Newspaper headlines: 'Le Big Mac' wins and 'wonder' broccoli pill By BBC News

Staff Published duration 8 May 2017

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The election of Emmanuel Macron as the next president of France is the lead story in all the broadsheets.

The Financial Times says Mr Macron's victory is a "phenomenal achievement" for a man it describes as "a 39-year-old former Rothschild banker".

It adds that his extraordinary ascent has, in part, rested on his intuition that the two mainstream parties who shared power for the past 40 years had lost their relevance in the eyes of voters.

The Times adds that Mr Macron's victory inflicted a big reversal of the nationalist, anti-globalisation cause that has made inroads elsewhere in Europe and in the US.

However, it adds that a relatively low turnout and a record 12% spoilt or blank ballots reflected a widespread rejection of both candidates.

The Daily Telegraph says the new president's key mission will be to save what it calls the "crumbling" EU. It says Mr Macron offers much-needed stability in Europe, but scant comfort to Theresa May when it comes to the Brexit negotiations.

The Daily Mail notes that one of his first pledges was to "defend Europe" . It adds that Mr Macron vowed he would not give Britain an easy Brexit deal and previously described the UK's departure from the EU as a "crime".

The lead headline in the Mail reads: "Shame of insurance giants" . In an exclusive report, the paper says staying loyal to an insurance company can cost households up to £1,000 a year.

Figures obtained by the paper suggest that firms overcharge by up to three times to fund cut-price deals for new customers. It says that amounts to a "loyalty penalty". A spokesman for the insurance industry says firms operate in a very competitive market.

Broccoli boon

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The lead story in the Daily Express claims a pill made from broccoli extract could prevent tens of thousands of stroke deaths each year.

The paper reports on studies that suggest the impact of a stroke could be significantly reduced by sulforaphane - which is released when lightly-cooked broccoli is eaten.

It says the research - funded by the British Heart Foundation - is under way and the medication could be available within five years.

The Sun leads with an exclusive story: "Phone rip-off scandal" . The paper says calls to directory enquiries numbers - such as 118 118 - now cost almost £9, including the connection fee.

It quotes campaigners as saying the high charges amount to "financial abuse", particularly of the elderly and vulnerable. The paper highlights calls for an Ofcom inquiry - but notes the industry says it offers different services at different price points.

Royal kiss

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Finally, many of the tabloids print pictures of what is said to be the first public kiss between Prince Harry and his girlfriend, the American actress Meghan Markle.

The Express says the couple were seen cuddling in the car park of the Coworth Park Polo Club near Ascot in Berkshire on Saturday.