential snowfall even at “low altitude”.
Nationally, according to Météo France, temperatures will fall by an average of 10°C over the next few days.
The main driver is that an anticyclone is heading in France’s direction for the weekend, bringing with it generally “dry, sunny but cold” weather with “noticeable wind” for much of the country.
SNOW, ICE AND FROSTS
Down in the southeastern corner of France, however, meteorologists are forecasting more “unsettled conditions”.
A bulletin released by Météo France on Wednesday 3rd January notes, “It will then be necessary to monitor the risk of snow at low altitude, particularly in the PACA region, at the start of [next] week.”
The ski stations of the region are anticipating good snowfall throughout Friday 5th January as well as on-and-off next week.
The coldest weather has been announced from Sunday through to Tuesday, with icy conditions and widespread frost predicted for almost all of the country. Météo France’s forecast indicates that “only a few coastal areas in the northeast and southeast could escape it”.
In Monaco, the coldest day of next week looks to be Wednesday, when the daytime maximum is unlikely to exceed 7°C.
At the start of next week, Météo France is forecasting that maximum daily temperatures will struggle to get above 0°C in a “good half of the country”, however the Mediterranean coast is expected to get off more lightly.
If this does indeed come to pass, the national thermal indicator could fall below the symbolic 0°C mark for the first time since February 2018.
HEAVY RAIN ON FRIDAY
Right across the south of France, which cocoons the Principality of Monaco on three sides, Météo France has forecast considerable rainfall for Friday 5th January.
Given the likelihood of strong winds accompanying the driving rain, the Mairie de Monaco has announced that the events planned in the Village de Noël for that day have been rescheduled. The M.Orange concert has been brought forwards to Thursday 4th January at 6.30pm while the Merveilleuses Princesses parade has been pushed back to the closing day of the Christmas Village, Sunday 7th January, at 6.30pm.
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