In Nigeria, residents in the Niger Delta town of Billé have taken to the streets to demand government action over catastrophic pollution. For several months, the community has complained of toxic, flammable gas leaking from the ground, contaminating water and destroying aquatic life – which the people rely upon for their livelihood. It's the latest in a long series of environmental disasters in the Niger Delta, which have largely been blamed on Western oil companies. Report by FRANCE 24 correspondent Sam Olukoya.
In Sudan, the courts have just sentenced General Hemetti, the commander of the Rapid Support Forces, to death in absentia. According to the court, he is responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, particularly in the West Darfur region. Details by regional FRANCE 24 correspondent, Bastien Renouil.
Ebola is continuing to spread in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Two new provinces in the country have registered new cases. Aid workers warn that the disease is outpacing the health response. Details by FRANCE 24 correspondent in Kinshasa, Emmet Livingstone.
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for his roles in "Jurassic Park" and "The Piano", has died aged 78. Neill had announced in April that he was cancer-free after undergoing treatment for stage-three blood cancer. Tributes are flowing in for the star, including from New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon who said Neill was "one of the greats". Story by Carys Garland.
Clashes have resumed in Yemen, with Houthis rebels blaming Saudi Arabia and the country's internationally recognised government for strikes on Sanaa Airport. The hits were designed to prevent an Iranian plane, carrying a Houthis delegation, from landing. Story by Ellen Gainsford.
US President Donald Trump says he is reinstating a blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and will charge ships for safe passage. The announcement comes after the two countries exchanged more fire following an Iranian attack on a ship in the waterway on Sunday. The UN's shipping agency says they have consistently opposed any nation charging a fee for passage through straits used for international navigation. Details by Morgan Ayre.
France celebrates its national holiday today, celebrating the taking of the Bastille in 1789 that kickstarted the French Revolution. As ever, it is being marked by a massive military parade. The focus this year is France's rearmaments and support for Ukraine. 500 coalition troops, including some from Ukraine, will take part in the parade. France 24's Luke Shrago is on the ground at the Champs Elysees and tells us more about what we can expect from the parade.
Firefighters continue to grapple with wildfires in the forest of Fontainebleau, 70km south of Paris, which have already burned through more than 1900 hectares. Police are now considering the possibility that the fires were started deliberately. Their suspicions were raised by the fact several fires broke out in close proximity to one another. Two arrests have already been made in connection to the fires. The latest with FRANCE 24 journalist Elitsa Gadeva.
The French team are taking on Spain in Dallas in the World Cup semi-final. Les Bleus are hoping to become the second nation to reach three consecutive World Cup finals.
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.
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.
