International Highlights
- Middle East & Gaza: Pro‑Palestinian demonstrations intensified across Europe. Italy banned a planned Oct. 7 march in Bologna, while over 2 million people joined a nationwide strike on Oct. 3.
- European Defence: The EU outlined the “Readiness 2030” initiative to boost defence capacity amid ongoing security tensions.
- Science & Space: A newly discovered comet (C/2025 R2 SWAN25B) is visible this month; the Draconid meteor shower could see an outburst on Oct. 8.
- Severe Weather: Storm Amy struck parts of France and the UK, causing casualties and power outages.
Italy & Europe
- Fiscal Policy: The government targets a 2025 deficit below 3% of GDP to accelerate exit from the EU’s excessive deficit procedure.
- Trade: The U.S. proposed anti‑dumping tariffs up to 92% on Italian pasta; the European Commission has backed Italy.
- Schools & Society: A bill seeks tighter rules on gender/LGBTQ+ topics in early education and expands parental oversight.
- Infrastructure: Progress on EU‑backed rail corridors and the Brenner Base Tunnel continues; the Strait of Messina Bridge is cleared again with completion targeted for 2032.
- Technology & Law: Italy passed a national AI law (No. 132/2025) setting sector‑specific rules for public services, health, and justice.
Nigeria — National brief.
- AfDB Support: A US$500m tranche is planned for 2025 within a US$1bn program supporting fiscal and power‑sector reforms.
- Oil & Energy: Output rose to roughly 1.7–1.83 mb/d by July; active rigs increased from 31 to 50 this year. A recent senior oil workers’ strike temporarily disrupted production and electricity.
- River Tragedy: A Niger River boat accident killed at least 26 people, including traders headed for Edo markets.
- Political Stability: Emergency rule was lifted in Rivers State after six months; the executive and legislature were reinstated.
Edo State, Nigeria, news line.
- Health: Launch of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) to cut maternal/infant deaths via capacity‑building and better planning.
- Education: 4,000 volunteer teachers absorbed into the system; 500 more hires announced.
- Infrastructure: President Bola Tinubu commended Governor Okpebholo’s urban works, including the Ikpoba Hill flyover; Edo added to the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway route.
- Politics: PDP crisis deepens as a faction loyal to the FCT Minister held a parallel executive election.
