Paris: 25 years after the 9/11 attacks, global media outlets are evaluating the successes and failures of the war on terror.

According to France24.com, The Washington Post asserts that despite errors in Iraq and Afghanistan, the core strategy of countering terrorism abroad and holding nations accountable for harboring terrorists effectively protected the United States against further attacks. The Wall Street Journal echoes this sentiment, while European outlets provide a contrasting perspective. The Times points out the Bush administration’s misstep in associating the Saudi-perpetrated attack with Iraq, a nation unrelated to the events of 9/11. Meanwhile, Le Monde features insights from a former French intelligence official who suggests that America fell into al Qaeda’s trap by engaging in prolonged conflicts.

In France, the National Rally party is working to distance itself from controversy following racially offensive remarks made by a police officer associated with the party. The officer, while on duty in Carcassonne, was recorded using racial slurs about Black and Arab individuals. Le Figaro reports that the National Rally labeled this an “isolated case,” stressing that such views are not representative of the party’s values. However, LHumanit© challenges this narrative, arguing that the officer’s comments mirror the party’s true beliefs. The publication points to statements by MP Caroline Parmentier, who has criticized the normalization of homosexuality and referred to certain communities in derogatory terms.

Lastly, The Times reveals a scientific discovery involving a fossilized dinosaur feather found preserved in ancient dung. This finding could potentially shed light on why birds survived the mass extinction event that eradicated most dinosaur species. Researchers speculate whether the feather’s properties played a role in the survival of certain bird lineages, raising questions about the evolutionary advantages conferred by different types of plumage.