Cultural Repatriation: Ivory Coast held its first public viewing of the Djidji Ayokwe “talking drum” after France returned it—carried in a military parade through Abidjan and welcomed by local chiefs and residents. Iraq–France Diplomacy: Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi told President Macron that Sept. 30 is the deadline for coalition forces to withdraw, while both sides discussed anti-corruption, security cooperation, and investment opportunities for French firms. Migration & Border Pressure: Spain deployed about 2,000 troops and 300 riot police in Ceuta after online calls warned of a new mass entry attempt from Morocco. Channel Smuggling Case: An Egyptian smuggler was jailed for one year in France for piloting a “mega-dinghy” carrying 173 migrants toward Britain, with deportation after the sentence. Defense Industry: Indonesia began domestic construction of its first French-designed Scorpène Evolved submarine under a Naval Group partnership, marking a push for local defense-industrial autonomy. Sports & Politics: A French-linked debate over transgender eligibility in women’s sports flared again as former NBA players “declared” for the WNBA draft, challenging the league’s rules. Climate & Agriculture: French farmers’ union leaders warned extreme heat and wildfires are driving losses into the “billions of euros” range, beyond what insurance can cover.