…And the World:

We begin today in France, where an international unity event was held following last week’s rampage at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical magazine, and then across the greater Paris area, including a Kosher grocery store. The event, which despite its billing, excluded the far-right party of Marine Le Pen, but nevertheless President Francois Hollande got his own political boost from getting the nations of the world to rally behind him, his countrymen and free speech. But Le Pen gained, too.

Intrigue existed behind the scenes of the rally as well. Originally, to avoid stepping in the swamp of the Arab-Israeli peace process, both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas agreed not to attend. After Netanyahu’s ministers (and rivals in the next election) announced their attendance, Bibi changed his mind and Abbas followed suit. Haaretz pronounces Bibi’s visit to Paris a PR disaster.

Meanwhile after criticism that the US did not send high-profile reps to the rally, Secretary of State John Kerry will visit France.

With attention on Europe following the Je suis Charlie attacks, terrorists attacks performed by Boko Haram in Nigeria draw less notice.

Caribbean potpourri: The president of Haiti and opposition parties have come to an agreement about holding new elections, which have been delayed amid bickering. Cuba releases political prisoners as part of deal to restore relations with the United States.

One of the black boxes from the Air Asia flight that crashed in the Java sea has been recovered. The other has been located and is awaiting retrieval.

Sri Lanka’s vote for a president that promises a weaker executive, striking a blow for democracy.

Fox News makes David Cameron gag.

The Feds:

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest says the US was wrong not to send high ranking officials to Paris unity event.

Democrats propose middle class tax cut, paid for by a tax on Wall Street.

In 2016 news: Rep. Paul Ryan says he is not running for President. Mitt still thinks this election might be it, but it may be even tougher this time. Internet troll and former New York governor George Pataki also thinking about joining the GOP president circuit.

California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom is not running for the Senate seat Barbara Boxer is vacating, likely paving the way for Attorney General Kamala Harris. However, former LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is still looking at it. DailyKos has a megalist of possible contenders. Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill opts against gubernatorial bid in the Show Me state likely giving Democrat Chris Koster the edge in his party’s nomination, whom McCaskill threw her support behind. By some accounts, Koster would be the stronger Democrat to take the governor’s office after Gov. Jay Nixon is termed out next year.

More immediately, the special election to fill Staten Island Rep. Mike Grimm’s seat following his resignation is apparently shaping up. Richmond County (Staten Island) District Attorney Dan Donovan, the same guy who handled the Eric Garner case, has all but secured the GOP nomination. His likeliest opponent in the nomination process, which is done by party committees not voters, dropped out today. No word yet on the Democratic side.

Antonio Weiss, the Treasury nominee opposed by Elizabeth Warren, has declined re-nomination in the new US Senate. Weiss will, however, become a counselor to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew.

Small earthquake hits Connecticut & Rhode Island.

The State of Things:

To put it monosyllabically: Chas is Gov! Last week Governor Charlie Baker was sworn in, although his Inaugural speech had its critics. The legislature was also sworn in, including new reps Carlos Gonzalez and Jose Tosado and new senator Eric Lesser. Lesser’s path to the State House was the feature of our new series on the 189^th General Court sworn in last Wednesday. Elsewhere in Lesser news, the new state senator got a call from a former state senator. From Illinois.

Also today in Charlie—er, Baker, not Hebdo—a profile of his hometown, Swampscott.

Councilors in Holyoke take out the long knives against Treasurer Jon Lumbra, though it is not entirely clear they have the power to use them.

A sunny New York Times article on Worcester has its skeptics.

New State Senator Anne Gobi, a Democrat, was courted by Baker to join the administration—and open a seat the GOP might have been favored to win a special election.

Boston selected by US Olympic Committee as American host candidate for the 2024 summer games.

With Westfield Mayor Dan Knapik not seeking another term, his 2013 competitor, Michael Roeder, an arch-conservative, has announced he will run. No other names have been announced, though City Council President Brian Sullivan, former mayor Richard Sullivan’s brother, is a possibility.

The Fourth Estatements:

With its biggest printing ever planned, the staff at Charlie Hebdo prepare its first issue since last week’s attack. And it will feature Mohammed, including on the cover. The French magazine and victims also got support from Hollywood stars at the Golden Globes.

NPR names a new ombudsman.

City Slickers:

Council President Michael Fenton’s new casino ethics ordinance is on tap tonight at the Council in addition to committee assignments for 2015 and a budget surplus.

Springfield School Committee member Chris Collins, who represents Wards 6 and 7, will be the body’s Vice-Chair in 2015.

Twitter Chatter:

Alright Charlie you finally did it. You finally had a tweet we could award the tweet prize too. We are not heartless, terrible dispensers of vitriol. But it took you long enough to win it…we are prepared to give it to you in November. Anyway, this week we award the prize to Gov. Charlie Baker for his campaign-related feed broadcasting the Globe’s story on his hometown. Normally schmaltz alone would not win it, but in the spirit of welcoming our new governor, it only seems right. After all, it won’t be long before we’re beating him over the head with complaints and critiques, so let’s enjoy the moment while we have it.