By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to am1575news, the bulletin of France24 and Radio Centrale Milan for Wednesday 23 September 2026 in podcasting, on the medium waves and on franciaoggi.com. In the editorial office in Nice Marco Hugo Barsotti, from Paris Rachel Costa.
News from France
How to get assistance for major drivers, now available to over 5 million French people
The government announced on Tuesday a package of measures amounting to 450 million euros aimed at supporting citizens hit by the sharp rise in fuel prices. The main novelty is the extension and expansion of the aid for “big rollers”, introduced in April, which allows those who use a car for professional reasons, under certain conditions, to receive 100 euros to cover travel costs.
Those who have already benefited from the aid – already 1.5 million people – are guaranteed continuation until the end of the year, with a reimbursement of 40 cents per litre of fuel for the months of October‑December, compared with the previous 20 cents. The extension provides that the benefit can be requested by 5.5 million people, provided they meet the new eligibility criteria.
To be considered eligible, the reference taxable income must not exceed 2 050 euros for a single person, 4 070 euros for a couple and 6 100 euros for a couple with two children. In addition, it is necessary to use a thermal or hybrid non‑rechargeable vehicle for professional purposes, travel at least 15 km per trip between home and work or make more than 8 000 km annually for work activity. 100 % electric vehicles remain excluded.
The income thresholds have also been broadened to categories such as freelance nurses and home care assistants. For freelance nurses a “territories and rurality bonus” of 80 euros is provided, without income conditions, for those who travel more than 100 km per day. Home care assistants can access the aid provided they use their own vehicle, work at least part‑time and travel at least 30 km per day.
Anyone who believes they meet the requirements must connect to the tax agency’s website, where a simulator is available. It is necessary to have on hand the latest tax notice (to verify taxable income and number of parts) and the vehicle data, including license plate and registration certificate number. After entering the information, the simulator provides a link to the application form. For those who have already received the aid, the payment will be made in the following weeks; for new applicants the payment schedule has not yet been specified.
The intervention, part of a broader 450 million‑euro package, aims to offset the rise in energy prices and support low‑income workers who depend on a car to carry out their activity. The measure remains subject to future evaluations, especially regarding its application in overseas territories.source: franceinfo, 23 September 2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Israel mocks Macron: “grotesque absurdity” on the West Bank
French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, denounced the dramatic humanitarian situation in Gaza and stated that “Hamas has never struck in the West Bank”. His words provoked a heated response from Jerusalem. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the statement a “grotesque absurdity” in an official communiqué, recalling the murder last Sunday of Netanel Shukrun, an Israeli settler father of six children and also holding French citizenship, which occurred in the same area. The Israeli army arrested the alleged Palestinian perpetrator in a hospital, then carried out a raid on the suspect’s village of origin.
Meanwhile, a minister in Netanyahu’s government called for the execution of the fugitive, citing the new Israeli legislation that provides the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of terrorism. The proposal reignited internal debate, while France has recently imposed sanctions on products from Israeli settlements, heightening diplomatic tensions.
U.S. diplomat Mike Huckabee also described Macron’s remarks as “out of touch with reality”, emphasizing that Hamas remains a global threat and that the group’s attacks have already caused deaths of American citizens. The United Nations, for its part, report an average of six violent incidents per day in the West Bank, highlighting the growing instability of the region.
Bilateral relations between Israel and France, already strained by Macron’s recognition of a Palestinian state last year, appear set to further deteriorate. Netanyahu, ready to speak at the UN on Thursday, promised to defend the Israeli position against external criticism, while Paris remains steadfast in its commitment to a solution based on international law. Radio Nizza, 23 September 2026 Fact Check by Gemma4.
Rachel’s Editorial – Macron and the Geography of the Absurd
Macron told the UN that “Hamas has never struck the West Bank”, a phrase that sounds more like a children’s riddle than a statement from a head of state. But does the French president really not have time to read an updated globe, or does he simply prefer to insert a “cover” of truth to make a scene? In a world where headlines shout louder than facts, accuracy becomes a B‑series optional.
Netanyahu did not waste time responding, calling the statement a “grotesque absurdity”. It is amusing to observe how the man who orders military operations with the same nonchalance as a chef who throws salt gets angry over a “geographic inaccuracy”. The real fire, however, seems to come from settler activities that turn daily violence into a national sport, while diplomacy is limited to exchanges of stern looks and proverbial plumes of smoke.
Then there is the proposal of a death‑penalty law for Palestinians accused of terrorism, a stunt that resonates more with a Hollywood thriller than an international convention. It is almost poetic to see how a nation can move from announcing “justice” to demanding execution, with the same ease as changing a TV channel. The result? A vicious circle of violence that fuels the discourse of “security” without ever questioning why.
Finally, Mike Huckabee’s intervention, describing Macron’s words as “out of touch with reality”, completes the picture of a debate where everyone seems to speak different languages. France, with its sanctions on products from the Israeli “suburbs”, presents itself as the sole voice of conscience, but then finds itself enduring the same rhythm of verbal launches without any policy coherence. Awaiting the 2027 elections, the public remains in a spectator role, wondering: who, really, is directing this little theater?
Koan of the Day
Monk: Master, why can a head of state declare that Hamas has never struck the West Bank when maps show otherwise?
Master: Because words can be thrown faster than bullets, and the listener chooses whether to believe the sound or the trajectory.
Monk: And if truth is a hidden path beneath the lies of the powerful, how can we find it without getting lost?
Master: Truth is like a cat hiding under the sofa: if you look for it impatiently, you discover it only when you realize the sofa is empty. But let’s return to the news.
Céline Dion’s voice is no longer the same? Marlène Schaff steps in to defend the Canadian diva
Céline Dion began her sixteen‑concert residency at the Plenitude Arena in Nanterre on 12 September 2026, but some social‑media comments have questioned her vocal ability, claiming that the singer has lost power and timbre brilliance. On 23 September 2026, Marlène Schaff, former vocal teacher on “Star Academy”, defended the diva in an interview with 20 Minutes, emphasizing that the change in her voice is attributable to a serious neurological condition, the “rigid person syndrome”, a rare autoimmune disease that attacks the muscles, causing stiffness and painful spasms.
Schaff noted that, during the opening concert, Dion performed “All by myself” two and a half tones lower than usual, but described this difference as “manageable” in light of the singer’s enormous commitment. She then added that the vocal change is also linked to emotion, citing Dion’s sincere moved state on stage: “When you cry, it’s difficult to sing, but she does it with authentic sincerity.”
The former teacher also shared her personal experience: for four months she suffered from an extensive ENT infection, followed by eight months of daily rehabilitation to regain her voice. This testimony reinforced her appeal to recognize health‑related difficulties that can affect an artist’s performance.
In conclusion, Schaff expressed gratitude toward Dion, describing her tenacity as a model of resilience: “Céline has shown that it is possible to keep giving one’s best despite adversity.” The article was produced in collaboration with 6 Medias.Gala, 23 September 2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Welcome to the international bulletin from FranceToday and Radio Centrale Milan for Wednesday 23 September 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Waves at 1575 kHz.
Reporting from Paris, I am Rachel Costa.
Owners of the Tour Montparnasse reject an 800‑million‑euro renovation project
The real‑estate giant responsible for the project presented a renovation proposal for the Tour Montparnasse that sparked strong opposition from the co‑owners. The owners deemed the projected cost, estimated at 800 million euros, unsustainable and demanded the project’s withdrawal. Paris municipal authorities have launched a review process that could lead to new governance and a more cautious assessment of investments in the capital’s vertical architecture.
Iranian President accuses United States and Israel of destabilising the world at the UN
During his address to the United Nations General Assembly, the President of Iran accused the United States and Israel of being the cause of numerous international crises, describing their actions as “strategically desperate”. He also claimed that the death of Ayatollah Khamenei was a “murder” orchestrated by Western powers. The statement sparked extensive debate among delegates, with several US‑allied nations requesting clarifications.
Data centers rapidly expanding in Inner Mongolia to fuel Chinese AI ambition
A BBC television investigation showed how China is building massive data‑center facilities in Inner Mongolia, where the dry climate enables cooling servers with relatively low energy consumption. Experts believe these centers are essential to maintain China’s leadership in developing next‑generation artificial‑intelligence models, challenging the technological ecosystem of the United States and Europe.
UN Security Council convenes major artificial‑intelligence companies
French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean‑Noël Barrot, announced that the United Nations Security Council will host an extraordinary meeting with the biggest AI industry players. The aim is to define international standards for the safety and ethics of artificial‑intelligence systems, addressing concerns about potential military uses and mass‑surveillance risks.
Chinese hybrids capture 25 % of the European market
According to a BFM Business report, hybrid cars produced by Chinese manufacturers have exceeded 25 % of hybrid vehicle sales in Europe, an unexpected result for a segment that European regulation sought to protect from low‑cost electric vehicle influxes. Analysts attribute the success to engine efficiency and Chinese firms’ ability to bypass import duties thanks to assembly lines located in third‑party countries.
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet in Washington: geopolitical tensions and AI challenges
The United States president hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a high‑level summit, during which they discussed obstacles posed by U.S. sanctions, trade issues and new frontiers of artificial intelligence. Both leaders emphasized the need to cooperate on security matters, but also reiterated their respective positions on Taiwan and on respecting international technology regulations.
Anthropic negotiates contracts for control of Apollo‑owned data centers
According to a revelation by The Information, the artificial‑intelligence start‑up Anthropic is discussing with the Apollo group the leasing of a network of strategic data centers to ensure greater computational autonomy. The agreement would provide access to high‑capacity processing infrastructures, allowing Anthropic to reduce reliance on large public‑cloud platforms and enhance its offering of advanced language models.
Founders Fund and Khosla Ventures founders on secret trip to China to assess local AI
A delegation of U.S. venture capitalists, led by partners of Founders Fund and Khosla Ventures, spent a week in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen to meet the most innovative Chinese artificial‑intelligence start‑ups. The confidential trip highlights growing Western investor interest in the language‑model capabilities of DeepSeek and other Chinese firms, despite political tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Wednesday 23 September 2026
Paris – Clear sky with summer heat
In the morning, Paris is bright, with a light north‑west breeze at 10 km/h and temperatures around 18 °C. In the afternoon the sun dominates, raising the temperature to 26 °C, with perceived peaks of 29 °C and gusts reaching 20 km/h, according to expert Régis Crêpet. The sky remains almost cloud‑free, with no chance of rain. Around seven, the evening drops to 23 °C, with a milder breeze of 10 km/h and a still clear sky. The night cools slightly, with temperatures reaching 16 °C and calmer winds of 15 km/h, but the air stays fresh and dry. The day’s minimum is 16 °C, the maximum 26 °C, with wind varying between 10 and 20 km/h and no precipitation forecast.
Monaco Monte Carlo – Moderate cloudiness and shy sun
In the morning in Monaco the sky is slightly cloudy, with temperatures around 20 °C and light east‑north‑east winds at 3 km/h. The afternoon sees a modest increase in cloud cover, but temperatures reach 23 °C, felt 24 °C, with winds of 10 km/h and no threat of rain. In the evening the sky becomes more variable, turning to a few clouds and temperatures of 22 °C, with a gentle breeze of 15 km/h. During the night the thermometer drops to 19 °C, felt 17 °C, with winds of 10 km/h and cloudy but dry sky. The daily minimum is 19 °C, the maximum 26 °C, wind between 3 and 15 km/h and no precipitation.
Milan – Light breezes between clouds and sun
In the morning in Milan the sky is predominantly mostly clear, with temperatures around 20 °C and light east‑north‑east winds at 3 km/h, with no precipitation. In the afternoon the temperature rises to 24 °C, felt 24 °C, with almost imperceptible winds at 4 km/h, and the sun filters through the scattered clouds. In the evening the temperature gradually drops to 22 °C, the breeze becomes even lighter, about 1 km/h from south‑east, and the sky remains clear. At night the minimum hovers around 20 °C, with a slight breeze of 1 km/h from south‑east and no rain in sight. The recorded minimum will be 18 °C, the maximum 24 °C, wind almost absent and rain absent, according to expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo.
Rachel’s Weather Editorial – Climate is only guilty when it wants
Today in Milan temperatures of 24 °C are forecast for the afternoon, and meteorologists and scientists immediately come to admonish us: “climate change!”. But really? It would be more accurate to blame the high heel of those who wear them, because raising it risks burning the ball of the foot. And if the sun had its own room, would we scold it for stealing the scene from the birds?
And if, instead, we point the finger at the thermometer? A simple 24 °C can no longer hide behind “global warming”. Let’s ask ourselves: is the Earth rolling up like a carpet, or is it just our taste for summer that makes us shout “change!”? In the end, nature does not need culprits, it only needs a bit of respect… and an umbrella, just for safety.
Koan of the Day
A monk asked: “What wind blows over the mountains today?”
Zhaozhou replied: “The wind does not blow, it is only the air moving.”
The monk responded: “Then why do the trees bow?”
Zhaozhou concluded: “The trees are patient, they know the storm will pass.”.
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.