'It's modern day slavery'

In today's international papers, we're looking at the danger of the Syrian conflict disintegrating into sectarianism, the risk of Israel launching a bomb attack on Iran, and a scandal over the treatment of the unemployed in the UK.

IN THE PAPERS

By Elena CASAS

The Guardian has an analysis of the risk of sectarianism in Syria - saying the conflict is increasingly becoming ethnic and religious.

The New York Times is mourning one of its foreign correspondents, who has died on assignment in Syria.

Gulf News says Israel is a bigger risk to Middle East peace than Syria - while the LA Times sets out the Israeli argument for attacking Iran.

In Britain, meanwhile, there's a scandal over the unemployed - should they be forced to work for free to get their state benefits, or is that, as the Guardian says, modern-day slavery?

16/06/2010 - International Press Review

Bloody Sunday: “The day they said sorry” (The Irish Times)

The editorial headline in today’s Irish Times speaks volumes – after 38 years, an official apology was finally forthcoming from the British Government for what the Saville Inquiry acknowledges was the 'unjustified’ and 'unjustifiable' killing of 14 unarmed civilians in Derry, Northern Ireland in January 1972. Other stories covered: Brazil plays a practical joke on the world and US General Petraeus faints under tough questioning! WEDNESDAY, 16th JUNE 2010

16/06/2010 - French Press Review

Retirement reform: “The battle starts here”

Sarkozy’s retirement bill will be unveiled today but the papers are already aware of some details: The Government intends to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62 by 2018. This is going to be the major political issue in France in the run-up to the 2012 Presidential election, says Libération with all the political parties and unions taking firm positions. WEDNESDAY, 16th JUNE 2010

15/06/2010 - International Press Review

US taxpayers funding child soldiers in Somalia

The International Herald Tribune/ New York Times reports on the rising numbers of child soldiers being used by the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia whose wages are partly being paid by US taxpayers. Elsewhere, we look at an article on the oldest mother in the world who is dying due to post-birth complications and coverage in the Italian and Australian press of the World Cup. TUESDAY, 15th JUNE 2010

15/06/2010 - French Press Review

The baby boomers: a spoilt generation

Libération lets loose on what it calls a “spolit generation” – the baby boomers. Their working lives were marked by economic growth, the sexual revolution, easy access to property and education and now they can put their feet up and enjoy a cushy retirement while the young workers of today will foot the bill for France’s retirement reform plans. This and other articles in today’s French press review: TUESDAY, 15th JUNE 2010