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Check FAQAbout Lindsey
Lindsey Johnstone is a freelance journalist based in Lyon, France. I am an NCTJ-qualified journalist with 12 years' experience as a news and feature writer and production journalist/sub-editor, in print and online, for national newspapers, websites and magazines – including The Scotsman and Scotsman.com, Scotland on Sunday, The Herald and Heraldscotland.com, The Sunday Herald, Euronews.com, The Scottish Sun, The Local France, The Connexion, The Daily Record, The Sunday Mail, The List magazine, The Edinburgh Evening News, The Glasgow Evening Times, The National, Fest Magazine and The Skinny. I've written news stories (and translated them from French), and features on topics including travel, music, the Edinburgh festivals, ballet, food and drink, art, events, fashion, beauty, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and London 2012 Olympics and on one unexpectedly memorable occasion, unicorns – a story that was the most read on Scotsman.com (the most read news site in Scotland) two years in a row. Make of that what you will.
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UK doubles down after new 'Stop the Boats' migrant crackdown announced
UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has announced a new Illegal Migration Bill aimed at stopping migrant boats crossing the Channel, amidst criticism comparing the language used to that of 1930s Germany. The United Nations' Refugee Agency and Amnesty International have expressed profound concern and believe there is a conflict with international laws protecting asylum seekers. The French government has not officially reacted to the bill, which comes ahead of a Franco-British summit. Legal experts like Alexander Heeps criticize the UK's disregard for domestic and international obligations. Public opinion in the UK has become more positive towards immigration, but there is a desire to address irregular crossings. The government insists the legislation complies with international obligations.
The best shopping in Paris: 10 traditional shops where you can buy a piece of history
Paris is home to a variety of traditional shops that have been in business for centuries, offering products ranging from art supplies and culinary equipment to honey, umbrellas, pastries, sweets, books, shirts, taxidermy, and ballet shoes. These shops include Sennelier, E. Dehillerin, Le Miel des Toits de Paris, Maison Antoine, Stohrer, La Mère de Famille, Delamain, Librairie Galignani, Charvet, Deyrolle, and Repetto, each with its own rich history and connection to famous individuals such as Picasso, Cézanne, Louis XV, and Brigitte Bardot. These establishments not only provide high-quality goods but also allow customers to purchase a piece of Parisian history.
Holocaust Remembrance Day: how are Europe's children taught about the Holocaust?
On Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, concerns arise about the fading memory of the Holocaust. Surveys reveal a lack of awareness among Europeans, with varying degrees of knowledge and misinformation. Holocaust education is mandated in most European countries, with different approaches and contexts. Some countries grapple with their roles during the Nazi regime, while others emphasize their positive actions. The rise of right-wing parties in Europe influences the narrative and teaching of the Holocaust. Social media, particularly the Auschwitz Memorial Twitter account, plays a role in education. The article underscores the importance of Holocaust education in combating contemporary anti-Semitism, racism, and intolerance.
Rapinoe, Morgan, Bronze, and White on Ballon d'Or Shortlist
Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Marta, Lucy Bronze, Ellen White, and Ada Hegerberg are among the nominees for the women's 2019 Ballon d'Or. Olympique Lyonnais has six nominees on the shortlist. Rapinoe is known for her activism, including protesting police brutality and suing US Soccer for equal pay. The men's list includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Virgil van Dijk, with the latter being the favorite to win. The award ceremony will take place in Paris on December 2, where the best men's and women's players will be honored.
Euronews answers: The Council of Europe turns 70, but what does it do?
The Council of Europe, often confused with other European institutions, celebrates its 70th anniversary. It safeguards human rights and the rule of law in Europe, with the European Court of Human Rights as its best-known arm. The Council has enacted various conventions, including those on wildlife conservation, human rights, and social security. It is distinct from the European Union, though all EU member states are part of the Council. The Council represents 830 million people across 47 countries and was founded in 1949. Its statutory bodies include the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly, with Marija Pejčinović Burić as the current Secretary-General.
Scotland and Brexit: 'People are embarrassed over what their friends from the EU have to go through'
Following the Brexit referendum, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reassured EU nationals in Scotland of their valued place in the country. Research from the University of Birmingham indicated that EU nationals feel safer and more welcome in Scotland than in England. The Scottish Government, led by Sturgeon's SNP, has consistently conveyed a pro-EU message and has taken steps to ensure EU nationals can remain in Scotland post-Brexit. EU nationals in Scotland, who were eligible to vote in the 2014 independence referendum but not the 2016 EU referendum, have expressed a sense of belonging and support from the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government has launched campaigns and provided funding to support EU nationals, contrasting with the UK Government's 'hostile environment' policies. Scotland faces a population crisis with an ageing demographic and relies on migration for growth, further driving its welcoming stance towards EU nationals.
Clinton warns Europe of 'Russian interference' on visit to email leak art show
Hillary Clinton warned Europe about Russian interference in elections during her visit to an art exhibition in Venice featuring her leaked emails. The exhibition, titled 'Hillary: The Hillary Clinton Emails' by Kenneth Goldsmith, displayed 40,000 emails sent from Clinton's private server during her tenure as US Secretary of State. These emails were leaked by Wikileaks in 2016 and were subject to an FBI investigation, which concluded no sensitive data was compromised. Clinton, who believes the email scandal impacted her 2016 presidential campaign against Donald Trump, emphasized the absurdity of the situation and urged vigilance against external manipulation of democratic elections.
Sex, stairs and the Metro: How Parisians really stay in shape
Parisians maintain their fitness through daily activities rather than structured exercise routines. They often take stairs due to the scarcity of elevators, sprint to catch the Metro, walk across the compact city, cycle using the Vélib bike-sharing scheme, engage in bedroom activities, participate in outdoor sports in parks, buy fresh produce from local markets, dance at house parties, consume moderate portions of food, and join in city running events. These habits contribute to their trim appearance despite a high-calorie diet.
Peruvians flock to annual potato festival
Peru celebrated its 10th annual Potato Festival in Lima, showcasing over 3,500 varieties of potatoes. Restaurateurs, farmers, and consumers attended the event to celebrate the crop that is vital to Peru's agriculture. Three million Peruvian farmers rely on potato production, which yielded 5.1 million tonnes last year, with 90% sold within the country. Potato merchant Alba Dias expressed pride in the potato, highlighting its importance during the festival.
Eurovision Song Contest 2019: Euronews journalists give their take on this year's music extravaganza
Euronews journalists from across Europe share their perspectives on their respective countries' entries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. The feedback varies, with some expressing admiration for their entries, while others are skeptical or critical. The UK's entry is seen as strong but unlikely to succeed due to political voting, Denmark is distracted by upcoming elections, Ireland faces controversy over the event's location in Israel, Germany's entry is criticized for its authenticity, and Hungary is not expected to perform well. Ukraine is not participating, leading one journalist to consider voting for Sweden instead.
Watch: Iranians prepare for Ramadan amid US sanctions
Iranians are facing challenges preparing for Ramadan due to US sanctions that have led to increased food prices. Staples like dates, red meat, chicken, rice, and eggs have seen significant price hikes, making it difficult for families to afford the traditional suhoor and iftar meals. The Iranian economy has been further strained by the US decision not to renew waivers for importing Iranian oil, causing the national currency to plummet. Despite the economic hardships, observant Muslims like shopper Fateme Esmaili express their commitment to fasting as a religious duty. Clerics are also on the lookout for the new moon to mark the beginning of Ramadan.
Watch: Chernobyl workers' town marks anniversary of 1986 nuclear disaster
Slavutych, a town in northern Ukraine, commemorated the 33rd anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which occurred on April 26, 1986. The disaster resulted in the deaths of two plant workers immediately, 28 firemen and plant employees from acute radiation syndrome, and 14 of the 134 initially hospitalized with ARS from radiation-induced cancers over the next ten years. Slavutych was built to house the evacuated residents of Pripyat, the original home to Chernobyl plant workers. The plant remained operational until December 2000. The final death toll from Chernobyl varies, with estimates ranging from 9,000 by the World Health Organisation to 90,000 by Greenpeace. Personal accounts from former plant worker Alyona Sheyderova and student Anastasia Murdinskaya highlight the importance of remembering the tragedy.
European elections 2019: A round-up of the week's best stories
Euronews provided a weekly round-up of EU election coverage, explaining the European Parliament's role, discussing Manfred Weber's campaign to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission president, and Ska Keller's Green Party candidacy. The article also touched on data electioneering in the post-Cambridge Analytica age and featured satirical candidate Lord Buckethead's manifesto. The piece highlighted the downward trend in European election turnout and the complexity of EU operations as potential factors.
Watch: Students plant trees to save what's left of the Aral Sea
The Aral Sea, once the fourth largest lake in the world, has diminished by 90% due to a Soviet project in the 1960s that diverted the rivers feeding it. The resulting desertification has had severe ecological and human costs, including health hazards from contaminated dust and a decline in the local economy. University students in Uzbekistan, with government support, are planting fruit trees to combat the desertification and improve the environmental situation in the Moynaq region. The initiative is backed by the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, which aims to plant trees across a third of the desertified area.
Relics recovered from so-called Islamic State go on display in Basra
Relics looted by the Islamic State have been displayed in a new museum in Basra, located in a former palace of Saddam Hussein. The 160 Assyrian-era artefacts were recovered from Jordan and the United States after IS raided historical sites and funded its operations through smuggling. The museum, opened on March 19, is overseen by Friends of Basra Museum with support from the British Council. It aims to preserve the heritage of Basra and other Iraqi cities, with funding from a British Council fund and donations from British corporations. The initiative is a response to the closure and looting of Basra's previous museum after the 1991 Gulf War.
Chocolate dresses grace Brussels catwalk, but how Belgian is this €4bn industry?
Chocolatiers and fashion designers collaborated to create chocolate dresses for a Brussels catwalk, showcasing the Belgian chocolate industry's trends. The industry, integral to Belgium's economy and national identity, faces an identity crisis with many iconic brands now foreign-owned. Despite this, the sector is worth €4 billion annually, employs 9% of the population, and is a unifying factor in a linguistically and socially divided country.
Rare and antique dolls worth thousands go on show in Rome exhibition
An exhibition featuring hundreds of rare and antique dolls, some valued at thousands, is on display in Rome. These dolls, made from various materials including bisque porcelain, are considered art by enthusiasts and collectors. Collectors range from historians to fashion aficionados, and trends in doll collecting fluctuate, with Parisian dolls currently popular in the West. Authentic antique dolls in Europe must be pre-1950s with limited restoration. Piera Cesaretti, who repairs dolls in Rome, emphasizes minimal change in restoration, facing challenges in finding spare parts. Some of Paky Portera's dolls are exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Kremlin Museum.
Sparks fly for Lunar New Year in ancient light show
In Nuanquan, China, a 500-year-old Lunar New Year tradition called Da Shuhua, where molten steel is flung against a wall to create a light show, is performed by blacksmith Wang De. The event attracts over a thousand spectators but faces an uncertain future due to a lack of interest from the younger generation and the departure of rural residents to cities. Despite the dangers and low income, Wang remains hopeful that the tradition will continue.
The force awakens in France as lightsaber duelling becomes official sport
The French Fencing Federation has officially recognized lightsaber duelling as a competitive sport, granting it the same status as traditional Olympic fencing blades. Lightsaber replicas, which are LED-lit and made of rigid polycarbonate, are now being used in fencing clubs, with the federation providing training for instructors. The sport involves three-minute bouts with points awarded for blows to different body parts, aiming to combat sedentary lifestyles. Police officer and Star Wars fan Philippe Bondi has embraced the sport, investing in protective gear and a federation-approved lightsaber.
Lockerbie bombing: 'What really brought it home was when you were picking up toys'
On December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland due to a bomb, killing 270 people. A three-year investigation led to the arrest of Libyan intelligence officers Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah. Al-Megrahi was convicted, while Fhimah was acquitted. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi later accepted responsibility but denied ordering the attack. The Scottish Government controversially released al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds in 2009. The article includes a personal narrative from retired police officer David Nelson, who was involved in the emergency response and recovery efforts.
In pictures: NASA Juno Cam shows storms over Great Red Spot
NASA's Juno mission has provided new images of cyclones at Jupiter's poles, reaching its halfway point. Juno orbits Jupiter every 53 days, gathering data and travelling at high speeds. Launched in 2011 and in orbit since 2016, Juno's instruments study Jupiter's interior, atmosphere, and magnetosphere. The JunoCam imager, intended for public engagement, has become a valuable scientific tool, helping scientists understand Jupiter's formation and dynamics, particularly the Great Red Spot and its interaction with the environment.
A European Perspective
The article discusses the author's experience as a digital editor at Arte, where they were involved in the European Recommendation Box project. This project, led by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), utilized AI to facilitate news-sharing among public service broadcasters throughout Europe. The author's role included selecting and editing Arte's content to be shared with partner broadcasters based on the current news agenda and the project's editorial standards. Additionally, the author was responsible for choosing content from partner broadcasters to feature on Arte's website, including its French and German versions.
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