Gaddafi out by July?

The French press focuses on the uprising in Libya, dubbing it a “stubborn war”. It’s been three months since the start of the crisis and the French army is expected to use helicopters to counter attack Muammar Gaddafi’s forces and shoot at specific targets. Their aim: force the Libyan leader to step down by July...

IN THE PAPERS

The Christian newspaper La Croix published a piece from the Libyan and Tunisian border. Reporting in the area has become extremely difficult as international journalists have been banned from entering Libya.

Le Figaro reports that France could be using a dozen helicopters in its next military mission, hoping to put an end to the conflict by July. That information has yet to be confirmed by the French military.

Meanwhile, the DSK scandal continues to make the headlines. Dominique Strauss-Kahn is accused of rape and sexual assault. He’s under house arrest in New York. According to Le Figaro, the flat he’s currently in, has become a tourist attraction.

The former IMF boss was leading the polls ahead of the socialist primaries in France... The election is due in October and the press wonders who will become the next party chief, now that DSK is out of the race.

The issue is on the front page of several newspapers, including L’Humanité, and France Soir

Martine Aubry, the current left-wing leader, implied on television that she could run in the primaries. She has not officially declared herself candidate but said she was “ready”.

According to Aujourd’hui en France, “Aubry is in the starting blocks”. However,

Le Figaro and Libération remain cautious, saying that she never “dreamed of becoming President as a child”. A survey published in Libération shows that François Hollande is set to win the primaries.

And finally, French movie star Jean Dujardin is shinning on the front pages of Aujourd’hui en France and 20 Minutes.

17/05/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

'End it like Beckham'

INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, Friday 17 May: We examine reaction in German newspapers to François Hollande's press conference; the International Herald Tribune looks at the impact of cross-border violence in the Syrian conflict; and finally it's the end of an era as footballer David Beckham retires, The Guardian breaks down the finances of 'Dosh and Becks'.

17/05/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

'Where's Wally...we mean François?'

FRENCH PAPERS, Friday 17 May: It’s all about one man in Friday’s French press review: François Hollande! Libération praises the French president’s press conference on Thursday, calling him a ‘soldier’ as he heads into his second year; however, Le Figaro claims Hollande’s speech has changed nothing; meanwhile, Slate has fun with photoshop and asks ‘Where’s François?’

16/05/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

Smuggling KFC into Gaza

IN THE WORLD PAPERS - Thurs. 16/05/13: International papers focus on Barack Obama, who is facing a series of controversies that Republicans could cash in on. Also, Palestinians smuggle fast food into Gaza, scientists make a major breakthrough in human cloning and a giant rubber duck mysteriously deflates in Hong Kong.

16/05/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Hollande has his back against the wall

IN THE FRENCH PAPERS - Thurs. 16/05/13: All eyes are on François Hollande as he prepares to give his second formal press conference since being elected president a little over a year ago. Also, French politicians lash out on Twitter.

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15/05/2013 - IN THE WORLD PAPERS

'Savage online videos fuel Syria’s descent into madness'

INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, Weds. 15/05/13: International papers react to reports of atrocities from both sides of the Syrian civil war. One particularly gruesome video of a rebel allegedly eating the organ of a dead Syrian soldier has gone viral. Time Magazine says these savage online videos are actually fueling the Syrian conflict.