The conservative tycoon’s grip on media and cinema is unhealthy. An EU fund could protect democracy in perpetuity

The shadow of Joseph McCarthy’s “red scare” loomed over the storied steps of this year’s Cannes film festival. Echoing the mid-20th-century blacklist, which shut out about 300 suspected communists from Hollywood, the French media group Canal+ announced an effective ban on twice that many French cinema professionals, including actors such as Juliette Binoche and film directors such as Jean-Pascal Zadi and Arthur Harari. Their crime? An open letter denouncing the growing influence on French media and cinema of conservative tycoon Vincent Bolloré, Canal+’s main shareholder.

The Canal+ chief executive, Maxime Saada, justified punishing the signatories on the basis that their claim was an “injustice” against the staff of Canal+ – who were, he said, committed to the organisation’s independence.

New strain of virus, aid cuts and cultural norms around burials and touch add to difficulties in stemming outbreak

The warnings from aid groups and healthcare workers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been stark, their calls for coordinated international action impassioned.

As the country reels from the return of Ebola virus, there is growing concern that its fragile healthcare system will struggle to cope with an outbreak that experts say goes well beyond the number of confirmed cases.

As Rylan Clark takes the final hot seat on The Assembly, the makers tell all about this revolutionary show. Where else would a politician be driven to tears? Or Stephen Fry be asked about his sexual proclivities?

As TV presenter Rylan Clark trepidatiously arrives for his appearance on The Assembly, he’s heard wondering aloud: “Shit, what are they gonna ask me?” We soon find out. The opening questions fired at him by these unique interviewers are “Are they your real teeth?” and “Did you ever consider having a real suntan?” So much for small talk.

The ensuing half-hour takes in probing inquiries about his infidelity, divorce and resulting breakdown. The 28-strong neurodivergent panel ask Rylan whether he loved his absent father, when he came out as gay and how he copes when one of his famous friends gets cancelled (his tearful reply appears to allude to Radio 2 colleague Scott Mills). “You bastards,” Rylan sniffs. “You made me cry.”

Lebanon’s health ministry condemns attacks as violations of international law; Israel says it struck Hezbollah infrastructure sites and militants

Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed 10 people, including six paramedics and a child, in the space of 24 hours, Lebanon’s health ministry said on Friday, placing further strain on a US-brokered ceasefire. The ministry condemned the attacks as violations of international law.

Further airstrikes were reported on Friday night into Saturday. An AFP correspondent in the southern city of Tyre reported hearing two blasts as one building on the outskirts was struck, then another inside the city, sending plumes of smoke into the air. Earlier, officials worked to evacuate people from the neighbourhood, using loudspeakers urging them to leave.

Teruhide Tomori has added a photo to the pool:

Location : Tateiwa beach
Taiza, Tango-cho, Kyotango, Kyoto pref.

丹後半島 / 立岩海岸
京都府京丹後市丹後町間人

Thomas Hawk posted a photo:

Thomas Hawk posted a photo:

date stamped on slide, May 1982

Thomas Hawk posted a photo:

Thomas Hawk posted a photo: