By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to am1575news, the news bulletin of France24 and Radio Centrale Milano for Tuesday 01 September 2026 in podcasting, on the medium waves and on franceoggi.com. In the newsroom in Nice Marco Hugo Barsotti, from Paris Rachel Costa.
News from France
Terrible disappointment for Arthur Fils, eliminated in the first round of the US Open
The young Frenchman Arthur Fils, considered an outsider in the latest Grand Slam tournament, was defeated in his debut at the US Open by the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas. After the brilliant victory in Cincinnati, Fils collapsed against the world number 10, losing 4‑6, 7‑6, 6‑1, 6‑4. Despite having dominated for a set and a half, the Frenchman could not maintain the pace, perhaps due to physical problems, a sudden mental block, or the high humidity in New York.
Like at Wimbledon, where he was eliminated in the second round, Fils showed the existing gap between matches closed in two sets and those that go to five. Facing right away a former Roland‑Garros finalist in a comeback run increased the pressure, leaving him without the chance to impose himself.
The French champion will now have to focus on the end of the season, aiming to get back into shape for the final tournaments and perhaps earn a spot at the ATP Finals. In the past, every disappointment or injury has been followed by a stronger comeback; now it will be up to him to demonstrate that he maintains this trend. Paris Match, 31/08/2026 Fact Check by Gemma4.
It will cost €10,000 per high school to secure mobile phones: on the eve of the rentrée high schools face the challenge of the phone ban
The government confirmed on 24 August the entry into force, from 1 September 2026, of the ban on the use of mobile phones in high schools. The measure, envisaged by law to protect minors from social networks, adds to the ban already in force from preschool to collège since 2018. President Emmanuel Macron promulgated the text even though the Constitutional Council censored the part that banned social‑network access for minors under 15 years. Education Minister Édouard Geffray declared that phones must be switched off and stored in backpacks or lockers, with possible exceptions for students with disabilities or for pedagogical uses, for example to pay for lunch in the canteen.
President of the Centre‑Val de Loire region, François Bonneau, highlighted the complexity of the situation and the need to adapt the rules for students aged 15 to 21 years (BTS and preparatory classes). Bonneau quantified the cost of installing secure lockers for phones at about €10 000 per high school, a “salty” expense in a context of budget constraints. “We are working with the managers of each institution, but the idea is that students put the phone in the backpack,” explained the regional president.
National secretary of SNPDEN‑UNSA, François Resnais, warned that high schools are not yet ready to receive the measure, calling it a “bad timing”. A circular of 2 July, accompanied by a handbook, required schools to prepare for the ban’s application from September, but to implement it it is necessary to modify the internal regulations, consult the council of delegates for school life and the board of directors, bodies that do not meet during the summer.
Mustafà Ozcelik, vice‑president of the FCPE, also described the ban as “extremely complex” to enforce, highlighting the paradox of a system where phones are still used to access teaching information via Pronote. “It is hard to understand who controls the ban, under what conditions and with what means,” he said, calling for a solution based on regulation and education rather than a simple prohibition, to teach young people autonomy and responsibility in technology use.
But there is a truly tasty twist to this operation and it will be Rachel who tells us about it
France 3 Régions, 25/08/2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Rachel’s Editorial – Phone ban, or the magic of digital coherence?
Well yes, here we are again, in the fantastic world of decisions that cancel each other out. The government has officially confirmed: from 1 September 2026 mobile phones will be banned in high schools. Turned off, stored in the backpack or locker. End of story. Or almost.
Because, while celebrating this great victory over digital distractions, someone forgot a small detail: the “100% digital” school. Texts, exercises, homework… all migrated to websites. And to order lunch in the canteen? Indeed, the website. Which is consulted… with the phone. Or with the tablet, when there is one. But the phone, no, because it is banned. Brilliant.
The President promulgated the text even after the Constitutional Council struck down the part on social networks for under‑15s. Exceptions for disability and “pedagogical uses” remain. Which, at a glance, should include precisely those activities the school itself has made digital. But don’t worry: coherence, like phones, happily stays in the backpack.
From the newsroom, the picture is clear. The tool with which school was decided to be done is banned, and then it is pretended that everything is under control. Counting phones will be easy. Counting contradictions, a bit less. Ah, France and its reforms! Always a surprise.
Koan of the day
A monk asked Zhaozhou: “Can the tool be banned and the function kept?”
“Yes,” Zhaozhou replied.
“Then why is the tool still necessary?”
“Because the function does not know how to walk on its own,” said Zhaozhou.
Another time the same monk asked: “Can the tool be banned and the function kept?”
“No,” Zhaozhou replied.
“Why not?”
“Because when you remove the tool, you discover that the function was only the tool,” concluded Zhaozhou.
Gas prices, electronic invoicing, aid for used electric cars: the news of 1 September
From Monday 1 September numerous measures take effect that will affect families, businesses and pensioners. The Energy Regulation Commission announced a 5.6 % increase in the gas reference price, from €162.89 to €172.05 per megawatt‑hour, which will raise the average bill by about €100 per year for the six million households with indexed contracts. The rise is directly linked to geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
The MaPrimeRénov’ incentive programme suffers a new cut: benefits will no longer be available for interventions that keep a gas heating system running, nor for the installation of heating, insulation, ventilation, hot‑water heat‑pump or wood‑stove equipment. The criteria for small‑scale works have also been revised.
A decree introduces a limit to the duration of sick‑leave work stoppages: the first prescription cannot exceed 31 days and, in case of extension, the maximum period will be 62 days, subject to medical exemptions.
Benefits granted in consensual termination (rupture conventionnelle) will be reduced. The maximum indemnity will be set at 15 months for workers under 55 years and 20.5 months for those over 55, compared with the current 18 and 22.5 months. In overseas territories the terms will be lowered to 20 months for the younger and 30 months for the older.
In the pharmaceutical sector, the third‑payer benefit will be revoked for those who refuse a biosimilar or hybrid drug when substitution is possible. Anyone insisting on the reference medicine will have to pay fully at the pharmacy before receiving reimbursement.
The rules for calculating old‑age pensions are adjusted to reduce gender disparities. For those receiving an increase for one child, the pension will be calculated on the 24 best contribution years; for those with increases for two or more children, the calculation will be based on the 23 best years. In addition, women who had children from 1 January 2004 and were hired in the public administration or a state company will earn one quarter of a pension advance.
For companies with more than 250 employees electronic invoicing via a State‑certified platform is mandatory. Small and medium enterprises must, by 2027, be able to receive electronic invoices, aiming to simplify administrative procedures, facilitate tax controls and combat fraud.
The government has also re‑activated an incentive for the purchase of used electric cars: through energy‑efficiency certificates a financing can be obtained, provided the vehicle is fully electric, registered in France between 2017 and 2023, bought or leased from a dealer and has a battery with at least 80 % remaining capacity, and must be kept for at least three years.
A new tax hits the so‑called “fast‑fashion”. Low‑cost clothing platforms will pay a surcharge based on an environmental score: the price of a pair of panties will incur a €0.50 penalty, a T‑shirt €2, while national retailers remain exempt.
Finally, the “polluter pays” principle is applied to PFAS, persistent chemicals. Companies that discharge these pollutants must pay a €100 tax for every 100 grams of PFAS emitted, aiming to encourage emission reductions. BFM TV, 31 August 2026 Fact Check by Gemma4.
Welcome to the international bulletin from FranceToday and Radio Centrale Milano for Tuesday 01 September 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris this is Rachel Costa.
Le Figaro – Anthropic signs a $35 billion contract with Nvidia to boost artificial intelligence
The artificial‑intelligence giant Anthropic has signed a $35 billion agreement with Nvidia, the chip maker, to guarantee access to cutting‑edge computing power. The goal is to accelerate development of the conversational assistant platform “Claude” and cement Anthropic’s position in the global generative‑AI market.
The contract also foresees a long‑term collaboration to build dedicated data centres, with Nvidia providing both the hardware and the software infrastructure needed to handle the most complex workloads.
Le Figaro – Interest rates at 4 % for 20‑year mortgages: warning on the housing market
French banks have announced that interest rates on 20‑year mortgages are approaching 4 percent, a level not seen for years. The rise in financing costs risks dampening housing demand, especially among young buyers, and slowing the construction market.
Experts warn that pressure on property prices could intensify, with possible repercussions on sale prices and sector investment in the coming months.
BBC – Tanker hit in Hormuz, United States threaten Iran
An oil tanker was struck by projectiles while crossing the Strait of Hormuz, sparking a strong escalation between Washington and Tehran. The U.S. president declared that the United States will respond “decisively” to any aggression against its sea routes.
The incident reignites debate over sanctions on Iran and the safety of global maritime traffic, at a time when energy tensions are at their peak.
BBC – Lionel Messi announces retirement from the national team
Argentine football icon Lionel Messi confirmed his decision to end his career with the senior national side, stating “the time has come.” After a decade of successes, including the 2022 World Cup, the champion expressed gratitude to teammates and fans.
The announcement instantly triggered reactions worldwide, with tributes from major clubs and sports media celebrating the end of an era for international football.
BFM Business – European Union suspends meat imports from Brazil over health issues
The European Council decided to block imports of beef from Brazil, citing failure to meet health criteria. Brazil, according to 2025 data, was the EU’s second beef supplier, but authorities found practices not compliant with European regulations.
The measure was welcomed by EU farmers, who feared the spread of animal diseases, but also raised concerns about meat prices for consumers.
CNBC – Shein shares plunge 9 % in Hong Kong stock market debut
The low‑cost fashion giant Shein recorded a sharp drop in its share value during the Hong Kong listing, falling 9 percent within a few trading hours. Despite exponential growth in recent years, investors showed scepticism about the sustainability of the business model and recent regulatory pressures.
The episode highlights the difficulties e‑commerce companies face in maintaining high valuations at IPO, especially in a macro‑economic uncertainty context.
The Information – SpaceX prepares a turbine factory to solve the data‑center energy crisis
SpaceX announced the development of a new production facility dedicated to manufacturing turbines for generators, intended to provide reliable power to data centres that consume ever‑greater amounts of electricity. The initiative, described as a response to the “data‑center power crunch”, aims to reduce environmental impact and ensure operational continuity.
According to sources, the factory will be located in a strategic U.S. region where SpaceX plans to cooperate with renewable‑energy suppliers to power future high‑intensity computing facilities.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Tuesday 01 September 2026
Paris – a warm sunny day
This morning in Paris the sky will be slightly cloudy, with temperatures around 16 °C and a light southerly wind, 20 km/h gusting. In the afternoon the thermometer will rise to 24 °C, the sun will be stronger but a light band of clouds will remain; the wind will moderate to 10 km/h and there will be no precipitation. In the evening, around 20:00, the weather will stay clear with temperatures of 21 °C and a calm wind again at 20 km/h, with no rain risk. During the night, temperatures will drop to 17 °C, the wind will be very weak, 15 km/h, and the sky will stay mostly cloudy but dry. The day’s minimum temperature will be 15 °C and the maximum 24 °C, with wind varying between 10 and 20 km/h and zero precipitation. The profile was evaluated by “expert Régis Crêpet”.
Monaco Monte Carlo – scorching sun with sea breezes
In Monaco in the morning the thermometer will read 23 °C, the sky will be almost cloud‑free and the wind will be calm, about 15 km/h, with no rain. The afternoon will bring stronger heat, with highs reaching 28 °C, the sun shining strongly and the wind remaining light, always around 15 km/h, without precipitation. In the evening the temperature will hover around 25 °C, with milder breezes of 10 km/h and no rain. At night, the last rays of sun will leave 22 °C, a weak wind of 10 km/h and dry conditions. The day’s minimum temperature will be 23 °C and the maximum 28 °C, with winds between 10 and 15 km/h and no precipitation.
Milan – clear sky and rising temperatures
In Milan the morning will start at 22 °C, slightly cloudy sky and a weak north‑east wind of 5 km/h; there will be no rain. The day will see a progressive warming: mid‑morning temperatures around 23 °C, noon 28 °C, and in the afternoon highs will reach about 30 °C, with light east‑southeast winds around 8‑9 km/h, always without rain. In the evening temperatures will fall to 27 °C, the wind will be light, 3 km/h from the north‑east, and the sky will remain clear. During the night temperatures will stay around 26 °C, with a very light wind of 2‑3 km/h and no rain. The day’s minimum temperature will be 22 °C, the maximum 30 °C, with winds varying between 5 and 9 km/h and no precipitation. The profile was prepared by “expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo”.
Rachel’s Weather Editorial – Is the weather really to blame for everything?
How many times have we heard that every single whim of temperature is a stain on the Great Book of Climate Change? It is amusing to think that a light drizzle could be the final proof of global warming, as if the sky had signed a contract with environmental agencies. Isn’t it a bit too convenient to attribute every variation to an invisible giant, avoiding the question that perhaps, just perhaps, nature sometimes just does what it does?
So, why not stop turning the story of meteorology into an apocalyptic saga? Instead we could focus on whether the wind blows stronger because the thermometer decided to raise its voice, or whether the sun is hotter simply because it is closer to its highest point. A bit of healthy scepticism never hurts, especially when panic‑selling markets are more lucrative than a simple weather service.
Koan of the day
A monk asked: “What is the true face of time today?”
Zhaozhou replied: “Time is the mind that falls, neither cold nor hot.”
The monk answered: “Then why do the winds blow?”
Zhaozhou concluded: “The wind is the voice of silence.”
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.