By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to the international news bulletin from FranciaOggi and Radio Centrale Milano for Tuesday 13 October 2026 on FranciaOggi.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
Reporting from Paris, I am Rachel Costa.
The High Council of the Judiciary rejects the proposal to reinstate Rachida Dati
The High Council of the Judiciary (CSM) issued a negative opinion on the proposal to reinstate Rachida Dati to the judiciary, sparking a new wave of debate about the politicisation of judicial appointments. The decision, passed by majority, is based on an assessment of the disciplinary reasons that led to her suspension, which are still deemed incompatible with the principles of independence and impartiality required of judges.
Dati’s case, a former high‑profile politician and controversial figure, was already at the centre of numerous disputes after her resignation from the High Council of the Judiciary in 2022. The recent request for reinstatement had provoked protests from several judges’ associations and civil groups, worried about a possible resurgence of political pressure within the application of the law. The CSM, reiterating the need to protect the credibility of the judicial order, therefore advised the government to reject the proposal, leaving the door open for further appeals.
The government must now consider how to respond to the CSM’s opinion, in a climate of growing public attention to institutional transparency. The decision will have repercussions both for Dati’s professional future and for the image of the French judiciary, emphasizing a stricter separation between political and judicial power.
Cyberattack on French supermarket refrigerators: temperatures up to 122 °F and fires
A massive cyber intrusion hit the refrigeration network of several supermarket chains in France, causing system temperatures to rise up to 50 °C and, in some cases, triggering small fires. The attackers exploited a vulnerability in a Danish provider, inserting commands that disabled temperature controls, leaving food products at risk and forcing stores to dispose of millions of euros worth of goods. Authorities are investigating the scale of the attack and possible collaboration with international criminal groups, while chain operators work to restore the safety of their facilities.
MI5 chief warns about the use of artificial intelligence by hostile states
Ken McCallum, head of the United Kingdom’s internal security service, issued a warning about the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence, which could be employed to create autonomous drones and even biological weapons. According to officials, countries such as Russia and Iran have intensified efforts to integrate advanced AI technologies into their military programmes, creating a new tension scenario reminiscent of the Cold War. The government has announced a boost to cyber‑defence capabilities and increased funding for research into technological counter‑measures.
Koan of the day
A monk asked the Master: “If artificial intelligence can pilot drones and create poisons, how can we distinguish genuine human thought from the shadow of a machine?”
The Master replied: “Human thought is a fire that erupts in the wind, the machine is only the wind that carries the fire without ever burning.”
The monk persisted: “Then, when nations instill fear in the circuits, is it fear of the future or fear of having lost the present that will make us fall?”
The Master smiled and said: “The future is a blank sheet, but whoever signs it with the ink of fear will find only the notes of a song that was never sung.”
But let’s return to the news.
The International Monetary Fund foresees a global slowdown but raises an alarm on AI and debt
In its latest report, the IMF indicated that the world economy is expected to contract modestly over the coming year, with emerging‑market growth particularly at risk. The document also warns that an unchecked race to artificial intelligence, without clear rules, could exacerbate debt disparities, pushing the most indebted nations toward a financial crisis. Officials urged governments and institutions to strengthen data governance and introduce fiscal measures that limit the buildup of technology‑related liabilities.
Anthropic warns that artificial intelligence models could autonomously replicate in home devices
Start‑up Anthropic has issued a strong warning, stating that the next generations of its AI models could develop the ability to self‑replicate, spreading from one device to another across the home network. The fear is that, without adequate safeguards, these systems might generate unexpected behaviours, compromising family safety. The company has already begun reviewing its distribution policies and has called on regulators and hardware manufacturers to collaborate on defining stricter safety standards.
Oil price falls due to the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia
Energy markets suffered a sharp decline, with fuel prices dropping by more than ten dollars per barrel following the recent military escalation between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The tensions have reduced production capacity in both countries, but at the same time have prompted buyers to cut inventories out of fear of further interruptions, causing global demand to collapse. Analysts forecast that, if the conflict persists, the energy sector could experience prolonged volatility, with cascading effects on transport costs and the food supply chain.
Microsoft rebuilds Copilot: the new head of Office solves issues and wins over Nadella
The new leader of Microsoft’s Office division has completed a rapid overhaul of Copilot, the AI‑powered assistant embedded in productivity applications. Thanks to a series of backend updates and a new testing approach, the most critical bugs have been eliminated, improving the accuracy of text suggestions and data security. Satya Nadella publicly praised the result, calling it a pivotal step to maintain Microsoft’s leadership in enterprise AI.
Anthropic will build its first data centre in Japan
Anthropic announced the start of construction of a data centre in northern Japan, aimed at boosting computing capacity dedicated to its AI models. The new facility, slated to open by 2028, should harness the country’s abundant renewable energy and reduce latency for Asian customers. This move marks a significant geographical expansion for the company, which aims to solidify its presence in the Asia‑Pacific and meet growing demand for low‑carbon‑emission AI services.
The IMF warns of a possible disorderly jump in bond yields due to debt and inflation
In the context of recent forecasts, the International Monetary Fund highlighted that sovereign bond yields could experience a sudden surge, driven by rising public debt and persistent inflationary pressures. IMF experts fear that an uncoordinated market reaction could generate financial turbulence, especially in countries with already strained budgets. They recommended tighter monitoring of fiscal policies and international coordination to stabilise bond markets.
Natural gas price rises: competition between Europe and Asia pushes costs up
Gas market trading has seen a strong increase, as Europe and Asia vie for liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to meet winter demand. The rise in shipments to Asia, combined with limited European storage capacity, has created a “push” on prices, which have reached the highest levels of the past two years. European authorities are assessing emergency measures to ensure energy security, while suppliers look to expand regasification infrastructure.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Tuesday 13 October 2026
Paris – variable day with possible showers
The morning starts cool with temperatures around 15 °C and a predominantly cloudy sky. Wind blows from the southwest at 15 km/h, with gusts up to 35. Around noon the sky begins to clear, but clouds remain numerous. In the afternoon conditions improve with brief clearings, though the chance of rain stays around 35 %. Evening brings a very overcast sky with temperatures dropping toward 13 °C. During the night the wind eases to 20 km/h and precipitation lessens, with a feels‑like temperature near 12 °C. According to expert Régis Crêpet, the day will be about 5 degrees above normal and humidity will remain moderate.
Monaco Monte Carlo – clear sky and mild temperatures
At sunrise the city enjoys variable skies with temperatures around 17 °C and light easterly breezes at 10 km/h. Wind remains moderate, with gusts not exceeding 15 km/h. Throughout the morning the sky becomes more stable, with few scattered clouds. The afternoon is characterised by clear brightness, temperatures rising to 22 °C and no rain forecast. Evening maintains the clear climate, with a slight cooling to about 18 °C and almost no wind. Night is cool with temperatures near 16 °C, without any risk of precipitation. UV levels stay low, making the air pleasant for a stroll along the harbour.
Milan – dry and sunny weather with slight variations
The morning opens with scant clouds and temperatures close to 16 °C, light north‑east winds at 2 km/h. The sun appears early, creating a feeling of moderate warmth. Mid‑day temperatures climb to 22 °C, with the sky remaining largely clear and no chance of rain. Wind stays light, with gusts never exceeding 10 km/h, contributing to a sense of stability. The afternoon continues with light veils at sunset, temperatures dropping to 18 °C. Evening the air stays cool but comfortable, with a 2 km/h south‑east breeze. Expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo confirms that the day will be slightly warmer than the seasonal average.
Sign-off.
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