Press Review

FRANCE 24 English

An overview of the stories making the French and international newspaper headlines. From Monday to Friday live at 7:20am and 9:20am Paris time.

  1. -8 H

    Vijay: From Tamil Nadu's biggest film star to Indian political leader

    PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, May 5: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party is celebrating an "historic" state election win in West Bengal, while Vijay, one of the most famous Tamil film stars, just won the state election in Tamil Nadu with his upstart political party. We look at reactions from the Indian press about these two victories. Also, we discover the winners of the Pulitzer Prizes and check out the best and worst dressed attendees at the Met Gala. We start with a significant state election win for PM Narendra Modi's party in India. With over a billion voters in India, state elections take place over several years. They also serve as a litmus test on national governance. Modi is midway through his third term and is possibly eyeing a fourth one in 2029. In West Bengal, Modi and his party storms into power, the Deccan Chronicle says on its front page. Modi's landmark victory ends 15 years of rule by Mamata Banerjee, one of his most outspoken critics. In its editorial, the paper says this victory is the culmination of efforts the BJP has made for years. It also reminds us of a voting scandal right before the election. The Election Commission deleted the names of some 2.7 million voters in West Bengal from the electoral roll for "technical reasons". Experts have said that Muslims and other minorities were overwhelmingly among this group, a scandal that the Deccan Chronicle calls a "moral deficit that weighs on this victory." Watch moreIndian Muslims say they're being targeted as millions of voters deleted from rolls The other big surprise comes from the state of Tamil Nadu, in southern India, where a famous film star won with his upstart political party. Vijay is one of the most recognisable faces in the state as he's known for his hugely popular films. The 51-year-old swapped the big screen for politics and made a stunning electoral debut with his fledgling TVK party. It picked up 107 seats in the state assembly, making it the single largest party there with a relative majority. The Indian Express and The Hindu, a Chennai-based paper, both headline on his victory. The Hindu says Vijay's party disrupted nearly half a century of "a bipolar [political] landscape dominated by two parties." The Times of India calls Vijay the "new star of Tamil politics": quiet, introverted and persistent. The general feeling, however, is apprehension: can he convert the popular vote into popular rule? We also bring you the 2025 winners of the Pulitzer Prizes in the US in the journalism category. The New York Times picked up three awards, including best breaking news photography for Palestinian photographer Saher Alghorra for his "haunting" sensitive series showing devastation and starvation in Gaza as a result of the war with Israel. The Times also picked up best investigative reporting for its series on conflicts of interest and self-enrichment running rampant through the Trump administration. Julie K. Brown, a Miami Herald journalist, was given a special commendation for her 2017 and 2018 work investigating Jeffrey Epstein and his systematic abuse of young women and the sweetheart deal he got from prosecutors. She spent two years trawling through court documents and reaching out to Epstein victims. She published a series called "Perversion of Justice" in 2018 and later a book of the same name. Her work laid the groundwork for US federal authorities reopening the investigation and eventually arresting Epstein. As a 2021 Guardian article reminded us, Brown had been considered for a Pulitzer when her work was published eight years ago. However, Alan Dershowitz, a prominent defence lawyer for Epstein and Harvard Law School professor, urged the Pulitzer committee not to consider her in a letter he wrote to them. Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre accused Dershowitz of being one of the men with whom she was forced to have sex.  Finally, the Met Gala took place in New York on Monday. The controversy around Jeff Bezos's patronage gave way to the pomp and glamour of fashion's night of nights, with something to everyone's taste – or not! From Madonna's Morticia Adams-inspired goth outfit to Teyana Taylor's look, described approvingly by Cosmopolitan as silver mop meets Afghan hound, we check out some of the most striking outfits. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

    6 min

  2. -1 J

    Israeli minister's 'disgusting noose cake' draws widespread criticism

    PRESS REVIEW – Monday, May 4, 2026: Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's birthday cake sparks widespread condemnation. But first, The Washington Post tells the story of a Ukrainian soldier trapped in the "kill zone". Also, Amsterdam becomes the first capital city to ban meat and fossil fuel advertising. Elsewhere, Jeff Bezos's involvement in the Met Gala leads to boycotts. Finally, Kentucky flaunts its impressive hats.  The Washington Post features a long read about a Ukrainian soldier who was trapped in the "kill zone", a contested area between Ukrainian and Russian front lines, for nearly six months. He survived thanks to drone deliveries which dropped off food, water, hand warmers or ammunition. Staying in Ukraine, the Kyiv Post reports that Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces have struck key Russian assets on long-range missions. The Times discusses the latest tests of "drone swarms", which are powered by artificial intelligence.  Meanwhile, the Times of Israel reports that Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has caused widespread condemnation because of his birthday cake which features a golden noose and piped writing around it which reads: "Sometimes dreams come true". Haaretz says that the shocking cake is only a distraction from the death penalty law it represents. The paper argues that Ben Gvir wants to "redirect the narrative toward his supremacist wins" and that the world should not fall for it.  Elsewhere, Amsterdam has become the world's first capital city to ban public advertising for both meat and fossil fuel products, according to the BBC. On May 1, ads for burgers, petrol cars or airlines were taken down from tram stops, metro stations and billboards.  Next, the Met Gala is attracting attention for the controversial role that Jeff Bezos is playing in it this year. The Guardian says that his involvement has also revived rumours that he might buy Condé Nast, the parent company of Vogue, which organises the gala. The Wall Street Journal looks at how the Amazon founder broke into fashion's inner circle, through the company buying stakes in luxury department stores. The Telegraph says that Zendaya, Meryl Streep and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani have all boycotted the event. The Mirror, meanwhile, reports that just a few days ago, hundreds of bottles of "urine" were hidden in the Met museum in protest at the working conditions of Amazon staff.  Finally, Forbes features some outrageous hats which were bringing the glamour to the Kentucky Derby.  You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

    7 min

  3. -4 J

    Is Iran's hybrid warfare behind anti-Semitic attacks in Europe?

    PRESS REVIEW – Friday, May 1: The British papers are still covering the anti-Semitic attack in London. Meanwhile, The New York Times investigates hybrid warfare methods against Jewish targets. Next, a British advertising company is greenwashing the US oil industry. Also, Banksy has made another appearance. Finally, a trainee bus driver has a bad day at the office south of Paris. The British front pages discuss the aftermath of Wednesday's anti-Semitic knife attack in the Golders Green neighbourhood of London. The Guardian shows Prime Minister Keir Starmer meeting with members of a local Jewish security organisation there. The Daily Mirror has a very similar photo on its front page. The Telegraph, though, shows the protesters who were waiting for the prime minister when he arrived. The Daily Mail asks why the suspect was "free to roam the streets with a knife". The New York Times looks into investigations surrounding recent attacks against Jewish targets across Europe. The article explains that in many cases those perpetrating the attack were not affiliated to any cause and that many were teenagers recruited through Snapchat or Telegram and promised quick cash in exchange for their actions.  The Times discusses hybrid warfare by Russia in Poland. The paper interviews one Polish general who is urging NATO to take the situation more seriously.  The Guardian has a long read about a British advertising conglomerate that has been greenwashing the US oil industry on a billion-dollar scale. According to a US congressional investigation, fossil fuel companies used "deceptive and misleading" advertising strategies designed to undermine climate policy.  Staying in London, the BBC reports that a statue appeared in the early hours of Wednesday morning in the middle of Waterloo Place. Banksy has since confirmed that he is behind the new addition to London's landscape.  Finally, a trainee bus driver drove into the River Seine on Thursday, after crashing into a car and losing control. Luckily, all those on board were rescued and unharmed. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

    7 min

  4. -5 J

    'Sickening': British papers react to anti-Semitic attack in London

    PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, April 30, 2026: First, the Golders Green attack features on all the British front pages. Next, King Charles's speech to the US Congress is hailed as a master class in subtle diplomacy. In Germany, papers discuss the latest feud between the US president and the German chancellor. Finally, a stranded whale gets a new home. The attack in London's Golders Green neighbourhood, in which two Jewish men were stabbed on Wednesday, is all over the British front pages. The Mirror decries a "sickening" attack. The Daily Express quotes the local MP Sarah Sackman, who slammed "an attack on Britain itself". The Sun's feature asks: How many more? The Daily Telegraph quotes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in its headline. The Guardian features an analysis piece which looks into the claims that an Iran-linked terror group was behind the attack.   Meanwhile, a number of papers are still focusing on King Charles III's subtle diplomacy. The Conversation says that the king's address to the US Congress on Tuesday was pitched "over the head of Trump". The Guardian looks into how a speech of that kind is written.  In Germany, papers discuss the latest feud between Donald Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Die Zeit reports that Trump has announced the US is considering reducing the number of US troops in Germany. Der Spiegel asks if this is the end of the good relationship that Merz had established with Trump. An opinion piece in the Frankfurter Allgemeine says that there is no middle ground for the US president.  Finally, the Associated Press reports that a water-filled barge is ferrying Timmy the stranded humpback whale into deeper waters in the North Sea.   You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

    6 min

  5. -6 J

    Buddhist monks-in-training caught with 110kg of cannabis in Sri Lanka

    PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, April 29: Papers discuss public anger in Russia after an internet crackdown. Next: France launches a probe into the reappearance of the website that was used to recruit the men who raped Gisèle Pelicot. Also, what is "promotion burnout" and is there a Gen Z "burnout crisis"? Finally, 22 Buddhist monks carrying 110kg of cannabis are arrested at Colombo airport in Sri Lanka. Papers are talking about Russia's ongoing internet crackdown. The New York Times says that "anger about internet restrictions breathes some life into Russian politics". The paper says that when Russia invaded Ukraine, Russia's security services kept a lid on public dissent. But when viral apps were censored, "many Russians found their voice". Ordinary citizens, influencers who are usually apolitical, politicians and even TV stars have criticised the restrictions. That's rare in Russia, as its political system no longer allows for "genuine opposition". Russians even tried to hold protests in some cities, but they've been blocked by the authorities. Containing them online, however, is trickier. Independent Russian paper Novaya Gazeta reports that VPN downloads have surged 14-fold amid the internet restrictions. In March, VPNs were downloaded more than 9 million times from Russia. Experts say that the restrictions have backfired as Russians are using major platforms less often, rather than abandoning their VPNs.  In France, the Coco website linked to the Gisèle Pelicot mass rape case has resurfaced online under a new name. French daily Le Parisien reports that France has launched a probe into its reappearance. It's the website that enabled Dominique Pelicot to find dozens of strangers to rape his drugged wife. Coco was shut down by authorities in June 2024 after it was accused of facilitating sex crimes. France's commissioner for children has called its reappearance a "slap in the face to the promise of protection". We turn next to emerging work trends. Glamour magazine writes about "promotion burnout", or the reason why so many women no longer want to climb the ladder. It cites a British study that surveyed more than 1,000 female employees about their career ambitions. It found out that 50 percent of those who responded say that their motivation is going down and they have "little to no ambition to climb the career ladder". But the magazine says that there's a widening "ambition gap" between men and women – the bottom line is that women are aiming for promotions less often than men. The magazine says that it's maybe because women have a harder time at work than their male colleagues. A study by Yale University shows that women are 14 percent less likely to be promoted than men. Times Now talks about the "Hidden burnout crisis among Gen Z". The article explains that Gen Z members entering the workforce bring energy, adaptability and strong digital skills. But they also face the "always-on" culture: digital fatigue, high expectations and blurred boundaries. This all impacts their mental health and many Gen Z professionals experience burnout symptoms within just a few years of starting work. Experts say the inability to disconnect means that the brain never gets a true break. Finally, 22 Buddhist monks have been arrested after police found 110 kilos of cannabis in their luggage. The Guardian writes that this is the largest ever drugs bust at Colombo airport in Sri Lanka. The junior monks-in-training were coming back from a five-day holiday in Bangkok. Each of them carried about 5kg of kush. A twenty-third monk is believed to have organised the trip. According to police, he told the others that the parcels were a "donation". You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

    6 min

  6. 28 AVR.

    US startups explore genome editing in human embryos, raising ethical concerns

    PRESS REVIEW – Tuesday, April 28: Photos of starving soldiers in Ukraine make headlines. Over in the US, Donald Trump wants Jimmy Kimmel fired – again. French papers talk about the controversial Alloncle report on the neutrality and funding of public broadcasting. Also: is genome editing ethical? Finally, we look at the European seagull screeching championship. Radio Free Europe reports on starving soldiers in Ukraine. The headline reads "Ukrainian army's new manpower struggle". Last week, relatives of soldiers went public with complaints and photos showing their starving loved ones. They blame poor supplies, a lack of adequate nutrition and bad leadership. Speaking of the ongoing war, the Kyiv Post writes about a recruitment call that happened in a Russian university. The meeting was part of a broader Russian campaign to recruit soldiers for their drone forces. The meeting, however, was interrupted by a Ukrainian soldier who hacked the call. He said: "God forbid you end up here, I will have to kill you – everyone who signs this contract". In the United States, The Hollywood Reporter is discussing US President Donald Trump's latest 60 Minutes interview. The paper says the interview was heavily edited. This comes a year after Trump sued CBS over the same format with his Democratic rival Kamala Harris, when he accused the network of deceptive editing to influence the election. "It seems Trump is OK with his interview getting edited, just not anyone else's," writes the paper.  Trump is also targeting Jimmy Kimmel again, The Wall Street Journal reports. Kimmel had joked: "Mrs Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow". Although he made the joke a couple of days before the shooting, Trump now wants him fired. Melania also tweeted that his "hateful and violent rhetoric is intended to divide our country". Speaking of the media, French lawmakers have agreed to publish a report on public broadcasting's neutrality and funding. It's called the Alloncle report and it was spearheaded by the far-right MP Charles Alloncle. Le Monde reports that after months of heated debates and hearings involving public media representatives, lawmakers and oversight bodies, the publication of the report has now been approved by a narrow majority: 12 in favour and 10 against. Its topic of neutrality and funding of public media has led to disagreement and tension among French lawmakers. The left wing sees it as an attack on public media. It actually directly concerns us here at FRANCE 24 – one of the recommendations proposes a merger with domestic French news channel Franceinfo. Le Monde says that many "compromises" had to be made before the publication date was set for next week. Left-wing paper L'Humanité regrets that the "scandalous" report was adopted "by a narrow margin", in particular because it recommends not only mergers but also the closure of some public channels. Right-wing paper Le Figaro describes the vote as "very close" but welcomes seeing the document escape "censorship" from the left. Next, we bring you a story about "genetically modified babies". Le Monde talks about the "fantasy of an enhanced human, without diseases, super-performing and super-intelligent". It's what some American startups propose: they aim to create genetically modified babies. They believe that genome editing could be "one of the most important health technologies of the century", explaining that it is easy to "correct" a small number of cells. Le Monde writes that it's a highly contested technique and one that's largely prohibited, as it raises fears of the return of a form of eugenics. Finally, Euronews takes a look at this year's European seagull screeching championship. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

    6 min

  7. 27 AVR.

    Michael Jackson: 'Untouchable' icon, sexual predator or both?

    PRESS REVIEW – Monday, April 27: Michael Jackson's biopic is enjoying a strong debut, despite numerous sexual abuse accusations. But first: papers discuss conspiracy theories following the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner shooting. Plus: in some good news, a chubby sea lion has won the hearts of San Francisco locals and a German nun discovers the joy of eating a kebab. Wired magazine reports that "conspiracy theories are everywhere" following the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Both right- and left-wing influencers and anonymous accounts are spreading unfounded conspiracy theories, including that the attack was staged. On Bluesky, for instance, many people simply wrote the word "staged" over and over again. The New York Times says that the term "staged" surged to more than 300,000 posts on X by midday on Sunday. The paper says that conspiracy theories from across the political spectrum were used to "fill the information void". It interviewed an expert who explains that "people are reshaping reality based on what they want to be true" and are quickly looking for information that confirms their pre-existing beliefs, before analysis. Next: Michael Jackson's biopic, directed by Antoine Fuqua, has raked in almost $100 million in North America alone and could make more than $200 million internationally. Vanity Fair reminds us that before the film went into production, at least five boys had "credibly and publicly accused" the late superstar of sexually abusing them when they were between the ages of seven and 12. Vanity Fair says that the huge interest in the film proves that "no man has ever been truly canceled". The paper interviewed documentary filmmaker Dan Reeds, who says "people just don't care". The HuffPost asks whether Jackson is an "untouchable" icon. The paper notes that the singer lived in the pre-#MeToo era – the time when "silence was golden". HuffPost says that the film was supposed to end with one of the most shameful moments of Jackson's career – investigators arriving at his ranch in 1993 – but this was cut from the final script. Instead, the film ends with the singer at the height of his glory. In some good news, "San Francisco is going nuts over a giant sea lion named Chonkers", The Wall Street Journal reports. He is about three times the size of the typical sea lion, and he arrived about a month ago and decided to stay. He captivated locals with his massive frame and his disregard for personal space. The paper says that when he falls, it sounds like an oak tree being cut down.  Finally, Sister Irmingard, 92, has tried her very first doner kebab. The German nun went viral online, garnering more than 5 million views, The Times reports. She comes from the German monastery of Arenberg, which has decided to adopt social media in order to "demystify" the life of nuns. Germany's de facto national dish has certainly been approved by the sister, who said she was very delighted with it. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

    5 min

  8. 24 AVR.

    After losing her son, healthy British woman will legally end her life in Swiss clinic

    PRESS REVIEW – Friday, April 24: We look at reactions in the German, Russian and Kazakh press after an important oil pipeline from Russia is suspended to Germany. Russia says it's for "technical" reasons, but the German press say it is "political". Also: the press is divided over the case of a physically healthy, deeply grieving British woman who will die by euthanasia in a Swiss clinic this Friday. Finally, we look at the most surprising clauses of pre-nup agreements.  There are lots of reactions to Kazakhstan's announcement earlier this week that there will be no transit of its oil to Germany through Russia from next month. The Kazakh energy minister announced that the Kazakh oil transit to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline will be suspended from May 1, officially due to "technical constraints" from Russia. For the Frankfurter Allgemeine, it's clearly a political move. The paper notes that Russian oil is flowing through the Druzhba pipeline towards Slovakia and Hungary without any of these technical problems. It adds: "Russia is using oil as a leverage to pressure the German government into halting drone attacks on Russian oil terminals." Vedomosti, a Russian financial daily, cites Igor Yushkov, a columnist for the state news agency TASS. He says the suspension of the pipeline will reinforce Europe's dependence on Russian ports, which in turn might make them more likely to want attacks by Ukraine to stop. The Times of Central Asia explains that Germany depends on the Druzhba pipeline for about 17 percent of its current crude supply. While Germany is looking into alternative deliveries, the suspension "exposes Berlin's reliance on a route that runs through Russia". The halting of the pipeline also comes with financial repercussions for the Kazakh economy. Orda, an independent Kazakh media outlet, tables the potential loss at $1.5 billion per year. We move on to a story that has fascinated the British press: the assisted suicide of a British woman in Switzerland today. The Times of London explains that Wendy Duffy, a former care worker, will end her life at a Swiss clinic this Friday. She is a physically healthy 56-year-old woman of sound mind who has been unable to bear the heartbreak of losing her only child four years ago. Duffy attempted suicide after his death, but it almost led her to a vegetative state. Duffy says she has paid £10,000 to the clinic to end her life. It comes as the UK's assisted dying bill has stalled in the House of Lords. The legislation proposes allowing adults in England and Wales with less than six months to live to apply for an assisted death, pending approval from doctors and an expert panel. Duffy's death is dividing the press. The Irish Daily Mail says on its front page: "Who is anyone to decide how much a human should endure?" Its writer says that while Duffy vividly "represents the deepest fears of those who are against assisted suicide", this should not detract from the "bone-deep sadness" of her case. She struggled with infertility, finally fell pregnant and was a single mother. She also made the tomato sandwich that killed her son, who choked to death. While her death raises more questions than it answers, she has got what she wanted, the writer adds. The conservative US magazine National Review is far more categorical in its critique, accuses the clinic of "promoting a death-on-demand culture." Finally, we bring you a story about the surprising clauses in prenuptial agreements these days. The Wall Street Journal explains that prenuptial agreements are no longer seen as "stodgy arrangements" by the rich to protect their money. According to a survey, around one in five people had a prenup in 2023. Of them, 41 percent were Gen Z and 47 percent were millennials. Some surprising clauses find their way into pre-nups today: NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) to protect the very signing of a prenup or its details, but also decisions around who gets to keep frozen embryos, cryptocurrency funds and even "pet nups" – how to decide custody of a beloved pet in case of divorce. You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.

    6 min
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An overview of the stories making the French and international newspaper headlines. From Monday to Friday live at 7:20am and 9:20am Paris time.

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    FRANCE 24 English
  • Création
    FRANCE 24 English
  • Années d’activité
    2020 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    38
  • Classification
    Tous publics
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    © France Médias Monde
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    Press Review

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