Omicron: G7 call for "urgent action", a "very high risk", warns WHO

The G7 has called for "urgent action" on the "highly transmissible" variant of the Omicron coronavirus, which the World Health Organization says poses "a very high risk" globally. This new strain is now spreading from Africa to the Pacific, from Canada to Italy, via Germany and the United Kingdom, where six new cases have been confirmed in Scotland. Not to mention the Netherlands, with 14 passengers arriving from South Africa carrying Omicron, Portugal, where 13 players from a football club were declared infected, and Spain, which officially reported a first case. Never has a variant of Covid-19 caused so much concern since the emergence of Delta, which is already very contagious. Convened by the United Kingdom, the health ministers of seven of the most industrialized nations "also recognized the strategic relevance of ensuring access to vaccines", in particular by providing "operational assistance, following up on our commitments in terms of donations, combating misinformation about vaccines, as well as supporting research and development".

Suspicions of fictitious jobs: one year in prison required on appeal against François Fillon

"An enterprise of appropriation" of public money: the public prosecutor's office demanded five years' imprisonment, one of which is firm, as well as a fine of 375,000 euros, against former Prime Minister François Fillon for the "fictitious" job of his wife Penelope. After nearly four hours of two-vote indictment, the Advocates General considered that the former head of government should be found guilty, asking that the sentence, the firm part of which should be served under an electronic bracelet , or accompanied by 10 years of ineligibility. The public prosecutor considered that "the fictitiousness" of the employment as parliamentary assistant of Mrs. Fillon was "established" and that François Fillon, "eminent figure in political life", had been "on the initiative" of a " embezzlement of public funds". For Ms. Fillon, who "fully adhered" to this "system of family enrichment", the magistrates asked for two years of suspended imprisonment and a 100,000 euro fine, as well as two years of ineligibility. They finally requested three years in prison suspended and five years of ineligibility against the deputy of Mr. Fillon, Marc Joulaud. According to the prosecution, Penelope Fillon was "unduly" remunerated as her husband's parliamentary assistant and the latter's deputy in Sarthe, during three contracts between 1998 and 2013, for a total remuneration of 612,000 euros net.

IN SHORT

Chinese President Xi Jinping has promised a billion doses of anti-Covid vaccines to Africa, in the form of donations or support for local production, in order to fill the "vaccination gap" accused by the continent.

What an imperial reign! Without sharing, Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or 2021, the seventh for the Argentinian and the first in the history of Paris SG, isolating himself a little more in the firmament of football after beating Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho on Monday.