Author: France 24

It’s a big day at the Cannes Film Festival. Marion Cotillard stars in “Karma”, the new psychological thriller from her former partner Guillaume Canet – their first film together since the couple split, and their ninth collaboration overall. Cotillard plays a woman whose life collapses when her young godson mysteriously disappears. Also on the Croisette is John Travolta presenting his directorial debut “Propeller One-Way Night Coach to Los Angeles”, based on a children’s novel he wrote for his own son.

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When a foreign nun was the victim of violent physical assault in Jerusalem last month, local activists and clergy say they were shocked but not surprised. In the past few years, anti-Christian incidents have surged in Israel – illustrating how a small minority of insular and mainly ultra-religious nationalist or ultra-Orthodox Jews are becoming increasingly emboldened to act out their anger and hate.

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Cuba has run out of fuel and diesel, as the US blockade plunges the island deeper into an energy crisis. The government is now considering a renewed offer of aid from the Trump administration – but that financing would come with conditions. Also in the show – US President Donald Trump announces China will buy 200 aircraft from Boeing, as he continues his high-stakes visit to Beijing. 

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It’s a simple action movie that grew into a billion-dollar global franchise. “The Fast and the Furious” marked its 25th anniversary with a midnight showing at the Cannes Film Festival. Lead actor Vin Diesel was joined on the red carpet by the daughter of his late co-star Paul Walker, to whom he paid an emotional tribute. FRANCE 24’s Culture Editor Eve Jackson also tells us about the other films that have festival-goers revved up, from an “unhinged” slasher flick with Gillian Anderson and Hannah Einbinder, to a film starring Barry Keoghan as the charismatic leader of a Circassian immigrant family.

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The new Syrian administration is trying to provide justice for the tens of thousands tortured and hundreds of thousands more killed by the regime of former dictator Bashar al-Assad. But is enough being done to investigate and prosecute those accused? Some tentative steps have been taken. A trial is underway in Damascus of Assad himself and his brother Maher, although neither are in the country and are being tried in absentia.

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Paris Saint-Germain officially secured the 14th French league title in their history after a 2-0 win away at Lens. The Parisians were pushed hard by their closest rivals but made the difference through goals from Kvaratskhelia (29’) and Mbaye in extra time (90+3). The result seals a fifth consecutive league title for the Paris club with one game still remaining.

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More than a dozen executives from the world’s largest companies have joined US President Donald Trump on a high-stakes visit to China. The business delegation points to an agenda dominated by trade, technology, and rare earths. The minerals are the building block of many modern industries, and a source of economic leverage for Beijing. Also in the show – the US Senate approves Kevin Warsh to be the next Chairman of the Federal Reserve. 

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