By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to the France Today and Central Milan bulletin for Wednesday August 5, 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 Cos
News from France
Microsoft warns: hackers have compromised numerous hotel Wi‑Fi networks
Microsoft issued a warning through its Threat Intelligence site, reporting a hacking operation called “CaptiveCrunch” which, the company says, appears to have ties to Russia. Since last May, the company has detected a “widespread compromise” of Wi‑Fi networks of hotel establishments and other organizations in the hospitality sector.
The criminals’ modus operandi consists of inducing guests to download malicious files via pop‑up windows that appear during connection to the hotel’s Wi‑Fi. These deceptive screens can capture screenshots and keystrokes, as well as allow remote control of devices. Some fake login forms, in fact, are designed to steal the user’s personal email address.
Microsoft advises using a more secure connection, such as a mobile hotspot, when traveling. In the absence of this option, it is essential to pay attention to any pop‑up window that appears immediately after connecting to the hotel network, especially if it is a Windows or other operating system update notice. If the user is not expecting any update, it is recommended to close the suspicious window immediately.
The statement was published on Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence blog on July 31, 2026, with support from ABC News. Fact Check by Gemma4.
Dirty money risks “blurring the distinction between legal and illegal economies”, warns the judicial police report
The confidential document from the sub‑directorate for financial crime, consulted by Le Monde, describes a growing threat: money laundering is becoming so pervasive that it threatens to erase the traditional separation between lawful and unlawful economic activities.
As part of an operation called “Corner”, carried out discreetly in the first half of the year, a task force specialized in narco‑laundering compiled a list of dozens of suspect local businesses. The inspections, carried out in two waves, in February and May, involved about eighty establishments in more than forty‑five departments; eighty percent of the checks turned out positive, leading to the immediate closure of a dozen establishments and the initiation of closure proceedings for another twelve.
The analysis, based on 1 052 cases reported by central and territorial services, highlights that criminal groups engaged in laundering are as dangerous as other mafia organizations in striking at State authority. Although there are still no precise indicators to quantify the total amount of capital laundered annually in France, estimates of illegal revenues from the most lucrative activities – drug trafficking (6–7 billion euros), tax and social fraud (8–9 billion euros, excluding intra‑community VAT fraud) and other organized crimes such as human trafficking and counterfeiting (around 10 billion euros) – suggest a phenomenon of considerable size.
According to the report, the spread of these illicit flows risks “blurring the distinction between legal and illegal economies across vast areas of the economic world”. This evolution, if unchecked, could jeopardize the integrity of the financial system and the authorities’ ability to distinguish between lawful and criminal activities.
Note: the information reported comes from an internal report of the French judicial police, consulted by Le Monde.
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Rachel’s Editorial – When laundering becomes “new normal”
I’m now reading you my editorial of the day.
The French judicial police report, published by Le Monde, opens with the alarming claim that laundering will become so pervasive as to “blur the distinction between legal and illegal economies”. But do we really have to believe that the mere presence of 80 positive checks in 45 departments is some apocalyptic prediction? It’s a nice script for those who love mixing vague statistics with thriller headlines, but where are the solid numbers, reliable testimonies, exact amounts?
The press tells us of a secret “Corner” operation, of local shops shut down in a flash, and of a “list of several dozen” suspect activities. Doesn’t it already echo past scandals about “supermarket clandestine operations” or “money laundering in pizzerias”? Instead of truly investigating, the newspaper offers the classic formula: “criminal groups are dangerous”. But why aren’t we asked who pays for the investigations, how much the raids cost, or why “paywall” labels multiply like fresh‑baked bread?
And then, the juiciest part: revenue estimates for drug trafficking (6‑7 billion), tax fraud (8‑9 billion) and other activities (10 billion). Numbers so vague they could easily refer to the annual budget of some small Eastern European state. Perhaps the real message is: “You don’t know how big the problem is, but know that it is huge”. A classic media trick to talk about a “crisis” without addressing structural roots: laws, bureaucracy, lack of political will.
Finally, the final note on the “paywall” told with the same seriousness as an emergency notice: “Your access is limited, update your card”. It’s curious how the only rule of law, that of payment, is clearer than the “judicial” one. Perhaps the real threat is not laundering, but our propensity to pay to learn that the world is dirtier than we think.
Koan of the day
A monk asked the Master: “If dirty money mixes with clean money in neighborhood shops, how can we distinguish the bread from the butter in our mouth?”
The Master replied: “When the bread smells of the market, the butter will always have the taste of a dream you have never dreamed.”
The monk insisted: “Then, what is the true ingredient that can purify both, without erasing the flavor of reality?”
The Master smiled and said: “Transparency is a subtle spice: if you sprinkle it too much, all dishes become bland, but if you pull it out all at once, it reveals the flavor of every lie.”
But let’s return to the news.
SpaceX doubles revenue thanks to contracts with Anthropic and Google and the growth of Starlink
SpaceX recorded revenue of $7.8 billion in the second quarter of 2026, almost double the $4 billion for the same period in 2025, an increase of 92 %. The growth was driven mainly by two sources: nearly $2 billion comes from the artificial‑intelligence division, thanks to compute‑capacity rental contracts signed with providers Anthropic and Google, while Starlink revenue rose by $1.7 billion. Despite the strong growth, the company closed the quarter with a loss of $541 million, down from a deficit of $1 billion the previous year.
The chief financial officer Bret Johnsen said SpaceX has signed additional cloud‑services contracts worth $6.7 billion, valid for six months starting in October. Johnsen forecasts that once the full integration of the AI startup Cursor is completed, the company could reach an annualized revenue of $100 billion by year‑end. Elon Musk confirmed the target, adding that the result could even surpass the indicated figure.
After selling post‑IPO bonds, SpaceX has a treasury of $100 billion. Capital expenditure rose to over $28 billion in the first half of 2026, compared with $7 billion in the same period of 2025, demonstrating continued investment. The IPO, held in June, raised over $85 billion and an initial valuation of $1.75 trillion, with a market value briefly surpassing that of Amazon and approaching that of Microsoft. However, the shares fell back below the offering price of $135, closing at just over $125 and dropping up to 8 % in after‑hours markets.
The compute contracts with Anthropic and Google, announced shortly before the IPO, marked a strategic shift for the AI division, originally derived from Musk’s xAI startup. After various scandals related to xAI’s ethical issues, the infrastructure of two data centres located in Memphis was repurposed into hosting capacity for external clients, generating significant incremental EBITDA margins, as Johnsen highlighted during the earnings call.
The article, published on TechCrunch on August 4, 2026, summarizes SpaceX’s first financial results after its historic initial public offering.
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Schengen is not the problem, but the solution, says Laurent Nuñez after a meeting of European interior ministers on the Ceuta crisis
The Spanish government announced that in recent days 72 000 migrants entered Spanish territory illegally, but almost 70 000 of them have already returned to Morocco. The European Union intends to present a united front against the migration crisis that has affected the enclave of Ceuta.
On Tuesday, August 4, the interior ministers of the 27 member states gathered to reaffirm their support for Spain and defend the functioning of the Schengen area, which has been called into question in recent days following the unprecedented influx of migrants into the enclave.
“All member states, without exception, have expressed solidarity with Spain,” declared the French interior minister, Laurent Nuñez. He added that EU governments agreed that “the Schengen area is not the problem, but the solution.” The European commissioner for internal affairs instead emphasized that Europe’s “resilience” was tested in Ceuta, but that it “passed the test.”
The European commissioner for migration issues, Magnus Brunner, assured that “the Schengen area has never been in danger” during this crisis, describing the exchanges among ministers as “constructive.” The Spanish interior minister, Fernando Grande‑Marlaska, confirmed the new figures: 72 000 migrants have arrived in the enclave in recent days, versus the previously announced 50 000, while 70 000 of them have now returned to Moroccan territory.
The article reports the statements of European officials on the management of the migrant wave that hit the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Welcome to the international bulletin from FranceToday and Radio Central Milan for Wednesday August 5 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris, I am Rachel Costa.
Trump declares that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened soon, causing oil prices to fall
The United States announced that the Persian Gulf shipping lane remains “free and open”, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted that a deal with Iran will be concluded within a few days. The news triggered a drop in oil values, with Brent falling below $80 per barrel.
Market observers interpreted the intervention as a signal of reduced geopolitical tension in the region, arguing that stable maritime traffic is essential for the global economy.
U.S. Treasury Secretary defends yen intervention to stabilize Asia
The United States Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, explained that coordinated buying of yen and dollars is necessary to avoid a “destabilization” of Asian markets. The intervention, carried out in collaboration with Japan, aims to curb the loss of yen value against the dollar.
According to Bessent, keeping the Japanese currency stable is crucial for U.S. bond markets, where the influx of Asian capital plays a decisive role.
Twenty‑five U.S. states file a lawsuit against Trump’s trade tariffs
A coalition of twenty‑five states has lodged a complaint with the Supreme Court, challenging the latest wave of tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. The suit argues that the duties violate international trade provisions and harm local businesses.
State attorneys have requested immediate suspension of the tariffs, while federal authorities assess the legality of the measures adopted over the past year.
U.S. Treasury Secretary hints at a possible deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
In recent hours, U.S. officials announced that Marshal Bessent’s move toward a deal with Tehran could allow the strategic maritime passage to be reopened within the week. The news was welcomed with optimism by energy producers and shipping companies.
Analysts warn, however, that long‑term stabilization will depend on the parties’ ability to maintain constructive dialogue and avoid further escalation.
SoftBank records a 10 % rise thanks to the rally of AI‑related tech stocks
The Japanese conglomerate SoftBank climbed 10 percent on the stock market, driven by the performance of tech‑company shares benefiting from the artificial‑intelligence boom. International investors have boosted the value of SoftBank’s holdings in Samsung, SK Hynix and other leading sector players.
The increase reflects market confidence in firms’ ability to capitalize on growing demand for AI chips and solutions, as well as the positive effect of recent strategic partnerships by the blue‑chip giant.
The White House hosts leading artificial intelligence companies to define the new regulatory framework
The President of the United States has invited the largest artificial‑intelligence firms to a meeting in Washington, aiming to discuss the new set of rules that will govern the development and use of these technologies. Invitees include industry leaders from the United States, Europe and Asia.
Discussions will focus on issues such as safety, algorithmic transparency and ethical implications, with the goal of creating a globally harmonized regulatory regime.
Russian ballistic missile hits Kyiv: 14 dead and 22 injured
The Ukrainian armed forces reported that a ballistic missile launched by Russia struck the capital, killing fourteen people and wounding twenty‑two. The attack occurred shortly after local authorities reported a new massive bombardment in the area surrounding the city.
The Ukrainian government branded the action “a violent escalation” and called for additional international sanctions against Moscow, while the international community watches the conflict’s intensification with concern.
SpaceX logs massive AI spending, sparking concerns on Wall Street
In its first quarterly report after the IPO, SpaceX revealed that AI expenses surpassed $2 billion, far exceeding analysts’ expectations. Despite a 92 percent revenue increase, investors are worried about the high operating costs.
Market experts fear that the huge AI investment could erode long‑term profit margins, but they also underline the strategic return potential from positioning SpaceX as a leader in advanced space technology.
Weather Paris, Monte Carlo Monaco and Milan for Wednesday August 5 2026
Paris – partially cloudy sky and marked heat
The day in Paris starts with a light south‑west breeze around 15 km/h and occasional gusts up to 35 km/h; temperatures hover around 22 °C with a feel of 23 °C. In the morning there is a moderate risk of brief showers, estimated at 50 percent, but rain is not expected across the whole city. In the afternoon the sun filters through the clouds, pushing temperatures up to 28 °C, feeling like 31 °C, with winds similar to the morning and virtually no rain risk. Sunset brings a mostly clear sky, temperatures drop to 25 °C and the wind cools to around 15 km/h. During the night the sky is clear, lows reach 19 °C with lighter winds of about 15 km/h. In summary, a warm, predominantly dry day with a chance of brief morning showers, according to expert Régis Crêpet.
Monte Carlo Monaco – intense sun and summer temperatures
In the morning in Monte Carlo the sky is nearly cloud‑free, temperature sits at 26 °C with a light 15 km/h breeze; humidity is moderate and no precipitation is expected. The afternoon brings the thermal peak with 31 °C, feeling like 41 °C, while the wind remains calm, staying around 15 km/h, and the sky stays mostly stable. By evening temperatures fall to 28 °C, the sky remains slightly clouded and the wind rises just to 10‑20 km/h, with no rain risk. Nighttime features a clear sky, temperatures around 26 °C, very light wind and absolutely no precipitation. The whole day is therefore completely dry, with bright sunshine and marked heat, typical of the Mediterranean coast.
Milan – intense humidity and clear skies
In the morning Milan’s thermometer reads 26 °C, the wind is almost absent from the east at 1 km/h, and the sky is clear with no rain in sight. During the day the temperature rises steadily, reaching 36 °C in the afternoon, with a light south‑south‑west breeze of 3 km/h, accompanied by a strong sense of humidity. The sky stays mostly cloud‑free until late afternoon, when maximum temperatures approach 36‑37 °C and the UV index is very high. Sunset sees a slight dip to 33 °C, with weaker south‑south‑west winds and no precipitation. The night remains warm, temperatures around 30 °C, light south‑west winds and clear skies. In short, a day of atmospheric stability, sultry and rain‑free, according to expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo.
Koan of the day
Monk: Master, the sun burns and the air is heavy, what does today’s weather teach us?
Zhaozhou: The sky is clear, the wind is calm; the true teaching is to accept the heat without complaining. And that is 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.