Following the assassination of Mehdi Kessaci, described as “crime of intimidation” and of “tipping point” by the Minister of the Interior, the government wants to accelerate the fight against drug trafficking. This Tuesday, November 18, after an emergency meeting at the Élysée on organized crime in the presence of the Marseille prosecutor, Laurent Nuñez announced that Gérald Darmanin, Minister of Justice, and himself would go to Marseille this Thursday, November 20.
The trip takes place in a context of strong emotion after the murder of the brother of Amine Kessaci, an activist committed against drug trafficking and founder of the Conscience association. According to the minister, it is not a question “not a classic settling of scores”but rather a planned murder aimed at intimidating those who denounce mafia networks. Laurent Nuñez also specified that Emmanuel Macron will travel to Marseille in mid-December to continue this mobilization. The government says it wants to intensify its action against drug traffickers, whose perpetrators are believed to be “more and more on edge” regarding the operations carried out. According to several sources, Laurent Nuñez could meet the mayor of Marseille Benoît Payan in the evening.
2 – Speech by Sébastien Lecornu at the Congress of Mayors
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will deliver the closing speech of the 107th Congress of Mayors this Thursday, November 20, a particularly anticipated intervention in a climate of strong tensions between the State and local elected officials. Since Tuesday, 12,000 mayors have gathered at Porte de Versailles in Paris, as budgetary difficulties, security issues and uncertainties accumulate in the run-up to the 2026 municipal elections.
The theme chosen, “freedom”, reflects the feeling of elected officials who say they are increasingly dispossessed of their ability to act. Communities, called upon to reduce the State deficit, denounce the levy of 4.7 billion euros planned for next year, which weakens their investments and complicates the exercise of essential missions. The president of the AMF, David Lisnard, like his vice-president André Laignel, warns of “new samples” presented as savings and are skeptical about the government’s ability to restore confidence. In the Tangwall Campagin this Sunday, November 16, the mayor of Cannes denounced the bureaucratic asphyxiation which is suffocating the municipalities. The mayors, whose morale is crumbling, now expect from Sébastien Lecornu no longer words but concrete commitments.
3 – Funeral of former US Vice President Dick Cheney
The funeral of former US Vice President Dick Cheney will be held this Thursday, November 20 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time at the Washington National Cathedral. Died on November 3 at the age of 84 following pneumonia and heart and vascular complications, the former number two in the George W. Bush administration will receive a national tribute during an invitation-only ceremony, secure and broadcast online for the public. Dick Cheney left his mark on American political life for nearly half a century. Vice-president from 2001 to 2009, he was one of the most influential and controversial figures in the Republican Party, notably for his role in the decision to invade Iraq in 2003. He subsequently became a critic of Donald Trump after the assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, claiming to have voted for Kamala Harris in 2024.
Several personalities will honor Cheney during the ceremony, including former President George W. Bush, his daughter Liz Cheney, as well as the Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, cardiologist Jonathan Reiner and former spokesperson Pete Williams. Cheney leaves behind his wife Lynne and two daughters, Mary and Liz. For many relatives and former collaborators, this funeral service will be an opportunity to salute a political leader considered determined, faithful to his convictions and deeply attached to the security of the United States.
4 – Notre-Dame lights up in red for Christians
This Thursday, November 20 at 8 p.m., Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral will light up in red. This gesture is part of “Red Week”, organized from November 14 to 21 by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) to draw attention to persecuted Christians around the world. Like every year, monuments and places of worship are illuminated to break the silence around the violence suffered by millions of believers. In Paris, Notre-Dame will join the Sacré-Cœur, the Concorde obelisk and the Pont-Neuf in this international mobilization. This tenth edition intends to make an impression, while the ACN estimates that 413 million Christians live today in a country where religious freedom is not respected.
The association recalls that persecution continues to strike, in Iran, Nigeria, India and elsewhere, and underlines the importance of testifying so that the victims are not forgotten. All over France, vigils bring together witnesses from all over the world to share their stories and their hopes. Beyond the luminous symbol, this illumination is intended to be a message of hope and solidarity. By coloring Notre-Dame red, Paris is joining a global movement intended to support those who continue to live their faith despite danger.
5 – The good news of the day
The magic of Christmas officially invaded the Champs-Élysées this Sunday, November 16. At 6:30 p.m., Léa Seydoux pressed the long-awaited button and launched the illuminations of the most beautiful avenue in the world, perpetuating a tradition born in 1980 and which has become one of the most joyful rituals of Parisian festivals. Alongside two children from the Petits Princes association, the actress offered a moment of emotion and light, greeted by thousands of visitors who came to share the moment when everything lights up. For this 2025-2026 edition, sparkle has been completely reinvented.
Thanks to the ingenuity of Blachere Illumination, the 400 trees on the avenue are adorned with a controllable, programmable and scalable creation: a light show that comes alive continuously, a world first. The scenography by Thierry Reboul, highlighted by Thomas Dechandon and accompanied by a musical performance by Charlotte Cardin, transformed the inauguration into a truly magical show. Until January 4, the illuminations will shine every evening from 5 p.m. until midnight, and even 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. With energy consumption equivalent to just two homes thanks to LEDs, the event combines wonder and sobriety. The Champs-Élysées committee hopes to exceed last year’s 150,000 visitors… and everything suggests that the magic will work again.
