Gulf council blasts "war crimes" by Iran

FRANCE24 July 18, 2026
Gulf council blasts "war crimes" by Iran
Gulf council blasts "war crimes" by Iran
The United States and Iran continued exchanging strikes on Saturday as tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz escalated. US Central Command carried out a seventh consecutive night of attacks, targeting military infrastructure and maritime capabilities, while Iran launched strikes on neighbouring Gulf states. The most significant damage was reported at a water desalination plant in Kuwait. The Gulf Cooperation Council has condemned Tehran's attacks on civilian sites, describing them as war crimes.

France 24

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What's at stake for the EU's carbon market blueprint
What's at stake for the EU's carbon market blueprint

The European Commission has confirmed it will allow EU industries to continue emitting planet-warming CO₂ gases well into the 2040s.

Jennie SHIN July 18, 2026
Gulf council blasts "war crimes" by Iran
Gulf council blasts "war crimes" by Iran

The United States and Iran continued exchanging strikes on Saturday as tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz escalated. US Central Command carried out a seventh consecutive night of attacks, targeting military infrastructure and maritime capabilities, while Iran launched strikes on neighbouring Gulf states. The most significant damage was reported at a water desalination plant in Kuwait. The Gulf Cooperation Council has condemned Tehran's attacks on civilian sites, describing them as war crimes.

FRANCE24 July 18, 2026
Power, desalination plants hit in Kuwait
Power, desalination plants hit in Kuwait

The United States and Iran continued exchanging strikes on Saturday as tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz escalated. US Central Command carried out a seventh consecutive night of attacks, targeting military infrastructure and maritime capabilities, while Iran launched strikes on neighbouring Gulf states. The most significant damage was reported at a water desalination plant in Kuwait. The Gulf Cooperation Council has condemned Tehran's attacks on civilian sites, describing them as war crimes. Clemence Waller has the latest.

FRANCE24 July 18, 2026
Pogacar wins Tour de France 14th stage to extend overall lead
Pogacar wins Tour de France 14th stage to extend overall lead

Slovenia's cycling phenomenon Tadej Pogacar launched a devastating late attack Saturday to win the mountainous 14th stage of the Tour de France, extending his lead over Jonas Vingegaard. 

FRANCE 24 July 18, 2026
French MPs approve assisted-dying law
French MPs approve assisted-dying law

On Wednesday, French lawmakers approved a bill that will create a legal right to assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses.  The issue has been championed by President Emmanuel Macron but has been highly contentious politically. Still - opinion polls suggest that a large majority of the French population supports assisted dying. We speak with Paul Smith, Head of modern languages at the University of Nottingham and Associate Professor in French and Francophone Studies.

Catherine VIETTE July 18, 2026
Josh Kerr smashes men’s mile world record that stood unbroken since 1999
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Britain's Josh Kerr clocked 3min 42.66sec in the men's mile at a high-octane Diamond League on Saturday, smashing the record set by Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj in Rome in 1999.

FRANCE 24 July 18, 2026
Malian army convoy ambushed by rebels north of Gao
Malian army convoy ambushed by rebels north of Gao

A Malian army convoy was ambushed by rebels in a remote part of the northern Gao region, the Malian military confirmed Saturday. Regional al Qaeda affiliate JNIM and the separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) claimed responsibility for the attack in separate statements that cited "great human losses".

FRANCE 24 July 18, 2026
German conservative parliamentary leader resigns over surrogate baby controversy
German conservative parliamentary leader resigns over surrogate baby controversy

Jens Spahn, the parliamentary head of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU faction, resigned on Saturday amid mounting pressure over his use of a surrogate mother in the US despite a surrogacy ban in Germany. Spahn and his husband welcomed the child earlier this week, sparking criticisms of hypocrisy and double standards.

FRANCE 24 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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