Zero's Briefs

Italy — The 2027 budget law slips into overtime — The budget law did not reach Parliament within the planned timeframe: the government is waiting for Brussels to define the flexibility margins requested by Italy on energy spending, which weigh on the more than 14 billion earmarked for high energy costs. In talks with Deputy Prime Ministers Tajani and Salvini and Minister Giorgetti, Prime Minister Meloni asked that a clash with the banks be avoided. Source: Il Messaggero.

Europe — The EU Parliament votes on the 2027 budget and the Harry fund — In Strasbourg, the European Parliament is discussing the conclusions of October’s European Council alongside Commission President von der Leyen and European Council President Costa. The agenda also includes votes on the Union’s general budget for 2027, on the 2024 discharge, and on the Solidarity Fund for Italy and other Mediterranean countries hit by cyclone Harry. Source: ANSA.

Foreign Affairs and Geopolitics — Houthi missiles hit a camp in Yemen, 53 dead — Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck a government forces training camp in Shabwa, southern Yemen, with ballistic missiles on Monday, killing at least 53 soldiers and wounding more than 200, according to the provincial government. The rebels claimed the attack, among the deadliest since fighting resumed in the summer. The head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, promised “a firm response” (transl. from English). Sources: PBS NewsHour, Al Jazeera.

Foreign Affairs and Geopolitics — Alberta votes on the path toward independence — Alberta residents voted Monday in a non-binding referendum on ten questions, including launching a legal path toward a future vote on separation from Canada. More than 1.35 million Albertans, 43 percent of those eligible, voted early or by mail. The law requires a manual count within 48 hours, with results expected overnight. Prime Minister Mark Carney urged: “Vote as if the future of Canada depends on it, because it does” (transl. from English). Sources: Washington Times, CP24/CTV News.

News — Flash flooding between Greece and Turkey — An extreme weather event hit the border area between Greece and Turkey, with more than 200 millimeters of rain falling in just six hours. The downpour caused widespread flooding in the region. Source: ilMeteo.it.

Economy and Markets — Nordex soars in Frankfurt after quarterly results — German wind turbine maker Nordex beat expectations in the third quarter and raised its forecasts for the year. The stock rose sharply on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange after the results were published. Source: Il Sole 24 Ore.

Culture — In Pompeii, one eruption victim was a doctor — New analyses of human remains found in Pompeii indicate that one of the victims of the Vesuvius eruption practiced medicine. The discovery adds a piece to the reconstruction of daily life in the buried city. Source: Archeologia Viva.

Sport — Champions League, Roma and Napoli play today — On matchday two of the Champions League league phase, Roma-Slovan Bratislava and Napoli-Bodø/Glimt are scheduled, two key matches for the Italian teams’ European campaigns. Source: Tuttosport.

Health — UN, 153 countries approve pandemic declaration — The United Nations General Assembly approved on 12 October 2026 a political declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, with 153 votes in favor, three against and two abstentions. The formal vote became necessary after objections from some delegations to the consensus adoption planned for 25 September. Source: independent analysis, referring to UN document A/81/L.6.

Tech & AI — In Australia, AI keeps phone scammers busy — Australian startup Apate uses artificial intelligence agents that pose as victims to keep phone scammers engaged and gather clues about their techniques. The company says it has handled 2.5 million conversations, for a combined duration equivalent to 17 years, and has collected more than 250,000 pieces of information on the fraud schemes. Source: Geopop.