US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that will visit Paris on Saturday to take part in the opening ceremony of the restored Notre Dame Cathedral, which was burnt to ashes by a great fire five years ago. This will also be his first trip abroad after winning the elections for the White House, reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
The Republican, who won the Nov. 5 vote and is expected to take office on Jan. 20, praised the government of French President Emmanuel Macron in a social media post.
"President Macron has done a wonderful job making Notre Dame to be restored to its full glory, if not greater. It will be a very special day for everyone!", he wrote in the message on the "Truth Social" platform.
"Our Lady of Paris", as the cathedral's name translates, is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and one of the most beloved and visited monuments in the French capital. On Saturday, it will open its doors again to tourists and faithful Catholics.
Thanks to major renovations, the 12th-century cathedral was completely restored, including its spire, rib vaults, flying buttresses (arch-like supports on the outside - ed.), stained glass and stone gargoyles, and the white stone and gold decorations shine brighter than ever, notes Reuters.
Meanwhile, Trump nominated billionaire investment banker Warren Stevens to be U.S. ambassador to Britain, the Associated Press reported, noting it was a prestigious post for the Republican Party's top donor, who contributed $2 million personally this year alone. funds for the election campaign of the newly elected president.
"Warren always dreamed of working in the US service. I am delighted that he will now have the opportunity to be the number one diplomat to represent the United States in one of America's most respected and beloved allies," Trump wrote again in "Truth Social".
Stephens became the head and owner of the eponymous financial services company Stephens Inc, based in Little Rock, Arkansas, after taking over the business from his father. Before taking office as the US Ambassador to St. James's Palace, as the official name of the post of US ambassador to Great Britain reads, his nomination will have to be approved by the US Senate.
Trump has previously floated a number of candidates for his cabinet and top diplomatic posts, mostly people who can be defined as fiercely loyal to him. Late last week, he announced that he was nominating his son-in-law Jared Kushner's father, developer Charles Kushner, as ambassador to France.
Meanwhile, the Democratic governor of California, Gavin Newsom, announced that he will request the creation of a special fund of about 25 million dollars for possible legal battles with the future administration of Trump, reported Reuters.
The news was announced on the first day of a special session of the California state Congress dedicated to preparing the liberal state for conservative Trump's second term. If the Legislature approves the requested amount, it would be made available to the state Department of Justice and state agencies for legal battles in areas such as reproductive rights, environmental protection and immigration.
"The new litigation fund will help provide critical resources to address the effects of natural disasters, health care and other vital services that millions of Californians depend on for their daily lives," the governor wrote in his proposal.
>