News
Defense Council - French President Emmanuel Macron has this morning attended a defense council with the Minister of Health, Olivier Veran ahead of his eagerly awaited speech this evening as the Christmas holidays approach.
The meeting was to consult a final update on the the Covid-19 epidemic in the country, before endorsing the decisions he will announce this evening at 8pm. On Sunday Emmanuel Macron promised to give "consistency, clarity, a course" to "know together where we are going and how to get there".
The general framework of the announcement is partly known. The reduction of constraints should be done in three phases: around December 1st, before the Christmas holidays, and early 2021.
Brexit - In a recent seminar EU officials have confirmed that UK visitors will be treated as ‘third-country’ (non-EU/EEA/Swiss) citizens with full effect from January 1st, meaning they will be subject to the rule of staying no more than 90 days in any 180-day period.
The Eu says that as with other third-country citizens, their passports will be stamped with the date of entry and exit so border officials can check they do not overstay.
World Food Programme - Monaco has participated in the 2nd virtual session of the Board of Directors of the World Food Program Nobel Prize 2020. The 2nd virtual session of the Board of Directors of the World Food Program (P.A.M.) took place from November 16th to 20th.
Monaco underlined the commitment of the Prince's Government in favor of WFP, within the United Nations "Global COVID-19 Humanitarian Response Plan", and reiterated its support for WFP's three-year programme in seven priority countries.
The historic 2nd session of the P.A.M. was held after the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the P.A.M. The Executive Director of P.A.M. said the Prize also rewards the commitment of governments and all partners who allow the Programme to fulfill its mandate in the service of food security and peace.
The event highlighted the importance of collaboration between UN agencies and all stakeholders, including donors, to stem the rise in hunger (690 million people still suffer from food insecurity, with a risk of famine for an additional 270 million due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic). The United Nations Secretary-General has echoed his call for a global ceasefire and urged all partners to respond to "the moral imperative to end hunger by 2030".
John Kerry climate envoy - Former US Secretary of State John Kerry has been named climate envoy in US President-elect Joe Biden’s administration. Kerry had helped broker and sign the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change. Biden has sworn to reverse outgoing President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the deal.
Kerry’s nomination is a sign the incoming administration in Washington intends to renew US commitment to fighting climate change.
Restos du Coeur – French charity the Restos du Cœur has launched its 36th campaign in France today, as 73,000 volunteers continue their efforts in the 1,915 centers of the association to distribute meals.
The first winter campaign of the Restos du Cœur was launched by Coluche on September 26, 1985 at the time 5,000 volunteers then distributed 8.5 million meals. 35 years later, they are fortunately, but also sadly, still distributing meals to those in need.
Sunshine – Recent readings from Meteo France have revealed that sun has shone in the French capital for more than 2,000 hours this year which has not happened since 1959.
While Parisians, due to the lockdown have not always been able to take advantage of it, the sun has been particularly generous in the capital this year.
While Paris enjoys an average of 1,661 hours of sunshine each year, it has already shone 2,023 hours since the start of 2020, according to the readings carried out by Météo France.
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