Spain's 'Formidable Opponent': Rajoy credits France's football success to having 'no French players'

FRANCE24 July 15, 2026
Spain's 'Formidable Opponent': Rajoy credits France's football success to having 'no French players'
Spain's 'Formidable Opponent': Rajoy credits France's football success to having 'no French players'
Nadia Massih is pleased to welcome Dr Leon Moosavi, Sociologist of race and religion, and Reader in the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology at the University of Liverpool. Racism directed at the French national football team is often framed as a problem of sport, yet Dr. Moosavi argues that football merely provides a highly visible stage upon which much deeper political and social conflicts play out. Rather than viewing racist abuse against players such as Kylian Mbappé as isolated incidents or the actions of a few extremists, our guest describes these attacks within wider debates over national identity, immigration, belonging, and the normalization of extremist rhetoric and exclusionary political discourse across many Western democracies.

France 24

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'An open wound': Nice commemorates 10 years since terror attack
'An open wound': Nice commemorates 10 years since terror attack

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday attended a solemn ceremony in Nice to mark the tenth anniversary of the July 14, 2016, terror attack on the city's Promenade des Anglais, which killed 86 people and injured more than 400. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen reports from Nice.

FRANCE24 July 15, 2026
War, talks, repeat: How to break the cycle between US and Iran?
War, talks, repeat: How to break the cycle between US and Iran?

Who needs nuclear weapons when you’ve got the Strait of Hormuz? Sure, ordinary Iranians are far worse off than on February 28th when the US and Israel launched a war that killed the Supreme Leader on Day One but the Islamic Republic's since discovered it’s got leverage beyond its wildest dream and betting that Donald Trump’s threats of invasion are empty.

François PICARD July 15, 2026
Spain's 'Formidable Opponent': Rajoy credits France's football success to having 'no French players'
Spain's 'Formidable Opponent': Rajoy credits France's football success to having 'no French players'

Nadia Massih is pleased to welcome Dr Leon Moosavi, Sociologist of race and religion, and Reader in the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology at the University of Liverpool. Racism directed at the French national football team is often framed as a problem of sport, yet Dr. Moosavi argues that football merely provides a highly visible stage upon which much deeper political and social conflicts play out. Rather than viewing racist abuse against players such as Kylian Mbappé as isolated incidents or the actions of a few extremists, our guest describes these attacks within wider debates over national identity, immigration, belonging, and the normalization of extremist rhetoric and exclusionary political discourse across many Western democracies.

FRANCE24 July 15, 2026
Fontainebleau forest fires: blazes south of Paris 'contained' but not extinguished, prefect says
Fontainebleau forest fires: blazes south of Paris 'contained' but not extinguished, prefect says

Two fires that have burned just over 2,000 hectares since Sunday in the Fontainebleau Forest south of Paris, have been "contained", even though they are not extinguished, the local prefect said Tuesday evening. "Contained means they are confined within their perimeter," explained Prefect Pierre Ory, noting that firefighters will still need to remain on the scene for days, if not weeks. FRANCE 24's Catherine Norris-Trent reports.

FRANCE24 July 15, 2026
Mahmoud Khalil files lawsuit accusing Trump officials, pro-Israel groups of conspiracy
Mahmoud Khalil files lawsuit accusing Trump officials, pro-Israel groups of conspiracy

Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student who became the face of the Trump administration's crackdown on Palestinian rights demonstrators, filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday. The lawsuit alleges senior Trump administration officials, pro-Israel group the Heritage Foundation and online surveillance groups Canary Mission and Betar conspired against him.  

FRANCE 24 July 14, 2026
‘My heart is on fire’: Fontainebleau forest blaze leaves community reeling
‘My heart is on fire’: Fontainebleau forest blaze leaves community reeling

As wildfires tear through the Fontainebleau forest south of Paris, residents describe their fear and disbelief. Locals spoke to FRANCE 24 about their connection to the woodland and how the blaze is reshaping a place they called home.

Lara BULLENS July 14, 2026
France vs Spain live: Oyarzabal penalty gives La Roja early lead in World Cup semi-final
France vs Spain live: Oyarzabal penalty gives La Roja early lead in World Cup semi-final

A place in the World Cup final is at stake as Kylian Mbappé’s France face Lamine Yamal’s Spain at the Dallas Stadium on Bastille Day, in a mouthwatering clash of styles pitting the tournament’s most formidable attacking armada against its smoothest midfield and stingiest defence. Follow our live, minute-by-minute match commentary.

Benjamin DODMAN July 14, 2026
How jihadist groups like Boko Haram use AI for acts of terror
How jihadist groups like Boko Haram use AI for acts of terror

A report published by Cambridge University features in-depth interviews with dozens of former members of Nigeria’s Boko Haram explaining how the jihadist group has used artificial intelligence to improve its ability to carry out terror attacks since 2023. Experts say they are unlikely to be the only ones.

Sébastian SEIBT July 14, 2026
Firefighters battle flames in Fontainebleau historic forest
Firefighters battle flames in Fontainebleau historic forest

Wildfires are tearing through parts of France, with authorities pointing to suspected arson. Police have arrested two individuals in connection with the massive blaze in Fontainebleau, which has already scorched over 1,900 hectares, sending the small town into panic. Story by Caitlin Brown.

FRANCE24 July 14, 2026
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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.  

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  

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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