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Historic Monte-Carlo Rally returns to the Principality

by: Luke Entwistle
26/01/2023

Just a week after the Monte-Carlo Rally, the historic version of the iconic race arrives in the Principality on Friday with iconic cars of bygone eras making their way to Monaco from across Europe.

The racing will begin on Saturday with amateurs and motorsport enthusiasts tackling some of the toughest routes of the region’s mountainous terrain. The grid will then return to Monaco for the prize-giving ceremony on Wednesday to round off a special fortnight in the Principality’s sporting calendar. 

An event for amateurs, participants of the 25th edition of the Historic Monte-Carlo Rally will begin their journey from five different destinations, all of which are classic courses on the WRC calendar. Over the course of a week, iconic cars of the past will make their way from Bad Homburg, Oslo, London, Turin and Reims to Monaco, arriving in the Principality on Friday ahead of the start of the competition the next day.

 

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Photo by Ivan Blanco Vilar

 

CSM’s childhood brain cancer research set to get a huge boost

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/01/2023

Thanks to a significant donation by the Société des Bains de Mer European Games Syndicate, the Scientific Centre of Monaco will be able to purchase the nano technology it needs to speed up its research into childhood brain cancer.

The Stem Cells and Brain Tumors team at the Scientific Centre of Monaco (CSM) is on a mission to better understand how brain tumours appear in children. The team’s recent research showed that “developmental accidents” that occur during foetal life account for a high proportion of cases.

The problem is, the treatments used for children are based systematically on those developed to battle against adult cancers, despite the situations being extremely different.

“The development of therapeutic strategies specific to paediatric cancers therefore represents a necessity and an opportunity to significantly improve their care,” said Dr. Vincent Picco, the leader of the CSM team. “It’s in this goal that we develop our research projects. While waiting for specific medication, the other major challenge in paediatric oncology consists, in the short term, in optimising existing treatments, in particular radiotherapy, with the aim of limiting the side effects.”

In its efforts to better understand the nature of the events responsible for the emergence of embryonic tumours, CSM researchers are utilising genetic analysis using a device called a spectrophotometer.

The SBM European Games Syndicate’s donation will allow the laboratory to upgrade its hardware to the more advanced Nanodrop version. “This kind of spectrophotometer allows us to measure the concentration of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) with high precision, on small volumes of solution of the order of a microlitre – one millionth of a litre, the size of an ant’s head – and very quickly,” explains Dr. Picco. “The use of this spectrophotometer will therefore result in a greater efficiency and significant time savings for the teams and therefore for the development of research programs.”

The official cheque handover will take place on 31st January.

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SEE ALSO:

CSM set to revolutionise treatment of childhood cancer

 

Photo by Monaco Life

Prince Albert tests positive for Covid again, health is of “absolutely no concern”

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/01/2023

The Palace announced Tuesday afternoon that an asymptomatic Prince Albert II has contracted the Covid-19 virus for a third time.

Prince Albert has been on his usual whirlwind of public engagements this past week, including most recently the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo with his children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella on Sunday night and the Fight Aids Cup on Monday night.

Late Tuesday 24th January, the Palace released a statement that Prince Albert had tested positive for Covid that afternoon, however the Sovereign was in good health.

“Asymptomatic, his state of health is of absolutely no concern,” said the Palace. “He works remotely, in permanent contact with the members of his cabinet, his government as well as with his close collaborators.”

Monaco’s Prince and Head of State first contracted Covid-19 in March 2020, and again in April 2022 . He is in self-isolation for seven days, as per the rules currently in force in Monaco, and will therefore be unable to take part in the traditional Sainte Devote celebrations on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th January.

The Principality has experienced a significant decline in Covid cases over recent weeks, with the latest health figures showing that the incidence rate has dropped to just 43.

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SEE ALSO:

Covid latest: Three people in intensive care

Photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

New ETIAS and EES rules: What they mean for travel in and out of France

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/01/2023

Two new systems due to come into effect in May that will impact travel for foreigners entering and leaving France and the EU have been delayed.

The Entry and Exit System (EES) and the EU Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) are coming, and with them, hopes of streamlining processes around travel and length of stay rules.

Originally set to launch in 2022, the EES was at first rescheduled for May 2023. But it was revealed this week that it is being delayed again and come into effect by the end of 2023.

The EES is an electronic passport monitoring system designed to track visitors to the EU under the 90/180-day rule and eliminate the need for human passport checks and passport stamps. This will affect all travellers coming in and out of France, regardless of your visa or residency status.

Current methods of tracking are haphazard, with border agents using physical stamps in passports to show an individual’s comings and goings from the Schengen area. The problem is that passports don’t always get stamped and this leads to confusion and sometimes trouble for the passport holder when trying to enter EU countries, even those who are legal residents or who are following the rules. 

The new system will eliminate stamps and will incorporate a swiping in and out system that will track people’s stays electronically. It will be like the biometric scanners used in many airports, but will scan additional information, such as immigration status. This only applies to people coming from outside the EU, so it won’t be necessary to do once a person is inside the Schengen zone.

ETIAS is a new online visa application service that come into play from November and will be mandatory for all non-EU residents in order to travel to France using the 90/180-day rule. This will only affect non-EU citizens, including travellers from the UK, who do not have a long-stay visa or residency card for France.

The big difference here is that travellers staying under the 90/180 rule will now have to file an online application before travel to be granted entry, whereas before, anyone could just arrive and be let in. There is a €7 fee for all but those under 18 or over 70.

Once authorisation is granted, people will be able to travel to and from the EU under the 90/180-day rule. Travellers are advised to apply within 72 hours of travel, but they say that authorisation will usually only take minutes.

In general, these two new rules should make travel less confusing and more streamlined, but as with any new system, there are bound to be bugs that need working out. With luck, they will not be significant. Stay tuned!

 

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Monaco to “step up” financial crime action after damning Moneyval report

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/01/2023

The Prince’s Government has expressed its “full support” for recommendations made by Moneyval that Monaco should “step up” its efforts to investigate and prosecute money laundering, to confiscate and recover proceeds of crime, and to strengthen its supervisory system.”

In a report released Monday 23rd January, the Council of Europe’s anti-money-laundering body Moneyval encourages Monaco to “further strengthen measures to combat money laundering (ML) and financing of terrorism (FT), in particular when it comes to investigating and prosecuting money laundering, confiscating and recovering proceeds of crime as well as strengthening its supervisory system”.

The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the Principality’s level of compliance with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations up until its last visit in March 2022.

Despite its “considerable work” in identifying risks, the Principality is called upon to “intensify its efforts”. Monaco is criticised for a number of “modest” investigations into money laundering, and a “very low number of convictions obtained, as well as an even smaller number of confiscation measures ordered”, which raises “concerns”, says Moneyval.

“While the achieved results provide an initial risk understanding in some sectors, further analysis is needed regarding others (casinos, company services providers, trusts and virtual assets).”

Immediately following the release of the report, the Prince’s Government responded in a public statement, noting the developments made in the months preceding Moneyval’s final visit. “We have already taken measures to strengthen our system and notable progress has recently been made,” said Minister of Finance and the Economy Jean Castellini. “Following the recommendations of Moneyval evaluators, the National Council (the Monegasque Legislative Assembly) adopted several pieces of legislation at the end of 2022, particularly in areas as important as international mutual legal assistance, seizure and confiscation of instruments, and proceeds of crime.”

The committee noted that the Monegasque Financial Intelligence Unit (SICCFIN) is a key source of financial intelligence and has proven its capacity to produce high-quality analysis, however it believes it “is not being fully used by the investigative authorities”.

The report “expresses concerns regarding the very low number of convictions achieved, and the even lower number of confiscation measures ordered, none of which covers property of equivalent value or property held by third parties.”

“Monaco needs to enhance its efforts to identify and prioritise ML cases, seize, confiscate and recover the proceeds of ML and predicate offences.”

In regards to non-profits, Moneyval notes that the applicable ML sanctions are “not dissuasive and are rarely imposed”.

Moneyval also found that the number of suspicious transaction reports (STRs) from the banking sector are “satisfactory”, however the number of STRs filed by casinos and jewellers are “still limited, even though the two sectors play an important role in the Principality”.

As a result of its findings, Moneyval has applied its “enhanced follow-up procedure”, or 12-month monitoring of the Principality, with Monaco to provide a report by December 2024.

“In line with the vision of Prince Albert II, who wants Monaco to be exemplary in terms of ethics, transparency and the fight against money laundering, the Principality is determined to continue implementation of Moneyval’s recommendations in order to comply with the highest international standards at the end of the 12-month monitoring period,” said Minister of State Pierre Dartout. “This exemplarity in the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism is essential for Monaco in terms of its raison d’être and attractiveness. We are therefore going to continue and step up our action. The Principality has the capacities and the resources to reach the highest level within the prescribed timeframe”.

The Government says that it has set up a Monitoring Committee responsible for adopting the recommendations of the report, which will be accompanied by “reputable and experienced experts” throughout the process.

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Photo by Monaco Life

 

SEE ALSO:

RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: MONACO TARGETS THOSE WITH UNDISCLOSED LINKS TO RUSSIA

MONACO NATIONAL COUNCIL AGREES ON CONCRETE REFORMS TO LEGAL SYSTEM

The official celebration of Chinese New Year in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
21/01/2023

Chinese New Year, the most important festival of the Chinese community throughout the world, will be celebrated during a special gala dinner at the Hôtel Hermitage supported by the Embassy of Monaco in China.

Chinese New Year officially begins on 22nd January 2023 under the sign of the rabbit, and more specifically the water rabbit.

Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, stretching to the Lantern Festival on 5th February 2023.

To mark the occasion, Monaco Dragon Prestige and the Monaco-China Association are organising a gala in the Salle Belle Époque of the Hôtel Hermitage on Tuesday 24th January at 7pm. The evening will be supported by the Embassy of Monaco in China.

According to the organisers, “the event will combine Chinese and Mediterranean tradition and gastronomy in a glamorous and prestigious atmosphere. Dragon dance, popular Chinese and international songs, and shows will accompany the festive meal prepared especially for this unique evening by renowned chefs”.

The evening is expected to be attended by Monegasque and Chinese guests from the political, economic and cultural spheres, and will be opened with a speech by Her Excellency the Ambassador of Monaco to China. Also present will be representatives of the Chinese community from various European countries, including journalists, influencers and travel agents.

For more information: info@monacodragonprestige.com

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Photo credit: Ng Jing Xuan on Unsplash. Note this story was originally published on 11th January 2023.