Jerusalem Post (Israel)

Obama: Durban II’s anti-Israel slant is hypocritical

It’s been a shaky start for the UN's anti-racism conference in Geneva. Israel’s centre-left daily newspaper lists lots of scathing remarks about the event. Israel’s foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, says the fact that Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the main speaker proves it’s a hypocritical summit. Another minister calls it a ‘pathetic meeting that embarrasses the host.' US President Barack Obama is reported to have lashed out at the anti-Israeli language of the draft declaration, saying it’s ‘hypocritical and counterproductive.'

Liberation (France)

Durban II: a bed of intrigue

In France’s left-leaning daily, there’s an editorial on the UN's anti-racism conference. It focuses on the Russian diplomat charged with getting countries to agree on the controversial declaration. Jouri Boychenko is being hailed a hero in the article which describes how he has used his charm for the past two years to act as a facilitator. The article is accompanied by a photo of an anti-racism demonstration in South Africa taken following the 2001 UN race conference in Durban where the United States and Israel walked out after Arab states sought to label Zionism as racist.

Media and Guardian (South Africa)

'People talk of a better life, but we have seen none'

South Africa’s Media and Guardian is full of articles about the upcoming elections. One article details a family who talk of their destitution – they say they’re trapped in grinding poverty. But they are still hopeful that things can change and are determined to vote for ‘a party that will not let them down.’ The newly formed Cope party came to the Eastern Cape last month, the traditional heartland of the ruling ANC, where they were, maybe surprisingly, welcomed. The article talks of how people are open to anything that can change their situation.

Le Figaro (France)

Nelson Mandela’s grandson takes up the family torch

In France’s right-leaning Figaro, there’s an article about Nelson Mandela’s grandson – Mandla - now a candidate for the country’s national parliament, following in his famous grandfather’s footsteps. Mandla is on the ANC’s list of candidates. His candidacy arose after he took his grandfather out to campaign for the current ANC leader - the controversial Jacob Zuma - at a rally. One of the key issues Mandla is grappling with is HIV/AIDS. His own father, Nelson’s son, died of AIDS in 2005, and he has several cousins living with HIV.

The Times of India (India)

Did Slumdog star’s dad try to sell her?

This is the question in lots of today’s press. The Times of India talks about a scandal that started in the British press yesterday. The News of the World reported that the father of the little girl who starred in the blockbuster film Slumdog Millionaire was trying to sell her. An undercover reporter, known as the Fake Sheik, said that Rubina Ali's father was angling for a $300,000 adoption deal. The girl's father allegedly told the newspaper he'd got nothing out of his daughter starring in the film. The article says both father and daughter deny the claims – although they did allegedly have a meeting with a sheik’s wife from Dubai who wanted to adopt her. It’s unclear what to make of it all from this article, which also brings up a family feud that reportedly threatens to slur the family’s name.

Daily Mail (UK)

Two English seaside resorts will accept euros to lure more visitors over Summer months

It’s that time of year where we’re thinking about our summer holidays. In Britain’s Daily Mail, they’re reporting that two seaside towns have decided to accept the euro to lure more visitors. So if you pop over for an icecream in Bournemouth or want to sit in a deckchair in Poole, you don’t need to change currency if you’re from the Eurozone – but you’ll get your change in pounds and pence. It’s also for Brits who have leftover euros lying around at home.

The Guardian (UK)

Europe (without the euro)

And another euro story: in Britain’s Guardian there’s an article giving advice on where to go in Europe if you want to avoid having to change your very weak pound into a very strong euro – those exchange rates are not too attractive for Brits at the moment! There are five suggestions for a good bargain.