Zero's Briefs

World — New Russian attack on Ukraine — On the night between 25 and 26 October Russia struck Ukraine with 140 Shahed drones and decoys and guided missiles; in Zaporizhzhia four people were wounded and a hotel and two buses were damaged. The Ukrainian air force reports having neutralised 112 drones and three missiles by 8am. Sources: Ukraine Desk Note, Rio Times.

World — Israeli raid on Khan Younis — At least three people were killed and more than ten wounded in Israeli ground and air strikes on the outskirts of Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The report currently comes from a single source (Al Jazeera, cited by Italpress, which cites local health sources); no independent confirmation available. Source: Italpress.

Europe — Green homes, Brussels against all 27 — The European Commission has opened infringement proceedings against all 27 member states, Italy included, for failing to transpose the directive on the energy performance of buildings. This is not a measure targeting Italy but a delay common to the entire Union. Source: Notizie Geopolitiche.

Italy — Budget bill in Council of Ministers by Wednesday — Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani has announced that the budget law will reach the Council of Ministers between tomorrow and the day after, speaking on the sidelines of the Federchimica assembly in Milan. Source: ANSA.

Chronicle — Taxi and Ncc drivers protest in Rome, Usb strike on the 30th — Hundreds of taxi and Ncc drivers demonstrated outside the Ministry of Transport demanding measures against rising fuel costs, including a tax-exempt professional fuel. In Naples, a national Usb strike against the cost of living was announced for Friday 30 October. Sources: RaiNews, la Repubblica Napoli.

Culture — Roman villa discovered in Bibbona during pipeline excavation works — At Calcinaiola, in the municipality of Bibbona, works on the Livorno-Piombino gas pipeline have brought to light an extra-urban production facility from the Roman imperial age, with a special public opening of the dig site. The report currently comes from a single source (Gazzetta di Livorno); no independent confirmation available. Source: Gazzetta di Livorno.

Film & Entertainment — Grok publishes a short film on the Odyssey — On 26 October, X’s artificial intelligence assistant Grok published a seven-minute short film dedicated to the Odyssey, the first instalment of a series, following scepticism expressed by the director of the blockbuster “Odyssey” about the use of AI in cinema. The report currently comes from a single source (Quotidiano.net); no independent confirmation available. Source: Quotidiano.net.

Tech & AI — Italian decree on AI oversight comes into force — Since 23 October, legislative decree no. 179/2026 has been in effect, implementing the European AI Act by defining the national oversight and sanctions system: for prohibited practices, penalties can reach up to 35 million euros or 7% of companies’ annual worldwide turnover, whichever is higher. Sources: TGWebAI, Martino & Partners.