Press Review

'Cloak of secrecy' surrounds plane that crashed into Beijing skyscraper


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PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, July 1: Papers discuss a story from China that has flown under the radar: a plane crashed into the tallest building in Beijing in unclear circumstances. Next: why was "controversial figure" Vadim Ermolaev targeted in Monaco? Also: could Ireland become the next summer holiday hotspot? Finally, yodlers in Basel didn't get put off by the heatwave.

The Financial Times reports that a light plane crashed into Beijing's tallest building, raising questions about the city's "sense of security". The incident actually happened last Friday, but it took the press a few days to catch up, because of a "cloak of secrecy", the Financial Times reports, and a strict censorship of traditional and social media coverage.

Foreign Policy asks: "How did a private aircraft enter Beijing's sensitive airspace?" The article reminds readers that China has one of the world's most controlled airspaces, with 70 percent of it under military control. The South China Morning Post also focuses on the security dilemma. Flight schools across China were told to suspend training and safety inspections are being carried out across the country. The paper reminds us that the pilot of the plane died during the crash and 13 people were injured. French paper Le Figaro also talks about the "severely censored tragedy" and the massive security presence around the skyscraper. Papers also note that the crash came just days before the Communist Party's 105th anniversary this Wednesday. 

Elsewhere, Monaco is still making headlines after an explosive device was detonated on Monday. According to Nice-Matin, the life of Ukrainian oligarch Vadim Ermolaev – who is the "controversial figure" targeted by the explosion –  is reportedly no longer in danger. But his partner's condition remains critical. The local newspaper reports that the oligarch had been leading "a quiet life" in Monaco for several years. The paper cites Ukrainian police sources who say the criminal act is "linked to the world of scam call centres" –  a network of massive financial fraud on a European scale. The Ermolaev family is reportedly deeply involved: notably one of his sons, who was arrested and sentenced in Cyprus last year.

Ukrainska Pravda writes that Ermolaev was listed in Forbes' ranking of the 100 richest people in Ukraine. According to the newspaper, the oligarch was subject to sanctions in Ukraine due to his activities in occupied Crimea. The article explains that he was also part of the "Monaco Battalion" – the nickname given to wealthy Ukrainian expats who now live on the French Riviera. According to sources interviewed by Le Figaro, "investigators are focusing on the Ukrainian lead" and the attack seems to be more of a "warning" than an actual attempted murder.

Meanwhile, The Times reports that "Europe's heatwaves could turn Ireland into summer holiday hotspot". The paper says that tourists normally used to go to Ireland for its heritage, but the changing climate is giving them another reason to visit: the Irish beaches. Before, tourists used to go to Ireland despite the weather, but now they go there to enjoy the bearable summer temperatures. Some tourism experts say that another summer of extreme heat could be the tipping point and change how Europeans choose their holidays. 

Finally, the heatwave in Switzerland didn't stop the country's yodeling festival. The Associated Press reports that yodlers just had to adapt and city fountains in Basel became rehearsal spaces. 

You can catch our press review every morning on FRANCE 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday

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