By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to the France Today and Central Milan bulletin for Friday August 07, 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.
News from France
Apollo confirms the purchase of EasyJet for £5.7 billion after Castlelake’s exit
The U.S. investment fund Apollo confirmed on Thursday its offer to acquire EasyJet, valued at £5.7 billion (about €6.7 billion). The proposal was accepted by the board of directors of the British airline, which highlighted the group’s solidity and the growth prospects offered by the European low‑cost flight market.
Apollo, which has been following EasyJet for several years, described the carrier as “one of the most attractive companies in the global airline sector”, citing its leading brand, extensive network and market positions on strategic routes.
The other investment firm involved, the U.S. company Castlelake, had initially been given time until Monday to submit a binding offer, a deadline later extended to Friday to align with Apollo’s. However, in the early afternoon Castlelake announced that it would not submit any definitive offer, leaving the field open to Apollo.
EasyJet, according to Ryanair the second largest low‑cost carrier in Europe, had seen its pre‑tax profit for the third quarter plunge 70 % to £85 million, due to the impact of the Middle East conflict on bookings and fuel costs. Following the news of Castlelake’s withdrawal, the company’s shares fell 5.49 % to 616 pence.
Pau’s hydrogen buses nearly halted: a €13 million fiasco?
Six years after the inauguration by Emmanuel Macron, the hydrogen bus fleet of the city of Pau, in the Basque Country, is already set to leave the road. The buses, presented as a model of clean mobility, have had to face a series of technical and managerial problems that turned them into a costly and unreliable project, with a total investment of about €13 million.
The fueling station suffered recurring failures, forcing the administration to import hydrogen produced in other French regions and transported by truck, thus thwarting the environmental goal. In 2024 the vehicle manufacturer went bankrupt, making the supply of spare parts extremely difficult: the buses were not produced in series but as prototypes, so maintenance became a logistical nightmare.
Opinions in the town are divided. Some users lament the loss of a “silent” and environmentally‑friendly vehicle, while local authorities call it a “fiasco”. The project was launched in 2020 under the leadership of then‑mayor François Bayrou, who now rejects accusations of inefficiency, recalling that in six years the buses carried 14 million passengers over 2 million kilometres without operational problems.
The fleet update plans the introduction of electric and hybrid buses, but the costs of this transition have not yet been quantified.
Original article published on Franceinfo on August 6, 2026.
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Rachel’s Editorial – Hydrogen future stalled: €13 million of fanned dreams
I will now read you my editorial of today.
Who the hell believed that hydrogen was the panacea of transport, when the fueling station makes more noise than a school trip and the buses look more like museum prototypes than line vehicles? It’s a bit like buying a Ferrari and discovering that the engine is a pedal‑powered bicycle. The question arises spontaneously: where has the public budget been sunk, between the siren of a green future and the reality of a hydrogen truck that runs faster than our buses?
The story is a classic case of “everything and immediately”. Macron inaugurated in 2020 with all the applause, while the network magazine published a price of €13 million plus a promise of zero emissions. Six years later the fueling station is in a standstill, the manufacturer has gone bankrupt, and the inhabitants of Pau are forced to return to the familiar noises of traditional engines. There is no mystery: when you invest in technologies that are not yet consolidated, you are more likely to light the fireworks of debt than those of sustainability.
Political polemics add nothing but pepper to an already burnt dish. Bayrou accuses the majority of “absolute foolishness”, while current executives describe the project as “totally unsuitable”. Their rhetoric is similar to that of chess players protesting because the king was moved from a square: everyone is right, but no one has placed the pieces on the table of reality. And we, spectators of this tragicomedy, keep asking: wouldn’t it be wiser to invest in proven solutions rather than in a travelling papier‑mâché ecology lab?
Finally, the replacement with electric and hybrid buses appears as the last chapter of an already known saga. The price of the transition remains unknown, but one thing is certain: the “green balls” cannot hide the fact that a €13 million project has turned into a costly lesson in technological sobriety. Is this the future promised by innovation enthusiasts, or is it just another stage of a path where ambition outstrips the capacity to implement it?
Koan of the day
A monk asked the Master: “If Pau’s hydrogen buses seem like a brilliant idea but stop because of lack of fuel, what is the true nature of progress?”
The Master replied: “Progress is a fire that burns only when the wind of prudence feeds it; otherwise it remains a extinguished candle in a silent room.”
Then the monk persisted: “And if the room is full of policies that promise light but sell shadows?”
The Master smiled and said: “The clearest light is the one that arises from the darkness of awareness, because even shadows need someone to recognize them.”
But back to the news.
Eight forest massifs in Var closed due to extreme fire danger
On August 6 eight of the nine forest massifs in Var were closed to the public because of an especially dangerous fire situation, caused by prolonged drought, strong winds and high temperatures. Authorities issued an extreme alert for the massifs of Sainte‑Baume, Haut‑Var, Les Maures and Centre‑Var, while Monts Toulonnais, Corniche des Maures, the Hyères Islands and the Estérel are classified as very high risk. Access, circulation, walking and any work activity are prohibited in all these areas.
The only massif not completely closed is the Plateau of Canjuers, which remains at a serious risk level: access is strongly discouraged and any activity that could produce sparks is forbidden, except for agricultural, forestry or public‑interest work carried out under strictly controlled conditions. Several highway service areas along the A57 and A8 have also been closed to prevent fire ignition near forested zones.
Similar measures have been adopted in other parts of Provence: all forest massifs in the Bouches‑du‑Rhône are closed and access to several zones of the Vaucluse has been limited. Authorities stress that the overwhelming majority of fires are human‑caused and urge residents and visitors not to light fires, not to discard cigarette butts and to avoid work that could generate sparks. In case of smoke or fire, call 18 or 112 immediately.
The measure is part of the emergency fire‑prevention actions implemented by the Provence‑Alps‑Côte d’Azur region to face the extreme summer 2026 weather conditions. Fact Check by Gemma4.
EasyJet cabin crew presents strike notice for August travel period
The cabin‑crew unions of EasyJet in France have filed a strike notice covering the period from 7 August to 2 September, with possible disruptions at the main airports, including Nice Côte d’Azur. Key mobilisation dates will be announced with a 48‑hour notice.
Union organisations SNPNC‑FO, UNAC‑CFE‑CGC and UNPNC‑CFDT have announced the industrial action, denouncing a continual deterioration of working conditions for cabin staff based in France. Frequent criticisms include unstable schedules, last‑minute shift changes, heavy flight rotations and the lack of adequate protection measures for employees.
Rather than proclaiming a continuous strike, the unions said they will reveal the main block dates two days in advance, specifying that the notice can be withdrawn should management present satisfactory solutions.
Nice, one of EasyJet’s main operational hubs in France, is expected among the affected airports, especially for the numerous domestic and European routes the carrier offers during the summer. Union representatives warn that interruptions will be more likely in the first weekend of the strike period.
The dispute follows failed talks between management and employee representatives at the end of July. An industrial action initially suspended because of the massive fires in Gironde was later reinstated.
EasyJet expressed deep disappointment over the strike notice, stating it has already proposed measures to address union demands. The airline indicated further negotiations are planned for September and urged the unions to withdraw what it calls a “counter‑productive” action during the year’s peak traffic period.
Previous EasyJet strike notices, such as the one for the Easter period, had limited impact on flights. However, passengers traveling between 7 August and 2 September are advised to regularly check the status of their flights, as the situation is evolving.
This news concerns the ongoing dispute of EasyJet cabin‑crew unions in France and possible repercussions on summer flights.
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Welcome to the international bulletin from FranceToday and Radio Central Milan for Friday August 07, 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris, Rachel Costa.
Argentina labels three Ecuadorian criminal organizations as terrorist groups
The Argentine government has elevated three criminal organizations operating in Ecuador to terrorist group status, following the United States, which had already adopted the same classification. The decision was announced by President Javier Milei during a visit to Lima, where he emphasized the need for a common regional response. Authorities intend to tighten border controls and strengthen anti‑drug trafficking operations. The Argentine move could influence international cooperation in the fight against organized crime in South America.
Oil prices rise over fears of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz
International oil quotations rose after Iran proposed a new regulatory plan for the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for energy trade. Analysts warn that restricting naval activity could curb global supply, feeding market uncertainty. Tension between Tehran and Washington sits at the centre of the debate, with the international community watching diplomatic developments closely. Energy operators have already begun reassessing their supply strategies.
Chinese exports rise 23.9 % in July, driven by artificial intelligence
Chinese statistical data show a 23.9 % growth in exports in July, driven by strong demand for AI‑related components. Experts attribute the result to increased shipments to the United States, where tech firms require advanced chips for autonomous system development. Beijing highlighted the importance of this dynamic to sustain the competitiveness of its manufacturing sector. Outlooks for the next quarter indicate a continuation of the trend, although international trade tensions remain a risk factor.
The new US‑Japan intervention on the yen: a market weapon
The United States Treasury, in coordination with the Bank of Japan, announced a direct market intervention to curb yen appreciation. The operation was described as a response to what officials call an “armed yen”, capable of influencing trade flows and credit offers. Financial market participants reacted cautiously, acknowledging the potential impact on the balance among major currencies. The intervention marks an escalation of monetary‑policy tension between the two largest economies in the Asia‑Pacific region.
Meta fined $567 million for child‑safety violations
A New Mexico court imposed a $567 million fine on Meta for failing to adequately protect minors on its digital services. The decision follows an investigation that highlighted the untimely removal of dangerous content and non‑compliance with child‑data‑protection regulations. The company announced the launch of a compliance plan to strengthen reporting and moderation mechanisms. The penalty, the largest ever levied on a U.S. social‑media giant, sets a precedent for future oversight activities.
Trump proposes new restrictions on birthright citizenship in the United States
President Donald Trump presented a package of executive orders aimed at limiting birthright citizenship, dubbed “birth tourism”. The new measures call for stricter visa‑applicant checks and a review of eligibility criteria for children born on U.S. soil. The initiative has sparked strong opposition from civil‑rights groups, which view it as a form of discrimination. Political observers anticipate a long legal battle before any possible implementation of the new rules.
Sequoia Capital bets everything on artificial intelligence under new leadership
The founder of venture‑capital firm Sequoia Capital announced a strategic restructuring to concentrate investments on artificial intelligence, led by the new executive team. The plan includes allocating significant capital to startups developing machine‑learning technologies and advanced computing infrastructure. Leaders emphasized the importance of anticipating the next wave of digital innovation, citing growing demand from sectors such as healthcare and industrial automation. Market analysts read the move as a signal of AI’s growing centrality in the global economy.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Friday August 07, 2026
Paris – Sun, heat and light breezes
At sunrise the capital shows 16 degrees, feels like 15, clear sky and a 15 km/h breeze caressing the Seine. In the afternoon the thermometer rises to 28 degrees, peaking at 32 in perceived temperature, with livelier winds of 10 km/h and gusts up to 25, but the sun remains dominant and no precipitation is recorded. Towards evening the temperature settles at 25 degrees, feels like 23, with steady 10 km/h winds and occasional gusts, sky still clear and no rain. Night brings a cool 19 degrees, feels like 18, with 10 km/h winds and 20 km/h gusts, but the sky stays clear and free of threatening clouds. Temperatures swing between a low of 16 and a high of 28, with moderate wind and no rain forecast. According to expert Régis Crêpet, this guarantees a typically summer day in the French capital.
Monaco Monte Carlo – Mediterranean heat and clear sky
In the morning the Princess of the Mediterranean awakens to 26 degrees, feels like 30, calm wind of 20 km/h and a sky almost cloud‑free, with no trace of rain. In the afternoon temperatures rise to 31 degrees, perceived at 39, with light winds of 10 km/h and gusts of 20, while clouds remain thin and do not interfere with the bright sun. Evening sees the temperature drop to 28 degrees, feels like 32, wind steady at 10 km/h with gusts of 20, and the sky stays clear. Night brings a cool 26 degrees, feels like 29, with a gentle 15 km/h breeze and no precipitation. Daily extremes range between 26 and 31 degrees, with moderate wind and total absence of rain.
Milan – Heatwave, intense heat and possible evening showers
In the Milanese morning the temperature is around 27 degrees, feels like 29, with an almost absent NNE wind, and the sky appears mostly clear without rain. During the day the thermometer climbs gradually to reach 35 degrees, feels like 34, with light easterly winds, and the sky remains predominantly lightly clouded. In the afternoon conditions stay stable, with temperatures around 33‑34 degrees, very light wind and zero precipitation, while the heat feels intensely oppressive. Toward evening the temperature holds at 32 degrees, with a 3 km/h east wind, but the first hint of light rain appears. Night brings an isolated shower with 1 mm of rain, temperatures dropping to 28 degrees, ENE wind at 5 km/h and gusts up to 15, marking the end of a very hot day. Temperatures vary between 26 and 35, with weak wind for most of the day and precipitation limited to late night, according to expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo.
Koan of the day
Monk: “The sky is with us, the sun shines, but it carries the promise of a cooler evening.”
Zhaozhou: “The wind that brushes the towers of Monte Carlo is only the echo of an ancient breath, fear not the night.”
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.