By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to am1575news, the news bulletin of France24 and Radio Centrale Milano for Thursday 01 October 2026 in podcasting, on medium waves and on franceoggi.com. In the editorial office in Nice Marco Hugo Barsotti, from Paris Rachel Costa.
News from France
Heavy rain hits Gard and Hérault: red alert has been revoked
The extreme precipitation that hit southern France on Wednesday evening quickly subsided. Météo‑France announced, in the 22:15 bulletin, the cancellation of the red “rain‑flood” watch for the departments of Gard and Hérault, as well as the revocation of the red “floods” alert on the Lez river. Schools, closed for the whole day on Wednesday, should reopen on Thursday, barring rare exceptions.
Meanwhile, the departments of Gard and Hérault, together with Bouches‑du‑Rhône, have been reclassified to an orange “rain‑flood” watch, to be maintained until mid‑day Thursday. According to Météo‑France, the storm axis has shifted eastward, now affecting Bouches‑du‑Rhône; some residual rain continues to touch the far east of Gard, but with markedly reduced intensity compared to the day’s peak.
In Gard, the areas of Saint‑Hippolyte‑du‑Fort and Colognac recorded respectively 335 mm and 299 mm of rain, equivalent to “a bathtub per square metre”. The prefect of Gard, Fabienne Decottignies, described the magnitude of the accumulations in these terms. Several watercourses abandoned their beds, flooding adjacent roads and forcing the closure of numerous navigable bridges. So far, authorities have not reported any injuries.
Rescue services carried out numerous rescue operations: in Gard people were extracted from stuck vehicles, while in Hérault firefighters secured 28 people in the municipalities of Montpellier, Lunel, Triadou, Combaillaux and Saint‑Gély‑du‑Fesc. Three departmental camps were evacuated as a precaution. All bus and tram lines in the Montpellier metropolis remain suspended and service is not expected to resume before Thursday morning, according to the prefecture.
In the railway sector, SNCF confirmed the suspension of traffic on trains running the Marseille‑Avignon‑Sète‑Nîmes line until Thursday noon, urging passengers to postpone trips where possible. Departmental public transport in Gard is also suspended, due to the floods of the Vidourle and sections of the Gardon.
Meteorological institute experts described the episode as “exceptional” for the amount of water that fell in a few hours, comparable to two months of rain. The situation remains monitored, and authorities have warned that further measures could be adopted should forecasts worsen.
franceinfo, 30/09/2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Céline Dion, her twins Nelson and Eddy meet Rihanna at the César restaurant in Paris
Céline Dion is in Paris for the first series of concerts and, at her side, the fifteen‑year‑old twins Nelson and Eddy, who traveled with their mother to the famous Royal Monceau hotel. Despite a low‑key presence in the French capital, the two boys attracted attention during a dinner at the Italian restaurant César, located on Avenue de Wagram in the 8th arrondissement, known as a favourite spot for stars.
On Monday 29 September, the youngsters were photographed sharing a table with singer Rihanna, whose presence in the venue is now well‑established. Mehdi Abdelhedi, owner of César, told Gala that he had witnessed the casual meeting between Céline’s children and the Barbadian artist, adding that “they ran into each other by chance”. According to the entrepreneur, the conversation was brief but friendly: Rihanna expressed her great admiration for Céline, calling her a “big fan”, before taking a photo together with the twins.
Rihanna, in fact, is known for her admiration of the Canadian voice. Recently she attended two of Céline’s concerts in Paris and shared on social media a video‑clip in which she performs “Pour que tu m’aimes encore” with some friends at the Paris La Défense Arena. The meeting at César was therefore seen as a friendly moment between two generations of musical icons, captured by photographers on site.
César, opened in 2007, is an Italian restaurant offering typical dishes from beef carpaccio to homemade pasta, as well as a selection of pizzas and desserts such as speculoos cheesecake and tiramisu. Its menu, now accompanied by a list of illustrious customers, makes it one of the “HQs” of celebrities in Paris.
Gala – 30/09/2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
The high‑school student movement spreads: the government launches a “consultation platform”
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced, during a press conference on Wednesday, that the high‑school protest movement is seeing further expansion across France. “We are observing a spread of the movement,” Nuñez said, adding that in some areas a “rise in violence” has been recorded.
According to data supplied by the minister, on Wednesday 356 schools were involved, with episodes of assaults on staff and break‑ins at two lycées, in Rennes and Lyon. Law enforcement carried out 625 stops, during which 83 officers were injured. The IGPN, the “police of the police forces”, opened three investigations following injuries to students during building blockades. Nuñez emphasized that the interventions were carried out “with great proportionality”.
The Education Minister tried to contain tensions by announcing the launch, on Monday, of a “consultation platform” open to all high‑school students, where they can express requests, concerns and claims in a territorialised manner. Additionally, a “national restitution event” is planned – the date has not yet been set – aimed at providing structured and transparent answers to students’ demands.
Within this initiative, rectors must, within 48 hours, convene the academic councils of high‑school life, while principals are called to hold extraordinary meetings of governing boards and, if necessary, of high‑school bodies. Edouard Geffray, president of UNEL, reiterated the importance of getting pupils “back on the path of lessons”, especially for those currently prevented from attending classes.
Rachel’s Editorial – “The platform that solves everything, except everything else”
I will now read you my editorial of today.
Another day of violence in lycées, 356 schools in turmoil, 625 interrogated and 83 officers injured, and the government pulls out a “consultation platform”. But do we really believe that an online form, with a nice cheerful logo, is the answer to a protest that is so alive? It’s easier to find free Wi‑Fi than a real solution to students’ demands.
Laurent Nuñez reminds us that “there is a rise in violence”. Yet his proposal is a “national restoration” with no date or detail, a prime example of talking into the void. Politicians love to promise “transparency” when, in reality, transparency has been lost for a long time, even amidst the thousand pages of press releases.
And the Education Minister assures us that “all high‑school students will be able to contribute” to the platform. But who has time to fill out bureaucratic forms when they are busy protecting their classrooms? It’s like asking patients to fill out a questionnaire while the hospital is on fire.
In the end, people want to get back to lessons, not to a restitution conference. If the government’s reaction had been more practical – for example reducing the use of LBD, ensuring safe schools – we could have talked about “solutions”. Instead we are left only with the press that throws words slower than highway traffic: “platform”, “transparency”, “structured responses”.
Koan of the day
Monk: “If a digital platform is meant to gather high‑school students’ requests, which voice will truly carry the weight of a protest lived in the streets?”
Master: “The platform listens to the silence of those who can no longer speak, but its echo is ever weaker than the cries that generated it.”
Monk: “Then, what should be the true remedy: more platforms or less violence in schools?”
Master: “The true remedy is a school where violence is the rarest lesson, and education is the only thing that does not require an emergency button. When the only click is opening the book, the platform becomes superfluous.”
But let’s return to the news.
Pension reforms: the proposals of the main presidential candidates for 2027
A few months before the first round of the presidential election, proposals on pension schemes are clearly split between left and right. Left‑wing parties call for the repeal of the reform promoted by Elisabeth Borne, while centre‑right and right‑wing groups aim for parametric interventions or the introduction of capitalization elements.
The La France insoumise candidate, Jean‑Luc Mélenchon, has stated that pensions should start “as early as 62” and “as soon as possible at 60” for those who have accumulated 40 years of contributions. He proposed the possibility of accessing pension at 60 even without having completed all quarters, calculating the benefit proportionally to the amount paid in. In his 2022 programme, Mélenchon also plans to bring the old‑age minimum to the poverty level and to align all full‑career pensions with the minimum wage.
Marine Tondelier, the Ecologists’ candidate, wants to “repeal” Borne’s reform and return “mechanically to 62” with the goal of reaching 60 for those who started working very young or performed heavy jobs. To fund the measure, the ecological leader proposes to cut the contribution exemptions granted to companies, withdrawing 10 % from a €77 billion fund.
Raphaël Glucksmann, a figure of the socialist primary, supports the cancellation of Borne’s reform, while recognising that some citizens will have to extend their working life. His project, presented to Medef, foresees the creation of a High Council for pension management and a plan to increase the number of contributors, focusing especially on integrating seniors into the labour market.
Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal proposes a paradigm shift: the elimination of the legal retirement age and the introduction of a “universal, free and productive” system based solely on contribution duration, with mechanisms of decottation and over‑coting. Attal also indicated the inclusion of a capitalization share and the possibility for the State to pay €1,000 to each newborn, creating a capital fund for future pensions.
The Horizons candidate, Edouard Philippe, has defined a “responsible and fair” reform that envisages gradually extending the contribution period to 45 years and the retirement age to 65 for those who are able. With these parametric measures, Philippe aims to revive Borne’s 2023 reform and generates a saving of about €30 billion per year for state coffers, while guaranteeing that a third of workers can still retire before 65, thanks to provisions for those who started working very young or perform heavy professions. Moreover, he proposes to introduce a mandatory collective capitalization component and to extend pension savings plans with a €500 State contribution at the signing of the first employment contract.
Bruno Retailleau, representing the Republicans, proposes setting the minimum retirement age at 63 (43 years of contributions) with a 7 % annual decottation, leaving full entitlement to the benefit at 65, regardless of the number of quarters accumulated. Retailleau intends to consider the hardship of professions through consultations with social partners and to adjust the age of full entitlement to the increase in life expectancy. For young people, he foresees the introduction of a capitalization share of about a quarter, i.e., 25‑30 % of pensions for new entrants to the labour market.
Marine Le Pen, the RN candidate, proposes setting the retirement age at 62, with the possibility of dropping to 60 for those who started working before age 20 and have contributed 40 years. Le Pen also announced incentives for senior workers who wish to continue working, including the cancellation of pension and unemployment contributions for these individuals. The estimated cost of the measure is €9 billion per year, a figure re‑valued by the Montaigne Institute to €23‑38 billion.
Eric Zemmour, leader of Reconquête, supports extending working life, proposing to raise the legal retirement age to 64‑65. He concludes that the pay‑as‑you‑go system is “dead” due to a lack of children and states he is in favour of a gradual introduction of capitalization mechanisms, believing that the shift to capital should have occurred already in the 1980s.
Source: Franceinfo, 30 September 2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Welcome to the international bulletin from FranceToday and Radio Centrale Milano for Thursday 01 October 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris, this is Rachel Costa.
Iran involved in an incident at RAF Fairford airbase, according to British authorities
UK authorities have said they have identified “strong indications” of Iran’s involvement in the incident that occurred last weekend at the Fairford military base in Gloucestershire. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has asked the Iranian foreign minister for explanations, while investigations have focused on the presence of equipment from the Middle‑Eastern country.
The incident has reignited tensions between London and Tehran, already high due to recent disputes over maritime traffic in the Hormuz Strait. Security experts warn that any escalation could jeopardise regional stability and international trade routes.
Severe melting of Swiss glaciers: a year of record loss
Swiss scientists have reported a “disastrous” melting of glaciers during the past year, with an unprecedented loss of mass. Data show that the melt rate has been accelerated by global warming, increasing the risk of floods and water shortages in alpine regions.
Authorities have issued an alert to the public, urging water‑saving measures and support for stricter policies against greenhouse‑gas emissions. The phenomenon adds pressure on European leaders, already engaged in debates on energy transition plans.
France anticipates a new debt record: €340 billion by 2027
The French government has announced its intention to issue a record debt of €340 billion next year to finance the deficit and refinance existing debt. The amount exceeds the 2022 figure by €80 billion, marking a significant rise in national fiscal pressure.
The Finance Minister defended the measure, arguing that investments in energy transition and strategic infrastructure require additional resources. However, major market observers warn that such high indebtedness could limit the State’s fiscal manoeuvring ability in the event of further economic shocks.
Boeing wins contract from the U.S. government for the new Navy fighter aircraft
The United States Department of Defense has confirmed the selection of Boeing as the builder of the next fighter aircraft for the Navy, known as the F/A‑XX. The project, valued at several billion dollars, aims to replace current patrol aircraft and ensure air superiority in future conflict scenarios.
According to experts, the new aircraft will need to integrate advanced artificial‑intelligence technologies and stealth capabilities, meeting the needs of a defence increasingly focused on digital dominance. The deal provides a significant boost to the U.S. aerospace industry, but also raises questions about possible budget overruns.
OpenAI accuses a Chinese campaign of copying its artificial‑intelligence models
OpenAI has issued a public alert about an alleged China‑led operation aimed at illegally replicating its artificial‑intelligence models. The company claims that several Chinese startups have taken key components of its proprietary technology, thereby reducing OpenAI’s competitive edge in the global market.
OpenAI’s CEO has called for stronger international intellectual‑property regulations and warned that further violations could jeopardise the safety and reliability of AI‑based systems. The case highlights the growing rivalry between the planet’s two biggest tech powers.
Google unveils Gemini 4 Argon, the most advanced artificial‑intelligence model to date
Google has unveiled Gemini 4 Argon, its latest artificial‑intelligence architecture, which promises superior performance over previous models and greater energy efficiency. The new system is designed to support complex applications, from scientific research to creative content generation, while maintaining stronger security against malicious use.
Industry analysts believe Gemini 4 Argon could cement Google’s position in the AI race, challenging the fiercest competitors and opening new opportunities for partnerships with companies that need advanced computing power.
The AI‑driven data‑center boom shows signs of collapse
According to a The Information investigation, financing for AI‑focused data‑centers is encountering difficulties due to rising interest rates and investor caution. A flagship case is CleanSpark, which had to offer very favourable terms to secure a bank loan needed to complete a project for Meta Platforms.
The analysis suggests that the loan market for AI infrastructure is becoming more selective, with banks preferring to fund projects with lower risk. This evolution could slow the rapid expansion of computing capacity required by increasingly complex models.
Inflation in France reaches 3 percent, the highest level since 2024
The French National Institute of Statistics has published the latest data, showing that annual inflation reached 3 percent in September, driven mainly by higher energy and food prices. The phenomenon has impacted families’ purchasing power, which saw a decrease in spending on non‑essential goods.
The government reiterated its commitment to curb price growth, but economists warn that inflationary pressures could persist until structural reforms in the energy market and distribution systems are implemented.
Climate change threatens the safety of Alpine glaciers: experts call for urgent action
A group of climatologists has published an alarming report on the future of Alpine glaciers, highlighting that the continued loss of mass speeds up river‑level rise and increases the risk of landslides and floods. Forecasts indicate that if average temperatures keep rising, the main Alpine glaciers could disappear by the end of the century.
Regional authorities are considering adaptation measures, including strengthening water infrastructure and promoting more sustainable agricultural practices. The scientists’ message is clear: a stronger global commitment is needed to cut greenhouse‑gas emissions and protect the mountains’ water resources.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Thursday 01 October 2026
Paris – Variable day with brief sunshine
The morning rises with a very cloudy sky, temperature 16°C, northeast wind at 10 km/h with gusts up to 20 km/h, and a slight rain probability of 25 %. In the afternoon the sun peeks through the clouds, temperature rises to 21°C, wind remains light at 10 km/h and no precipitation is expected. In the evening the air cools to 18°C, wind at 10 km/h from the southeast, residual clouds but no rain. During the night the sky stays partly clear, temperature drops to 14°C, wind eases to 10 km/h and the night is dry. Overall minima 16, maxima 21, moderate wind and scattered showers, according to expert Régis Crêpet.
Monaco Monte Carlo – Light but steady rain
At sunrise the sky is overcast and temperature is 21°C, with calm wind at 15 km/h from the northeast; rain probability is high, 75 %, with a few drops. Mid‑morning the light rain eases but the sky remains very cloudy, 21°C, wind still at 15 km/h, rain risk 80 %. In the afternoon, despite some sunshine, temperature reaches 23°C, wind stays steady at 15 km/h and rain continues with an 80 % probability. In the evening the sky is very cloudy, 20°C, wind at 15 km/h and adverse rain showers at 70 %. At night temperature drops to 20°C, wind eases to 15 km/h and clouds thin, with rain risk 25 %. Minima 21, maxima 23, constant wind at 15 km/h and scattered rain all day.
Milan – Overcast sky, mild temperature
At dawn Milan is very cloudy, 19°C, light wind from north‑northeast at 6 km/h, no precipitation. The morning continues with dense clouds, temperature around 19°C, light wind from the west at 5 km/h, always dry. In the afternoon the sky remains predominantly cloudy, temperature rises to 24°C, wind from east‑southeast at 4 km/h, no rain. In the evening the clouds persist, 22°C, wind from the east at 2 km/h, no precipitation. At night the clouds lighten, 21°C, wind at 4 km/h from northwest, no rain. The summary is minima 18, maxima 24, light wind all day and no rain, according to expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo.
Rachel’s Weather Editorial — “Warm” Autumn and the usual urgencies
Paris hits 21°C with rain at 45 %. And what’s new? In early October 1978 the thermometer read 19°C and there was little rain. Now “climate change” is proclaimed for a 2‑degree difference. Monaco stays under clouds with 80 % rain. In the 1980s the Princess of Monaco had never seen so much. And everyone remembers the ozone hole, which now is “gone”. As if it were him who saved the planet.
Journalists, however, keep publishing alarmist headlines, while readers flee to newsletters. Sensationalism? Yes, but at least it sells.
Koan of the day
Monk asked: “What is the weather today?”
Zhaozhou replied: “Weather is a candle that burns without fire.”
Monk asked: “Then why is it raining in Paris and not in Milan?”
Zhaozhou replied: “The wind blows, the sky decides, but the mind remains still.”
Monk asked: “And climate change?”
Zhaozhou concluded: “It’s only the mind that stirs, not the sky.”
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.