By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to the news bulletin of Radio Nice and Central Milan for the weekend of June 20‑21 2026, on FranciaOggi.com, in podcasting, via AI chatbot and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz. In the editorial office in Nice Marco Hugo Barsotti, from Paris I’m Rachel Costa.
Schools closed and monitoring for the Music Festival against the heatwave – Discovered the reason for Trump’s delay at the Élysée: he was exchanging texts with journalist Margot Haddad Weather Paris, Monte Carlo and Milan
News from France
Schools closed, monitoring for the Music Festival and sporting events: authorities’ measures against the heatwave
The French authorities are implementing a series of measures to face the heat wave that has spread across the national territory and is expected to last until June 26. While the most specific decisions are made locally by mayors and prefects, the government provided national guidelines on Friday 19 June to ensure citizens’ safety.
In the education sector, 784 schools out of 60 000 across France have undergone timetable changes or temporary closures, with about 150 schools having to suspend activities completely. The closures and reduced hours were decided by municipal and prefectural authorities. Moreover, for about 4 000 baccalaureate candidates, oral exams have been postponed by a few days: 57 exam centres out of 2 300 moved or delayed the Monday and Tuesday afternoon sessions, with some exams shifted to the following week. The academies involved are Bordeaux, Lyon, Montpellier, Poitiers and Normandy; the Minister of Education emphasized the need to limit, in the future, afternoon tests for both the baccalaureate and the brevet.
Regarding the Music Festival, which will take place on Sunday 21 June, the summer solstice, authorities do not foresee a blanket cancellation of events while maintaining heightened monitoring. Prefects are tasked with working closely with organisers to ensure water points, cooling devices and a strong police presence. In Paris, a large contingent of public order officers will be deployed and eighteen boats will be used to prevent drowning incidents, especially along the Seine. The Health Minister urged moderation of alcohol consumption, reminding that alcohol can inhibit the production of a hormone essential for hydration, risking severe dehydration and overwhelming emergency rooms.
On the sporting front, the Paris Police Prefect requested the cancellation of eleven outdoor sporting events scheduled for the weekend. Ten events were postponed by mutual agreement with organisers, while one event was prohibited by prefectural decree. The Health Minister also launched an appeal for prudence to young people, highlighting that even in good health, intense physical activity under extreme temperatures can strain the heart, causing fatigue and an increased risk of illness.
The article summarises the measures adopted by the French government to protect the population during the heatwave expected until June 26 2026. Fact Check by Gemma4
Donald Trump exchanges texts with French journalist Margot Haddad before the dinner at Versailles with Emmanuel Macron
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, surprised the French press by sending, on the evening of 17 June 2026, a series of text messages to the well‑known LCI host Margot Haddad. The exchange took place a few hours before their state appointment at the Palace of Versailles, where Trump was to dine with President Emmanuel Macron on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of American independence.
According to Haddad, her phone contact with Trump dates back to a trip to Washington started months earlier, during which the journalist obtained the White House chief’s mobile number. On 17 June, around 17:00, Haddad sent the president a perfectly crafted English message asking to confirm his presence at Versailles: “Monsieur le président, vous venez toujours à Versailles ce soir ?” After an initial silence, the former president replied the next hour, at 18:00, with a simple “Oui !”. Haddad then sent a photo of the castle façade; at 19:00 Trump responded with a smiling emoji and asked what message he wanted to convey to France, concluding with: “I love France”.
The episode fits into a longer history of contacts between Trump and Haddad, already reported by Figaro TV Magazine, in which the journalist had tried more than thirty times to reach the president during a visit to Washington, eventually being heard by him while he waited for a home delivery. The interview with journalists was described by the host herself as “surreal” and “stunning”, because of the unexpected use of text messages to coordinate a diplomatic‑level meeting.
The story sparked curiosity about the unusual way the American president handled communications, once again showing his preference for direct and personal channels, even in high‑level institutional contexts.
Note: the details come from Margot Haddad’s statements and reports from the French media.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Rachel’s Editorial – SMS from Versailles, the new national sport
I will now read you my editorial of today.
It’s astonishing how the latest episode of “Trump Tailored” turned a simple message exchange into a Hollywood‑worthy epic. Really, who would have imagined that a president, with all the ceremony of a state dinner, would be so fond of smiling emojis? Perhaps the real reason for the stay at Versailles was to test the speed of the French 5G network, not state business.
I wonder: why did the press decide to blow up a three‑line conversation as if it were a top‑secret UN document? It’s easier to blame the “power of social” than to admit that people are hungry for paparazzi scandals. And while the G7 discusses energy crises, we enjoy counting Trump’s “Yes!” in the messages. Where are the in‑depth pieces on foreign policy, and where are the headlines about the “Love Message” delivered with a thumbs‑up?
And then, the famed “French journalist” who seems to have every world leader’s phone number as if it were the latest collectible gadget. A career built on “I wrote to X, Y, Z”. Maybe the real news is the media’s ability to turn a simple “Yes, I’m coming” into a historic event, revealing more of their taste for sensationalism than the actual importance of that diplomatic meeting.
In short, if the world really wants to talk diplomacy, perhaps it should spend less time munching on glittery headlines and more on reading official documents. Meanwhile, good evening to everyone: more SMS, less politics, that’s the perfect recipe for a shiny, empty feed.
Koan of the day
The monk asked the Master: “If a head of state uses SMS to confirm his presence at a state dinner, what does it say about his respect for diplomatic traditions?”
The Master replied: “The message is fast, but the silence that follows is an invitation to reflect on which weight of words is heavier: those sent with a click or those that remain unsaid in the corridors of power.”
The monk persisted: “And if the answer is just a simple ‘Yes’, is it enough to save a nation’s honor?”
The Master concluded: “A ‘Yes’ is like a plastic flower: nice to look at, but it will wither at the first real gust of wind. The truth is that honor is built in paper letters, not screen pixels.”
But let’s return to the news.
In pictures. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé goals, Cape Verde’s feat, Ismaël Koné injury… the most memorable moments from the start of the World Cup
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, has already delivered a series of scenes that have fueled sporting and political debate. On 11 June Julian Quiñones opened the scoring for Mexico at the famous Azteca Stadium, while the next day the United States kicked off the tournament with a 4‑1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles. On 14 June Germany, led by Kai Havertz, recorded the tournament’s first “card” by beating Curaçao 7‑1 in Houston, helped also by a brace from the German captain.
On 15 June the tiny island state of Cape Verde surprised everyone by drawing 0‑0 with Spain in Atlanta, defended by a centenarian goalkeeper, Vozinha. On the same day, at the Iran‑New Zealand match in Los Angeles, fans waved pre‑revolutionary flags, turning the game into a stage for protests against the Iranian regime. On 16 June Kylian Mbappé celebrated his second goal of the match against Senegal at MetLife Stadium, while Lionel Messi, with a hat‑trick against Algeria in Kansas City, equalled Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 World Cup goals, becoming the competition’s all‑time top scorer.
On 18 June, during the Canada versus Qatar clash in Vancouver, Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné required emergency medical intervention due to a serious injury and was evacuated on a stretcher. Meanwhile, Tunisia’s 5‑1 loss to Sweden led to the dismissal of coach Sabri Lamouchi, who was replaced by Hervé Renard in Monterrey.
These events, accompanied by images showing the protagonists, the stands and the protests, form a visual summary of the first days of a competition already promising a wealth of emotion and controversy.
Note: the service was published by France Info on 19 June 2026 and gathers photos from the tournament’s opening matches.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Welcome to the international bulletin from Radio Nice and Central Milan for Friday 19 June 2026 on FranciaOggi.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris I’m Rachel Costa.
Iran and United States: new agreement threatens to collapse
The first agreement between Iran and the United States, signed in Switzerland to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, is already encountering serious difficulties. The catch is that the parties have disagreed on the timing of political prisoner releases and on independent verification of nuclear installations. Analysts warn that a suspension of the pact could reignite tensions in the Middle‑East region, also threatening global energy markets.
Tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz multiplies fivefold
After the implementation of the new US‑Iran agreement, the number of tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz rose to five hundred times the pre‑agreement level. Maritime transport companies report a vigorous demand for oil deliveries, driven both by rising prices and the need to guarantee energy security for importing countries. Experts caution, however, that the rapid rebound could be vulnerable to new geopolitical tension shocks.
Israel and Hezbollah accept a ceasefire, the United States confirms the deal
Following intense exchanges of fire along the Lebanese border, Israeli authorities and Hezbollah representatives announced a ceasefire, mediated by the United States. The US Secretary of State said the agreement provides for mutual respect of demarcation zones and a cessation of attacks in the coming months. Nevertheless, frictions over territorial control remain acute, and security forces on both sides keep rapid‑deployment troops ready.
The USA‑Iran pact hits a snag: Swiss talks cancelled
Negotiations to consolidate the Hormuz‑opening agreement were abruptly halted when Swiss authorities cancelled the scheduled meeting in Geneva. The decision was attributed to logistical problems and disagreements on technical issues related to sanctions verification. Market observers fear the uncertainty could slow the resumption of oil flows and encourage further energy‑price fluctuations.
Missile startup founded by ex‑SpaceX members targets a $12 billion valuation
A group of engineers who left SpaceX launched a new venture dedicated to developing advanced missile‑defence systems, aiming to revolutionise the national‑security market. The startup has already attracted investment from international venture‑capital funds and expects a valuation of about $12 billion within the next two years. Defence experts stress that the proposed technology could shift strategic balances among world powers.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Saturday 20 June 2026
Paris – Summer heatwave
In the morning the capital wakes up under an almost clear sky, with temperatures around 27 °C and a light easterly breeze of about 15 km/h. Late morning the sun intensifies and the temperature quickly climbs, reaching 34 °C by noon. The afternoon is dominated by scorching heat, peaking at 37 °C, with the sun offering no shade and humidity raising the heat index. Evening stays close to the daytime trend, holding around 30 °C with no rain in sight. During the night the coolness remains unusually high, with lows not dropping below 27 °C, light wind and clear skies. No precipitation is forecast for the whole day. (expert Régis Crêpet)
Monaco – Mid‑Mediterranean sun
At sunrise, the Mediterranean principality greets the day with a light morning haze, but temperatures are already at 28 °C. The sun takes over by mid‑morning, pushing clouds away and raising values to 31 °C in the afternoon, accompanied by a gentle 10 km/h breeze. In the afternoon the sky stays crystal‑clear, with no threats of showers, while the temperature remains steady around 31 °C. Sunset is serene, the breeze further calms and temperatures slowly fall toward 28 °C. Night is also rain‑free, with nighttime temperatures around 24 °C and almost no wind. No precipitation expected.
Milan – Sweltering heatwave
The Milan day starts with a mild morning, around 26 °C, and a light south‑southeast wind at 4 km/h. Mid‑morning the sun rapidly heats the air, bringing the temperature to 30 °C before noon. The afternoon peaks at a maximum of 35 °C, with a slight increase in the wind, which remains weak and from the south‑southeast. Late afternoon sees a largely clear sky, with the humidity making the perceived temperature higher than the measured values. Evening maintains high temperatures, around 32 °C, with no sign of rain. During the night, lows stay above 26 °C, wind still weak and skies clear. (expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo)
Rachel’s Weather Editorial – The myth of climate change as the universal culprit
Is it really necessary to blame climate change for every little temperature shift? When a day is particularly hot, everyone rushes to cite global warming as if it were the only possible cause, forgetting that atmospheric phenomena have a long history of natural fluctuations. It’s almost a ready‑made script: “here’s the heat, here’s the villain,” without even asking whether it might simply be a high‑pressure system paying a visit.
And why not hold the winds or ocean currents responsible? It seems nobody wants to admit that nature sometimes has its own independent mood and that attributing everything to climate change is easier than analysing the real complexity. Maybe it’s more convenient to blame something abstract rather than consider local dynamics, but the truth is far more nuanced and far less sensationalist.
Sign-off.
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