France: 2,000 hectares lost in forest fires

FRANCE24 July 18, 2026
France: 2,000 hectares lost in forest fires
France: 2,000 hectares lost in forest fires
France has been battling a series of devastating wildfires following record-breaking heatwaves, with the government saying the country has not experienced so many fire outbreaks since World War II. One of the largest blazes has scorched thousands of hectares in the historic Fontainebleau forest, south of Paris. In response, the Fondation du Patrimoine has launched a fundraising campaign to help restore the damaged woodland by replanting the forest. Elitsa Gadeva reports.

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Ethiopia: New refugee support centre opens in Addis Ababa
Ethiopia: New refugee support centre opens in Addis Ababa

The UN refugee agency and the Ethiopian government have opened a new support centre in Addis Ababa to provide refugees with free legal advice and access to essential services. The initiative aims to help refugees navigate bureaucracy, obtain vital documents and improve their chances of finding work. Ethiopia hosts more than one million refugees, making it Africa's third-largest refugee-hosting country. Tom Canetti reports from Addis Ababa.

FRANCE24 July 18, 2026
Indian activist on hunger strike for 20 days taken to hospital
Indian activist on hunger strike for 20 days taken to hospital

Police in India have forcibly taken an activist to hospital after a 20-day hunger strike protesting the country's examination system. The case has drawn widespread attention and renewed debate over education reforms and the handling of public protests. France 24 correspondent Navodita Kumari reports.

FRANCE24 July 18, 2026
Why is Latin America shifting to the right?
Why is Latin America shifting to the right?

🇹🇮 đŸ‡”đŸ‡Ș #Colombia and #Peru recently elected right-wing, #Trump-aligned leaders in close contests, which analysts link to weakening centrist parties and growing concern over crime rather than a clear ideological shift. đŸ‡§đŸ‡· Trump has amplified the trend by hosting regional allies in Florida, though his tariffs on #Brazil had the opposite effect, boosting leftist President Lula's standing. 🌎 đŸ—łïž Brazil's October election will be a key test of whether the region's rightward trend continues.

FRANCE24 July 18, 2026
US Democrats divided over support for Israel ahead of midterm elections
US Democrats divided over support for Israel ahead of midterm elections

US House Democrats were divided into a near-even split by a vote this week over whether to cut military aid to Israel, which was defeated through almost total opposition from the Republican party. Ahead of November's midterm elections, the vote reflects a sharp erosion in support for Israel among left-leaning voters after years of war in Gaza.

FRANCE 24 July 18, 2026
Times Square prepares for Sunday's World Cup final
Times Square prepares for Sunday's World Cup final

Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and Argentina promises to be a classic, pitting Europe against South America and rising star Lamine Yamal against Lionel Messi. Spain head into the showdown unbeaten in 37 matches, while Argentina have built a reputation for producing some of the tournament's most dramatic comebacks. Selina Sykes looks ahead to the highly anticipated final.

FRANCE24 July 18, 2026
Donald Trump blames Canada for smoke pollution
Donald Trump blames Canada for smoke pollution

More than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, including around 190 in northern Ontario, with the surge in fires widely linked to climate change. Thick smoke has created hazardous air quality not only across parts of Canada but also in several US states, including Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan and New York. The pollution has raised concerns ahead of Sunday's World Cup final at the open-air stadium in New Jersey. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has blamed Canada for its forest management and threatened additional tariffs.

FRANCE24 July 18, 2026
France: 2,000 hectares lost in forest fires
France: 2,000 hectares lost in forest fires

France has been battling a series of devastating wildfires following record-breaking heatwaves, with the government saying the country has not experienced so many fire outbreaks since World War II. One of the largest blazes has scorched thousands of hectares in the historic Fontainebleau forest, south of Paris. In response, the Fondation du Patrimoine has launched a fundraising campaign to help restore the damaged woodland by replanting the forest. Elitsa Gadeva reports.

FRANCE24 July 18, 2026
Ukraine: Protests over Fedorov's removal continue for a second day
Ukraine: Protests over Fedorov's removal continue for a second day

Protesters in Kyiv have demanded the dismissal of Ukraine's commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, as public anger continues to grow following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's surprise cabinet reshuffle. The demonstrations entered a second day after the popular defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, was not reappointed. The 35-year-old has been widely credited with contributing to Ukraine's recent successes in its war with Russia, making his removal a source of significant public backlash.

FRANCE24 July 18, 2026
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TG EAPCET 2026 Qualified Students Can Apply for FCRI Forestry Course

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 2026–27 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: AP EAPCET 2026 Results to Be Released on July 2 Instead of Scheduled Date  

NTR's 'God of War' Buzz Grows After Official Project Announcement

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.  

US lifts blockade of Iran and Iranian supreme leader endorses direct talks with American officials

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei said “the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s point of view.” 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.

Diaz shines as Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1

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.

BJP's New Strategy: Win Hyderabad First, Then Target the Assembly

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.

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