A "considerable number" of people have died at the Aeon shopping mall in the town of Kashima, with many still others trapped inside, after a major earthquake Tuesday shook southwestern Japan, local broadcasters said.
US president Donald Trump says there's a good chance a deal can be reached with Iran to end the war. The statement comes after the stopped airstrikes on the Islamic Republic over the weekend. For more on the latest diplomatic effort to end the conflict, here's this report.
The massive wildfires currently ravaging the French countryside are putting off massive clouds of smoke. A thick, potentially toxic miasma that has many residents of nearby metropolitan areas worried for their respiratory health. French pharmacies have noted a run on their supplies of face masks, particularly the FFP2 models that effectively filter small particulate matter. To the point that the government is rushing extra stocks to affected areas like the Bordeaux region and making them free of charge.
Among the measures used by firefighters to battle the flames in the wildfires in southern France is a chemical retardant that is dropped on forests by planes. It is not without its harms to nature and to humans, but firefighters say it is a vital tool in combatting the spread of deadly fires.
French firefighters are still battling major wildfires in the southwest of the country, that have already ravaged 42,000 hectares. Thousands have been evacuated due to the fires, although some of them have been stabilised. Authorities are also trying to prevent burglaries in evacuated areas. FRANCE 24's Carys Garland patrolled with them and tells us more.
Eve Irvine is pleased to welcome General Michel Yakovleff, Professor at Sciences-Po and Former Vice-Chief of Staff at NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (Shape).. He presents a strategic rather than tactical reading of the current lull in the US-Iran conflict. He argues that the apparent de-escalation is not evidence of diplomatic progress but of mounting structural constraints. Rather than viewing pauses in hostilities as signs of imminent peace, he frames them as consequences of political pressure, military logistics and industrial limitations. At the centre of his argument is the proposition that modern warfare is ultimately governed by sustainability. Missile stockpiles, industrial production capacity, domestic political legitimacy and alliance commitments become as decisive as battlefield success. General Yakovleff contends that the United States retains ample military capability to continue operations against Iran in isolation, yet doing so progressively erodes its ability to deter other adversaries, reassure allies and sustain global commitments.
French football icon Zinedine Zidane on July 28 has been tasked with delivering France the 2030 World Cup as coach, just as he did as a player in 1998. He will replace Deschamps, whose tenure began in 2012 and ended earlier this month after France finished fourth at the World Cup. FRANCE 24's Emily Boyle tells us more.
As French firefighters rush to contain the fires raging in the southwest of the country, a political debate is growing over conflicting codes on forest management. While firefighters say brushwood has to be gotten rid of to avoid forest fires, forest rangers say it should not be destroyed if protective species use it as their habitat. FRANCE 24's Angela Diffley tells us more.
Authorities say that the fires in the Gironde have been stabilised but is not entirely out yet. The French interior minister says some 40 thousand hectares went up in smoke. Meanwhile, some of those evacuated have been allowed to return home, while others are still waiting.
Hyderabad: The Forest College and Research Institute (FCRI), Mulugu, Siddipet district, has started the application process for admissions into the B.Sc (Hons) Forestry programme for the 2026â27 academic year. College Dean Praveen announced that applications will be accepted from July 1 to July 25. Students who have qualified in TG EAPCET 2026 and passed Intermediate or its equivalent with BiPC, MBiPC, or MPC streams are eligible to apply for the four-year undergraduate programme. The B.Sc (Hons) Forestry course offers comprehensive academic and practical training in areas such as forest conservation, biodiversity, wildlife management, environmental protection, agroforestry, and natural resource conservation. Students will also receive extensive field training and hands-on practical exposure as part of the curriculum. The Dean stated that graduates of the programme will have promising career opportunities in forest departments, environmental organizations, research institutions, government agencies, and private sector companies. Eligible candidates are advised to submit their applications on or before July 25. For detailed admission guidelines and the application process, students can visit the official FCRI website. They may also contact the institute at 63038 271100, 08454-211939, or 08454-211930 for further information. Also Read:Â AP EAPCET 2026 Results to Be Released on July 2 Instead of Scheduled Date Â
Tollywood has received one of its biggest announcements of the year as  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 and 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, 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. Â
Iranâs Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said âthe face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemyâs point of view.â 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 the tentative agreement to end the war 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). 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.
