By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to am1575news, the bulletin of France24 and Radio Centrale Milano for Friday October 9, 2026 in podcasting, on the medium wave and on franciaoggi.com. In the editorial office in Nice Marco Hugo Barsotti, from Paris Rachel Costa.
News from France
Three NGOs denounce the presence of PFAS in Tefal products of the SEB Group
Three associations – Générations Futures, Notre Affaire à Tous and ClientEarth – have sent the SEB Group a formal notice of default requesting revision of the monitoring plan and the elimination of PFAS compounds, particularly in Tefal‑branded pans and pots. The organisations have set a deadline of three months within which the group must respond, otherwise a legal proceeding will be initiated at the Paris court.
In the statement broadcast on France Inter on October 9, the NGOs highlighted the obligation, since 2017, to draw up a monitoring plan that includes a comprehensive mapping of environmental, health and human‑rights risks. According to the associations, SEB does not provide a detailed mapping of the PFAS present in its products and does not indicate concrete prevention or mitigation measures, limiting itself to classifying them as “emerging pollutants”.
Emma Feyeux, of Notre Affaire à Tous, said that the lack of a precise assessment prevents any effective action against chronic exposure to these substances, known for their cardiovascular, endocrine and oncological effects. The NGOs also ask that SEB plan the redeployment of jobs potentially affected by the gradual elimination of PFAS, in compliance with European and international corporate monitoring regulations.
The SEB Group, in its response to France Inter, confirmed having received the notice of default and pledged to examine its content carefully, responding if necessary within the legal timeframes. At the same time, the three associations filed an appeal with the administrative court of Grenoble against the Tefal plant in Rumilly (Haute‑Savoie), where authorities found significant PFAS emissions, including PFOA, banned since 2020. The prefectural order of April 29, 2026 requires Tefal to produce an inventory of emission sources, an action plan to be delivered by January 1, 2027, and to launch a three‑year monitoring programme.
The NGOs have also requested health studies, including epidemiological investigations with blood PFAS measurements, and the adoption of immediate measures to block any PFAS flow into the atmosphere. SEB said it reserves its position for the administrative court, stating that Tefal’s activities are conducted in compliance with current French and European regulations, under the supervision of competent authorities.Source: France Inter, October 9, 2026 Fact Check by Gemma4.
3,000 substitute teachers will be assigned to emergency high schools: the association Les Lycéens! welcomes the measure but asks for more
The Minister of Education, Edouard Geffray, announced that starting this Friday, October 9, 3,000 substitutes will be allocated to hundreds of high schools, identified by software that detects schools in “very problematic situations”. The association Les Lycéens! described the decision as a “first concrete announcement”, but emphasized that the emergency plan does not fully meet the demands: “We really need one teacher per student”. The association’s president, Pierre Sourzat, reiterated to the franceinfo channel that the measure, while a step forward, remains insufficient. At the same time, student and union protests are intensifying: the inter‑union student and professional body has called a new day of mobilisation and strike for Tuesday, October 13, while the CGT counts more than 130,000 demonstrators across France, with the Interior Ministry recording 71,500 people in the streets, of which 24,500 in the capital. Meanwhile, law‑enforcement recorded 504 arrests and nearly fifty police officers and gendarmes were injured, a sign of an escalation of urban violence linked to the protests. Source: franceinfo, October 9, 2026 Fact Check by Gemma4.
Rachel’s Editorial — The magic of the 3,000 cardboard heroes
What a marvel to see the government pull out a stock of 3,000 substitute teachers as if it were the new “sandwich of the day”. But let’s ask ourselves: where do these numbers come from? From a printer’s cylinder, or from a confused algorithm that decides a siren’s song is more urgent than a math lesson? It reads like a sitcom script: the minister promises “teachers in every room”, then forgets that the pupils have already asked for French, not a volleyball coach.
And while the youth denounce a “first concrete announcement” with the seriousness of someone who has just discovered flat Earth, the media celebrate the “concreteness” as if it were the discovery of America. Participation figures that swing between 71,500 and 130,000? It seems statistics were left to a dice‑throwing contest. Isn’t it ironic that the number of demonstrators depends more on the desire to imprint a “greatness” onto their headline than on the actual facts?
The real stroke of genius is the “urgent mobilisation”: assigning 3,000 teachers in two days and, as if that weren’t enough, swearing that “a few hundred” additional teachers will be authorised at will. Where is the continuity plan, the long‑term strategy? Or perhaps the secret is “more teachers, fewer problems”, as if scarcity were merely a design option.
Finally, the protesters’ rhetoric: “We won’t stop until there are 10 billion on the table.” A figure so abstract that only finance wizards can manipulate it. In the end, we are all spectators of a circus where the promise of “one teacher per student” is the dearest dream… and where the dearest dream, for them, is an audience that continues to believe their illusions.
Koan of the day
A monk asked the Master: “If the government suddenly discovers 3,000 reserve teacher positions, where were the teachers hidden before now?”
The Master replied: “They were in the usual closets of indecision, where the keys are deadlines and the locks are the promised electro‑politics.”
The monk insisted: “And why does the crowd count more or less depending on the accountant doing the balance?”
The Master replied: “Because truth is like an echo in a valley: who shouts louder gets more voices, but the echo itself remains the same, shaped by those who hear it.”
But let’s return to the news.
Nobel laureate in economics Paul Krugman accuses France of an unsustainable pension system
In his recent article published on Substack, the 2008 Nobel Prize winner in economics, Paul Krugman, described the situation of French finances as “very worrying”. The economist pointed out that France is today the “weak point of the Western economy”, with 10‑year bond yields hovering around 5 %.
Krugman attributes this scenario to a now‑high public‑debt burden, amounting to 119 % of GDP, and to a growing budget deficit, without emergency reasons – such as wars, deep recessions or pandemics – to justify this trend. Fundamentally, in his view, there is also population ageing, which drives up health‑care and pension spending.
While acknowledging that other major developed economies, including the United States, face similar problems – American debt is near 125 % of GDP and the cost of money is 5.2 % – Krugman notes that France stands out for its “persistent inability to face the reality of pensions”.
According to the economist, the legal retirement age in France is still 62 years (62 years and 9 months in 2023), well below the 67 years adopted by Denmark, considered a model of social protection. With a life expectancy at 65 of about 87 years, France offers a “very generous” pension system, which at the same time burdens the public budget, forcing the government to cut spending in other sectors, such as education.
Krugman warns that the recent student demonstrations are the result of these “substantial subsidies to seniors at the expense of the rest of the population”. Ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, the author notes that the poll favourite, Marine Le Pen, has pledged to bring the retirement age back to 62, a measure he calls “extremely costly” and a symptom of a general reluctance to confront the financial reality.
Regarding the possibility of a debt crisis, Krugman believes the market perceives a real but limited risk. If a crisis were to occur, he envisions a capital‑flight cycle, rising interest rates and a possible default, a scenario already experienced in Greece, Portugal, Spain and Italy during 2009‑2012. The ECB’s intervention remains uncertain and a potential French bailout could clash with opposition from countries such as Germany, which fear backing a “country too big to be saved”.
In conclusion, the economist warns that France, a secondary economy of the euro area, risks moving from “too big to fail” to “too big to be saved”, opening the door to highly divisive catastrophic scenarios in Europe.
Source: Substack, Paul Krugman, 2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Welcome to the international bulletin from FranceToday and Radio Centrale Milano for Friday October 9, 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Wave at 1575 kHz.
Reporting from Paris, Rachel Costa.
The United States and the Miami Council prepare a new phase of dialogue on the war in Ukraine
U.S. authorities have invited France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the European Union and NATO to a round‑table in Miami to define the next diplomatic steps in the Ukrainian conflict. The meeting, scheduled for next week, will be the first to bring together all the main actors from the American side, aiming to harmonise sanctions against Russia and assess new channels of military and humanitarian support for Kyiv.
Analysts note that the choice of Miami, a logistical hub for emergency aid, signals Washington’s intention to retain a global coordinator role, while tensions with Moscow remain high.
OpenAI reports fluctuating revenues, sparking turbulence in artificial‑intelligence stocks
The latest quarterly report from OpenAI showed revenue growth more modest than expected, despite record earnings achieved in previous months. The news triggered strong volatility in AI‑related stocks, with Nvidia, Oracle and other sector companies suffering sharp share‑price declines.
Investors fear that demand for AI services could slow once large companies begin to evaluate budgets for emerging technologies stepwise. Market experts advise caution, pointing out that the sector remains expanding, but with a consolidation pace different from the peak months.
Elon Musk moves closer to launching Starlink Mobile, challenging major telecom operators
Elon Musk announced that SpaceX is ready to launch Starlink Mobile, a cellular telephone service based on its own low‑orbit satellite network. The initiative includes the sale of compatible devices and tariff plans that can compete directly with the offerings of traditional telecom giants in the United States and emerging markets.
According to Musk’s early statements, the goal is to provide coverage in remote areas where terrestrial networks are absent, but also to create a communication platform independent of third‑party owned infrastructure. Industry analysts warn that the model will have to overcome challenges related to bandwidth capacity and frequency management, but the disruptive potential remains high.
Australian firm Firmus, backed by Nvidia, abandons the $5 billion IPO due to market volatility
Firmus, an Australian startup specialised in cloud artificial intelligence, has decided to withdraw its $5 billion initial public offering, despite Nvidia’s financial backing. The decision was made in response to a recent wave of instability in global markets, which reduced investors’ appetite for large‑scale capital operations.
The directors said that, while postponing the IPO, they will continue to pursue strategic partnerships and raise private funds to support the platform’s growth. The retreat from the offering is seen as a cautionary signal from tech companies operating in high‑capital‑intensity fields.
Nvidia announces a strategic investment in d‑Matrix, the emerging rival in AI chips
Nvidia disclosed its intention to invest an undisclosed sum in d‑Matrix, a seven‑year‑old company that designs server chips for artificial intelligence. The deal aims to integrate d‑Matrix’s technology into Nvidia’s ecosystem, making products from different vendors more compatible and expanding the developer base that can access advanced hardware solutions.
According to internal sources, the investment will also give Nvidia a competitive edge over other industry giants such as AMD and Intel, which are also betting on proprietary AI architectures. The move is seen as a signal of Nvidia’s intent to consolidate its leadership in the high‑performance chip market.
Donald Trump declares that the USA will not attack Iran before the mid‑term elections
U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a press conference that the country will not undertake military action against Iran before the upcoming mid‑term elections. The remark, made in response to growing international pressure for a more decisive response to Tehran’s recent activities, sparked mixed reactions both in Washington and in national security councils.
Foreign‑policy experts warn that, although the promise may reduce short‑term tensions, the issue of sanctions and Iran’s nuclear programme remains a critical point in U.S.–Middle East relations.
Russian forces hit buses in Ukraine, causing dozens of victims
A Russian air strike hit a series of buses in Ukraine’s eastern region, killing at least thirty people and wounding many others. The incident, which occurred late last evening, was denounced by Ukrainian authorities as a deliberate act of intimidation against the civilian population.
The United Nations condemned the attack, calling for an international investigation and an immediate cease‑fire. Ukrainian authorities pledged to intensify protection measures for civilians, while Russian forces disputed the accusations, claiming they had hit legitimate military targets.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Friday October 9, 2026
Paris – a gray morning announcing an autumn‑like day
At sunrise, Paris wakes under a variable sky, quickly becoming overcast with dense clouds. Temperatures are already wintery around 11 °C, while the shy sun tries to make its way through. By mid‑morning, a breeze is felt with winds of 15 km/h and gusts up to 40 km/h, intensifying the chill. The afternoon sees a slight rise, reaching 16 °C, but the rain risk climbs to 60 % with possible scattered showers. In the evening, cloud cover remains high, without significant rain, and the night brings a slight drop to 11 °C, with the wind calming. expert Régis Crêpet
Monaco Monte Carlo – shy sun but record wind for the coast
The morning in Monaco opens with a temperature of 17 °C, but clouds partially cover the sky. The wind is already strong, 25 km/h with gusts up to 45 km/h, making the harbour sails flutter. In the afternoon the thermometer reads 21 °C, the day’s peak, while the rain probability drops to 25 % under a still partly‑cloudy sky. Toward evening, the sky clears further, with temperatures falling to 18 °C and milder winds, though the much‑feared risk of brief showers remains. At night, finally, the thermometer reaches 16 °C, with light wind and an almost unexpected calm.
Milan – a day alternating scattered clouds with brief evening showers
The Milanese morning is characterised by scattered clouds and a temperature of 16 °C, with a light north‑west wind at 3 km/h. The sun filters intermittently, warming the city up to 22 °C in the afternoon, while the wind stays just over 3 km/h, shifting slightly toward south‑southwest. The rain risk remains almost nil until the evening, when a few clouds thicken and a light rain of 0.7 mm is recorded with an 80 % probability. At night, temperatures drop to 16 °C, with a consistently weak wind and the possibility of further light drops. expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo
Rachel’s Weather Editorial — Autumnal heat, too much drama
Paris reaches 16 °C at the end of October. Never mind. Our journalist friends remind us that climate change is blamed for every minimal five‑degree rise. Yet the ’80s already recorded similar temperatures without a single word of “climate change”. In Monaco, 45 km/h wind and 40 % rain: once again the sensationalist room screams alarm, while the ozone hole spoken of in the ’70s is now a memory. Milan, 0.7 mm of night rain, and already even traditional journalism doesn’t want to talk about it, preferring headlines that scare. The result? falling readers, subscribers slipping away like light rain on an autumn sidewalk.
Koan of the day
A monk asked: “What is the true face of the weather today?”
Zhaozhou replied: “Paris’s sky is overcast, Monaco’s wind hissing, Milan’s rain light.”
The monk replied: “So the weather is just an illusion?”
Zhaozhou concluded: “The illusion lies in our haste to attribute every change to the climate.”
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.
Source: AudioVisione – AM 1575 News