30.07.2026 09:50

Manufacture de Lodève: Where Carpets Become Works of Art for the Republic

Time passes differently at the Manufacture de la Savonnerie in Lodève. Here, no one measures the progress of a working day in hours, but in a few centimeters of finely knotted carpet. It often takes several years to complete a single work. Some carpets occupy their weavers for as long as seven years - an impressive testament to patience, precision and artisanal mastery. The historic workshop in the southern French department of Hérault is part of the Mobilier national and produces carpets for France's most prestigious buildings. Whether the Élysée Palace, ministries, embassies or historic chateaux, works from Lodève adorn places that generally remain hidden from the public. These carpets cannot be found in shops. They are part of the French state's cultural heritage. Visitors to the studio do not encounter a museum, but a living workshop. Among imposing high-warp looms, balls of wool and detailed preparatory drawings, textile art is created that brings tradition and the present together. Every carpet is knotted entirely by hand on vertical looms. The Savonnerie technique is based on countless individual knots, carefully tied around the warp threads. Row by row, a dense, velvety surface emerges. Every mistake immediately matters. An incorrectly placed shade or an imprecise line cannot simply be corrected - the relevant section must be painstakingly undone and remade. That is why the actual work begins long before the first knot. It is based on what is known as a "carton,"...

Artikel des Tages Read 30.07.2026 09:36

France seeks to deport pro-Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova

France is toughening its stance against suspected Russian influence operations. The Interior Ministry has issued a deportation order against Xenia Fedorova, the former head of the now-banned broadcaster RT France. Authorities accuse the Russian journalist of deliberately introducing Kremlin narratives into the French media landscape, thereby endangering public order and the fundamental interests of the state. Fedorova has not yet been deported. Since being served with the order, she has been under house arrest and must report to a police station daily. Her lawyer, Emmanuel Piwnica, announced that he would immediately file an appeal against the decision. Under French administrative law, a court is now...

Artikel des Tages Read 30.07.2026 08:45

Why Spontaneous Volunteers Are Turned Away from Fire Scenes

Paris - 30 July 2026: Reports on social media claiming that voluntary helpers were denied access to wildfire areas in France are fundamentally accurate. This was the finding of a review published by Franceinfo on Thursday. However, turning people away is not directed against their willingness to help. Firefighters and authorities control access so that rescue operations are not obstructed and helpers do not themselves become people needing rescue.At a fire scene, the local incident command decides which personnel may enter which section. It coordinates fire engines, water collection points, aircraft, police, medical services and possible evacuations. People arriving without prior coordination can block access...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 08:32

Lecornu postpones holiday and opts for presence during wildfire crisis

Paris - 30 July 2026: Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has put his holiday plans on hold because of the wildfires in Gironde. From Matignon, he intends to coordinate the state response and avoid giving the impression that the political leadership is withdrawing during the holiday period. Since 22 July, the fires have primarily affected the northern part of Arcachon Bay and several municipalities west of Bordeaux.Authorities most recently reported a continuing large-scale operation in an area stretching from Saumos and Le Temple to Sainte-Helene, Le Porge, Lege-Cap-Ferret, Ares, Andernos-les-Bains and Marcheprime. Numerous roads and cycle paths remained closed. The Departmental Council pointed to the highest wildfire danger level declared by the prefecture. This entails strict access restrictions and a ban on fire-hazardous work.On 25 July, Lecornu had already announced the deployment of 500 additional soldiers and the delivery of 1.5 million FFP2 masks. They are intended to protect emergency personnel and residents from harmful smoke. The soldiers are assisting firefighters, the gendarmerie, municipal services and civil protection. According to the...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 08:15

France orders deportation of former RT France chief Xenia Fedorova

Paris - 30.07.2026: The French government has ordered the deportation of Xenia Fedorova, the former head of RT France. According to information on the order, the authorities accuse the Russian national of using her public appearances to spread narratives serving Russian disinformation campaigns. The notice was delivered to her lawyer on Wednesday, July 29.Fedorova headed RT France, the French branch of the Russian state broadcaster Russia Today, from 2017 to 2022. Since March 2022, the broadcaster has no longer been permitted to be distributed in the European Union as a result of European sanctions against Russian state media. Fedorova subsequently appeared as a commentator on CNews and Europe 1, among other outlets. Both media organizations belong to the sphere of influence of businessman Vincent Bolloré.Socialist lawmaker Arthur Delaporte welcomed the decision on Thursday on the radio station France Inter. The measure confirmed a widely known assessment: Fedorova had acted as a conduit for the propaganda of a foreign actor with destabilizing intentions. Delaporte had already called on the government in...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 08:00

Wildfires in Gironde: Influencers Come Under Pressure to Meet Expectations

Bordeaux - 30 July 2026: Amid evacuation calls, smoke warnings and images from the affected forest areas, France is debating the role of influencers. Users are calling on high-reach accounts not to ignore the fires in Gironde and to use their channels for verified information, assistance services or official warnings.The situation is acute: Since 22 July, large forest areas have been burning north of the Bassin d'Arcachon. According to the Gendarmerie, authorities ordered the precautionary evacuation of around 20,000 people. On 27 July, following another severe spread of the fire, the prefecture said that substantial ground forces had been assembled to stop and permanently contain...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 07:46

European Aquatics Championships in Paris: Marchand returns to the Olympic pool

Saint-Denis - 30.07.2026: Paris and Saint-Denis will host the European Aquatics Championships from July 31 to August 16. Medals will be awarded in five disciplines: pool swimming, artistic swimming, diving, open-water swimming and high diving. For France, it is the first time hosting this competition since Strasbourg in 1987.Diving and artistic swimming will open the event at the Centre Aquatique Olympique of the Metropole Grand Paris in Saint-Denis. The arena had already hosted diving, water polo and artistic swimming competitions during the 2024 Olympic Games. The first titles will be decided there through August 6; pool races will follow from August 10 to 16.Particular attention...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 07:30

FIFA to Open World Cup Business to Private Investors – Criticism of Infantino’s Billion-Dollar Plan Grows

Geneva - 30 July 2026: Gianni Infantino is pushing ahead with the next major overhaul of world football. FIFA is considering a separate company in which it could bundle the commercial rights to World Cups, Club World Cups and other events. Outside financiers would be able to acquire a minority stake. The world governing body insists that it would retain full sporting authority, the rules framework and control over its competitions.The framework under discussion is substantial: according to reports by Associated Press and Reuters, the new entity could be valued at around US$20 billion. Up to 20 percent of the shares could go to private...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 07:17

After the Major Fire in Le Porge: At Least 175 Homes Destroyed

Le Porge - 30 July 2026: One week after the forest fire broke out in Gironde, the scale of destruction in Le Porge is becoming clear. According to the latest figures from the municipality, at least 175 homes were completely destroyed by fire. Earlier preliminary assessments had indicated around 170 destroyed homes. The fire broke out on 22 July in the Saumos and Le Porge area and spread rapidly under difficult weather conditions.Residential areas in the sprawling municipality between the Medoc and the Atlantic coast have been particularly affected. Le Porge covers around 15,000 hectares and is largely characterized by pine forest. According to the...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 07:02

Ukraine takes the war to Russia’s oil industry with attacks

Kyiv - 30 July 2026: Ukraine says it has attacked two of Russia's largest oil refineries with long-range drones and missiles. The targets included a Lukoil facility in the Perm region, more than 1,500 kilometres from Ukrainian territory, and a refinery in Ryazan, around 400 kilometres from the border. Ukraine's security service and general staff reported fires; according to Kyiv, the facilities have a combined annual processing capacity of around 220 million barrels of oil.Russia did not confirm the attack in those terms. Ryazan Governor Pavel Malkov reported that six people had been taken to hospital after a drone attack. Debris from downed drones had triggered fires at unspecified industrial sites. Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defences had intercepted 295 Ukrainian drones over several regions and annexed Crimea in a single night. Independent confirmation of the damage to the refineries was not initially available.The operation follows a clear pattern in Ukraine's conduct of the war. Kyiv cannot match the Russian armed forces in personnel and materiel along many sections...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 07:02

The Iran War Expands Beyond the Front Lines

Washington - 30 July 2026: The war between the United States and Iran took on a new regional dimension overnight. After what the United States says was a repelled Iranian missile attack on American forces in the Middle East, the US again launched strikes against targets in Iran. At the same time, Saudi Arabia took part in attacks on logistics and weapons sites used by Iran-aligned militias in Iraq. Earlier, drone attacks had worsened the security situation in the kingdom; the Houthi militia said it had also fired on a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea.The military escalation coincides with a diplomatic setback. Mediators...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 07:00

72-hour emergency backpack: What French authorities recommend

Paris - 30 July 2026: Wildfires, severe weather or technical failures can mean that people have to leave their homes at short notice or are temporarily cut off from supplies. France's security authorities therefore recommend keeping a 72-hour emergency backpack ready. It is intended to bridge the time until help arrives or regular supplies are restored. It should be kept within easy reach in a place known to all household members.Drinking water is the top priority. The French civil protection authority recommends six litres of bottled water per person. This should be supplemented with non-perishable food that does not require refrigeration and ideally does not...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 06:46

European Swimming Championships highlight pool shortage in Seine-Saint-Denis

Saint-Denis - 30 July 2026: When the European Swimming Championships begin on July 31, elite sport will return to a key venue of the Paris 2024 Games. The Olympic Aquatics Centre in Saint-Denis will host competitions in pool swimming, diving and artistic swimming until August 16. The tournament once again gives the facility a major sporting stage while also highlighting what is still lacking in the Seine-Saint-Denis department.Opened in April 2024, the complex was the only permanent sports venue built specifically for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in this area. During the Games, it hosted diving, artistic swimming and water polo. The centre has since become part of Saint-Denis's municipal swimming pool network, alongside La Baleine and the Annette-Kellermann departmental pool. For schools, clubs and training groups, it is therefore more than a prestige project.Nevertheless, the record of the Olympic legacy remains mixed. The Games accelerated the construction and renovation of several swimming pools in Seine-Saint-Denis, as well as the transfer of temporarily used pools. Bagnolet and Sevran took over facilities from the Paris La Défense Arena. Such projects are intended to reduce the shortfall in a densely populated department that has long been poorly equipped. However, individual new facilities do not yet provide sufficient indoor pool time for schools, clubs and the public.This shortage is addressed by the swimming education plan agreed by the department and the French state in April 2026. The programme, running until 2028, includes intensive...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 04:31

Caracal Helicopter Surveys the Gironde Wildfire at Night

Merignac - 30 July 2026: During the large-scale wildfire in Gironde, a Caracal helicopter of the French Air and Space Force is conducting nighttime reconnaissance. On board, a fire service observer monitors the spread and intensity of the blaze as well as particularly vulnerable areas. Their assessments are transmitted directly to incident command and personnel on the ground.These flights are especially important during the hours when firefighting aircraft cannot carry out water drops. Throughout the night, the helicopter crew provides a continuous picture of the fire front. This enables incident command to deploy vehicles more precisely, secure threatened areas and adapt protective measures for the...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 04:16

Forest Fire in Gironde Contained, Firefighters Remain on Site

Saumos - 30.07.2026: According to incident command, the large-scale forest fire in northern Gironde has now been contained. However, the fire service is maintaining its extensive deployment in order to quickly combat major flare-ups. On the evening of July 29, the situation was described as under control. For July 30, emergency crews expected more favorable weather conditions that could facilitate their continued work.The fire had spread in the area around Saumos since July 22 and affected further parts of the department. Areas toward Le Porge and near the Bassin d'Arcachon were also affected. Due to the rapid spread, authorities temporarily ordered extensive protective measures and...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 04:02

Wildfire in Gironde destroys 80 hectares of INRAE research areas

Cestas - 30 July 2026: According to Franceinfo, around 80 hectares of forestry research plots belonging to the French research institute INRAE burned in the major fire in Gironde. The plots were part of a site near Bordeaux where long-term research into forest resilience is being conducted. Experimental installations were lost whose scientific value lay precisely in their observation over many years.Experts used the affected areas to study, among other things, how different tree species develop in mixed stands. Such experiments are intended to provide insight into which forests are better able to withstand drought, heat and other consequences of climate change. Other plots were used to document changes in tree growth, vitality and survival prospects over longer periods.According to the report, research into so-called bioaggressors was also affected. These include diseases, insects and other organisms that can weaken trees and alter forest ecosystems. The loss of designated comparison plots makes it more difficult to evaluate long-term developments. Previously secured measurements remain available, but new experimental series cannot retrospectively replace...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 03:46

Pro-Iranian Groups Threaten Saudi Arabia After Joint Airstrikes in Iraq

Baghdad - 30 July 2026: According to the US regional command CENTCOM, the United States and Saudi Arabia jointly attacked positions held by armed groups linked to Iran in Iraq. Fighter jets from both countries reportedly struck several logistics and weapons sites in the east of the country. The operation was said to be a response to drone attacks that, according to Saudi Arabia, were launched from Iraq against energy facilities and other targets in the kingdom.Several pro-Iranian groups subsequently announced retaliation against Saudi Arabia. They initially provided no specific details about possible targets, the timing or the scale of further attacks. Responsibility for the preceding drone attacks is also disputed. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq umbrella organization denies responsibility for the attacks attributed to it against Saudi Arabia.On 27 July, the Saudi Ministry of Defense said that air defenses had intercepted and destroyed drones launched from Iraq. Facilities in the Eastern Province and the capital Riyadh were named as possible targets. The government in Riyadh called on Baghdad to...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 03:31

Gironde: New Fire Outbreaks Put Firefighters Under Time Pressure

Lanton - 30 July 2026: After several calmer days, forest fires in Gironde have flared up again. On Wednesday, 29 July, emergency services reported severe fire outbreaks near Lanton, in the Blagon district, and in Le Temple. Temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, dried-out vegetation and very low humidity hampered firefighting efforts. Under these conditions, even small embers can ignite new flames that spread rapidly through the pine forests.The large forest fire broke out on 22 July in the Saumos area and spread across large parts of the region north of the Bassin d'Arcachon. Authorities list Saumos, Le Temple, Sainte-Helene, Le Porge, Lege-Cap-Ferret, Ares, Andernos-les-Bains and...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 03:16

French electronic music scene mourns after Kavinsky’s death

Paris - 30 July 2026: The French electronic music scene is mourning Kavinsky. The musician and producer, whose real name was Vincent Belorgey, was found unresponsive in his Paris apartment on the evening of Tuesday, 28 July. He was 50 years old and would have celebrated his 51st birthday on 31 July. The Paris public prosecutor's office launched an investigation to clarify the circumstances of his death. According to the initial findings of emergency responders, there was no evidence of foul play at the scene.The news of his death was followed by numerous tributes. Angèle, The Weeknd, Belgian DJ Amélie Lens and actor Eric Judor...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 03:01

Wildfire in Gironde Does Not Spread Further Despite Heat

Bordeaux - 30 July 2026: The major fire in Gironde did not spread further on Wednesday despite high temperatures. Sophie Brocas, prefect of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and the Gironde department, said in the evening that a gradual return to more normal daily life was conceivable if the calming trend continued. The fire is still considered contained, but has not yet been fully extinguished.The authorities are therefore avoiding an all-clear. A fire is considered contained when flames along the existing front do not gain new ground. However, wind, dried-out vegetation and hidden smouldering hotspots can reignite the blaze. Firefighters therefore remain deployed along the affected forest...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 02:46

Ten Degrees in Midsummer: Postojna Caves Attract Visitors

Postojna - 30 July 2026: While many destinations suffer from high temperatures in midsummer, the Postojna Caves in southwestern Slovenia maintain a constant temperature of around ten degrees Celsius. A report by the French broadcaster Franceinfo presents the underground site as a refuge from the heat. Visitors first travel deep into the karst landscape on a small train before continuing the tour on foot.According to the operator, the standard tour lasts around one and a half hours. It includes a 3.7-kilometer train ride and a guided walk through chambers, passageways, and dripstone formations. In total, guests cover approximately five kilometers on the standard route. However,...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 01:16

Gironde Wildfire Stabilized – Firefighters Battle New Hotspots

Saumos - 30 July 2026: According to the prefecture, the devastating wildfire in Gironde remains stabilized but is not yet fully under control. On Tuesday, 28 July, emergency crews recorded 14 flare-ups in areas already affected. Firefighters tackled the hotspots with ground units and air support. No further expansion of the affected area was reported that day.The fire had spread through the western part of the department since 22 July, affecting around 42,000 hectares. This makes it one of the largest wildfires to hit France this year. A fire is considered stabilized when its outer boundaries can, for the time being, be contained. This does not mean the all-clear has been given: heat, dry vegetation and wind can rekindle hidden embers.The prefect of Gironde, Sophie Brocas, therefore warned against prematurely considering the situation over. According to authorities, the hotspots discovered on Tuesday were brought under control. Work remains arduous in the devastated forest areas. Emergency personnel must locate embers, thoroughly douse them with water and then monitor them to prevent...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 01:02

Plants as Heat Protection: What Green Balconies Can Actually Achieve

Paris - 29 July 2026: Green balconies, terraces and facades can reduce heat stress on buildings. Franceinfo reports that appropriately selected and positioned plants can provide local cooling of up to four degrees. The effect occurs primarily where leaves block direct sunlight and the evaporation of water draws heat from the surrounding area.This is particularly relevant in densely built-up neighbourhoods. Sealed streets, squares and facades store heat during the day and release it again at night. Météo-France points out that cities can therefore remain significantly warmer than their surrounding areas. Plants on individual balconies are no substitute for parks or climate-adapted urban planning. However, they...

Aktuell Read 30.07.2026 00:45

Up to 8,000 euros in emergency aid for self-employed people after fires in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Bordeaux - 29 July 2026: The French government has significantly expanded emergency aid for certain self-employed people following the severe fires in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Anyone who has suffered direct damage to their own business or private home as a result of a fire can now receive up to 8,000 euros. Previously, the maximum amount was 2,000 euros. The scheme is aimed at self-employed workers directly affected by the fires.By quadrupling the maximum amount, the government aims to ease financial pressure immediately after a fire. The aid is intended for specific material damage and must be requested from the competent authority. It does not replace benefits under...

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