Latest update: 04/07/2012 

- French economy - Jean-Marc Ayrault - L'Oreal heiress scandal - Nicolas Sarkozy


The Bettencourt scandal is back, and how to describe austerity without saying it...

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In the French papers today, an investigating judge orders police to search former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s residence and offices for possible evidence that L’Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt made illicit donations to his 2007 election campaign. The rest of the papers are mesmerized by Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault’s linguistic gymnastics.

IN THE PAPERS
By Kyle G. Brown

Nicolas Sarkozy came to be known as the "bling-bling" president for hanging out with the rich and famous. Now police are searching his properties to see whether there is any evidence to back up claims that France’s wealthiest woman made illicit contributions to his 2007 election campaign.

But the French papers are having more fun examining Prime Minister Ayrault’s budget speech to the National Assembly yesterday, in which he did everything in his linguistic power to avoid using words like ‘austerity’, and ‘rigour.’ Instead, he spoke of straight roads and steep climbs.

May: a month of demonstrations in France
30/04/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

May: a month of demonstrations in France

FRENCH PAPERS, Tues. 30/04/13: The month of May will be busy for demonstrators as trade unions, the far-right, the far-left and anti-gay marriage campaigners all take to the streets. Also, François Hollande announces measures to boost business in France. And a study reveals homophobia in football.
Italian politics: round two!
29/04/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

Italian politics: round two!

INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, Mon. 29/04/13: International papers focus on events in Italy as a shooting incident in Rome marred a day that was otherwise supposed to be a celebration. Enrico Letta was sworn in as Prime Minister at the head of a "grand coalition". Also, papers react to Obama’s "red line" on Syria, violence in Iraq and a strange row between Greece and Qatar.
Fast food... fourteen years in the making!
26/04/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

Fast food... fourteen years in the making!

Opinion pieces in the international papers reflect on the conspiracy theories surrounding the Boston bombings, with a discussion on the links between terror and so-called fundamentalist Islam. Also, the New York Times heralds a meeting between Kosovar and Serbian leaders as a diplomatic coup. Finally, a 14-year old burger is found safe, sound and surprisingly fragrant!
Who's holding the steering wheel?
26/04/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Who's holding the steering wheel?

With record unemployment figures published, French papers are headlining on the jobs crisis. Many point the finger at the government, which is accused of not doing enough to address the problem. Also, François Hollande comes in for criticism on a state visit to China, while troops returning from Mali report that many of the Islamist fighters in the north of the country were just young boys.
Bangladesh: rescuers race against time
25/04/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

Bangladesh: rescuers race against time

IN THE WORLD PAPERS: Papers across the world react to the tragic and deadly collapse of a building outside Dhaka in Bangladesh. The Wall Street Journal says that unfortunately this not the first industrial disaster in the region. Also, Italy gets a new Prime Minister, DNA celebrates the 60th anniversary of its discovery and Brazil's World Cup gets its own noise maker.

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