France requests EU assistance as wildfires rage, Spain declares state of emergency
via Le Matin3 min read
France has requested the activation of the European Union's civil protection mechanism to combat wildfires devastating its southwestern and southeastern regions. President Emmanuel Macron announced that Croatia, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia will provide two Canadair aircraft, two Air Tractor aircraft, and two Black Hawk heavy helicopters. The situation remains tense, particularly in Gironde, where a fire in the Landes de Gascogne forest has burned 4,800 hectares and led to over 20,000 evacuations near Arcachon. This area was also affected by severe fires in 2022. The European Commission had previously deployed three water-bombing planes. In the Var department in southeastern France, firefighters are battling active fires in Correns and Montfort-sur-Argens, with a fire that started on Tuesday having covered approximately 2,700 hectares and impacted around 50 homes, destroying 25. Meanwhile, Spain has declared a national state of emergency in the Madrid region and neighboring Avila province due to multiple active wildfires, leading to the evacuation of over 10,000 people. Since January 1, nearly 125,000 hectares have burned in Spain. Southern Italy, particularly Sicily, is also experiencing numerous wildfires exacerbated by hot winds. The dry vegetation and soil, intensified by recent heatwaves, contribute to the rapid spread of these fires. Climate scientists from the World Weather Attribution group indicate that human-induced climate change is worsening the curr
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The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco are approaching the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations with the unprecedented status of title contenders, fueled by recent progress and the ambition to secure their first continental crown on home soil. Finalists in the last two editions, the Moroccan team has established itself among Africa's top teams through consistent technical, tactical, and physical development. This evolution is a result of a development strategy implemented by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation FRMF, which has made women's football a major focus of its sports project. After reaching the 2022 WAFCON final, also held in Morocco, and confirming this status in the subsequent edition, the Lionesses enter this new campaign with increased experience and maturity. They also made history by qualifying for the round of 16 at the 2023 Women's World Cup in their first participation, becoming the first Arab team to advance past the group stage of a Women's World Cup. For this WAFCON, Morocco has numerous advantages. The Lionesses will benefit from playing in front of their home crowd, a support that was crucial during their remarkable 2022 run. They also have a squad now accustomed to major continental and international events, with a mix of experience and youth, featuring several players competing in top national and foreign leagues. The development of the national women's league, the rise of clubs like AS FAR, two-time African champions in 2022 and 2025, and investments in trai
The Confederation of African Football CAF has clarified that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON will feature 24 national teams, refuting media reports that suggested an expansion to 28 teams. Following a press conference held by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, some outlets had indicated a potential increase in participants. CAF issued an official statement to correct these inaccuracies, confirming that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 will maintain the current 24-team format. This format, which has been in place since the 2019 edition, involves 24 nations divided into six groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 16. The 2027 tournament will be historically significant as it will be co-hosted by three nations: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The competition is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, with qualifiers expected to run from September 2026 to March 2027.
Must ReadThe African Development Bank AfDB Group and the Fonds d'茅quipement communal FEC signed a second loan agreement for 150 million euros in Rabat. This funding aims to strengthen investments by local governments, enabling the FEC to finance sustainable, inclusive, and resilient infrastructure projects. These projects include rural roads, drinking water networks, urban renewal operations, and educational and sociocultural facilities. The objective is to improve public services, especially in rural areas, facilitate access to essential services, enhance climate change resilience, and promote job creation and local investment. The ceremony also included a grant agreement and a letter of intent to establish long-term strategic cooperation. The AfDB will also provide technical assistance to the FEC to boost its operational capabilities. Achraf Tarsim, AfDB Group Country Manager for Morocco, stated that these agreements reflect a shared ambition to support local governments as development drivers, prioritizing the acceleration of sustainable and resilient infrastructure. Omar Lahlou, Governor and Director General of the FEC, highlighted the reinforced trust between the two institutions, emphasizing their shared values of sustainable development. These operations align with the Kingdom's development priorities and the AfDB Group's four cardinal points, aiming to support socioeconomic development and improve the quality of life for local populations.