By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to the Radio Nice and Central Milan bulletin for Monday July 20 2026, on FranciaOggi.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.
The farewell of Didier Deschamps after the spectacular defeat – Brent above $90, the effects at the pump – France invests little in railways – Weather Paris Monte Carlo Milan
News from France
Didier Deschamps says goodbye to the France team after the spectacular defeat in the World Cup
On July 18, after an emotional press conference, the coach of the Bleus, Didier Deschamps, announced his resignation, closing a fourteen‑year cycle at the helm of the French national team. Facing a crowd in eager anticipation at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami, the 57‑year‑old concluded his speech with a smile, reiterating that “I wish you the best and the best is yet to come”.
Deschamps, World Cup winner as a player in 1998 and as a manager in 2018, played his last match on July 18, when France was spectacularly annihilated by England 6‑4 in the third‑place match. The game, described as the most spectacular of the tournament, ended his tenure with a two‑minute prejudice defeat: the offensive energy of the English three‑quarters was unpredictable, while the French defence faltered at decisive moments.
The coach said he received “two or three messages that made me cry” and relived the nostalgia of his last speech to the squad. After the 2‑0 loss to Spain in the semi‑final, the defeat by England marked his 185th and final match in charge of Les Bleus, a game that kept him under pressure until the final minute. Despite the bitter ending, his departure was termed “honorable”, given the brilliant record accumulated over more than a decade, during which France returned to the top of world football.
Deschamps leaves a legacy of successes and accolades, but the future of the Bleus remains uncertain, with the goal of rebuilding a team capable of bringing France back to international heights.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Brent rises above $90: oil hits its highest peak since mid‑June following the death of three American soldiers and new incursions in the Strait of Hormuz
Brent crude gained 6 % to over $90 a barrel, the highest level recorded since June 11. At the same time, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 2.1 % to $84.22, after briefly reaching $85.39, the peak since June 12.
This surge is tightly linked to rising tensions between the United States and Iran, which have led to the death of three American soldiers and a series of attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, through the “Guardians of the Revolution”, said it intercepted two tankers on an unauthorized route, while the British maritime security agency UKMTO reported a burning vessel about 15 km northwest of the Omani village of Kumzar. The cause of the fire is still unclear.
The U.S. army confirmed it had completed its ninth consecutive night of attacks against Iranian targets, striking command centres and communication networks in particular. President Donald Trump said he had “hit Iran very hard” in the latest operations. In response, Tehran shut the Strait of Hormuz again, a strategic corridor that transports about one‑fifth of the world’s hydrocarbon market, and Washington reinstated the blockade of Iranian ports.
The consequences of these developments have already been reflected in fuel prices in France, which have resumed their rise. Meanwhile, Asian markets showed signs of nervousness, with Seoul’s Kospi down 4.15 % and the Hong Kong index up 1.94 %, as investors await possible stimulus measures from Beijing.
According to Lloyd Chan, analyst at MUFG bank, the oil rally is driven both by a higher geopolitics risk premium and by the slowdown of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Regional instability brings the possibility of a rate hike by the Federal Reserve, warned by the Fed’s vice‑president, in case of persistent inflation.
Bloomberg analysts Dina Esfandiary and Becca Wasser underline that the situation is turning into a dangerous escalation spiral, making a peaceful negotiation restart between the two countries difficult.
The rise of Brent to $90 highlights how geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to exert significant pressure on global energy markets.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Rachel’s Editorial – Brent above $90: the price of cocktail panic
What a show, folks! Brent tops ninety dollars, the highest level since mid‑June, and the soundtrack is the death of three American soldiers and a few attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. It’s almost poetic: two deaths and a fire at sea are enough to make the numbers fly, as if the market were a scale weighed by tears.
And now BFM gives us the “four‑penny” analysis: “the price rises 6 % thanks to geopolitical risk”. But where are the data, the studies, the concrete calculations? Just a flow of quotes from bank analysts that sound more like advertising slogans than real forecasts. Meanwhile the reader is left with the feeling of having bought an apple without knowing whether it’s red or poisoned.
As if that weren’t enough, the narrative turns into a Washington‑Tehran telenovela, where Iran “intercepts two tankers” and the USA “hits again”. You can almost smell the dollar glue, but who really explains how ordinary people will pay more at the pump? No one, because the press prefers drama to detail, and fuel prices become yet another “plot twist” in an economic reality show.
The final result? A mix of panic, veiled forecasts and the usual recipe: “risk + war = higher prices”. While experts whisper “risk premium”, consumers wonder if they will have to spend their whole salary to fill the tank. And we, as sarcastic spectators, keep asking: who really profits when Brent takes off?
Koan of the day
Monk: “Master, why does Brent’s price rise every time an American soldier dies?”
Master: “The market reads tears as numbers; every drop that falls on families’ sorrow is a seed of speculation.”
Monk: “If war is just an excuse to turn the meter, how can we break this endless cycle?”
Master: “The circle breaks only when the one who draws it decides not to draw anymore; thus the price reveals itself in its absence, and the true market becomes the silence of those who never buy.”
And back to the news.
Welcome to the international bulletin from Radio Nice and Central Milan for Monday July 20 2026 on FranciaOggi.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris it’s Rachel Costa.
Trump: the new Air Force One needs upgrades
The President of the United States judged his new presidential aircraft, a Boeing 747‑8, insufficient from a safety point of view and demanded urgent improvements. The test flight, carried out on July 1, was halted after doubts arose during a visit to a NATO summit in Turkey. The president’s offices have launched a full review of the aircraft’s defense systems and communication capabilities, treating its protection as an absolute priority. Pentagon experts are monitoring the situation, while the Air Force One program manager will have to provide the required specifications for the upgrades as soon as possible.
The Court of Auditors calls for greater investment in quantum computing
The highest French financial oversight body has issued a warning to authorities: to maintain technological primacy, a decisive push in funding for quantum research is needed. The note, published this week, highlights the risk of losing ground to the United States and China, especially in the development of quantum processors and advanced computing centers. The government has already allocated one billion euros, but the Court deems the amount insufficient to sustain a global race that requires tens of billions of euros. Sector experts warn that a lack of acceleration could weaken France’s digital sovereignty.
Spain triumphs at the 2026 World Cup
In Sunday’s final, the Spanish national team captured its second world title, beating Argentina in overtime thanks to a goal by Ferran Torres. The match, played in Madrid, featured intense team exchanges and a great festive atmosphere among fans. Captain Luis de la Fuente lifted the trophy aloft, recalling Spain’s historic victory at the 2010 World Cup. The coach, praised for his tactical management, emphasized the importance of the “window of opportunity” that allowed the side to dominate opponents. The triumph opens new commercial prospects for Spanish clubs, with a projected increase in television‑rights exports.
U.S. soldier killed in Iranian attack
An American serviceman was neutralized yesterday in an Iranian air strike in the Strait of Hormuz region, while another soldier sustained minor injuries. The incident, which occurred shortly after early‑morning hours, further heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, already inflamed by recent naval skirmishes. The Department of Defense confirmed the loss, describing it as “a tragic consequence of the ongoing hostilities”. The U.S. administration announced a strengthening of cooperation with regional partners to ensure the security of vital commercial routes for the global oil market.
France underfunds the rail sector compared with the United Kingdom and Germany
An investigation by the European Association for Transport found that spending on the French rail network is only €70 per capita, a striking gap compared with €209 in the United Kingdom and €222 in Germany. The discrepancy has been attributed to an investment policy more oriented toward supporting other modes of transport, leaving the railway with insufficient resources to modernise infrastructure and services. Some unions have warned of the risk of a decline in rail competitiveness, essential for the decarbonisation of the transport sector. The government has pledged to review the funding framework, but experts are calling for a more incisive intervention to close the European gap.
TSMC accelerates Arizona plant expansion to meet AI demand
The CFO of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company announced a strengthening of plans to build a new plant in Arizona, aimed at increasing production capacity for AI‑targeted chips. The decision comes in response to the rapid rise in demand for high‑performance semiconductors from global companies developing deep‑learning systems. The investment, expected to exceed $1 billion, includes the installation of advanced production lines and an expansion of the local workforce. TSMC expects the expansion to help consolidate its leadership in the AI product market while reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
Alphabet and SpaceX drive record U.S. stock sales
Recent public offerings by Alphabet and SpaceX have pushed U.S. stock sales to a new annual peak, surpassing the highs reached in 2021. The two companies raised billions of dollars, fueling investor confidence during a period of strong market volatility. Investment‑bank analysts highlighted how the combination of technological innovation and strong balance sheets made these deals extremely attractive. The success of these offerings suggests a growing trend toward financing high‑tech enterprises through the equity market, with possible repercussions for other startups seeking capital ahead of future listings.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Monday July 20 2026
Paris – Sunny day with light clouds
In the morning in Paris the air will be cool, with temperatures around 15 °C and light south‑southeast winds at 15 km/h, occasionally strengthening to 35 km/h, with no trace of rain. In the afternoon the sun will peek out dominating the sky, temperatures will rise to 24 °C, wind will stay steady at 15 km/h with possible gusts up to 40 km/h and the risk of precipitation will remain zero. In the evening 23 °C will be accompanied by a constant 15 km/h wind, still with 40 km/h gusts, and the sky will stay mostly clear, without rain. During the night the temperature will drop to 17 °C, wind will persist at 15 km/h with gusts of 35 km/h and the sky will remain clear, with no chance of rain. The daily temperature range varies from a minimum of 15 °C to a maximum of 24 °C, with moderate winds and a total absence of precipitation, according to expert Régis Crêpet. The UV index will be moderate in the morning, strong in the afternoon and low in the evening.
Monaco Monte Carlo – Summer heat with almost no clouds
At sunrise in Monaco the thermometer will read 27 °C, a light marine breeze will come from the east at 10 km/h with gusts of 15 km/h and the sky will be clear with a few scattered clouds, no rain. Mid‑day temperatures will climb to 31 °C, wind will stay calm from east‑southeast at 10 km/h, with possible gusts up to 20 km/h, keeping the weather sunny. Dusk will bring 28 °C, wind will persist at 10 km/h with gusts of 20 km/h and the sky will remain mostly clear, with no risk of precipitation. At night the temperature will fall to 25 °C, winds will be nearly calm with gusts around 20 km/h and the sky will stay lightly clouded, without rain. The day moves between a minimum of 27 °C and a maximum of 31 °C, with light winds and a total absence of rain, according to local data.
Milan – Moderate heat with variable sky
In the morning in Milan the thermometer will read around 23 °C, wind will be almost nonexistent, coming from north‑northeast at 2 km/h, and the sky will be predominantly clear with a few scattered clouds, no precipitation. Mid‑morning temperatures will reach 24 °C, wind moderate from east‑southeast at 4 km/h, and the sky will stay partly cloudy but dry. In the afternoon the maximum temperature will climb to 30 °C, wind will be light from east‑southeast at 4 km/h with occasional gusts of 11 km/h, and the sky will be clear, without rain. Towards evening temperatures will drop to 29 °C, wind will remain weak from east at 1 km/h, the sky will be lightly clouded and no precipitation is expected. At night the minimum will be around 23 °C, with light north‑northeast winds at 3 km/h and a clear sky. In summary, the day in Milan will swing between 23 °C and 30 °C, with light winds, predominantly clear skies and no rain, as reported by expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo.
Rachel’s Weather Editorial – When the weather is an excuse for everything
Isn’t it curious how every day someone finds a way to blame climate change for the latest little annoyance? An unexpected thunderstorm? “It’s global warming’s fault,” they say; a warmer night? Always the planet’s great heat. But really, has nature never had its own surprises before we started writing science books?
And so, while we keep pondering how many degrees are acceptable for a walk, the media scream alarm with headline‑making titles. Who will have the courage to ask: “What if it’s simply a normal seasonal cycle?” Perhaps that would be the most revolutionary act of all, a bit of healthy scepticism in a sea of alarmism.
Koan of the day
Monk: “The sun burns, the wind is light, the sky is clear: what is weather?” Zhaozhou: “Weather is what you feel when the thermometer whispers 27 and then 31.” 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.