World

Leader of 'Forza Italia' party Silvio Berlusconi arrives for a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella for the first round of formal political consultations for new governmentÃ?? at the Quirinale PalaceÃ?? in Rome, Italy, 21 October 2022. ANSA/FABIO FRUSTACI
Leader of 'Forza Italia' party Silvio Berlusconi arrives for a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella for the first round of formal political consultations for new governmentÃ?? at the Quirinale PalaceÃ?? in Rome, Italy, 21 October 2022. ANSA/FABIO FRUSTACI
the sentence

Berlusconi's heirs' appeal is rejected by Strasbourg, calling for a "fair trial" in the Mediaset tax fraud case.

The European Court of Human Rights rules out any violations of fundamental rights in the proceedings that led to the final conviction in 2013
Dopo la decisione del governo di sospendere temporaneamente il trattato di Schengen con la Spagna, all'aeroporto di Fiumicino, in corrispondenza dei primi voli arrivati questa mattina rispettivamente da Barcellona e Madrid, sono scattati ad opera della Polizia di Frontiera i primi controlli a campione su passeggeri di Paesi terzi (extra Ue) in arrivo dalla Spagna. La macchina operativa per predisporre le verifiche si è messa in moto già da ieri sera. Le verifiche sono "selettive", e sotto la lente saranno cittadini di Paesi terzi in arrivo dalla Spagna, per accertare se siano in possesso dei documenti idonei a circolare in ambito Schengen. ANSA/TELENEWS
Dopo la decisione del governo di sospendere temporaneamente il trattato di Schengen con la Spagna, all'aeroporto di Fiumicino, in corrispondenza dei primi voli arrivati questa mattina rispettivamente da Barcellona e Madrid, sono scattati ad opera della Polizia di Frontiera i primi controlli a campione su passeggeri di Paesi terzi (extra Ue) in arrivo dalla Spagna. La macchina operativa per predisporre le verifiche si è messa in moto già da ieri sera. Le verifiche sono "selettive", e sotto la lente saranno cittadini di Paesi terzi in arrivo dalla Spagna, per accertare se siano in possesso dei documenti idonei a circolare in ambito Schengen. ANSA/TELENEWS
the announcement

Italy-Spain Agreement: "Stop Schengen Suspensions"

No further extension of controls at ports and airports, reinstated last summer after the migrant case in Ceuta
epa13320281 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends the signing of a bill that establishes new revenue thresholds for micro-entrepreneurs, as well as the presentation of a proposed constitutional amendment to implement zero-fare public transport on weekends and public holidays, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, 21 October 2026. EPA/Andre Borges
epa13320281 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends the signing of a bill that establishes new revenue thresholds for micro-entrepreneurs, as well as the presentation of a proposed constitutional amendment to implement zero-fare public transport on weekends and public holidays, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, 21 October 2026. EPA/Andre Borges
the elections

Brazil's countdown to the runoff election begins: Lula closes gap with Bolsonaro.

Polls on the eve of the runoff confirm the outgoing president's comeback
epa13302665 An Iranian woman walks past a mural of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on a street in Tehran, Iran, 14 October 2026, amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH RESTRICTIONS: NO Access Israel Media/Persian Language TV Stations Outside Iran/Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV. (As mandated by Iran's Directorate General for Foreign Media) --
epa13302665 An Iranian woman walks past a mural of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on a street in Tehran, Iran, 14 October 2026, amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH RESTRICTIONS: NO Access Israel Media/Persian Language TV Stations Outside Iran/Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV. (As mandated by Iran's Directorate General for Foreign Media) --
United States

"The US and Israel are planning attacks on Iran after the midterms."

The New York Times: "Nuclear centers and arsenals are among the possible targets. But Trump's approval isn't guaranteed."
epa12872498 US President Donald Trump briefs the media on Iran from the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 06 April 2026. EPA/YURI GRIPAS / POOL
epa12872498 US President Donald Trump briefs the media on Iran from the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 06 April 2026. EPA/YURI GRIPAS / POOL
USA

Trump wants to kick journalists out of the White House: "A swimming pool instead of a press room."

Meanwhile, CNN threatens a new lawsuit for the denied access aboard Air Force One.
Ansa
Ansa
Soccer

Premier League animal rights activists are calling on Crystal Palace to drop the eagle.

The Phoenix mascot flies before home games at Selhurst Park stadium
epa11647030 A handout photo made available by the Moscow City Court Press Service shows US citizen Stephen Hubbard inside a glass cage during the verdict announcement, in the Moscow City court in Moscow, Russia, 07 October 2024. US citizen Stefan Hubbard, 72, has been sentenced to six years and ten months in prison on 07 October for allegedly fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. EPA/MOSCOW CITY COURT PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT -- BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE --HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
epa11647030 A handout photo made available by the Moscow City Court Press Service shows US citizen Stephen Hubbard inside a glass cage during the verdict announcement, in the Moscow City court in Moscow, Russia, 07 October 2024. US citizen Stefan Hubbard, 72, has been sentenced to six years and ten months in prison on 07 October for allegedly fighting as a mercenary for Ukraine. EPA/MOSCOW CITY COURT PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT -- BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE --HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES
the announcement

Moscow releases American citizen Stephen Hubbard, Trump says, "Freed him without giving anything in return."

The president on Truth: "Stephen is coming home and will soon be with his family."
Il presidente ucraino Zelensky (foto Ansa)
Il presidente ucraino Zelensky (foto Ansa)
Kiev

Zelenskiy: "Italy is also a victim of Putin's hybrid warfare. The US is asking us to stop; it's unfair."

The Ukrainian leader in an interview with Corriere della Sera: "If they want to discuss negotiations and a peace agreement with Putin, we are always open."
Donald Trump (foto Ansa/Epa)
Donald Trump (foto Ansa/Epa)
USA

Trump's announcement: "Eight billion dollars for farmers to combat high diesel prices."

The president's remarks from a rally in Kansas ahead of the midterm elections. The goal is to offset diesel costs during the harvest season.
Disordini a Milano. Nel riquadro in alto a sinistra Donald Trump
Disordini a Milano. Nel riquadro in alto a sinistra Donald Trump
The attack

Trump: "The protests in Italy are also about immigration."

"Just as France is a worse country. If Europe doesn't close its borders, it's over."
the war

Russian raid on a playground in Kharkiv leaves six dead, including three children. The Pope calls Zelensky: "Humanitarian truce."

The Interior Minister: "At the time of the attack, carried out with a drone, there were several families in the area."
Paris

France: Protesters block access to the Louvre, with over 2,000 shops looted over the weekend.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez admits failure: "We lost control. I submitted my resignation to Macron, but he rejected it."
epa13314651 US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House after arriving on Marine One in Washington, DC, USA, 18 October 2026. EPA/Aaron Schwartz / POOL
epa13314651 US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House after arriving on Marine One in Washington, DC, USA, 18 October 2026. EPA/Aaron Schwartz / POOL
USA

Trump accuses Zelensky: "He doesn't want an end to the war." And he defends Putin: "He's selling diesel despite the Ukrainian raids."

Meanwhile, the "tsar" is proposing a three-way meeting with the American president and Xi Jinping on the conflict in Ukraine. This summit would exclude Europe and Kiev itself from the negotiations.
epa13314048 France's President Emmanuel Macron reacts ahead of an Interministerial Crisis Meeting chaired by him at the Elysee Presidential Palace, in Paris, France, 18 October 2026, the day after riots and looting on the sidelines of nationwide protests against the high cost of living. The French president was to give a televised address at 18:00 GMT on 18 October 2026, his office said, in the wake of violent protests that rocked the country. The broadcast was to take place after a meeting between Macron and various ministers, the Elysee said. EPA/LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL MAXPPP OUT
epa13314048 France's President Emmanuel Macron reacts ahead of an Interministerial Crisis Meeting chaired by him at the Elysee Presidential Palace, in Paris, France, 18 October 2026, the day after riots and looting on the sidelines of nationwide protests against the high cost of living. The French president was to give a televised address at 18:00 GMT on 18 October 2026, his office said, in the wake of violent protests that rocked the country. The broadcast was to take place after a meeting between Macron and various ministers, the Elysee said. EPA/LUDOVIC MARIN / POOL MAXPPP OUT
Paris

Clashes in France, Macron addresses the nation: "Anger and shame. Those who destroyed must pay."

A stern warning to the casseurs who have set the country on fire and sword.
La tragedia di Guyaguil in Ecuador
La tragedia di Guyaguil in Ecuador
the tragedy

Ecuador, live-streamed tragedy: priest dies after being struck by crucifix during Mass

The heavy wooden symbol fell from the wall above the altar, striking Father Sánchez Molinari on the head. Help for the shocked faithful in the Archdiocese of Guayaquil was unsuccessful.
Donald TrumpEPA/JIM LO SCALZO
Donald TrumpEPA/JIM LO SCALZO
World

Trump's approval ratings plummet in the polls two weeks before the election, hitting an all-time low.

Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey: "The president has never been weaker." Vance's doubts about his future White House candidacy
epaselect epa13309727 US President Donald Trump gestures to reporters as he departs the White House for a rally in Georgia, in Washington, DC, USA, 16 October 2026. President Trump will participate in a midterm rally in Dalton, Georgia, in support of local candidates Rick Jackson and Rep. Mike Collins. EPA/JIM LO SCALZO
epaselect epa13309727 US President Donald Trump gestures to reporters as he departs the White House for a rally in Georgia, in Washington, DC, USA, 16 October 2026. President Trump will participate in a midterm rally in Dalton, Georgia, in support of local candidates Rick Jackson and Rep. Mike Collins. EPA/JIM LO SCALZO
the clash

Trump attacks: "France is burning, close the borders."

The US president: "Immigration has destroyed a great country." Vance: "This is the future if the Democrats win."
"The frontline situation remains very difficult in the key areas of Donbas – Bakhmut, Soledar, Maryinka, Kreminna... For a long time already there is no living place left on the land of these areas – undamaged by shells and fire. The occupiers actually destroyed Bakhmut, another Donbas city that the Russian army turned into burnt ruins. I thank all our heroes, all soldiers and commanders who are holding the frontline in these directions, repulsing attacks and inflicting significant losses on the enemy – in response to the hell that entered Ukraine under the Russian flag. Glory to everyone who fights for Ukraine! Gratitude to everyone who works for the sake of our people! Eternal memory to all those who gave their lives for independence! Glory to Ukraine!", si legge in un post del presidente ucraino Volodymyr Zelensky inoltrato su Zelenskiy / Official, 09 dicembre 2022. NPK Frame tratto da video su Zelenskiy / Official +++ATTENZIONE LA FOTO NON PUO' ESSERE PUBBLICATA O RIPRODOTTA SENZA L'AUTORIZZAZIONE DELLA FONTE DI ORIGINE CUI SI RINVIA+++ +++NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE; EDITORIAL USE ONLY+++
"The frontline situation remains very difficult in the key areas of Donbas – Bakhmut, Soledar, Maryinka, Kreminna... For a long time already there is no living place left on the land of these areas – undamaged by shells and fire. The occupiers actually destroyed Bakhmut, another Donbas city that the Russian army turned into burnt ruins. I thank all our heroes, all soldiers and commanders who are holding the frontline in these directions, repulsing attacks and inflicting significant losses on the enemy – in response to the hell that entered Ukraine under the Russian flag. Glory to everyone who fights for Ukraine! Gratitude to everyone who works for the sake of our people! Eternal memory to all those who gave their lives for independence! Glory to Ukraine!", si legge in un post del presidente ucraino Volodymyr Zelensky inoltrato su Zelenskiy / Official, 09 dicembre 2022. NPK Frame tratto da video su Zelenskiy / Official +++ATTENZIONE LA FOTO NON PUO' ESSERE PUBBLICATA O RIPRODOTTA SENZA L'AUTORIZZAZIONE DELLA FONTE DI ORIGINE CUI SI RINVIA+++ +++NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE; EDITORIAL USE ONLY+++
the war

Kiev drones target St. Petersburg: bridge hit

Minister Crosetto told the BBC: "A new aid package for Ukraine will be available by the end of the year."
the tragedy

Canada: Fire at military base kills and injures

A training facility in Alberta was involved. Authorities said it was "a tragedy unlike anything seen in years."
Insularità
L'arcivescovo di Sassari, monsignor Francesco Soddu (foto concessa)
L'arcivescovo di Sassari, monsignor Francesco Soddu (foto concessa)

Osilo, a letter from the faithful to Archbishop Soddu: "The meaning of Christian charity is being lost here."

"Praying together risks being an empty worship performed only by a few pretentious people, closed in on their own well-being."