Zero's Briefs

Foreign Affairs and Geopolitics — Gaza, Unicef: over 340 children dead since ceasefire — According to Unicef, Israeli attacks on Gaza have caused the death of over 340 children since the ceasefire came into force in October 2025, with seven children killed in the last fifteen days. Sky TG24

Foreign Affairs and Geopolitics — Iran, Revolutionary Guards report tanker hit by a mine in Hormuz — The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Navy states that a tanker carrying over two million barrels of crude oil struck a mine in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire. The report currently comes from a single source, the Revolutionary Guards’ statement; no independent confirmation is available. Juorno.it

Foreign Affairs and Geopolitics — France, marches and tensions over cost of living — Demonstrations took place in several French cities on October 17: in Paris, police used tear gas against groups launching pyrotechnic mortars, in Lyon the tourist office at Place Bellecour was set on fire, and in Marseille some protesters entered the lobby of the city hall. Le Monde

Italy — Truckers protest in the South, Reggio Calabria offers free transport — The mobilization of truckers and farmers against rising diesel prices has continued for days along highways, state roads and port areas in the South, with protests still ongoing overnight between October 16 and 17 in Calabria. The Municipality of Reggio Calabria has arranged eight days of free public transport starting October 17 to ease the impact of rising fuel costs. Voce dei Cittadini

Europe — United Kingdom creates MI5 center on artificial intelligence threats — MI5 has established an AI Threat Assessment Centre to evaluate the use of AI by hostile states and terrorist organizations, announced by Director General Ken McCallum. The report currently comes from a single source; no independent confirmation is available. Formiche.net

Culture — Agrigento, a district of ancient Akragas resurfaces — Archaeologists from the University of Milan have unearthed monumental walls and buildings destroyed during the Carthaginian siege of 406 BC in the Valley of the Temples, along with ancient hydraulic channels. The excavation campaign will conclude on October 24. AgrigentoNotizie

Sport — Wuhan Open, Errani and Paolini reach doubles semifinal — Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini have reached the doubles semifinal at the WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan, the first they have played together since March. Sky Sport

Cinema & Entertainment — Rome Film Fest, Bardem honored and anticipation builds for Ortega — On the fifth day of the Rome Film Fest, Javier Bardem received the Career Achievement Award presented by Paolo Sorrentino before the screening of Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s ‘El ser querido’; also expected on the red carpet were Jenna Ortega and the Italian couple Matilde Gioli and Pierpaolo Spollon. Source: official festival program, the only source available. Spettacolo.eu