HEADLINES |  | | CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP | | NEWS | | France's military spending plans face reality of fragile national finances |  The government's defense objectives are incompatible with meeting European public spending commitments, France's main audit institution has warned, pointing to 'certainly difficult choices' ahead. | | Before the Assemblée Nationale even began debating the update to the military planning law on Wednesday, April 8, which includes an additional €36 billion for the armed forces by 2030, the budgetary equation was already proving challenging. On Thursday, before the defense committee, Carine Camby, president of the first chamber of the Court of Auditors, warned MPs that the financial sustainability would be complicated. "The additional effort for defense will require significant [budgetary] trade-offs, unless new resources are found," Camby said, explaining the opinion issued by the High Council of Public Finances on this bill on Wednesday, following a referral by the government. | | By Elise Vincent | | Read more |
|  NEWSIn accounts gathered by Le Monde, residents describe enduring record-high inflation and intensified political repression, in addition to the war. The current lull seems fragile and uncertain to them. By Ghazal Golshiri |
|  NEWS ANALYSISThe failure of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the March 22 and 23 referendum on judicial reform marks a lost ideological battle against the founding principles of the Italian Republic, which emerged from the anti-fascist resistance. By Allan Kaval |
|  IN DEPTHPowered by a new generation of drones, Ukrainian forces carried out a record number of strikes in March. Russian oil and gas infrastructure became a primary target, impacting global energy prices. By Emmanuel Grynszpan |
|  | | DAVIDE COMAI | | INVESTIGATION | | AI is reshaping translators' work: 'Translation isn't simply converting words from one language to another' | | New skills are needed, pricing pressure is mounting and 'post-editing' is on the rise. The rise of artificial intelligence is transforming the translation industry and training programs must adapt. | | "You want to become a translator? But AI can do everything now, can't it?" Clarisse Beretta has lost count of how many times she has heard this kind of remark since she started at the European Institute for Translation Professions (IEMT, part of the University of Strasbourg). The 23-year-old graduated in September 2025 with a master's degree in technical translation. And with, for now, "between €400 and €600 a month in revenue" as a freelance translator specializing in IT, video games and manga, her entry into the job market has not been smooth sailing. "I'm young, and the industry is undergoing a major transformation. It's normal that it takes a few months to earn enough to make a living," she said, with a mix of uncertainty and optimism about the future. | | By Séverin Graveleau | | Read more |
|  NEWSJeffrey Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors, but the scandal has repeatedly overshadowed Donald Trump's second presidency. 'I was not a participant. Was never on Epstein's plane, and never visited his private island,' the first lady said. |
|  LETTER FROM...Robert Puzser, an intellectual and outspoken critic of the Fidesz party led by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is organizing this historic free show on Friday, April 10, to urge citizens to turn out for Sunday's legislative elections. By Jean-Baptiste Chastand |
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MORE STORIES | | COLUMN By disparaging the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Trump perhaps aims to assign blame for the United States' setbacks in the Gulf on Europe, columnist Alain Frachon wonders. By Alain Frachon |
| | NEWS Although it was secured at the last minute, the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the US marks a diplomatic victory for Islamabad, which is set to host American and Iranian delegations on Friday for peace talks. By Carole Dieterich |
| | NEWS In an extended Truth Social post on Thursday, the US president also said he hoped Brigitte Macron wins her defamation suit against Candace Owens. 'Actually, to me, the First Lady of France is a far more beautiful woman than Candace, in fact, it's not even close!' he added. |
| | REVIEW The American painter, who took part in the urban art movement in New York in the 1970s, had not been exhibited in France since 1962. By Harry Bellet |
| | NEWS Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had proposed a temporary truce earlier this week. Putin has instructed the Russian General Staff 'to cease combat operations in all directions for this period,' the Kremlin said. |
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