Zero's Briefs

Italy — Budget office raises growth estimates — The Parliamentary Budget Office, an independent body overseeing public accounts, has revised upward its forecasts for Italian economic growth compared with previous estimates. The update emerged in the context of parliamentary hearings on public accounts on August 4, 2026. The detail of the new figures was not specified in the note released by the body. The revision comes as Istat reports a slowdown in industrial production for the same period. Source: Stampa Parlamento.

Europe — Brussels assesses Rule of Law in candidate countries too — The European Commission has published the 2026 Rule of Law Report, which analyzes, alongside the 27 Member States, the four candidate countries for accession: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The document notes continued progress despite persistent shortcomings in the various legal systems examined. No country-by-country details were disclosed in the summary released by the EU executive. Source: official European Union portal.

Europe — New EU rules to recognize AI-generated content — As of August 2, 2026, new European rules imposing transparency obligations on artificial intelligence systems have come into effect. Brussels’ stated goal is to help citizens and users recognize when they are interacting with an automated system or exposed to artificially generated content, in order to limit the risk of disinformation. The rules add to the European regulatory framework on artificial intelligence already in force. Source: official European Union portal.

Europe — Right to repair enters into force across the EU — As of July 31, 2026, the European directive on the repair of goods has become national law in all EU countries. The rule aims to favor the repair of products over the purchase of new ones, with the stated goal of reducing waste and extending the lifespan of consumer goods. Brussels has not yet released data on the practical implementation of the new rules in individual states. Source: official European Union portal.

Foreign Affairs and Geopolitics — US House proposes new sanctions against Russia and Iran — A bipartisan group of US House representatives has introduced the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, aimed at targeting Russian energy, the banking system and the so-called shadow fleet used to circumvent the oil embargo. The proposal comes after a Senate vote of 86 in favor and 11 against the previous week. On the ground, Ukrainian forces struck a refinery in Tatarstan while a blackout hit Simferopol, in occupied Crimea. Sources: Kyiv Post, Kyiv Independent.

Foreign Affairs and Geopolitics — Houthi attack on Yemeni port of Mokha, 11 dead — An attack carried out by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels killed at least 11 people in the Yemeni port city of Mokha. The report, attributed to a local medical source cited by the Agence France Presse news agency, concerns the circumstances of the action and does not provide details on the identity of the victims. The news currently comes from a single source (AFP); no independent confirmation is available. Source: Inquirer Global Nation.

Foreign Affairs and Geopolitics — Tehran appoints former Revolutionary Guards commander to security post — Iran has appointed former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohsen Rezaee as head of the country’s top national security body. On the same day, Iranian government sources indicated that negotiations with Oman to restore full navigation in the Strait of Hormuz were said to be nearing conclusion, without specifying the terms. The news currently comes from a single source (international agencies); no independent confirmation is available. Source: Business Standard.

News in Brief — Philippines cyclone death toll rises to 15 — The combined effect of monsoon rains and tropical cyclones Maymay and Luis has caused at least 15 deaths, 13 injuries and 9 missing in the Philippines, according to Philippine National Police data. The deaths were mainly caused by drowning, electrocution, landslides and falling trees. Local authorities continue to monitor the areas most affected by the bad weather. Source: The Manila Times.

News in Brief — Magnitude 7.4 earthquake shakes western Colombia — A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Colombia’s Chocó department on Monday, August 10, 2026, 38 kilometers west of the city of Cartago. According to international seismological monitoring, this is the strongest earthquake recorded worldwide in the past week. Official data on any damage or casualties are not yet available. Source: VolcanoDiscovery.

Economy and Markets — Eurozone inflation falls to 2.8% in June — Eurostat data confirm the slowdown in prices in the eurozone, with annual inflation at 2.8% in June 2026, down from 3.2% in May. In the European Union as a whole, inflation fell to 2.9%, from 3.3% the previous month. The lowest levels were recorded in Sweden, Czechia and Denmark. Source: Eurostat.

Economy and Markets — Istat: industrial production down, unemployment at 5.7% — Istat data for June 2026 show a 1.0% decrease in Italy’s industrial production index compared with May and a 0.6% decrease year-on-year. The unemployment rate rose to 5.7%, up 0.4 percentage points. In the same period, second-quarter GDP grew by 0.2% compared with the previous quarter, while in July consumer prices rose 2.8% year-on-year. Source: Istat.