Allegations against French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, published in a new book by journalist Pierre Péan, make up the big story in France today.

Liberation (France)

"Kouchner, aux frontieres de la morale"

"Kouchner, at morality's border "

Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has to defend himself in the National Assembly after allegations that his business dealings conflicted with his political ones. The paper says that President Nicolas Sarkozy has kept his distance from his minister during the furor - although he has sent a message of confidence in Kouchner via PM Francois Fillon.

The story has also made waves beyond these shores:

The Times (UK)

"French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, fights for political life after book claims"

Another story to dominate the front pages is US President Barack Obama’s curb on executive salaries.

The Wall Street Journal (US)

"Obama unveils curbs on pay"

The Wall Street Journal quotes Obama saying “what gets people upset is executives being rewarded for failure.”

The Financial Times (UK)

"Risks in Obama’s needed pay curbs"

The Financial Times warns that the curbs on pay must be monitored and not kept in place too long, as there is a risk of scaring people away from taking jobs in the industry.

The Times (UK)

"Zimbabwe’s MDC plan to extradite Mengistu Haile Mariam to Ethiopia"

Mengistu Haile Mariam, the former Ethiopian dictator known as the “Butcher of Addis”, has been sheltered by Zimbabwe for 17 years. But now the MDC says extraditing Mariam would be a top priority. While in Zimbabwe Mariam has been giving President Robert Mugabe advice on “security issues” – and was allegedly behind one of Mugabe’s vicious attacks on MDC supporters back in 2006. As Mugabe’s popularity has plunged Mariam is rumoured to have made contingency plans to move to North Korea.

Ending on another story from The Times – but reporting from France.

The Times (UK)

Citroen tries to revive the 60’s goddess

Citroen “has just set pulses racing with the news they are re launching the legendary DS model, “ reports The Times. But Citroen has tried to calm the hype - saying this car won’t be a replica but a homage to the original, brought out in1955. They’ve attached an archive of the original 1955 review of the car.