Zero's Briefs

Italy — Surge in applications for separated parents’ rent bonus — Over 13 thousand requests arrived in less than 24 hours for the rent contribution aimed at separated parents, a measure currently funded with 60 million euros over three years. The government is considering additional funding already within the budget law should the funds run out. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini: “There are already 13 thousand requests from separated parents for the rent contribution.” Tg Politico Parlamentare.

Europe — Ecofin reaches agreement on supervision and capital markets — The economy ministers of the 27 EU countries, meeting in Luxembourg, reached a political agreement to deepen the integration of European capital markets and expand the powers of Esma. The legal text must now be finalized and formally approved at a forthcoming Council meeting. Italian minister Giancarlo Giorgetti called it “a major political success.” Sky TG24.

Foreign Affairs and Geopolitics — Nobel Peace Prize goes to jurist Navi Pillay — The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2026 peace prize to South African Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, 85, for her commitment to the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. This year the committee received 287 nominations. Al Jazeera.

News — Double tornado in Trapani area, schools closed in the South — An orange weather alert affects several regions of central-southern Italy: a double tornado struck the Trapani area causing damage and injuries, while heavy rains and flooded streets were reported from Naples to Brindisi. Schools will remain closed in Torre del Greco, Giugliano, Quarto, Sorrento, Cosenza and Catanzaro. Adnkronos.

Economy and Markets — Wall Street rises on signs of easing between Washington and Tehran — Global stock markets closed higher after President Trump stated that the United States would not attack Iran before the midterm elections. The S&P 500 gained 0.59% to 7,812 points and the Dow Jones gained 0.83% to 51,655 points, while Brent crude settled at around 103 dollars. The Rio Times.

Economy and Markets — Global extreme poverty to remain near 10% — According to the World Bank, over 824 million people lived in extreme poverty in 2024, about one in ten worldwide. The projection indicates a marginal decline from 10.1% to 9.8% by 2026, with the threshold set at less than 3 dollars a day in purchasing power parity. World Bank Blogs.

Culture — Five discoveries compete for the Palmyra 2026 award — A sunken port at Taposiris Magna in Egypt and a Dionysian frieze from the Pompeii excavations are among the entries for the Palmyra 2026 International Archaeology Award. The winner will be announced on October 30 in Paestum as part of the Mediterranean Exchange of Archaeological Tourism. Classicult.

Culture — An altar dedicated to the Genius of Augustus resurfaces at Aquinum — The eighteenth excavation campaign by the University of Salento at the ancient Roman city of Aquinum, in Lazio, has brought to light a decorated cippus and a marble votive altar. A new fragment has made it possible to reconstruct part of an inscription dedicated to the Genius of Augustus and the Lares of Augustus. SiViaggia.

Sport — Giro di Lombardia runs from Bergamo to Como — The 2026 Giro di Lombardia cycling classic is being held over a 239-kilometer course from Bergamo to Como, featuring nine climbs and 4,600 meters of total elevation gain. The finish is scheduled on Lungolario Trento in Como in the afternoon. Il Giorno.

Tech & AI — Crew-12 mission returns to Earth after 237 days — The crew of the NASA/SpaceX Crew-12 mission, made up of astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, European astronaut Sophie Adenot and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, splashed down in the Pacific on October 8 after 237 days in orbit and more than 100 million miles traveled. ScienceDaily.

Tech & AI — Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Kagan and Soai for catalysis — The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai for their pioneering studies on asymmetric catalysis. The announcement was made on October 7 from Stockholm. NobelPrize.org.

Cinema & Entertainment — Bardem and Ross honored with lifetime achievement awards in Rome — The Rome Film Fest, in its twenty-first edition running from October 13 to 25, will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Javier Bardem, presented by Paolo Sorrentino, and the Industry Lifetime Achievement Award to British producer Tessa Ross during the opening night. Artribune.