By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to the bulletin of Radio Nice and Central Milan for Monday June 22, 2026, on FranceToday.com, in podcasting, via AI chatbot and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz. In the newsroom in Nice Marco Hugo Barsotti, from Paris it’s Rachel Costa.
Schools closed and railway lines disrupted, France faces the “heatwave” emergency – Meteorologist: the hottest day since the Sun King – the United States and Iran agree on a roadmap for a definitive agreement – Weather Paris and Milan
News from France
Heatwave in France: 27 °C in Bordeaux, 28 °C in Biarritz, 49 departments on red alert
Monday afternoon temperatures could reach 43 °C in Bordeaux, 41 °C in Limoges, 40 °C in Tours and Toulouse and 39 °C in Bourges and Paris. Météo‑France has declared, for the second consecutive day, a red‑alert situation in 49 departments, with about 35 million inhabitants under heat‑wave warning. The highest values, up to 43 °C, will affect the western band that stretches from Hendaye to Rennes, while the rest of the mainland territory expects highs between 36 °C and 40 °C.
In the afternoon of Sunday 21 June the observation network recorded 40.9 °C in La Couronne, 40.6 °C both in Saintes and Pauillac, 39.2 °C in Poitiers and 38.6 °C in Avord. Other exceptional values include 42.2 °C in Pissos, 42 °C in Châteaumeillant and 41.5 °C in Montmorillon, Bélis and Navarrenx. Several temperature records are expected to be broken before temperatures start to fall toward the end of the week.
The Ministry of Education ordered the closure of 845 schools and colleges for the day, with minimal or no reception, while about 1 800 other facilities moved the end of lessons to early afternoon. SNCF, through its president, urged the most vulnerable people to postpone train travel or avoid it altogether, while still guaranteeing service continuity for all other users.
Residents and tourists were invited to use the water sprinklers installed in numerous cities, such as those in Paris, to mitigate heat‑stroke risks. Authorities also activated a health‑emergency plan to assist people most exposed to the high temperatures.
Context note: the June 2026 heat wave is one of the most intense recorded in France in recent decades, with record temperatures affecting most of the national territory.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Because of the heat wave, 845 schools and colleges will close on Monday, 1 800 others will adjust schedules
Monday 22 June 2026 845 French schools and colleges will remain closed because of the exceptional heat wave, announced Education Minister Edouard Geffray. Out of roughly 60 000 institutions, the total closure will mainly affect facilities located in “red‑alert” departments.
In about 1 800 additional schools and colleges, schedules will be modified: lessons will end in early afternoon to allow pupils to return home sooner. Geffray clarified that the decision was taken “territorially”, because conditions vary from area to area. “Continuity of public service is the basic principle; however, if the safety of staff or pupils is at risk, closure is inevitable,” he said.
At the same time, the Île‑de‑France region earmarked an extraordinary aid of one million euros for the 500 examination centres in the region, intended for the purchase of misting devices, fans and other cooling equipment for school environments.
The hottest day since the time of Louis XIV in France
This is the sentence we heard this morning around 5 a.m. on FranceInfo: without mincing words the meteorologist said that today will be the hottest day since the “Sun King”, Louis the Fourteenth (or fourteen, as they say in France). Because surely back then temperature measurements were punctual and exact. Let’s hear what Rachel has to tell us about it.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Good morning from Paris. I’m Rachel Costa, I’ll read you my editorial for today.
Rachel’s Editorial – Record Heat, or the State‑Mandated Siesta?
Here we are, under a sun that seems to have declared open war on all of France. Monday 22 June 2026: 845 schools and colleges closed entirely, another 1 800 shutting down in the early afternoon. The Education Minister talks about “red vigilance” and “safety first”, and indeed, with this Sun‑King heat, it’s almost applause‑worthy prudence. Almost.
From our station in Arenas, however, the atmosphere is more surreal than dramatic. The thermometer climbs, minds melt, but the French administrative machine responds with its usual elegance: half the institutions sealed, the other half with reduced hours. An Italian‑style compromise, but with stamps and circulars in triplicate. “Continuity of public service” remains sacred, provided pupils don’t melt on the benches.
And then comes the pearl: “the hottest day since the time of Louis XIV”. Stuff that would make the Sun‑King’s court meteorologists pale, who probably measured temperature with a servant who stuck his elbow into the Versailles moat. Who knows if back then there were official bulletins that inflated the figure to justify a day of revelry at Fontainebleau. Or maybe every heat wave simply has to be “exceptional”, “historic”, “never seen before”. Otherwise how do you justify closing thousands of classes?
In the meantime, we mere mortals keep working, moving, drinking water like dehydrated camels. Because heat, as we know, is the same for everyone… except when it comes to deciding whether a child can endure an afternoon lesson or should be sent home before turning into a tiny croissant.
Perhaps that’s the magic of the French system: turning a weather problem into a display of institutional care. The thermometer rises, bureaucracy activates. And we stay here wondering if tomorrow, with 40 degrees in the shade, ministries will close too. Or if Louis XIV’s record will be broken with fanfare and a press release.
Koan of the Day
A monk asked Zhaozhou: “Master, with this infernal heat, is it better to close the school or keep teaching?”
Zhaozhou replied: “Close the door.”
The monk persisted: “But then the pupils won’t learn anything today!”
Zhaozhou said: “They have already learned that fire burns and water cools. The rest can wait until the sky calms.”
Another monk asked: “Master, has the Sun King ever suffered such heat?”
Zhaozhou replied: “Louis XIV had twenty‑four million subjects and a single sun. Today we have a single sun and twenty‑four million thermometers. Who is really sweating more?”
But let’s get back to the news.
Egypt overturns New Zealand, Cape Verde surprises Uruguay… What to remember from the World Cup night matches
During the night of Sunday 21 – Monday 22 June 2026 African teams wrote unexpected pages in the group stage of the World Cup. In a match played in Vancouver, the Egyptians, trailing by one goal for most of the game, turned the result around in the dying minutes, imposing a 3‑1 victory over New Zealand. With this win, the team led by Mohamed Salah achieved its first triumph in the tournament’s history, snatching an unexpected joyous ending for its hopes.
In the same round, Cape Verde continued to astonish. After a goalless draw against Spain, the Cape Verdian side faced Uruguay with great courage, managing a 2‑2 draw that left both groups awaiting further twists. The result shows how smaller nations can challenge traditional favorites, delivering a night of football rich in suspense and surprises.
Summary of the night matches of 21‑22 June 2026 during the World Cup 2026 group stage.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Welcome to the international bulletin from Radio Nice and Central Milan for Monday 22 June 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris it’s Rachel Costa.
USA and Iran define a roadmap for a cease‑fire and troop withdrawal from Lebanon
American and Iranian authorities have agreed, during a secret meeting in Geneva, on a series of steps to reach a definitive agreement. Negotiators set a 60‑day timetable for opening the Strait of Hormuz, with a promise to lift military restrictions in the area. The agreement should also provide for the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Lebanon by the end of next month.
Lebanese authorities received the news cautiously, demanding guarantees of respect for national sovereignty. International analysts assess a positive impact on the oil market, forecasting an immediate rise in tanker traffic through the Strait. Some experts, however, fear the cease‑fire’s fragility could re‑emerge if parties miss the agreed deadlines.
The United States and Iran agree on a roadmap for a definitive agreement
During a meeting in Geneva, U.S. and Iranian representatives outlined a joint path to resolve the Hormuz Strait crisis and to start the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Lebanon. The preliminary document foresees a series of joint verifications on navigation limits and the adoption of satellite‑monitoring mechanisms.
Maritime transport companies have already shown signs of recovery: tanker traffic volume has increased compared with the previous week, driven by anticipation of a positive market response. Financial operators reported a moderate fluctuation in oil prices, with a slight reduction in the risk premium linked to Middle‑East tensions.
The war in Ukraine shows GPS signal vulnerability: a French startup develops a wearable sensor
A small company based in Vernon, Normandy, has launched a wrist‑worn device capable of locating soldiers and civilians in real time without relying on satellites. The sensor combines advanced radio‑frequency technology with artificial‑intelligence algorithms to track movements in war environments where GPS signals are easily disrupted.
Ukrainian forces have begun testing the prototype during eastern‑border defence operations, reporting improved ability to coordinate teams in areas plagued by electronic interference. Defence experts predict the product could also be used in rescue missions and environmental monitoring operations, where GPS independence is crucial.
China imposes trade restrictions on dozens of U.S. firms in response to Pentagon measure
The Chinese government announced a new list of U.S. companies subject to export controls, including aerospace component manufacturers, semiconductor suppliers and defence‑sector firms. The measure was described in Beijing as a proportional response to the Pentagon’s decision to place certain Chinese firms on the military‑entity list.
The restrictions have already affected stock markets, with several American tech stocks experiencing a brief dip before stabilising. International analysts fear trade tensions could evolve into a broader conflict, with repercussions for the global electronics supply chain.
A missile‑startup founded by ex‑SpaceX staff targets a $12 billion valuation
A group of former SpaceX engineers has launched a new venture dedicated to developing low‑emission hypersonic missiles. The company, based in California, has already closed a $200 million funding round led by venture‑capital funds focused on advanced defence technologies.
The business model foresees selling rapid‑launch systems to governments and large energy companies, aiming to cut response times to emerging threats. Market observers assess that if the startup maintains its innovation pace, its valuation could easily surpass $12 billion within the next two years.
Meteo Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Monday 22 June 2026
Paris – scorching day with dominant sun
Morning in Paris is clear, with temperatures around 26 °C and a light humidity that makes it feel like 29 °C; the wind is moderate, blowing from the north‑east at 25 km/h. In the afternoon the thermometer climbs rapidly to 39 °C, the sun beats strongly and the north‑east wind increases to 30 km/h, with no rain in sight. Late afternoon sees a slight drop to 34 °C, the sky remains mostly clear and the wind from the north‑east rises to 35 km/h, still dry. During the night the temperature steadies at 28 °C, with lighter north‑east breezes at 30 km/h and a clear sky. The day’s minimum is 26 °C, the maximum 39 °C, and no precipitation is expected. According to expert Régis Crêpet, the situation is characterised by a strong heat wave and an almost total lack of clouds.
Monaco Monte Carlo – moderate heat with light sea breezes
At sunrise in Monaco the sky is mostly clear and temperature around 29 °C, feeling like 31 °C because of humidity; the wind is almost absent, with gusts of 10 km/h from a calm direction. In the afternoon temperature rises to 32 °C, the sun becomes more intense and the wind picks up to 40 km/h from the west, with a modest rain risk of 20 %. In the evening the air cools again to 29 °C, the sky veils slightly and the wind eases to 25 km/h, with no rain in sight. Night is cool at 27 °C, gentle wind at 15 km/h and complete atmospheric balance. The day’s minimum is 27 °C, the maximum 32 °C, and the probability of rain remains low, limited to the afternoon. The sea breeze slightly mitigates the heat, but high pressure keeps the air stable.
Milan – intense heat wave with clear weather
Morning in Milan opens with clear skies, temperatures around 28 °C and light north‑north‑east wind at 6 km/h, with no rain. During the afternoon the thermometer reaches 37 °C, the sun is scorching and the wind shifts to south‑south‑east, still light at 5 km/h, with a heat‑alert in force. Late afternoon sees a small dip to 36 °C, scattered clouds but no precipitation, and the wind remains light from the south‑south‑east. Evening temperature drops to 34 °C, the sky stays mostly clear and the wind eases further, still from the south‑south‑east. Night ends with 33 °C, almost tropical, calm wind at 15 km/h and no rain risk. The day’s minimum is 27 °C, the maximum 37 °C, and the weather remains dry. According to expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo, high pressure dominates the region, generating record temperatures and an almost total lack of clouds.
Koan of the Day
Monaco: “Today the sun shines high, the wind is calm and the sky is almost cloud‑free, it’s an ideal day for a walk on the pier.”
Zhaozhou: “The true climate is not only what is seen, but also what is felt inside the heart of the observer.”
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.