Congo received more than 16,000 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine on Friday as the country confronts the fastest Ebola outbreak on record. The health minister said the 16,250 doses arrived at N’djili International Airport in Kinshasa late Friday, part of a 70,000-dose shipment from the World Health Organization and partners announced on Thursday, with additional shipments expected early next week. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved treatment or vaccine, and the Ervebo vaccine, licensed for Ebola, may provide some protection, the WHO said. The outbreak has recorded 2,557 deaths among 5,375 confirmed cases across six provinces, and transmission has not yet peaked, with modeling indicating it could reach three times the current rate, according to the Africa Centre for Disease Control. Response efforts are hampered by armed conflict between government forces and rebel groups controlling key cities, attacks on medical personnel and facilities, a mobile population displaced by the violence, and limited infrastructure. Officials warn the situation could surpass the 2014‑2016 West Africa epidemic, which killed more than 11,000 people.
Geopolitics, diplomacy, and the stories shaping nations.
Rescue workers are continuing to search for survivors in the rubble of a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih after a double drone strike on Friday that killed at least 16 people and injured 130, including children.
The attack involved two drones that hit the busy centre in quick succession, causing a fire that covered about 9,000 square metres before being extinguished. Sixteen victims died, and four people remain missing. Rescue teams from seven other Ukrainian regions were deployed on Friday evening to assist. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the assault "cynical and despicable," noting that the second drone targeted emergency responders.
Dnipropetrovsk regional head Oleksandr Hanzha said the death toll rose to 16 after a body was recovered overnight and that the search could continue for another two days because of the scale of devastation and ongoing threats. He added that rescue operations were being accelerated. Military chief Oleksandr Vilkul reported that 52 injured people, including 14 children, remained in hospitals, and dozens had undergone surgery.
Ukrainian officials have not explained why air defence systems, which the military says intercept about 90% of drones, failed to stop the strike on the shopping centre. The defence ministry reported a 40% success rate for intercepting ballistic missiles. Kyiv says it is running low on Patriot missiles. In overnight exchanges, Ukrainian forces said they struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region, causing a fire, and hit a Wildberries warehouse for the first time. Russian defence ministry said it downed 457 Ukrainian drones overnight. Two children and two adults were killed in a drone strike on a port town in Krasnodar, and two people were killed with 13 injured in air strikes in Belgorod.
The search operation is expected to last for two more days, and the incident underscores the continued targeting of civilian infrastructure amid the broader conflict that began with Russia’s full‑scale invasion in February 2022.
Kazakhstan held a parliamentary election on August 23 to elect 145 members of the new unicameral legislature, the Kurultai, which is expected to reinforce President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's authority.
The election follows constitutional amendments that replaced the bicameral parliament with a single-chamber body and introduced a seven-year presidential term, resetting Tokayev's eligibility for a third term.
Seven parties contested the vote, including the newly formed Adilet party, which campaigns on raising incomes and improving infrastructure, and six other parties representing rural, environmental, and centrist platforms. Opinion polls indicate Adilet may secure a large share of the vote, while smaller parties are likely to win seats as well.
International observers, including a delegation of about 80 parliamentarians from roughly 30 countries, were present to monitor the voting process. The election occurs as Kazakhstan seeks to present itself as a democratic leader in Central Asia while maintaining a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and expanding ties with the United States, the European Union, and China.
The government signed a $4.2 billion locomotive supply agreement with U.S. firm Wabtec in November, and Kazakhstan's economy grew 6.5 percent in 2025, reaching approximately $335 billion. The country remains a key transit hub between Europe, Russia, the Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia.
Analysts note that the election will test whether the new legislature can uphold the reforms outlined in the 2022 New Kazakhstan package and shape the nation's foreign policy.
Togo's government on Saturday said it has evidence in the case of two French filmmakers and a Togolese colleague who have been detained since late July on charges of making false statements. The three were arrested on July 27 after authorities said they used a drone in areas considered sensitive due to the risk of jihadist activity. The government said the filming authorization was signed only by their local fixer and was limited to specific locations, and that there were irregularities in how the assignment was carried out. Their lawyer, Martial Akakpo, told Agence France‑Presse that the men deny the charges. They were producing a documentary for France Télévisions. Reporters Without Borders has called for their immediate release, citing health concerns for one of the filmmakers. A doctor warned that the detained filmmaker faces risk of sepsis. The families of the two Frenchmen said they were devastated. The government statement said the men appeared before prosecutors on August 17.
An exhibition in Antwerp opened this week that revisits Belgium's colonial history in the Congo through a display titled 'Human Zoo'. The exhibit presents historic photographs, artifacts and testimonies from the early twentieth century, when people were shown in fairs that treated them as curiosities. Curators said the display aims to provide a factual account of Belgium's colonial activities and to invite public reflection. The Belgian Ministry of Culture said the exhibition supports national efforts to acknowledge the colonial legacy. Visitors have expressed a range of reactions, with some noting the importance of confronting the past and others expressing concern about the presentation. The museum will offer guided tours and public talks throughout the exhibition's run. Scholars plan to publish analyses of the exhibit's findings after the show concludes.
Russian missile and drone attacks killed at least seven people in Ukraine and three in Russia’s Krasnodar region on Saturday. A day earlier, a Russian strike on a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih killed 16 people and wounded 130, according to regional officials. In Kyiv, ballistic missiles struck railway infrastructure overnight, killing one person and wounding another, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the missiles hit a locomotive depot. In the Kyiv region, a missile strike killed two people and wounded several others, local authorities reported. Overnight, a drone strike in Zaporizhzhia killed one person, and a daytime attack there wounded 15 and three others in a minibus, officials said. In Krasnodar, a Ukrainian drone strike killed three people, including two children, and wounded two adults, authorities said. Ukraine has increased long-range drone attacks on Russian oil facilities and warehouses of Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, the news outlet Astra reported. President Vladimir Putin said the strikes on civilian targets cause economic damage but said no turning point had been reached, according to state TV reporter Pavel Zarubin. The United Nations reported that Kyiv was one of the hardest‑hit cities in July, with at least 54 civilian deaths and 202 injuries. The latest attacks show no sign of de‑escalation as both sides continue to target civilian and infrastructure sites.
Sydney Marathon issued finishers medals that mistakenly depicted Munich’s Allianz Arena instead of the event’s Allianz Stadium. The error became visible when the official social media account posted the medal design earlier this week. Organisers said they would not withdraw the medals and described the mistake as an "unfortunate error" that added a talking point for participants. The marathon, scheduled for 30 August, attracted about 40,000 runners after more than 120,000 ballot entries, setting a participation record. The medal design normally features Sydney landmarks such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge and was created by First Nations artist Ambrose Killian. Media coverage and social media posts highlighted the mix‑up, including a comment from Germany’s Allianz Arena. Organisers confirmed the reverse side of the medal, with its ornate pattern, remained unchanged and the error was limited to the front depiction. They said the oversight would not affect the event’s record participation or fundraising totals.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Saturday that Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Saturday that Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. steel, dairy, electronics and other sectors, effective September 8, after the United States imposed a 50 percent duty on $20 billion of Canadian goods. The measures follow weeks of negotiations that broke down on Friday, deepening a trade dispute that has strained relations between longtime partners. Carney said the United States proposals were uneconomic, unfair and undermined Canada’s net benefits, and included conditions that would restrict Canada’s ability to negotiate new trade deals and protect French language and Quebec culture. He added that Canada will announce support measures next week for industries affected by the new U.S. duties, which could last years. Al Jazeera’s David Mercer reported from Calgary that the tariffs are expected to raise costs, increase unemployment and potentially force some small and medium‑sized businesses into bankruptcy, while Carney framed the response as an opportunity to diversify Canada’s trade relationships beyond the United States. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he supported the decision, calling the prior agreement bad for Ontario’s auto, steel and manufacturing sectors. Public opinion polls showed a majority of Canadians favoring a tough stance. Residents in Ontario and Quebec expressed concern about rising prices for fuel, food and other goods. Diamond Isinger, a former adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, said both countries would suffer but that Canada’s retaliation was a realistic response. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Fox News that no new talks are planned and that the United States expects to maintain a better deal but that Canada “didn’t want that.” Democratic lawmakers and governors from border states such as Minnesota, New York and Washington criticized the tariffs, saying they would raise costs for U.S. businesses and families. The Business Roundtable warned that the new duties risk higher costs for American firms and urged both governments to resume negotiations. The trade dispute remains unresolved, with both sides indicating that further economic measures may be taken.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended negotiations with President Donald Trump and announced retaliatory tariffs after the United States introduced last‑minute changes to a proposed trade agreement.
Canada and the United States have maintained a longstanding free‑trade relationship, with Canada exporting roughly 70 % of its goods to the United States. The two nations were in the final stages of talks to update the North American Free Trade Agreement when the United States requested additional concessions on the automobile sector and other trade matters.
Carney said the United States asked for terms that were unfair and uneconomic, calling the changes a power play. He noted that the proposed restrictions on other trade deals were unacceptable. In a statement, he said the decision was taken in Canada’s best interest and that the United States had attacked Canada by imposing the tariffs.
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre endorsed Carney’s move, saying Canada could not accept one‑sided tariffs that risk de‑industrialisation. Ontario Premier Doug Ford wrote that any agreement reached under pressure could embolden the United States to seek further concessions. British Columbia Premier David Eby reaffirmed his support for the national effort.
The trade dispute has already affected various sectors. Canadian provinces have removed U.S. alcohol from store shelves, leading to a decline of more than 70 % in exports of American spirits and a 78 % drop in U.S. wine exports to Canada, amounting to a $357 million loss. Travel revenue to the United States fell by about C$3.3 billion in the previous year as Canadians avoided trips to the United States.
Carney and Canadian officials now await Trump’s response. The future of the ongoing NAFTA review remains unclear as both sides consider next steps.
Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s new supreme national security adviser, warned neighboring countries that they would be treated as enemies and could face retaliation if they support United States efforts to tighten economic sanctions. Egypt’s foreign ministry said it is pursuing talks to revive negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Rezaei made the remarks in an IRIB interview broadcast on Saturday. He said Iran would target oil‑shipping routes outside the Strait of Hormuz if neighbors join the sanctions, and warned that increased U.S. military deployments heighten nuclear insecurity.
Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi discussed ways to restart diplomatic talks and reviewed ongoing Oman‑mediated negotiations, the Egyptian foreign ministry reported.
Iran and Iraq stated that Tehran has helped several ships carrying Iraqi oil transit the Strait of Hormuz, though the number of vessels and any exchange were not disclosed.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman plan to meet in Paris on Sunday to discuss alternative routes that would bypass the Strait of Hormuz, including expanded pipelines and new rail links, as part of a joint task force on energy logistics.
Israel carried out a drone strike on a vehicle in the Syrian village of Beit Jin on Saturday, wounding one person; Syrian state media said civilians were injured and called the attack a violation of sovereignty, while the Israeli military said it targeted an individual preparing imminent terror attacks.
An Israeli strike on a house in central Gaza killed one Palestinian and wounded another; health officials at Al‑Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said the target was Hamas commander Sharif al‑Hasanat, a claim the Israeli military said was intended to disrupt Hamas’ underground infrastructure.
U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to increase economic pressure on Iran, describing the measures as an unprecedented level of economic warfare, while Iran has been under sanctions for years.
Rezaei warned that additional U.S. military deployments would further destabilize the region and that he would respond in a “seismic” manner if its neighbors join the sanctions regime.
The coming weeks may determine whether diplomatic efforts can ease the tension or if Iran’s threats lead to further disruptions of regional oil flows.
In Bitkine, central Chad, resident Ache Kodo previously traveled long distances to see a doctor, incurring transport and consultation costs. A solar-powered Telemedan kiosk now provides remote medical consultations at a location closer to her home. She said the kiosk reduced travel expenses and improved her family's economic status. Distance, rather than doctor shortages, has limited healthcare access in rural Chad. Medical facilities and specialists are concentrated in larger towns, leaving many communities far from basic services. Abakar Mahamat, who grew up experiencing these barriers, launched Telemedan in 2021 to use technology for bringing doctors closer to areas with limited infrastructure. The kiosks operate on solar panels and batteries, enabling functionality without reliable grid electricity. Operators register patients, take basic measurements with blood‑pressure monitors, glucometers, thermometers, pulse oximeters and ECG devices, and connect with a remote doctor via video link. The system can include stethoscopes, temperature sensors and, in some cases, ultrasound equipment. A USSD service allows appointment booking and health information for users without internet access. Telemedan reports 37 kiosks operating in 11 provinces, reaching an estimated 143,000 people. Consultation fees range from $2 to $15. The model is funded by grants and partnerships with Chad’s Ministry of Public Health and Prevention and other institutions; patients do not pay for the kiosk infrastructure. The initiative uses artificial intelligence to screen for diabetic retinopathy, assisting rather than replacing healthcare professionals. While kiosks provide basic examinations, they cannot deliver emergency care, perform all diagnostic tests, or supply medicines and hospital treatment, which patients must still obtain at higher levels of the health system. Chad’s National Digital Health Programme, launched in 2023, identifies digital health, including solar telemedicine kiosks, as a means to expand access in regions with limited infrastructure. Officials said the approach aims to complement existing health services and address electricity and distance challenges. Each kiosk costs about $10,000, and Telemedan seeks to reach one million people across sub‑Saharan Africa. The project aims to become a sustainable layer of healthcare infrastructure.
Gianni Infantino attended an Under‑14 soccer tournament in the Dominican Republic on Saturday, posting photos of meetings with local officials in Punta Cana. The appearance came after CONCACAF president Victor Montagliano asked him not to go, saying his presence could distract from the competition. In an emailed letter seen by the Associated Press, Montagliano warned that media attention on the FIFA governance dispute would diminish the technical focus of the youth event and asked Infantino to reconsider. FIFA declined to comment on the request and noted that it provides up to $5 million per four‑year World Cup cycle to regional bodies such as the CFU. Two other FIFA vice presidents, Aleksander Ceferin of UEFA and Sheik Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of the Asian Football Confederation, have joined Montagliano in urging an end to Infantino’s increasingly executive leadership. They accused him of secretly planning to transfer FIFA’s commercial activities to a subsidiary owned 20 percent by investors including Joshua Kushner. The proposal was withdrawn on August 1 following criticism from soccer leaders, fans, and a statement from chief operating officer Kevin Lamour, who was dismissed this week. Caribbean nations are seen as potential allies for Infantino, while South American CONMEBOL has expressed support for his push to expand the 2030 World Cup from 48 to 64 teams. Infantino has not taken questions publicly since the proposal was revealed on July 28 by The Times. He avoided a Sky News reporter in Punta Cana, responding to a query about resignation with a brief comment and remarks about both men being bald. He is seeking re‑election for a fourth term in 2031 at the FIFA congress in Rabat, Morocco, with a November 18 deadline for candidate applications.
Quebec’s support for independence has fallen to about 30%, its lowest level in decades, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s 50% steel tariffs have strained the province’s economy and reduced appetite for separation. The Parti Québécois, which holds a slim lead in polls ahead of a provincial election on Oct. 5, says a referendum would not be held while Trump remains president, reflecting waning support for sovereignty.
The province has a long history of separatist movements, including two referendums, and its distinct French language and culture have been central to the debate. A steel factory in Quebec owned by The Heico Companies saw orders for bolts and fasteners drop by roughly one third within a week after the tariffs took effect, leading to a freeze on hiring, closure of a plant and layoffs of several dozen workers, according to operations director David Jeannotte. The company reported 140 total layoffs, primarily in Quebec.
Jeannotte noted that the plant’s products, which previously accounted for about 90% of sales to the United States, now face reduced demand, with some items used in the New York Empire State Building seeing lower orders. Economists estimate Quebec’s economy will grow about 1% this year, compared with more than 2% for Alberta and Saskatchewan, highlighting the province’s vulnerability to trade disruptions.
Political reactions include statements from provincial leaders: Jeannotte said a referendum is unnecessary as long as Trump is in the White House; former interim PQ leader Stéphane Bédard said postponing a referendum is a realistic response to external uncertainty; and PQ leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon pledged that a referendum would not be pursued while Trump is president, arguing that American politics could hijack the issue. The separatist Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal argues that cuts to funding for French-language media under the federal government’s tax elimination illustrate the need for Quebec to negotiate as an independent country, while dairy farmer Vincent Rainville contends that national action, not separation, is required.
The trade dispute has also sparked increased patriotism in Quebec, with residents emphasizing their distinct French culture amid threats of annexation. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who won a national election in 2025 promising a tough stance on Trump, now faces another separatist challenge in Alberta, where an independence referendum is scheduled for mid‑October.
Tropical Storm Moke is moving toward the Big Island of Hawaii, bringing strong winds and heavy rain as residents prepare for its passage. The storm is expected to pass south of the island overnight into the following morning.
As of 11 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time, the storm was located about 684 kilometres (425 miles) south of Hilo and moving west‑northwest at 19 kilometres per hour (12 miles per hour). The National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometres per hour (50 miles per hour).
Moke follows Hurricane Lala, which struck the islands a week earlier, causing flooding, power outages for nearly 130,000 customers and at least one fatality.
Governor Josh Green urged residents to stock emergency supplies and said the storm could affect the island because it is still recovering. He also announced the pre‑positioning of equipment and the opening of 100 hotel rooms for evacuees.
Power restoration after Lala was largely completed, though some remote areas remained without electricity; full restoration was expected by September 8.
Forecasters said Moke is projected to pass south of the Big Island overnight and move westward through early Tuesday. Meteorologist Casey Oswant of the Honolulu Weather Service noted that wind and rain impacts would be more limited than those experienced with Lala, especially on the windward and southeast sides of the island.
Rainfall totals are expected to reach 130 to 250 millimetres (5 to 10 inches) over the next two days on the southeast and windward slopes, with isolated areas possibly receiving up to 380 millimetres (15 inches). Eastern Maui is forecast to receive 76 to 150 millimetres (3 to 6 inches), while the rest of the island chain will see lighter precipitation.
Governor Green warned that the heavy rain may be followed by another storm front about a week later, continuing the pattern of major weather events affecting Hawaii.
Judge Jeannette Vargas of the Southern District of New York ruled on Friday that a ban on immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries was contrary to law. She said Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his statutory authority by ordering consular officers to refuse visas solely based on an applicant’s country of origin. The policy, which took effect in January, barred processing of immigrant visas for citizens of Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Thailand and Yemen. The State Department had said the ban was intended to prevent high‑risk immigrants from becoming public charges. Vargas held that the order violated immigration law because it did not consider individual eligibility. The ruling vacates any visa denial that was based only on nationality. The government may appeal the decision. The ban is part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration enforcement agenda, which includes measures to speed up deportations and reduce border crossings.
Police said a 17-year-old girl died and two boys, aged 12 and 17, were seriously injured in a sword attack at Brinell School in Fagersta on Friday afternoon. An 18-year-old man was arrested and the case is being treated as murder and attempted murder. Students had just returned from the summer break when the attack occurred. The region declared a state of emergency on Friday, which ended by Saturday. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and opposition leader Magdalena Andersson visited the school on Saturday morning, where flower tributes had been placed. Police said they fired shots after responding to the scene but did not say whether the suspect was hit before his detention. The suspect, described by local media as a former student, was wearing a helmet. Investigators conducted two house searches in connection with the case. Kristersson called the incident a serious event and said the motive was unknown, adding that police were working intensively. King Carl XVI Gustaf said he received the news with dismay and sadness. The investigation remains ongoing.
Iran’s top security official warned on Saturday that any country joining the United States in imposing economic sanctions against Tehran would be considered an enemy and could face severe retaliation.
The United States is planning new sanctions after President Donald Trump said the measures would be the most severe economic operation yet and warned of significant economic consequences for any nation that provides Iran with a lifeline. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he would detail the sanctions on Monday.
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Iran would first seek negotiations, then ask other countries to distance themselves from the United States, and if those steps are not taken, it would target their interests.
Egypt’s foreign minister and Iran’s foreign minister spoke by phone, urging a return to diplomatic talks, including the Oman‑Iran negotiations and the US‑Iran memorandum, to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable agreement that would improve regional security.
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz after joint US‑Israel strikes on February 28, causing shipping disruptions; it later allowed some Iraqi oil tankers to pass but said the strait would remain closed until a US naval blockade is lifted, and no agreement has been reached on shipping arrangements.
About 3,000 people gathered in Magdeburg on August 22 for the Christopher Street Day pride parade under the slogan "Vote for Love" to show support for LGBT rights ahead of the September 6 state election in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is leading in polls. The event was held for the first time at Domplatz in front of the state parliament, a location chosen to increase political visibility and to facilitate security. Organizers closed surrounding streets to car traffic and deployed barriers and officers as part of heightened security measures following a deadly vehicle attack on Berlin Pride the previous month and a 2024 car ramming in Magdeburg that killed six people. Several political parties maintained tents at the square, while the AfD was not present. Co‑leader of the Greens party Felix Banaszak attended the rally. Attendee Elias, a trans man from Austria, said he faced greater challenges in Saxony-Anhalt, including access to public restrooms and hormone treatment, and expressed doubt that conditions would improve under the AfD. Annika, a Magdeburg resident, said the AfD’s platform is becoming more specific and threatening. Police reported that the area was closed to car traffic and officers were deployed for crowd control. The AfD’s "Vision 2026" election manifesto calls for a traditional family model in schools, a stance that has drawn criticism from LGBT advocates. The parade highlighted the political stakes of the upcoming election, with LGBT supporters emphasizing the possible impact of a far‑right victory on their rights, while the election outcome remains undecided.
Pope Leo XIV visited San Marino and delivered remarks at the Rimini Meeting in Italy on Saturday, urging dialogue and peace in a world affected by war and social division. He said young Catholics represent hope rather than a threat and encouraged them to engage openly with society.
In San Marino, the pope reflected on the legacy of St. Marino and St. Leo, noting their role in establishing a community based on freedom, mutual respect and communion. He described the microstate’s power‑sharing system, in which two captains regent are elected every six months, as a model that limits concentration of authority.
The pontiff warned that increasing militarization and ideologies that prioritize self‑interest undermine the common good. He called for mercy, solidarity and concern for vulnerable populations, and urged political systems to place human dignity at their core, from conception to natural death. He also described San Marino as a laboratory of good politics.
During the Rimini gathering, Leo appealed for Catholics to look beyond division, stating that no one is an enemy and that opponents should be met with truth and encounter. He urged the church to confront poverty, inequality and conflict, and to free work from profit‑driven idolatry and to disarm technology when it becomes destructive.
Leo’s remarks come amid ongoing global conflicts and a 2021 referendum in San Marino that legalized abortion in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. While he did not directly address the vote, he emphasized the need for systems that respect human dignity and the common good.
Fontainebleau Forest reopened on Saturday after a July wildfire scorched approximately 2,000 hectares, about 10 percent of the 6,000‑hectare area. Eighty percent of the forest is now open to the public, while 20 percent remains closed with “Access Prohibited” signs. The forest lies roughly 60 kilometers southeast of Paris and is a major destination for climbers and hikers from around the world. Gilles Moutounet, a 59‑year‑old retail executive, said the reopening allowed people to resume regular outdoor activities. A retired couple from Turin, who have visited the site for 30 years, said the visit also supported local businesses. Deputy prefect Benoit Kaplan said firefighters work daily to extinguish remaining hotspots in the restricted zone. Forest worker Julien Vabre warned that reopening may encourage campfires and unauthorized entry into hazardous areas. Officials have banned barbecues and smoking to prevent further ignition amid continued heatwaves. France has endured three heatwaves this summer, contributing to drought conditions and increased wildfire risk.