Electoral Reform in Italy: Italy’s parliament has begun final deliberations on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s disputed electoral law, designed to give the election winner a majority bonus and potentially lock in another right-wing majority; the Chamber vote is expected soon after the Senate’s mid-September approval, with Meloni linking it to a confidence motion and raising the stakes for snap elections if it fails. EU Budget Pressure: EU governments are preparing for a long-term budget proposal that could cut spending by more than €100 billion, with Italy among the “Friends of Cohesion” pushing back against reductions to farm subsidies and regional payments. Energy Cooperation: Algiers will host the second meeting of energy ministers under the SoutH2 Corridor, bringing together Algeria, Austria, Germany, Italy and Tunisia to accelerate green hydrogen exports to Europe. Vatican Finance Scrutiny: A Vatican official called for deeper scrutiny of Vatican finances as reforms enter their next phase, warning that new financial technologies and AI could raise fresh risks. Sports Governance: The Court of Arbitration for Sport set an Oct. 8 hearing in Lausanne over Senegal’s AFCON 2025 final appeal, with a panel that includes an Italian member. Local Governance Clash (Italy): An Italy city council upheld the firing of veteran police officer Kevin “Blue” Oginski in a tense 3-2 vote, after allegations tied to his community engagement.