In the press

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, June 3: We look at reactions from South Korea as voting gets underway in a snap presidential election. Also: The New York Times profiles a star influencer who is raising awareness about female genital mutilation with unfiltered videos on the topic. French tenniswoman Loïs Boisson stuns at Roland Garros after booking her spot in the quarter-finals and defeating world n° 3 Jessica Pegula. Plus: Ncuti Gatwa's "young, beautiful and queer" Doctor Who comes to a premature end. South Korean voters head to the polls for snap presidential elections after months of political turmoil and the ousting of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The vote is dominating the South Korean press this Tuesday. The Korea Times prints a front-page picture of the leading candidates in this election: Lee Jae-Myung from the liberal Democratic party and conservative leader Kim Moon-Soo. The centrist paper also underlines that the next president will assume office immediately. There will be no customary 60-day transition period. That prospect also raises concerns about the government's readiness to manage state affairs. Koreans will no doubt be hoping for stability in the country, both political and economic – US President Donald Trump's tariff war has wrought havoc on the Korean economy. This is perhaps why the Korea Herald calls it the D-DAY showdown.You can also grasp the gravity of the election with an editorial from the Korea Times. The paper says the "future of the country hinges on this election". While the editors are encouraged by the high number of early voters – despite high levels of voter apathy and frustration, they remind us that elections are not a choice between good and bad but the lesser of two evils. The conservative daily Korea Joongang Daily, meanwhile, likens this election to a recent Korean box office hit, "Yadang: The Snitch", which examines political and institutional corruption. The paper encourages voters to scrutinise candidates carefully, saying loyalty, sentiment or empty promises should not sway votes. The highly progressive paper The Hankyoreh offers rousing words for its readers: "It's time for voters to shine and create a brand new Korea."In other news: The New York Times publishes a moving portrait of a social media influencer and female genital mutilation survivor. She also appeared on our Perspective programme with Stuart Norval a few years ago. The New York Times describes Shamsa Sharawe as a "sweary and self-possessed British anti-cutting campaigner", one who's perfect for the TikTok generation and who has garnered a cult following there. She talks frankly about enduring female genital mutilation at the age of six in her village and about regrowing the flower, or undergoing genital reconstruction surgery, two years ago. The paper pays tribute to a woman at the "vanguard of a new generation of FGM survivors in the West". This generation is candid about their trauma, aware of their rights and unafraid to criticise revered national institutions.There's a new French hero at Roland Garros – tenniswoman Loïs Boisson! The world n° 361 and wildcard at the Grand Slam pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the French Open by defeating world n°3 Jessica Pegula in three sets. Her exploits have earned her the cover of L'Equipe, which calls her "The Boisson sensation." Her victory comes at a particularly fraught time, when Roland Garros organisers are under fire for a lack of women's nighttime matches. Indeed, The Wall Street Journal recounts that when the match started, the court was practically empty. Most people preferred to eat lunch than watch a match they thought would be a blowout. They were wrong and the court was fully packed by the time Boisson served for match point. She is the first French tenniswoman to reach the quarter-finals since 2017. She'll face Mira Andreeva on Wednesday and will be hoping to pull off a second upset! Finally, he was the first Black man to embody the title role in the Doctor Who franchise, but now Ncuti Gatwa is being replaced. He becomes the actor who embodied the role of Doctor Who for the shortest amount of time. Gatwa, who appeared in the hit series "Sex Education", was supposed to give Dr Who a refreshing, modern makeover: "black, young, queer and beautiful", as the Guardian notes. But now he's being replaced. Ultimately, the Guardian says, several issues converged – Gatwa's Doctor Who cried a lot, which perhaps cheapened the other times he cried, combined with a few sub-par episodes. The decision has earned this rebuke in Gizmodo, equivalent to being put in the naughty corner​​​​: "Doctor Who needs to go away and think about what it did." The website says Gatwa's Doctor Who deserved so much more. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, June 2: French papers discuss the "day of jubilation" after PSG's Champions League win. Next, the media analyse Ukraine's "bold" strike on Russia's military aviation. Also, papers report on Bulgaria's fight against the adoption of the euro. Finally, we bring you some health news: from Ozempic's questionable long-term effects to good news in cancer treatment research. After Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League victory on Saturday, the story is still on the front pages of most French dailies. Left-wing Libération writes that "Paris is well worth a jubilation". The paper says that the win resonated across France all weekend. In a similar tone, Le Parisien's front page says "Day of jubilation". The Parisian daily is talking about Sunday's festivities across Paris, and how fans got to celebrate with their beloved football stars. The paper calls it "A sweet madness". But with two people dead and hundreds arrested, the victory wasn't that sweet. Right-wing daily Le Figaro also mentions the post-win violence on its front page, where the title of an editorial reads "Paris can no longer be a party". The article condemns the aftermath of the match and all the "sirens, knives, injured police officers and even deaths". It says that "thugs" and "gangs" tried to invade the ring road around Paris and the Champs-Élysées. “The issue is no longer one of security, it's one of culture," says the article, blaming "uncivilised barbarians" for causing the destruction. An article in L'Opinion says that "on Saturday evening, euphoria gave way to chaos". It asks how a football win can "generate such an impulse for hatred and destruction", adding that scenes in London, Madrid or Manchester after a victory aren't the same. After a major attack on Russia's military aviation on Sunday, Kyiv claims it has destroyed nearly 40 aircraft and struck thousands of kilometres inside Russia's borders. The Financial Times calls it a "bold" strike "deep inside Russian territory". The Ukrainian intelligence service, the SBU, says they'd been preparing the operation for over a year. In an opinion piece, The Washington Post says that "Ukraine just rewrote the rules of war". It adds that the Ukrainians revealed a vulnerability that shows the need for a "massive investment in counter-drone systems". Ukrainian daily The Kyiv Post writes that US President Donald Trump wasn't given a heads-up about the attack. An official told the paper that the operation was "purely Ukrainian" and the US didn't have anything to do with it. As for reactions from the Russian side, Radio Free Europe's team in Siberia spoke to Russians there, who "appeared to be shaken". "Now the war has reached us too," they told the paper. The article writes that many Russians had thus far only seen and felt the war from afar. Moving to Eastern Europe, Bulgarians have been protesting against the adoption of the euro. The Bulgarian Telegraph Agency reports that protests have been held in several cities across the country. The demonstrators are asking for a referendum vote so that they can choose whether to keep the Bulgarian lev or switch to the euro. Radio Free Europe reports that it will be decided this week whether the euro will be adopted from next year, with the European Commission expected to greenlight the move. The paper notes that this comes despite the many protesters who carry Russian flags and have expressed anti-European sentiments. Some Bulgarians say they fear that adopting the euro will lead to even more corruption and inflation in the country. According to a survey, 50 percent of Bulgarians are against the euro's adoption.We finish with some health news. British daily The Standard reports that using weight loss drugs might not lead to the desired effects, according to research. It talks about side effects like so-called Ozempic teeth or oral health problems and more serious health issues like hypoglycemia. The results are also not long-lasting, as a lot of people who stop taking the drug return to their original weight within a year. On the brighter side, the fight against cancer is advancing. The Financial Times reports that AstraZeneca has unveiled a drug that can stop mutating tumours before they start to grow. AstraZeneca said that it hopes to become "the number one cancer company globally". The Independent writes about another study, this time on colon cancer. Researchers have found that regular exercise can reduce the risk of death by more than a third. The scientists hope the findings will show doctors that including exercise plans is crucial for cancer patients. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, May 30: The papers react to Israel's new plans for settlements in the West Bank. Next, cannabis has been found in Haribo's iconic cola sour candy. Finally, a new "e-tattoo" device helps track mental workload.  Israel has announced that it's expanding its settlements in the West Bank, in one of its biggest such moves in decades. The American TV channel CBS News says that the announcement has sparked global criticism. The article reminds us that the majority of the international community views settlements as illegal and as the main obstacle to resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict. French left-wing paper Libération says that Israel is "sprinting to annex Palestinian territories". The paper writes that the new plan wants to "dismember" what's left of Palestine. The UK has also condemned the move, the British daily The Independent says. It cites Britain's Middle East minister Hamish Falconer, who wrote on X that the 22 new settlements are a "deliberate obstacle to Palestinian statehood" and that they "further imperil the two-state solution". An opinion piece in Israeli left-wing paper Haaretz writes about the West Bank's "bulletproof vest theory, calling it "not only wrong, but dangerous". The theory encapsulates the idea that settlements serve as a barrier against terror attacks. The opinion piece says that this shifts the blame from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies. The paper dives deep into past examples of why the theory didn't work and concludes that "[today,] the goal of the settlement enterprise isn't security but to create pretexts for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians".We turn next to the Netherlands, where an uncommon ingredient has been found in sweets. The Dutch paper De Volkskrant reports that cannabis has been found in bags of Haribo cola candy. Several people, including children, felt dizzy and had health complaints after eating the sweets. Some 8,000 kilograms have been recalled. The British daily The Guardian adds that drug smugglers are increasingly using children's candy as a cover-up. They sometimes inject THC into the candy and make THC copies of popular brands that can be found online. Finally, researchers have found a new way to track mental workload. The Guardian reports on a new device called an e-tattoo that can be attached to a person's head. It's a "real-time mental workload decoder" that can warn people they need a rest before it's too late. The e-tattoo is lightweight and wireless, the paper explains. It is made from a thin conductive material and electrodes that detect stress. Researchers say it could be very useful for pilots and healthcare workers, for instance, where it's crucial to prevent fatal incidents caused by extreme fatigue or stress.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, May 29: The US press look at the effects of Donald Trump's deportation policy – from a likely "unconstitutional" detention to a booming small-town economy. Plus, Elon Musk is officially quitting DOGE – what's next? Finally, after eight years of Mongolian dominance, Japan is celebrating a new "yokozuna" – a sumo grand champion.   The Wall Street Journal reports that the detention of former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil is likely "unconstitutional", according to a US judge. Khalil is a pro-Palestinian activist who became a deportation target after participating in protests. And while the ruling isn't final, it suggests that Trump's deportation efforts will face "significant roadblocks in court", according to the paper. For now, however, despite the partial ruling, he is still being held in a detention centre in Louisiana.An article in The Washington Post focuses on another detention centre in Louisiana. It's one of the biggest ICE facilities in the United States and its presence is an economic win for locals in Winnfield. "In detention alley, a small town benefits from a big ICE facility," reads the headline. Many Winnfield residents live in poverty and the presence of ICE agents means that their businesses are doing better – there are more people getting haircuts, dining and shipping in the town, resulting in "muted criticism of the president's immigration policies," according to the article. "To locals, they're customers, relatives, neighbors." The Washington Post also cites a local sheriff who says that the "benefits of the detention center greatly outweigh the negatives". An exclusive NBC piece helps us better understand the current deportation numbers. "Trump administration has ramped up deportations but is still far below pace it wants," reads the headline. In April alone, the ICE deported more than 17,000 people, says the paper. But Trump is still far behind his Inauguration Day promise to deport "millions and millions". In a bid to ramp up deportations, the ICE has been adding local jails and increasing deportation flights. But if he wants to reach Barack Obama's record in 2013, Trump has to deport at least two times more people per month. In 2013, then-president Obama reached a record number of 430,000 deportations in a single year.Elsewhere in the US, Elon Musk is officially quitting the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Financial Times writes that Musk is stepping down from the Trump administration after just five months in office. Musk originally wanted to stay with DOGE until next summer, the paper says. He made the announcement on his social media platform X, thanking Trump for "the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending". He also said that the DOGE mission will become a way of life for the government. This comes right after his exclusive interview with American TV channel CBS News. Musk said he felt "disappointed" by Trump's domestic policy bill, dubbed the "big beautiful bill act". According to Musk, it only increases the budget deficit and undermines DOGE's work. It is still unclear if Musk has any other projects planned, but The Washington Post reports that Tesla investors are asking the board to make Musk work full-time – 40 hours per week – after his recent focus on politics. The paper says that investors are frustrated over Musk's role in the US government and the effect it had on Tesla's sales and reputation. Finally, Japan is celebrating a new yokozuna: a grand champion in sumo, the country's national sport. Japanese man Onosato is the first in eight years to win the title after years of Mongolian dominance. The Japan Times calls it a "historic week for Japan's national sport". The new champion is only 24 years old and some have called him the "saviour of Japanese sumo", according to The New York Times. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday. 

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, May 28: Israeli papers react to 600 days war in Gaza. Next, fierce debate over inhaling xenon gas – a new method used by mountain climbers aiming to break speed records. And, Donald Trump's golden redecoration of the Oval Office is labeled a "Rococo nightmare" by The New York Times. Israel is entering its 600th day of war in Gaza. Right-wing Israeli paper The Jerusalem Post marks the day with a front page, putting the names of more than 1000 Israeli victims of the October 7 Hamas attacks. In another analysis, the paper writes that "the Middle East is transformed". “Six hundred days since Hamas acted on a jihadist fantasy to destroy the Jewish state.” The paper says that the group carried out a “pogrom” that would have made “Nazis proud”. The analysis adds that the inability to bring hostages home shapes how many Israelis view the war. The left-wing Israeli paper Haaretz, however, has a different take. The headline of a critical opinion piece by Israel's former prime minister Ehud Olmert wrote that "Enough is enough. Israel is committing war crimes". The article says that Israel is “waging a war without a purpose, without goals or clear planning and with no chances of success”. It calls Netanyahu's government a “criminal gang” that is carrying out a “private political war” that is transforming the enclave into a "humanitarian disaster area".Next to Mount Everest, where the use of a new method helping to speed up mountain climbing, has been polarising locals and climbers. The New York Times reported that a group of Britons scaled Everest in less than a week. An unusually fast time, since climbing high altitudes, can lead to nausea, headaches and in some cases even death. That's why climbers usually spend some time adjusting at the Everest base camp. But the Brits inhaled xenon gas to help them adjust to the thin air faster and shrink the timeline dramatically. The use of the gas however is fiercely debated – its use remains unclear and some mountain climbers call it unethical. The Everest guide who took the British climbers gave an interview to the Associated Press, defending his move. He said that using xenon gas can make climbing Everest not just faster but also better for the environment. Using it would reduce the amount of waste, like oxygen masks, thrown away in the wild. The climb prompted an official investigation by the Nepalese government. The Guardian reported that Nepalese sherpas fear that the gas could encourage more inexperienced climbers to climb the peak. “The true significance of climbing Everest lies in the traditional way it has been approached,” a local sherpa told the Guardian. And finally to the Oval Office, where Donald Trump has been redecorating. The New York Times calls it a “Rococo nightmare”. The redesign has been “significant” says the paper, with a “parade of golden objects”. Just outside the Oval Office, the US president has put a copy of his mug shot on the New York Post front page in a Versailles-like golden frame. There are also two new gilded mirrors that the paper calls “quintessentially Mr. Trump”. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, May 27: First, the tit-for-tat between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin after Russia's assault on Kyiv continues to make headlines. Also, Israeli papers are divided on how to cover the most recent Jerusalem marches. And, Namibia will be celebrating their first ever Remembrance Day to commemorate the genocide of the Herero and Nama people. Next, Eritrea's national football team will be playing its first game since January 2020. Finally, Brigitte Macron's shove makes waves in the papers. Trump and Putin's tit-for-tat comments are widely discussed in the papers, the BBC sums it up in their headline: “Kremlin calls Trump emotional after US president says Putin is crazy”. Trump's comments came after Russia launched the largest drone assault on Kyiv in the last three years, which killed several civilians. The New York Times says that although he condemned the killings, he has not made Putin pay the price. It says that Trump has never followed through with his warnings, resulting in a "strategic void in which Trump complains about Russia's killings but is unwilling to make Putin pay even a modest price”. CNN says that the president might be shifting his perspective on “what looks like an increasingly futile US effort” to find peace in Ukraine. Meanwhile, cartoonists in the Times and the Guardian make light of the fading bromance.Jerusalem saw marches and celebrations for Israel's Jerusalem day, which were covered very differently in the Israeli papers. Jerusalem Post have a peaceful looking photo of celebrants waving Israeli flags for Jerusalem day. The Times of Israel reports that far-right protestors chanted “death to Arabs”, and held up banners calling for the expulsion of Palestinians. The left-wing paper Haaretz is also covering the march, it says that the hate filled Jerusalem March demonstrated the far right's true goal for Gaza.Namibia will be celebrating Remembrance Day tomorrow. The Namibian daily New Era has it on their front page today, reminding everyone that Remembrance Day is tomorrow. It is the first time Remembrance Day will be celebrated to honour the victims of the genocide against Namibia's indigenous Herero and Nama populations between 1904-1908. It is thought that up to 110,000 people were murdered by the German Empire. The German paper Stern is also covering this story. In May 2021, Germany recognized the atrocities as genocide for the first time, but they did not apologise. The article says that although the German government pledged to provide reconstruction aid worth 1.1 billion euros, it ruled out reparations.Eritrea is holding a small football tournament for the 32nd anniversary of the country's "independence". L'Equipe reports that the Red Sea Boys, Eritrea's national football team are going to play again for the first time since January 2020. Le Monde is also talking about the team's return and travel ban. It features an interview with French historian Gérard Prunier, who doubts that this tournament should be taken as a sign of newfound openness.Finally, Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have been in the spotlight after a video emerged of Brigitte Macron slapping or shoving her husband Emmanuel Macron as they landed in Vietnam. “Nonsense” according to Macron in the New York Times. The president later said they were just “joking” as reports the Guardian.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, May 26: The American-Israeli aid plan for Gaza is widely scrutinised in the press, as obscure private contractors are involved. Next, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe has refused to weaken the European Convention on Human Rights. Meanwhile, a series of power cuts threatened the closing ceremony of the Cannes Festival in the south of France. Also, two sports stars have emotional retirement parties. Finally, snails are celebrated in Catalonia. PRESS REVIEW – Monday, May 26: The American-Israeli aid plan for Gaza is widely scrutinised in the press, as obscure private contractors are involved. Next, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe has refused to weaken the European Convention on Human Rights. Meanwhile, a series of power cuts threatened the closing ceremony of the Cannes Festival in the south of France. Also, two sports stars have emotional retirement parties. Finally, snails are celebrated in Catalonia.Israel's latest strikes on Gaza killed dozens of people over the weekend, but many papers today are focussing on the IDF's plan to take over Gaza. The Times of Israel goes over the IDF's proposal to capture 75 percent of the Gaza strip in next few months. The joint Israeli and American proposal for a new aid delivery mechanism, which is supposed to start today, has also caused alarm in the papers. The Washington Post discusses the aid plan and the “Foundation for Gaza”. According to Haaretz, the foundation would oversee aid distribution in Gaza, supported by two private military organisations, which Libération explores in more detail. Questions on the transparency of the Israeli aid plan have led to the resignation of the CEO of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, as announced early this morning by Arab News.In Strasbourg, RFI says that the Council of Europe has refused to weaken the European Convention of Human Rights. A group of nine countries asked for a reinterpretation of the European Convention of Human Rights on questions of migration. The Guardian said that the European Court of Human Rights ruled against many of the nine countries who signed the letter, which might have motivated the move. It says that more than 30 cases are pending at the court against Latvia, Lithuania and Poland after allegations of pushing people back into Belarus to prevent them from claiming asylum.French authorities have launched an investigation into the blackouts that struck the Cannes film festival. The story is on the front page of the French paper Aujourd'hui en France. It says that multiple power cuts occurred over the weekend, which were later claimed by an anarchist group targeting the Cannes festival. Libération says that French authorities are still investigating the acts of sabotage that left 200,000 homes without power. Variety reports that the Cannes closing ceremony went ahead as planned. The Palme d'Or was attributed to Iranian Director Jafar Panahi for his film “It was just an accident”. Vogue summarises the best bits, from outfit bans to the red-carpet bee attack.While many papers like Marca are celebrating Rafael Nadal's teary retirement ceremony at Roland Garros, another sports star was making an equally teary departure in the UK. The Daily Mail reports that broadcaster and former England international footballer Gary Lineker has stepped down from his role as presenter of Match of the Day. The Guardian says that the host was forced to step down after 26 years in the job after he shared an anti-Semitic social media post, which he later deleted and apologised for.Finally, although France is known for its snails, it is the Catalans who celebrated the slimy delicacies this weekend. The Times reports on the three-day festival, in what looked like a large-scale gastropod gastropub.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, May 22: Lots of reactions from the South African press after Donald Trump "ambushes" South African President Cyril Ramaphosa during a meeting at the White House. The New York Times looks at Brazil's herculean efforts to dismantle a deep-rooted network of Russian spies. And, a diplomatic match made in heaven: Taiwan nominates a heavy metal singer as envoy to Finland – the world's capital for heavy metal music bands! Reactions from the South African press after President Cyril Ramaphosa's meeting with Donald Trump in the White House. South African daily Mail & Guardian recalls how the meeting started off cordial enough – Ramaphosa even brought along two South African golf stars as a nod to Trump's favourite sport. But things veered off course after a journalist asked Trump what it would take to see there isn't a genocide in South Africa. To this, Ramaphosa said, it would take listening to South Africans. And then: Trump showed him a video he claimed was proof of calls for a white genocide in South Africa – clips of South African politician Julius Malema chanting an anti-farmer song. Video clips also showed what Trump purported were the burial sites of over 1000 white farmers. In reality, it was a memorial procession from September 2020.Ambush is really the word that defines a lot of the South African front pages today. Daily News saying as much on its front page after that calamitous meeting between Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump. The Sowetan saysRamaphosa "survived the ambush". The paper impressed that he staged "a pushback against lies of a white genocide in South Africa". In its analysis, the New York Times says Trump cast himself as a protector of persecuted white people. He publicly dressed down the South African president based on a fringe conspiracy theory.The US daily also reports that Brazil is trying to dismantle a network of Russian spies in the country. This fascinating investigative report looks at how Russia used Brazil as a sort of assembly line for producing Russian spies. The goal was not to spy on Brazil but for its spies to become Brazilian with passports. Brazil's painstaking investigative work, which began after the war in Ukraine, involved dismantling the network, piece by piece. It dealt a devastating blow to Putin's spy program. Times takes us through Operation East which was led by the same counterintelligence agents who investigated former president Jair Bolsonaro. They combed through millions of Brazilian identity records in search of patterns. It began in 2022 with the arrest of Victor Muller Ferreira aka Sergey Cherkasov. Authorities discovered his real birth Brazilian certificate citing a deceased Brazilian woman as his mother. Yet, upon further investigation – they discovered she never had children. Consequently, this network of ghosts began to unravel.In Ireland, a controversial rapper has been charged with a terror offence. The Belfast Telegraph reports that Mo Chara, rapper of the Irish language rap group Kneecap, was charged with a terror offence. It dates back to last November when the group displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah during a concert. Videos also emerged of the band allegedly calling for deaths of MPs. They later denied support for the groups and apologized. In the UK, Hezbollah and Hamas are declared terrorist organisations, which means it's illegal to express support for them. Irish news site Breaking News reports that it's not the group's first run-in with the law. Last month at Coachella, Kneecap ended their set with three messages on a screen accusing Israel of genocide and war crimes which sparked outrage in the US. They also commissioned a mural in Belfast of a burning Land Rover, the vehicle used in policing in Northern Ireland, which some say glorified terrorism.Finally, Taiwan has a new rock star envoy to Finland. Freddy Lim founded the Taiwanese heavy metal band Chthonic which is known as the Black Sabbath of Asia. He has now been named envoy to Finland. And his nomination is apt – the band is well known in Finland having recorded four albums with a Finnish label. As the Brooklyn based website Metal Injection notes, Finland has the most metal bands per capita – 80 for every 100k citizens. So where better than Finland to appoint a heavy metal singing ambassador!You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, May 21: The humanitarian situation in Gaza is on most front pages today, many of them picking up on a UN report which suggested that 14,000 babies could die if aid does not get through. Israel seems to be losing the support of many of its allies. Also, a medical journal has found that teenagers today are facing an unprecedented health crisis. And, a local Chicago newspaper has published a summer reading list almost entirely made up of fake books. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is on most front pages today. The Independent's front page calls the Gaza hunger crisis “utterly intolerable". Although Israel said it would let in some aid, the BBC reports that although the Israeli government let 93 trucks into Gaza, no aid has been given out so far. The Times of Israel looks at a UN statement issued on Tuesday, which said that 14,000 babies could die in Gaza if aid does not get through quickly. The Jerusalem Post is reporting on the backlash faced by Israeli opposition politician Yair Golan after he said that "a sane country does not kill babies as a hobby”. La Croix meanwhile says that his comments might be the start of a critical reflection on Gaza.Israel is not only facing domestic criticism. The international community has been adding pressure on Israel recently. the Guardian's front page also quotes David Lammy's speech to the House of Commons, where the foreign secretary has since announced the suspension of talks with Israel and imposed sanctions on three individuals and four entities related to the settler movement. Le Monde says that the EU has agreed to re-examine “the EU-Israel Association Agreement”, which forms the basis of the bloc's trade ties with Israel. Meanwhile, the Times is reporting that Donald Trump is also growing increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu.A report published in The Lancet has found that adolescents and young children have never been unhealthier. The National Geographic reports that this generation is facing unique threats on a scale never seen before. The article says that teenagers are having to grapple with the influence of new global technologies. It says that today's adolescents are the “first cohort of humans who will live their entire life experiencing the growing reverberations of climate change”. The Guardian says that half a billion young people will be obese or overweight by 2030.A local newspaper in Chicago has come under fire for an AI mishap. The Chicago Sun-Times has just published a summer reading list with books that don't exist. The tech news site 404 media was the first to report that AI had partially generated the list. Meanwhile, the Chicago Sun Times has issued a statement apologising to its readers.Finally, The Hollywood Reporter brings very joyous news that Peppa Pig has a new baby sister Evie. Evie Pig will be making her screen debut on March 30.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, May 20: Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's new book "Original Sin" shows that Joe Biden's cognitive decline was far more severe than portrayed. It comes as the Democrats are accused of covering for him during his presidency. Also, reactions after Britain and the EU sign agreements that effectively turn the page on Brexit. And, a sculpted bust of Jim Morrison, stolen from his Père Lachaise gravesite thirty-seven years ago turns up in a French police investigation! The reactions are coming in thick and fast from the press this Tuesday after the publication of journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's book, "Original Sin". The book explores Joe Biden's mental and physical decline during his time as US president. It comes just days after the Bidens' revealed that he has metastatic prostate cancer.As Rolling Stone notes, the book claims that Biden's cognitive decline was more severe behind the scenes than what was publicly visible. Furthermore, his inner circle actively engaged to cover up his diminishing memory. It's prompting much soul searching within the Democrat Party, Rolling Stone says. The authors have also faced backlash for not focusing on Biden's presidency while conservatives accuse the Democrats of a major cover up. For the conservative Wall Street Journal, the book reveals a "conspiracy in plain view". Democrat elites and the media couldn't or wouldn't see what everyone else saw: "a doddering, senescent president who was frequently incoherent and rambling". The paper adds that "an existential meltdown over Trump made Democrats cling to Biden as a talisman. This talisman that in the end was an almighty curse." The Washington Post has published readers' letters to the editors which paint a similar picture of outrage. One reader says it's time for Democrats to move on, find new candidates and relegate baby boomers to history. Another says Joe and Jill Biden and the Democrats owe the public an apology. The Economist offers a more tempered viewpoint, saying that Biden did not decline alone but that his party and the press lost altitude along with him.There are mixed reactions from the British papers this Tuesday after the EU and Britain shook hands on a deal concerning defence, fisheries and energy. The Independent is triumphant: Britain and the EU have turned a page with this Brexit reset deal, the paper declares on its front page. The Financial Times calls it a showpiece summit, hailing this first step towards the reconstruction of trade links between the two parties. It comes nine years after that fateful Brexit referendum vote. The Guardian says in this analysis piece that there are clear benefits but political risks for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He recognised for the first time yesterday something his predecessors denied for years: that Brexit has damaged Britain. This exposes him to the risk of being accused of betrayal by his rivals and possibly voters.Not everyone feels this is a victory, however. The pro-Brexit papers are furious. "Kiss goodbye to Brexit, the Daily Telegraph says sarcastically on its front page today, with a picture of Starmer and EU Commission President embracing each other. The Daily Express says that Starmer's ABJECT SURRENDER is a betrayal to Brexit. The paper is particularly angry over the fisheries deal. It says that in 2016, Britons votes to take back control of its fishing industry ... yesterday's deal will undo all of that. The Sun chooses to go with a fishing pun: Britain is done up like a kipper, it says on its front page.Here in France, the government is facing scrutiny over its plan to build a mega prison in French Guiana. This story garnered a lot of attention in France on the weekend and now in the international press. It was first reported on the weekend when French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced plans to build a max security wing during a visit to the overseas department and region. Weekend paper Journal du Dimanche reported that the prison wing would be reserved for Islamic terrorists and drug traffickers. The prison would be near the notorious Devil's Island, to where prisoners were sent by Napoleon Third in the 1800s. The announcement sparked outcry by Guyanese MPs, who called the decision insulting and disrespectful, The Guardian reports.The Doors frontman Jim Morrison knew a thing a thing or two about prison, having been sent to prison in 1967 for disrupting public order. He died four years later in Paris where he was buried at the Père Lachaise cemetery. For Morrison's 10th death anniversary, Croatian artist Mladen Mikulin sculpted a bust in his honour at his gravesite. For seven years, it became a symbolic tribute – fans graffitied the bust, chipped off parts of it to keep as a souvenir. Then it was stolen in 1988. Now 37 years later, French police came across the marble bust while carrying out a totally unrelated fraud investigation. No word yet on who did it, where it's been hiding for nearly forty years and whether it'll be returned to Jim's gravesite, Rolling Stone reports.Finally, The Times reports that you can now register for wedding gifts at Tescos, Britain's biggest supermarket chain. Among the choices are the really useful but totally unromantic bundle of luxury toilet paper, kitchen rolls, bin bags, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. According to Tesco, newlyweds would rather practical products than fancy ones these days. You can blame the high cost of living for that!You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, May 19: The Sunday Times shows a map leaked by diplomats proposing to divide the Gaza Strip into military zones. Also, papers react to pro-European candidate's win in Romanian elections. Next, the "eternal second" French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is the new head of the French conservatives. And finally, the polarising love of the Brits: from hating seagulls to spoiling their dogs.  The British daily The Independent reported that Israel has started a “major new Gaza ground offensive. The paper says that the ground operation was announced after indirect talks with Hamas in Qatar didn't show much progress. Over the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that the Gaza Strip could be divided into military zones. It based its reporting on maps leaked by diplomats that showed three civilian zones divided by military areas. “Civilians would be forbidden to travel between the sections without permission,” writes the paper, adding that the proposal would prevent Palestinians from moving freely throughout the enclave. That means that Palestinians would be separated from their land and families. Next, moving on to Super Sunday – elections this weekend were held in Poland, Portugal and Romania. The pro-European mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, defeated far-right candidate George Simion. Simion is a “nationalist aligned with President Trump, who had been seen as the front-runner,” writes the New York Times. The article calls the win a “setback for Europe's surging nationalist forces” that will likely “calm fears in Europe”. Politico focuses on the different reactions after the election: "Tate bro tears and EU delight", the headline reads. Andrew and Tristan Tate are popular misogynist influencers who were implicated in a vast investigation into human trafficking and rape in Romania. After Dan's win, Tristan tweeted “Romania we had a good run”. But for the European Union, Dan's win is a “huge relief”, writes Politico. In an editorial, Romanian newspaper Bursa writes that “Romania avoided regime change but not systemic crisis”. The country is now entering “a period of fragile transition”.There has also been Romanian flag controversy on social media. The right-wing candidate, George Simion, seems to have mixed up his own national flag. During the exit polls, he wanted to tweet “I am the new president of Romania” using the flag emoji, but he put the one of Chad instead. The flags are fairly similar, the difference is in the colour shades. That didn't stop many social media users from making fun of him online. One tweet says, “Chad elects Simion as president – Romania breathes a sigh of relief.” In France, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau was chosen to lead the French conservative party with more than 70 percent of the vote. Les Républicains is also the party of former Presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac when it was known as UMP. French right-wing paper Le Figaro writes that he is the “new hope of the right” and that his victory will help reinforce his reputation “two years away from the presidential election”. The French daily Le Parisien calls the interior minister “the eternal second” saying that up until now, Retailleau has always played a supporting role but now he will be on the front line.And in the United Kingdom, seagull attacks have risen. The Daily Star reports that "raging gulls" have assaulted half of the British population, or some 35 million "victims" per year. The Brits seem to hate seagulls, but that's not at all the case when it comes to dogs. The Sunday Times writes about Goodwoof – a festival like Glastonbury but for pampered dogs. It's a two-day event in West Sussex that proposes dog yoga, blow-dries and even tarot card readings that attracted more than 12,000 dogs this year.  You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, May 16: Romanians head to voting booths for the second round of presidential elections, which pit pro-Europe candidate Nicușor Dan against the populist, hard-right frontrunner George Simion. Who will prevail? Also: The New York Times looks at ground-breaking gene editing therapy which saved the life of an infant and could save many more. It also helps us find out why ginger cats are mostly male (it's a genetic thing). Romanians head to the polls on Sunday for the second round of voting in a presidential election with huge repercussions for Europe, all because of one man: George Simion. The hard-right populist, a Trump-loving candidate, is tipped to be the winner of this closely fought election. He could take Romania in a new direction, away from the traditional pro-Brussels mainstream. Simion is on the cover of Politico magazine this week. Early polls show his centrist rival Nicusor Dan, the mathematician mayor of Bucharest, catching up, but it's too early to tell. Politico's news site explains that it's been an unusual presidential campaign. The election campaign has been fought largely on TV and social media – neither candidate has spent much time campaigning on the ground. Simion hasn't even been in the country and attended only one debate with his rival.  Cotidianul, a Romanian daily, references the Politico cover story. It examines the similarities between Italy's Giorgia Meloni, a populist or neo-populist leader, and Simion. The two are most similar in terms of opening up their respective countries to the US. However, the article says that if Simion wins, he will discover, like Meloni, that populism as preached and populism as practiced are two different things – and this could affect his popularity within his own electorate. Romanian business paper Bursa sees Romanians as having a choice between "the plague and cholera". On its front page, it portray the two candidates in futurist outfits. The second round is perceived as a science fiction film, a Romanian-Russian production – in reference to Simion's closeness with the Kremlin.French daily Le Monde, meanwhile, has published a report by two Romanian journalists on a road trip to meet the Romanian diaspora. More than 60 percent of the Romanian diaspora in Europe voted for Simion in the first round of elections. Journalists Elena Stancu and Cosmin Bumbut hit the road in a campervan, travelling around Europe to document the lives of Romanians who have left the country since it joined the EU. It's believed that two to five million Romanians live in Western Europe. Life is not always easy for them: many take precarious jobs in which they are exploited; a common criticism by Simion.In some good news for science, an infant boy born with a rare genetic disorder has been healed in groundbreaking gene-editing treatment. KJ, a nine-month-old boy, was born with a genetic disorder that affects one in 1.3 million babies. His parents had a choice: palliative care or cutting-edge technology. They chose the latter. KJ has become the first patient to receive custom gene-editing treatment. The New York Times explains that his disorder was the result of a single incorrect DNA letter in the human genome. Researchers concocted an infusion, covered in fatty lipid molecules which were sent to the liver. Inside the lipids were instructions to command the cells to produce an enzyme that edits the gene. The revolutionary research was built on decades of federally funded research. The problem with rare disorders is that it's not viable for companies to spend time and money on specific treatments. However, this technology can be customised and forgoes long years of development and testing. It offers hope, notably to many people suffering from rare genetic disorders.Finally: new research in The Times of London has shed light on why 80 percent of ginger cats are male. And it's due to genetics! The ginger colour is caused by a ARHGAP 36 gene within pigment cells. In other mammals like orangutans and humans, the chances of being ginger are pretty much 50-50 because the genetic disruption that leads to the orange colour takes place earlier. In cats, though, it happens on the X chromosome. A male cat (XY), would only need one variant to be ginger whereas the female (XX) chromosome needs two. This explains why most ginger cats are male! You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, May 15: We look at a crucial court ruling in EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's "Pfizergate" scandal. But first, Hungary's government examines a bill that would allow it to shut down media or NGOs considered a threat to national security. Plus, Australian researchers find that Barbie's feet have become flatter over time and it's linked to her growing independence! The Hungarian government is considering an extremely repressive law. There seems to be little interest in the main Hungarian newspapers – except in Telex, one of the last independent news sites in the country. And for good reason: the government is mulling a law that would allow it to monitor, penalise and possibly shut down all independent media and NGOs deemed a threat to national sovereignty. In other words, as Telex notes wryly, the Fidesz party's new bill is similar to the one that has served Russian President Vladimir Putin well in building a dictatorship. Radio Free Europe notes that this bill follows a series of similar repressive moves in the country. In March, Prime Minister Viktor Orban cracked down on journalists and politicians who receive foreign funding. Last month, a constitutional amendment banned public displays of homosexuality and gender diversity, while allowing police to use facial recognition technology. The timing of this bill is particularly interesting. As the Guardian notes, Orban's bill is a move to crack down on dissent ahead of elections in Hungary next year. It comes amid the rising popularity of the Tisza party, headed by Orban's former ally Peter Magyar, who could pose an unprecedented challenge.Staying in Europe, a tribunal has handed down a verdict against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the Pfizergate scandal. French paper Libération takes us through the scandal, which came to light in 2021 after The New York Times published an article about the negotiations of the biggest ever EU vaccine contract with Pfizer. During the first few months of 2021, von der Leyen exchanged several SMS with Albert Bourla, the CEO of Pfizer, in the negotiation of a multi-billion-euro contract for Covid vaccines. For its article about the negotiations, The New York Times made an official request for the SMS, but the EU Commission denied the request. It offered various unclear explanations, saying the messages had the disappearing message function or were deleted. The EU's general court ruled yesterday that von der Leyen failed in her obligation to be transparent. As Politico notes, it raises very interesting issues about the legitimacy of SMS and WhatsApp messages as official documents. The judge's "bombshell ruling", as Politico puts it, indicates that the Commission was wrong to deny access to the messages. The Commission says the messages were too boring to count as documents. The judgment suggests that text messages should be considered official documents, but it's not at all binding. Public access to officials' SMS will mostly likely continue to not be granted freely.Finally, we discover a fascinating study led by Australian researchers about Barbie's feet! According to The Conversation, Australian podiatrists were particularly interested in Barbie's feet after a memorable scene from the 2023 film. They decided to study the shape of her feet from 1959 to 2024 – that's 2,750 Barbies in total. What they found is fascinating: basically Barbie's high-heeled feet became flatter over the decades, something that appears to mirror broader societal changes. Barbie ditched her high-heeled posture the more she climbed the career ladder. In the 1960s, you only had tip-toed Barbies. By the 2020s, only about 40 percent wore heels. As Barbie became more diverse and inclusive, but also more athletic and representative in male-dominated fields, her feet flattened. It suggests a correlation between flat-footed Barbie and her emancipation from societal constraints!You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, May 14: French papers are slightly unsure of what to make of President Emmanuel Macron's three-hour interview on national television. Also, a recent report on the risk of famine in Gaza continues to make front pages, as Israel's aid blockade continues. Next, Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia is scrutinised by American journalists and cartoonists alike. Finally, a maverick mallard has been caught by a speeding camera in Switzerland. Emmanuel Macron's Tuesday night TV address has left most of the French press a little confused. Le Figaro says that the president tried to defend his record. L'Opinion is also describing it as Macron on the defensive. The president had been relatively discreet in the French media recently. The paper says the interview was a very inconclusive end to Macron's media diet. La Provence is also unsure of what the president's message was. The paper says his interview was "without horizon nor solution". Aujourd'hui en France says that Macron seemed "powerless" after three hours spent defending his eight years in office, without providing much insight on the rest of his mandate.A UN-backed report published by experts on food security in Gaza has been widely covered in the press and features on front pages this Wednesday. Le Temps in Switzerland features a cartoon by Chapatte on its front page and reads: "In Gaza, children are also killed by hunger". The front page of L'Humanité is quite distressing and it accuses Israel of using hunger as a weapon of war. The BBC warns that the entire Gaza population is at critical risk of famine. The article says that aid groups have said the blockade could be a war crime and that it amounts to a policy of starvation. The New York Times, meanwhile, reveals that Israeli officers have privately admitted that Gaza is on the brink of starvation.Donald Trump is in Saudi Arabia on the first leg of his Middle East Tour. The Saudi paper Arab News is celebrating the "landmark visit" and highlighting Trump's promise to lift sanctions on Syria. The American press is unsurprisingly slightly more critical of his visit. The New York Times says that although Trump said he had secured $600 billion in Saudi deals, the details provided by the White House were vague and totalled less than half that number. Politico is looking at the star-studded cast in attendance during Trump's visit. It says that three dozen American business leaders were invited by the Saudis. Trump had said that the primary goal of his visit was to extend American business in the region. But the Guardian tells us that while the true value of Saudi investments in the US economy remain hazy, the Saudis' deals with the Trump family business are more obvious. A cartoon in The Telegraph illustrates Trump collecting deals for himself. The Times also has a cartoon that makes light of the apparent double purpose of Trump's trip. The Washington Post is similarly insinuating in its cartoon of the day that the US president is available for purchase.Finally, an unusual suspect is on the loose after breaking the speed limit for the second time in Switzerland. The Guardian is reporting on this piece of fowl play: a duck has been snapped flying at 52 km/h in a 30 km/h zone in Switzerland.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, May 13: Papers discuss the trade deal agreed between the US and China. Where it is celebrated in the Chinese press, the American press is more critical. Also, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is coming under fire for his comments on immigration. Next, preparations are under way for the opening of the Cannes Film Festival, where a new dress code has been announced. Finally, The Times reports that pets provide us with more comfort than our partners. Papers worldwide are covering the trade deal between the United States and China. The English-language government paper China Daily calls the deal a positive step for the global economy. The article says that China hopes that the US will "fully rectify its erroneous practice of imposing unilateral tariffs". The South China Morning Post has the deal on its front page. The paper calls it a major de-escalation and a win for both sides, but in particular for Beijing. In the US, Politico is looking at why the two countries pulled back from the edge. The article says that the deal came as the US faced a potential downturn. The Atlantic offers up an interesting way of understanding the latest trade deal. It compares Trump's deals to con artists playing a switch and bait card game, where the dealer "talks non-stop". Although the game is made to look like you stand a fair chance, you are actually being swindled. The Guardian, though, seems to think that the noisy card dealer might have swindled himself. It argues that the 90-day pause to the trade war still falls short of repairing what was effectively a trade embargo.In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is coming under fire for his rhetoric on immigration, which is widely criticised on the British front pages. The Independent's headline reads: "Dismay at PM over 'island of strangers' rhetoric". The "island of strangers" quote has been likened to late far-right politician Enoch Powell's infamous "rivers of blood" speech. The Guardian accuses the Labour prime minister of trying to combat the rise of the far-right party Reform that made significant gains in recent local elections. The Times is highlighting the aims of the new policies on its front page and in particular, Starmer's promise that it will curb 100,000 arrivals a year. Meanwhile the right-wing tabloids are ridiculing the fact that Starmer is being ridiculed. The Daily Mail also says that he is taking people for fools by announcing an immigration crackdown after years of backing open borders.Film fans are looking forward to the iconic red carpet at Cannes this Tuesday, but Variety brings us news that the film festival has some new rules this year: nudity and voluminous outfits are banned. FRANCE 24's website looks at the impact of Trump's tariffs on the film industry, particularly after he said he would put tariffs on films made outside of the US. Le Monde tells us that Cannes will be as political as ever. It reports that many key figures of the film industry published an open letter on Monday denouncing the silence of the film industry in the face of what they called a genocide in Gaza.Finally, scientists have found that cats and dogs are more comforting than our human partners, The Times reports. The survey of 30,000 people found that pets outranked not only spouses but also children and friends as the preferred form of emotional support.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, May 12: US President Donald Trump is set to begin his tour of the Middle East on Tuesday, but is not yet scheduled to stop in Israel. Meanwhile, papers are discussing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as the last soup kitchens are forced to close. Also, millions of voters head to the polls in the Philippines for crucial midterms opposing two dynasties. Next, papers debunk a claim that French President Emmanuel Macron had a cocaine party in Ukraine. Finally, a man completes the world's longest triathlon. Trump is set to start his tour of the Middle East tomorrow and will be going to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates for negotiations, but what is more interesting is where he is not going: Israel. Trump's snub of Israel is on the front page of Lebanese paper L'Orient-Le Jour. The Israeli paper Haaretz tells us what it thinks really matters: it says the most important thing about the visit is the “undeniable rift” between Israel and the Gulf states. NBC News says that disagreements on Iran and Gaza are creating this rift between Netanyahu and Trump. The Guardian has an editorial exploring Trump's policy on Gaza, and how he could stop the horror.Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen. NPR is discussing the US's proposed plan to get much-needed food into Gaza after Israel's 10-week ban on aid. The article says that aid groups believe the plan appears to be a way to gain control over vital supplies as part of a military strategy. Le Monde, meanwhile, is looking at the closure of several life-saving soup kitchens in Gaza as they run out of supplies. Finally, AP is reporting on the impact of Israel's blockade on hospitals which can no longer provide food for recovering patients. The article says that families now have to bring food to the hospital to care for their loved ones.Voting opens this Monday in the Philippines, where 24 Senate seats and 316 seats in the House of Representatives are at stake. The front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer focuses on potential foreign interference in the election, but other news outlets are billing it as the battle of the dynasties. The Straits Times says the ruling alliance between President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte is now locked in a fierce battle for seats in the Senate. The New York Times says that it is not a prison cell that will stop her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, for running for mayor of Davao. The paper says that despite being accused of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court, Duterte has maintained his popularity.European leaders were in Kyiv at the weekend to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but their trip created some unexpected headlines. Turkyie Today says: "Russia alleges Macron, Merz, and Starmer had cocaine party in Kyiv". The evidence is supposedly a white unidentified object which sent the internet into turmoil after a Telegram post by a spokesperson for Russia's foreign ministry. The French papers were quick to come out against the conspiracy – as was the French government, which reacted with a post on X, confirming that the supposed cocaine is actually a tissue.Finally, The Times reports that an ex-marine has completed the world's longest triathlon, after swimming across the English Channel, cycling across Europe and Asia, and climbing Mount Everest.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, May 8: We look at reactions from the Indian and Pakistani press after India's retaliatory strikes against its neighbour. How far will the nuclear powers go? Also, jubilation for Paris Saint Germain and heartbreak for Arsenal after the French team books a spot in the Champion's League final. And, a woman sets a new world record for the largest Minions collection! It's 80 years today since the signing of the armistice ending the Second World War. We look at poignant front pages from the British press. Eighty years on, the Daily Mirror believes the era of post-war peace is over. The British daily republishes this cartoon from May 8th, 1945, by Philip Zec. Here you are, don't lose it again, this WW2 vet says of victory and peace in Europe. The I also headlines on VE day, Victory in Europe day ... 80 years of hope. It's not the only story dominating the I: escalating violence between India and Pakistan is also making headlines.World leaders are trying to pull India and Pakistan back from the brink after India launched deadly missiles against its neighbour yesterday. Delhi says it is retaliating against a deadly terror attack in Kashmir last month in which Pakistan is accused of being involved. The bellicose tone is very much present in the Indian press. Operation Sindoor – as was named by Prime Minister Narendra Modi – takes the terror fight to Pakistan, Business Standard says, carefully underlining what Indian authorities say was a "measured, non-escalatory attack". The belligerent tone is also apparent in the Hindustan Times with its bold title: "Sindoor serves justice". Free Press Journal, another Indian daily sees the strikes as "Pakistan punished" while The Hindu's editors accuse Pakistan of using terrorism as a low-cost instrument of war against India for decades. Islamabad also harboured Osama bin Laden despite claiming to be an ally in the war on terror, the paper says.There is a lot of strong language from the Pakistani press too. Pakistan Today quotes the Pakistani Prime Minister as describing the strikes as a "heinous attack by India", one which will not go unpunished. In its editorial pages, the paper calls it a "dastardly attack" but one in which Indian leadership should be embarrassed. The editors saying that five Indian fighters were downed in the attack yesterday and that Pakistan's air forces were able to intercept and respond to Indian air strikes. Nonetheless, the paper calls on the international community to step up before "the restraint is gone". In a piece published by the daily Dawn, journalist Zahid Hussain underlines the importance of the media and decries their lack of objectivity. Shortly after the Kashmir attack, the Indian media, most of them controlled by business groups linked to the right-wing Hindu nationalist BJP party, blamed Pakistan, without waiting for an investigation. In Pakistan, some of the media often uses religion to whip up bigotry, Hussain adds, denouncing the weaponisation of the media.Here in France, Paris Saint Germain fans are celebrating a thrilling win over Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals yesterday. There is jubilation from French sports daily L'Equipe which hails a "liberated" Paris Saint Germain which triumphed with a 2-1 win over Arsenal. Le Parisien celebrates PSG's second Champions League final - they'll face Inter Milan in Munich at the end of the month. There is devastation however from the British sports pages: "Art ache", says the Star Sport, for Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta. Daily Telegraph admits that the Gunners are "down and out in Paris".Finally: the Guinness Book of Records has attributed a new record to a woman with the largest Minions collection! The Washington Post reports that Liesl Benecke from Perth, Australia has amassed more than 1000 pieces of Minions memorabilia after falling in love with the yellow creatures fifteen years ago! She has bobbleheads, blankets, Lego sets, water bottles, shower curtain and even two tattoos. She also keeps a giant, three-foot-tall stuffed Stuart in her car. Her dedication to the Minions has now put her in the Guinness Book of Records!You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, May 6: The Peruvian press are searching for answers after 13 miners were found murdered in an underground shaft. Also: French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin finally apologises for the police's violent treatment of Liverpool football fans during the 2023 Champions League final in Paris. Snooker has a new world champion: controversial Chinese player Zhao Xintong. Plus, we look at the best and worst of billionaires' fashion at the Met Gala. There's shock in Peru after the bodies of 13 miners were found in an underground shaft. The grisly murders came to light on Sunday with the discovery of the bodies in a shaft operated by Peru's largest gold mining company in the Pataz region. The New York Times explains that the region has seen growing conflict over access to ore recently as gold prices soar amid illegal mining and organised crime.The Peruvian press are leading with the story. El Comercio, a Peruvian daily, calls the attacks bloody and cruel. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte held a press conference on Monday, announcing the suspension of mining for 30 days. El Comercio's editor reacts to her speech, saying that rather than reassuring the public, her message did the opposite. It confirmed the disorientation in the government about how to address the very serious situation of violence and crime in Peru. Another Peruvian daily La República, meanwhile, headlines with the face of the man believed responsible. Miguel Rodriguez Diaz, aka "El Cuchillo", was identified by the president as one of those responsible. The paper reports that he fled to Colombia shortly after her press conference. He had been inexplicably released by the public ministry. Rodriguez Diaz is known for his ties to criminal organisations in the Pataz region, where 39 deaths linked to illegal mining have occurred since 2023. Rodriguez Diaz is allegedly responsible for the murder of four people at another mine last year.Here in France, Gérald Darmanin has issued an apology to Liverpool football fans. As FRANCE 24 reports, Darmanin is French justice minister but back in 2022, he was interior minister amid the French government's chaotic handling of the Champions League final in Paris between Liverpool and Real Madrid. On that day, police fired tear gas and pepper spray at thousands of supporters, injuring many, as authorities blamed rowdy fans. In his interview, Darmanin admitted that France was not ready to host the final, which was moved from Russia in the midst of the war in Ukraine. The editor of Sud Ouest, a large regional paper in France, sees some shrewd ulterior motives in Darmanin's apology. The editor wonders if the apology is an attempt to wipe the slate clean ahead of presidential elections in 2027, in which he intends to run. "When one has one's eyes on the Elysée Palace, you need a political do-over," it says.In the Liverpool press, it's a different story: Liverpool Echo offers a measured response, noting that Darmanin offered his first full and frank apology for the way Liverpool fans were treated. Empire of the Kop, a news service run by a group of Liverpool fans who are professional journalists, are far more sceptical. They call it a "long overdue" apology, but remind us that Liverpool fans' patience actually prevented a frightening situation from getting worse. Furthermore, in his apology Darmanin said he expected a war of hooligans and for this publication, that's an unfair generalisation of fans from both Real Madrid and Liverpool.In other news, snooker has a new world champion! The Global Times reports that 28-year-old Zhao Xintong from China has won the World Snooker Championship after he defeated the three-time world champion, Welshman Mark Williams, in a thrilling final on Monday. His victory is a complicated one. Zhao returned recently to the sport after a 20-month ban over match-fixing that involved 10 Chinese players in 2023. He did not match-fix himself, but was party to another player who did. This is why his victory is somewhat muted in snooker circles. However, for The Independent, there is no doubt he will reach stratospheric levels of popularity in China, where snooker, a quaint British invention, is immensely popular. However you feel about him, Zhao is changing the face of snooker. The Telegraph calls him the Roger Federer of the snooker world.Finally, the press are focusing on one of the biggest events on the fashion calendar. The Met Gala celebrated Black dandyism in New York on Monday. Business Insider offers us a best and worst dressed list of billionaires at the event. On the best dressed list: Wendy Murdoch and her daughter Grace. The former wife of Rupert Murdoch and her daughter were charming in elegant white and gold outfits. On the worst dressed list: Norwegian tech billionaire Gustav Witzoe, in a white blazer cape hybrid with a briefcase of rose petals. Star Wars legend George Lucas also disappointed with his boring navy suit, while Kim Kardashian put together an unimaginative ensemble. Finally, Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt is not doing Australia's reputation for low fashion any favours, as people are disappointed with his lime-green eyesore! It turns out that money does not always buy good taste!You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, May 5: Romania's "Trump fanboy" presidential candidate crushes his rivals in the first round of elections. That victory comes despite an "anti-Trump bump" in elections in Australia, Canada and Singapore. Also, billionaire rapper P. Diddy's sex crimes trial begins in New York. French Prime Minister François Bayrou suggests a referendum to decide on how to finance France's public debt. Finally, Sweden's moose migration livestream ends after three weeks. We begin with reactions to the victory of George Simion, the pro-Trump candidate in Romania who cruised to victory in the first round of elections this weekend. Simion picked up nearly 40 percent of votes but he will face a second round of voting on May 18, Romanian daily Libertatea reports. Simion will face the centrist candidate and mayor of Bucharest Nicusor Dan. Another Romanian news site, Spot Media, reminds us that the presidential elections were annulled last December amid fears of Russian interference. For the website, Simion's victory could also stem from voter frustrations around that annulled vote and the chaotic campaigns of pro-European candidates this time round.In the foreign press, there is a lot of focus on the 38-year-old Simion himself. Politico calls him the hard-right Romanian election winner and "Trump fanboy". The website explains that Simion founded the Alliance for the Union of Romanians party (AUR) some years ago. The party gained popularity during Covid when it tapped into anti-science sentiment and fanned conspiracies about vaccines online. Simion was banned form entering Ukraine last year for anti-Ukrainian activities. He has also been repeatedly banned from Moldova for endangering national security. He has threatened to break EU laws he doesn't agree with, but insists Romania should be part of the bloc.It was certainly a weekend of elections, as The New York Times notes. In Australia, it was a completely different outcome as incumbent Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese came out on top. This follows the same trend as Canada's recent election. In Singapore, the argument for stability in times of turmoil also helped the incumbent PM Lawrence Wong this weekend: while his victory was not a shock, it reflects an "anti-Trump bump" taking place. This is, however, also counteracted by the far-right gains in Romania and in the UK's local elections. For the paper, it's proof of Trump's complex impact on world politics.In other news, billionaire rapper P. Diddy's sex crimes trial opens this Monday in New York. As TMZ notes, the trial will feature testimony from star witness Cassie Ventura. She filed a civil lawsuit against the billionaire rapper back in 2023 accusing him, among other crimes, of rape and human trafficking. A key piece of evidence in this trial will be the shocking video showing Diddy beating up Cassie in a hotel hallway, which was published by CNN last year. USA Today notes that the trial also coincides with the annual celebrity fashion ball, the Met Gala. Back in 2023, Diddy graced the red carpet of the Met Gala. This year, he will be kilometres away from the party as he faces the first day of his trial. He faces life in prison if found guilty of five counts of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.Here in France, Prime Minister François Bayrou has suggested a referendum to decide on how to finance France's soaring public debt. For many of the French papers, it's a surprising proposal. For one local paper, Le Télégramme, it's a rather "funny idea". Right-wing daily L'Opinion says it's a well-intentioned idea, but very difficult to apply. L'Opinion sees some ulterior motives too. The paper views the referendum as a way for the prime minister to transfer the problem of French public debt onto President Emmanuel Macron's shoulders.Finally, a 24-hour live stream of the Great Moose Migration in Sweden has come to an end. For three weeks, millions of people have tuned into 478 hours of footage from Sweden's national broadcaster of moose crossing rivers and thawed forests to their summer pastures. It's part of a "slow TV" trend that first took off in 2009, when Norway's broadcaster aired a real-time seven-hour train journey between Oslo and Bergen. More recently, Netflix has seen wild success with hours-long videos of wood burning in a fireplace in real time! You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, May 2: Just days before cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel for the papal conclave, the press speculate on the top contenders to be the next pope. Politico, meanwhile, highlights efforts by ultra conservatives to elect a hardline pontiff. Also: we look at reaction to Mike Waltz's demotion from Donald Trump's national security adviser. Plus, an expert weighs in on a viral debate about who would win in a fight between one gorilla and 100 men! There's a lot of focus in the press on next week's papal conclave, when cardinals will gather in the Sistine Chapel to begin voting on the next pope. Among them, the Philippine Star notes, are three Filipino cardinals. It's the highest ever number of Filipino cardinals in a conclave and a sign, the paper says, of the Philippines' rising influence within the Catholic Church. The Swiss daily Le Temps takes us through the shortlist of top contenders to be the next pontiff. One is the archbishop of Manilla, Luis Antonio Tagle, who could be the church's first pope from Asia. He's seen as someone who would continue the work of the late Pope Francis, with a focus on helping the poor and migrants. Other candidates include Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, who's carrying the African continent's hopes of a first African pope, Budapest Archbishop Peter Erdo, a conservative who is also liked by moderates; and New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who's close to Donald Trump and at the service of conservative America.Politico looks at how ultra conservatives are trying to seize this opportunity to push a much more conservative agenda in the Church. Some hardline conservatives see Pope Francis as heretic, and even the Antichrist, for his supposedly liberal outlook and conciliatory stance on same-sex unions, divorce and migrants. Now they're hoping to strike, even using smear tactics to push candidates like a bishop in Kazakhstan who has called refugees in Europe a mass invasion leading to Islamisation, as well as a pro-Trump candidate. They're hoping a hardline pope would focus more on being pro-life and family, rather than on climate change and immigration. And what about women in all of this? French paper La Croix looks at what women hope to gain from this papal conclave. It has asked 12 women – some theologians, others secular – to give their thoughts. Many of them underline a familiar debate: whether women should be able to participate in the vote.Moving on to the United States, Trump has demoted Mike Waltz from his post as National Security adviser. The move seemed inevitable, weeks after classified information was shared on messaging app Signal. Trump has removed Waltz and nominated him as ambassador for the UN. For the British magazine The Economist, Waltz's departure is indeed a loss for international Republican hawks. The magazine explains that Waltz leaves at a crucial time – amid a minerals deal with Ukraine, strikes against Houthis in Yemen and uncertainty around America's defence posture in the world. For one Washington Post writer, though, Waltz's ousting is also a sign of a complex ideological battle within the Trump administration. Waltz represented the hawks – sometimes called neocons – who are pitted against allies of Vice President JD Vance, who are seen as neoisolationists. Despite his major blunders, Waltz was seen as a stabilising force. His interim replacement, Marco Rubio, will now add a fourth position to his responsibilities. Rubio is already Secretary of State, acting administrator for USAID, acting archivist for the National Archives and Records Administration and now, interim national security adviser. As The New York Times notes, he now holds more titles than the late Henry Kissinger and even Chinese President Xi Jinping. "Marco Rubio, Secretary of Everything", it headlines.Finally, an existential debate has obsessed the internet recently: who would win in a fight between one gorilla and 100 men? Now primatologists are weighing in! The president of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Tara Stoinski, has given her expert opinion. She says humans would win because they would be able to attack gorillas from behind and in front and essentially wear down the gorilla. Someone asked ChatGPT, which feels the gorilla would win because 100 men would likely panic or flee. ChatGPT, it appears, understands the fallibility of courage: that in fight or flight situations, we'd like to think we'd fight, but most of us would just want to get out of there!You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, May 1: The Spanish papers continue to wonder what – or who – was responsible for the Great Blackout that plunged Spain and Portugal into darkness this week. Is renewable energy to blame? Also: US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr alarms medical experts over his plans to impose placebo testing of vaccines. Plus: Steven Spielberg reveals what he thinks is the greatest film of all time. There is lots of scrutiny around renewable energies after the shock nationwide power outage that hit Spain and Portugal earlier this week. Spanish daily La Vanguardia asks that very question on the front page of its website: Who is to Blame for the Great Blackout? Was it a photovoltaic plant that shut down, a French disconnection, a poorly designed IT system or overconfidence in the system's infallibility? We still don't know what caused the blackout, but many have been quick to blame renewable energy for the system's failure. But in the same edition, La Vanguardia interviews the head of an energy research group, Jose Luis Dominguez, who says that Spain needs to continue investing in renewable energy. He concedes, though, that the blackout highlights the need for adjustments in regulation and oversight of companies. And that the low inertia of solar and wind energy requires more investment and innovation in reacting to unforeseen circumstances. That's the message echoed in an article from Reuters entitled "Don't blame renewables for Spain's power outage". Instead, the news agency says, Monday's blackout should be a warning to governments that investment in power storage and grid upgrades are just as important as expanding renewable energy projects.The US department of health is planning to change the way vaccines are tested and critics say the move could undermine public trust in immunisation. The Washington Post reports that Robert F. Kennedy Jnr wants to impose placebo testing in all new vaccines, in which people receive either the vaccine or an inert substance like a saline shot. Placebo testing is commonplace for new pathogens but not for well-researched diseases like measles and polio. Medical experts say this could be unethical because the placebo group would not receive a known effective intervention to a potentially deadly disease. The Post says the health department wants to increase transparency. Since Kennedy Jnr's appointment as head of health, the US top vaccine regulator Peter Marks has resigned under pressure, while Kennedy Jnr has continued to express his scepticism around vaccines amid an ongoing deadly measles outbreak in the US.The investigative journalism nonprofit collective Forbidden Stories has released a new report detailing the shocking treatment of Ukrainians in a Russian prison. Forbidden Stories is a collective which aims to continue the investigative reporting of journalists who have been silenced. Their Victoriia Project is named for Ukrainian journalist Victoriia Roshchyna's efforts to document the war in Ukraine. On her fourth trip in 2023, however, she never came back. Earlier this year, what has been identified as her body was delivered to Ukraine. Forbidden Stories details the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of wars and in some cases, civilians at the notorious Taganrog prison. This is where Victoriia ended up. The articles describes the prison as "synonymous with the most violent types of treatment imaginable, reminiscent of the worst Soviet gulags". According to former inmates, beatings, unimaginable torture and food deprivation were routine occurrences at the prison. They also faced punishment for speaking Ukrainian and some inmates ended up committing suicide as a result of the torture.  In cinema news, Steven Spielberg has revealed what he thinks is the greatest film of all time. Screen Rant reports that the legendary director sys Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 film "The Godfather" was the greatest movie of all time. In fact, it was so good that it shook his confidence as a director and almost made him not want to become one, according to Spielberg. A few years later though, "Jaws" came out and Spielberg's career took off. He, like Coppola, is part of the New Hollywood group of directors who brought filmmaking into the modern era.Finally, a pair of tennis fans have got engaged in the stands before Alex de Minaur and Lorenzo Musetti's Round of 16 match in the Madrid Open. It brings a whole new meaning to "love game"!You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, April 30: Papers worldwide are discussing the impact of Donald Trump's presidency as he marks 100 days in office. Also, Vietnam celebrates the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification with a military parade in Ho Chi Minh City. Next, activists in the UK are finding new ways of protesting fast fashion by mailing their used clothes to CEOs. Finally, a baby vulture is fed in an original way at a New York zoo. Trump's first 100 days in office feature on many front pages. The New Yorker has an illustration of a locked-up Lady Liberty counting the days left on her four-year sentence. The New York Times has a graphic opinion piece, which says that every day since the US president's inauguration has "felt like utter chaos". Time Magazine does a spin on the front page it published almost 10 years ago in August 2015, while the New York Post says this is just the beginning.European papers are also talking about Trump's first 100 days. Les Échos puts into words what many people have been feeling: "100 days which feel more like a thousand”. A sentiment echoed by Libération. The French paper calls Trump's second term an "enterprise of mass destruction" both in the United States and abroad. In Switzerland, Le Temps has a cartoon on its front page by cartoonist Chapatte, illustrating the "hundred days of noise and fury". The Guardian has an opinion piece saying that "the uniting theme of Trump's presidency is ineptitude". The Economist, for its part, just chooses to remind us of how long we still have left.The International papers are also discussing the impact that Trump has had on the world so far. The Saudi news site Arab News says the consequences are clear, noting that Trump has led an "unpredictable campaign that has upended parts of the rules-based world order". The Kenyan paper The Standard takes a similar line. It says that Trump has shattered the US's role on the world stage. In South America, the Argentinian paper Clarin is focusing on Trump's dwindling popularity, while in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post looks at what it calls a "power grab by executive order".In other news, this Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Vietnam. The Vietnamese daily Viet Nam News is covering the National Reunification celebration parades happening in Ho Chi Minh City. The anniversary is also celebrated in France by the Communist daily L'Humanité, which devotes a number of pages to what it calls "the epilogue of the US imperialist war". The Italian daily La Repubblica has an article looking at how Vietnam is still fighting the effects of the chemical Agent Orange. The article says that US efforts to help fight the consequences of Agent Orange are now facing funding cuts under the Trump administration.With fast fashion having a huge impact on our environment, some climate activists are opting for a new strategy to hold brands to account. The Guardian has an article which says that activists have started mailing used clothes back to brands. Fast fashion's environmental impact motivated Wendy Ward to start a campaign called Take It Back. She encourages her followers to send their worn-out clothes to CEOs, along with a "non-confrontational letter".Finally, the Associated Press reports that zookeepers in New York are feeding their baby vulture with a hand puppet. The puppet imitates how a young vulture might be fed by its real parents in the wild.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW: Tuesday, 29 April: Spanish and Portuguese press are covering the huge blackout which has caused chaos among locals. Papers look at who to blame, and how to make the most of a “medieval” lifestyle. Also, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists published a report highting how China represses dissent abroad. And, Sports fans look forward to a Champions' League game this evening. Finally, a student in Japan has to be saved from Mount Fuji, twice. The massive black out in Spain and Portugal, is on all the front pages in Spain and Portugal. La Razon's calls it total chaos and warns that people will still have to wait a few hours before power is completely restored. ABC calls it “el gran apagon” or the big blackout. La Vanguardia headlines simply with "Spain blacked out". In Portugal, the Jornal de Noticias says it is an Iberian Blackout, and blames the Spanish for it. The Portuguese paper Negocios says that the country is “close to a nervous breakdown” as people are so exasperated by the standstill.Some papers are trying to understand whose fault it is. For the Spanish paper La Razon, blame lies with Spain's President Pedro Sanchez. El Pais meanwhile, points the finger at “shortcomings in the connection between the Iberian Peninsula and the European electricity grid”. Sky News published an analysis piece looking at how electricity grids fail, and why restoring them is a nightmare. It says that a single localised event is unlikely to be the cause.The news has not only been negative, some coverage has been looking at how people spent their time without power. Publico has a report on tram drivers, whose trams were left stuck in the middle of the street. They reportedly spent their time eating feta and playing cards. El Mundo celebrates a “happy and outrageous day in the Middle Ages”. The Guardian celebrates the community spirit on display in the streets of Madrid.Also, a report published Monday by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists sheds light on China's tactics to silence critics. They say they have discovered a “machinery of repression”.Anticipation is building for the first leg of the Champion's League semi-finals between PSG and Arsenal. The French paper Aujourd'hui en France says it is Go time. Meanwhile L'Equipe talks of an explosive challenge as they face off with the Gunners. The Star says Arsenal need to go in all guns blazing. The Mirror finally, hopes that Arsenal's head coach Mikel Arteta, will be able to make history.The Tokyo Weekender brings us news that a university student was rescued from Mount Fuji twice in four days. Unfortunately, he realised he had lost his phone during the process, so he went back up, only to have to be saved, again, after suffering from severe altitude sickness.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, April 28: Coverage of the preparations of the secretive papal conclave continues, as cardinals are set to announce a date of the start of deliberations. Also, French papers are reacting to the mosque attack in the south of the country, as news breaks that the suspect has handed himself in. Next, tensions continue to grow between India and Pakistan. Finally, Liverpool and Wrexham celebrate, while a ten-year-old boy becomes European gull screeching champion. The pope's funeral was the main story in the papers over the weekend, and is still on most front pages this Monday morning. Le Figaro is looking at the "after Francis” and says the church is waiting for the new pope. The French Catholic paper La Croix discusses the preparations going into the election of a new pontiff. The cardinals are meeting this Monday to set a date for the start of the conclave. The Guardian says that despite the fact that Francis appointed many of the voting cardinals, this conclave is still extremely unpredictable as both conservatives and progressives are seeking to shape the future of the Catholic Church. The Spanish paper El Pais looks at the issues facing the cardinals. It says that Francis leaves behind a "complex legacy and half-baked changes which have created internal division".In France, the man who brutally murdered a Muslim worshipper in a mosque in the south of France on Friday has handed himself in to police in Italy. Le Figaro says the suspect filmed himself committing the murder and talked about wanting to become a serial killer. Libération is covering the story on its front page, but is focusing on tributes to the victim. The left-leaning news site Mediapart says that Bruno Retailleau, the French interior minister, has come under fire for his "discreet" reaction to the attack – notably for taking longer than he usually does to post a response on social media and for waiting two days before going to the mosque in person.Tensions between India and Pakistan are worsening after last week's terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. The Guardian reports that India has test-fired missiles. It says India's navy was demonstrating its ability to carry out long-range precision offensives. Meanwhile, a Pakistani minister has said that nuclear weapons "are targeted at you". The New York Times says that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not just been trying to de-escalate the face-off. It also appears that he might be building a case to strike Pakistan. The article says the situation is still volatile, with both sides continuing to escalate their discourse, but it is not clear "if and when" the tit-for-tat could get completely out of hand.Liverpool have won their 20th Premier League title and Liverpool fans have been celebrating, or as The Star puts it, "Salah-brating", their title. The Mirror calls for a pool party. The Daily Telegraph, meanwhile, says the symbolic Liver Birds are back on their perch. The Guardian, though, brings us a storyline worthy of Hollywood: Ryan Reynolds' team Wrexham have sealed their third promotion in a row.Finally, a ten-year-old prodigy has just retained his title in the European gull screeching championship, beating contestants from all around Europe, including his seven-year-old sister. The article in The Times says that Cooper started squawking after an altercation when a seagull tried to steal his sandwich.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, 23 April. A ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia appears to be making progress, albeit extremely slowly. [Editor's note: as this press review aired, it was announced that London peace talks on Ukraine involving top diplomats had been postponed, but that a meeting of lower level officials would still take place.] In France, the Bétherram sex abuse scandal continues to get coverage as Prime Minister François Bayrou's daughter says she was among those abused. Finally, the Guardian brings us new details of Shakespeare's private life on Shakespeare Day. The press are trying to keep up with the latest developments regarding potential ceasefire talks on Ukraine. The Daily Telegraph has the story on its front page. It headlines with "Trump to let Putin keep seized land". The article says that US President Donald Trump's latest peace settlement suggests that Putin can keep all of the territory he has seized in Ukraine so far, as part of the US seven-point plan to end the war in Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent says that Zelensky has ruled out recognising Crimea as Russian. At the same time, The New York Times reports that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced he will not attend the next stage of the peace talks. The Kyiv Post, meanwhile, has an article reporting that Putin is open to direct talks with Ukraine. Politico says Ukraine is ready to negotiate, but only if Russia agrees to a ceasefire first. [Editor's note: as this press review aired, it was announced that London peace talks on Ukraine involving top diplomats had been postponed, but that a meeting of lower level officials would still take place.]The Bétharram scandal continues to reverberate in France, and Prime Minister François Bayrou is accused of turning a blind eye to systemic abuse happening inside the school, which was attended by his children. Paris Match brings us the latest news in what is quite an uncomfortable interview with Bayrou's daughter Hélène. She says that she too was a victim of abuse during her time at Bétharram. Le Monde notes that Bayrou is expected to attend a hearing of the parliamentary inquiry commission on May 14. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.Finally, this Wednesday marks Shakespeare Day, in commemoration of the Bard's birthday and death, and it seems we are lucky to have some Shakespeare gossip from the Guardian. Although Shakespeare was widely assumed to have an unhappy marriage, historians have discovered a new letter written to his wife Anne Hathaway that could suggest the contrary. Meanwhile, LBC reports on the auction of four 300-year-old folios.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, 22 April: The press are remembering the late Pope Francis in different ways: highlighting his dedication, calling him a "pope of the people" or focusing on his politics. His legacy is also discussed beyond the front pages. Finally, the papers discuss what happens next, and turn to Hollywood for a little inspiration. The Vatican paper L'Osservatore Romano has a front page announcing that Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88. Unsurprisingly, the news makes the front pages of most papers around the world, where the pope is remembered in a number of ways. Le Figaro highlights Francis's dedication in his final days. There's a similar tone in Ireland, where the Irish Daily Star celebrates his Easter appearances over the weekend.One term which features a lot in the English-language press is the "People's Pope", as seen in The Mirror. The Australian Herald Sun is also praising him as a "Pope of the People". Other papers seem to be focusing more on his politics. The Philippine Daily Inquirer headlines with "A legacy of reform, humility, inclusion". The Times of Malta laments the "Death of a revolutionary". The French Paper La Croix, meanwhile, remembers Francis as a reformer who leaves a deep trace in the Church's history.Beyond the front pages, the press is debating what exactly Francis's legacy might be. The Argentinian paper Clarin says his papacy will have been one of contradictions. Politico has a more critical view. They call it a dramatic papacy, frustrating for both conservatives and progressives. In France, Libération says that Francis was a pope who was less revolutionary than hoped. The article says that despite his attempts to change the priorities of the Church, it remains stuck on questions about sexual morals and abortion.Meanwhile, the world is wondering what happens next behind closed doors. The Guardian has a conclave explainer on its website. The Washington Post, meanwhile, has a list of the main contenders. The press are already turning to Hollywood to get an idea of what is about to happen. We got a glimpse of it in the Oscar-winning film "Conclave", which is all about the election of a new pope, and we are seeing a sort of "Conclavification" of press coverage. An article in People magazine highlights the extent to which Hollywood has improved our knowledge of mysterious Vatican traditions. The Times has a photo of Ralph Fiennes starring in the film "Conclave". It says that the film illustrates the battle lines in the Vatican. The New York Times says the movie is one of the most accurate depictions of the tense election process of a new pope.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, April 21: The New York Times reports that US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth sent confidential messages to a second Signal group chat. Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of breaking Putin's "ceasefire". Finally, unusual Easter traditions worldwide lead to some joyful photographs. This weekend's Easter celebrations have made the front pages of many papers, with most of them focusing on Pope Francis's appearances. The Independent has a photo of a "frail pope" greeting crowds from his popemobile following a "brief" meeting with US Vice President JD Vance. Le Monde calls the meeting a clash of two Catholicisms. In Spain, El Mundo also has the meeting on their front page. The article says that tension between the Vatican and the White House escalated in February, after the pope called Trump's deportations inhumane. The Trump administration is hopeful that the meeting will re-establish good relations with the Holy See.The New York Times brings us news of "Signalgate 2". The article says that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth shared confidential information on a second Signal group, including the flight schedules for the F/A-18 Hornets targeting the Houthis in Yemen. The Washington Post calls it a new jolt for the Hegseth team. The article says that these latest allegations will be another test for Hegseth's "embattled, shrinking coterie of senior advisers". Politico has quite a damning opinion piece written by Hegseth's former spokesperson John Ullyot. Ullyot says that the Pentagon's dysfunction under Hegseth's leadership is a distraction for the Trump administration. He says that Trump "deserves better".Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed an Easter ceasefire announced by Vladimir Putin as a PR stunt after fighting continued to rage on. The Kyiv Independent says that nearly 3,000 Russian ceasefire violations were recorded from front lines during the Easter truce, according to Zelensky. The independent Russian media The Moscow Times says that both Russian and Ukrainian officials are accusing each other of breaking the Easter ceasefire. According to the Russian defence ministry, Ukraine shelled Russian positions over 400 times. The Independent calls "Putin's Easter ceasefire a dangerous distraction from his original sin". It argues that it is hard to focus on winning a war against Russia if "political efforts are diverted into quibbles over fake ceasefires".Finally, people have been celebrating Easter by taking part in various weird and wonderful traditions around the world. The New York Post brings us joyful photos from New York's Bonnet Festival. Meanwhile, the Guardian focuses on the best pictures of Easter weekend, including some intense Corgi racing in Scotland.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, 18 April: Papers in Italy discuss Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit to the White House. Next, US President Donald Trump escalates his battle with Harvard University and academia in the United States. Also, rising chocolate and egg prices put a dampener on Easter. Finally, the winner of the World Press Photo competition is a haunting photo of a young Palestinian boy. Giorgia Meloni's visit to the White House is on most of Italy's front pages. La Stampa reclaims the British "special relationship" on its front page. The right-leaning paper Libero praises the Italian leader for having successfully invited Trump to discussions with European leaders on the EU-US trade conflict. The left-leaning daily Il Fatto Quotidiano, meanwhile, is slightly more critical of the visit. The article talks about a slightly tense moment in the meeting where Trump and Meloni did not see eye-to-eye on Ukraine. In the US, The New York Times looks at the similarities between the two leaders and why they might get along. The Guardian is also focusing on the relationship between Meloni and Trump, suggesting that they speak the same language. It says Meloni has been labelled the Trump whisperer, "deemed capable of awakening the concealed angels of his nature".In the US, the arm wrestling between Harvard and the Trump administration continues. The Associated Press brings us news that Trump has now threatened to block the university from enrolling international students, and has called to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status. Newsweek had an opinion piece arguing that Trump's financial assault on Harvard demonstrates a fundamental disregard for constitutional law. Back in France, the US president's offensive on Harvard and universities is the front page of Libération, which says that more than six universities could be the target of sanctions if they do not comply with reforms. The Guardian says that amid the crackdown on research and academia in the US, the French University of Aix-Marseille has come up with a programme called "Safe Place for Science".With Easter round the corner, many are already looking forward to their chocolate binging, but the mood this year is slightly dampened. Le Figaro looks at why chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs are so much more expensive today than they were last year. It puts it down to bad cocoa harvests, poor working conditions for cocoa farmers and increasing speculation. The Independent says that nearly half of Americans will skip Easter traditions because of high prices, which have become increasingly so because of inflation and Trump's trade war. Despite the high prices, it seems that demand for chocolate is still strong this Easter. Swissinfo tells us that 23 million chocolate rabbits have been produced in Switzerland so far.Finally, the winner of the World Press Photo Competition was announced on Thursday, and it is a haunting picture. As the BBC reports, the winning photograph is a portrait of nine-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour recovering from war injuries. The young Palestinian boy lost both his arms in an Israeli air strike on Gaza. The photo was taken by Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, April 17: The UK Supreme Court rules that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. Also, The New York Times describes rifts in Trump's cabinet. Next, Haiti marks 200 years since France asked for compensation in exchange for independence. Also, two mountaineers break a speed climbing record in Switzerland. Meanwhile, astronomers find convincing signs of alien life in the universe. Finally, a Japanese lab has grown chicken nuggets. The UK Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex is all over the British front pages today. The Daily Mail calls it a "historic victory for women and common sense". The Daily Telegraph headlines with "Trans women are not women". The Independent's front page, meanwhile, looks at the consequences that the ruling might have for trans women, calling it a blow to their rights. The Guardian's website has an explainer that goes through the implications of the ruling. Finally, The Times has a Hamlet-inspired cartoon, making light of the Supreme Court's fascination for chromosomes.French paper L'Humanité dedicates much of its coverage to the commemoration of the 200 years since France imposed the "chains of debt" on Haiti. It describes how on April 17, 1825, France demanded that Haiti pay compensation in exchange for its liberty and independence as a nation. This article calls it "blackmail", which still hangs over Haiti's politics and economy to this day. The Haitian paper Le Nouvelliste says that President Emmanuel Macron must address Haiti on the anniversary of what it calls the ransom of independence. If not, it says, Haiti risks another war with its old colonial rulers.The New York Times has a long article which says that Israel had planned to strike and destroy Iranian nuclear sites as soon as next month. Initially planned as a commando operation, Israeli officials later proposed a bombing campaign which would have lasted several weeks and needed US assistance. It says the attacks were "waved off" by Donald Trump in favour of renegotiating with Tehran to limit its nuclear programme.The Times brings us extraordinary news from Switzerland. It reports that two mountaineers have scaled the "murder wall" and smashed the three peak record. The Swiss–Austrian pair smashed the previous record of 25 hours by finishing their three-peak climb in 15 hours and 30 minutes.Meanwhile, scientists may have found signs that we are not alone in the universe. The New Scientist suggests that astronomers have found the strongest evidence for alien life so far. It says that the James Webb telescope has picked up signs of molecules that are only produced by living organisms. They found these chemical footprints on the exoplanet K2-18b, which is 124 light years away.Finally, Nature brings us news that a team of scientists in Japan have grown chicken nuggets in a lab.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, April 16: Attacks on nine prisons in France receive wide coverage in the French papers. Next, four Russian journalists have been arrested on charges of extremism over their work with Alexei Navalny. Also, Canada braces for elections, although hockey takes precedence over television debates. In sports news, Paris Saint-Germain are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League. Finally, Swedish moose are TV's new stars. The French papers are all discussing the same story after prisons all over France were attacked in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The motives are still a mystery, as La Dépêche du Midi tells us this morning. The paper describes the different overnight attacks. Police said the incidents ranged from tags, to vandalism, to cars being set alight. There were also two recorded incidents of shotgun and Kalashnikov shots, which struck two of the nine targeted prisons. Whilst Le Monde tells us that all hypotheses are still open, Le Figaro says that it is most likely related to drug trafficking.The independent media in Russia brings us news that four Russian journalists have been jailed on charges of "extremism". The Moscow Times says they have been sentenced to five and a half years in prison. Novaya Gazeta, the opposition newspaper, whose journalists write from exile in Estonia, is also covering the story. It explains that the four were arrested last year for their work with Alexei Navalny, the opposition leader who died in prison over a year ago. It adds that one of the arrested journalists said he had been placed in a cell for "dangerous prisoners", where he was forced to sleep on the floor.In Canada, things are heating up in the run-up to federal elections, with leadership debates being held this week. The Montreal Gazette has a very Canadian headline: "Habs take priority: Federal leaders debate moved up to accommodate hockey game". The article confirms that hockey takes priority over politics, even more so when the Montreal Canadian Habs are playing against the California Hurricanes for a playoff spot. The Canadian website CBC takes a look at the two main figures facing off at the elections: Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Liberal leader Mark Carney. It says that where Poilievre represents change, Carney represents stability. The Toronto Star has an opinion piece discussing that change with two pollsters. They say that the lead in the polls depends on what the ballot question is considered to be. Those who think that the election is about Trump are more likely to vote Liberal, whereas those who think it is about change are more likely to vote Conservative.It was a tense evening for football fans last night as teams fought it out for their place in the Champions League semi-finals. Aston Villa fans were disappointed, but The Mirror was still determined to celebrate Villa's win over Paris Saint-Germain last night, despite it not being enough to get them through to the semi-finals. It's a heart-breaking win, according to the Daily Mail. Meanwhile in Paris, Le Parisien is headlining with "Le grand frisson", highlighting the fright Paris gave themselves in last night's game. But the night finished with a happy ending, according to L'Équipe. Paris now move on to the semi-finals, where they will face either Arsenal or Real Madrid.Finally, a Swedish TV station has seen millions of people flock to its live stream showing the week-long migration of Sweden's moose population. The Guardian says it has been an annual event since 2019 and has grown in popularity over the years. Last year, some 9 million people tuned in to see the moose cross the Angerman river.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, April 15: The press are marking the two-year anniversary of the deadly civil war in Sudan. Also, papers in Hungary react to an amendment limiting the rights of LGBTQ people and dual nationals. Next, two teenagers are arrested in Kenya for attempting to smuggle 5,000 ants out of the country. Finally, Catalan architect Gaudi gets holy recognition on his path to becoming a saint. Sudan's civil war broke out exactly two years ago, on April 15, 2023. The Guardian has a timeline of the conflict to mark the grim anniversary. The paper also has the story of a leaked UN report, which raises fresh concerns over the UAE's role in the war. The article says the UAE is accused of secretly supplying weapons to Sudanese paramilitaries via Chad. It says the flight paths often disappeared for "crucial segments" of their journey, which could suggest covert operations. Meanwhile, the death toll from the conflict continues to rise. The BBC reports that more than 400 people have been killed by paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces in recent attacks on refugee camps in the Darfur region.In Hungary, the government has passed legislation limiting the rights of LGBTQ people and dual nationals. The Hungarian news site Telex reports that the Fidesz majority in the National Assembly approved the 15th amendment to the Constitution by 140 votes to 21. Nepszava, a leading social-democratic daily in Hungary, headlines with comments from the Hungarian Helsinki Committee. The human rights organisation says the amendment aims to "sow fear and divide society". In France, the LGBTQ magazine Têtu says that the vote is the backpeddling on LGBT rights that populists worldwide have always dreamed of. The New York Times calls it an escalation in the culture war. It accuses Prime Minister Viktor Orban of using the laws to divert public attention away from both economic problems and a rising opposition in the run-up to next year's parliamentary elections. Libération has a report on the different ways in which protesters have been fighting the ban. It highlights for instance the "grey pride" march, which took place on Saturday.Two teenagers have been arrested for trafficking ants in Kenya. The Kenyan daily The Star reports that two Belgian teenagers and two accomplices were arrested in the possession of almost €7,000 worth of queen ants. The Times is also covering the story. Its article says that the teenagers were planning to sell them as exotic pets. Kenya's Wildlife Service has said that although they have battled illegal wildlife trafficking for a very long time, they are now having to turn their attention to smaller species, in response to weirder global demand.Finally, the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi could well be on the path to sainthood. Vatican News reports that he has been declared venerable. Gaudi is known for his fantastic buildings around Barcelona and in particular the Sagrada Familia, which is still under construction, nearly 140 years after building first started.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, April 14: As the UK government swoops to the rescue of British Steel, papers ask whether its Chinese owners Jingwe may have sabotaged the plant, and whether nationalisation could come back into fashion. In other news, newly elected president Brice Nguema Oligui is lauded by the Gabonese press, while French papers point to his similarities with the regime he ousted. Finally, in the US, the survival bunker business is burgeoning.

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, April 11: Papers react to the news that Chinese nationals are being recruited by Russia on social media to fight in Ukraine. In Israel, hundreds of reservists who denounced the war in Gaza have been fired. Next, the world commemorates the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp by US forces. Le Monde tells the incredible story of the "watercolour painter of Buchenwald". Finally, in Austria, humans teach birds how to fly. The BBC brings us the story that up to 155 Chinese nationals could currently be fighting for Russia against Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent suggests that this demonstrates a systemic recruitment effort. The Guardian reveals the extent of Russia's recruitment efforts by featuring the Russian ads that have been circulating on social media in China. The Economist, meanwhile, calls them soldiers of misfortune and suggests they are either motivated by cash, danger or in some cases, nationalism. The article points out that Chinese mercenaries have been showing up both on the Russian and Ukrainian sides.In Israel, hundreds of air force reservists who signed a letter asking for an end to the war in Gaza have been fired. The Jerusalem Post quotes the head of the IDF, Eyal Zamir, as saying "no matter how controversial policies might be, reservists are forbidden from taking public position on such issues". But it is not just air force reservists who have voiced their resistance to the war. The Times of Israel reports that more than a hundred ex-navy officers and dozens of doctors have also shown their opposition.This Friday marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp by American forces. It is commemorated in Germany on Die Welt's front page. The photo they use shows French Buchenwald prisoners and a young boy whose name was on the death list three times but who miraculously survived. Le Monde is also commemorating the anniversary with the incredible story of Paul Simon, "the watercolour painter of Buchenwald". Simon was a young resistance fighter who was arrested and imprisoned at the camp between January 1944 and April 1945. During his time at Buchenwald, he painted a number of watercolour paintings documenting the terrible conditions there. It was only years after Simon passed away that his son discovered the paintings, which are now being published for the first time.Finally, the website Positive News brings us an unusual story: humans are teaching birds to fly in Austria. The bald ibis used to be extinct in Europe, but they are back in our skies thanks to "foster humans" who fly with the birds using a microlight aircraft. By raising the birds from hatchlings, scientists are able to create a bond with the birds that is strong enough to lure them in the skies. The birds then follow the scientists as they show them how to migrate down to Andalusia in Spain.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, April 10: Trump's tariffs continue to make front pages around the world and in particular in China. In Germany, a coalition between the Conservatives and the Social Democrats has been reached, five months after the collapse of Olaf Scholz's government. Meanwhile, data centres are running out of space, and might be sent to the Moon. Next, Paris Saint-Germain are celebrated after their win against Aston Villa. Finally, the UK has new postboxes, but with a technological twist. Donald Trump's change of plan on tariffs is on all the front pages. The Guardian calls it a pause, but The Independent dubs it a U-turn. The tabloids have fun with the news. The Daily Mirror calls it "Erratic Trump's New Gamble" and "Great War of China". The Chinese press is also covering the story. China Daily says that the government is ready to stand firm in defence of the multilateral trading system. The article says Trump's latest move is a "mistake upon a mistake". The Global Times also has a defiant tone. It highlights Chinese resilience, and adds that China will not be intimidated by US protectionism. The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post has an interesting two-page spread focusing on the consequences of a trade war. The article describes how some Chinese exporters are abandoning their shipments mid-voyage and giving up their containers to avoid the crushing costs of tariffs.Elsewhere, a coalition between the Conservatives and the Social Democrats has been reached in Germany, five months after the previous government collapsed. The tabloid Bild says the black and red coalition is rolling. Whereas the Rheinische Post speaks of relief in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Frankfurter Allgemeine describes incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz's coalition as brave but uncomfortable. The Tagesspiegel is more critical. The paper wonders if the coalition will be strong enough to handle the world's crises.Data centres might soon be moving to the Moon. One US compnay is certainly hoping to do so, according to the BBC. With the increasing use of artificial intelligence, world demand for data centres is skyrocketing, but it is getting hard to find places to put them as they take up a huge amount of space and use a lot of water. The Guardian is focusing on this issue. Their investigation reveals that Amazon, Google and Microsoft are building water-thirsty data centres in some of the world's driest regions.In sports news, Paris Saint-Germain have been celebrating after a win over Aston Villa in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. The French sports paper L'Équipe calls it "Strikes of Genius". The mood was a tad bitter in the UK. The Mirror headlines with a sad pun: "Eiffel Sour". Meanwhile in Spain, papers were celebrating Barcelona's win over Dortmund and the festival of goals there.Finally, the Royal Mail has unveiled the "postbox of the future". The new postboxes include a scanner, solar panels and an extra-large opening hatch for parcels.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, April 9: Papers around the world react to US President Donald Trump's tariffs and discuss the impact they could have on the economy. Also, fighting continues to wreak havoc in Myanmar as locals set up fundraisers. Meanwhile, locals of Rabat and San Sebastian are not happy with the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Finally, a German farmer finds his wedding ring in his cow's stomach. Papers around the world are reacting to Trump's tariffs. The French paper La Tribune says it is "America against the world". The Swiss daily Le Temps has a cartoon by Chapatte on its front page, making light of what a post-tariff world might look like. Germany papers are also anticipating the consequences of a trade war. The Frankfurter Allgemeine headlines with a "fear of the Chinese wave". The article describes how Europe could be at risk of a wave of Chinese products, previously destined for the US, which could now be diverted to Europe. Politico also touches on this potential "flood". It says that European officials have reached out to China, asking them to help track the expected wave of Chinese products on European markets. Trump and his tariffs make headlines in Brazil too, which talks of "worsening global uncertainty". Africanews has an article on its website looking at the impact the tariffs might have on jobs in South Africa. In Asia, the Japanese Times says the country is appointing negotiators. Japanese diplomats have said they will continue their efforts to keep dialogue open.Turning to Myanmar, fighting has continued there despite the ceasefire, devastating communities as they recover from the earthquake 10 days ago. The Times has an exclusive piece demonstrating the extent of the damage caused by the fighting during relief efforts. The French paper La Croix, for its part, focuses on hope among the carnage.FIFA has been rocked by controversy as the 2030 World Cup organised in Morocco, Portugal and Spain faces local resistance. Maroc Diplomatique says that Morocco's heritage is at stake. The Spanish paper El Pais reports that Morocco's push for modernisation has razed neighbourhoods. But it's not just Moroccans who are upset. In Spain, residents of the Basque city of San Sebastian have written to FIFA saying they don't want to host the World Cup at all, according to the Guardian.Meanwhile, papers are reacting to the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night. Star Sport headlines with "Rice Crispies", referring of course to Declan Rice's two goals against Real Madrid. The Sun says "Bend it like Declan". Spanish paper AS says that Real Madrid "are forced to perform another miracle" if they want to continue to the semi-finals. In Italy, Tuttosport rejoices, clearly pleased with their 2-1 win over Bayern Munich.Finally, we end with a strange story in The Telegraph about a German farmer who was reunited with his wedding ring after one of his cows accidentally gobbled it up!You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, April 8: There's defiance, anger and determination from the Chinese press, which react to Donald Trump's threats to impose up to 104 percent tariffs on Chinese goods. Opinions say China has the upper hand in this war of words. Also: Trump's Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr is forced to endorse the measles vaccine after the death of a second child in Texas. Plus: scientists say they've created a version of the dire wolf – a canine that went extinct 9,000 years ago! The trade war of words continues to dominate the press, especially in China. In response to Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff hikes last week, China has said it will impose duties of 34 percent on US goods. In retaliation to China's retaliation, Trump has promised fresh tariff hikes, which would bring these to a total 104 percent on Chinese goods. There's no word yet on whether China will react once again, but the game of one-upping is putting the world economy through the grater, as we see in a China Daily illustration by Song Chen.There are also some stern words in the China Daily. One opinion writer argues that Washington must learn that arrogance does not pay, adding: "What is unfolding in the United States today is the sad story that the country has become increasingly authoritarian, and more and more like a centrally planned economy. Private enterprises are now at the behest of the all-powerful president."There is also lots of talk about Black Monday. Markets tumbled across the board amid news of Trump's fresh tariffs. The Global Times, the Chinese government's official paper, quotes the foreign ministry spokesperson as accusing the US of economic bullying, unilateralism and protectionism. There are stern warnings from the Global Times' editor that China is not one to be messed with. The paper tries to take the moral high ground, defending its countermeasures as necessary not just for China but to actively "uphold a fair and free world trading system."The opinion pages also appear to feel that China is prepared for this trade war. The Global Times quotes Bloomberg as saying that China has already "trade war-proofed" its economy. Meanwhile, The Sydney Morning Herald notes that China could emerge the winner from this trade war. Under Biden, it says, the US and its allies were united against China. Now, those allies have no choice but to turn towards China and the result will be an isolated and poor US and a new world order with China at the helm. The editors of The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, have an unorthodox suggestion to those countries affected by Trump's tariffs: call his bluff and offer zero tariffs on all bilateral goods and services. A long shot, no doubt, it admits!Staying in the US, there's a flurry of contradicting statements from the man in charge of health, Robert Kennedy Jr. As The Washington Post reports, it comes in the wake of a measles outbreak in Texas. A second child died there this weekend, bringing to the total death toll to three. The Washington Post reports that some unvaccinated children hospitalised in late March with measles had signs of vitamin A deficiency. This then led to a surge in demand for vitamin A-rich supplements like cod liver oil, which Kennedy touted last month as a potential remedy for measles. Neoscope, a science and tech website, reports that Kennedy has now been forced to endorse the measles vaccine as being most effective against what the website calls a "dire and entirely preventable situation".In an interview with the Associated Press, Dr Peter Marks, a former vaccine chief of the Food and Drug Administration, speaks of an extraordinary struggle with Kennedy's team. He agreed to grant access to Kennedy's associates to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, containing reports of potential vaccine-related issues. But he refused to let them edit the data because "frankly we don't trust them". Marks then resigned, or rather was forced to resign.We end on some positive news for science: the return of an extinct wolf! The company Colossal Biosciences says its team have brought back a version of a dire wolf – a canine that roamed the Americas during the Late Pleistocene era and went extinct 9,500 years ago. Time Magazine was able to meet the three pups born at the end of last year and early this year. It explains that scientists deciphered the dire wolf genome, rewrote the genetic code of the common grey wolf to match it and used domestic dogs as surrogate mothers to bring into the world Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi. It's certainly a feat for genetic engineering – Gizmodo notes that the company also successfully genetically engineered the woolly mouse recently. Its ultimate project: resurrecting the woolly mammoth!You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, April 7: French and European papers react to Marine Le Pen's rally in Paris following her sentence which bans her from public office. Next, Donald Trump's tariffs continue to send shockwaves around the world. Also, Australia's upcoming elections are seen under a climate change lense in the papers. Finally, very old tortoises become first-time parents in Philadelphia. French papers are covering Sunday's National Rally gathering in Paris in support of Marine Le Pen following her conviction for embezzlement. Libération calls the rally a "flop" after it saw a relatively small turnout. L'Humanité, meanwhile, calls it a farce. Le Pen had initially announced a demonstration of force, but the paper says the rally did not live up to expectations. The Catholic paper La Croix says that Le Pen has started a "reconquering campaign". A strategy that the paper calls risky, and which could be a bad start for her "banned" presidential campaign.The French papers are not the only ones to be carrying this story. The German broadsheet Frankfurter Allgemeine headlines "With a greeting from Europe's right wing populists". The British paper The Times uses a Le Pen quote in its headline, in which she claims she is France's Martin Luther King.All the papers are continuing to talk about Trump's tariffs. The Guardian brings us the key questions: what happens next and how might the world respond? PBS reports that the White House has been contacted by 50 countries for negotiations. French paper L'Opinion says Europe's dilemma is whether it should negotiate or retaliate. Politico says that French authorities have suggested taxing American digital services. Papers in Asia, meanwhile, are also mulling over responses. The Straits Times tells us that Malaysia wants a coordinated regional response. In Africa, Zimbabwe has opted for a slightly different tactic. The Independent Online says that Zimbabwe has announced it will suspend all tariffs on imported goods from the US. The move is intended to be a gesture of goodwill towards Donald Trump.Some interesting articles are coming out of Australia in the run-up to elections there in May. The Times describes how Cyclone Alfred might have changed the course of the Australian elections. The article says that although the cyclone was not as destructive as planned, it "may have wrecked Liberal leader Peter Dutton's chances of pulling off an historic election victory". Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, meanwhile, has extended his lead in the polls. An opinion piece in the Guardian criticises the absence of climate change and mass extinction in political discussions. It says that although the climate crisis is one of the main concerns of Australians, it is ignored by politicians.Finally, we end with some wholesome news from the Associated Press. Two Galapagos tortoises living at Philadelphia Zoo have become parents for the first time, at almost 100 years old.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, April 4: We bring you reactions from South Korea after the constitutional court upholds parliament's impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. What comes next for the disgraced leader? Also, we look at reactions from Hungary after Prime Minister Viktor Orban withdraws his country from the ICC. Plus: a US tourist is arrested after leaving a can of Diet Coke for an isolated tribe in the Andaman Islands and King Charles plays a carrot instrument in his first public outing since being hospitalised. We bring you early reactions from the South Korean press after President Yoon Suk Yeol was officially removed from office. All eight constitutional judges voted to uphold the impeachment ruling against Yoon in a verdict handed down this Friday. The Korea Herald offers us an autopsy of his career. It notes that he was once touted as an anti-corruption investigator, but no one thought he would meet the same fate as ex-president Park Geun-hye, whom he helped put behind bars. The conservative leader was impeached by parliament last December after an ill-fated move to impose martial law, albeit for only six hours. It nonetheless plunged South Korea into a political and financial crisis: soldiers were deployed to government sites, clashes with citizens ensued and the unrest evoked painful memories of military rule. The Korea Times focuses on the jubilation of South Koreans, millions of whom are celebrating the president's ouster. The paper also looks at what's to come. Yoon will leave office with no possibility of appealing. He'll lose special privileges like a presidential pension or a national burial. More importantly, he'll face multiple criminal investigations, including for treason. Probes into scandals could also begin. He will face legal accountability, and possibly prison time if found guilty. Fresh elections will be held in two months. In the editorial pages, a lot of reactions came in before the verdict but are still noteworthy. Hanyoreh, a liberal paper, urged the court to remove Yoon from office. It's the only way to restore the nation's trust and fulfill its role as the last bulwark of the constitution, the paper added. JoongAng Daily, a conservative paper of reference, focused more on its call for calm and unity after the court's ruling. It reminds readers that Korean democracy was built on the sacrifices of the citizens and urged citizens to "end this turmoil" by accepting the court's ruling.Next, we look at reactions after Hungary's announced withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced the decision amid an official visit by Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu to Hungary, which is the first EU country to leave the ICC. The German-language Hungarian website Budapester Zeitung goes with the headline "Danke Viktor", echoing comments by Netanyahu thanking Orban for his decision. The daily reminds us that Orban invited Netanyahu last November after the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes in Gaza. Orban reiterated his criticism of the court, saying it has not been impartial for years and functions as a political court. The Jewish News Syndicate, a conservative news syndicate of Israeli and Jewish news, hails Orban for "systematically standing up against EU policies selected by the elite in Brussels and West European capitals". It adds that those who stand up against Islamic radicalism and progressive globalist order can thank Netanyahu, Donald Trump and Viktor Orban. For one cartoonist though, Berend Vonk, the red carpet rolled out for Netanyahu in Hungary is merely the blood that the men have shed through their ruthless politics.In other news: the New York Post reports that India has arrested an "idiotic" US tourist for visiting a remote tribe in the Andaman Islands. The 24-year-old influencer travelled for nine hours in a rubber dinghy to reach the North Sentinel islands. He tried to get the tribe's attention by blowing a whistle and left soda and a coconut as an offering, before being arrested. As the Post reports, the man fashions himself as a daredevil traveller, having travelled to Afghanistan and posed with the Taliban. The hunter-gatherer tribe on the Sentinel Islands are extremely isolated and therefore have no immunity from modern diseases. The last person to visit them, a Christian missionary who tried to convert them, was promptly killed. So you could say this tourist got lucky!Finally, Britain's King Charles III has made his return to public duties after a brief period of hospitalisation related to his cancer treatment. The king returned to public service with a heartwarming video of him with the London Vegetable Orchestra. They are the UK's only musical ensemble to play instruments made of local vegetables. Take a look at this video of King Charles playing the most royal of vegetables: the carrot, filmed by the royal family's cameraman!

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, April 3: There's disbelief, anger and scepticism in the international press after US President Donald Trump announces tariffs hikes on the US's international trade partners. Also: fury continues after the deaths of 15 aid workers in Gaza last month, which the UN now blames on Israeli forces. Plus: Paris's Fondation Louis Vuitton will honour British artist David Hockney in a new exhibition – but a cigarette on his exhibition poster has put him at odds with Paris metro authorities! Trump's tariffs are dominating the headlines in the world's press. After much anticipation by the US president himself, the tariff hikes will affect all of the US's international trading partners. The British tabloid Daily Mirror headlines with: "Trading Blows". It notes that nations are poised to retaliate after Trump announced the sweeping new tariffs. Britain will get a 10 percent hike. The EU, meanwhile, will see a 20 percent increase on its products entering the US, much to the alarm of Belgian daily Le Soir. The daily simply goes with "Trade Wars" on its front page. Here in France, Le Figaro evokes the world's shock at the tariffs, with the editor suggesting a battery of sanctions against US tech groups as a first measure of retaliation. The left-wing paper Libération notes that with these new tariffs, Trump has massacred the world trade system that's been in place since the end of World War II. The paper warns that the move will reinforce the possibility of a recession in the US.The Wall Street Journal says these new tariffs send a strong message: that globalisation is over. However, the business daily warns that bringing manufacturing back to America is no easy feat. After all, the US is geared towards advanced technology and it doesn't have the domestic supplies of basic materials that are produced overseas much more cheaply.Countries like China will be the among the hardest hit. The pro-government China Daily calls it the US tariffs' tantrum. It adds that the tariffs are "an undersea earthquake that will create a tsunami of turbulence and trouble for the world. All this in the vain hope of regaining lost pre-eminence." There's anger, too, in Australia. An opinion writer for the Sydney Morning Herald calls it "Trump's dumb war that just got dumber". Australian cartoonist Glen Le Lievre sees it as "Looney Tariffs". Trump is illustrated signing off as Porky Pig, warning "That's not all Folks!"In other news, outrage continues over the deaths of 15 aid workers from the Red Crescent who the UN says were executed by Israeli forces. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society, of whom eight members were killed, say the 15 bodies recovered earlier this week showed gunshot wounds. One paramedic was found with their hands and feet bound. The New York Times notes that the UN, which is typically cautious about assigning blame, has openly blamed Israel for the deaths. Israeli authorities say a majority of those killed were Palestinian militants. The British left-wing socialist website Morning Star deplores the lack of international outrage around the deaths and around Palestine. It says the world is in a state of lawlessness. The paper reminds us that it's been one year since the killing of seven World Central Kitchen staff, who were all foreign citizens. Israel was not sanctioned by the UN or world powers and so it keeps on killing aid workers.Finally: a new David Hockney exhibition is set to be one of the highlights of the Paris art scene this spring, but he's at odds with the city's metro authorities! The biggest exhibition dedicated to Hockney will be held at the Fondation Louis Vuitton next week, with 400 works in 11 rooms. But in the Paris metro, you wouldn't know it. A poster containing a photograph of Hockney holding a self-portrait cannot be used to promote his exhibition. The reason? He is holding a cigarette in the photograph. In ludicrous reasoning that can only be French, authorities say they have no issue with him holding a cigarette in the painting, only in the photograph. Hockney has famously championed cigarettes. Les Gauloises have truly fallen out of favour in the French capital, it appears!You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, April 2: Papers react to US President Donald Trump's threats of tariffs on "Liberation Day". Meanwhile, French papers are still covering the aftermath of Marine Le Pen's conviction for embezzlement. There's also focus on Ukraine ceasefire talks slowing down as Russia ramps up mobilisation. Finally, April Fools' Day was celebrated around the world with some good pranks, including nudist skiing in Switzerland. The press are already reacting in anticipation of Trump's threatened tariffs. The Independent dedicates its front page to the story, saying that Britain is "bracing for the worst as Trump trade war erupts". The Daily Mirror calls it "CAR-NAGE" on its front page. According to the tabloid, 25,000 jobs in Britain's car industry could be at risk. In the US, The New York Times looks at the impact that Trump's tariffs could have on American alliances. Meanwhile, cartoons in The Financial Times, The Times, The Telegraph and The Irish Times make light of what Trump is calling "Liberation Day". Unsurprisingly, the French papers are still talking about Le Pen's five-year ban from public office. Le Monde's front page reads: "Le Pen convicted, her ambitions stopped". Le Parisien describes her combative response to the ban; its front page features this quote from an exclusive interview with her: "I will not let it happen." The right-wing paper Le Figaro focuses on Le Pen's appeal and her quest to "save her candidacy". It says she is mobilising supporters against "interference by judges in a presidential election". Libération also picks up on accusations of interference on its front page, calling this sentiment "an anti-judge poison".As ceasefire talks in Russia stall, Ukrainian paper The Kyiv Independent reports that Moscow won't accept the US proposal on Ukraine in its current form. Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to be preparing for a continuation of the war. The BBC says that Putin has started Russia's biggest military call-up in years.Finally, the world celebrated April Fools' Day yesterday with some great pranks. The Telegraph claimed that police had been ordered to warn suspects under arrest that they were not strippers hired by their mates. Meanwhile, the Royal Albert Hall played along too, announcing a Nokia-themed evening, complete with iconic ringtones and games of snake. Last but not least, a ski station in Switzerland announced that it was opening an nudist ski piste.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, April 1: We bring you all the reactions from the French and international press after French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was found guilty of embezzlement and banned from running for public office. The immediate ban means she'll likely be ineligible for the 2027 French presidential elections. The international press, meanwhile, turn their attention to Jordan Bardella, the president of the National Rally and Le Pen's likely successor. We also look at reactions from the European far right. There's plenty of press reaction to Le Pen's conviction for embezzlement and her immediate, five-year ban on running for public office. One word from the French paper La Croix sums it up: "Ineligible". The paper says this court ruling is a huge shock for the far-right National Rally party and will throw the 2027 presidential election into disarray. La Croix hails what it sees as an inherently "legal decision", even if it has political ramifications. It adds that the ruling is based on laws and texts voted years ago. The paper expresses alarm at the response by the party's leader Jordan Bardella, who has decried the "execution" of French democracy. La Croix reminds readers that the justice system is for everyone, without exception.In the leftwing press, Libération says GUILTY in big, bold print on its front page. The communist paper, L'Humanité, revisits a slogan from the Front National, the previous name of the National Rally. The slogan was "clean hands, heads held high." It's corrected by L'Humanité to read: "dirty hands, heads hanging low". The editor of L'Humanité calls Le Pen's conviction a victory for democracy and the state of law and slams the reactions from the far right and the "Bolloré media". This is a reference to media magnate Vincent Bolloré, who is close to the far right. The latter have denounced a conspiracy against them.Speaking of the conservative media, Le Journal du Dimanche, a weekly paper that is owned by Vincent Bolloré, calls Monday's court ruling the day that destroyed Le Pen's presidential destiny. The paper laments what it sees as 20 years of her career being "annihilated" by one legal decision. The right-wing paper L'Opinion, meanwhile, calls it a political earthquake. Kak, the cartoonist, sees Le Pen hanging from a hook with the hammer of justice ready to nail her in. The paper's editor warns of "a huge moment of democratic danger" and says the court decision will paradoxically serve to feed populism. Le Parisien says it could transform Le Pen's right-hand man Bardella into a valued asset of the party.There is also lots of focus on Bardella in the international press. Politico notes that he has weathered nearly a decade in politics without losing his lustre. He is "polished, composed to a fault, with boy-next-door good looks and a carefully practiced smile". Bardella is a TikTok sensation and the only politician on the list of 50 most popular personalities in France compiled by a French newspaper. His popularity and the rise of the far right represent a "potential sea change in European politics", Politico says.For The Telegraph, the far right will survive this court ruling. It points to Bardella as a likely successor. He is "slavishly loyal" to her and recently published a bestselling memoir about growing up in an urban slum. However, his youth could be a hindrance. If one day he makes it to the Élysee palace, the irony would be that the anti-immigrant party's first president is ... the son of immigrants.In any case, far-right figures from Europe have rushed to Le Pen's defence. Italy's Matteo Salvini and the Netherlands' Geert Wilders have been quick to defend her and condemn the ruling with the slogan Je Suis Marine, which spreading on social media, according to a report from our FRANCE 24 web team. Hungary's Viktor Orban also used the slogan on social media to express his support for Le Pen. Paolo Lombardi, an Italian cartoonist, has reimagined Orban as Le Pen. Finally, Marten Wolterink, a Dutch illustrator, evokes the hypocrisy of the far right: Vive L'Europe as long as the money keeps coming in, embezzling funds but otherwise inherently Eurosceptic.

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, March 31: The French papers react to the upcoming verdict in Marine Le Pen's embezzlement trial. Also, international headlines are full of Donald Trump quotes after the US president's phone interview with NBC. Meanwhile, The Economist has an interesting piece on the political situation in Myanmar in the aftermath of the earthquake. In other news, the Guardian has a long read about the far right in Sweden and their recruitment methods. Finally, two women in Oxford celebrate their extraordinary birthdays. The French papers all have very similar front pages this morning, as Marine Le Pen's future will be decided by French courts later this Monday. La Depeche calls it the moment of truth. Le Pen and her party are accused of embezzling money from the European Parliament by using a fake jobs scam. On its front page, Libération says Marine Le Pen's future "hangs in the balance". It highlights the crucial question: Will Le Pen be able to run for president in 2027? For the right-leaning paper le Figaro, Le Pen's future is on a judicial knife-edge.Around the world, plenty of headlines are using different quotes from Donald Trump's phone interview with NBC on Sunday. The Washington Post chooses to focus on Trump's "anger". Politico highlights his "pissed off" comment. The US president said that he was “very angry and pissed off” with Vladimir Putin and his approach to a ceasefire, adding that he would impose tariffs on Russia's oil exports if Putin does not agree to a truce within a month.Meanwhile, NBC leads with Trump's comments on a possible third term. He said there were "methods" by which he could become president for a third time. At the moment, though, a third term is prohibited under the 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution. BBC News chooses to use a Trump quote about his beloved tariffs. Trump said he "couldn't care less" about higher car prices resulting from his policies. His latest tariffs are set to begin on April 2, which Trump has called "Liberation Day".The Economist has an interesting article on the political situation in Myanmar. It says that following the earthquake, many thought there might be a pause in the civil war. But although one side of the warring parties, the National Unity Government, announced a temporary ceasefire, the military junta has continued bombing certain areas, with some bombs landing close to rescue operations. The article says that the military junta has a record of exploiting disasters for political gain.There's quite a scary article in the Guardian as a long-read piece focuses on the far right in Sweden and its recruitment practices. The article says that far-right groups are using bodybuilding and fight clubs to further their White supremacist agenda, pulling in boys through online platforms and social media. It adds that there has been a dramatic shift in the structure and practices of extreme far-right groups. One of the biggest changes being that the age of recruitment has plummeted, with some of the boys recruited now as young as 10. It adds that where it used to be "guys who wanted to be seen" it is now about "vulnerable boys" who spend their time online and miss social contact.We finish with some very wholesome news coming out of Oxford: two women who have been neighbours for over 40 years will be celebrating their 101st birthdays together tomorrow. Josie and Anne were both on April 1, 1924 and have been neighbours since the 1980s. They plan to celebrate together as they have for many years, perhaps by sharing a cup of tea over the garden fence.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, March 26: International papers react to the Black Sea security deal reached by Ukraine and Russia that was brokered by the US. Elsewhere, European papers react to the Signal group chat leak with outrage. Also, Palestinians participate in the largest anti-Hamas protest since October 2023. Finally, two otters are on the loose in Wisconsin after escaping the local zoo. The international papers are discussing the news of a tentative Black Sea ceasefire reached in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi paper Arab News headlines with: "US says it brokered deal to end fighting in the Black Sea in talks with Ukraine and Russia". It says that although many details remain unresolved, the agreement could present a path to a wider ceasefire. The Ukrainian press says that the deal "is not what Ukraine needs" and adds that the ceasefire favours Russia more than it does Ukraine. The Kyiv Independent says that the deal misses out crucial securities that Ukraine needs, including the protection of its port infrastructure. In Russia, the newspaper Vedomosti says that what Russia wants is access to international markets for its agricultural products and fertilisers. It says that for that to happen, it needs access to ports and payment systems, which would mean that the US would have to put pressure on Europe.The European papers are also discussing the deal. The Belgian paper Le Soir says that Russia wants to renew a deal that it killed in the first place, referring to the Black Sea Grain Initiative that Moscow pulled out of in July 2023. The Guardian has an analysis piece with an evocative title: "Ukraine ceasefire deal looks like a Russian wishlist tied with a US bow”, highlighting that the Kremlin said it would only implement the Black Sea ceasefire once the US significantly rolls back its sanctions.European papers are also up in arms about the Signal group chat leak. The British tabloid the Daily Star asks if JD Vance is the most dangerous man in the world. In Germany, the paper FOCUS discusses a "real hatred of Europe" and accuses the Trump administration of using "mafia-worthy tactics". In Italy, the broadsheet La Repubblica features the story on its front page, headlining with a Vance quote calling Europe freeloaders or "parasitic". Libération, in France, takes a slightly different angle on its front page. According to a recent study, more than 60 percent of French consumers would support a boycott of American products, while a third of them try to actively avoid products associated with Donald Trump and Elon Musk's policies.Turning to the Middle East, Palestinians have taken to the streets for the largest anti-Hamas protests since October 2023. The New York Times describes the protests in the streets of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. It says there were neutral signs against the war in general, but that there were also chants asking Hamas to "get out". The BBC reports that masked Hamas militants tried to disperse protesters, hurting several people in the process. It notes that open criticism of Hamas has grown in Gaza since the war began, but that it is hard to tell how much support for the group has changed since the start of the conflict.Finally, we all know otters for their cuteness, but the AP brings us the news that they are actually criminal masterminds! Louie and Ophelia, two otters at Wisconsin zoo, have escaped and are on the run. The zoo is on their tail: it has hired a tracker, installed motion detecting cameras and urged the public to share any information on the two fugitives.You can catch our press review every morning on FRANCE 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, March 25: The press decries a massive security breach after a journalist for The Atlantic is accidentally included on a group chat for Yemen war plans. Also: Colorado state officials take down a portrait of Donald Trump after he complains it is unflattering. The Oscar-winning Palestinian director of "No Other Land" is attacked and arrested in the West Bank. Plus: we look at the creepiest contender in The Guardian's invertebrate of the year competition!   In The Atlantic, editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg describes how he was accidentally sent the details of military strikes in Yemen. The journalist was added to a group chat called "Houthi PC small group" alongside JD Vance, Pete Hegseth and Marco Rubio among others. At first, Goldberg says, it seemed so surreal he thought it was a disinformation campaign. But he realised it was real when the bombs started falling. Foreign Policy describes the incident as horrifying. The mistake is sparking outrage from both sides of the political spectrum. The National Review asks Who's Getting Fired for This? The right-wing magazine was quick to point the finger at Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth. The New York Times, called for the same, headlining: If Pete Hegseth Had any Honor, He Would Resign.Staying in the US, The Washington Post brings us the story that a Trump portrait in Colorado is being taken down after he ranted about it on social media. Donald Trump took to Truth Social to complain about the painting. The Guardian says Republicans have called it "petty" whilst Democrats have called Trump an "insecure baby". The portrait will be removed from Colorado's state capitol building, but it could be replaced with a portrait from Russia. The BBC says that although Trump was not happy with the Colorado portrait, he does seem chuffed by the one Putin sent earlier, "a personal gift" according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.The Washington Post also brings us a story from the Palestinian territories. Hamdan Ballal, one of the directors of the Oscar-winning documentary "No Other Land", has been attacked by a group of Jewish settlers and later arrested by the Israeli army. "No Other Land" recounts the destruction of a Palestinian community in the occupied West Bank which had been resisting forced displacement.Finally, The Guardian has announced its shortlist for invertebrate of the year. The frontrunner is Cymothoa exigua, a tongue-biting louse that lurks in the Pacific Ocean. When it comes across a fish it burrows into their tongue. But that's only the beginning. It then sucks the blood of the fish but doesn't kill it. Much worse, it turns itself into a tongue to feed it and keep it alive. Stranger still, the parasites start off male, but turn female once inside the tongue. They then prevent any other newcomers from turning female by excreting hormones, and then mate with whichever date they find lying around inside the gills of the fish. While Cymothoa exigua is presumably hoping to win the prize this year, nine other invertebrates have made the shortlist.You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, March 24: The Turkish and international papers react to the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival. Elsewhere, Chahinez Daoud's murderer goes on trial, as femicide continues to be a serious problem in France. Also, the Taiwanese president is taking a tougher stance on China. Finally, two campaigners are calling out a number of French bars, accusing them of not giving punters their money's worth.

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, March 21: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sends a warning to Vladimir Putin, insisting that the Russian leader should fear British nuclear weapons. Elsewhere, Ronen Bar is removed as the head of Israel's domestic intelligence agency, leading to protests and backlash against PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Also, it's the first ever World Day for Glaciers. Finally, Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry is elected the first ever female president of the International Olympic Committee.

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, March 20: The papers in the Arabic world react with anger as Israel resumes its bombardment of Gaza, although many of the Israeli dailies defend the move. Elsewhere, several candidates vie to be the new president of the International Olympic Committee, with the campaign turning increasingly sour. Finally, the blobfish completes an extraordinary comeback to be named New Zealand's "fish of the year".

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, March 19: We look at reactions in the press after US Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr issues a rare rebuke of Donald Trump. Also: cartoonists react to Trump and Vladimir Putin's phone call on Ukraine. Finally, we discover the best of the best in British wildlife photography. We begin with a very public spat between US Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr and US President Donald Trump. As The Washington Post reports, it dates back to events over the weekend. Last Saturday, Chief Judge for the US District Court for DC James Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to turn around an aircraft deporting alleged gang members to Venezuela. The Trump administration justified the flight by the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, previously invoked only during wartime. The planes continued to their destinations but the White House has said it did not defy the judge's directive. The order, though, prompted Trump to rant against Boasberg on social media, calling him a "radical left lunatic" who "should be impeached".Throwing around the word "impeached" did not go down well in the US Supreme Court. In a statement, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr issued a sharp, rare rebuke that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. It's the most public battle between the two since 2018, as Politico notes.The reaction in the press has been mixed, however. The Guardian'swriter argues that Judge Roberts, a conservative justice, has paved the way for the impunity that enabled Trump to run for and win a second term. Steven Greenhouse reminds us that Roberts, since becoming chief justice in 2005, has sought to boost corporate America and consolidate Republican power. He was also author of the "startling" ruling that gave presidents far-reaching immunity from prosecution last year. This also helped lay the groundwork for Trump's increasingly authoritarian presidency. Greenhouse asks: how could Roberts not realise that this would only serve to embolden Trump even more?The conservative US magazine National Review offers a different perspective, saying it's quite possible that Trump's alleged noncompliance with the Boasberg order on the planes could be evidence in a future Democrat-led impeachment trial of Trump. If that were to happen, the chief justice would be presiding but he has now destroyed his impartiality with this statement. For that reason, the Review says it would have been better to refrain from publicly scolding the president.We turn next to reaction from the illustrated press on Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's Tuesday phone call on Ukraine peace talks. The announcement of a 30-day pause on bombing energy infrastructure is seen sceptically by Chapatte, the Swiss paper Le Temp's cartoonist, who sees Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky being strangled by the telephone cord itself. Andy Bunday, meanwhile, sees a phone with limited options in the Oval Office. Press one to disarm Ukraine, press two to give away land, press three to give away power plants, press four to bar Ukraine from NATO.One of the most visual cartoons is from Pete Songi, who evokes the "art of the dealski". He sees Vladimir Putin in his bathtub with a bath mat emblazoned with MYKRAINE, and the coalition of the killing, with a hockey helmet in the corner. Among the agreements between the two leaders is, bizarrely, that Russia and the US play a game of ice hockey, prompting British tabloid The Sun to ask "What the puck?"Finally: we bring you the winners of the British Wildlife Photography awards. Simon Withyman won the Urban Wildlife category for his picture of a Bristol fox. Also in Bristol, John Waters won the Animal Behaviour category with a picture of fantastical speckled wood butterflies. One of the most striking snaps is from the winner of the Young Photographers category. Teenager Ben Lucas set up a GoPro camera inside an abandoned packet of chips and then waited to snap a gorgeous ground-view shot of pigeons approaching the leftover chips!You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, March 18: The Belgian and Rwandan press react very differently to a diplomatic spat between the two countries which had led to the expulsion of diplomats on both sides. Also: two astronauts struck in space for nine months prepare to head back to Earth. Plus, Ohtani fever hits Japan as the LA Dodgers and their Japanese superstar play two MLB games against the Chicago cubs in Tokyo. We begin with the diplomatic spat between Belgium and Rwanda. The European Union imposed sanctions on three senior Rwandan military commanders and the head of the state mining agency after the offensive by M23 fighters in DR Congo. The M23 is comprised of Congolese Tutsis, as Belgian paper Le Soir notes. UN experts have noted that the M23 has benefited from logistic and military support by Rwanda, including drones. The Rwandan government has denied these allegations thus far. As a result: both Rwanda and Belgium have expelled diplomats from their respective countries in what Le Soir calls a violent but predictable break-up. In its editorial, the paper says the anger stems from the fact Brussels was at the forefront of the accusations against Rwanda. The paper adds: "The Rwandan President is wrong and he knows it. If anyone's territorial sovereignty is being violated, it's that of Eastern Congo, which is rich in minerals and fertile land."It's quite a different story from the Rwandan press which focuses on Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The New Times headlines on what Kagame has outlined as Western hypocrisy. One of Rwanda's gripes is that it is accused of supporting the M23 rebels but the West has not condemned DR Congo, whom Rwanda accused of supporting another rebel group, the Hutu-led Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. For The New Times, the DFLR is a "genocidal" group. In its editorial, the Rwandan daily says instead of supporting efforts for lasting peace, Brussels has chosen to fuel tensions by backing the Kinshasa regime. It adds: "The people deserve a future shaped by peace, stability and regional cooperation. Not one dictated by the lingering shadows of colonial exploitation."In other newsIt's been nine months since NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams got stuck in space. They are finally heading back to Earth. What was meant to be an eight-day mission but Wilmore and William's stint in space lasted much longer – nine months. Their odyssey was plagued by technical problems and political controversy. NASA has relied on Elon Musk's Space X to ferry crews to the space station since 2020. Musk says he offered to bring the astronauts earlier but was rebuffed by the Biden administration, The Washington Post reports, something the former president denies. The astronauts certainly put their time in space to good use. Williams conducted two space walks and now holds the record for total space walking time by a female astronaut: over 62 hours in her three-decade career! The British daily The Guardian looks at the physical toll of being stuck in space on the body. It's not pretty: struggles with walking due to lack of gravity for extended periods of time, plus fluid buildup causing swollen eyeballs, dizziness and bad eyesight. Luckily these are mostly temporary conditions.Baseball fever hits JapanThe LA Dodgers are playing the Chicago Cubs in a special Tokyo series starting this Tuesday. The New York Times notes that the games are part of the Major League Baseball's ambitions to increase the popularity of baseball worldwide. The Dodgers and Cubs will play two season opening games today and tomorrow in Japan. The LA Dodgers' Japanese star Shohei Ohtani is the highest paid baseballer in the American league. Ohtani, The New York Times says, is Japan's answer to Babe Ruth, a rare player who can pitch and hit at the highest level. The Japan Times reports that as Ohtani's teammates are discovering, he is revered in Japan and his face is everywhere – promoting green tea and sake, on trains and vending machines. With TV programmes tracking the team's flight path, talk shows talking about Ohtani's diet, fashion choices and home decor … and tickets selling for up to $10,000, Ohtani fever has well and truly gripped Tokyo as Japan prepares to welcome a national sporting hero back home!You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, March 17: British PM Keir Starmer says he is willing to station troops in Ukraine for years to come, while one medic on the frontline believes a ceasefire will never work. Also, Saudi Arabia is cracking down on so called “immoral activities”. Plus, domestic workers from Kenya are dying in droves in the Kingdom. Elsewhere, the US box office is faltering as one Chinese film smashes records. Finally, Chicago goes green once more for St. Patrick's Day.

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, March 14: We look at reactions from the European papers as Vladimir Putin says he's open to a ceasefire but says the conditions need to be reworked. For the press, the Russian President is dictating his terms. Also, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces sweeping changes to the National Health Service. And, a major breakthrough in research on Parkinson's disease. Finally, Donatella Versace will step down from the Versace fashion house after thirty years.  Reactions from the European press over a proposed peace plan between Ukraine and Russia. President Vladimir Putin says he supports a US-brokered peace plan, in theory, without offering any guarantees. The feeling in the press is that he's very much in control. French paper Liberation says a "cease-what" on its front page sarcastically. In its editorial, Libe notes that Putin was seen in military fatigues visiting Kursk earlier this week. He also appeared to make US envoy Steven Witkoff wait while he met with Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko. Putin continues to play his "deadly game of poker against the West," the daily says. For Le Figaro, it's the "yes, but" response of Putin that complicates Donald Trump's hopes of brokering a ceasefire. The paper also picking up on Putin's behaviour in Kursk, as one who believes he is close to victory. Le Soir, the Belgian paper notes Putin plays the ambiguity card and keeps the pressure on as he dictates his terms while der Taggespiegel sees it as an outright rejection by Putin of the ceasefire deal. Syrian cartoonist Fahd Bahady echoes those sentiments – portraying a Donald Trump dove of peace pooping all over Zelensky. The Kyiv Independent chooses to focus on Volodymyr Zelensky's evening address on Thursday in which he said Putin is afraid to admit to Donald Trump that he doesn't want a ceasefire because he wants to keep killing Ukrainians. He also added that Moscow is demanding for impossible conditions to postpone ceasefire talks for as long as possible.The Italian daily Corriere della Sera looks in detail at what Putin wants in exchange for a ceasefire: notably that Ukraine gives us four regions occupied by Russian soldiers, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as well as provinces still in Ukraine's hands. For the Italian daily, in Putin's eyes, Europe should be relegated to a marginal role and his neo-imperial, 19th century vision corresponds to that of Trump.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made sweeping changes to the National Health Service, which is dominating front pages there. Starmer announced a restructuring plan to abolish the NHS England body to cut red tape and bring management of the health service under the health ministry. The move will lead to several thousand jobs lost but will save the government hundreds of millions of pounds a year. For the Daily Telegraph, Starmer's taking on an £800-million gamble. The Guardian notes that the NHS England is financed by the government but runs independently. It was established just over a decade ago by the conservatives in what Wes Streeting, current health minister calls a disastrous reorganisation that needed to be scrapped. The tabloid Daily Mail rejoices in the decision, saying patients will be put before bureaucracy and care will be improved. The government has said the job losses will be because of the duplications of jobs within both the NHS and Health ministry.Staying on the topic of health: Australian scientists are hailing what they hope could be a huge breakthrough in the fight against Parkinson's disease. Twenty years ago, PINK 1 was identified as the protein linked to Parkinson's disease, but for two decades, no one knew what the protein looked like or how it switched on with the onset of the disease. A hallmark of Parkinson's disease is the death of brain cells. Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research based in Victoria, Australia have determined how the mutation switches on. They can use this discovery to find a way to switch it off and notably slow down the progression of Parkinson's, which is the fastest growing neurodegenerative condition in the world. Finally: Donatella Versace, sister of Gianni Versace is stepping down as chief creative officer of her family fashion house after nearly 30 years. The Times of London reports that she stepped in to take over the company after her brother was murdered in 1997. She will stay on as chief brand ambassador. Dario Vitale, former image director of Miu Miu is the new designer. Donatella Versace oversaw a pivotal era in fashion and iconic dresses like Jennifer Lopez's barely-there jungle dress in 2000 that was so researched it actually launched Google's "image search" function! Her departure also coincides with an end to an era in fashion – high octane, glossy and molto sexy, the Times says.