Latest update: 25/12/2008 

In the Papers
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FRANCE 24 journalists present a daily round-up of the world's newspapers.
By Clovis CASALI (text)

Het Laatste News (Belgium)

Man uit Riemst schenkt 3,75 miljoen euro aan arme dorpsgenoten (Riemst gives away 3.75 million euro lottery win tot he poor)

 

This year Christmas in the Flemish city of Riemst is rather special. According to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste News, that’s where Father Christmas lives. One of the residents has won 7,5 millions euros at the lottery and has decided to share half of it with the poorer families of Riemst.
 
 
Le Soir (Belgium)
 
For Le Soir’s editorialist, the Belgians should think about what’s really important as they’re about to celebrate Christmas. The journalist says the Belgian system is more or less dead: the country’s divided, it has no government and the banks are more vulnerable than ever. Instead of just thinking about eating some nice Christmas food, people should demonstrate in the streets to improve the situation.
 
China Daily (China)
 
The Chinese daily sent a reporter to a prison in Shanghai where the inmates are all foreigners. On Christmas Eve, a party took place with prisoners allowed to practise special activities such as Taï Chi or Chinese painting. According to the China Daily they had a lot of fun. US national Bernard Esser, aged 55, performed a hip hop dance and said he felt the Christmas atmosphere much more than the other years, quite understandable as it’s his last Christmas in the prison.
 
Gulf News (United Arab Emirates)
 
In Gaza the situation is as tense as ever. The head of the Roman Catholic community in the Strip decided to cancel the midnight mass celebration to protest against Israel’s blockade. Christmas Day: diplomatic talks will be taking place seeking to renew the ceasefire.
 
The Telegraph (Britain)
 
Channel 4 television has decided to broadcast an alternative Christmas message by Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the move has provoked widespread condemnation. The speech is being promoted as an alternative to the Queen's traditional speech. A Tory MP said Channel 4 had lost sight of what a Christmas message should be, while Israel’s ambassador believes Channel 4 has lost its ethical way in searching for ratings and shock factor.
 
The Jerusalem Post (Israel)
 
Channel 4 even has its commentators in the Middle East.The Israeli newspaper has the story on its front page and points out that Channel 4 has a tradition of playing alternative Christmas messages. In the past it has put on air speeches by Reverend Jesse Jackson or even cartoon character Marge Simpson!
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