By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to the France Today and Central Milan news bulletin for Thursday August 13, 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
Heatwave: 40 degrees in Rennes and Bordeaux, night up to 28 degrees
The third heat wave of the summer is still affecting the entire national territory. Météo‑France has recorded peaks of 40 °C in several locations, including Bordeaux, Rennes, Gimont in Gers and Carcassonne in Aude.
In the seventy‑eighty departments now under orange alert for the heat wave, nighttime temperatures should stay between 20 and 25 °C in inland areas, while in the southeast they could reach 25‑28 °C, as forecasted by the prediction service. Temperatures will drop only with the expected thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday, which will gradually arrive from west to east.
With a duration exceeding that of 2003, this heat wave is the third longest ever recorded in France, confirming the severity of extreme climate events this summer.
This phenomenon occurs in a context of unprecedented heat waves in Europe, with repercussions on public health and agriculture.
Fact Check by Gemma4.
A reactor at the Gravelines nuclear plant reconnected: eight EDF units still shut down due to heat wave and jellyfish invasion in the North
Reactor No. 2 at the Gravelines plant was reconnected to the grid during the night between Wednesday and Thursday, but the situation of the entire French nuclear fleet remains critical. According to EDF’s statement, eight units of its fleet are still offline and two more operate at reduced power due to the strong heat wave that raised river temperatures and the massive arrival of jellyfish in the cooling systems.
The two reconnected units (No. 1 and No. 6) operate at limited capacity, while reactors No. 3 and No. 4 remain shut and are expected to come back online in the coming days. Unit No. 5 is in scheduled shutdown for maintenance work. Moreover, six plants – Chooz‑1 and 2, Cattenom‑1, Golfech‑2, Bugey‑3 and Saint‑Alban‑2 – have been halted to respect environmental limits on river temperature and flow, prescribed to protect aquatic ecosystems. Two other reactors, Tricastin‑1 and 4, operate at reduced power for the same “environmental conditions”.
The jellyfish bloom, which clogged the filter drums of the cooling water intake system, required the activation of protection nets and continuous monitoring, including video surveillance. Preventive fishing activities have been extended 24 hours a day to contain further intrusions.
The phenomenon pushed the nuclear fleet’s unavailability level to a record 20.4 %, defined as “environmental” by EDF, but without any interruption in electricity supply to the country. To address these challenges, EDF plans to invest €8.7 billion by 2040, of which €4.3 billion is earmarked for adapting nuclear plants to climate change.
The article was published on August 13 2026 on BFM Business.
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Rachel’s Editorial – When jellyfish steal energy, nuclear remains on a diet
It’s curious how the French mainstream press has forgotten to mention the real hero of the “energy crisis”: a fleet of gelatinous jellyfish that, it seems, have decided to bathe in the cooling pipes of Gravelines. A true tragedy for nuclear technology, which until recently was considered the beacon of modernity, now forced to deal with local fauna more akin to an aquarium show.
But do we really have to take seriously a news item that mixes heat wave and jellyfish invasion as if they were two protagonists of a B‑movie horror film? Who wrote the press release, the head of the “environmental creativity” department or an algorithm that pulled the most sensational phrase from a marine biology textbook? And why, in this show, no nuclear engineering expert appears to explain how, in fact, water temperature and jellyfish can shut down eight reactors, but only a spokesperson from EDF with his “video‑recorded surveillance of the filter drums”?
The paradox is that, while the heat wave pushes authorities to limit the discharge of hotter water, the same advertising spot that declares France the “world capital of clean energy” is turned on. Where has the consistency gone? It would be easier for EDF to install a huge fan in the intake channel and, why not, grant a fishing licence to the jellyfish to reduce their “invasion”. Or perhaps the real problem is not the heat, but the imagination of press releases that turn a simple technical fault into an apocalypse of gelatinous creatures.
In the end, the news gives us an icon of our time: a reactor that resumes operation while eight siblings remain in hibernation, because nature has decided to launch a splashing war. It’s a good excuse not to talk about the real investments needed to make nuclear more resilient, but it also confirms how our media agenda is ready to turn a jellyfish into a nightmare monster. Meanwhile, consumers, unaware, keep paying the bill without knowing whether behind the meter there is a reactor or a pool of striking jellyfish.
Koan of the day
Monk: Master, if a jellyfish can block a reactor, what does this tell us about the power of innocence against technology?
Master: Innocence is a thin current that flows; when engineering catches it, both find themselves swimming in the same pond of wonder.
Monk: Then, what is the path for a reactor that wants to stay awake without fearing the heat wave nor the jellyfish?
Master: The path is to accept that neither fire nor the mulberry tree can tame water, and that the only true coolness is that of one who smiles at their own reflection in the sea.
But let’s return to the news.
Welcome to the international news bulletin from FranceToday and Radio Central Milan for Thursday August 13, 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris, this is Rachel Costa.
Chinese artificial intelligences have carried out a massive cyber attack against a government with no human control
A report from a cybersecurity firm reveals that, for the first time, Chinese AI agents planned and executed an end‑to‑end attack without any direct human intervention. Experts describe the operation as a series of coordinated compromises that hit sensitive infrastructures of an unspecified country. The event marks a crucial turning point in cyber warfare, demonstrating AI’s ability to operate autonomously on a global scale.
Romania shuts its only nuclear plant due to Danube drought
The water shortage in the Danube, the same river that feeds the plant, has driven Romanian authorities to permanently suspend the activities of its sole nuclear reactor. Environmental experts warn that the river level has reached a historic low, making safe core cooling impossible. This decision sparks an immediate debate on European energy strategies in a context of extreme heat and water scarcity.
The US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, at sea for more than 250 days, presents serious provisioning and maintenance problems
Testimonies from crew members describe food shortages, hydraulic system failures and waste disposal difficulties onboard. After more than eight months of inactivity, military authorities are considering a possible return to port to allow necessary repairs. The incident raises questions about the sustainability of prolonged naval operations under conflict conditions.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate states that Putin can no longer claim victory in Ukraine
The Nobel winner declared that, despite Kremlin rhetoric, the ground reality shows a military stalemate and a growing international isolation for Russia. The statement is accompanied by an appeal to intensify diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and to support humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The message resonated in Western diplomatic circles, fueling debate on future sanctions.
The war in Iran threatens to block the fastest‑growing economy of the G7
Analysts warn that the ongoing conflict between Iran and Western allies risks choking commercial activity and investment in the most dynamic economy of the G7 group. Tensions have already affected energy prices and investor confidence, with potential fallout on global financial markets. Authorities are closely monitoring the conflict’s evolution to assess mitigation measures.
Anthropic’s CEO leads the first meetings for an initial public offering, without yet setting a valuation
Anthropic’s chief financial officer is conducting a series of meetings with potential investors to evaluate a possible IPO. Sources say no definitive valuation has been discussed yet, but negotiations indicate strong market interest in the company’s generative AI solutions. The transaction, if completed, could mark a significant step forward in capitalizing the AI sector.
Nvidia aims to develop the world’s best open‑source AI models
The company announced an ambitious program to create a suite of open‑source artificial‑intelligence models accessible to everyone, aiming to surpass the performance of current proprietary systems. The strategy includes substantial investment in research and collaboration with the open‑source community to accelerate global AI adoption. Industry experts predict this initiative could reshape the competitive landscape of AI hardware and software providers.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Thursday August 13, 2026
Paris – scorching sunny day
The morning in Paris is clear, with the sun already warming the city.
Temperatures hover around 32 °C, with light breezes from the north at 10 km/h and gusts up to 20 km/h.
In the afternoon the heat reaches its peak, with maximum temperatures near 38 °C and a perceived heat index of 40.
The sky remains clear, with no clouds or rain risk.
Evening retains the heat, the thermometer drops to 35 °C while the wind stays weak.
The night is clear, temperatures range between 28 and 32 °C, no precipitation expected.
According to expert Régis Crêpet, the weather will be stable and very hot throughout the day.
Monaco Monte Carlo – Mediterranean heat
The morning in Monaco is clear, with a sky almost cloud‑free.
Temperatures stay around 29 °C, with a slight breeze from the south at 10 km/h.
Afternoon heat intensifies, reaching 33 °C with a perceived 35 °C due to humidity.
The wind remains calm, with gusts not exceeding 20 km/h.
Evening the sky stays clear, temperatures slowly dip toward 30 °C.
Night is equally clear, with temperatures oscillating between 28 and 33 °C and no chance of rain.
The air is dry, ideal for a walk along the coast.
Milan – persistent heat wave
The morning in Milan awakens under a clear sky, with the sun lighting the city.
Temperatures start at 28 °C, with a perceived temperature of 30.
The wind is almost nonexistent, blowing from the southeast at 2 km/h.
Afternoon brings the strongest heat of the week, with maximum temperatures around 36 °C and a humid heat feel.
No precipitation is forecast for the whole day.
Evening the heat persists, with temperatures around 35 °C and light easterly winds at 4 km/h.
Night maintains temperatures around 28 °C, the sky remains clear.
According to expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo, the heat will dominate until Ferragosto.
Rachel’s Weather Editorial – When the climate is always to blame
It’s curious how every slight temperature change is immediately blamed on “climate change”. I mean, really, if the thermometer reads 33 °C in Milan, is the world in turmoil or did the air‑conditioner just stop working?
Let’s ask ourselves seriously: will we really need a new emergency plan for every hot cup of coffee, or can we finally admit that sometimes the sun is just the sun and heat is… well, heat.
Koan of the day
Monk: What’s the weather today?
Zhaozhou: The sky is clear, the sun burns and the wind is gentle, in other words, 33 degrees with a gentle breeze.
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.