By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to the international news bulletin of FranceToday and Radio Central Milan for Saturday October 17, 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
From Paris, this is Rachel Costa.
October 17 mobilization: protesters confront police across France
The national march set off from Place de la République in Paris, but tensions with the law enforcement forces quickly escalated. Police used a water cannon to disperse the protesters, while a protest turned into a clash in the heart of the capital, with over one hundred arrests reported by authorities. In several cities, the situation became equally violent: in Marseille a crowd stormed the town hall and police station, prompting the mayor to request police reinforcements; in Lyon a tourist office antenna was looted and set on fire; in Bordeaux, protesters set a car ablaze and launched attacks with projectiles and tear‑gas grenades near the Chamber of Commerce.
The protests, which involved thousands of people from Paris to Strasbourg, from Rennes to Perpignan, were fueled by growing frustration over the cost of living and government policies. President Macron, speaking live, called for calm and respect, but also emphasized the need for constructive dialogue to address citizens’ demands. Meanwhile, a new crisis unit has been activated at the Ministry of the Interior to coordinate the national police response.
France and Germany sign agreement to cut CO₂ emissions in the automotive industry
The French government and its German counterpart have reached a historic compromise aimed at ensuring the competitiveness of the European automotive industry by reducing carbon‑dioxide emission standards. The two nations have agreed on a plan with shared targets for the introduction of clean technologies, research incentives, and a mid‑term revision of emission quotas, with the goal of harmonising national regulations and facilitating manufacturers’ investments.
The agreement comes amid growing pressure on the energy transition, where low‑emission vehicle production is seen as crucial for the Union’s industrial sovereignty. Officials stressed that the pact will allow carmakers to maintain production capacity in Europe, avoiding offshoring and fostering the creation of highly specialised jobs. The French press reports that the government views this step as a model for future collaborations with other European partners.
Anthropic proposes new artificial intelligence law
The artificial intelligence lab Anthropic has presented a draft law intended to establish a stricter regulatory framework for advanced AI models. The text provides that a judge may have the final say in blocking a model deemed dangerous, especially when its predictions could compromise national security or citizens’ privacy. Industry experts have welcomed the proposal cautiously, highlighting both the need for tighter oversight and the risks of excessive judicial intervention that could slow innovation.
A supertanker hits a mine in the Strait of Hormuz
Iranian authorities reported that a huge oil tanker, violating international restrictions, struck an anti‑ship mine in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a sizable explosion and fire. The incident, which occurred off the Iranian coast, has reignited regional tensions, while oil prices hover around $110 per barrel. Analysts warn that the area, already subject to frequent threats, could see further tightening of sanctions and military operations.
The United Kingdom cuts unemployment benefits: protests grow
The British government has announced a cut to unemployment benefits, reducing the maximum duration from six to four months for new claimants. The measure, introduced in the hope of stimulating job seeking, has heightened protests from unions and workers‑rights organisations. In London and several northern cities, demonstrators have taken to the streets demanding the suspension of the measure, fearing an increase in poverty and economic uncertainty among the most vulnerable segments of the population.
U.S. stock markets post strong rise thanks to technology sector earnings
On Friday’s closing day, U.S. stock indices ended in positive territory, buoyed by solid performance from several leading technology companies. Quarterly earnings that beat expectations fueled investor optimism, adding points to both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500. Analysts attribute the trend to growing demand for cloud services and AI chips, marking a rebound phase after months of volatility linked to geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns.
OpenAI speeds up advertising race with hires from Meta and lower prices
OpenAI has announced the hiring of a group of talents from Meta to boost its advertising division, while also lowering the cost of services offered to advertisers. The strategy aims to make the AI‑based advertising platform more competitive against industry giants, offering a 25 % discount on new campaigns. Market observers note that this move could reshape the digital advertising landscape, encouraging greater adoption of automated AI‑based solutions.
Koan of the day
A monk asked the Master: “If OpenAI hires Meta’s strategists to lower ad costs, does the AI market become fairer or more mercenary?”
The Master replied: “The price falls like rain, but the wind that drives it is always the same: the hunger for visibility that no one can satisfy.”
The monk persisted: “Then, when artificial intelligence buys its own voice to speak to millions of hearts, who truly listens, us or the silence of the competition?”
The Master concluded: “Who listens is the one who has forgotten he asked for the price, because the echo of a click is louder than an empire.”
But back to the news.
Apple starts antitrust settlement talks that worry developers
U.S. authorities have asked Apple to submit a settlement proposal to resolve antitrust investigations related to its App Store. The negotiations, still ongoing, have created uncertainty among app developers, concerned about possible changes to fees and distribution rules. Some experts fear that a settlement could limit Apple’s ability to control commercial terms, opening the door to new competitors in the mobile app market.
Iran threatens Lithuania with nuclear retaliation following the Hormuz incident
In response to the maritime incident in the Strait of Hormuz, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed solidarity with Iran, urging it to take stronger measures. The Kremlin spokesperson issued a threat of nuclear retaliation against Lithuania, suggesting the small Baltic state could become a target in case of escalation. The statement raised concern in the international community, with the European Union calling for a return to diplomatic dialogue to avoid further deterioration of security in the region.
Welcome to the AM 1575 News weather bulletin for Saturday October 17, 2026, available online, in podcast via AI chatbot and on the medium waves at 1575 kHz. From Paris, this is Rachel Costa.
Weather forecast – Paris, Monaco Monte‑Carlo, Milan, New York for Saturday October 17, 2026
Paris: Bright, mild morning turning cloudy in the afternoon
The forecast for Saturday October 17, 2026, updated early by Adrien Thomas, indicates a day of pleasant conditions with mild temperatures, although the sky will shift from clear to partly cloudy. Confidence is rated very good. In the morning, the weather will be fine with few clouds, and temperatures will hover around 10 °C with a gentle southwest breeze, increasing to gusts of 30 km/h. As the day progresses, the sky remains largely clear despite some fleeting cloudy patches, and the maximum temperature will reach 16 °C. The wind will strengthen in the afternoon, reaching 20 km/h with gusts up to 40 km/h, while UV levels stay low. Evening conditions will remain good with scattered clouds that do not affect the overall feel of the day, cooling down to 9 °C. The trend for the following days suggests a gradual cooling, with temperatures dropping further below 10 °C in the next week.
Monaco di Monaco Monte-Carlo: The blue sky gives way to clouds
According to the bulletin prepared by Cyril Wuest, the weather in Monaco Monte‑Carlo starts with a clear sky that will not withstand the arrival of clouds. The situation is highly reliable, with temperatures ranging between 17 and 22 °C. From early morning to noon, the weather is fine and slightly cloudy, with calm winds and no rain risk. With the afternoon’s arrival, the sky becomes partly cloudy, and the temperature reaches 22 °C. Toward evening, the sky becomes variable and then rather cloudy, with dense patches appearing between the cloud gaps. Temperatures will drop to 17 °C in the late afternoon. The wind remains light throughout the day. Looking ahead, the coming days show consistent patterns with minimal rain risk, maintaining the typical Mediterranean mildness of the season.
Milan: clear skies and gentle winds
According to the latest bulletin updated early this morning by expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo, forecast confidence is high at 95 %, confirming stable and largely sunny conditions across the region. The morning begins with scattered clouds and temperatures around 16 °C, with light northeast winds. Throughout the day, the sky remains partly cloudy then clear, with no rain expected. The maximum temperature reaches 22 °C in the afternoon, while the minimum settles comfortably at 16 °C. Winds shift southward then eastward, staying gentle at around 6 km/h. As evening progresses, high clouds may cause a rapid increase in cloudiness, although the air stays dry. Looking ahead, Sunday will see a shift as a disturbance from northern Europe brings more cloud cover and a slight temperature drop, with a risk of light showers.
New York: Overcast skies and possible rain
Bulletin set by Thomas Ponthieu, the weather in New York starts with overcast skies and a chance of rain, especially in the evening and night. Temperatures will be between 19 and 23 °C. In the early hours, the sky is heavily clouded and becomes completely overcast, with west winds gusting up to 40 km/h. The rain risk is 50 %. As the day progresses, conditions remain cloudy with a chance of rain. Evening brings a noticeable cooling due to the wind, with temperatures around 20 °C but feeling cooler because of the breeze. At night, the sky stays overcast with a persistent rain risk. The following days suggest a stabilization of conditions, maintaining moderate temperatures.
Radio Nice and France24
You will find all news related to Nice and the French Riviera at radionizza.it
You will find all news related to France at francia24.com and franciaoggi.com
And now for our French-speaking listeners, a brief recap of today’s news in French.
Dans la journée du 17 octobre, la France a connu une mobilisation nationale où des manifestants, furieux du coût de la vie, ont affronté la police à Paris, déclenchant plus d’une centaine d’arrestations après l’usage d’un canon à eau, tandis que des scènes similaires se sont déroulées à Marseille, Lyon et Bordeaux, avec des invasions de mairies, des pillages d’antennes touristiques et des incendies d’automobiles près des Chambres de commerce. Le président Emmanuel Macron, intervenu en direct, a appelé au calme et au dialogue, tandis qu’une nouvelle cellule de crise a été mise en place au ministère de l’Intérieur. Parallèlement, la France et l’Allemagne ont signé un accord historique pour réduire les émissions de CO₂ dans l’industrie automobile, visant à harmoniser les normes, soutenir la recherche de technologies propres et préserver les emplois spécialisés. Le laboratoire Anthropic a proposé un projet de loi stricte sur l’intelligence artificielle, prévoyant que le juge puisse bloquer les modèles jugés dangereux pour la sécurité nationale ou la vie privée. Au large d’Ormuz, une super pétrolière a heurté une mine anti-navire, provoant une explosion et un incendie alors que le prix du brut oscillait autour de 110 dollars le baril, relançant les tensions régionales. Au Royaume‑Uni, le gouvernement a raccourci la durée maximale des allocations chômage de six à quatre mois, déclenchant des protestations à Londres et dans le Nord. Aux États‑Unis, les marchés boursiers ont bondi, portés par des bénéfices technologiques supérieurs aux prévisions, alimentés par la demande de services cloud et de puces IA. OpenAI, quant à elle, a recruté des talents de Meta pour renforcer sa division publicitaire et a annoncé une réduction de 25 % des tarifs des nouvelles campagnes, cherchant à concurrencer les géants du secteur. Enfin, les autorités américaines ont demandé à Apple de soumettre une proposition de règlement antitrust sur l’App Store, suscitant l’inquiétude des développeurs, et l’Iran, soutenu par le président russe Vladimir Poutine, a menacé la Lituanie de représailles nucléaires en réponse à l’incident d’Ormuz, poussant l’Union européenne à appeler au dialogue diplomatique pour éviter une escalade.
Sign-off.
Online, on X and Mastodon, on all smart speakers and on medium wave, this is FranciaOggi with Centrale Milano 1575 kilohertz.