All posts tagged: spotlight

Pope in Equatorial Guinea: Moral authority role risks being ‘whitewashed & used to legitimise power’ – Spotlight

Pope in Equatorial Guinea: Moral authority role risks being ‘whitewashed & used to legitimise power’ – Spotlight

Published by Sam Flores

François Picard is pleased to welcome Tutu Alicante, international human rights lawyer.and anti-corruption activist. According to Mr. Alicante, the Pope’s visit to Equatorial Guinea presents a paradox: it offers a rare opportunity to spotlight injustice, yet risks being appropriated by the regime for its own validation. Could the “global moral authority” inadvertently lend credence to the authoritarian regime? Equatorial Guinea’s resources have failed to lift up society and translate into human dignity. Governance remains defined by exclusion, repression, and the erosion of accountability. The key question is not the symbolism of the visit, but whether it serves as a catalyst for meaningful change, whether it amplifies the call for justice, transparency, and human rights, or merely reinforces the status quo. Ultimately, he argues that the responsibility lies not only with global actors like the Vatican, but also with media, civil society, and citizens, to ensure that the message of reform prevails over the spectacle of power. He highlights “it’s not often that you get a pope that can come to your country and speak in your language” and …

MasterChef goes back to basics – with the spotlight off the hosts

MasterChef goes back to basics – with the spotlight off the hosts

Published by Daniella Wilson

Much anticipation has built over the new hosts at the helm of the new era of MasterChef. Grace Dent and Anna Haugh were appointed as hosts late last year following the exits of Gregg Wallace and John Torode which saw the culinary programme caught up in a storm of controversy. Like many long-running programmes trapped at the centre of contention, many have wondered whether MasterChef should return at all, or whether newish faces could invigorate the show with a fresh new zest. So, with Dent and Haugh having long been part of the MasterChef family, having appeared as guest judges over the years, how do they fare together? Tonight’s episode (21 April) saw the pair come together as they welcomed a new cohort of amateur cooks to the MasterChef kitchen and judged their dishes, alongside the help of some familiar faces from last season. After two decades of Torode and Gregg at the helm, it’s natural that all eyes have been on Haugh and Dent, but they effortlessly pulled off an intense first episode, offering …

Lady Sarah Chatto steps into the spotlight once again to support favourite cousin King Charles

Lady Sarah Chatto steps into the spotlight once again to support favourite cousin King Charles

Published by Daniella Wilson

Lady Sarah Chatto joined her fellow royal family members on Tuesday to honour what would have been the late monarch’s 100th birthday. The artist, who is the daughter of Princess Margaret and David Armstrong-Jones, stepped out alongside the King and Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to view the final design for the national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II at the British Museum in London.  © Getty ImagesSarah made a low-key appearance at the British Museum Echoing the beautifully sunny spring morning, Lady Sarah, 61,  chose a vibrant colour palette of pink and orange for her chosen outfit, wearing a striking orange cardigan over a hot pink shirt, over which she wore a stylish navy blue coat. Lady Sarah, who is the president of the Royal Ballet School, was all smiles as she departed the British Museum, the visit being just one event to mark the late Queen’s centenary year. © Getty ImagesKing Charles speaks with British artist Tracey Emin, next to British broadcaster Claudia Winkleman Stars and royals gather As well as her …

Sam Altman Returns to the Spotlight as Hollywood and Tech Collide at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony

Sam Altman Returns to the Spotlight as Hollywood and Tech Collide at the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony

Published by Sam Flores

And then there was Sam Altman, making one of his first public appearances since a man allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at the gate to his San Francisco home. The OpenAI CEO told VF that things have been “up and down, but calm enough,” after the incident, adding “it was a really difficult thing.” Altman has linked the April 10 attack on his home in San Francisco’s Russian Hill neighborhood to a surge of media scrutiny, including a report published on April 6 by The New Yorker, written by Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz, which included accusations that Altman is a habitual liar and that his alleged serial lying briefly cost him his job at OpenAIi. “Sam Altman May Control Our Future. Can He Be Trusted?” read the headline.” (Vanity Fair and The New Yorker are both owned by Condé Nast, and Condé Nast has a publishing agreement with OpenAI.) The suspect— whom family members say is suffering from a mental health crisis— remains in custody without bail as he awaits an arraignment set for …

Up to the job? FBI chief Kash Patel’s ‘questionable’ conduct – Spotlight

Up to the job? FBI chief Kash Patel’s ‘questionable’ conduct – Spotlight

Published by Sam Flores

A detailed report by The Atlantic’s Sarah Fitzpatrick raises many questions over the alleged excessive drinking and erratic behaviour of FBI Director Kash Patel. Patel has described the allegations as “fake news” and is threatening to take legal action against the publications. FRANCE 24’s Gavin Lee speaks to Sarah Fitzpatrick in this edition of Spotlight. A few weeks ago, FBI head Kash Patel was targeted by an apparent Iranian group of hackers that managed to get into his emails and published a series of unfortunate photographs. Fast forward to this week: allegations of excessive drinking, unexplained absences and paranoid behaviour on the part of Patel are being made in a detailed report, published in the renowned Atlantic magazine. He has denied the claims as fake news. The journalist behind the report, Sarah Fitzpatrick, spoke to a number of FBI officials who questioned Patel’s fitness for office. Source link

Real reason Skins and Game of Thrones star Hannah Murray disappeared from the spotlight

Real reason Skins and Game of Thrones star Hannah Murray disappeared from the spotlight

Published by Daniella Wilson

Actress Hannah Murray became beloved for her portrayals of Cassie in Skins and Gilly in Game Of Thrones, but while she was once one of Britain’s brightest rising stars, her list of acting credits noticeably slowed after 2020. Having brought a number of fan-favourite characters to life on screen, Hannah largely stepped out of the spotlight, leaving many viewers wondering what happened to the actress. Now, in her new “shockingly honest” memoir, the 36-year-old has revealed the real reason behind her absence – and the struggles she has faced since we last saw her. © WireImageHannah played Cassie in Skins Why did Hannah Murray disappear from the spotlight? In her new memoir, The Make-Believe, Hannah explains that while navigating the pressures of Hollywood, she became involved in a cult-like organisation that promised magic, secret knowledge and increasingly complex rituals. After embarking on a week-long course that isolated her from her loved ones, her mental health deteriorated and she was later detained in hospital. WATCH: Kaya Scodelario reveals impact Skins had on mental health As the …

‘Undeterred’: Hungarian investigative journalist faces threats and espionage accusations from Orbán – Spotlight

‘Undeterred’: Hungarian investigative journalist faces threats and espionage accusations from Orbán – Spotlight

Published by Sam Flores

Gavin Lee is pleased to welcome Szabolcs Panyi, VSquare’s Budapest-based lead investigative editor in charge of Central European investigations and investigative journalist at Direkt36. His reporting into alleged ties between Hungary’s political leadership and Russian state actors triggered an unprecedented response: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán publicly accused him of espionage. According to Panyi, Orbán seeks to discredit independent journalism with false narratives of conspiracies against the government. His work examining communications between Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Sergei Lavrov appears to have triggered an aggressive preemptive effort to undermine both the findings and the journalist behind them. This reflects a deeper transformation within Hungary: the erosion of press freedom, the instrumentalization of state institutions, and the increasing convergence between political power and informational control. Despite intimidation, surveillance, and threats, Panyi says he remains committed to his investigative work, not simply as an act of defiance, but rather as a necessary function of democratic accountability. Source link

NASA–ESA partnership: Artemis II paves way for exploring Moon’s far side and south pole – Spotlight

NASA–ESA partnership: Artemis II paves way for exploring Moon’s far side and south pole – Spotlight

Published by Sam Flores

François Picard speaks to Didier Schmitt, head of future preparation for the European Space Agency. He says the Artemis II mission marks a key moment in contemporary space exploration. It is highly technical and collaborative – a test of systems, international partnerships, and our ability to extend human presence beyond Earth once again. He says the flyby will help validate critical technologies, from life support to propulsion, while also highlighting the growing role of Europe through the European Service Module. At the same time, he stresses the scientific importance of exploring the far side of the Moon and, in the near future, its south pole, where untouched materials may reveal the Moon’s, and by extension, the Earth’s evolutionary history. Ultimately, this mission is seen as a necessary step in a longer journey: mastering lunar exploration before venturing further into deep space, including Mars. What we are witnessing is not a return to past achievements, but laying the foundation of a new era of exploration. Produced by François Picard, Théophile Vareille, Juliette Laffont and Guillaume Gougeon …

Israeli fringe performer finds the spotlight in provocative anti-war film : NPR

Israeli fringe performer finds the spotlight in provocative anti-war film : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

Actor and activist Ariel Bronz, long relegated to the esoteric corners of Israel’s art scene, has been catapulted to the spotlight after his performance in the film “Yes.” It landed him a best actor nomination at Israel’s academy award ceremony last year. He didn’t win. Ofir Berman for NPR hide caption toggle caption Ofir Berman for NPR TEL AVIV, Israel — The edgiest Israeli film that has come out during these last few years of war is “Yes,” which opened last week in select theaters in the U.S. The film begins with a pair of go-go dancers entertaining Israel’s army chief at a wild party during the Gaza war. In the starring role is one of the most provocative figures of Israel’s theater scene, 41-year-old actor Ariel Bronz. His character in the film is an avant-garde musician married to a dancer who, after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, decide to conform to the Israeli mainstream. They take on gigs performing for Israel’s elite. “They start to be entertainers slash clowns … in order to …