The Gironde region around Bordeaux is once again battling major wildfires, four years after a devastating blaze swept through the area. As Morgan Ayre explains, a combination of high-risk factors, including vast forests of maritime pine, persistent drought and heavy tourist traffic, has made the region especially vulnerable to fast-moving fires.
Deadly forest fires have been raging across Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia for more than a week, as an ongoing heatwave, dry conditions and strong winds fuel the flames and hamper firefighting efforts. Firefighters across the region are struggling to contain the blazes, which have burned vast areas and forced evacuations. Emily Boyle reports.
More than nine months into the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, two-thirds of Gaza's population is still facing crisis levels of food insecurity, according to a new UN report released on Thursday. The report warns that recent gains could quickly be reversed unless humanitarian agencies continue to receive sustained access to the enclave, along with adequate funding and stability. For more on the humanitarian situation, we're joined by Shana Low, Communications Adviser for the Norwegian Refugee Council's Palestine mission, speaking to us from Amman, Jordan.
India has extended a mobile internet shutdown in the capital, New Delhi, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces his biggest youth-led challenge since taking office in 2014. Leaders of the youth-led "Cockroach" movement are expected to meet government officials later today in an effort to resolve a standoff over the country's education system. The talks come hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike, amid mounting public anger over exam irregularities and a series of other scandals. Rachael Griffiths reports.
Six candidates vying to become the next UN secretary-general presented their visions for the organisation on Thursday, as the United Nations faces a financial and confidence crisis ahead of a selection process that will determine its leadership from January 2027. France 24 International affairs editor Kethevane Gorjestani shares further insights on candidates.
Global oil prices have surged once again as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate. Brent crude has climbed above $100 a barrel for the first time since May. While much of the focus has been on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, shipping through the Red Sea is also coming under growing threat after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they targeted two Saudi oil tankers. The escalation comes as Donald Trump said he was considering a "massive attack" on Iran, prompting Tehran to warn it would hold accountable any country supporting a US strike. Peter O'Brien reports.
Following intense wildfires earlier this week, authorities have ordered evacuations across the villages of Lège-Cap-Ferret, with more than 20,000 people already forced to flee. The situation remains critical, as at least 4,800 hectares have been consumed by the flames. Caitlin Brown has more.
India has extended a mobile internet shutdown in the capital, New Delhi, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi faces his biggest youth-led challenge since taking office in 2014. Leaders of the youth-led "Cockroach" movement are due to meet government officials later today in an effort to resolve a standoff over the country's education system. The talks come hours after activist Sonam Wangchuk ended a 26-day hunger strike, amid growing public anger over a series of exam irregularities and other scandals. France 24 correspondent Sarah Jacob reports from New Delhi.
The Spanish government has declared a national emergency after a series of wildfires in the Madrid region and in the province of Avila, near the capital, late on Thursday. The measure aims to speed up the deployment of resources to fight the blazes, which have forced some 10,000 people in the region to evacuate. According to Spanish authorities, "not enough has been done" by the government to contain and prevent these fires, which are no longer a temporary emergency. France 24 correspondent Sarah Morris reports the latest from Madrid.
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.
