President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Major General Mykhailo Drapaty will take over as Ukraine's commander-in-chief after firing Soviet-trained top commander Oleksandr Syrsky. "This is a victory for the protestors who took to the streets a week ago, when Zelensky fired Fedorov," says FRANCE 24 correspondent Gulliver Cragg. "Their main demand was that Syrsky be fired." He added that "Drapaty was the one Fedorov wanted to see in that position to replace Syrsky".
In tonight's edition, a deadly ambush in northern Mali leaves at least 50 soldiers dead. Also, Nigeria is facing a new challenge in its own war against jihadists as foreign fighters are joining insurgent groups. And Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is now backing former president Macky Sall's bid for UN Secretary-General.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday fired Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky as commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, following days of mass protests in Kyiv and other cities nationwide demanding his removal. Zelenskyy appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi as the new army chief, according to a statement on social media.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday dismissed Ukraine's military head Oleksandr Syrsky following days of public pressure and named Major General Mykhailo Drapaty, an ally of ousted defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, as the new commander-in-chief.
François Picard is pleased to welcome Bilal Saab, Senior Managing Director of the Trends Research Group and a close friend of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Mr. Saab offers a cautiously optimistic assessment of a pivotal moment in Lebanese diplomacy, arguing that President Aoun's visit to Washington represents an important opportunity to consolidate international backing for Lebanon's sovereignty and state institutions. While acknowledging the formidable structural challenges posed by Hezbollah, regional tensions, and extremely complex Israeli-Lebanese security challenges, Mr. Saab contends that success will not come from military coercion, but rather a focus on the gradual strengthening of the Lebanese state. According to Mr. Saab, Lebanon is both a testing ground for American regional diplomacy and a fragile experiment in state-building that will require sustained political support and not symbolic declarations.
In Ukraine, protesters say they’re giving Volodymyr Zelensky until Friday to re-instate the popular Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and fire General Oleksandr Syrsky, the military chief of staff. The President removed Fedorov from his post last week, citing a clash between the two men. The protests have brought Syrsky’s unpopularity to the forefront. Through credited with stopping the Russian invaders at the gates of Kyiv in 2022, he’s since gained a reputation for brutality, and for wasting lives unnecessarily. He's also, as our correspondent Gulliver Cragg reports, accused of tolerance for corruption.
US President Donald Trump vowed Tuesday to help Lebanon "a lot" as its president, Joseph Aoun, sought Washington's backing for a fragile effort to disarm Hezbollah and forge a path to peace with Israel. Reporting from Jerusalem, FRANCE 24's Noga Tarnopolsky explains how the meeting between Aoun and Trump reprents "a slap in the face" for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
FRANCE 24's Clovis Casali reports from France's National Assembly, where lawmakers have approved a ban on social media for children and teenagers under-15, the first EU country to do so. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks with Philippe Coen, lawyer and founder of the NGO Respect Zone.
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
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.
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.
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.
