Press Review

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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.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    'Peacemaker' Rubio tries to appease pope over spat with Trump

    PRESS REVIEW – Friday, May 8: The Italian dailies mark Pope Leo XIV's first year at the Vatican, hailing his "discreet and collegial" papacy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with the pope in a bid to appease tensions after a public spat between the pontiff and US President Donald Trump. Also: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces major losses in local elections, British conservationist David Attenborough turns 100 and BTS grace the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Exactly a year ago, white smoke at the Vatican indicated a new leader of the Catholic Church: Robert Francis Prevost, who became Pope Leo XIV. The pontiff marks his first year in Naples and Pompeii, much to the jubilation of the Naples-based paper Il Mattino. "Welcome Pope Leo," it says on its front page. French paper Ouest-France takes stock of the pope's first year at the helm, describing him as "more discreet and collegial" than his predecessor. FRANCE 24's website reminds us that Leo is the first American pope. He is from Chicago, loves the White Sox, plays tennis and goes swimming, wears a smartwatch and plays Wordle. His first year can be characterised by his simplicity.  However, the pope has also had to contend with extraordinary critiques by Trump and has proved to be capable of defending himself. In early April, as Le Parisien reminds us, the pope drew Trump's ire by criticising the war in Iran. Trump responded by calling the pope weak on crime, to which Leo said he was not afraid of the Trump administration. In a bid to appease tensions, Trump sent his secretary of state to the Vatican on Thursday. The conservative Italian daily Il Tempo notes that the pope and Trump are both Americans and speak the same language. Yet a peacemaker, a facilitator, an interpreter of sorts was needed – a role Rubio has carved out for himself.  In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party has suffered early losses in local elections. The Daily Mail says Starmer faces a "wipe-out" and warns that if results are as bad as predicted, it will increase pressure on the prime minister and put his future in serious jeopardy. The Daily Mirror is a little more moderate – it reports that Labour is facing major losses in key seats but that the "apocalyptic scenario" predicted may not play out. Staying in the UK, renowned conservationist Sir David Attenborough turns 100 this Friday. Sir David is a natural historian, writer, documentary maker, narrator and conservationist. His career spans eight decades and nine documentary series. He turned his trademark whisper into one of the most powerful voices in the world. The Scotsman's editorial credits him with changing attitudes towards nature for the better and for inspiring generation after generation. In honour of his 100th birthday, a new species has been named after him: a Chilean parasitic wasp. It is just one of 50 species of plants, animals and microorganisms named after Attenborough.  Finally, Rolling Stone magazine hails a juggernaut of a different kind: Korean pop icons BTS. Whether you're a fan or not, their cultural impact is undeniable. Rolling Stone pays tribute to BTS, who are back on top, touring once again after a long hiatus for mandatory military service. The magazine interviews Jung Kook, V, Jimin, Suga, RM, Jin, and J-Hope separately as they talk about their personal ambitions. 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. 2 DAYS AGO

    'Time to say goodbye': Judge releases Epstein's alleged 'suicide note'

    PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, May 7: A US judge publishes a purported suicide letter from Jeffrey Epstein, weeks before he was found dead in his prison cell. But first: Swiss authorities are racing to trace contacts of a Swiss man who is being treated for hantavirus after disembarking and freely travelling home while infected with a human-to-human strain of the virus. Plus, Paris Saint-Germain fans are jubilant after the French side make it to the Champions League final. A Swiss passenger is being treated for hantavirus in Zurich after having contracted the disease aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship. As The Wall Street Journal explains, there are now eight cases of hantavirus, including five confirmed cases and one confirmed death from the virus aboard the cruise ship which set off from Ushuaia in Argentina on April 1 to Saint Helena. The Swiss man tested positive for the Andes strain of the virus, which is the only strain that enables human-to-human transmission. Swiss officials are rushing to trace his contacts – he fell ill after returning home but was allowed to travel freely during his infectious period – which can be two to eight weeks – meaning he could have potentially exposed many others to the virus.  The health crisis is dominating the Spanish dailies after authorities said the cruise ship will dock in Spain's Tenerife in the Canary Islands by the weekend. Spanish daily ABC notes that the virus has caused a political conundrum: Canary Islands leader Fernanda Clavijo opposed the plan to dock there and Morocco prevented a medical plane from making a stopover. El Pais, meanwhile, reports that 23 passengers disembarked the cruise ship and flew "untracked" to their own countries without undergoing any quarantine – with passengers coming from all over the world, including the US, Australia and Taiwan. El Pais's editors call for calm, saying this virus is much less transmissible between humans than coronavirus. But it adds that the world will need to heed the lessons learned from Covid-19, six years ago. In the US, a federal judge has released a suicide note that was allegedly written by Jeffrey Epstein shortly before his death. The New York Times published a part of the handwritten letter in which the convicted paedophile allegedly wrote: "They investigated me for months and found nothing." He added that it was a "treat to be able to choose one's time to say goodbye". Epstein's cellmate allegedly discovered the note in July 2019 after Epstein was found unresponsible with a cloth around his neck. He survived that incident but was found dead weeks later in prison. The letter has not been authenticated but Epstein's cellmate said he found it in a graphic novel shortly after Epstein was removed from their shared prison cell. The convicted paedophile's death was ruled a suicide, but this has not quelled conspiracy theories that he may have been murdered. In football news, there's jubilation for Paris Saint-German fans after the Parisian side qualified for their second consecutive Champions League final. Fans will hope the team will make it two for two when they face Arsenal in the final in Budapest on May 30. Le Parisien says PSG were "heroic", while French sports daily L'Equipe calls their victory a "total pleasure". Spanish sports paper Sport hails PSG coach Luis Enriques for taking the team to their second final in a row. Arsenal will no doubt have their work cut out of them, as the Daily Telegraph explains.  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

  3. 3 DAYS AGO

    Putin said to be 'hiding in bunkers' as his popularity erodes

    PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, May 6, 2026: Russian President Vladimir Putin's popularity is eroding amid economic difficulties and internet restrictions. But first, a report outlining recommendations following a parliamentary inquiry into French public broadcasting is on the front page of several French papers. Also, Russia's participation at the Biennale in Venice has cast a shadow ahead of the opening of the international art exhibition. Finally, French papers look forward to the second leg of the Champions League semi-final.  A report outlining recommendations following a parliamentary inquiry into France's public broadcasting is on the front page of a number of French papers. L'Humanité says the report is basically a demolition order "built on the ideology and the interests of the far-right billionaire Vincent Bolloré". The liberal paper L'Opinion says that although the inquiry asked the right questions, the report is a flop. Le Figaro says that the report is embarrassing for President Emmanuel Macron's camp. Meanwhile, The Telegraph reports that an anti-corruption organisation has filed a criminal complaint, claiming far-right MP Charles Alloncle may have asked questions during his hearings which were suggested by right-wing media executives.  Next, a number of papers are reporting some unease in Russia. El Pais reports that both official and independent polls agree that Russia's economic crisis is eroding Putin's popularity. The Times, meanwhile, asks how Putin's rule might end; the paper says that as discontent over the economy and internet restrictions rises, Putin has another decade to quash any plots to depose him. This coverage all follows a Financial Times exclusive, which revealed that Putin recently stepped up security protocols amid assassination fears.  In Italy, Russian influence at the international art exhibition, the Venice Biennale, is getting a lot of coverage. The Financial Times reports that decision to open the Russian pavilion for the first time since 2022 has caused tensions. The French cultural magazine Inrockuptibles decries the "obscenity of apolitical art in the face of war".  Finally, Arsenal are the first team to confirm their Champions League final spot following their victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. L'Équipe hopes this Wednesday's game will be just as spectacular as the first leg, as Bayern Munich face off with Paris Saint-Germain in their return match.  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

  4. 4 DAYS AGO

    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

  5. 5 DAYS AGO

    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

  6. 1 MAY

    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

  7. 30 APR

    '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

  8. 29 APR

    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
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About

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.

Information

  • Channel
    FRANCE 24 English
  • Creator
    FRANCE 24 English
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © France Médias Monde
  • Show Website
    Press Review

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