'Some of the most disturbing yet': Papers react to 'terrifying' Epstein files

Papers are reacting to the latest release of a new batch of the  Epstein files. Wired Magazine calls the photos "terrifying". They include famous men, passports, chat screenshots and upsetting "Lolita" quotes written on a woman's body. The Daily Beast puts the spotlight on a New York Times columnist, David Brooks, who appeared in the photos. In November, he wrote an opinion piece entitled "The Epstein Story? Count Me Out". That article bashed Democrats for releasing information and the "QAnon mentality that has taken over America". In it, Brooks criticised America's "obsession" with the Epstein story, asking why this story needs to be a top issue. The opinion piece did not age well.

Vanity Fair has an article entitled "New Epstein Pictures, Same Old Greasy, Tired Gluttony on Display". The magazine says the newest photos are "some of the most disturbing ones yet", and they give us a clearer view of Epstein's life after his 2008 sex crimes conviction. The New York Times focuses on the friendship between Trump and Epstein. The paper says the two men "bonded over the pursuit of women" and that "chasing women was a game of ego and dominance" where female bodies were a "currency". The long article follows their "intense bond" and how it evolved over the years. 

Next, Kristin Cabot, the woman caught on the Coldplay kiss cam, has given an exclusive interview to The Times. The HR manager was caught cosying up to her married boss during a Coldplay concert, and the video went viral. She speaks about the 16 seconds that "ruined her life". Cabot says that both she and Andy Byron were at the time "amicably separated from their spouses", and they went on a date after bonding over their separation. She was then "on top of the world”, dancing and singing, before the kiss cam caught her with Byron. The rest is social media history.

Finally, we bring you some Christmas data news. Euronews answers the question of which European country spends the most on presents. Germany is the biggest spender in the European Union, with expenses expected to reach more than €85 billion. Next is France, with €71 billion. Outside of the EU, but with more than €100 billion, the UK is really feeling the Christmas spirit!

In more data news from CNN, Mariah Carey's seasonal hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You" has been dethroned by the 1984 single "Last Christmas". Perhaps love is not in the air this season.

You can catch our press review every morning on France 24 at 7:20am and 9:20am (Paris time), from Monday to Friday.