Press Review

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, June 12: Papers discuss Mexico's "statement" World Cup win over South Africa and detail Raul Jimenez's triumph. Also: young women in New York choose to live with nuns to save on rent. Finally, for the first time, scientists have mapped the enormous scale of subterranean fungi networks. After Mexico's World Cup opening win, El País's México edition has a headline that says it all: "Mexico, world capital of football". The paper says that El Tri, short for El Tricolor, broke its losing streak in the opening match. In another article, the paper also talks about the triumph of Raul Jimenez and the end of his World Cup goal drought. For the past three World Cups, Jimenez didn't score. The New York Times' sports edition, The Athletic, also writes about him. "First, Raul Jimenez survived. Then he thrived. And now he has done it at a World Cup", reads the headline. Almost six years ago, the striker suffered a life-threatening skull fracture while playing against Arsenal. The Athletic says that "it's been quite a journey" and that scoring for Mexico during this first World Cup match represents a "crowning achievement".  Mexico News Daily says that Mexico makes a "statement" with the win over South Africa. The paper says that this eases some of the pressure on "a team and a country desperate to make the most of playing on home turf". "Amid protests and rain, Mexico celebrates its World Cup debut," reads the headline of El Norte. Some violent protesters, often wearing masks and hoods, clashed with law enforcement, while others peacefully protested for different causes. Finally, El Universal talks about El Angel, "the epicentre of the party". That's the Angel of Independence statue in Mexico City, where people gathered to celebrate the victory. Thousands of fans were singing and dancing in the rain, with supporters arriving from all across the country, and even abroad.  During the opening match, the referee showed three red cards. The Athletic has an article called "Breaking down the dirtiest World Cup opening game we've ever seen – or was it?" The paper says this could actually be the "cleanest 'dirty game' the World Cup has ever produced". It's also the first World Cup opener to feature three red cards. The Athletic says that if this pace continues, this could become the World Cup with the most red cards in history.  Next: some young women are choosing to live with nuns to save on rent. The Wall Street Journal has an article about the cost of living in New York. In Manhattan, for instance, short-term rentals run at around $5,000 a month, an impossible price for those just entering the job market. So some young women are living at convents. There are many benefits, says Katie, who was interviewed: "Safety, community" and a warm dinner on the table every night. But also some strict rules – like curfews of 11 pm or midnight – and male visitors aren't really welcome. The same goes for alcohol. Sister Maria de Jesus says she doesn't go to bed if she doesn't know where one of the residents is, while Sister Rita says she loves it; the girls keep her young.  Finally, we bring you some science news. A new study reveals the enormous scale of subterranean fungi networks. The Guardian reports that scientists have mapped them for the first time ever. These are networks of tubular cells that sustain life on Earth by forming partnerships with more than 70 percent of plants. They help to regulate the climate by taking in carbon. They are more than 100 quadrillion kilometres long – that's almost a billion times the distance from the Earth to the sun if we stretch them out. A team of researchers used machine learning to map them. One of them said this was "one of the most exciting studies of their career". You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

12/06/2026 • 05:33

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, June 11: First, the latest news from Russia. Then, how cutting-edge surveillance technology at the World Cup is fuelling privacy concerns. And finally, why American women are embracing witchcraft retreats in Ireland. First, a look at developments in Russia. Independent outlet Meduza reports that the country is building up military infrastructure along its western border, including near Finland and Norway. The publication interviewed a former Finnish intelligence officer who said new barracks could accommodate up to 17,000 troops, enabling a significant expansion of recruitment. A Finnish Army commander estimates that Russia could eventually deploy 80,000 soldiers along the Finnish border, compared with around 20,000 previously. This is the kind of information that is difficult to find in Russia's state-controlled media. According to Radio Free Europe, after tightening censorship following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin is now considering creating its own state-run VPN. Virtual Private Networks have been widely used by Russians to access websites blocked by the authorities and conceal their online activity. The proposal has been met with scepticism. Radio Free Europe quotes exiled Russian journalist Dmitry Kolezev, who wrote on Telegram: "What a joke — first the state blocks everything and then it creates a state VPN to bypass its own blocking." He added that it was probably "a very good business" idea for the state. Next, to the World Cup. With more than five million fans expected to attend, security measures have been stepped up. Wired magazine has an article titled "Soccer Fans, You're Being Watched", which examines the sophisticated surveillance technology set to be deployed in stadiums across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The magazine cites experts who warn that concerns about terrorism, including those linked to the conflict involving Iran, could be used by the Trump administration to justify intrusive surveillance measures without sufficient privacy safeguards. One expert told Wired: "Security is often used as an excuse for agendas that have nothing to do with security at all." Among the technologies expected to play a major role are drones and counter-drone systems. From high-tech security to something decidedly more analogue. A feature in The New York Times explores "the low-tech World Cup craze thriving in the smartphone age". According to the article, the excitement surrounding World Cup sticker albums appears "immune to the digital revolution". One father of five says that despite financial difficulties, he still tries to buy as many sticker packs as possible because "the World Cup blurs reality". Finally, witchcraft retreats are on the rise. The Guardian reports that growing numbers of American women are joining witch covens and travelling to Ireland in search of what organisers describe as "spiritual isolation" and female solidarity. But these retreats are less about the supernatural than self-discovery, encouraging participants to trust themselves and their instincts. They are also big business: a two-and-a-half-day retreat can cost as much as €3,000 per participant. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

11/06/2026 • 05:54

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, June 10: British papers talk about the unrest in Belfast in the aftermath of a knife stabbing. Next: what does it mean to be a trillionaire? Elon Musk might soon find out. Also: Pope Leo met with Bad Bunny, but the Vatican says it won't be releasing the photos. Finally, donkeys enjoy new socks from Arsenal Football Club. Papers are discussing the violent protests that erupted in Belfast after a stabbing there. The Scottish Sun writes that it sees "evil" in the eyes of the Sudanese migrant who attacked a man in Belfast. On the front page, we can also read "Barbarism on British street" and "Crazed migrant hacking at helpless victim". Messages like these have fuelled calls for anti-immigration protests, backed by the far right. The Independent cites the pleas for calm after the "sickening attack". Northern Ireland's Prime Minister Michelle O'Neill wrote on X: "There are dangerous attempts to exploit that (the stabbing) to target and attack innocent people (...) Racism, intimidation and violence are wrong wherever they occur". The same message is echoed in the headline of The Irish News, which reads "violence is never the solution". The Belfast Telegraph writes that the world's richest man, Elon Musk, has backed the anti-immigration protests in Belfast, seizing the opportunity to promote his own anti-immigration agenda. Speaking of Musk, the billionaire could soon become the world's first trillionaire if the initial public offering of his rocket company SpaceX goes as planned. The headline of an opinion piece in The Guardian reads "Think Musk the billionaire was bad? Brace yourself for Musk the trillionaire". To put it in perspective: to a trillionaire, $100 million feel like what $19 feel like for ordinary people. The author says that the big issue isn't how this will affect Musk's inner world – he seems pretty angry all the time – but what it's going to do to democracy. The New York Times says that Musk's case demonstrates "why there has been such a rapid rise in the concentration of wealth at the top". Fifteen years ago, the top billionaires had together around $4.5 trillion. Today, their combined wealth totals a bit more than $20 trillion – that's nearly one-fifth of the entire world's total yearly output. The paper explains that one reason for this rapid rise is the boom in artificial intelligence, which has attracted massive capital investment in a handful of companies.  We turn next to Barcelona, where Pope Leo XIV has arrived for a two-day visit and the inauguration of the Sagrada Familia basilica. The New York Times spoke to one of the pope's best friends who lives in Spain, Armando Jesus Lovera. They became close friends in the 1990s in Peru. They stayed tight, the paper says, and share a love for music, mathematics and long road trips. Lovera says that now they love to call and talk about cars. Rolling Stone reports that the pope also met with Bad Bunny, since both are touring Spain. The Vatican doesn't plan to release any images of the tête-à-tête meeting. A journalist from The Cut begs: "Please show us the photos". She says that they certainly had a lot to talk about, like human rights and being on Trump's personal hit list.  Finally, The Washington Post reports that rescue donkeys have been spotted wearing socks from Arsenal Football Club after a generous donation. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

10/06/2026 • 05:46

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, June 9: We look at how the Chinese papers are covering Xi Jinping's two-day visit to North Korea. The New York Times examines how Pyongyang has transformed its economy through repression and fortuity. In the UK, West Ham's billionaire former co-owner David Sullivan is accused of sexual coercion by several women, with his past as a porn baron also under scrutiny. Plus: actor Idris Elba explains why fans are not ready for a Black James Bond. Chinese President Xi Jinping's rare visit to North Korea continues this Tuesday. The two-day state visit – his first overseas trip this year – aims to boost ties and consolidate trust between China and North Korea, as the China Daily and Global Times both report. It's Xi's first trip to North Korea in seven years. It's believed that Kim Jong Un was expected to press Xi for a greater acceptance of his nuclear programme – but the Chinese press made no mention of this. As The New York Times notes, this visit also serves to remind North Korea's Kim that China is his "most important benefactor, economic partner and bulwark against the US". The visit also indicates Xi's desire to balance influence from Russia, which signed a mutual defence pact with North Korea two years ago. The pact has helped revive North Korea's economy. However, The New York Times notes that the revival actually began during the pandemic six years ago. During the lockdown, Kim shut down the border with China to prevent citizens from fleeing and clamped down on trade and smuggling. This forced North Koreans to produce more goods domestically. He strengthened his monopoly over the country through brutal enforcement and has steadily expanded his nuclear arsenal. The big boon for him was the war in Ukraine: Kim has supplied troops and weapons to Russia. Moscow, in turn, has helped modernise Pyongyang's military, thus bringing it out of economic isolation. In the UK, David Sullivan, the former co-chair of West Ham football club, is facing accusations of sexual coercion. In a two-year investigation led by The Times and BBC's Panaroma programme, several women accused Sullivan of using his power to pressure aspiring models into sex. The accusations date back to the 1980s. Sulllivan is known as a porn baron, having made his fortune in the adult entertainment industry. That past is also now coming under scrutiny. The Guardian reminds us that he led the Sunday Sport, a sports tabloid that "occupied the seediest corner of Fleet Street". In 1987, the paper "plumbed the depths of journalistic ethics", with a countdown to the 16th birthday of a schoolgirl – so she could legally pose topless on the paper. Sullivan denies the allegations against him. We stay in the UK for our last story. He is a newly knighted Sir Idris Elba but he will most likely not be Bond, James Bond! Elba's name has come up a lot as possibly the next actor to play Bond, but he has all but poured cold water on that speculation. He recently told British GQ that the rumours of him playing Bond are "just a rumour". Elba added that a Black James Bond is not realistic because some markets are just not ready for such a change. He also offered this advice for the next Bond films: don't make it woke! He says that Bond has always been about escapism and trying to make it political will take away that aspect of the beloved franchise. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

09/06/2026 • 05:40

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, June 8: Papers discuss the latest exchange of strikes between Iran and Israel and analyse 100 days of war. In France, papers are covering the "failure" of the country's judicial system amid the Lyhanna affair. Finally, the completion of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia divides both tourists and locals. Amid the latest exchange of hostilities between Israel and Iran, US President Donald Trump has told The Financial Times that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have "no choice" but to accept a deal with Iran. Trump reminded the paper that he "calls the shots" – and not Netanyahu. The US president also instructed Israel not to strike back after Iran launched multiple missiles at Israel, but Netanyahu didn't listen. The New York Post reports that "the Sunday shake-up" comes amid active negotiations between the United States and Iran. According to the US president, this will not have "any impact" on the negotiations. But The Washington Post believes that the strikes threaten to further complicate efforts to broker a peace deal.  In an analysis piece, The Times of Israel writes that "Trump ties Israel's hands, as the partnership collapses". The paper writes that the US president is "desperate for a deal with the devilish Tehran regime," which presents Netanyahu with a "terrible dilemma".  One hundred days after the beginning of the US-Israeli war on Iran, papers analyse some of the main takeaways. The front page of Iranian paper The Tehran Times headlines with "100 days of war: Iran's epic resistance". The headline of an opinion piece in Al Jazeera reads "The triumph of survival". The article says that Iran has the upper hand, as its "main objective has been to preserve the governing system". In this sense, Tehran sees its survival as a "clear victory". The New York Times focuses on the Iranian citizens. "After months of war, Iranians sink into despair", reads the headline. The American paper says that the imploding economy is causing "hopelessness" among both pro- and anti-government Iranians and that those who wished for a regime change are really disappointed. One source says she feels "angry and alone" and that Iranians are "only seen as tools for war and negotiation". We turn next to France, where thousands marched for slain schoolgirl Lyhanna on Sunday. The 11-year-old was murdered after a failure of the country's judicial system. Le Monde writes that the French government admits "failure" and blames the judicial system for the death of Lyhanna. The girl had been missing for a week before her body was found on a farm. Controversy is growing over failures in the fight against the sexual abuse of children France. Libération's front page headline reads: "We always say, 'Never again,' but then it happens all over again". The family of the little girl was present during the march on Sunday. Aujourd'hui en France quotes her aunt as saying "We are sorry for what you've been through". The headline of L'Humanité reads "A justice system in crisis, children at risk". The paper reminds us that the main suspect was facing multiple accusations of raping minors. The headline of Mediapart reads "If the justice system had done its job, she would still be here" – a sentence that summarises public anger over the Lyhanna affair.  Finally, Barcelona's famous basilica, the Sagrada Familia, is almost finished after 144 years of work. But The Wall Street Journal writes that not everyone is happy, as there's a widening gap between the religious vision that inspired the construction of the basilica and the tourist magnet it has become. And with Pope Leo XIV's visit this Wednesday, locals fear even more overtourism. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

08/06/2026 • 05:30

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, June 5: The press pays tribute to French-Iranian graphic novelist and filmmaker Marjane Satrapi, whose work transformed perceptions of Iran around the world. Best known for her landmark graphic memoir Persepolis, Satrapi helped redefine the comic book as a medium for political and personal storytelling. Also, journalists have been given a preview of Barack Obama's presidential centre in Chicago ahead of its opening later this month. And Prince Andrew is back in the tabloids following fresh revelations about his housing arrangements. Tributes are pouring in for Marjane Satrapi, the French-Iranian artist, filmmaker and graphic novelist whose influence extended far beyond the world of comics. As The Guardian notes, Satrapi remained a vocal critic of Iran's clerical establishment throughout her career. Her acclaimed memoir Persepolis, published in 2000 and later adapted into an award-winning animated film, became a publishing phenomenon. Through the eyes of a young girl growing up in post-revolutionary Iran, it challenged stereotypes about Iranian society and offered readers a deeply personal account of political upheaval. French daily Le Parisien describes Persepolis as "the Himalaya of comic books", arguing that Satrapi revolutionised the medium. Meanwhile, Libération celebrates what it calls the "thousand and one lives" of Marjane Satrapi and her enduring commitment to freedom, particularly the rights of Iranian women. Italy's La Repubblica and Spain's El País likewise highlight the central themes of liberty and resistance that ran throughout her work. Former US President Barack Obama is preparing to unveil his presidential centre in Chicago later this month. Journalists were granted an early look at the site ahead of its opening on 19 June, the Juneteenth holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Located on Chicago's South Side, where Barack and Michelle Obama built their political careers, the complex includes a presidential library, community spaces, playgrounds and a recreation of the Oval Office. The project, which reportedly cost around $850 million and took a decade to complete, aims to serve as both a museum and a civic hub. According to The New York Times, the centre offers "an uplifting and joyful experience" of the Obama presidency. Critics, however, have questioned both its cost and its impact on the surrounding area. Concerns have also been raised about rising property prices and the potential displacement of local residents. Finally, Prince Andrew is once again making headlines. British tabloids have seized on photographs showing a large bruise-like mark on his face, reportedly the result of a medical condition. But the bigger story concerns new claims about his housing arrangements. A report published on Friday alleges that Andrew benefited from a favourable rental arrangement involving several properties while paying a nominal rent at Royal Lodge, his Windsor residence. The report is expected to form part of a parliamentary inquiry into the management of royal properties. It also claims that rents for properties occupied by Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are being covered by King Charles III. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

05/06/2026 • 06:27

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, June 4: Today marks 37 years since the Tiananmen Square massacre and the papers look at how advocates are trying to keep the memory of the victims alive. Albanians continue nationwide protests over a proposed luxury resort on a protected ecosystem in a project backed by Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law. And German director Wim Wenders pulls his 1975 film, "Wrong Move" from circulation due to the presence of a topless child actor.  This Thursday, June 4th, marks 37 years since the Tiananmen Square massacre. The massacre was marked by the brutal repression of hundreds, possibly thousands of unarmed student protesters calling for democratic reforms. As the Guardian notes, the passage of time and concerted efforts by Chinese authorities to suppress memories of the massacre mean that it risks fading into grey. Advocacy groups have endeavoured to protect the legacy of the victims. The China Unofficial Archives, a US-registered non-profit that aims to protect "censored and suppressed Chinese history", the Guardian notes. The group hosts a range of material about the Tiananmen Square protest - a soldier’s diary, a subversive documentary by state-employed filmmakers and most recently, a collection of photographs which shed light on the joy and hope of protesters right before the massacre. One group has been particularly vocal since the massacre – mothers of victims. Safeguard Defenders, Asian human rights NGO published the video of an elderly lady, Mrs. Zhang whose son was shot in the head during the massacre. She is one of the founding members of the Tiananmen Mothers, a group calling on the government to acknowledge the massacre and hold those responsible accountable. This year, the restrictions were particularly harsh – mothers banned from visiting their children’s grave and from holding their annual memorial ceremony. The Taipei Times opinion piece here reminds us that June 4th vigils have been banned since 2020 in Hong Kong. The writer says pays tribute to overseas commemorations of the massacre in cities like Taipei, London and Vancouver. The writer adds: "The migration of these vigils is more than an act of defiance; it is evidence of the forced relocation of public memory." Albanians have protested nationwide for several day over a luxury new resort project. In this detailed article by Tirana Times, the paper explains that the luxury resort project is backed by Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son in law, Ivanka Trump and Qatari investors. The tourism project has turned a local land dispute on Albania’s southern coast into a "national political crisis." The project in Zvernec is situated inside one of the country’s most sensitive coast ecosystems. Tirana Times says the land dispute has become about wider grievances – corruption, arrogance of power and disgruntlement with the ruling government. Panorama, one of Albania’s most widely read newspapers reports that one protester called for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign and called him a "master thief and traitor to Albania." In the midst of this national anger, one unlikely symbol has emerged: the flamingo. Politico says the Zvernec coastline is home to flamingos, 200 migratory bird species, nesting sea turtles and monk seals – hence why the movement has now been nicknamed Albania's "flamingo revolution." German director Wim Wenders has agreed to pull one of his films out of circulation due to a child actor being topless in it. Actor Nastassja Kinski was just 13 when she starred topless in a scene in the 1975 film "Wrong Move." For the past 15 years, she campaigned to have the film removed saying it was her first film, and Wim Wenders should have but didn’t protect her. Now finally, the award-winning director known for films like "Paris Texas" and "Perfect Days" has agreed to withdraw his film from distribution and issued a public apology to the actor Finally, football had prescient Paul the Octopus who could predict winners of games – the NBA has Air Corgi! The cute little corgi was filmed punching balls into a basket with her nose and in the process correctly predicting the San Antonio Spurs’ 4 games to 3 games victory over the Oklahoma Thunder in the Western Conference. In this new video, she predicted a Spurs victory over the Knicks in the NBA finals in seven games. But she did get it wrong for Game 1 – predicting a Spurs victory – they actually lost to the Knicks overnight! You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday

04/06/2026 • 06:03

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, June 3, 2026: The British front pages discuss the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak after the release of shocking police bodycam footage. Next, the Trump administration's appointment of the new director of national intelligence is getting a lot of coverage. Also, The Times reveals that a Chinese state-linked tech company is using AI to predict who might become a dissident. Finally, football and fashion mix on the way to the World Cup. The British front pages are all discussing the 2025 murder of Henry Nowak. The Mirror explains that the 18-year-old student was handcuffed after his killer falsely claimed that Nowak had racially assaulted him. The Telegraph says that diversity, equity and inclusion guidelines are to blame for Nowak's death. The Guardian says that politicians have called for calm amid fears "the populist right are using the case to whip up racist resentment against minority ethnic Britons". A column by John Crace in the Guardian suggests that Nigel Farage's comments are a last resort, as he is increasingly losing support.  Trump's latest political appointment has caused quite a stir. NBC reports that Donald Trump has named Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, making him the highest-ranking US intelligence official. The Washington Post's editorial board says that it is a terrible choice, calling Pulte a "partisan sycophant" who has none of the expertise required. The Atlantic says that he has a demonstrated history of using sensitive government data for political retribution.  Next, The Times reveals that leaked documents show a Chinese state-linked tech company is using artificial intelligence and internet control systems to predict who might become a dissident. The company is using AI to "analyse data covering individuals' daily habits, travel, relationships and browsing history".  Finally, The Times investigates the fashion head-to-head between the French and English World Cup squads.   You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

03/06/2026 • 05:44

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, June 2: The European Union approves the creation of offshore "return hubs" to where failed asylum seekers could be sent. The British papers focus on a new trove of documents pertaining to Peter Mandelson, the former ambassador to the US. The Canadian province of Alberta will hold a referendum in October to decide on whether to vote on secession. Finally, researchers conclude that there is nothing foul about birds who masturbate. The European Union has given its green light for the creation of detention hubs outside of Europe, to where they could send illegal migrants. Politico reports that the EU agreed on new rules to speed up and increase deportations from the bloc on Monday. These rules will be ratified in the coming weeks or months. This includes the creation of "return hubs" outside of Europe where failed asylum seekers could be sent. It is part of sweeping EU reforms to increase control over who enters the bloc and how. The Belgian daily Le Soir evokes what it calls a compromise after multiple negotiations. It also reflects the growing importance of the right and far right in the EU Parliament. Under the agreement concluded on Monday, countries like Denmark, Austria or Germany could send illegal migrants to Rwanda, Uganda, or Uzbekistan – third countries to which they often have absolutely no connection. Spain has been a vehement opponent of this new legislation. The agreement reflects a harder line on the issue of migrants – at a time, Spanish daily El Pais reminds us, when Europe is preparing to receive a Taliban delegation to discuss future deportations to Afghanistan. The Washington Post sees the EU as moving to "deploy some of the same clenched fist tactics as the Trump administration": speeding up deportation, increasing detention times and tightening border controls. In the UK, there is more bad news for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Guardian reports that hundreds of new files have been released about Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US who was a friend of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The release of documents pertain to Mandelson's appointment as envoy to the US, the UK's most important diplomatic post. A lot of crucial documents were withheld or redacted – the Daily Mail notes that despite a "sea of Tipp-Ex", the files reveal toxic infighting within the Labour Party and embarrassing criticism of Starmer himself. Mandelson, the "poisonous puppet master", said the PM tended to buckle under pressure and lacked verve. The documents also reveal that Mandelson received sensitive security briefings even before he had been appointed. The Daily Mirror reports that Mandelson's refusal to hand over his personal phone begs the question: what is there left to hide? In Canada, a referendum will be held in October on deciding whether or not to have a referendum on the secession of Alberta, the oil-rich Western Canadian province often referred to as the Texas of Canada. The mere asking of the question has lit a "political fire" in the country, The New York Times says, and "Canada's political class in the capital, Ottawa, is suddenly paying attention". After all, Prime Minister Mark Carney can hardly afford a separatism crisis with a province that supplies oil to the US. In recent years, support for separatism of Alberta has risen from 20 percent to 30 percent, leading to October's vote. Finally, the Guardian notes that bird keepers are often advised to discourage or even punish birds for masturbating. But a new study led by the University of Lancashire will peck their interest. The unflappable researchers studied masturbating birds and found that the practice is more common in the wild than in captivity and thus part of the bird's natural behaviour and not a negative response to captivity. They are urging vets to tell worried bird owners that there is nothing fowl about masturbation. They want them to warn against treatments like hormone therapy or surgery. Masturbation is apparently quite common in parrots, ducks, turkeys and chickens. It turns out that female birds, as well as male birds, enjoy a bit of self-ruffling! You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

02/06/2026 • 06:21

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, June 1: Piles of trash are flooding Havana, as Cuba struggles under US President Donald Trump's oil blockade. Next, papers look at the latest cancer research breakthrough and the industry of hair transplants. Also: US farmers find alternative ways to make money. Finally, some Paris metro stations have new names after PSG's Champions League win. The Trump administration's oil blockade on Cuba has had a considerable effect on the Latin American island, leading to a waste crisis, as The New York Times reports. The fuel blockade has aggravated the already bad garbage pickup in Cuba's capital and residents are drowning in enormous trash piles. Jose Fernandes Zaldivar makes $9 per month sweeping a busy boulevard in the capital. He says that sometimes there's so much trash in the streets that it blocks the entry to his house. Because of the blockade, there's little gasoline to run the garbage trucks. To cope, people have started setting the garbage on fire. When it rains, it's even worse because it clogs the streets. The paper says the piles of garbage symbolise the "extreme consequences of Trump's oil blockade", and they are one of the most visible signs of the crisis in Cuba. Experts warn that garbage on the streets risks creating an explosion of illnesses carried by mosquitoes this summer.  Speaking of illness, there's some good news for those suffering from pancreatic cancer. A clinical trial shows that a new treatment, which is a daily pill, can double survival time in patients with the world's deadliest cancer. The Guardian calls it "one of the biggest breakthroughs in decades". The trial showed that the new treatment had fewer side effects compared with chemotherapy and helped patients who had the cancer live substantially longer. French paper Libération writes that China is becoming the world leader in cancer treatment – the country has been investing heavily in the research, development and the production of drugs against the disease. Over the past 20 years, investment has grown from €1.7 billion to €14.8 billion. The paper interviewed Steven Le Gouill, a haematologist and the director of the Institut Curie hospital in Paris, which is at the forefront of the fight against cancer. He fears that the voice of European research could be drowned out by the United States and China.  We turn to another treatment, or rather a procedure; one that's not essential to human survival, but has been gaining global popularity: hair implants. Wired magazine explains how "Turkey hacked the hair-transplant industry" – turning it into a massive, "multibillion-dollar industry". Research shows that 1.39 million people visited Turkey for medical treatment in 2025, and one-third of these were there for aesthetic treatments. This has inspired many jokes – Turkish Airlines has been nicknamed "Turkish Hair Lines". The article says that Turkey's global success cannot be explained solely by cheap labour and low costs. It says "it's the result of a highly innovative evolution" and the bold use of specialised technology and even AI. We focus next on another industry: farming. The Wall Street Journal talks about the Welker's family, who discovered that they can make more money by posting on social media than by actually doing their jobs as farmers. They're a part of a growing number of influencers who are monetising farm life. From brand sponsorships with tractors to branded hats, sweatshirts and ad revenue, they now don't need to solely depend on the soil for their revenue. In France, "shepherds don't want to be treated like sheep anymore". That's a wordplay in the title of a Le Monde article that talks about the farmers' struggle for fair pay. Although the UN declared 2026 the International Year of Pastoralism, young herders who choose the profession out of passion often struggle with poor pay and bad working conditions. Le Monde dives deeper into their world and their efforts to form a union.  Finally, even Paris's metro system is celebrating PSG's Champions League win. Le Figaro reports that some names of metro stations have been changed. Station Europe on metro line 3 is now "Europe Champions". Porte de Saint Cloud is "Paris is magical". And Rue de Bac has turned into "Rue Back2Back". We don't know how long they'll stay this way, so tourists and locals, make sure you don't get lost!  You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

01/06/2026 • 06:19

PRESS REVIEW - Friday, 29 May, 2026: First, in the United States, the Department of Justice is reportedly opening a criminal inquiry into E. Jean Carroll. In France, controversy has erupted over the way some media outlets have covered the latest heatwave. The sun has been beating down on the Roland-Garros courts as Jannik Sinner crashed out of the tournament. Finally, things are heating up as PSG prepare to face Arsenal in the Champions League final. One story is getting quite a lot of coverage in the United States today. The New York Times reports that the Department of Justice is opening a criminal inquiry into E. Jean Carroll over her lawsuits against President Donald Trump. The Atlantic calls it a brazen move, and more evidence that Trump has no issue with politicised justice – he just wants it on his side. The Independent worries that such a retribution campaign would risk silencing other accusers. Vox says that Trump’s war on his enemies keeps running into the same problems: his incompetent attorneys, the jury system and the genuine independence of America’s lower court judges.  Also, there has been some controversy here in France about the way the latest heatwave has been covered by some media outlets. Libération explains that the extreme heat has highlighted the normalisation of climate disinformation on Vincent Bolloré’s television channel CNews. Meanwhile, the Guardian reports on the UN’s climate chief who has reiterated that the burning of fossil fuels is driving intense heatwaves, saying the current situation is a brutal reminder of the spiraling impacts of the climate crisis.  The impressively hot temperatures have had repercussions in the world of sport as well. L’Équipe describes both the French Open and Roland-Garros as “clay ovens”. Wired explains why it is almost too hot to play tennis and why people keep collapsing. Roland-Garros apparently has a wet bulb globe temperature limit of around 32.2 degrees Celsius. To date, no match has ever been suspended because of it.  Finally, things are heating up in Budapest, as Paris Saint-Germain prepares to take on Arsenal in the Champions League final. L’Équipe reports that 74 percent of French people think that PSG will win. The Athletic says that Arsenal’s Kai Havertz might be the player to watch. Le Parisien meanwhile, reports that Tottenham fans are keeping their fingers crossed for PSG.  You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

29/05/2026 • 06:43

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, May 28, 2026: Papers discuss whether Russia could potentially invade Europe. But first, Spanish front pages cover the latest developments in the political corruption scandal that has hit the Socialist Party. Elsewhere, US President Donald Trump's renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool continues to make headlines. Finally, some dogs are fashionable, but one pup is in the dog house.  Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and his ruling party are under a lot of scrutiny in Spain, and feature on all the front pages there. El Pais reports that the headquarters of the Socialist Party was raided on Wednesday as part of a corruption investigation. The right-wing paper La Razon condemns "the spectacle of arrests, prosecutions and police raids which have tarnished the already damaged reputation of Spanish socialism". ABC says that Sanchez should have stepped down a long time ago, especially after he was first investigated for influence peddling. La Vanguardia says that the prime minister has again refused to quit and intends to see his mandate through to 2027.  Papers discuss what Russia might do next, as the war in Ukraine drags on. The Wall Street Journal reports that Europe is starting to wonder if it itself might not be next. The article suggests that expanding the war would effectively allow Russian President Vladimir Putin to call up even more young Russians to the front lines. The Times looks at how Russia could invade Latvia, for instance. Its three scenarios have very different outcomes depending on the number of drones that are available to NATO forces. Meanwhile, The New York Times discusses comments made by the head of GCHQ, Anne Keast-Butler, who explained that Putin is already trying to pursue a wider conflict in Europe. RFI reports that the French Minister for Agriculture Annie Genevard has sparked outrage by attending a dinner hosted by French billionaire Vincent Bolloré, which also included pro-Russian influencers and media personalities.  Next, there is more coverage of Donald Trump's rebranding of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. A New York Times exclusive suggests that the company that was given the contract charged almost a million dollars more than what it should have cost. The Washington Post, meanwhile, wonders if Trump chose the right shade of blue.  Finally, The Telegraph looks into the UK's most popular pups, whilst one dog in the Irish Sun is extremely unpopular. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday. 

28/05/2026 • 06:32

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, May 27, 2026: First, US President Donald Trump's attempts at finding a deal with Iran are under a lot of scrutiny. Next, the EU is asked to consider the environmental impact of mega data centres, as locals fight back against projects which might harm the environment. Also, a new French tennis star features on the front page of L'Equipe. Finally, an age-old question is finally answered.                                                                           The fraught relationship between the United States and its allies in the Gulf features widely in the press. Time Magazine explains that Donald Trump seems to be hinging a peace agreement with Iran on Arab nations recognising Israel. Trump has reportedly reached out to leaders in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan and many others, asking them to sign the Abraham Accords. Politico reports that Trump's demand is being met with laughter, dismissal and often silence by US allies. Foreign Policy says that the Iran war has remade the Gulf and argues that countries will not lurch towards any single power. The Atlantic looks at why Trump keeps getting "rolled" in negotiations.  Elsewhere, artificial intelligence's hidden environmental cost is under the spotlight. Politico reports that the EU's Environment Agency chief has told the EU that it has to ensure tech companies disclose the ecological footprint of their data centres. The Guardian looks at how data centres are exacerbating droughts in Chile. A long read in The New York Times explains how mother-of-six Kassi Solberg is trying to oppose the construction of a massive data centre close to her property.  In Paris, the French Open is in full swing, and Moïse Kouamé is a breath of fresh air for French tennis, according to the front page of L'Equipe. At only 17 years old, the young Frenchman eliminated Marin Cilic in three sets on Tuesday, becoming the youngest player in the Open era to defeat a Grand Slam champion in men's singles at Roland Garros.  There is more sport on the horizon, too. Football fans are getting ready for the Conference League this evening, which will see Crystal Palace face off against unexpected finalists Rayo Vallecano de Madrid.  Finally, CNN reports that a study has finally brought us answers to a very important question: why does the mighty T-Rex have such ridiculously small arms?  You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

28/05/2026 • 06:41

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, May 26: We look at reactions in the Senegalese and French press after President Bassirou Diomaye Faye appoints a new prime minister after firing his former mentor Ousmane Sonko. Also, papers react to Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on the dangers of AI and the need to "disarm". Finally, an Austrian paraglider survives a terrifying mid-air collision and Thai police officers pose in drag after a sting operation to arrest a drug smuggler. In Senegal, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has appointed Ahmadou ‌Al Aminou Lo as prime minister after firing Ousmane Sonko as PM last week. Lo is an economist and former executive at the Central Bank of West African States, where according to Le Monde, he played an important role in shaping monetary and economic policies at a regional level. "An economist for prime minister," the Senegalese daily Le Soleil headlines, portraying him as a seasoned specialist who has been "at the heart of the government" since the first day of Faye's presidency. Although this news is about the nomination of a new prime minister, it is also about the "breakup" between Faye and Sonko. The two men were very close: Faye even named one of his children after Sonko, his one-time mentor. As FRANCE 24 notes, Faye essentially became president because Sonko was barred from running. The suspension of a $1.8 billion IMF aid programme due to corruption allegations under former prime minister Macky Sall proved a turning point, however. The two men fell out over how to handle Senegal's public debt crisis – Faye wanted to discuss a new aid programme with the IMF, while Sonko favoured a more domestic, sovereign approach. For the pan-African magazine Jeune Afrique, Senegal has been preparing for months for this "breakup". It means that the president will have the tricky task of governing with a parliament that is largely loyal to Sonko. It's going to be a tough fight, one observer is quoted as saying.   Moving on, there are lots of reactions in the press to Pope Leo's first encyclical, in which he warned of the dangers of artificial intelligence. In the encyclical – an open letter penned by the pope himself – he called for, among other things, government regulation of private AI companies, protection of workers' jobs, education to facilitate critical analysis of AI and action to protect children from harmful AI-generated content, as The New York Times notes. French paper La Croix reminds us that, with this letter, Pope Leo really became Pope Leo XIV. The encyclical follows in the footsteps of Pope Leo XIII, who wrote the encyclical "Rerum novarum" in 1891, addressing the condition of the working class. Times of London columnist Peter Schrank welcomes the encyclical, saying that allowing a few super-rich weird nerdy misfits to decide what is and isn't ethical would be madness. He hails the pope's comments that AI should be disarmed as a "historic intervention". The Times of London also reports that a paraglider in Austria had a near-death experience at the weekend. She's now shared a video that has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times. The paraglider, known as Sabrina, was gliding over the Austrian Alps when a Cessna 172 plane ripped through her chute, sending her plunging down with the sail. You can see her regaining control by activating her back-up chute and landing safely in a forest. She was visibly shaken but had nothing more than a few scratches and bruises. The pilot was also unharmed: according to him, he was unable to swerve in time. Sabrina had been gliding on her birthday – one she'll no doubt never forget! The video was uploaded to Instagram and has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times. Finally, police officers in Thailand recently went uncover in drag to catch a suspected drug smuggler. Five burly male officers and one female officer dressed as a female dance troupe to ensnare their target during a street dance festival in the country. The officers then posed in their sequined outfits behind the suspect at the police station. They were clearly not ready to give those costumes back! As The Telegraph explains, Thai police have a habit of dressing up to catch their suspects, dressing up as lion dancers or even dragons for previous arrests. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday

26/05/2026 • 06:29

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, 25 May 2026: First, papers discuss whether Russian President Vladimir Putin has lost support from his backers. Next, a police raid of opposition party headquarters in Turkey is getting considerable coverage. Also, the Enhanced Games do not lead to the many breakthroughs that were expected, with only one new world "record". Meanwhile, a 99-year-old breaks records in the sky. Finally, actors called Chris and talking animals are more likely to make it in Hollywood than women over the age of 60. The Russian strikes on Ukraine over the weekend are still being discussed in the papers. The Guardian quotes Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky, who called the attacks "deranged" in a social media post. The paper also suggests that Russia's Putin is "trying to keep up appearances" despite losing the trust of his supporters. Fortune magazine describes an increasingly alarmed Russian elite. The Atlantic says that Putin can no longer hide his catastrophe, and that he has lost control of the narrative.  In Turkey, the Turkish state paper Daily Sabbah reports that police officers evicted the headquarters of the main opposition party, the CHP. Libération also reports that Istanbul's private Bilgi University was closed on Friday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has since announced it would reopen. Libération suggests that these events are a continuation of Erdogan's "authoritarian turn". The Frankfurter Allgemeine says that for Erdogan, all means are acceptable to hang on to power.  The controversial Enhanced Games took place over the weekend in Las Vegas, with the last events held in the early hours of Monday morning. The Economist has a long read which explains that 50 athletes took part, with more than $25 million in prize money up for grabs. The Enhanced company is hoping to tap into the $6.8 trillion industry of wellness supplements and life-extending products. At the time of recording, the competitions had not yet led to the breakthroughs that were expected. Later, Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev became the only athlete to "beat" a world record at the Enhanced Games, winning the men's 50m freestyle at the divisive event where competitors were allowed to take performance-enhancing substances that have sparked health concerns.  Meanwhile, one man really is breaking records. Harry Heasman has become the oldest person to perform a wing walk, a few days ahead of his 99th birthday, according to the Times.  Finally, the Cannes Film Festival wrapped up at the weekend. The Telegraph reports that "Fjord" took home the top prize, despite being the most divisive film of the season. Elsewhere, a recent study found that films are more likely to star an actor called Chris or a talking animal than a woman over 60 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.

25/05/2026 • 06:39

PRESS REVIEW – Friday, May 22: Some 13 candidates are vying to defeat Karen Bass next month for the Los Angeles mayorship. Among them is former reality TV villain Spencer Pratt, whose social media savvy and debate skills have garnered support. Also, the controversial pro-doping Enhanced Games begin this weekend in Las Vegas. Plus the satirical parody Cockroach Janta political party in India becomes a viral sensation.  There is much focus on the LA mayoral race, which is heating up ahead of the vote next month. Los Angeles Magazine reminds us that Democrat Karen Bass became the first female mayor of LA when she was elected in 2022. She is hoping to be re-elected in the June 2 first round. The mayoral race has become one of the "weirdest ever" – with no less than 13 hopefuls competing in a race which the incumbent usually wins quite easily. There are four notable candidates: council member and former ally Nithya Raman, businessman Adam Miller, progressive housing advocate Reverend Rae Huang and reality TV personality Spencer Pratt, all of whom are profiled by the magazine.  The Los Angeles Times says the stiff competition could be explained by the fact that a lot has happened in the city – devastating fires in 2025, ICE raids and a $1 billion city budget deficit. Furthermore, the next mayor will also have to steer the city through the 2028 Olympics. One of the frontrunners is Spencer Pratt, a reality TV villain-turned-Trump-endorsed Republican candidate. The Times recalls that he lost his home in the Palisades fire and is using, it says, his Hollywood savvy, social media skills and innate rage to emerge as an unexpected and polarising contender. He has outpaced his rivals in fundraising and put in assured debate performances. He is also vitriolic: he has depicted the streets of LA as a "dystopian hellscape menaced by drug addicted zombies". According to Time Magazine, it is very unlikely that any candidate will win the mayorship in the first round. It is most likely that the top two finishers will face a runoff in November during the midterms, when California will also be deciding a host of congressional races and voting on Governor Gavin Newsom's replacement. If Pratt does become mayor, he would be the first Republican mayor of the city since the 1990s. Elsewhere, the Guardian reports that the much-criticised Enhanced Games will see 42 athletes competing this Sunday at a specially built arena in Las Vegas. There will be swimming, track and field, weightlifting and strongman events in a doping free-for-all event. Athletes are allowed to take performance-enhancing drugs that are normally outlawed from competition and importantly, outlawed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The prize money is lucrative, too: $250,000 per sport for winners, an extra $250,000 if they break a world record and $1 million for the winners of the 50m freestyle and 100m sprint events. The Guardian interviews Christian Anger­mayer, the colourful German bil­lion­aire behind the Enhanced Games. He made his fortune in biotech and bitcoin and is now looking to venture into sports. The Games have been described as pioneering a new era in athletic competition that embraces science to push the boundaries of human performance. Finally, a satirical Indian political party has gone viral. The Cockroach People's Party began as a satirical online project after India's chief justice minister compared unemployed youth to cockroaches. But the Guardian notes that CPP has now become a real party in India. Its founder, Abhijeet Dipke, is a political communications student at Boston University. He says he did not intend for his party to become so popular – it was merely set up to reflect mounting frustration among young Indians.  The Telegraph India notes that the party's X account was blocked in India on Thursday – hours later, a new account was launched with the handle #cockroachisback. They may be a parody party, but they now have a logo, a slogan, an icon (and what an icon – the cockroach – notoriously resistant to everything). Moreover, they have nearly 14 million social media followers – that's more than Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party! You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

22/05/2026 • 07:31

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, May 21: There's outrage and condemnation in the international papers over a video showing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting detained flotilla activists. One Israeli editor says he should be fired for his video. Also: the US indicts former Cuban president Raul Castro – is this a prelude for a Maduro-style US military operation in Cuba? Plus, a study shows that cows can recognise familiar faces – they have "déjà moo"! There's international outrage after far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunted detained flotilla activists at the port of Ashdod. In a video published on X, the national security minister threatened the activists with prison as he toured the makeshift space with an Israeli flag in his hand. Hundreds of detained activists can be seen in the video, with some seen kneeling with their hands bound behind their back. The footage has sparked international condemnation and even a rare rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The conservative daily Jerusalem Post calls Ben-Gvir's actions "disdainful". Haaretz, the centre-left Israeli daily which is critical of Netanyahu, condemns Ben-Gvir's actions as "cruder than others but certainly in line with the norms of today's Israel." The editor calls the violence against and humiliation of activists in front of cameras and ministers "a disgrace that cannot be hidden". There is also swift backlash in the conservative website Times of Israel. The editor David Horowitz pens an op-ed calling Ben-Gvir a "far-right Jewish supremacist" and "racist thug." As national security minister, he writes, Ben-Gvir has harmed "Israel's security, reputation and internal well-being", calling for him to be fired. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was one of the first international leaders to condemn the video, as some of the activists are Italian. La Repubblica says "shame on Israel" on its front page. La Stampa sees Ben-Gvir as the minister who has "triggered a crisis between Italy and Israel." Il Fatto Quotidiano says the flotilla has "brought Israel to its knees". It says Israel's "new act of piracy" in international waters nonetheless is not at all surprising, given that Israel "violates all rules and conventions anyway".  Over in the US, an indictment has been announced against former Cuban president Raul Castro, dating back to a fatal downing of two planes in 1996. The indictment was issued in a federal district court in Miami on Wednesday. The New York Times describes it as an "extraordinary escalation of the multifaceted pressure campaign against Cuba's communist government." Castro, 94, is accused of murder and conspiracy to kill Americans over the 1996 downing of two planes off the coast of Cuba. The planes were operated by a Cuban exile group that scoured the waters for Cuban nationals fleeing the country. Four people died in the incident. Nonetheless, The Economist notes that Cubans are not dismissing the possibility of a US operation – the current regime is playing it up – with civilians getting military training and leaflets being handed out telling people how to prepare for war.  The editors of the Wall Street Journal call the indictment a "welcome attempt to provide justice for the murdered Americans". The business daily notes that it comes at a time of growing vulnerability for Cuba, as its "Venezuelan sugar daddy has been cut off." The island is running out of diesel and fuel oil for its power plants with blackouts lasting hours, services in shambles and food supplies hard to come by.  Finally, a new study shows that cows can recognise the faces of familiar humans. The study, run by French researchers, set out to test whether our bovine friends can discriminate between familiar and unfamiliar faces. It turns out that cows have déjà moo. They are capable of identifying familiar faces and matching them with the same voices. The findings could moo-tivate farmers to work with certain cows to strengthen their human-animal relationships. But if you're a meat farmer, however, this would probably be a moo-t point! You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

21/05/2026 • 05:29

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, May 20, 2026: The 17th Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo is getting a lot of coverage. Papers are looking into the impact of recent aid cuts on the emergency response plan. In the United States, President Donald Trump's battle with the Internal Revenue Service continues to make headlines. Also, The New York Times discusses Trump's World Cup delegate, Andrew Giuliani. Finally, the Gunners are back on top, as Arsenal win their 14th Premier League title. The 17th Ebola outbreak in DR Congo has had a lot of coverage. The Washington Post says that this outbreak will be particularly difficult to contain because it has hit at a moment when health infrastructure has been weakened by funding cuts and political upheaval. The Financial Times takes a closer look at pandemic preparedness. The Guardian reports that the WHO is considering using experimental vaccines in the region. Finally, Swiss paper Le Temps features an interview with Jean-Jacques Muyembe, who discovered Ebola in 1976.  Over in the USA, Donald Trump's battles with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) continue to make headlines. The Financial Times reports that Trump and his family have been given a permanent exemption from further investigation of all past tax affairs by the Department of Justice. The waiver was issued as part of a settlement to resolve Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns in 2019 and includes a plan to create a $1.8 billion "anti-weaponisation fund". Politico reports that the "lawfare" fund is even making some Republicans nervous. The Atlantic says the fund is worse than stealing, and that recasting the January 6 insurrection as the work of heroic patriots is still Trump's top priority.  Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that Andrew Giuliani is the executive director of the "White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026", which could "codify his status as a MAGA warrior in high standing" and potentially fuel future presidential ambitions. Finally, the Daily Telegraph reports that for the first time in 22 years, Arsenal have won the Premier League.  You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

20/05/2026 • 06:33

PRESS REVIEW - Tuesday, May 19: The pan-Arab publication Middle East Eye brings an exclusive report on an arrest warrant application for Israel's Bezalel Smotrich on war crimes and crimes against humanity charges, including apartheid. Donald Trump drops his lawsuit against the IRS in return for the creation of a nearly $2 billion "slush fund". And David Beckham, Kate Moss and King Charles visit London's Chelsea Flower show as it kicks off today. IN THE PRESS - An exclusive from the Middle East Eye  reports that the prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court last month filed a secret arrest warrant application for Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The application accuses him of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Specific charges include forced displacement, persecution and apartheid, which, if approved, would be the first ever warrant issue for the crime of apartheid. Middle East Eye reports that an evidence review took place last week for the possibility of two more warrant applications, including one for National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, but they have yet to be filed. If judges approve the arrest warrant application, Smotrich would be the third Israeli politician targeted by the ICC, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant. It comes after the UN’s accusations of war crimes against Israel published in a separate report on Monday. The Saudi paper Arab News headlines on this. The UN criticised the treatment of Israeli prisoners by Hamas but focused on Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza since October 2023, which has killed more than 70,000 people, most of which appear to be "unlawful". The body urged Israel to take all measures necessary to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza. It also warned that Israel’s repeated offenses in Gaza and the West Bank amount to possibly ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. In the US, Donald Trump agreed to drop his family’s $10b lawsuit against the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) as part of a what the Washington Post calls "a highly unusual agreement". That agreement would create a $1.8 billion fund to compensate those who claim they were wronged by the Biden administration. It has been described as an anti-weaponisation fund with limited oversight and outside of normal processes for negotiating legal claims against the government. For the Washington Post, it is "by far the most sweeping tool the president has aimed at financially rewarding supporters and political allies." The Washington Post's editors say that if this fund stands, it will "become a template for all future American presidents to shower financial benefits on friends and allies without accountability". Worse, the fund will pay out for two years before it ceases to exist right after the 2028 election, which means Democrats will never get control of the money. The Daily Beast unveils the "jaw-dropping" details of the fund – Trump will have considerable authority over the five-member commission, which can be removed without cause at any moment. While Trump himself cannot benefit from the fund, entities tied to him can benefit. A citizens' ethics organisation calls it the "one of the single most corrupt acts in American history." Finally, let's end with London’s Chelsea Flower Show. The Daily Mail reports that King Charles and Camilla met with avid gardener Sir David Beckham ahead of the five-day flower and garden extravaganza. They collaborated on the Curious Garden, a garden which will encourage Brits to discover the joy of gardening and the vital contribution of plants. The royals were present for the unveiling of the Sir David Rose, a white flower named for Beckham and chosen by his daughter Harper. Kate Moss was also present for the show as she has a rose named after her. This year – for only the second time in the flower show’s 113-year-old history – garden gnomes are allowed. Celebrities like Sir David and Queen guitarist Sir Brian May had their own garden gnomes painted. The celebrity gnomes will be auctioned off for charity. At the Chelsea Flower Show, you might say, there’s no place like gnome! You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

19/05/2026 • 06:28

PRESS REVIEW – Monday, May 18, 2026: First, Ukraine's drone attacks on Russia may mark a turning point in the war. Next, Venezuela's post-Maduro era is conflicting for locals. Also, there's more drama at the Cannes Film Festival as Canal+ hits back at filmmakers. Finally, Gen Z find new ways of enjoying themselves on a budget. Ukraine's drone attack on Russia over the weekend got a lot of coverage. The Washington Post explains that it was Ukraine's largest and most deadly attack on Moscow since 2022. Time Magazine reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine's long-range capability is changing the situation, because its forces are now able to hit targets 500 kilometres from the border. An opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal says that Ukraine is "no longer playing a losing game". The Economist reports that Russia has sustained its first net loss in territory since October 2023. The Kyiv Post says that Russian President Vladimir Putin might need to accept peace. Meanwhile, the Guardian has a long read about Venezuela's post-Maduro era. The paper explains that people have "lost their fear". But alongside this optimism, many are baffled by the close relationship between the ousted dictator's allies and the Trump administration. The article says most locals are concerned that the US only cares for Venezuela's resources, and not its people.  In France, the Cannes Film Festival has taken an unexpected turn. The head of Canal+ has threatened to blacklist over 600 actors, writers and artists who signed a letter opposing right-wing billionaire Vincent Bolloré and his takeover of the French film industry. Libération explains that the French film industry is facing a "fascist takeover of the collective imagination". Politico discusses far-right politicians and their "crusade against French cinema".  Finally, the Times reports on two new drinking trends among Gen Z.  You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

18/05/2026 • 06:14

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, May 14, 2026: First, US President Donald Trump's visit to China features on most French front pages. Next, the British papers study the Labour Party's candidates as Prime Minister Keir Starmer refuses to resign. Also, the Guardian reports on a secret UN mission in Gaza. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain become French champions for the 14th time. Finally, a strange smog has spread to the food industry. Donald Trump's visit to China is all over the French front pages this morning, and most papers seem to have similar interpretations of the summit. On the left, L'Humanité headlines with "Trump at war, Xi as referee". Le Parisien describes the summit as an arm wrestle among "friends" and says the two leaders could not be more different. Le Figaro says that Trump is looking to appease his Chinese counterpart.  Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is still the topic of most front pages in the UK. The communist paper Morning Star talks about a "head to head" between Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The Guardian says that a potential leadership contest has led to a scramble on the left of the Labour Party. The Financial Times fears a "bitter factional struggle" within the party. Politico has issued a survival guide for "lame duck prime ministers".  The Guardian reveals the details of a secret UN mission in Gaza which smuggled vast quantities of archives, cultural records and artworks out of the war-torn territory for their preservation. The BBC, meanwhile, reports that two Gazan sisters have won an award for their invention which turns rubble into reusable bricks.  L'Equipe celebrates Paris Saint-Germain on its front page. Their win against Lens last night made them French champions for the 14th time, and for the fifth time in a row.  Finally, The Telegraph reports that vaping has broken into the food industry. Companies are now recommending that flavoured vapes be paired with meals.   You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

14/05/2026 • 06:48

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, May 13, 2026: A highly awaited summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping kicks off in China. But first, the British front pages discuss Prime Minister Keir Starmer's continuing struggles. Next, climate scientists are worried that El Nino will be particularly intense this year. Finally, sunburns might hold the keys to a technological revolution. In the UK, the British front pages discuss Prime Minister Keir Starmer's continuing struggles. The Daily Star says that the PM is stuck in a zombie parliament, with over 80 MPs calling for him to go. The Sun reports that so far Starmer has "shrugged off" this latest mutiny. Metro headlines with "Number 10 Doubting Street" whilst City AM asks "Where do we go from Keir?" The Daily Telegraph explains that Health Secretary Wes Streeting has lined up a showdown with the prime minister.  Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is heading back to China for the first time in almost 10 years, where he will be meeting with his counterpart Xi Jinping. Foreign Policy says that Trump has changed tactic, because of Beijing's willingness to "punch back at Washington and its ability to cause real pain". The Washington Post says that "the US has given up trying to convince Beijing to reform its economic model". The Guardian reports that the Chinese government has used a linguistic workaround of a different character to represent US Secretary of State's Marco Rubio's name. China Daily says that the summit will inevitably focus on tariffs and the technological rivalry between the two countries. The Global Times reminds its readers that China and the US "share the same planet" and their relationship is key to peace on Earth.  Climate scientists are worried about the impact of El Nino this year. An opinion piece in the New York Times says we are about to get a preview of life in 2035 because a "climate monster" is growing right now in the Pacific Ocean and could lead to huge climate disruption. The Washington Post discusses the El Nino of 1877, which may have been the worst environmental disaster in human history.  But since you always have to look on the bright side of life, the BBC reports that sunburns have inspired scientists to find a revolutionary new way of storing energy.  You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

13/05/2026 • 06:33

PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, May 12: As France records its first hantavirus case, the government says it is following health guidelines "to a tee". In Britain, the press echoes calls by MPs for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down, but he is staying put for the moment. The Cannes Film Festival opens with one difference this year: the absence of a major Hollywood film. Plus, the Guardian tells us that this summer's aesthetic is all about the "hot divorcee"! The French government has announced strict measures after the first hantavirus case was detected in the country. The health crisis is dominating the French front pages. L'Humanité, Le Parisien and La Croix all headline on the government's measures. France is on "high alert" after one confirmed case. Four other French citizens who were on board the HV Hondius cruise ship are for the moment not infected and in good health. As Libération explains, the French government has taken strict measures, including isolating the five passengers at Paris's Bichat hospital. French health authorities are "following to a tee" the World Health Organization's recommendations. While there are several confirmed cases of hantavirus, no cases have been confirmed in people who were not aboard the cruise ship. The Daily Telegraph explains that this means the virus has not spread beyond the confines of the ship. However, long incubation periods mean it is impossible to know whether passengers have passed on the virus. According to one doctor's calculation, this crucial date could be May 19. The Covid-19 pandemic is unsurprisingly very much at the forefront of our minds – it's only been six years, after all – and this is reflected in the French press. Huffington Post says "this is not Covid" on the front of its website while Sud Ouest, a French regional paper, says: "This time France is preparing itself, coordinating and reassuring the public."  In Britain, Keir Starmer's future is hanging by a thread. Monday's headlines were all about the embattled premier and it is the same this Tuesday. He gave a speech to MPs on Monday in which he vowed not to walk away as leader after Labour's drubbing in local elections last week. His speech failed to impress, since the message from the British dailies is: "Starmer has to go." The I notes that over 70 MPs have joined a mutiny that calls on Starmer to go in what is an open revolt against the prime minister. His would-be replacements are also preparing their challenges. One frontrunner could be Wes Streeting, the current health minister. As The Sun's columnist Clemmie Moodie notes, Streeting grew up on a council estate and so he knows how much a pint of milk costs (with needing an aide to tell him!). As a cancer survivor, he also understands the NHS first hand. Moodie adds: "He swears, he drinks and he watches 'Strictly Coming Dancing'!" Streeting is "palatable", with genuine ideas, she says. The "champagne socialist" could be Labour's only hope of keeping far-right leader Nigel Farage out of power. The Cannes Film Festival begins this Tuesday and this year's edition will be marked by the absence of a major Hollywood film. Politics, timing and studios' wariness over the risks of a film being ripped apart by festival critics could explain this absence. The Guardian says this year's competition sees a return to the past – with international auteur-driven films, for which Cannes first became famous. Behind the glitter of the red carpet though, a revolt is brewing against French billionaire Vincent Bolloré, a man with close ties to the far right. Libération headlines on French cinema's "counter-attack": around 600 cinema professionals, including Juliette Binoche, have signed a letter, warning against the dangers of Bolloré's control. Finally, the Guardian tells us that the "hot divorcee" may well be this summer's aspirational muse! If you kept up with trends, 2024's summer was all about the clean vibe hot girl summer. Last year was quite the opposite – the messy brat girl. This year's aesthetic muse could be the "hot divorcee". It's defined by showing that you've made an effort and owning it. It's high glam. It's about flaunting your "divorcee nonchalance". That's why the hot divorcee doesn't even have to be divorced – it's a vibe defined by "big hats, hot sex and don't-care energy!" You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

12/05/2026 • 06:29

PRESS REVIEW – May 11, 2026: First, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure following the Labour Party's disastrous results in the local elections. Next, the Guardian features an exclusive extract from Iranian Nobel Prize winner Narges Mohammadi's diaries. Meanwhile, the situation in Cuba is on Libération's front page. Finally, Spanish sports papers celebrate Barcelona as the new La Liga champions.  The British papers discuss the aftermath of Thursday's local elections in the UK. The Guardian says Keir Starmer's Labour rivals are "circling in" on him as he tries to cling on to power. The Times reports that former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has even issued an ultimatum: take immediate action to move Labour to the left or face a leadership challenge. The left-wing tabloid the Daily Mirror says that Starmer is going to make a speech later this Monday which will "make or break" his premiership. The Daily Mail says that Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced he is "ready" for a leadership challenge.  The Guardian has an exclusive about Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, whose writings were smuggled out of prison by fellow inmates. She had been incarcerated since December 12 and is now in very poor health. She was released on Sunday evening on bail to receive medical treatment. El Pais reports that Iranian authorities have intensified their repression against dissidents, including Iranians abroad who criticise the regime. The New York Times says that Iranians are also now being hit by mass layoffs, due to the government-imposed internet shutdown, which has crippled Iran's digital sector.  Next, French daily Libération features a special report from Cuba. The paper describes an "asphyxiated island" in peril on its front page. The lively streets and tourist hotspots of central Havana are empty, and visitor numbers are down almost 50 percent compared to 2025. The article says that 2 million people have left Cuba since the Covid-19 pandemic, which represents about a quarter of the country's population.  Finally, Spanish sports paper Mundo Deportivo is celebrating the 2026 Spanish La Liga champions: FC Barcelona.  You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

11/05/2026 • 06:31