Week of November 2

2026-W45: Nov 2 – November 8, 2026
FINAL: Last update November 6, 2026
COUNTRIES IN THE NEWS: United States
Iran
Israel
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Belgium

Democrats win House and Senate in US midterms as Trump accepts results

First published Wed, Nov 4

Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate in the US midterm elections, and also took key governorships, according to results reported on Wednesday. La Repubblica described the outcome as Trump's defeat in a blue wave that delivered him the House and Senate. The Texas governorship also fell to the Democrats, Corriere della Sera reported.1 2 3

President Donald Trump said he accepts the results. ANSA quoted him saying he was "willing to accept the results of the vote, we will cooperate," and la Repubblica and Corriere della Sera carried the same statement.4 1 2

Italian coverage cast the result as a referendum on Trump and weighed what a Democratic Congress means for his remaining two years. Corriere della Sera asked what it means that Trump is now a "lame duck" and what an emergency plan for the next two years would involve. Linkiesta described a democratic tsunami sweeping over Trump and rejecting the Maga sect.5 6 7

Later coverage on Thursday shifted to the count itself. Sky TG24 published results state by state, while AnconaToday asked when the winner of the American elections would be known and why the result could be delayed. Euronews carried a live results page framed as a contest between Harris and Trump.8 9 10

Iran downs US Apache, then strikes US bases after American raids on Qeshm island

First published Wed, Nov 4

Iran shot down an Apache helicopter, prompting US raids, and Tehran then struck back at American bases in the Middle East, ANSA reported. The US strikes hit targets on Iran's Qeshm island in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Euronews and Il Sole 24 Ore. The Wall Street Journal described the American action as a limited attack on Qeshm.1 2 3 4

Tehran said its response would be crushing, Il Sole 24 Ore reported after the Qeshm strikes. Trump said there was no immediate plan to attack Tehran, while the New York Times reported the US had a plan to strike the Iranian capital right after the vote, according to Sky TG24. Oil rose after the overnight raid on Qeshm, and European gas prices also climbed, Borsa Italiana reported.3 5 6

Trump later said the war in Iran was practically over and that the 'Venezuela formula' should be applied to the country's leadership, ANSA reported. He also said an agreement with Iran would come soon and called Democrats traitors, per ANSA's liveblog. Tehran confirmed the death of Larijani, and Trump said NATO is not needed, ANSA reported; an Iranian bomb hit Tel Aviv, killing two people.7 8 9

Bodies of four Italian soldiers killed in Bosnia helicopter crash returned to Ciampino

First published Mon, Nov 2

The bodies of four Italian soldiers killed when a helicopter crashed in Bosnia-Herzegovina have been returned to Italy, arriving at Ciampino airport. President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani were present at the arrival, where Mattarella paid tribute to the coffins draped in the Italian tricolour.1 2 3

The return of the bodies was carried by outlets across the political spectrum, from the centre-left la Repubblica and Il Post to the centre-right Il Sole 24 Ore, with RaiNews, ANSA and Corriere Roma reporting the same arrival at Ciampino. No outlet in the cluster disputed the number of dead or the circumstances of the return.1 3 4 5 6

Italy's cabinet approves €26 billion 2027 budget with Irpef cut and pension tightening

First published Mon, Nov 2

Italy's Council of Ministers approved the draft 2027 budget, a package worth €26 billion. The text includes a cut to Irpef, the personal income tax, along with bonuses and changes to pensions. A decree on energy bills has been postponed.1

The budget sets out 19 measures covering families, young people, housing, businesses and welfare. It draws €5.8 billion from the banks, tightens access to pensions and extends the flat tax. For young people the package provides a 1 percent flat tax, support for first-home mortgages and a "hire more, pay less" incentive for employers.2 3 4

The budget cuts €1.2 billion from spending on disaster relief, and the funds return three years later. The youth measures amount to a little more than €600 million, and much of that consists of indirect relief rather than direct spending.5 6

Italy's cabinet challenges Veneto's end-of-life law as Salvini abstains

First published Fri, Nov 6

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Italy's Council of Ministers has challenged the Veneto regional law on end-of-life care, taking the text to the Constitutional Court. The law was passed by the region's centre-right administration. Matteo Salvini did not vote in the cabinet session, and Roberto Calderoli voted against the challenge.1 2 3

Veneto governor Luca Zaia said he respects the cabinet's decision but defends the regional council's choice. He said the end-of-life rules are in line with the Constitution and that the region did not act lightly, and he argued the process must now go forward.4 5

Senator Stefani said the Constitutional Court will not reject the Veneto text, describing it as creating paths that protect patients. He also said medically assisted suicide already exists and that the Veneto rules only regulate it, in line with earlier court rulings.6

Attributed claim: Il Fatto Quotidiano reported opposition figure Magi calling the government "Taliban-like against its own voters" over the challenge. The centre-right outlet il Nord Est framed the cabinet's move as an own goal for the coalition.7 8

Also this week

Published earlier this week and since overtaken by bigger stories. Open one to read it in full.

Bomb threats emailed in Italian target at least 18 flights across Europe, prosecutors notifiedThu, Nov 5A new wave of bomb alerts hit flights across Europe, with at least 18 flights flagged after a threat sent by email in Italian. Prosecutors have been notified of the alerts.

Bomb threats emailed in Italian target at least 18 flights across Europe, prosecutors notified

First published Thu, Nov 5

A new wave of bomb alerts hit flights across Europe, with at least 18 flights flagged after a threat sent by email in Italian. Prosecutors have been notified of the alerts.1 2

The email threat warned, "We will place a bomb." Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said "someone wants to fuel tensions" over the alerts.1

Under the procedure known as the Blue Manual, passengers are escorted and bomb-disposal experts come aboard during a bomb alert. Corriere della Sera also examined the scramble procedure and when fighter jets are sent up.3 4

HuffPost Italia reported on a group calling itself the "Male State fighters," which it said had claimed responsibility for the bomb alerts.5

Ultra-Orthodox party breaks alliance with Netanyahu as Arab Ra'am backs Eisenkot for premierThu, Nov 5Israel's ultra-Orthodox party has broken its alliance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by declining to recommend a candidate for premier, Italian outlets reported. The split cost Netanyahu the support of a bloc he had relied on, and coverage described his position as precarious.

Ultra-Orthodox party breaks alliance with Netanyahu as Arab Ra'am backs Eisenkot for premier

First published Thu, Nov 5

Israel's ultra-Orthodox party has broken its alliance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by declining to recommend a candidate for premier, Italian outlets reported. The split cost Netanyahu the support of a bloc he had relied on, and coverage described his position as precarious.1 2 3

The Arab party Ra'am said it will put forward Eisenkot as its candidate for prime minister, ANSA reported. Ra'am's Mansour Abbas said his party is 'the largest Arab political force' with 8 seats.4 5

The United Arab List also indicated it would back Eisenkot for a new government, according to Sky TG24. RaiNews tied Netanyahu's prospects to the US midterm elections, reporting that Trump's defeat drags down Netanyahu's future as well.6 7

Il Sole 24 Ore and Affaritaliani reported the alliance with the ultra-Orthodox as breaking, while Il Mattino described the party as withholding candidate recommendations and the alliance as ruptured. Domani framed the same development as declining support for Netanyahu among the ultra-Orthodox.3 8 2 6

Italian Senate unanimously approves new cinema law creating national film agencyThu, Nov 5Italy's Senate gave final approval to a new cinema and audiovisual law in a unanimous vote, clearing the reform after a bipartisan path through parliament. The measure sets up a new agency for the sector and a national hub for film and audiovisual production, according to la Repubblica's account of the changes.

Italian Senate unanimously approves new cinema law creating national film agency

First published Thu, Nov 5

Italy's Senate gave final approval to a new cinema and audiovisual law in a unanimous vote, clearing the reform after a bipartisan path through parliament. The measure sets up a new agency for the sector and a national hub for film and audiovisual production, according to la Repubblica's account of the changes.1 2 3

Secolo d'Italia, a right-leaning outlet, presents the vote as a historic bipartisan reform meant to end waste and favouritism in public film funding, and reports that opposition leader Elly Schlein thanked Culture Minister Giuli for the result.4

Italy's budget cuts 7,000 school posts as Mattarella signs decree and unions protestWed, Nov 4The dispute over the manoeuvre also covers pensions, and the package tightens the salaries of magistrates. On Thursday President Sergio Mattarella signed the decree law on schools.

Italy's budget cuts 7,000 school posts as Mattarella signs decree and unions protest

First published Wed, Nov 4

The dispute over the manoeuvre also covers pensions, and the package tightens the salaries of magistrates. On Thursday President Sergio Mattarella signed the decree law on schools.1 2

Zazoom Social News reported that Matteo Salvini is attacking the budget over pensions and school cuts.3

Salvini says he knew nothing of school cuts and demands allies respect Lega on pensionsTue, Nov 3Matteo Salvini, secretary of the Lega, said he knew nothing about cuts to schools in the 2027 budget and demanded that coalition allies respect the party's position on pensions. "I am the secretary of the Lega and I knew nothing about the school cuts," he said, according to la Repubblica and Corriere della Sera. He also said the allies must respect the Lega on pensions.

Salvini says he knew nothing of school cuts and demands allies respect Lega on pensions

First published Tue, Nov 3

Matteo Salvini, secretary of the Lega, said he knew nothing about cuts to schools in the 2027 budget and demanded that coalition allies respect the party's position on pensions. "I am the secretary of the Lega and I knew nothing about the school cuts," he said, according to la Repubblica and Corriere della Sera. He also said the allies must respect the Lega on pensions.1 2 3 4

The school measures would reduce posts and increase precarious employment, and unions have mobilised against them. Il Fatto Quotidiano reported that the cuts have united the unions against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and il manifesto said even the moderate Cisl has now been forced into mobilisation. Uil voiced "strong concerns" about the school cuts, citing 10 percent in Campania.5 6 7

The discontent has widened to health care as well as schools, RaiNews reported. La Repubblica carried the account of precarious teachers who said that after years of fighting for a permanent post they now risk losing everything.8 9

On pensions, Salvini pressed for "Quota 64" from 2027 as the Lega's priority, according to Zazoom Social News. The demand came as tensions ran between the parties over the budget, with Corriere Roma reporting a "surprise" from Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara over the school cuts.10 11

The clash drew criticism from the opposition: Zazoom Social News reported Bonelli's retort that Salvini must have been asleep during cabinet meetings, and framed the remarks as Salvini distancing himself from the budget and splitting the majority.12

Italy cuts pension indexation for over 3.5 million retirees, with losses up to 2,000 euros a yearTue, Nov 3Italy has tightened the indexation of pension payments, cutting the revaluation applied to some cheques. Corriere della Sera puts the annual loss at up to 2,000 euros for those affected, and Milano Finanza reports the measure hits more than 3.5 million pensioners. Sky TG24 frames the change as a cut to the revaluation of certain pension payments.

Italy cuts pension indexation for over 3.5 million retirees, with losses up to 2,000 euros a year

First published Tue, Nov 3

Ruled paragraphs are attributed to the outlet named in them, not stated as established fact.

Italy has tightened the indexation of pension payments, cutting the revaluation applied to some cheques. Corriere della Sera puts the annual loss at up to 2,000 euros for those affected, and Milano Finanza reports the measure hits more than 3.5 million pensioners. Sky TG24 frames the change as a cut to the revaluation of certain pension payments.1 2 3

Il Fatto Quotidiano describes the outcome as poorer pensions used to finance early exits from work, and asks readers how much they stand to lose. La Repubblica reports a small contribution for those who stay in work alongside the squeeze on revaluations. The measure sits inside the government's 2027 budget package, which the Council of Ministers approved with pension changes among its items.4 5

Attributed claim: The outlets differ on how the burden is presented. Il Fatto Quotidiano, on the left, casts the change as a transfer from pensioners to fund early retirement, while Milano Finanza, on the centre-right, leads on the number of retirees affected, more than 3.5 million. Corriere della Sera and Sky TG24, both centrist, report the mechanism and the scale of the loss without assigning who pays for whom.4 2 1 3

Italy's €2 levy on small parcels is scrapped as a €2 EU handling fee takes effectTue, Nov 3A €2 Italian levy on small parcels, introduced in the previous budget law, has been abolished without ever taking effect. The measure had been aimed at low-value shipments from platforms such as Temu and Shein.

Italy's €2 levy on small parcels is scrapped as a €2 EU handling fee takes effect

First published Tue, Nov 3

A €2 Italian levy on small parcels, introduced in the previous budget law, has been abolished without ever taking effect. The measure had been aimed at low-value shipments from platforms such as Temu and Shein.1 2

From 1 November a €2 European Union handling fee applies to goods bought online from outside the bloc, on shipments of any value, and it is not refundable. It adds to a €3 levy introduced on 1 July. The fee is meant to cover rising customs control costs until the EU customs Data hub starts operating on 1 July.3 4 5

The new charge is permanent, unlike the €3 levy on small parcels, and its stated role is to fund controls while the European customs Data hub is not yet in place.3

Belgian PM De Wever resigns after budget talks fail; King Philippe opens consultationsMon, Nov 2Belgium's government split over the budget law, and Prime Minister De Wever resigned after no agreement was reached on the finance bill. The collapse came over the 2027 budget, which the coalition could not close.

Belgian PM De Wever resigns after budget talks fail; King Philippe opens consultations

First published Mon, Nov 2

Belgium's government split over the budget law, and Prime Minister De Wever resigned after no agreement was reached on the finance bill. The collapse came over the 2027 budget, which the coalition could not close.1 2 3

King Philippe I has begun consultations on forming a new government. The monarch froze De Wever's resignation rather than accepting it outright, leaving the outgoing premier in place while talks proceed.4 5 6 7

The resignation was reported across Italy's political spectrum, from Il Fatto Quotidiano on the left to Milano Finanza and Il Sole 24 Ore on the centre-right, with ANSA and Sky TG24 carrying the same core account: the government broke apart over the manoeuvre and the premier stepped down.2 3 8 4

Coverage on Thursday described the king's move as a freeze on the government rather than a full crisis, with Quotidiano Nazionale and Stylo24 reporting that Philippe put the resignation on hold and opened consultations.6 7 9

US midterms become a referendum on Trump as 54 million voters cast ballots earlyMon, Nov 2US midterm elections are being framed as a referendum on President Donald Trump, with 54 million citizens already having voted. Voting spans 50 states across six time zones, and the races are described as hanging between Republicans and Democrats.

US midterms become a referendum on Trump as 54 million voters cast ballots early

First published Mon, Nov 2

US midterm elections are being framed as a referendum on President Donald Trump, with 54 million citizens already having voted. Voting spans 50 states across six time zones, and the races are described as hanging between Republicans and Democrats.1 2 3 4

Trump is trailing in the polls ahead of the midterms, with the conflict in Iran and rising prices weighing on his standing.5

Markets are preparing for a "lame duck" America, with the possible coexistence of a Democratic Congress and a Republican presidency, and risks flagged for Big Tech.6 2

Iran's Pezeshkian says Khamenei gave the government powers to negotiate with the USMon, Nov 2Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has granted the government some powers to negotiate with the United States. The statement was carried by Italian outlets on Monday and again on Thursday.

Iran's Pezeshkian says Khamenei gave the government powers to negotiate with the US

First published Mon, Nov 2

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has granted the government some powers to negotiate with the United States. The statement was carried by Italian outlets on Monday and again on Thursday.1 2 3

Oil prices fell on the news. Il Sole 24 Ore put the drop at 6.7 percent, and Milano Finanza reported crude back below 100 dollars a barrel.4 5

Iran is ready to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the United States accepts its conditions, ANSA reported.6

President Donald Trump opened the door to a diplomatic path with Iran ahead of the midterm vote, according to Milano Finanza.5

LaPresse described the powers as covering peace talks with the United States and reported that the oil price had collapsed.7