Press Review

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.