Notizie della settimana

Freedoms

Russia: Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief questioned after home search

Police searched the home of Sergei Sokolov, editor-in-chief of the independent newspaper, before taking him in for questioning. The investigation is linked to a case involving his colleague Oleg Roldugin, who was arrested in April. Sokolov had not been charged at the time of publication. The case comes amid continued pressure on Russia’s independent media.

Fonte : Novaya Gazeta Europe

Society

Portugal: Police operation against housing rights camp leaves dozens injured

In Porto, police moved in during the night of 14–15 October to clear tents set up by housing rights activists in Praça D. João I. The movement reported 37 people injured, two of whom were hospitalised.

Police confirmed the operation but said some participants had resisted. Porto’s mayor defended the action, while protesters denounced what they described as a disproportionate use of force.

Fonte : Euronews

Technology

Italy: Lombardy seeks to curb data centre expansion

Lombardy, the region around Milan, is preparing to tighten its rules on data centres amid a surge in proposed projects. More than 60 applications, representing a combined capacity of around 11 GW, have been submitted since the regional law came into force. According to estimates cited by Reuters, this capacity could require 90 TWh of electricity a year, compared with the region’s current annual consumption of around 65 TWh.

The proposed changes would prioritise former industrial sites, limit the use of agricultural land, and encourage renewable energy and water-efficient systems.

Fonte : Reuters

Justice

Hungary: European Court rules against scheme altering sentences for human trafficking

The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Hungary had breached EU law by automatically converting certain final prison sentences for human trafficking into a “special reintegration detention” regime. The scheme allowed those concerned to leave the country within 72 hours of their release and barred them from returning for the specified period. The Court found that the mechanism did not amount to an effective, dissuasive and proportionate penalty.

The decree in question was repealed in August 2025. The Court stated that 2,525 people had been subject to the scheme.

Fonte : Court of Justice of the European Union

Energy

Switzerland: Zurich draws on kerosene reserves amid looming shortage

Swiss authorities have temporarily authorised the release of 30,000 m³ of kerosene from compulsory reserves to maintain supplies to Zurich Airport. Deliveries have been disrupted by major delays in rail freight, particularly from Germany. Low water levels on the Rhine have diverted more goods onto an already overstretched rail network.

Fonte : Swiss Confederation, Reuters

Health

Germany: Alcohol banned at around 5,700 Deutsche Bahn stations

From 15 October, drinking alcohol is prohibited in the concourses and on the platforms of the state-owned railway company’s stations. Station restaurants and alcohol consumption aboard trains are generally exempt. The stated aim is to reduce conflict, violence and litter; the company’s security staff will play a key role in enforcing the ban.

Fonte : Deutsche Bahn

Heritage

Netherlands: Rotterdam’s poetry-adorned rubbish trucks recognised as intangible cultural heritage

Since 1988, poems have been printed on Rotterdam’s waste collection vehicles. This tradition has now been added to the Dutch inventory of intangible cultural heritage, alongside hundreds of other national practices and traditions. The initiative aims to bring poetry into everyday life, beyond traditional cultural venues.

Fonte : The Guardian

Economy

Netherlands: ASML sets a new revenue record

The Dutch semiconductor equipment manufacturer generated €11.7 billion in revenue in the third quarter of 2026, with a net profit of €5 billion.

Driven by investment in artificial intelligence, ASML expects annual sales of up to €45 billion and warns that demand for its equipment could outstrip production capacity through 2028.

Fonte : ASML, Reuters

Public Affairs

Czechia: Forum 2000 upholds Václav Havel’s democratic legacy

The 30th edition of Forum 2000, held in Prague from 11 to 13 October, brought together more than 800 participants from around 100 countries under the theme “Reimagining the Power of the Powerless”.

Founded in 1996 at the initiative of former Czech president and dissident Václav Havel, alongside Elie Wiesel and philanthropist Yohei Sasakawa, the Forum emerged in the aftermath of the Cold War. It aims to promote democracy, human rights, civil society and international dialogue.

Fonte : Forum 2000

Enlargement

Albania: Another EU accession chapter provisionally closed

Albania and the European Union have provisionally closed Chapter 20, which covers enterprise and industrial policy. Four of the 33 negotiating chapters have now been provisionally closed, following an initial step forward in July.

Tirana is thus moving closer to the EU, but still has to meet European requirements, particularly regarding the rule of law and institutional reforms.

Fonte : European Commission, Council of the EU

Justice

Germany: Nord Stream sabotage trial opens in Hamburg

The trial of Sergiy Kuznietsov, a former Ukrainian officer suspected of involvement in the September 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines linking Russia and Germany, opens before a court in Hamburg.

German investigators allege that he played a role in a team that planted the explosives. He denies the accusations through his lawyers.

Fonte : Associated Press, Le Monde

Health: Climate change also threatens brain health

An analysis published by Euronews during the European Health Forum Gastein has issued a fresh warning about the potential impact of global warming on neurological health.

Extreme heat, sleep disorders, pollution and changes in the spread of certain infectious diseases could increase health risks, particularly the risk of strokes.

Fonte : Euronews

Religion

Vatican: Leo XIV undergoes surgery for lung cancer

The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV, aged 71, has lung adenocarcinoma. He underwent surgery on 13 October to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. The procedure was completed without complications, and his recovery is considered encouraging. His public engagements have been cancelled until 20 October.

Meanwhile, his encyclical Magnifica humanitas is being presented in Brussels on 14 October. The text addresses the human and ethical challenges posed by technological change. The Pope is not expected to attend; the presentation is to be led in part by Archbishop Paul Tighe.

Fonte : Reuters, Vatican News, Dicastery for Culture and Education

Politics

Sweden: Magdalena Andersson struggles to form a government

Following the 13 September general election, the left and centre-left bloc holds 176 of the 349 seats, compared with 173 for the right. Yet Magdalena Andersson (Social Democrats, 99 seats) has been unable to form a coalition.

The deadlock is political rather than mathematical. The Speaker of Parliament may now ask other candidates, including outgoing Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, to form a government. In Sweden, a candidate is elected unless 175 or more MPs vote against them, meaning abstentions can be decisive.

Fonte : Euronews, Swedish election authority

War

Black Sea: Two cargo ships hit by drones near Bulgaria

Overnight on 12–13 October, two cargo ships were hit by drones off the coast of Bulgaria, an EU and NATO member. A total of 20 sailors were rescued, while 11 remain missing.

Sofia is calling on NATO and the EU to strengthen maritime and aerial surveillance, as these incidents threaten commercial shipping and grain transport routes in the Black Sea.

Fonte : Associated Press, Euronews

Enlargement

Ukraine: Minority rights law paves the way for further EU accession talks

On 12 October, Ukraine’s parliament adopted a reform strengthening national minorities’ right to receive education in their own language, particularly for the approximately 100,000 ethnic Hungarians in western Ukraine.

The reform addresses a demand from Budapest, which had made its support for further stages of Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations conditional on such changes.

Fonte : Reuters, Euronews, Consilium EU

Energy

Finland: Helsinki criticises US easing of sanctions on Russian diesel

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen condemned Donald Trump’s decision to lift certain sanctions on Russian diesel exports, arguing that the additional revenue could help fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

Helsinki wants to increase pressure on Moscow, as differences between Washington and Europe threaten to undermine their common approach to sanctions.

Fonte : Reuters

Enlargement

Montenegro: Three more EU accession chapters provisionally closed

On 12 October, the EU and Montenegro provisionally closed three negotiating chapters: economic and monetary policy, statistics, and social policy and employment. The country has now provisionally closed 21 of the 33 chapters, nearly two-thirds of the process.

Podgorica aims to conclude accession negotiations by the end of 2026, with EU membership hoped for in 2028.

Fonte : Consilium EU, European Commission

Human rights

Hungary: Parliament repeals some anti-LGBT restrictions dating from the Orbán era

On 13 October, Hungary’s parliament voted 139 to 51 to amend the 2021 law, removing several provisions that restricted the portrayal of homosexuality and gender diversity in content accessible to minors. The reform also responds to a ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU, which found these restrictions to be contrary to EU law.

The reform marks a shift under Prime Minister Péter Magyar, who took office in May after sixteen years of Orbán-led government. However, several restrictions remain, particularly those concerning legal gender recognition for transgender people and adoption by same-sex couples.

Fonte : Euronews, AFP

Diplomacy

Cyprus: New UN-backed meeting seeks to revive reunification talks

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman met in Nicosia’s buffer zone under the auspices of the United Nations.

The aim is to create the conditions for resuming negotiations on the reunification of the island, which has been divided since 1974.

The deadlock concerns, in particular, the approach to negotiations, including the opening of crossing points and cooperation on disaster management.

Fonte : Cyprus Mail

Climate

Biodiversity: EU mobilises €149.45 million in funding calls

The European Union has opened two Horizon Europe funding calls: €41.45 million to study, among other things, the effects of PFAS (“forever chemicals”) on ecosystems, and €108 million for nature restoration, the fight against invasive species and wildlife trafficking. Applications are open until 14 January 2027.

Fonte : European Research Executive Agency (EREA)

Poland: alleged assassination plot targeting Donald Tusk, what we know

One man arrested. Two senior officials targeted. Suspicions point to radical circles.

Fonte : Reuters

Two political leaders potentially targeted

Polish authorities received information indicating a possible attack against:

• Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland.
• Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.

Following an urgent alert, an emergency meeting was subsequently held at the Internal Security Agency’s (ABW) Anti-Terrorist Centre.

Authorities described the threat as particularly serious and ordered immediate measures.

At this stage, the precise details of the alleged plot and how far preparations had progressed remain partly unknown.

Fonte : Notes from Poland

Timeline

October 11, morning.

Fonte : Gov.pl

An ongoing investigation

According to Reuters, the suspect is a man in his sixties who was arrested in Lower Silesia, in south-western Poland.

The Interior Minister stated that investigators had identified him through an in-depth analysis of content posted online.

Donald Tusk praised the speed of the police response. However, the authorities have not made all the details needed to reconstruct the alleged plot public.

Fonte : AFP

A concerning political and security climate

Suspicions point to radical far-right circles, although no link to a specific political organisation has been publicly established.

The case comes amid deep polarisation in Poland between the pro-European government and a powerful national-conservative opposition.

Key takeaway: the threat is being taken seriously, but individual responsibility and any organisational links remain to be established. Caution is essential before drawing political conclusions.

Fonte : Associated Press