Latest update: 13/11/2009

- 2010 FIFA World Cup - Algeria - education - Egypt - France - International Press Review - Ireland - religion - Spain

Friday 13th – lucky or unlucky?

The Daily Telegraph in Sydney goes back over the history of suspicions associated with Friday 13th. In France, it’s a day of good luck but for most of the Western World, it’s associated with doom and gloom.

IN THE PAPERS

By James CREEDON

Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the term coined by an American Stress Management Centre for the irrational fear of Friday 13th, according to the Daily Telegraph in Sydney.

The paper says the fear of Friday 13th probably only goes back to the 19th century. The earliest reference was in the biography of Italian composer Gioachomo Rossini. His biographer wrote, “Like so many other Italians, he regarded Friday as an unlucky day and 13 as an unlucky number. It is remarkable that on Friday 13th November, he died.”

But 13 has not always been an unlucky number. In the Mayan pantheon, moon goddesses were often depicted with 13 jewels.
In many South American religions there are 13 founder gods.

Other stories covered in today’s international papers:

The Irish Independent
Irish PM dons his football pundit cap

The Irish Times
French players insist they need to trust in themselves

Le Parisien
Algerian players attacked in Egypt

Tout sur l’Algérie
Greens savagely assaulted as soon as they arrive in Cairo…

The Guardian
Spanish region launches ‘hands on’ sex education.

The Irish Independent
Ryanair accused of a serious lack of imagination after the airline insisted its 2012 cabin crew calendar was “art”.

Elena Casas Montanez

Presenter

15/02/2012 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Ready, steady, go!

It's the big day - Nicolas Sarkozy announces today he is standing for re-election - so the papers are analysing his strategy, his campaign team, his plan of action - and the challenges he faces to win back the French.

14/02/2012 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

Have we been too harsh on the Greeks, asks Germany

The German press begin to recant having been so hard on Greece, the papers can't agree on whether yesterday's attacks make it more or less likely Israel will bomb Iran, and what exactly is happening at The Sun?

14/02/2012 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

How should Sarkozy declare his love - for France?

The papers are starting to get bored of waiting for the president to announce he is officially running for a second term - but the general consensus is that the announcement is set for tomorrow. There's also widespread sympathy for Greece.

(1) comment

13/02/2012 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

'Through flames and tears'

INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, Mon. 13/02/12, Many international dailies inside and outside Greek focus on teh Greek austerity bill voted in by MPS as protesters clashed with police outside Parliament. Meanwhile, papers across the world pay tribute to Whitney Houston, a truly global pop icon.

13/02/2012 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

'Sarkozy: a candidate this week'

FRENCH PAPERS, Mon. 13/02/12. According to Le Figaro, Nicolas Sarkozy will announce he’s running for a second term between now and the end of the week. The right-leaning paper says that although on paper everything is against him, he will still win the election. The Communist paper L’Humanité says Sarkozy is pandering to potential voters from the far-right.