“Bettencourt case turns into political and media war”

In today’s press review, we compare the Bettencourt coverage in left and right-leaning newspapers. It seems the family dispute that turned into a political scandal is now triggering a media war.

IN THE PAPERS

By Aurore Cloe DUPUIS

The right-wing newspaper Le Figaro openly defends the Government, describing Claire Thibout’s testimony as a “boomerang”. Bettencourt’s former accountant told the police she was misquoted by the website Mediapart. She denies saying that President Sarkozy received cash-stashed envelopes.

On the other hand, Libération takes Thibout’s side, saying the reason she partially reacted her accusations is because she has been under political pressure.

According to a survey published in Le Parisien, 62% of the French say they don’t trust Nicolas Sarkozy.

And finally, Libération celebrates the opening of the Arles Photo Festival.

18/02/2010 - INTERNATIONAL PRESS REVIEW

Robert Fisk suspects European countries of colluding with Israel in Dubai killing

The fallout from the assassination of Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mahbouh is still front page news in Britain and Israel. The Independent’s Robert Fisk suspects Britain and other European countries colluded with Mossad in al-Mahbouh’s killing. THURSDAY, 18th FEBRUARY, 2010

18/02/2010 - FRENCH PRESS REVIEW

The French press review or the French food review?!

Food and wine receive extensive coverage in this morning’s French papers. How can small bistros be kept open? Should fast food chains sell halal burgers? How did French wine exporters get away with selling fake pinot noir to the American market? These and other stories in today’s French press review… THURSDAY, 18th FEBRUARY 2010

17/02/2010 - INTERNATIONAL PRESS REVIEW

UK-Israeli citizens horrified to discover Dubai assassins used their names

Six British passport holders named by Dubai police as assassins of Hamas commander Mahmoud al-Mahbouh have the same identities as immigrants to Israel.

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17/02/2010 - FRENCH PRESS REVIEW

Daughter of the mayor of Kiev has handbag snatched – loses €4.5m

Le Figaro reports on the embarrassing robbery of Kristina Chernovetska’s handbag during a brief trip to Paris. It appears that the decadent daughter of Kiev’s mayor had spent some €4.5m on jewelry on Paris’s chic Avenue Montaigne. Kiev City Hall denies she was in Paris at the time of the robbery.

16/02/2010 - IN THE PAPERS

French nuclear tests in 1960s “used soldiers as guinea pigs”

Le Parisien/ Aujourd’hui en France says that in the 1960s, France used those doing military service as guinea pigs to see the effects on the body of nuclear tests.

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