The Eiffel Tower and other Paris landmarks, including the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay, will close early over the weekend as France is hit by its third heatwave since May. Across the country, many towns have also cancelled their fireworks displays for Bastille Day due to increased fires and dry conditions.
The International Cricket Council distributes tens of millions of dollars per year in development funding through a system that insiders say is loosely monitored and easily manipulated, a Play the Game investigation has found in partnership with FRANCE 24.
Paris Saint Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz, who started ahead of Pedri, gave la Roja the lead in the 30th minute, capitalizing on a rebound off a Thibaud Courtois save. Belgium though brought it back level 11 minute later with a powerful De Ketelaere header, therefore ending Spain's remarkable run of 649 minutes without conceding at a World Cup. The second half was tough for Belgium; especially after their star keeper Thibaud Courtois broke down in tears when he suffered what seemed to be a thigh injury and was taken off the pitch in the 77th minute. Manchester United goalie Senne Lammens was given those big gloves to fill. Unfortunately for him he failed to keep a hold of a Spanish shot, and Mikel Merino pounced on the rebound to make it two-one for Spain. Mikel Merino once again coming in clutch, scoring the winner 100 seconds after coming on to the pitch from the bench much like during the match against Portugal. La Roja will therefore be playing France, in only their second ever World Cup semi final, the last one was in 2010, and they went on to lift the trophy.
A wildfire that has killed at least 12 people in southern Spain showed signs of easing on Saturday, allowing firefighters to directly attack the flames for the first time, officials said. Our correspondent Sarah Morris tells us more.
Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang scored two tries and Romain Ntamack orchestrated a big comeback as France rallied from a nine-point half-time deficit to clinch a 42-26 win over Australia on Saturday in the second round of the rugby Nations Championship.
A Kenyan man known online as “Birdman” has become a viral sensation for sharing his life with rescued wild birds. The former homeless man from Nairobi says caring for injured birds gave him purpose and now forms the heart of his conservation message. However, after videos showed him eating from the same plate as his birds, health officials warned of the risk of diseases transmitted from animals to humans. Magutha rejects those concerns, insisting that his rescued birds are free to leave once they recover.
For the second straight tournament, Morocco was ousted by the French 2-0 — this time in the quarterfinals on Thursday at Gillette Stadium, four years after losing by the same score in the semifinals.
On July 15, Kenya's High Court is set to deliver a landmark ruling. For years, Rastafarians — whose faith is officially recognised in Kenya — have been seeking the legalisation of cannabis, which they consider essential to their religious practice. The decision could have far-reaching consequences, as it pits the constitutional right to freedom of religion against the country's strict anti-narcotics laws.
Another legal setback for the massive EACOP oil pipeline. Four Ugandan farmers whose land lies directly along the pipeline's route, which is intended to connect Uganda to Tanzania, filed a lawsuit this week in London's High Court against the British company behind the project. Our correspondent Aurore Bayoud tells us more.
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.
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
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.
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 ₹1 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 ₹1 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.
