By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to am1575news, the bulletin of France24 and Radio Centrale Milan for Friday 21 August 2026 in podcasting, on the medium waves and on franciaoggi.com. In the editorial office in Nice Marco Hugo Barsotti, from Paris Rachel Costa.
News from France
Rising deficit, defence credits blocked and aid suspended for farmers: the IGF warns of the risks of a France without a budget in 2027
The Inspection générale des Finances (IGF) has published a report that foresees extremely serious scenarios if France does not approve a new budget by the end of 2026. According to senior officials, the absence of an ordinary financing law “would expose the country to certain difficulties and, in some respects, to greater risks.” The document, requested by the Bercy government to assess the consequences of a France without a budget in 2027, indicates that the situation could last for 9‑11 months, up to November, heavily affecting the first year of the next president’s term.
In a “special law” regime, spending would be limited by the so‑called “voted service,” which imposes strict spending caps. Some key programmes would risk suspension, including the housing renovation fund (MaPrimeRénov’) and the Green Fund, with negative repercussions on the entire construction sector, which depends 20 % on public funding. The defence budget, slated to grow by €6.2 billion in 2027 under the new military programming law, would also be blocked.
Agriculture would also face restrictions: the agricultural water fund and aid for sugar cane in overseas departments, which support about 40 000 jobs, could be revoked. In the event of an agricultural crisis, the IGF notes that only health emergencies could be financed, while economic aid would be suspended.
Public deficit, according to IGF estimates, would increase by at least 0.5 percentage points of GDP, surpassing 5.5 % of gross domestic product. Without a new budget, 2026 spending would simply be extended, with an automatic increase of basic pensions of €4.6 billion and a rise in debt‑service costs of €11 billion. Moreover, revenues such as the temporary surtax on corporate tax would be lost, while income tax would no longer be indexed to inflation.
The report warns that the figures represent a minimum, as they do not account for a possible further economic contraction or an interest‑rate hike, factors that could undermine the confidence of international creditors, already alarmed by the current cost of French debt.
BFM Business, 20 August 2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Corsica, Var and the Maritime Alps on orange alert for thunderstorms Friday morning:
From Friday 21 August, four departments in the South‑East have been placed on orange alert for thunderstorms, according to the latest Météo‑France bulletin. The alert covers Haute‑Corse, Corse‑du‑Sud, Var and the Maritime Alps. In the latter, in addition to the orange thunderstorm alert, a “rain‑flood” warning is also active.
The forecasting centre signalled the arrival of several thunderstorm waves, some violent, between Thursday night and Friday morning, expected to last at least until 10 a.m. In Corsica, temporary wind gusts between 100 and 120 km/h, intense rainfalls of 30‑50 mm in a short time and strong electrical activity are expected. All the island’s massifs have been closed and the population is urged to stay indoors.
In Var and the Maritime Alps, precipitation up to 120 mm is possible, accompanied by strong gusts, marked electrical activity and a hail risk. Météo‑France warned that the situation will remain under observation until noon, with the possibility of a further escalation of the alert to orange for the departments of the Provence‑Alps‑French Riviera region currently on yellow. The thunderstorm episode that had affected Ardèche, Drôme, Isère and the High Alps has ended, with those territories back on yellow alert. franceinfo, 21/08/2026 Fact Check by Gemma4.
Al Lupo Al Lupo! We can’t take it, no more weather alarms on France24
Yesterday we also panicked, caused by the numerous alarm bulletins from Meteo France and Meteo06. We even advised unplugging electrical appliances at home, as if we were still in the 1950s with the television attached to the “transformer” (the famous gadget that sat under the TV and practically contained no circuitry). What we observed was normal rain and sustained wind.
Enough now. We will no longer publish alarm bulletins. At least not on the pages of France24.
Rachel’s Editorial – Winds of panic and sun of truce
I now read you my editorial of the day.
How wonderful: the same region that yesterday shouted “Winds of 120 km/h, torrential rain!”, by midnight started a beach dip. Is it really a coincidence? Or has meteorology become the new reality show, with drama, plot twists and cliffhangers at every bulletin? The alert market seems more interested in selling thrills than saving lives.
And then there’s the inexplicable “orange vigilance” that spreads like a meme on all social media. If rain is “possible” up to 120 mm, why is the statement so vague? Is it perhaps a meteorological marketing technique: “you never know what to expect, so stay anxious” – the perfect recipe to increase time spent on the site. A week of alerts, then the sun returns to its routine work, and the audience is left with a dry mouth.
My biggest suspicion is that the real drama is our ability to endure constant warnings. We have become collective hypochondriacs who, at the first hint of fog, shout “Alarm!” and at the slightest ray of sun, take a coffee break. Perhaps the real question is: how many alerts truly make us change behaviour, and how many simply fill view‑counter tables?
Finally, the statement mentions a “possible aggravation towards orange” for the departments still on yellow. But if orange is already synonymous with thrill, why not jump straight to red and add some spice? Or why does the press keep issuing alerts that do not translate into concrete damage? Perhaps the answer is simpler: our survival depends on a good dose of suspense, and the weather industry is its highest‑paid director.
Koan of the day
Monk: “If the forecast says ‘wind up to 120 km/h’, but in the evening the breeze is only a whisper, what should we really fear?”
Master: “Fear is the art of giving weight to the possible when the present is already heavy enough; the wind that does not blow is more a memory than a fear.”
Monk: “Then, what is the true value of an orange vigilance if the sky does not rebel?”
Master: “The value lies in warning that the sky can change, but true wisdom is to bring your own umbrella even when the sun smiles. But let’s get back to the news.
Massive data leaks: how the French state let itself be hacked
After a series of large‑scale cyber‑attacks in recent months, French public administrations are forced to radically revise their cybersecurity practices, both organisationally and budget‑wise, according to experts.
Hospitals, mobile telecom operators, sports federations and large companies have already been targets of cyber‑attacks, placing France among the most hit countries worldwide. In recent weeks, however, the most vulnerable institutions – the Ministry of Education and Public Finances – have suffered massive data breaches.
In the case of the Ministry of Education, millions of data on students, teachers and staff spanning more than twenty years leaked in July. Public Finances, on the other hand, lost control of almost 700 000 tax and personal files, exposing cadastral and inheritance data involving more than two million people. These administrations, traditionally deemed sensitive, were not adequately prepared.
The causes, according to union representatives, lie in austerity policies that have cut IT budgets, leaving both human and financial resources uncovered. In April 2026 Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a €200 million investment plan for governmental cybersecurity, but the delegated minister in charge of digital affairs has already warned that this sum will not be enough. A Renaissance‑party deputy called the situation “total chaos” and demanded a complete reform of resources.
At the centre of the debate is also the lack of top‑level organisation within administrations. David Amiel, Minister of Action and Public Accounts, presented his apology and outlined a new “action plan” that includes stricter security testing, the introduction of two‑factor authentication and the launch of internal vulnerability‑reporting campaigns (bug bounty).
Cybersecurity consultant Enzo Micallef of Squad stresses the need to redefine data‑sensitivity classification and to equip bodies with adequate alert systems to prevent the diffusion of large information volumes. However, the late detection of over 678 000 requests in a few hours highlights serious gaps in monitoring systems, according to Sébastien La Tombe of FrenchBreaches.
The cost of two‑factor authentication represents another hurdle: imposing it on employees would require purchasing professional devices or security keys, overlapping with guidelines already published by ANSSI. The National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL), although empowered to sanction data violations, has so far issued no measures against the State, raising doubts about its enforcement effectiveness.
Experts warn of a deeper problem, not only of resources: staff training and credential management are critical. The presence of thousands of public‑official accounts in compromised databases, often with reused passwords, facilitates hacker access to further systems. The union Solidaires des Finances publiques describes a “widespread pain” among DGFiP employees, forced to handle a avalanche of requests and online harassment.
The announced measures aim to improve protection, but the risk remains that stolen information will be exploited on a large scale. As Micallef notes, French citizens’ tax information could already be “in the wild,” fueling future phishing campaigns and other fraud. An effective response will need to include not only technological investments but also a systemic overhaul of the State’s digital defence.
BFMTV, 19 August 2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Welcome to the international bulletin from FranceToday and Radio Centrale Milan for Friday 21 August 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris I am Rachel Costa.
The US Treasury Secretary calls on China to support the economic war against Iran
US Treasury official Scott Bessent has said that the United States is counting on China’s support to strengthen economic sanctions against Iran. The move aims to pressure the Iranian economy and limit its ability to fund military activities in the region. Washington hopes that Beijing, while maintaining its neutral stance, can help block financial flows to Tehran.
Bessent also announced a Treasury buy‑back programme of over $4 billion in government securities, aimed at stabilising the domestic bond market. The economic offensive fits into a broader context of geopolitical tension, with Western powers seeking to curb Iran’s global influence.
Return of Israeli settlers to Kadim in the West Bank: new tensions between Israel and Palestinians
After almost twenty years since the evacuation, around thirty Israeli families have moved back to Kadim, an abandoned village near the urban centre of Jenin. The return was promoted by the Jerusalem government to strengthen the Jewish presence in the area, but it immediately sparked protest from Palestinian residents who fear further expropriations and restrictions on their rights.
Local authorities have launched a security assessment, while human‑rights organisations have warned of a risk of violent escalation. The international community watches with concern, fearing that this move could further strain already fraught relations between the parties.
Oil price rises 6 % in a week due to soaring energy costs
Energy markets recorded a six‑percent jump in crude‑oil value over the past seven days, driven by increased fuel demand during the summer heatwave and worries about supply disruptions. European oil stocks fell below critical levels, raising fears of a reserve shortage in the coming months.
Meanwhile, producing countries have cut output to contain price volatility, while European energy authorities are urging consumers to moderate waste to avoid further market pressure. Analysts predict that volatility will continue as long as temperatures remain high.
US Treasury intervention in the bond market: buy‑back operation of over $4 billion
The United States Department of the Treasury has launched a massive buy‑back operation of government securities, amounting to more than $4 billion, to counter rising bond yields. The goal is to stabilise bond prices, lower the government’s borrowing cost and sustain investor confidence.
According to finance experts, this measure is comparable to a “mortgage with a credit‑card,” as the government is using extra resources to keep interest rates low. The intervention has already tempered market swings, but it remains to be seen whether it will be enough to quell public‑debt concerns.
Nvidia prepares a new AI chip for the Chinese market
Nvidia announced the start of production of an artificial‑intelligence chip customised for Chinese customers, slated for the end of the year. The new processor, a variant of the Language Processing Unit, was developed in partnership with Groq and responds to growing demand from Chinese firms for compute power for advanced language models.
Initial orders are already arriving from major Chinese partners, marking an important step for Nvidia into the Asian market despite international trade tensions. The initiative promises to open new growth opportunities for the AI sector in Asia, with potential impacts on global competition.
Western powers condemn the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank
The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Canada issued a joint statement criticizing the continued growth of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, describing it as a violation of international law. The stance comes amid rising tensions in the Middle‑East region, with Palestinian authorities denouncing a deterioration of the situation on the ground.
The United States did not join the statement but urged the parties to remain calm and seek a negotiated solution. International observers fear that settlement expansion could hinder efforts toward a lasting peace.
Bulgarian Energy Minister cuts output at Kozloduy nuclear plant due to Danube low water
The Bulgarian government has decided to reduce the production capacity of the Kozloduy nuclear plant, which provides more than a third of national electricity, following the lowest‑ever recorded level of the Danube River. The cut is motivated by operational safety concerns and the need to ensure proper reactor cooling under adverse water conditions.
Authorities said the measure is temporary and that river conditions will be closely monitored to assess a possible return to full production. The intervention fits into a broader European scenario of battling heatwaves and managing water resources for the energy sector.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Friday 21 August 2026
Paris – variable skies and scattered rain, temperatures between 15 and 23
In the morning the sky is mainly cloudy, with temperatures around 18 °C and a light north‑west wind at 10 km/h, with no precipitation in sight. In the afternoon the situation warms up, reaching 23 °C, the sun filters through the clouds but the chance of showers rises to 70 % accompanied by brief downpours, with moderate winds of 15 km/h. In the evening cloud cover returns, temperature drops to 18 °C, wind remains at 10 km/h and the threat of persistent rain stays high, still at 70 % chance. At night it cools further to 15 °C, the sky becomes slightly clouded, wind eases to 10 km/h and no rain is expected. Daily temperatures will swing between a low of 15 °C and a high of 23 °C, with light‑moderate winds and sporadic rain, according to expert Régis Crêpet.
Monaco Monte Carlo – intense heat and strong gusts in the morning, temperatures between 22 and 31
In the morning the Mediterranean princess awakens under a threatening sky, with temperatures of 22 °C, east wind at 15 km/h and gusts that can reach 75 km/h, while rain is at 100 % probability. The afternoon brings a sharp thermal rise to 31 °C, slightly lighter wind at 20 km/h with gusts up to 60 km/h, and the adverse weather eases, dropping to a 70 % chance with occasional isolated showers. In the evening the sky clears, temperature falls to 27 °C, wind stays at 20 km/h and no precipitation is forecast. At night temperature further drops to 21 °C, wind reduces to 15 km/h and the sky remains clear, without rain. The daily cycle therefore ranges from 22 to 31 °C, with strong wind at sunrise and milder conditions by evening.
Milan – rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon, temperatures between 21 and 26
In the early Milanese morning the sky is mostly clear with a few scattered clouds, temperatures around 21 °C, light north‑north‑east wind at 3 km/h and no precipitation. Around eight o’clock the first sign of instability arrives: irregular clouds and possible thunderstorms with light rain, wind picking up to 3‑5 km/h and a 75 % chance of rain. From late morning to early afternoon, precipitation becomes more substantial, with intense showers of 7 mm, wind rising to 5‑8 km/h from the east and temperatures reaching 22‑23 °C. In the afternoon rain remains moderate, with light showers of 0.5‑1 mm, east‑southeast winds at 8‑15 km/h and temperatures peaking at 26 °C, the day’s maximum. In the evening clouds thin, temperature drops to 24 °C, wind eases to 6 km/h and rain diminishes to almost none. At night cooling reaches 21 °C, wind is almost calm at 1‑2 km/h and the sky is clear. According to expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo, temperatures will oscillate between 21 and 26 °C, with rain concentrated in the afternoon and moderate winds.
Rachel’s Weather Editorial – The great blablabla of climate change
It’s astonishing how, every time a cloud forms over our heads, the first thing we hear is “it’s climate‑change’s fault!”. Seriously, why has our planet decided to wear a raincoat just because it chose to rain one more time? Maybe we should update forecasts on a weekly basis, or better yet, take a break and ask the sun to show us if it really is heating up faster than an oven.
Yet, the “it’s the climate changing” fever seems contagious: anyone who spots a drizzle starts proclaiming the end of the world, while the meteorologist describing a clear sky receives applause for his ability to “predict the impossible”. Is it really necessary to turn every sprinkle of rain into a global catastrophe, or can we simply accept that weather is sometimes capricious without attributing it to a worldwide climate conspiracy?
Koan of the day
A monk asked: “What is the true face of time today?”
Zhaozhou replied: “The wind whispers, the rain falls, the sun laughs.”
The monk replied: “Then is time a poet?”
Zhaozhou concluded: “The poet is the sky; time is its page.”.
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.