By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to the bulletin of Radio Nice and Central Milan for Friday July 24 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 I’m Rachel Costa.
News from France
Fire in Gironde: the prefecture orders immediate evacuation of the first villages of the Cap‑Ferret peninsula
During the night between Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th of July, the massive fire raging in Gironde forced the prefecture of Nouvelle‑Aquitaine to order the immediate evacuation of the villages of Claouey, Le Four, Les Jacquets, Petit Piquey and Grand Piquey, located on the Cap‑Ferret peninsula. According to the official statement, the flames overtook the defense line set up by the fire brigade around 1 a.m., making the immediate relocation of residents along the D106 toward Bordeaux necessary.
So far, roughly 20 000 people have been evacuated preemptively, starting on Wednesday, the day the fire began. Today, about 800 firefighters are operating on the fire‑fighting front, battling flames that have already destroyed several homes and burned 4 800 hectares of forest in Gironde alone.
President Emmanuel Macron has called for the activation of the European Union civil protection mechanism, hoping for the arrival of aerial reinforcements: two Croatian Canadairs, two Portuguese Air Tracer aircraft, and two heavy Black Hawk helicopters from the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
In the neighboring Landes, a road accident sparked a second fire near Biscarrosse, which rapidly spread over more than 1 000 hectares. In that case as well, authorities evacuated about 9 000 people, with the support of 600 firefighters, including reinforcements from Lot‑et‑Garonne and Île‑de‑France.
The article is taken from a franceinfo report.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Allegations of fraud and lack of air conditioners: scrutinize Climloc’s commercial practices
Two young Parisians, Victor Nihoul and Wesley Wasielewski, both twenty‑five, launched the air‑conditioner rental company Climloc in June 2026, an idea that matured during the previous summer. The business saw a sudden growth during the recent heat wave that affected France from June 17 to July 2. In a video posted on social media, the company claimed to have billed one million euros in the single month of June, a figure that sparked much controversy.
Nihoul and Wasielewski explained that, on average, they bought the air conditioners for about €300 and rented them for €25‑30 per day. To cut costs they tried a purchase‑and‑return strategy on online platforms such as Cdiscount, returning the units within thirty days and requesting a refund, claiming it “was not entirely illegal”. Legal experts, however, pointed out that, as a commercial activity, the consumer’s right of withdrawal does not apply; the systematic use of an e‑commerce site’s return policies as a business model is prohibited and can constitute deceptive commercial practices or even fraud, should there be intent to mislead the platforms.
In response to these statements, Climloc said it had returned only one or two units. Checks carried out by Franceinfo at Cdiscount and Amazon did not reveal massive orders or large‑scale returns. The data available in the company’s registers show that, in April 2025, the firm purchased about ten air conditioners on Cdiscount and returned three, a figure far from the hypothesis of a “chain‑refund” phenomenon.
The case appears more like a communication operation aimed at generating hype. In a response, the co‑founder explained that some expressions, such as “we emptied the stock of the entire Île‑de‑France”, were to be taken as rhetorical rather than descriptive.
Currently, Climloc has a fleet of about 2 000 air conditioners, a modest amount compared to the sales volumes of large chains: for example, Carrefour claimed to have sold up to 200 000 units in the week of June 29 2026, a figure that, extrapolated annually, far exceeds Climloc’s inventory.
This in‑depth piece is part of the “Le Vrai du Faux” column of franceinfo, dedicated to fact‑checking current events.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Rachel’s Editorial – “Climloc: the cool that refreshes the wallet (but not the conscience)”
I will now read you my editorial of the day.
Who would have thought that twenty‑four years of youthful lightness could turn into a “million‑euros‑summer” by selling air conditioning at vacation‑price levels? And yet here we are, with two Parisian youngsters who believed they could turn a Cdiscount return policy into a genuine source of profit. Perhaps their idea was brilliant: buy, rent, return, and repeat. But how brilliant is it when the right of withdrawal is meant for consumers, not for a commercial enterprise? Isn’t that essentially the definition of “tax creativity” or, as a lawyer would prefer, “unfair commercial practice”?
The story, however, has more twists than a Netflix series. First they claim to have “emptied the stock of the entire Île‑de‑France”, then the founder admits having returned “one or two” units. Already here, that’s a sobering fact: the narrative self‑destructs. If the evidence is “we bought 10, we returned 3”, is it truly necessary to turn a modest business into a national scandal? Or perhaps the real trick is staging a crisis to gain visibility, a bit like filling a glass with ice during a heatwave.
The comparison with the giants is equally entertaining: 2 000 air conditioners versus the hundreds of thousands sold by Carrefour. An almost inevitable comparison when one wants to appear as “market revolutionaries”. But the reality is simpler: a small company experimenting with a potential fraud, yet it has not crossed the line into illegality thanks to a few returns. It’s like complaining about traffic on a one‑way street: the blame lies with the infrastructure, not with the choice to drive on the right.
In the end, the most uncomfortable question remains: why do the public and the media feed on this story? Is it the allure of a young “entrepreneur” defying the rules, or the desire to believe in a “business model” that turns product returns into a revenue source? Perhaps the answer is simpler: our society loves sensational headlines as much as it loves cool air conditioners in a heatwave. And we keep churning out talking points, even when reality is colder than an empty refrigerator.
Koan of the Day
A monk asked the Master: “If an entrepreneur buys an air conditioner and then returns it citing the right of withdrawal, is that fraud or merely an abuse of the system?”
The Master replied: “One who uses a door intended for a visitor to enter the homeowner’s house is not a thief because he did not steal, but because he forgot his own key.”
The monk persisted: “Then, when the law states that the right of withdrawal is for consumers, who decides what is consumption and what is commerce?”
The Master smiled and said: “The boundary is drawn by those who count the coins on the table, not by those who dream of them on the ceiling; the truth is that every rule is a story told by the one who pays the bill.”
But let’s return to the news.
The mayor of Cotignac (Var) amid the flames: testimony from a devastated village
The municipality of Cotignac, located in the Var region, was hit by a fire that started on July 21 in Pontevès and spread quickly. On the morning of July 22, residents found houses reduced to rubble and families forced to leave everything behind. Mayor Jean‑Pierre Véran, in his seventh decade of office, visited the devastated sites, describing the scene with words of dismay: “It’s abhorrent, it burned down to the stones. Look at what remains, only the eyes to weep.”
Véran, a man of the earth and always present on the ground, praised the firefighters’ work and the enormous solidarity shown in the area. After assessing the damage, the mayor had to urgently return to a locality surrounded by fire, where his statements were captured by the operational command. His staff reported the residents’ anxiety, worried about being able to leave the area. “People ask, ‘Will we be able to get out?’ they’re scared; as soon as a cloud of smoke rises, panic erupts,” the mayor emphasized.
In a few hours, about fifty dwellings were affected. Families who lost everything were relocated to the town hall, turned into a reception centre. The mayor, the only one with direct access to the damage, showed the fire photos to residents, addressing on‑site urgencies. Before leaving the site, he gave final safety instructions and promised to watch over the populace throughout the night.
Note: the report is taken from a France 2 television service of July 22 2026.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Welcome to the international bulletin from Radio Nice and Central Milan for Friday July 24 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris, I’m Rachel Costa.
Samsung launches a new ten‑year strategy in artificial intelligence
The South Korean company announced an ambitious plan to integrate AI across its entire product range, from mobile devices to data‑center components. The head of the mobile division explained how the growing demand for computing power will push Samsung to invest heavily in producing specialized AI semiconductors. The strategy also includes partnerships with universities and research centres to accelerate the development of more efficient algorithms and reduce the energy consumption of future chips.
The United States imposes tariffs on sixty trade partners for “forced labour”
The Washington government launched a new wave of trade tariffs, affecting as many as sixty economies with rates ranging from 10 % to 12.5 %. The measure, justified by accusations of workers’ rights violations, sparked immediate protests from several allies, who denounce the protection as opaque and potentially harmful to global supply chains. Experts warn that the rise in import costs could translate into inflationary pressure on consumer goods in many markets.
The United Kingdom approves a “kill switch” law for artificial intelligence
The United States Congress has approved a measure that authorises federal authorities to emergency shut down AI systems considered dangerous. The regulation, a result of growing alarm over potential abuses of generative technologies, provides specific evaluation criteria and a rapid‑intervention procedure. Proponents argue that the “kill switch” is essential to protect national security, while industry companies warn of a possible slowdown in innovation.
Google fined €890 million for anticompetitive practices</h l’
The European Union has imposed a record fine on the technology giant, accusing it of favoring its own search services and app store to the detriment of competitors. The penalty, the highest ever applied under the new Digital Regulation, reflects the authorities’ intent to strengthen competition in the online market. Google has announced its intention to appeal the decision, but observers predict a significant impact on its European product development plans.
The ECB selects 36 banks for the digital euro test in 2027
The European Central Bank has selected a group of financial institutions to experiment with the next version of the digital euro, slated for 2027. The project aims to assess the effectiveness of the new payment instrument in terms of security, accessibility and impact on banking system liquidity. Experts underline that the introduction of the digital euro could radically transform consumers’ spending habits and the role of traditional banks.
Brent oil price exceeds $100, fueling inflation in Japan
The international oil market recorded a new peak, with Brent breaking the $100 per barrel barrier. The rise in energy prices has already begun to reflect in Japan’s core inflation, where the index has started to climb again after hitting a multi‑year low. Japanese monetary authorities are evaluating possible monetary policy adjustments to contain price pressures, while businesses face rising production costs.
Anthropic considers an unusual plan for employee stock sales after the IPO
The AI start‑up Anthropic, newly listed on the stock exchange, is weighing a never‑before solution to allow its employees to liquidate shares. The project envisions creating an internal buy‑back mechanism, aimed at stabilising the stock price and offering employees a more flexible exit route. Analysts note that this initiative could influence corporate governance and become a model for other emerging tech firms.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Friday July 24 2026
Paris – Mild day and almost cloudless
In the morning in Paris the sky is still veiled, temperatures hover around 18 °C with a feel of 16 °C. The wind blows from the west at about 10 km/h, with gusts that can reach 25 km/h. In the afternoon the sun takes over, the high rises to 28 °C while the heat index reaches 31 °C; the wind comes from the southwest with an average speed of 15 km/h and gusts up to 30 km/h. Dusk is ideal for a walk, with temperatures of 26 °C and a light breeze of 10 km/h, no threat of rain. Night drops to 20 °C with a feel of 22 °C, the wind remains light around 10 km/h, and the sky stays clear. Expert Régis Crêpet highlighted atmospheric stability and the absence of precipitation throughout the day.
Monaco Monte Carlo – Scorching sun and sea breezes
In the morning in Monaco the thermometer reads 25 °C with a feel of 27 °C, while a light east‑north‑east wind of 10 km/h cools the atmosphere; gusts do not exceed 20 km/h. Midday the sun is at its peak, temperatures reach 30 °C and the feel can rise to 37 °C; the wind intensifies from east‑south‑east at 15 km/h with gusts of 30 km/h, but with no trace of rain. Late afternoon maintains warm weather, 27 °C with a feel of 30 °C, the wind calms but remains with light gusts of 15 km/h. At night, temperature drops to 24 °C with a feel of 22 °C, the sea wind stays at 10 km/h and the sky remains clear. The whole day is characterised by stable, rain‑free weather.
Milan – Sunny and partly cloudy with moderate temperatures
In the morning Milan wakes up with mostly clear skies, temperature around 22 °C and a feel of 23 °C; the wind comes from north‑north‑east at about 4 km/h, with no rain in sight. Around noon the sky remains partly cloudy, temperature gradually rises to 25 °C, with a feel of 26 °C, and the wind shifts east at 4‑5 km/h. In the afternoon, the sun dominates with highs around 29 °C, the heat index sits at 28‑29 °C, and a light east‑south‑east wind blows at 5‑6 km/h, keeping the sky clear. In the evening, temperatures drop to 27 °C with a gentle breeze of 5 km/h, no precipitation. During the night the temperature hovers around 26 °C, the wind remains weak from the east, and there is total absence of rain. Expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo highlighted the stability of the air mass and the lack of disruptive phenomena.
Rachel’s Weather Editorial – “When the climate becomes the absolute culprit”
How many times have we heard that every single drizzle, every gust of wind, is the result of a climate conspiracy? It’s almost amusing to think that simply wearing a light shirt could trigger a chain of global reactions that culminate in an unexpected rain. Perhaps the real secret is that the climate loves drama and, when there’s nothing more spectacular, it decides to take all the blame for our boring day.
And what about those who, as soon as they see the thermometer exceed 30 °C, instantly launch a debate on “extreme climate change”? Isn’t it simpler to admit that the sun has decided to work a little harder, rather than turning every heat wave into a judicial sentence for humanity? In the end, perhaps our only true enemy is the desire for a pretext to complain, not the temperature itself.
Koan of the Day
The monk asked Zhaozhou: “What does the sky teach today?”. Zhaozhou replied: “The sky does not speak, but the sun burns and the wind caresses”. The monk, puzzled, added: “So the weather is silent?”. Zhaozhou smiled and said: “Silence is the clearest of messages”. And that’s the weather for today.
Sign-off.
Online, on X and Mastodon, on all smart speakers and on medium wave, this is FranciaOggi with Centrale Milano 1575 kilohertz.