Libération
“Le Parti socialiste au bord de l’explosion”
"The Socialist Party on the brink of explosion"

French politics are making headlines across the world… in particular the current turmoil consuming France’s opposition Socialist Party.  According to analysts cited by Libération, the party is divided by personal hatred.

 
The Independent on Sunday
“French Socialists at war after leadership vote”

According to British newspaper The Independent, allegations of rigging and fraud have plagued the Socialist Party’s leadership contest.  Officials say the two rival candidates, who have spoken on the phone, ended up “screaming insults at one another.”
 

El Pais
"Desastre en el PS"
"Disaster within the SP"

El Pais tells Spanish readers there is little more than hatred uniting members of the Socialist Party, a situation which can only be of benefit to President Nicolas Sarkozy and his supporters.

 
Kommersant
“Latin American Experience Beneficial to Russia”

According to Russian paper Kommersant; recent social and economic development in Latin America could be of great benefit to the country.  President Dmitry Medvedev is currently touring the region in the hope of increasing high-level contacts.  With the United States currently losing some of its global political and economic weight, Russia might be able to take advantage of the situation with the help of Latin America.

 
l’Express
"Le Vatican pardonne à John Lennon sa remarque sur Jésus"
"The Vatican forgives John Lennon over his comment about Jesus"

The Independent on Sunday
"Vatican forgives Lennon for remark about Jesus Christ"

The late Beatles superstar John Lennon has been forgiven by the Vatican for a comment he made more than 40 years ago.  In 1966 the singer said he thought his group was more famous than Jesus Christ – a remark which led to mass protests and the withdrawal of Beatles songs from radio station playlists across the United States.  The official Vatican newspaper has now acknowledged Lennon’s words were “a mere boast” made by a young man trying to deal with the effects of sudden extreme fame.  

 
Guardian
“Bumper mistletoe crop makes it a good Christmas for kissing”

Despite this year’s gloomy outlook for the festive season - amid the global financial crisis - the Guardian reports it’s going to be a good Christmas for romantics. An unusually high number of white berries on mistletoe could mean a lot of kissing at Christmas parties!  The bumper crop is thought to be due to last year’s mild conditions when flowers were being fertilized.