By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to the news bulletin of Radio Nice and Central Milan for Sunday June 21, 2026, on FranceToday.com, in podcasting, via AI chatbot and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz. In the editorial office in Nice Marco Hugo Barsotti, from Paris it’s Rachel Costa.
Alert “Heatwave”: 35 departments in red alert and 45 in orange – Alcohol consumption prohibited during the Music Festival – Lecorun: “let’s not bother the participants” – Weather Paris, Monte Carlo and Milan
News from France
Heatwave: exceptional heat forecast with 35 departments in red alert from noon, 45 others in orange alert
Météo‑France has activated an unprecedented heatwave‑alert situation, declaring 35 departments in red alert from noon on Sunday 21 June. Added to these are another 45 departments in orange alert, involving altogether about 53 million inhabitants. The episode has been defined “of exceptional intensity”, comparable to the heatwaves of July 2019 and August 2003, although its duration remains uncertain.
Temperatures are expected to swing between 39 °C and 40 °C across most of Nouvelle‑Aquitaine, the western part of Occitanie, Île‑de‑France and Burgundy, with peaks that could reach 41 °C in localized areas. The departments in red alert must observe a ban on alcohol consumption in public places and, for all State‑organized events during the Fête de la Musique, the serving of alcoholic drinks will be prohibited.
Authorities have also arranged a strong presence on the ground: in the capital and its metropolitan area 4 800 police officers and gendarmes, together with 2 500 firefighters, will be deployed to guarantee the safety of citizens and participants in the celebrations. Transit of “processions” on the low quays of the Seine will also be banned to avoid the risk of falls into the water.
Because of the emergency measures, several concerts and events of the Fête de la Musique have already been cancelled or postponed in various locations, while others have had to adapt their programmes to respect the imposed restrictions. The government has activated an inter‑ministerial crisis cell to coordinate civil protection, health and public order actions.
The alert was issued by the national meteorological service Météo‑France and the measures were organised by French authorities to protect public health during this period of extreme heat.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Some cities ban alcohol on the street during the Music Festival because of the heatwave
Because of the exceptional heatwave that has hit France, numerous local administrations have decided to prohibit the consumption of alcoholic drinks on public ground for the Music Festival, scheduled for 21 June. In Paris, where a red‑alert has been declared, the order will come into force on Sunday 21 June: drinking beer or wine on the streets or in squares will be sanctioned, while bars and terraces will remain exempt. The measure, designed to counteract dehydration accelerated by alcohol and to avoid overloading emergency services, has not been welcomed by everyone. Some young people have said they still intend to drink on the street, even at the risk of being stopped, calling the provision “contradictory”.
In Bordeaux, where an electronic concert in a park was planned, the municipal administration revoked the possible cancellation and authorised the sale of beer and wine, provided that organisers guarantee public safety. The association’s leaders are relieved, arguing that the event would have been severely penalised if it had been cancelled.
In Châteauroux, a bar manager questioned the feasibility of the ban, noting the difficulty of controlling consumption at such a crowded event and suggesting that drinking from a table is acceptable, while doing so from the edge of a garden is not.
The National Police union, represented by Jérôme Jimenez, explained that officers may limit themselves to warnings or confiscation of alcohol, possibly imposing a first‑class fine. The Prime Minister, however, expressed the desire to “not complicate” participants’ lives, hoping for some flexibility in applying the provision.
This summary is reconstructed from a Franceinfo service dated 20 June 2026.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Rachel’s Editorial – Heatwave, beer banned and other ironies from the parterre
I’m reading you now my editorial of the day.
Closing the streets to toasting under the blazing sun is a brilliant move: people will stop dispersing in a transubstantiation of sweat and alcohol, and instead can seek refuge in the air‑conditioned interiors of bars, where the only thing forbidden to them will be contact with reality. Ah, the sweet logic of a public order that allows beer at the table but bans it on the pavement: it’s almost a modern version of “don’t touch the fire, but light the stove”.
And then the drama of how many young people have the courage to “defy” the law, promising to show up with a beer in hand and a fine in their pocket. It’s a bit like saying: “If you can’t stop the river, throw it into a bucket”. The Polis prepares to give a “friendly reminder” to the bottle, but does it really believe it can count every sip amid a crowd at an electronic concert in a city suspended between “red vigilance” and the desire to play?Finally, a little curiosity: if the measure is so hard to enforce, why does the Prime Minister suggest to “not bother” the participants? It’s the usual politician’s excuse that, faced with a decision that smells of “excessive bureaucratic zeal”, opts for “let’s let it slide and then complain”. In the end, the only thing more unlikely than a fine for beer on the street is its actual enforcement.
Koan of the day
A monk asked the Master: “Master, why forbid alcohol on the streets when the sun burns more than our will to drink?”
The Master replied: “Fire is the witness that burns its own excuses; alcohol is the wind that carries them away, but only if you let it run free in the streets.”
The monk insisted: “And if the wind is trapped in a glass, how can we then protect people from fire without choking the breeze itself?”
The Master smiled and said: “The breeze that settles is still a breeze; the fire that goes out at night is just another candle inviting you to look at the shadow. The truth is that we seek control where uncertainty reigns, and life laughs at both.”
But let’s return to the news.
Claude Guillemot, co‑founder of Ubisoft, among the victims of a tourist plane crash in La Baule
Claude Guillemot, a 69‑year‑old, has been confirmed dead in the tragic crash that occurred Friday 19 June in the seaside town of La Baule, Loire‑Atlantique. The entrepreneur, together with his four brothers, founded Ubisoft in 1986, turning the family’s farming business into one of the world’s largest video‑game groups. Within the group, Guillemot held the position of president of Guillemot Corporation, board member and deputy CEO responsible for operations.
According to Ouest‑France, the aircraft involved was a Cessna 421, a twin‑engine plane owned by Claude Guillemot, which crashed in a field shortly before sunset. On board were also a flight instructor from Rennes and the pilot, both also declared dead by authorities. When firefighters arrived, the aircraft was already ablaze and surrounding vegetation threatened to ignite further. Sixty‑three firefighters with 29 vehicles intervened, quickly bringing the fire under control.
The aircraft had taken off from Rennes around 17:20 with the intention of attending a weekend air‑show. The circumstances of the technical fault that caused the accident have not yet been clarified and no further details about the victims’ identities have been released.
Ubisoft, via a press release, expressed deep sadness over the loss, extending its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Claude Guillemot.
This reconstruction is based on statements released by Ubisoft and on the initial investigations reported by Ouest‑France and the Loire‑Atlantique fire service, published on 20 June 2026.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Welcome to the international bulletin from Radio Nice and Central Milan for Sunday June 21 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris it’s Rachel Costa.
USA and Iran start talks in Switzerland while Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz
French authorities report that, despite the temporary reopening of the maritime corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, tensions between the United States and Iran persist. In Geneva, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has departed to start negotiations that should define a cease‑fire in the region and the management of oil traffic. Iranian representatives said the temporary closure of the Strait was a response to Israeli military operations, but they expressed the desire to keep the channel open once a security agreement is reached.
International observers warn that energy‑market stability will depend on the parties’ ability to overcome mutual demands. Normal operation of the Strait is essential for global oil supply, and any new interruption could cause prices to rise again and jeopardise worldwide economic growth prospects.
USA‑Iran start negotiations in Switzerland, Vance’s administration traveling
The White House spokesperson confirmed that Vice President JD Vance travelled to Lugano to meet Iranian officials to discuss a possible permanent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The parties agreed to use a multilateral verification mechanism to monitor compliance, but differences over security issues and sanctions remain significant obstacles.
Market analysts noted that while reopening the maritime corridor may ease short‑term oil‑price pressure, the perception of geopolitical uncertainty could continue to negatively affect investment in energy and commodity sectors.
U.S. President Donald Trump unveils the new presidential aircraft, delivered by Qatar
During a ceremony in Versailles, President Donald Trump revealed the new presidential aircraft, the result of a collaboration with Qatar which supplied the plane in exchange for diplomatic favors. The new Air Force One, larger and more technologically advanced than previous models, will be used for official trips and high‑level diplomatic missions.
The gesture has been interpreted both as a show of strength by the American administration and as an opportunity for Qatar to strengthen its political influence over the United States. Defence experts noted that, while it improves transport capabilities, the aircraft does not entail substantial changes in national security policy.
Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz again, raising doubts about recent energy agreements
On Thursday morning Iranian authorities shut access to the Strait of Hormuz again, stating the move is a response to military tensions in the region. The closure, coming just hours after a preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran was concluded, caused an immediate rise in the global oil benchmark. Market operators reported strong volatility, with capital moving toward futures markets to hedge the risk of supply interruptions.
Energy observers warned that the credibility of the agreement will depend on the parties’ ability to guarantee freedom of navigation, while a prolonged shutdown would threaten to worsen economic‑growth prospects for oil‑exporting countries.
Missile startup founded by former SpaceX employees targets a twelve‑billion‑dollar valuation
A team of former SpaceX engineers has launched a new defence venture, developing short‑range missiles with advanced propulsion technologies. The company, which has already closed an initial financing round with high‑profile investors, says it aims for a twelve‑billion‑dollar valuation within the next five years. The founders highlighted market potential in a context of growing demand for rapid, precise defence systems from governments and allies.
Technology‑sector analysts observed that the combination of space experience and focus on terrestrial applications could reshape the national‑security landscape, attracting further capital and spurring competition among major defence firms.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Sunday June 21 2026
Paris: heatwave sun and light breezes
The day in Paris starts with a cool morning, temperatures around 22 °C and a lightly clouded sky, with a gentle 20 km/h breeze from the north. The air is clear and no rain is expected, so you can enjoy an outdoor breakfast without umbrellas. In the afternoon the thermometer quickly climbs to 38 °C, the sun beats hard and the heat index reaches 42, while the wind stays moderate at 20 km/h with a slight rise. The evening remains warm, temperatures around 34 °C, with a stronger 30 km/h wind from the northeast brushing the streets of Paris. Night stays warm at 27 °C, with a 30 km/h night breeze that makes the air a bit cooler. No rain is forecast for the whole day; according to expert Régis Crêpet, conditions remain stable and typical of a Parisian summer heat.
Monaco Monte Carlo: Mediterranean heat with clear sky
In Monaco the morning wakes at 28 °C, the sun shines and the wind is almost absent, 10 km/h, creating an ideal atmosphere for a promenade on the waterfront. The air is already warm and there are no signs of rain, so you can leave the umbrella at home and enjoy the view of the harbor. In the afternoon the temperature rises to 32 °C, the sun is at its peak and the heat index approaches 40 °C, with a light 20 km/h gust coming from the south. Late afternoon brings a slight drop, temperatures settle at 29 °C, with gentle 20 km/h winds, keeping the sky clear. Night falls to 26 °C, the wind eases to 15 km/h and remains rain‑free. The lack of clouds or rain makes the evening perfect for an outdoor dinner under the stars.
Milan: heatwave with possible evening showers
In Milan the day begins with a clear sky and calm temperatures around 26 °C, the wind is practically still, just over 1 km/h from the northeast, making the air pleasant for the early morning. The sun remains dominant and temperatures rise gradually, reaching 33 °C by mid‑morning, with the wind still light. In the afternoon temperatures climb to 37 °C, the heat index exceeds 38 °C and a weak southern breeze of about 2‑3 km/h adds to the summer heat. Towards evening temperatures begin to drop slightly to 34 °C, but humidity rises, bringing a mild feeling of oppression. Around 21:00 a 50 % chance of light rain is forecast, with 0.5 mm of precipitation, accompanied by a 5 km/h southeast wind. During the night temperatures stay around 33 °C, the wind eases to 5 km/h and the swelter persists; according to expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3B Meteo, the heatwave will dominate but with some evening clearing.
Rachel’s Weather Editorial – Climate is the new culprit of everything
It’s curious how, as soon as a day warms up, everyone rushes to point the finger at climate change, as if the thermometer were a judge in an invisible trial. But is it really useful to attribute every tiny temperature variance to a global cause, or wouldn’t it be simpler to admit that sometimes the sun is just more vigilant than usual?
We wonder: is Sunday’s heat really proof that the Ice Age is over, or is it just our habit of complaining when sweating exceeds that of our ancestors? In reality, climate is one of many variables, but the tendency to blame everything with a single climate‑card makes the conversation more confusing than enlightening.
Koan of the day
Monk asked Zhaozhou: “What is the temperature today?” Zhaozhou replied: “The sun warms, the wind caresses, and the rain is still waiting.” Monk retorted: “So, is it hotter or cooler?” Zhaozhou smiled: “It’s simply weather, nothing else.” And that’s today’s weather.
Sign-off.
Online, on X and Mastodon, on all smart speakers and on medium wave, this is FranciaOggi with Centrale Milano 1575 kilohertz.