By Marco Hugo Barsotti MHB 
Welcome to am1575news, the news bulletin of France24 and Radio Centrale Milano for Saturday September 26, 2026 in podcasting, on the medium wave and on franciaoggi.com. In the newsroom in Nice Marco Hugo Barsotti, from Paris Rachel Costa.
News from France
After a difficult victory in Turkey, the Bleus have “many things to work on”… what worked and what didn’t in Zidane’s debut
France’s L’Equipe secured a 1‑0 victory over Turkey on the opening day of the Nations League, marking Zinédine Zidane’s debut at the helm of the Bleus. Despite the positive result, the coach acknowledged several aspects that need improvement, especially from a tactical and defensive point of view.
In the starting lineup three unlikely faces appeared under Didier Deschamps: Rayan Cherki, Maxence Lacroix and Adrien Truffert, the latter deployed as left‑back to make room for a new generation and move Theo Hernandez and Lucas Digne aside. Zidane gave freedom to the attacking players, asking them to take on more responsibility, but he consistently emphasized a high press. Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and the young Cherki actively participated in this pressure, which, however, was not always enough to contain the Turkish counter‑attacks.
The result came thanks to a high‑up recovery by Kylian Mbappé, who used the press to put the ball into the opponent’s net. In the press conference, Zidane stressed the importance of winning the ball back quickly when it is lost and maintaining team balance, adding that “there are some adjustments to make, certainly many, but it was good on everyone’s part.”
Rayan Cherki, deployed in midfield with a more offensive role, was the protagonist of the match, but his advanced position sometimes left Manu Koné exposed, who was nevertheless praised by Zidane for his solidity and numerous recoveries.
Offensively the team did not shine: the search for continuity in the three‑zone attack encountered difficulties, with Dembélé still comfortable on the right‑wing and Olise maintaining his typical acceleration rhythm. Mbappé, shifted to the left next to Truffert, struggled to find his usual movements, although he scored the decisive goal.
With three Nations League matches still on the calendar, the Bleus will have to manage playing time for a large squad and quickly build team cohesion. “These are totally different things, with the little time we have,” Jules Koundé commented, confirming the need to develop a smoother style of play. The next challenge will be against Belgium in Brussels, where Zidane hopes to consolidate the early positive signals.
franceinfo, 26/09/2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
TotalEnergies does not make margins in France? The answer to Macron’s claims
On September 24 President Emmanuel Macron stated on live television that TotalEnergies’ fuels are sold “without margin” in France, a sentence that immediately sparked controversy, especially on social media, where LFI deputy Clémence Guetté accused him of lying.
In reality, for several months TotalEnergies has applied a price ceiling at its service stations: €1.99 per litre for gasoline and €2.25 per litre for diesel. This mechanism, introduced in response to international price trends, forces the group’s stations to sell at a loss, according to the company’s own statements. Franceinfo estimates a current average of €2.165 per litre for SP95‑E10 and €2.396 per litre for diesel.
TotalEnergies’ president Patrick Pouyanné had already explained in August on France Inter that the price “ceiling” would cost the company between €250 million and €300 million since the early stage of the US‑Iran conflict, although he does not have precise figures. In a question to the Finance Committee of the National Assembly, the executive acknowledged that, despite the retail loss, refining activities continue to generate profits.
The French refineries in Donges, Feyzin and Gonfreville‑l’Orcher reported, in the first quarter 2026, a profit of about €500 million, largely driven by the March result. The “gross refining margin on Brent” rose from €160 to €256 per tonne between March and September, benefiting from the widening differential between crude price and the value of finished products, larger during a period of global conflict.
According to energy consultant Jean‑Pierre Favennec, although refining margins are usually modest, current geopolitical tensions have pushed the spread to $30‑40 per barrel, allowing TotalEnergies to earn substantial profits even without a retail margin. The group, integrated from extraction through refining, trading and distribution, can thus offset the losses at the pump.
In summary, Macron’s statements are not completely accurate: while it is true that the TotalEnergies network sells fuel at cost because of the imposed limits, the company continues to earn significant profits from its refining operations on national soil.
source: franceinfo, 26/09/2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Rachel’s Editorial – The myth of Macron’s “no‑margin” pump
I’m reading you now my editorial of the day.
Macron jumps onto the television stage and, with the dignity of a potion seller, declares that TotalEnergies is “patriotic” because it makes no margin in France. But has the President really just discovered a new secret ingredient of the national diet, or is he simply setting his own pastries on fire? The whole statement sounds more like an invitation to fill the tank with the hope that the price stays locked, rather than a demonstration of transparency.
Franceinfo analysts have dissected the case: Total sells fuel at a loss because of the price ceiling, but earns €500 million from refining. Yet Macron’s phrase has become a viral meme, turning a complex reality into a simple “no profit”. Isn’t it ironic that a huge multinational can lose on one part of its business and triumph on another, while the president uses it as a billboard for state intervention?
Here the truth hides among Brent numbers, $30‑40 per barrel margins and vague statements from the CEO who admits not having an “exact account”. Journalism, with its obsession for “true or false”, seems more interested in carving a slogan than explaining the mechanics of the energy market. Who has time to read balance‑sheet PDFs when repeating “no margin” drives social networks crazy?
In the end, the question remains: which is more dangerous, a politician who simplifies the economy with slogans, or an audience that accepts the simplification without asking why? The answer, as usual, is a mix of well‑packaged ignorance and shameless propaganda.
Koan of the day
A monk asked the Master: “If Total sells fuel at a loss but makes money on refining, is it really a company without margin in France?”
The Master replied: “Margin is like water in a fountain: it can flow beneath the surface without anyone seeing the tap that feeds it.”
The monk insisted: “Then, who is responsible for the people’s thirst, the captain who sets the price or the driver who fills the tank at the fixed price?”
The Master smiled and said: “The captain dreams of calm and the driver honks the horn; both forget that the road is already full of potholes.”
But let’s get back to the news.
Pope’s visit to Paris: 600 000 faithful expected on the Champs‑Élysées and Place de la Concorde for a giant Mass
Pope Leon XIV will celebrate his second day in Paris with a Mass on Place de la Concorde that should gather about 600 000 believers along the Champs‑Élysées, the Avenue de la Grande Armée and the square itself. The event is scheduled for Saturday September 26, with access points opening at 9 a.m. and the celebration starting around 3 p.m., after the Pope’s papamobile passage.
Authorities have closed several metro lines near the two main axes to allow the flow of people to advance on foot. To ensure optimal viewing of the event, dozens of giant screens have been installed along the route, so that those who cannot be front‑row can still follow the rite live. The one‑and‑a‑half‑hour Mass will be largely dedicated to the Virgin Mary and will be topped by a four‑metre‑high golden cross.
In the morning the Pope will visit Maison Bakhita, a reception and accompaniment centre of the Archdiocese of Paris for people in exile, located in the 18th arrondissement. He will then proceed to meet new and future baptised individuals and deliver a spiritually‑focused speech.
At the end of the celebration, the Pontiff will leave Paris in the evening heading for Lourdes in the Hautes‑Pyrénées, aboard a special aircraft provided by Air France. In Lourdes, Leon XIV plans to pray in the sanctuary grotto where the Virgin appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858.
Registrations to attend the Mass were closed well in advance due to overwhelming demand, a testimony to the strong attraction of Catholicism in France. franceinfo, 26/09/2026
Fact Check by Gemma4.
Welcome to the international bulletin from FranceToday and Radio Centrale Milano for Saturday September 26 2026 on FranceToday.com in podcasting and on Medium Wave at 1575 kHz.
Reporting from Paris is Rachel Costa.
Floods devastate Bangkok: over 300 mm of rain in a few days
The streets of Bangkok have been inundated by torrential rain that has accumulated nearly three hundred millimetres since the start of the week, forcing authorities to declare a state of emergency across the Thai capital. The lowest parts of the city, already prone to regular flooding, have seen water invade homes, markets and transport routes, creating large‑scale disruption.
Rescuers have launched evacuation operations for thousands of residents, while emergency services have distributed basic‑need kits and begun initial repairs to damaged infrastructure. Meteorologists warn that the rainy season, intensified by climate change, could recur in the coming months, raising the risk of further water emergencies in the area.
Iran proposes to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days
The Iranian government has made an offer to the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage through which a large share of world oil transits, within a week, provided Washington reduces diplomatic and commercial pressure. Iran argues that reopening would facilitate energy trade and help stabilise oil prices, which have recently been volatile due to regional tensions.
U.S. authorities responded cautiously, asking for further clarification on navigation safety and the possibility of monitoring hostile activities. International analysts warn that the decision will affect not only energy markets but also geopolitical relations between the West and the Middle East, with potential ripple effects on global trade flows.
Investor distrust pushes French sovereign debt to its highest level in fourteen years
The rating of French sovereign bonds has been hit by rising interest rates, with the Paris market now having to pay almost five percent to finance its debt. The yield spread versus Germany has reached a historic peak, signalling investors’ worries about France’s ability to contain public spending and energy costs.
The finance minister defended the government’s stance, highlighting ongoing reforms to improve competitiveness and reduce the deficit. However, market experts caution that persistent inflation and energy hardships could keep pressure on rates high, making it harder for Paris to attract capital at sustainable costs.
Riber, the small French company that makes semiconductor machines, sees shares jump 160 %
Riber, a start‑up based in Bezons, has developed equipment capable of placing atoms with near‑atomic precision, a crucial technology for advanced chip production. Thanks to new contracts with major semiconductor manufacturers and a recent financing round, the company’s shares have surged by one‑hundred‑sixty percent in a few weeks, attracting international investor interest.
Riber’s CEO said that global demand for electronic components, driven by the AI race, will ensure sustained medium‑term growth. The firm is also investing in artificial intelligence and photonics to further improve its production processes, aiming to consolidate its position in the global semiconductor supply chain.
China launches a campaign to attract AI talent from the United States
Pei Wei, a senior official responsible for technology policy in Beijing, announced a new incentive package aimed at AI researchers and engineers currently employed by major U.S. firms. The program offers research funding, accelerated visas and tax benefits for those who choose to relocate to China within the next eight months.
International observers see the move as an attempt to narrow the technological gap and cement Chinese leadership in generative AI. Washington, worried about brain drain, has already begun reviewing export policies for critical technologies, fearing further loss of competitiveness.
OpenAI admits it tested its bots on U.S. government sites
According to an official OpenAI statement, its artificial‑intelligence agents were used in a series of tests on digital platforms of federal agencies, to evaluate the systems’ ability to handle large volumes of public data. The company emphasized that the activity took place only in controlled test environments and that no sensitive information was compromised.
The Department of Homeland Security responded by launching an in‑depth review of cybersecurity practices, while legislators are debating the need for stricter rules on AI use in government contexts. The incident has reignited the debate over tech companies’ responsibility in handling public data.
Anthropic plans a Palantir‑style governance model before the IPO
According to an internal source, AI firm Anthropic is set to introduce a voting mechanism that will give seven of the co‑founders decision‑making control over key strategic issues, ahead of the upcoming initial public offering. The model, inspired by Palantir’s approach, ensures that the founders retain a voting majority even after the company goes public.
Analysts fear this structure could reduce transparency for investors, but Anthropic executives defend the choice as a safeguard to preserve the company’s long‑term vision. The move comes as scrutiny over AI‑company governance intensifies, with regulators contemplating possible interventions to protect shareholders.
China and the United States: the race for AI chip dominance intensifies
A report by research firm Omdia highlighted that global demand for AI‑dedicated microprocessors will increase by fifty percent by 2030, with China investing heavily in production capacity to reduce reliance on Western technology. The Chinese government has allocated funds for advanced fab construction and for training integrated‑circuit specialists, aiming to close the gap with Taiwanese and South Korean factories.
Meanwhile, U.S. companies such as Nvidia and AMD continue to dominate the high‑performance chip market, but fear possible export restrictions from the Department of Commerce. Experts warn that a prolonged technology rivalry could spur investment acceleration but also heighten trade tensions between the two superpowers.
Weather Paris, Monaco Monte Carlo and Milan for Saturday September 26 2026
Paris – Calm day with slight temperature variations
In the early morning, Paris wakes under a veil of very thick clouds, with a temperature of 16 °C and west winds of 10 km/h, occasional gusts reaching 25 km/h. The sky remains overcast until noon, but the complete lack of rain makes the perceived humidity slightly lower than the thermometer reading. Expert Régis Crêpet notes that in the afternoon the temperature rises to 24 °C, with winds easing to 10 km/h and gusts of 20 km/h, making the air feel cooler despite the sun beginning to break through. The afternoon is characterised by very cloud‑covered skies that gradually open, but remain rain‑free. In the evening temperatures drop to 22 °C, with 10 km/h winds maintaining a fresh feel, while the night brings a calm of 15 km/h and a low of 17 °C, perfect for quiet walks along the Seine. Throughout the day the wind profile stays moderate, with no storm threats, ensuring pleasant weather for urban activities. Air quality remains normal, despite a slight increase in fine particulate matter.
Monaco – Mild and sunny climate with sea breezes
At sunrise, Monaco welcomes a temperature of 21 °C, with light, steady sea breezes of 15 km/h, creating an immediate feeling of freshness. The morning is free of any precipitation, with the sky gradually becoming brighter. During the afternoon the air warms up to 25 °C, while the wind varies between 10 km/h and gusts of 20 km/h, contributing to a gentle breeze that caresses the Riviera coast. The weather stays stable and dry, with no risk of rain, allowing enjoyment of panoramic terraces. In the evening the temperature drops again to 21 °C, with calm winds of 15 km/h, while the night brings a slight dip to 20 °C, maintaining ideal conditions for a seaside stroll. Relative humidity stays moderate, keeping the atmosphere comfortable for residents and visitors, with air quality slightly degraded but acceptable.
Milan – Predominantly cloudy day with rising temperatures
At dawn, Milan records 18 °C under a cloudy sky, light north‑northeast winds of 4 km/h, and no rain, offering a fresh yet calm morning. The thermometer climbs progressively, reaching 24 °C in the afternoon, with light east‑southeast winds of 3‑4 km/h, while scattered clouds let occasional sunrays through without producing precipitation. The air stays dry, UV index low, making the day suitable for urban walks. In the evening the temperature falls to 22 °C, winds remain at a moderate 3‑4 km/h, and the sky clears further, favouring a crisp sunset over the city. Night brings a slight dip to 20 °C, weak winds of 2‑4 km/h, and completely stable conditions with no rain risk. Expert Daniele Berlusconi of 3BMeteo confirms that Saturday’s climate will be stable, with light breezes and a comfortably high maximum temperature for evening activities.
Rachel’s Dressing Advisory — Elegance under September Skies
With the 24 °C afternoon in Paris, a sumptuous Hermès cashmere coat, long‑line and tailored, is recommended to wrap the skin in the day’s mild warmth: maybe a little pricey but classy: One simply cannot survive a Parisian gust like that in anything less than cashmere. To complete the ensemble, a Loro Piana silk scarf, light and glossy, adds a touch of refined elegance, available at the boutique on rue du Faubourg Saint‑Honor starting at €2 800. (For those preferring a more casual look, a sleek tweed blazer with skinny jeans is a youthful and trendy choice.)
With the 25 °C afternoon in Monaco, a padded Moncler jacket, structured and filled with goose down, is ideal to defend against brief sea gusts: the Monte‑Carlo Fashion House boutique offers it starting at €2 800. To finish the outfit, a pair of Brentano linen trousers provide freshness and luxury, perfect for evenings at the harbour. The sea breeze calls for a garment of both form and function.
With the 24 °C peak in Milan, a Zegna men’s suit in merino wool, slim‑fit and finished with mother‑of‑pearl buttons, is recommended for a city where elegance is home. One must choose a suit that reflects both heritage and modernity. For a final touch, a Bottega Veneta smooth‑leather bag, available for €2 200 at the via Montenapoleone boutique, adds a timeless prestige element. (For street‑style fans, a velvet bomber jacket with luxury sneakers is a bold alternative.)
Koan of the day
A monk asked: “What is the true face of time today?”
Zhaozhou replied: “The mutable sky of Paris, the warm sun of Monaco and the cloudiness of Milan are all mirrors of impermanence.”
The monk replied: “Then, what is the path to live in harmony with these changes?”
Zhaozhou concluded: “Welcome the wind, the sun and the rain as friends, for they are the breath of the universe.”
And that is 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.