PRESS REVIEW – October 20, 2025: First, the unbelievable robbery at the Louvre Museum is all over the French papers. The details of the brazen seven-minute heist are also being discussed internationally. Next, the use of swearing has been underestimated, according to scientists. A Guardian article looks at the functions and uses of "bad words". Finally, the latest sumo wrestling championship in London has won the hearts of sports fans worldwide.

The unbelievable burglary at the Louvre is all over the French papers. Aujourd’hui en France calls it the "heist of the century". La Dépêche du Midi just asks: who stole the Louvre jewels? The event is widely discussed in the inside pages. Aujourd'hui en France quotes a museum worker who describes the vulnerability to burglaries, which are on the rise. Le Monde takes a look back at other burglaries at the Louvre. Le Figaro questions the security infrastructure at the Louvre, noting that an "embarrassing report" warned about the Louvre's delay in updating security standards. Le HuffPost says that the robbery is being politically instrumentalised. 

The burglary is making front pages around the world. In Belgium, Le Soir also calls it the "heist of the century". La Republica talks of a "big hit" and says that Napoleon's jewels could interest buyers in Russia, China or even the United States. La Stampa, meanwhile, talks of the ghosts of the Louvre. El Pais has a photo of the industrial lift the robbers used to break into the museum's Apollo Gallery. Meanwhile, The New York Times looks at the "seven brazen minutes of the heist". The Telegraph says that this robbery has cemented Paris as the "home of the heist".

The Guardian has a long read about the usefulness of swearing. Scientists say that the power of swear words has been overlooked for too long. One study found, for instance, that people are able to keep their hands in icy water much longer if they are able to swear. 

Finally, The Times reports that Hoshoryu from Mongolia has won the Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It is the first time in the last 20 years that a sumo tournament has taken place outside of Japan. The competition has taken the internet by storm, mainly because of the photos of the Rikishi (sumo wrestlers) visiting the UK.

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