By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to the France Today and Central Milan news bulletin for Monday August 03, 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 Rachel Costa.
Italian The restaurant hit by the bomb in Moscow – Fire in Carcassonne now contained – Tour de France in Nice, all details – Weather Paris Milan Monte Carlo
News from France
Italian restaurant Balzi Rossi, hit by an explosive device in Moscow, is the twin of the one in Ventimiglia
On August 1 2026 an improvised explosive device detonated at the entrance of the Balzi Rossi restaurant, located on the ground floor of one of the Stalinist skyscrapers on Kudrinskaya Square, in the heart of Moscow. The attack, which occurred during a private banquet on the summer terrace, caused three deaths — including the woman who was carrying the explosive and a security guard — and more than twenty injured. Russian authorities classified the incident as a terrorist act.
The Moscow Balzi Rossi is a high‑end Italian restaurant specializing in Ligurian and Mediterranean cuisine and run by a brigade composed primarily of Italian chefs. Closed to the public for the private event, the venue was known in the Moscow gastronomic scene for its elegant service and the quality of its dishes.
The name is not accidental. The Balzi Rossi of Ventimiglia, founded in 1982 at the foot of the cliffs of the same name in Liguria, has long been considered the starting point of the project. According to industry sources, including a 2016 Gambero Rosso article, the two restaurants are part of the same business venture and shared both the brand and ownership. At that time, chef Emanuele Mongillo, head chef in Moscow, declared that he was part of the “Balzi Rossi project”, which comprised the two locations, the Ligurian and the Russian one.
The attack therefore struck a brand that, in addition to bearing the signature of Italian cuisine, maintains a direct link with the Riviera of the Ponente. Investigations into the dynamics and motives of the attack are still ongoing, but the case reignites the debate on the vulnerability of Italian restaurant businesses abroad.
Note: the article is based on official communications from Russian authorities and on specialized journalistic sources in the restaurant sector.
Fact Check by Gemma4
In France three quarters of employees do not use all their vacation days: on average six days remain unused
A recent survey conducted by the human‑resource management platform Deel, based on about 160 000 approved leave requests from 17 500 employees of thousands of companies operating in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Mexico, highlights a French “paradox”: despite legislation providing the highest number of vacation days among the countries studied, most workers do not use them all. On average, each year in France six vacation days per employee remain unused, amounting to almost 25 % of the entitlement.
The most striking figure is that only 25 % of French employees take the full allotment of vacation days available, the lowest percentage among the twenty‑three countries examined. The median number of vacation days granted in France is 34, including RTT, with a legal minimum of 25 days. However, the median of days actually taken is 28, lower than Germany (26), Sweden and the United Kingdom (24), but higher than the United States (16) and Canada (11). Canadians show the lowest participation, with less than 20 % of workers using the full holiday right.
In the international comparison, Norway, the United Kingdom and Poland record the highest usage, with 40‑50 % of employees using all vacation days. Other countries with a similar number of granted days (around 25) show marked variations: more than 45 % of Norwegians, Britons and Poles use them, versus barely 30 % of the Dutch and Italians. Alliances such as Denmark and Spain exceed 35 % but remain below 40 %.
The analysis also shows a strong concentration of summer vacations in France: almost 40 % of employees are absent on August 14, the most requested day, confirming the stereotype of the “mass summer exodus”. In other countries, the summer peak is less pronounced (10‑20 % in Germany) or shifts to July in the United States. Outside of summer, the Christmas week is the period with the greatest reduction in office presence, with 56 % of workers absent on December 26, far surpassing the highest summer peak.
Maxime Hoff, the direct commercial manager for Deel in France, emphasizes that France “illustrates a rare paradox: a country among the most generous in terms of rights, but one of the least efficient in their utilization, with six days left on the table each year”.
The research is based on data collected from over 17 500 employees of European and North‑American companies, offering a comparative view of vacation‑use behaviors worldwide.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Editorial by Rachel – Vacations to collect, not to live
I’m reading you now my editorial of the day.
Is it really a shock that three quarters of the French leave six vacation days unused on the table? Or is it the biggest revelation of the year, alongside the new trends of filtered coffee? The screaming headline on BFM makes us believe we have discovered a national disaster, but where are the concrete proofs of an actual malfunction of the labour system?
The cited report, a pact between the HR platform Deel and a few hundred thousand leave requests, turns “company culture” data into a sort of psychological drama: “The French are lazy, the French are stressed, the French don’t want to go on holiday”. Yet, let us remember that the average of days granted is 34, RTT included, a figure even Bali vacations don’t approach. Isn’t it more curious that, with such a large provision, people prefer to accumulate it rather than enjoy it?
The comparison with Norway, the United Kingdom and Poland was meant to make us feel inferior, as if the problem were the “lack of enthusiasm” of our employees. But who ever asked workers if they fear losing opportunities, if performance anxiety holds them back, or if companies reward only presence, not wellbeing? The bias is evident: the employee is blamed while hierarchical pressure remains invisible.
And finally, the obsession with the August or December 26 absence peak: the press sells us the idea of a “resource massacre”. But isn’t the hypocrisy finer when, every year, offices close at Christmas, while at the same time campaigns to “work more” are launched the rest of the year? In short, the reportage is more a data‑marketing exercise than a genuine sociological investigation.
Koan of the day
Monk: “Why do the French accumulate vacation days without ever taking them, if they have so much time available?”
Master: “Because time is a fish that swims faster than their desire to fish, and every time they try to catch it, the bad fisherman is the same agenda that forces them to row toward the office.”
Monk: “Then what to do with those unused days, let them rot like forgotten fruits in a basket?”
Master: “The fruit that is not harvested feeds the tree of productivity, but the tree twists onto its own root: true wealth is knowing how to turn emptiness into a smile, even if the smile is only that of the calendar slipping away.”
And let’s get back to the news.
Particularly complex fire near Carcassonne now contained, announces the prefecture of Aude
The fire, described as “particularly complex”, which had already consumed over 100 hectares of vegetation near Carcassonne, was declared “fixed” by the Aude prefecture on the evening of August 2. The fire originated from a burning automobile on the A61 highway, causing a total closure of the roadway between exits 24 (Carcassonne‑East) and 23 (Carcassonne‑West) in both the Toulouse and Narbonne directions.
About a hundred residents of the municipality of Cazilhac were evacuated “as a precaution” by order of the mayor and were directed to the town hall. The operation was characterized by a “massive” commitment of human and aerial resources: 280 firefighters, two “Dash” vehicles, four Canadair CL‑415 aircraft, four air‑tractors and three water‑dropping helicopters. The “nozzling” operations continued to ensure full extinguishment of the blaze, with the situation described as “favourable” by the fire brigade spokesperson.
Authorities assured that the A61 highway will be reopened as soon as possible and that surveillance will remain active during the night to avoid relapses. The fire is part of a series of outbreaks that have affected several French regions this summer, putting great strain on emergency service response capacities.
The containment of the fire near Carcassonne represents one of the numerous interventions faced this summer in response to an especially intense forest‑fire season across France.
Fact Check by Gemma4
Tour de France Femmes brings important traffic changes to Nice
Nice authorities have warned motorists and public‑transport users to organise their travel in view of the last two stages of the Tour de France Femmes, scheduled for August 8 and 9. Over the weekend extended restrictions are planned on roads, parking and tram lines.
The race will finish on Saturday August 8 in Nice, after the stage arriving from Sisteron, while the final stage will start and conclude in the same city on the following Sunday. To ensure the regular running of the event, several sections of the city will be progressively closed, especially along the Promenade des Anglais, in the historic centre and in the Port district.
Among the most critical roads are stretches of the Promenade des Anglais, the Quai des États‑Unis, Avenue Max Gallo and Place Masséna, which will be blocked at different times over the weekend. Parking restrictions will affect numerous streets from August 7 to 10: stopping will be mandatory on all affected carriageways, regardless of permit type.
Public transport will also change. On Saturday, tram lines 2 and 3 will offer a shuttle service between Magnan and Ferber stations from 16:00 to 18:30. On Sunday, line 1 will run partial shuttles between Masséna, Garibaldi and Vauban stations from 06:00 to 22:00. Despite the restrictions, pedestrian crossings on the Promenade des Anglais will remain available before and after the promotional caravan and the riders pass.
Near the Allianz Riviera, access to E.Leclerc and the Nice Valley shopping centre will stay open, while the Lingostière Shopping Centre will be closed to the public from 16:00 to 18:30 on Saturday, allowing only vehicles under 1.90 m to pass. A free parking lot in the P1bis area, near the Allianz Riviera, will be available for residents of western Nice on Saturday.
Authorities invite residents and visitors to consult the full list of restrictions before travelling, as closure times vary by location and the roads will be progressively reopened after the race. Context note: the Tour de France Femmes is the premier European women’s cycling race and in 2026 will conclude with the final two stages in Nice. Fact Check by Gemma4
Welcome to the international bulletin from FranceToday and Radio Central Milan for Monday August 03 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris I am Rachel Costa.
Devastating ferry fire in Indonesia leaves at least five dead and 41 missing
An overcrowded ferry linking Surabaya to Makassar was struck by a fire in the open sea, causing at least five deaths and forty‑one missing. The vessel, which was carrying more than 260 people, was approached at the moment of the incident by numerous rescue boats, but the flames quickly compromised the vessel’s structure. Witnesses on board described a scene of panic, with dense smoke billowing and engines struggling against loss of propulsion.
Indonesian authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, hypothesising a possible short circuit or a fuel‑tank failure. Meanwhile, surviving victims have been transferred to local hospitals for treatment, while families of the missing await news on the rescue efforts. The incident reignites debate on maritime transport safety in the region, highlighting the need for stricter standards and more frequent inspections of public transport vessels on a national scale.
Coordinated yen intervention by the United States and Japan to support the currency
The Japanese Ministry of Finance confirmed that on Friday the United States collaborated with the Japanese Treasury in a yen‑purchase operation aimed at strengthening the Asian currency amid currency‑market turbulence. The intervention was motivated by a rise in US interest rates, which had pushed investors to shift capital toward the dollar, weakening the yen. Authorities said the action was taken to maintain financial‑market stability and to prevent further inflationary pressure.
Market analysts assessed the intervention as a signal of vigor from the two major economies, noting that cooperation could become more frequent should currency pressures increase. The yen’s value showed a slight recovery in the following hours, but observers remain cautious, indicating that volatility could persist as long as global monetary policies continue to diverge.
OPEC+ announces a new increase in oil production quotas for September
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries decided to raise production quotas by 188 000 barrels per day starting in September, in response to the rebound in global demand after a reduction in Middle‑East tensions. The decision was taken during a virtual meeting of members, who emphasized the importance of balancing price stability with the need to support producer countries that have faced deep economic compression in recent months.
Experts foresee that the quota increase could help moderate oil prices, which in recent days had shown a slight dip. However, the overall impact will depend on demand evolution, especially in fast‑growing countries, and on OPEC+’s ability to maintain internal cohesion among larger and smaller members.
Cyberwar: the United States, Israel and Iran clash also in digital space
According to the latest intelligence reports, hostilities among the United States, Israel and Iran have taken on a new dimension, shifting from the traditional battlefield to the cyber realm. U.S. forces are said to have intensified cyber‑spying operations against Iranian infrastructure, while Israeli authorities have reported attempts at digital sabotage against critical defence systems. Iran, for its part, has responded with DDoS attacks and disinformation campaigns on social media to erode trust in Western alliances.
Cyber‑security specialists warn that the situation could degenerate into a digital arms race, with the possibility that state‑affiliated hacker groups become involved in more sophisticated attacks. International authorities are evaluating regulatory measures to curb escalation, but so far the lack of a global consensus makes it difficult to contain tensions in this new theatre of war.
Oil price drops more than 4 % thanks to easing Middle‑East tensions
Brent crude recorded a decline of over four percent, while WTI followed a similar trajectory, after signals of reduced hostilities in the Gulf region. Market operators interpreted the reduction of threats to shipping routes as a key factor for price stabilisation, encouraging investors to cut speculative positions on energy futures. Oil companies have announced plans to adjust their production forecasts, hoping for a rebound in European demand.
Analysts underline that, although the current dip is significant, the market remains vulnerable to any resurgence of geopolitical conflict. Consequently, hedging strategies continue to play an important role for firms dependent on oil for their operations, while consumers may notice a slight drop in pump prices in the coming months.
French inflation accelerates to 2.1 % year‑on‑year: the role of services and energy
The latest INSEE data show that inflation in France has again surpassed two percent, driven mainly by rising prices in services and energy. Higher electricity and gas costs have had a direct impact on consumers, while the services sector, from telecommunications to public transport, recorded fee increases. The French government reiterated its intent to keep public‑spending under control, but also indicated the need for targeted measures to protect the most vulnerable incomes.
Economists predict that if energy‑price pressures persist, inflation could maintain an upward trend in the short term. However, policies aimed at diversifying energy sources and boosting renewables are seen as possible levers to contain further cost hikes, fostering a stabilisation of overall price levels.
TSMC develops new AI‑chip packaging technology to counter Intel
The Taiwanese semiconductor giant announced that it has granted a competitive edge to its artificial‑intelligence products through a new packaging technology, capable of increasing density and thermal efficiency of chips. This solution, designed to reduce energy losses and improve compute performance, is positioned as a direct response to recent Intel innovations in the high‑performance processor sector. The first prototypes are already being tested with strategic customers in data‑center and cloud‑application fields.
Experts believe TSMC’s advance could reshape global competition, strengthening the company’s position in the AI component supply chain. If the technology proves reliable and scalable, it could accelerate the rollout of more powerful AI solutions, influencing tech‑company investments and the development strategies of Western competitors.
Meteo Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Monday August 03 2026
Paris – sweltering day with brief showers
In the morning the sky is partially veiled over Paris with temperatures around 23 °C and a feel‑like of 25 °C, light wind at 15 km/h and no rain. The morning remains stable and pleasant, but around noon the sun begins to dominate and temperatures quickly rise to 37 °C, feeling like 41 °C under the scorching sun. Wind increases to 10 km/h with gusts up to 45 km/h, bringing a 35 % chance of rain and the possibility of showers late in the afternoon. In the early afternoon clouds thin out but gusts stay lively, while the city feels a strong sense of heat. Evening brings a slight drop to 29 °C, stronger winds of 15 km/h with gusts up to 50 km/h and a 30 % rain risk. At night temperature falls to 25 °C, wind eases to 10 km/h with gusts of 30 km/h and the sky stays dry. According to expert Régis Crêpet, the heat is unusual but not surprising for this European summer.
Monaco Monte Carlo – almost constant sun and moderate heat
At dawn the Mediterranean princess is wrapped in clear skies with 27 °C and a feel‑like of 31 °C, a gentle north‑east breeze at 10 km/h and no precipitation. The morning stays dry, with the sun gradually warming the territory, raising temperatures to 31 °C in the afternoon, perceived as 40 °C due to humidity. Wind remains light at 10 km/h with occasional gusts of 25 km/h, without any rain threat. Late afternoon the sky stays slightly cloudy, temperature holds at 29 °C and wind remains steady. Evening gently drops to 26 °C, wind calms further and the sky stays clear, free of rain. During the night temperature holds around 26 °C, wind is nearly absent and the sky remains clear throughout.
Milan – intense heat with clear skies
At sunrise Milan enjoys a slightly cloudy sky with 27 °C, a light north‑east breeze at 1 km/h and no rain, offering a fresh but already warm start. Morning continues with little sun and temperatures staying around 27 °C, wind remains almost still and the air stays dry. In the afternoon the sun dominates, pushing the maximum temperature to 36 °C, felt as 38 °C, with a light east‑south‑east wind at 3 km/h that blows constantly. Wind stays weak but more noticeable, with gusts of 9 km/h, creating a mild breeze on the prevailing heat. Sunset sees a drop to 34 °C, wind shifts to east‑south‑east at 3 km/h and the sky remains clear, with no rain in sight. Night brings temperatures around 31‑33 °C, wind lightens toward the south, stays dry and the feeling of heat persists into the early morning hours. According to expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3B Meteo, the high‑pressure stability comes from North‑Africa and supports the typical heat of this time of year.
Weather editorial by Rachel – When the climate is everyone’s fault
It’s amusing to see how often every gust of wind or drop of rain is blamed on the magnificent “climate change”. Rhetorical question: is global warming really making us sweat during a normal summer afternoon, or is a bit of sun enough? The answer is simpler than we think, but the narrative wants to turn every weather event into proof of a climate apocalypse.
It swings between alarmist excess and the hunt for culprits: if it rains, it’s the climate crisis; if the sun shines, it’s global warming; if the wind blows, it’s the planet’s great overheating. These rushed conclusions often ignore the natural variability of weather. So, why not simply enjoy the moment, without turning every cloud fragment into a prophetic sentence?
Koan of the day
Monk: “Today the sky is clear, the sun warms, but the wind is shy”. Zhaozhou: “The wind is a passing thought, it is nothing”. Monk: “Then the sky is neither hot nor cold?”. Zhaozhou: “The sky is the reflection of the heart, and the wind is the breath of the earth”. 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.