Le Monde (France)
'Royal slams the door'

As the French Socialist Party conference in Reims winds up, a blog by one of the paper's correspondents highlights ongoing divisions within the party. It says Ségolène Royal, one of the leading contenders for the Socialist leadership, suddenly left the conference with her supporters late on Saturday after a motion put forward by the former presidential candidate was given short shrift by delegates.

 
Le Parisien / Aujourd'hui en France (France)
'Moment of truth for Socialists'

The French daily's Sunday edition leads on the Socialist Party conference. Inside, a cartoon shows two French people listening to the sound of clapping coming from the conference venue. "Are they applauding?", one asks. "No," the other replies, "they're slapping each other." There's a sidebar reporting that Ségolène Royal was spotted reading her horoscope in Le Parisien, which said: "Now is a good time to start a new project." Read into that what you will.


'Rahm Emanuel, Obama's conductor'

The paper also features a profile of the man chosen to be Chief of Staff for the new administration of US President-elect Barack Obama. It also includes an interview with Samuel Skinner, former Chief of Staff under George Bush senior. He says Emanuel has "all the skills for the job".

 
Los Angeles Times (USA)
'Race for the White House begins at dog pound.'

As the Obamas mull over which dog will be the presidential pooch, a private canine rescue operation in California offers two poodle mixes as potential candidates.

Cleveland Leader (USA)
'President Bush's dog Barney bites White House guests'

The Ohio daily reports that President George W. Bush's dog Barney looks destined to leave the White House under a cloud after biting two guests, a TV journalist and a public relations woman.
 

Sunday Herald Sun (Australia)
'Dogs given new hope'

Here's our suggestion for the Obamas - Kramer the three-legged Australian sheep dog, who's the country's first canine recipient of a custom-built leg frame to help his muscles heal. Kramer is one of two dogs undergoing pioneering treatment from a Melbourne veterinarian.