Zero's Briefs

Italy — 26-billion-euro budget bill, agreement with the EU on the energy bills decree — The government has given the green light to the 2027 budget law worth 26 billion euros. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the agreement with the European Commission on the energy bills decree at the end of the October European Council. Source

Europe — Montréal, von der Leyen aims for a closer alliance with Canada — At the 21st EU-Canada summit, the President of the European Commission met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and President of the European Council Antonio Costa to discuss critical raw materials, supply chains, artificial intelligence and space. “We want Canada to be as close as possible to the European Union,” von der Leyen said. Source

Economy — Ex Ilva, Court of Cassation confirms halt to hot area — Italy’s Court of Cassation has rejected the appeals filed by Acciaierie d’Italia and Ilva, under extraordinary administration, against the decree ordering the shutdown of the hot area at the Taranto plant by the end of October. Source

Health — DR Congo, discharge for patients recovered from Ebola in Ituri — Médecins Sans Frontières celebrated the discharge of patients who recovered from the Ebola virus after being treated in the province of Ituri, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Source

Tech — NASA considers mission to save the Hubble telescope — The US space agency published a request for information to companies on October 29 for a possible mission to Hubble by 2032, aimed at raising its orbit or bringing it down in a controlled re-entry. In 2024 NASA had chosen not to intervene, judging the risks to outweigh the benefits. Source

Cinema — Rome Film Fest, British film by Clio Barnard wins — The 21st edition of the Rome Film Fest closed with ‘I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning’ by Clio Barnard winning best film. Lifetime achievement awards went to Javier Bardem and Julianne Moore; the Terna audience award was shared ex aequo by ‘Congo Boy’ by Rafiki Fariala and ‘Mustang’ by Kasia Smutniak. Source

Sport — Harry Kane wins the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or — The English striker was awarded the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or. Source