A sea of mourners filled the streets of Tehran on Monday for the funeral procession of late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. FRANCE 24 spoke to some of those who had travelled across the country to pay their respects for the man who led the Islamic Republic for almost four decades until he was killed in US-Israeli air strikes.Ā
FRANCE 24's Olivia Salazar-Winspear brings us all the latest from the Avignon performing arts festival, which is celebrating its 80thĀ anniversary. This year, Golden Globe winners, Brazilian actor Wagner Moura and French actress Isabelle Huppert are starring in shows. The festival has also chosen Korean as its language of honour and turns the spotlight on artists from the Mediterranean region. Salazar-Winspear also talks to the co-director of Avignon's fringe program. It's known as the "off" in French and features more than 1,700 shows performed in public spaces around the city. Finally, she gives us her recommendation for a fringe show that is not to be missed.
The earthquakes that hit Venezuela in late June have devastated seaside towns where tourism has been a vital economic lifeline for an already struggling population. Also, tanker traffic picks up through the Strait of Hormuz, and Europe seeks to convince the US that it's boosting defence spending.Ā
Right-wing Edouard Philippe has officially launched his presidential campaign less than a year ahead of the 2027 election in France. Philippe was the first one to say explicitly he would run for France's highest office. Now, polls give the ex-PM the best chance to defeat the far right. FRANCE 24's Marc Perelman tells us more.
Across Iran, families are grappling with soaring living costs, as the combined weight of war, subsidy reforms and sanctions pushes basic necessities beyond the reach of many. Some Iranians had hoped foreign intervention would unseat the regime - instead, the US-Israel war has crushed livelihoods.
French far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen could see her 40-year political career come to an end on Tuesday if French courts rule that she is guilty of embezzling public funds and ineligible to stand for the presidency in 2027. FRANCE 24 takes a look at how she rose to prominence in France and brought her National Rally party into mainstream politics.
The funeral procession for Iran's late supreme leader Ali Khamenei has begun in Tehran. Millions are expected to attend, possibly leading to crowds that could rival those that turned out for his predecessor nearly four decades ago. FRANCE 24's Reza Sayah went to the procession and tells us why so many admired the late ayatollah.
A fast-moving wildfire broke out in Greece's second largest city on July 4, forcing residents of three small suburbs north of the city to evacuate. The fire ignited a ravine in a mountainous area and spread quickly, with strong winds hampering efforts to contain the fire. According to the country's public broadcaster, a 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting the wildfire, as he allegedly ignited the blaze after his vehicle produced sparks.
Hamas announced on July 6 the dissolution of the body that has governed the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades. The decision would clear the way for a technocratic committee to implement civilian rule. But questions remain. FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky tells us more from Jerusalem.
Tollywood has received one of its biggest announcements of the year as Ā NTR and acclaimed filmmaker Trivikram Srinivas officially reunite for a grand mythological action epic. The prestigious project will be produced under the Haarika & Hassine Creations banner by S. Radha Krishna (Chinababu) and Suryadevara Naga Vamsi. The makers unveiled the project's official announcement along with a striking concept poster carrying the powerful tagline, "The Son of Shiva. The Pride of Parvathi. The Eternal Commander." The poster has gone viral across social media, fueling speculation about the film's storyline andĀ NTR's character. According to industry reports, NTR is expected to portray a powerful divine warrior inspired by Lord Kumaraswamy (Kartikeya/Skanda), the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi, and the commander of the celestial army. The film is said to blend mythology with high-octane action, rich storytelling, and modern commercial elements, making it one of the most ambitious projects in Trivikram's career. Reports also suggest that the makers are considering the title "God of War" for the film, although an official confirmation is still awaited. At present,Ā NTR is busy shooting for his upcoming film Dragon, directed by Prashanth Neel. Once that project is completed, this mythological spectacle is expected to go on floors. The production house is likely to reveal more details, including the first glimpse, cast, and technical crew, in the coming weeks. Ā
Iranās Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said āthe face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemyās point of view.ā WASHINGTON : The US on Thursday (Jun 18) lifted its blockade of Iran, and oil tankers began freely moving through the Strait of Hormuz after months of being unable to use the critical channel, as theĀ tentative agreement to end the warĀ took effect. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance announced that he may postpone a trip to Switzerland that had been planned for Friday and included a ceremonial signing of the deal. The visit might have helped start talks on the next, potentially even more critical, round of negotiations between the two sides.
Colombia next face DR Congo on Tuesday in Guadalajara after Uzbekistan play Portugal in Houston. MEXICO CITY: Colombia winger Luis Diaz dazzled at a raucous Azteca Stadium as his side marked their return to the World Cup with a 3-1 Group K win over tournament debutants Uzbekistan on Wednesday (Jun 17).Ā Colombia, who missed the 2022 tournament in Qatar, struggled in the early stages but broke through in the 41st minute when a brilliant ball lifted into the area by Diaz was hooked in on the turn by Daniel Munoz, who had ghosted in behind the defence.
Hyderabad: With the aim of strengthening its presence in Telangana, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its organizational efforts under the guidance of the central leadership. The party is treating the upcoming Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections as a crucial political battle, believing that establishing a strong base in Hyderabad will pave the way for success in the next Telangana Assembly elections. As part of this strategy, BJP National President Nitin Nabin is scheduled to visit Telangana for a three-day tour. During his visit, Nitin Nabin will hold a special meeting with GHMC booth-level committee leaders this evening. He is expected to provide guidance on key aspects of election management, booth-level organization, campaign strategy, and candidate selection. Party leaders will also review the shortcomings observed in recent local elections and discuss measures to strengthen the BJP's grassroots network ahead of the upcoming polls. The BJP's immediate objective is to secure victories in the three municipal corporations. The party has already decided to contest the elections independently, without entering into any alliance. Nitin Nabin is expected to advise state leaders to establish a dedicated selection committee to identify strong candidates and ensure that the party fields capable contenders in every division. In addition, the BJP leadership is likely to emphasize the importance of voter list verification, new voter enrollment, booth-level management, and continuous engagement with voters. The party believes that a strong performance in the GHMC elections will significantly enhance its political influence in Telangana and strengthen its prospects of achieving success in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
Hyderabad: Police have solved a theft case involving a 100-gram 24-carat gold biscuit and ā¹1 lakh in cash at a villa in Indu Fortune Fields, KPHB Colony. Two sisters employed as housemaids at the residence were arrested for allegedly committing the theft, and the stolen gold biscuit was recovered from their possession. According to police, the case was registered at KPHB Police Station under Crime No. 810/2026. The accused, Konala Ramya and her younger sister Karri Nagalakshmi, were working as domestic helpers and staying at Villa No. 253, where the complainant, Uddagiri Tatarao, was residing as a tenant. The theft occurred on May 19 after the homeowner's wife reportedly left a second-floor wardrobe unlocked in a hurry. The sisters allegedly noticed a 100-gram 24-carat gold biscuit and ā¹1 lakh in cash inside the wardrobe. Taking advantage of the situation, they are accused of stealing both the gold and the cash. During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to sharing the stolen cash and spending it on personal expenses. They also confessed to hiding the gold biscuit in the room allotted to them inside the villa, intending to sell it at a later date. Acting on credible information, KPHB Police conducted a search on June 30 and detained the two women. The 100-gram gold biscuit was recovered from their room. The arrested accused, Konala Ramya (36) and Karri Nagalakshmi (34), are natives of Chagallu village in West Godavari district and were employed as housemaids in the villa. The case was investigated under the supervision of DCP Ritheeraj (IPS) and ACP E. Ravikiran Reddy. The investigation was carried out by KPHB SHO S. Rajashekar Reddy, DI K.S. Ravi, DSI Abdul Samad, and the KPHB Crime Team. Police officials stated that the officers involved in cracking the case would be commended for their prompt investigation.
