Press Review

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.

19/05/2025 • 05:41

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.

16/05/2025 • 06:35

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.

15/05/2025 • 05:18

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.

14/05/2025 • 06:04

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.

13/05/2025 • 05:49

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.

12/05/2025 • 06:32

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.

08/05/2025 • 06:53

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.

06/05/2025 • 07:24

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.

05/05/2025 • 07:04

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.

02/05/2025 • 06:37

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.

01/05/2025 • 06:10

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.

30/04/2025 • 06:13

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.

29/04/2025 • 06:23

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.

28/04/2025 • 06:35

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.

23/04/2025 • 05:36

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.

22/04/2025 • 05:52

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.

21/04/2025 • 06:19

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.

18/04/2025 • 05:59

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.

17/04/2025 • 06:14

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.

16/04/2025 • 06:11

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.

15/04/2025 • 06:21

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.

14/04/2025 • 06:22

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.

11/04/2025 • 06:09

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.

10/04/2025 • 06:08