# sébastien (news sources) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 1 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover sébastien. Page: Feed: --- ## [The far right's immigration trap closes in on Europe](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/08/27/the-far-right-s-immigration-trap-closes-in-on-europe_6756902_23.html) _2026-08-27 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ With every victory the far right secures on immigration, it seeks to push its agenda further and is growing increasingly overt in its xenophobia, as seen in the election campaigns currently unfolding across several European countries. ## ['After a summer of heatwaves and fires, awareness remains low and preparedness is virtually nonexistent'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/08/27/after-a-summer-of-heatwaves-and-fires-awareness-remains-low-and-preparedness-is-virtually-nonexistent_6756896_23.html) _2026-08-27 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Environmental historian Judith Rainhorn criticizes France's political leaders for their inability to respond to the climate emergency, saying that it is time to 'politicize the disasters weighing us down.' ## [2027 French presidential election: Macron's legacy weighs heavily on centrist candidates Attal and Philippe](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/27/2027-french-presidential-election-macron-s-legacy-weighs-heavily-on-centrist-candidates-attal-and-philippe_6756893_5.html) _2026-08-27 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ While Alexis Kohler, the Elysée's former chief of staff, has spoken out in defense of the president, candidates from the centrist bloc criticize his governing style while trying not to alienate his voter base. ## [The future of Paris's Tour Montparnasse hangs in the balance as co-owners feud](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2026/08/26/the-future-of-paris-s-tour-montparnasse-hangs-in-the-balance-as-co-owners-feud_6756883_19.html) _2026-08-26 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ With just three months to go before the building permit for the transformation of the Paris skyscraper expires, a series of unexpected twists has shaken the project launched a decade ago. In July, Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire urged the co-owners to settle their disputes. Le Monde takes a look behind the scenes at the ongoing negotiations. ## [2027 presidential candidate Raphaël Glucksmann: 'Europe is crucial for achieving the green transition'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/26/2027-presidential-candidate-raphael-glucksmann-europe-is-crucial-for-achieving-the-green-transition_6756861_5.html) _2026-08-26 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ The center-left candidate tells Le Monde about his vision for an 'environmental Republic' and the reasons why he believes the Green party should join him. He also describes his proposal to tax 'mega-inheritances' to fund pay raises. ## [Russia calls allegations of interference in French polls 'propaganda'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/08/25/russia-calls-allegations-of-interference-in-french-polls-propaganda_6756841_4.html) _2026-08-25 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, the French government is wary of Russian attempts to sway the vote. Prosecutors have launched a probe into suspected disinformation campaigns targeting the two main centrist candidates, Edouard Philippe and Gabriel Attal. ## ['Dodo the Pimp,' made infamous by French politician DSK's sex scandal, dies age 77](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2026/08/25/dodo-the-pimp-made-infamous-by-french-politician-dsk-s-sex-scandal-dies-age-77_6756838_7.html) _2026-08-25 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ A French national who ran multiple brothels in Belgium, where he was convicted as a pimp, Dominique Alderweireld was thrust into the media spotlight for his alleged links to disgraced politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn. ## ['The far right's current success in claiming the heritage of Charles de Gaulle should serve as a warning'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/08/25/the-far-right-s-current-success-in-claiming-the-heritage-of-charles-de-gaulle-should-serve-as-a-warning_6756833_23.html) _2026-08-25 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ With eight months to go before the presidential election, and as Charles de Gaulle is celebrated on the big screen, documentary filmmaker Jonathan Hayoun observes the general's memory has become a legacy to be claimed and warns against letting the far right seize it to rewrite its own history. ## [2027 presidential election: Candidates from France's centrist bloc ramp up anti-immigration rhetoric](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2026/08/25/2027-presidential-election-candidates-from-france-s-centrist-bloc-ramp-up-anti-immigration-rhetoric_6756829_7.html) _2026-08-25 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ During a visit to the French island of Mayotte, Edouard Philippe mentioned suspending asylum and family reunification requests. His centrist rival, Gabriel Attal, raised the idea of a constitutional amendment to introduce restrictive migrant quotas. ## [2027 presidential candidate Gabriel Attal: 'My goal is for France to top education rankings within 10 to 15 years'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2026/08/25/2027-presidential-candidate-gabriel-attal-my-goal-is-for-france-to-top-education-rankings-within-10-to-15-years_6756826_7.html) _2026-08-25 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Just days before France's school year begins, the former prime minister unveils his education proposals in an interview with Le Monde. ## [Web Coding With AI, Live (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/uaJtYvtgejN4) _2026-08-25 · **Sponsored**_ Collaborative screen sharing with simultaneous remote control, open source. ## [Poll shows Le Pen's biggest challenger may be hard left's Mélenchon](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2026/08/24/french-poll-shows-le-pen-s-biggest-challenger-may-be-hard-left-s-melenchon_6756806_7.html) _2026-08-24 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ The radical left leader of La France Insoumise (LFI) would advance to the second round against far-right Marine Le Pen in three of five possible first-round scenarios, a poll has found. ## [French left unites around climate action ahead of 2027 presidential election](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/08/24/french-left-unites-around-climate-action-ahead-of-2027-presidential-election_6756795_23.html) _2026-08-24 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Although deep disagreements persist on certain issues, such as nuclear power, all left-wing parties now see fighting climate change as an urgent priority. ## [2027 French presidential election: Who's running?](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/les-decodeurs/article/2026/08/24/2027-french-presidential-election-who-s-running_6752856_9.html) _2026-08-24 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Our comprehensive roundup of all the declared or potential candidates that have been identified at this stage. ## [French presidential election 2027: The battle for the left begins](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/24/french-presidential-election-2027-the-battle-for-the-left-begins_6756793_5.html) _2026-08-24 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Jean-Luc Mélenchon courted the Greens in a speech on environmental planning at the summer conference of his party, radical left La France Insoumise, on Sunday. Meanwhile, rival Raphaël Glucksmann announced his candidacy. ## [Raphaël Glucksmann announces candidacy for France's 2027 presidential election](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/24/raphael-glucksmann-announces-candidacy-for-france-s-2027-presidential-election_6756792_5.html) _2026-08-24 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ The founder of the center-left Place Publique party announced he would take part in a primary organized in October by the Parti Socialiste. ## [Climate demands political leadership](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/08/22/climate-demands-political-leadership_6756762_23.html) _2026-08-22 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ The silence from decision-makers regarding the consequences of the unprecedented heatwave in the summer of 2026 and the solutions that need to be implemented could only be interpreted as either an inability to act, or worse, a lack of will to do so. ## [Climatologist Jean Jouzel: 'None of France's presidential candidates truly grasp the reality of global warming'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2026/08/22/climatologist-jean-jouzel-none-of-france-s-presidential-candidates-truly-grasp-the-reality-of-global-warming_6756754_114.html) _2026-08-22 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ The paleoclimatologist and former vice president of the IPCC's scientific panel worries that climate issues will be pushed aside once temperatures drop. In an interview, he urges presidential candidates to 'recognize the scale of this global challenge.' ## [France's urgent need for a left-wing alternative in the 2027 presidential election](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/08/21/france-s-urgent-need-for-a-left-wing-alternative-in-the-2027-presidential-election_6756731_23.html) _2026-08-21 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Social democrats and Greens have so far failed to compete with radical left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Doing so is essential to avoid the 2027 presidential election becoming a showdown between anti-establishment parties. ## [Despite summer of extremes, France's political leaders offer no climate response](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/21/despite-summer-of-extremes-france-s-political-leaders-offer-no-climate-response_6756730_5.html) _2026-08-21 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ While France endured a succession of extreme weather events, neither the government nor the candidates in the 2027 presidential election have yet directly addressed the challenge posed by climate change. ## [France's cybersecurity problem demands strong political will](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2026/08/20/france-s-cybersecurity-problem-demands-strong-political-will_6756709_13.html) _2026-08-20 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Beyond Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's short-term announcements, the government cannot escape the need to do more to strengthen its defenses. That work will be costly, time-consuming and require strong political will. ## [AI publishing with human taste (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/M0sVGsNpZKLv) _2026-08-20 · **Sponsored**_ Convert AI research into blogs, podcasts, and newsletters with optional human review. ## [2027 French presidential election: 'The strategic vote Mélenchon hopes for no longer means what it did in 2022'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/08/20/2027-french-presidential-election-the-strategic-vote-melenchon-hopes-for-no-longer-means-what-it-did-in-2022_6756702_23.html) _2026-08-20 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon hopes to lead in the polls on the left and rally voters to reach the runoff. Yet left-wing voters are divided over both his personality and his ability to beat the far right, writes political scientist Antoine Bristielle. ## [French PM asks ministers to clamp down on corruption in civil service](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/20/french-pm-asks-ministers-to-clamp-down-on-corruption-in-civil-service_6756697_5.html) _2026-08-20 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Sébastien Lecornu urged his government to step up its vigilance against integrity violations in public administrations and to intensify disciplinary action, amid rising drug trafficking and cybercrime. ## [Rising unemployment rate scuppers Macron's pledge to achieve full employment](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/20/rising-unemployment-rate-scuppers-macron-s-pledge-to-achieve-full-employment_6756695_5.html) _2026-08-20 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ For the sixth consecutive time, France's unemployment rate rose in the second quarter, nearing the figures recorded in 2017, when Emmanuel Macron first became president. ## ['When we tell them pregnancies require regular medical checkups, they scoff': Afghan women's health is put at risk by the Taliban](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/summer-reads/article/2026/08/19/i-worked-day-and-night-to-become-a-doctor-i-was-so-close-afghan-women-s-health-is-put-at-risk-by-the-taliban_6756683_183.html) _2026-08-19 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ 'Voices of Afghan Women' (4/6). Only women can care for women, yet Afghanistan is no longer training female doctors, nurses, or midwives. As a result, women's access to healthcare is becoming increasingly difficult, sometimes with tragic consequences, and undermines their mental health, as they told our special correspondent in Kabul. ## [François Patriat, early and steadfast supporter of Macron, dies at 83](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/obituaries/article/2026/08/19/francois-patriat-early-and-steadfast-supporter-of-macron-dies-at-83_6756676_15.html) _2026-08-19 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ The former Socialist was the group leader of Macron's party in the Senate. He died following a serious cycling accident. ## [French government apologizes for tax data hack, but struggles to contain fallout](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/19/french-government-apologizes-for-tax-data-hack-but-struggles-to-contain-fallout_6756663_5.html) _2026-08-19 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Budget Minister David Amiel announced 'emergency measures' after a major cyberattack. To make matters worse, the tax administration has disclosed yet another breach in its systems. ## [Edouard Philippe hopes to capitalize on endorsements to gain presidential momentum](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/18/edouard-philippe-hopes-to-capitalize-on-endorsements-to-gain-presidential-momentum_6756640_5.html) _2026-08-18 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ After deciding not to run for president, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin was the latest center-right figure to back Edouard Philippe. ## [Yvette Roudy, pioneering French minister for women's rights who secured abortion coverage, dies](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/obituaries/article/2026/08/18/yvette-roudy-pioneering-french-minister-for-women-s-rights-who-secured-abortion-coverage-dies_6756638_15.html) _2026-08-18 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ The former Socialist minister and tireless activist died Tuesday at age 97. In 1982, she secured coverage for abortion procedures through France's national health insurance. ## [French prosecutors probe Russian disinformation campaign against centrist candidates](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2026/08/18/paris-prosecutors-probe-russian-disinformation-campaign-against-centrist-candidates_6756632_7.html) _2026-08-18 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ At the start of August, a series of disinformation operations targeted centrist candidates Gabriel Attal and Edouard Philippe, as well as center-left politician Raphaël Glucksmann. ## [Hack of French tax data: Safeguarding taxpayers' trust is essential](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/08/18/hack-of-french-tax-data-safeguarding-taxpayers-trust-is-essential_6756629_23.html) _2026-08-18 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ While a large majority of French people still view paying taxes as a civic duty, a massive hacking operation against the tax authority, affecting several hundred thousand taxpayers, is dangerously fueling public distrust of the government. ## [Find what they just said (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/pXp84u8WVUjA) _2026-08-18 · **Sponsored**_ Surface recent public signals so you can send policy-aware, relevant outreach ## [French environment minister gives surprise praise to Mélenchon's climate proposals](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2026/08/18/french-environment-minister-gives-surprise-praise-to-melenchon-s-climate-proposals_6756627_114.html) _2026-08-18 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Monique Barbut said the hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon 'most fully' accounted for climate issues in his platform, in an interview in which she again distanced herself from the government she is a part of. ## [French government embroiled in taxpayer data hack decried as country's 'most serious' ever](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/18/french-government-embroiled-in-taxpayer-data-hack-decried-as-country-s-most-serious-ever_6756624_5.html) _2026-08-18 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Opposition senators have also called for a parliamentary inquiry after the large-scale cyberattack on the Finance Ministry last week. ## [Macron urges France not to give in to 'defeatism'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/18/macron-urges-france-not-to-give-in-to-defeatism_6756619_5.html) _2026-08-18 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ For the last time of his presidency, Emmanuel Macron spoke at the yearly ceremony commemorating the liberation of the southern town of Bormes-les-Mimosas, where he spends his summer vacation. ## [French government tries to defuse victims' anger over wildfires](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/18/french-government-tries-to-defuse-victims-anger-over-wildfires_6756617_5.html) _2026-08-18 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Despite announcing emergency measures, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu faced angry victims in Gironde on Monday. In the Var, President Emmanuel Macron stressed the technical aspects of firefighting, but avoided mention of climate change. ## [Darmanin confirms he will not run for French president and endorses Philippe](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/17/darmanin-confirms-he-will-not-run-for-french-president-and-endorses-philippe_6756602_5.html) _2026-08-17 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said he will back former prime minister Edouard Philippe in the 2027 French presidential election, which will be held on April 18. ## [In race to succeed Macron, Elysée Palace hints at preference for Lecornu](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/17/in-race-to-succeed-macron-elysee-palace-hints-at-preference-for-lecornu_6756599_5.html) _2026-08-17 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ President Emmanuel Macron has no intention of fading into the background ahead of the presidential election. With both of his centrist bloc's candidates failing to meet his expectations, Macron's inner circle is pushing the idea of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu entering the race. ## [France's foreign minister: 'The case of Xenia Fedorova highlights the interference threat we face'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/08/17/france-s-foreign-minister-the-case-of-xenia-fedorova-highlights-the-interference-threat-we-face_6756598_23.html) _2026-08-17 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Following the expulsion order issued against the Russian propagandist at the end of July, Jean-Noël Barrot emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between opinion, which seeks to persuade; information manipulation, which aims to deceive; and interference, whose objective is to exert outside pressure on our freedom of choice. ## ['Gender apartheid': How the Taliban have trampled women's rights for five years](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/summer-reads/article/2026/08/17/gender-apartheid-how-the-taliban-have-trampled-women-s-rights-for-five-years_6756597_183.html) _2026-08-17 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ 'Voices of Afghan Women' (2/6). Upon returning to power on August 15, 2021, the Taliban dismantled institutions, laws and services related to women's rights in a matter of days and purged the judicial system of all female presence. Here is the next installment of testimonies collected by our reporter in Kabul. ## [French PM, jeered by locals, announces help for fire-struck region](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2026/08/17/wildfires-in-southwest-france-residents-jeer-pm-lecornu-on-visit-to-fire-struck-region_6756582_7.html) _2026-08-17 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced €12 million in measures to help residents of an area that was struck particularly hard by recent wildfires, after some 200 locals harangued him over how his government handled the crisis. ## [French government's social media ban for under-15s suffers constitutional setback](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2026/08/14/french-government-s-social-media-ban-for-under-15s-suffers-constitutional-setback_6756520_13.html) _2026-08-14 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ The Constitutional Council ruled that, by applying to all social media platforms and all minors without distinction, the law infringed on freedom of expression. President Emmanuel Macron tasked his government with drafting a new bill before the end of his term. ## [Macron's jet ski vacation photos draw ire amid heatwaves and wildfires](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2026/08/14/macron-s-jet-ski-vacation-photos-draw-ire-amid-heatwaves-wildfires_6756517_7.html) _2026-08-14 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ The French president faced criticism from left-wing opponents after a magazine published cover photos of him jet skiing on the Riviera amidst a summer of deadly heatwaves and wildfires. ## [For France's PM, a tense summer of wildfires and budget planning](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/14/for-france-s-pm-a-tense-summer-of-wildfires-and-budget-planning_6756506_5.html) _2026-08-14 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Sébastien Lecornu has spent the summer dealing with crises and preparing the 2027 draft budget, which he was warned will be a 'compromise budget.' ## ['In France, the unchecked growth of data centers has more in common with the Wild West than with a digital El Dorado'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/08/14/in-france-the-unchecked-growth-of-data-centers-has-more-in-common-with-the-wild-west-than-with-a-digital-el-dorado_6756492_23.html) _2026-08-14 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ After the building permit for a planned data center in the northern Paris suburb of Le Bourget was revoked, suburban departmental head Stéphane Troussel calls for a pause and holding a public debate in the interest of local residents. ## [French PM aims for modest deficit reduction in 2027 with target of 4.9%](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/13/french-pm-aims-for-modest-deficit-reduction-in-2027-with-target-of-4-9_6756470_5.html) _2026-08-13 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Le Monde has learned that Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's draft budget is based on a 'realistic' deficit reduction, without any major reforms. The goal of bringing the deficit under 3% by 2029 now seems even more unlikely. ## [EU plastic packaging reduction targets weakened from outset by industry lobbying](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2026/08/13/eu-plastic-packaging-reduction-targets-weakened-from-outset-by-industry-lobbying_6756462_114.html) _2026-08-13 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which came into effect on Wednesday, introduces binding reduction targets for the first time in Europe, though it has been undermined by heavy industry lobbying. ## ['When legislating on end-of-life care, we have a duty to recognize caregivers'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/08/12/when-legislating-on-end-of-life-care-we-have-a-duty-to-recognize-caregivers_6756401_23.html) _2026-08-12 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ The law on assisted dying guarantees no psychological support for 'those who remain once everything is over,' warn public health physician Hélène Rossinot and researcher Mickaël Worms-Ehrminger. ## [10 years after Macron, French presidential candidates' watchword is 'experience'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/politics/article/2026/08/10/10-years-after-macron-french-presidential-candidates-watchword-is-experience_6756329_5.html) _2026-08-10 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Former prime ministers, a former president, and party leaders are using their political experience as a key campaigning point, in contrast with Emmanuel Macron's lightning emergence on the scene. ## ['Zidane defies a fatalistic view of France's national history and reminds us that no collective destiny is predetermined'](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2026/08/09/zidane-defies-a-fatalistic-view-of-france-s-national-history-and-reminds-us-that-no-collective-destiny-is-predetermined_6756318_23.html) _2026-08-09 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ The new head coach of the French national football team embodies a counter-narrative to the dominant French story, serving as an antidote to far-right ideas, and also challenges some of the assumptions held by parts of the left, writes former ambassador Karim Amellal. ## [The French far-right fighters of the Lebanese Civil War](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/m-le-mag/article/2026/08/09/the-french-far-right-fighters-of-the-lebanese-civil-war_6756306_117.html) _2026-08-09 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ Despite their lack of military experience, in 1976, several young French far-right militants, eager for adventure, took up arms in Lebanon alongside Christian Phalangists during the civil war. The story has become a legend in their political camp. ## [The lessons from the blaze that defied French firefighters for 18 days](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/environment/article/2026/08/08/the-lessons-from-the-blaze-that-defied-french-firefighters-for-18-days_6756294_114.html) _2026-08-08 · French Politics : Latest news on Le Monde.fr._ From July 21 to August 7, the fire in the Var, southern France, posed a huge problem to firefighters, highlighting the importance of preventive brush clearing and of preparing towns and cities for fire defense.