1️⃣ Mattarella’s Speech at the FAO Event
He called the trend “an unacceptable reversal,” stressing that international cooperation remains vital to combating food insecurity. President Sergio Mattarella, speaking at the FAO’s World Food Day event in Rome, criticized the global retreat from multilateralism, saying it worsens hunger and inequality.
Source: ANSA
2️⃣ Italy Mourns Officers Killed in Verona Eviction Blast
President Mattarella and Premier Meloni will attend the state funeral in Padua for three Carabinieri officers killed in a gas explosion during an eviction near Verona. A national day of mourning has been declared in their honor.
Source: ANSA
3️⃣ Pope Condemns Use of Hunger as Weapon of War
At the FAO’s World Food Day event in Rome, Pope Leo XIV denounced the “weaponization of hunger,” saying food deprivation in conflicts is a war crime that continues despite global consensus. He urged world leaders to show genuine political will to achieve the UN’s Zero Hunger goal by 2030.
Source: ANSA
4️⃣ Vatican Report: Cultural Taboos Hinder Abuse Reporting in Italy
A new report says Italy’s Catholic Church still faces strong cultural resistance to addressing abuse. The Vatican commission noted that taboos make it hard for victims to report cases and that only 81 of 226 dioceses fully cooperated with its safeguarding survey.
Source: ANSA
5️⃣ Exports to U.S. Fall 21% After Tariffs
Italy’s exports to the U.S. dropped 21.1% in August, the month U.S. tariffs on EU goods took effect, Istat reported. Overall exports fell 1.1% year-on-year, with sharp declines to Turkey and China but increases to France, Spain, and other EU countries. Italy still recorded a €2.05 billion trade surplus for the month.
Source: ANSA
6️⃣ Banks and Insurers to Contribute €4.4 Billion to 2026 Budget
Italy’s 2026 draft budget sent to the European Commission includes a €4.4 billion contribution from banks and insurance firms equal to 0.19% of GDP. The plan, part of a three-year €11 billion measure, also introduces tax cuts for middle-income earners and increased funding for healthcare and public sector wages.
Source: ANSA
7️⃣ Inflation Holds Steady at 1.6% in September
Istat confirmed Italy’s annual inflation rate remained at 1.6% in September, unchanged from August. Core inflation slightly eased to 2.0%, while the “shopping trolley” index for everyday goods dropped to 3.1%.
Source: ANSA
8️⃣ Von der Leyen Praises Italy’s Leadership on Self-Driving Cars
She highlighted Italian cities as key hubs for local innovation shaping Europe’s future. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said Italy is leading Europe in self-driving car innovation, with 60 mayors joining a coalition to pilot autonomous vehicle projects.
Source: ANSA
9️⃣ Worker Killed by Truck at Ravenna Port
A 67-year-old lorry driver died after being struck by a truck while loading clay at the port of Ravenna. It’s the latest in Italy’s ongoing workplace fatality crisis, with unions warning that three workers die daily despite government pledges to improve safety.
Source: ANSA
🔟 Virtus Bologna’s Vildoza Arrested for Assaulting Paramedic
Argentine basketball player Luca Vildoza and his wife were arrested in Bologna for allegedly attacking a female health worker after blocking an ambulance. The incident occurred shortly after Virtus Bologna’s Euroleague win over Monaco.
Source: ANSA
