28.07.2026 18:46

Drone calls on residents near Bordeaux to evacuate

Saint-Médard-en-Jalles - 28 July 2026: The voice came from the air. As the forest fire in Gironde approached the northwestern suburbs of Bordeaux, the Gendarmerie deployed a drone in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles on July 25 to urge residents to leave the endangered area. The announcement was also intended to reach people who had not noticed warnings on their mobile phones, social media or at roadblocks in time.According to the Gendarmerie, it was the first use of such a device to deliver evacuation instructions. The drone supplemented ground patrols, loudspeaker announcements and the securing of access roads. With smoke, shifting wind directions and severe time pressure, local residents must be able to clearly understand the instructions; at the same time, roads and emergency routes must remain clear for firefighters and security forces.Authorities ordered further evacuations in several municipalities on July 25. In addition to Saint-Médard-en-Jalles, those affected included Saint-Aubin-de-Médoc, Martignas-sur-Jalle, Saint-Jean-d'Illac, Le Haillan, as well as areas of Eysines and Mérignac outside the ring road. According to the Gendarmerie, more than 1,200 of its personnel were deployed at that time in the departments of Gironde and Landes. They supported the fire service, directed traffic and monitored evacuated residential neighborhoods.Large-scale forest fires endanger people even before flames can be seen from their homes. Smoke can make orientation difficult and affect health; changing wind conditions can also cause the fire to spread rapidly in another direction. The roadblocks were therefore intended to prevent residents from...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 18:30

Water Wings and Swim Rings: Why Children Must Never Be Left Unsupervised Despite Buoyancy Aids

Paris - 28/07/2026: A colorful swim ring, two water wings, a child at the edge of the pool: for many families, this is part of summer. But the French consumer protection authority DGCCRF warns against a potentially serious confusion. Something that provides buoyancy does not automatically protect against drowning. Franceinfo examined the safety of various products for children at the start of the peak holiday season.Water wings are considered a learning aid for children who cannot yet swim confidently. Parents should choose models bearing a CE marking, complying with the NF EN 13138-1 standard, and expressly suited to the child's age and weight. The information...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 18:16

Financial Prosecutor’s Office Seeks Trial of BNP Paribas and Members of the Bongo Family

Paris - 28 July 2026: France's National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) has requested that BNP Paribas, several children of the late Gabonese president Omar Bongo, and other suspects be brought before the Paris criminal court. The case concerns real estate that investigators believe may have been purchased in France with unlawfully obtained funds.The request concerns a total of 23 individuals and companies: 18 individuals and five companies, including BNP Paribas and four real estate companies. In addition to members of the Bongo family, a judicial source familiar with the proceedings named Antoinette Sassou Nguesso, the wife of the president of the Republic of the Congo,...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 18:00

Firefighters from across France battle major wildfire in Gironde

Saumos - 28 July 2026: Firefighters from numerous French regions are battling an extensive forest fire in western Gironde that has threatened large areas since July 22. A firefighter from the Deux-Sèvres department described his unit's operation to Franceinfo as a direct attack on a fire of extraordinary intensity. Even experienced crews had at times felt they could do little against the flames.According to the Gironde department, the affected areas include Saumos, Le Temple, Sainte-Hélène, Le Porge, Lège-Cap-Ferret, Arès, Andernos-les-Bains and Marcheprime. Numerous roads and cycle paths remained closed so that fire engines, emergency services and security personnel could work without obstruction. Authorities urged the public to avoid the affected forest and coastal areas and to observe roadblocks.During the night of July 28, the spread of the fire was initially considered stabilized despite several controlled flare-ups. However, the fire had not been extinguished. Smoldering hotspots, parched vegetation and strengthening winds can create new fire outbreaks or endanger sections that have already been secured. Due to the extremely high wildfire risk,...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 17:46

After Knife Attack in Paris: Suspect Taken to Psychiatric Facility

Paris - 28/07/2026: Following the knife attack on three women near Porte de Clichy in the 17th arrondissement, the arrested suspect has been taken to the psychiatric facility of the Paris Police Prefecture. His police custody was ended on Tuesday for medical reasons, the public prosecutor's office said. The investigation into attempted murder is ongoing.The attack took place at around 11:30 a.m. on Monday in the north of the French capital. According to the Police Prefecture, the man is alleged to have injured three women with kitchen knives. When he was arrested shortly after the incident, he was carrying two knives. The victims received medical treatment. Authorities initially provided no further details about their identities or their condition.The public prosecutor's office had placed the man in police custody on suspicion of attempted murder. This is an investigative measure, not a finding of guilt. Investigators must now, among other things, reconstruct the sequence of the attack and determine whether the suspect knew the women or selected them deliberately.The lifting of custody...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 17:00

Tallinn debates the future of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Tallinn - 28/07/2026: A political debate has erupted in Estonia over the future of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Tallinn's Old Town. Interior Minister Igor Taro is calling on the city administration to terminate early the long-term usage agreement with the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church. The church continues to maintain canonical and administrative ties with the Moscow Patriarchate, whose leadership supports Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.The cathedral on Toompea Hill is owned by the city of Tallinn. It was granted to the church for free use for 36 years in 2001; in return, the church bears the costs of maintenance, administration and insurance. Taro argues...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 16:46

New Heatwave Reaches France: Temperatures of Up to 40 Degrees Threaten in the Southwest

Paris - 28.07.2026: France is once again facing a period of extreme heat. Temperatures, which have been rising since Tuesday, are expected to reach a preliminary peak on Wednesday, July 29. Meteo-France expects local temperatures of up to 40 degrees in the southwest. Highs of 38 degrees have been forecast for Paris and Tours, while Lyon and Grenoble could reach 36 degrees.According to forecasts, the hot air will spread from the southwest toward the north, affecting densely populated areas as well. Particularly in cities, heat radiating from streets, facades and roofs will intensify the strain. If nights also remain warm, buildings can barely cool down....

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 16:39

Powerful Earthquake Hits Kumamoto: Rescue Operation at Shopping Center

Kumamoto - 28 July 2026: A powerful earthquake struck Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu on Tuesday afternoon. Initial international measurements put the magnitude at 7.1; the U.S. Geological Survey later revised its estimate to 6.8. Japan's highest seismic intensity level of 7 was recorded in the cities of Uki and Hikawa. Authorities were still assessing the damage on Tuesday evening.The quake occurred at 4:27 p.m. local time and was clearly felt across large parts of Kyushu. A tsunami warning was initially in effect for the Ariake Sea and the Yatsushiro Sea. It was lifted at 6:10 p.m. after no tsunami wave was...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 16:38

Military and Gendarmerie support firefighting operations in Gironde

Saumos - 28 July 2026: Amid the smoke of the pine forests west of Bordeaux, heavy equipment is now being deployed to deal with the consequences of the major wildfire. Around 1,500 service members are supporting firefighters in Gironde. Engineering units are using bulldozers to open forest roads and create tactical firebreaks. The work is intended to provide emergency crews with access routes and help secure particularly vulnerable areas against the further spread of the fire.The fire, which has affected large parts of the department since 22 July, had burned through around 42,000 hectares by Monday, according to authorities. On Tuesday, the situation remained tense...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 16:30

Wildfire in Gironde pushes emergency dispatch center to its limits

Bordeaux - 28 July 2026: The phones at the emergency dispatch center of Bordeaux University Hospital are ringing far more frequently than during a typical midsummer period. Since the wildfire in Gironde began, activity at the medical emergency call center has increased by more than 50 percent. This was reported by the head of the emergency department and SAMU-SMUR division at CHU Bordeaux.The additional strain is affecting a region that has been dealing with evacuations, smoke and intense heat for days. The fire has been burning since 22 July in the west of the department, particularly between Saumos, Le Temple, Sainte-Hélène and Le Porge, as well as near the Arcachon Basin. Roads and cycle paths remain closed in several areas. Authorities are warning people not to approach operational sites.At times, the dispatch center received around 3,600 calls within 24 hours; during the summer, the usual figure is about 2,500. Many people are calling because of smoke exposure, concern for relatives or acute symptoms. Under the French emergency number 15, medical...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 16:16

Gironde: Farmers demand clear orders for assistance in the wildfire zone

Bordeaux - 28 July 2026: In the fight against the major wildfire in Gironde, farmers are still awaiting formal orders for possible deployments, according to their Chamber of Agriculture. Chamber president Jean-Samuel Eynard criticized the fact that the relevant requisition orders had not yet been issued despite the mobilization of numerous farms. Tractors, water tanks, cisterns and other agricultural equipment may be needed to help firefighters, particularly with water supplies and securing affected areas.The fire in the Medoc had spread since 22 July and affected large areas. According to the latest situation report, the fire remained stabilized after a calm night; however, emergency crews continued...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 16:01

Mount Olympus becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Protection for Greece’s mountain of the gods

Athens - 28 July 2026: Mount Olympus, regarded in antiquity as the home of the twelve gods and, at 2,918 meters, Greece's highest mountain, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The World Heritage Committee decided on its inscription on Sunday, 26 July, at its meeting in Busan, South Korea. Greece is thus celebrating the international recognition of a mountain massif that has linked literature, religion and the experience of landscape for millennia.The site was inscribed as mixed heritage, meaning on the basis of both its cultural and natural value. The designated area encompasses around 18,983 hectares in the wider surroundings of Mount Olympus, as...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 15:46

Secours populaire calls for long-term aid for fire victims in Gironde

Bordeaux - 28/07/2026: Following the ongoing wildfires in the Gironde and Landes departments, Secours populaire is calling for targeted, long-term support for those affected. The aid organization is also warning against bringing large quantities of in-kind donations to collection points without prior coordination. According to the organization, material reserves are currently sufficient for immediate emergency aid. Further deliveries could place an additional burden on volunteers, as they would need to be sorted, stored and distributed.What is needed above all are financial donations and volunteer work coordinated with local branches. Secours populaire intends to support affected families beyond the acute evacuation phase: with necessary administrative procedures, reorganizing their daily lives and finding longer-term assistance. Aid will also be available to people living alone and local businesses whose activities have been interrupted by the fires.The situation remains tense in several municipalities west and northwest of Bordeaux. According to the Gironde department, areas around Saumos, Le Temple, Sainte-Hélène, Le Porge, Lège-Cap-Ferret, Arès, Andernos-les-Bains and Marcheprime have been affected by the fires. Numerous roads and cycle paths are closed. Authorities are urging the public to avoid operational areas so that firefighters and emergency services can work without obstruction.Strict wildfire protection measures are in force throughout the department. Natural areas and forest land are largely closed to the public. Cultural and sporting events remain prohibited in Gironde until 6 a.m. on 8 August. Authorities cite the high risk posed by heat, drought and wind as...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 14:32

Wildfire in Gironde: 4,000 people evacuated in Lacanau

Lacanau - 28 July 2026: Around 4,000 people were precautionarily evacuated from campsites, holiday villages and leisure parks in Lacanau on Tuesday due to the risk that the major wildfire in Gironde could flare up again. Those affected are mainly holidaymakers in the coastal municipality. Authorities urged people to avoid unnecessary travel so that access roads and emergency routes remain clear for emergency services.The fire, which has been raging north of the Bassin d'Arcachon since 22 July, remained stabilized after a quiet night. However, that does not mean it has been extinguished. Smoldering hotspots can persist in burned vegetation and reignite flames when winds pick...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 14:15

Highest Alert Level for Dangerous Currents on Aquitaine’s Atlantic Coast

Bordeaux - 28 July 2026: On Tuesday, 28 July 2026, there is a maximum risk from baïnes, dangerous rip currents, in four departments along the Atlantic coast of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Charente-Maritime, Gironde, Landes and Pyrénées-Atlantiques are affected. The responsible prefectures are urging beachgoers to use only designated areas supervised by lifeguards. The warning applies to the entire Aquitaine coastline and also concerns water sports enthusiasts.Baïnes form in deeper channels between sandbanks. Returning water concentrates there and flows seaward with a strong pull. From the beach, these areas are often difficult to spot because the water surface can sometimes appear calmer than the surrounding surf. It is...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 14:01

Gironde fire stabilized: Government rejects criticism over response resources

Saumos - 28 July 2026: According to authorities, the major fire in the northwest of the Gironde remained stable on Tuesday morning. The area burned since 22 July near Saumos was still estimated at 42,000 hectares. A calm night and quickly contained flare-ups provided relief to emergency crews. However, the fire was not yet fully under control.Mathieu Lefevre, Minister for Ecological Transition, confirmed the stabilized situation in a radio interview. At the same time, he rejected accusations that police, civil protection and fire services were inadequately equipped for such a situation. Parts of the opposition, Lefevre said, had opposed previous budget increases and were now criticizing them for not going far enough. According to the report available, he did not specify which votes he was referring to.The controversy concerns both short-term operational capability and long-term preparedness. On the ground, firefighting depends on the availability of water-bombing aircraft, helicopters, firefighters, logistics and security services. Politically, the issue is about multi-year decisions on staffing, equipment, forest management, prevention and funding for municipal...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 13:48

Vegetation Fire on the A10: Fire Brigade Deploys Ten Vehicles

Villebon-sur-Yvette - 28 July 2026: A vegetation fire broke out along the A10 motorway near Villebon-sur-Yvette on Tuesday morning. According to the SDIS 91 fire and rescue service, cited by Franceinfo, ten fire engines were deployed. The fire scene was located within the municipality in the northwest of the Essonne department, southwest of Paris.As of Tuesday midday, no confirmed information was initially available on the scale of the fire. Neither the size of the affected area nor the cause of the blaze was known. Authorities also initially provided no information on possible injuries or damage to buildings, vehicles and technical infrastructure. Emergency crews focused on firefighting operations and securing the area along the motorway.The immediate proximity to the A10 makes this type of operation more difficult. Smoke can significantly impair visibility on the road within a short time; at the same time, fire engines and other emergency personnel require safe access routes to the scene. No officially confirmed closure or traffic restriction on the motorway was initially reported. Nevertheless, motorists...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 13:30

Short-Time Work After Wildfires: Which Businesses in Gironde and Landes Are Eligible for Support

Bordeaux - 28/07/2026: Businesses in areas affected by wildfires in the departments of Gironde and Landes can apply for short-time work if official protective measures directly restrict their activities. The scheme is primarily aimed at businesses in evacuated areas or zones where access is temporarily restricted. Applications must be submitted through the state online portal for short-time work under the reason "other exceptional circumstances".For businesses within an evacuation or restricted zone, support is generally provided for under the published guidelines because the interruption of operations results directly from an official order. In such cases, short-time work is intended to safeguard employment during a temporary closure...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 13:18

Exhaustion and concern grow among evacuees in Bordeaux

Bordeaux - 28 July 2026: People from areas of Gironde threatened by wildfires continue to spend their nights on camp beds at Bordeaux's Parc des Expositions. Basic supplies are secured, but after several nights with little sleep, exhaustion and concern are growing. Many do not know when they will be able to return or what condition they will find their homes or holiday accommodation in.According to Bordeaux Metropole, the exhibition grounds at Bordeaux-Lac can accommodate up to 10,000 people. Camp beds and rest areas are available, along with water, hot drinks and meals. The neighbouring Colette Besson sports centre has been opened for showers. A...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 13:01

Greece’s Prime Minister Thanks Christopher Nolan for “The Odyssey”

Athens - 28 July 2026: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis congratulated British director Christopher Nolan on the theatrical release of his film "The Odyssey". According to the prime minister's office, Mitsotakis thanked the filmmaker for strengthening international interest in Greek civilization through his adaptation of Homer's epic. The conversation took place via videoconference on Monday afternoon.The tribute is more than a courtesy extended to a prominent director. Homer's epic is a central part of Greece's educational and collective memory culture. Its film adaptation offers the government in Athens an opportunity to link the ancient heritage with Greece's ambition to establish itself as a modern cultural...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 12:45

Two Further Complaints Against Patrick Bruel Over Alleged Sexual Offences

Paris - 28 July 2026: Two further complaints alleging sexual offences have been filed against French singer and actor Patrick Bruel. According to reporting by Mediapart, also covered by Franceinfo, the complaints were filed on 16 and 23 July. One concerns an allegation of rape in 1994, while the other concerns an allegation of sexual assault in 2005.The first complaint was filed by a woman who worked as a receptionist at a hotel in Toulouse in 1994 and was 19 years old at the time. According to her account, a rape occurred during Bruel's stay at the hotel. Her account is the subject of the...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 12:31

Wildfires in France: Police seek volunteers for deployments in fire-hit areas

France - 28 July 2026: In view of the severe wildfires, the French National Police have called on their staff to volunteer for deployments in the affected regions. According to Franceinfo, the missions are to last no more than two weeks. Officers will not be deployed to fight the fires, but will take on duties that relieve firefighters and emergency services: securing roads, assisting with evacuations, maintaining public order and protecting evacuated communities.The appeal comes at a time when the departments of Gironde and Landes in particular are affected by exceptionally large fires. The Interior Ministry said on 27 July that 116,085 hectares had burned in France since the beginning of the year. In Gironde, the largest fire of the season so far had triggered the evacuation of 220,000 people. In the Landes department, 30,000 people were affected by precautionary evacuations, according to the ministry.For residents, an evacuation order marks the beginning of an often uncertain waiting period. They must leave their homes, follow designated routes and initially do not...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 12:16

Zidane calls for Christophe Gleizes’ release at his unveiling

Paris - 28.07.2026: Zinédine Zidane used his first public address as the new coach of the French national team to appeal on behalf of sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who is imprisoned in Algeria. At his unveiling, the 1998 World Cup winner expressed hope that Gleizes would be able to return home. The brief statement has brought renewed attention to a case marked by uncertainty and concern for his relatives for more than two years.According to Franceinfo, Zidane signed a contract until 2030 on Tuesday. In his address, he also paid tribute to the victims of the recent fires. His words about Gleizes came at a...

Aktuell Read 28.07.2026 12:00

Wildfire Smoke Affects Southwest France

Bordeaux - 28 July 2026: Smoke from wildfires in southwest France is now affecting air quality far beyond the immediate fire zones. The health minister therefore called on the public to exercise particular caution. Monitoring stations recorded elevated concentrations of fine particulate matter in several departments; the air-quality monitoring service for Nouvelle-Aquitaine classified regional air quality as very poor.Authorities have stepped up their monitoring. According to the regional health authority, ARS, and Atmo Nouvelle-Aquitaine, smoke plumes can reach cities and rural areas not threatened by the flames, depending on wind and weather conditions. In Tarn-et-Garonne, an official warning was already in effect on 27 July...

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