Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibaniâs diplomatic motorcade hit the road shortly after his appointment. From Riyadh to Beirut, Washington to Moscow, Shaibani has been at the forefront of President Ahmed al-Sharaaâs bid to open a new chapter in Mideast history. But the rebel official-turned-diplomat may find Damascus does not hold all the cards in a volatile region.
The Bayeux Tapestry has arrived in London for the first time in more than 900 years after a highly secure and complex journey from France to the British Museum, as FRANCE 24's Rochelle Ferguson-Bouyahi explains. The 11th-century masterpiece depicting the Battle of Hastings will be displayed from September 2026 to July 2027, in a historic loan hailed as a symbol of Franco-British ties.
At least 11 people have died as wildfires spread across Spain, with firefighters battling flames from the south to the north of the country and evacuations underway in several areas. The blazes come amid a severe heatwave, with temperatures above 40°C recorded across Spain and strong winds making efforts to contain the fires more difficult.
After nearly 1,000 years, the Bayeux Tapestry has returned to the UK for a year-long exhibition at the British Museum. Its highly secretive and carefully controlled journey involved police escorts, a specially designed case and strict conditions to protect the fragile medieval masterpiece, in a move seen as a symbol of Franco-British ties.
Donald Trumpâs promise to let Ukraine manufacture Patriot air defence systems could strengthen Kyivâs capabilities in the long term, but experts warn it will not solve the countryâs immediate battlefield needs. Building production lines, training workers and securing supplies could take years, while Ukraine continues to face daily Russian attacks.
On this week's edition of Access Asia, we bring you a report from Japan, where visa fees have been increased for foreign nationals applying for permanent residency. The government is also considering introducing a language requirement. While Japan needs foreign workers to help offset an ageing population and a declining birth rate, the nationalist government has continued to tighten its immigration policies.
Morocco struggled to show much danger in the first half and spent most of the time in a low block to try to counter the French onslaught. Mbappé won a penalty in the 28th minute after being fouled by Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui. After three minutes of a confusingly prolonged VAR check, his spot-kick was comfortably saved by Yassine Bounou. The first half finished scoreless, but the tone of the match was set, Morocco didn't log a single shot on target. Mbappé made amends in the 60th minute with a brilliant goal, curled past a defender to find the back of the Moroccan net, making it his eighth goal at the tournament. Ousmane Dembéle doubled down six minutes later, and the score line stayed at 2-0 until the final whistle. France are through to the semi finals for a third time in a row.
As another intense heatwave sweeps across France, residents are staying indoors, flocking to canals and rivers, or even leaving their homes in search of cooler places. With temperatures reaching 41.1°C in LodÚve and almost the entire country under heat alerts, holidaymakers and locals alike fear the worst is still to come.
Following fresh US strikes during the funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran stepped up pressure by targeting US allies and threatening American bases across the region in an effort to force Washington back to the negotiating table. According to FRANCE 24's Philip Turle, despite Donald Trump's claim that the ceasefire is over, backchannel talks are likely continuing, as neither side can afford a prolonged conflict, particularly with US midterm elections approaching.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
