Morning coverage focused on the center-left's regional victories in Emilia-Romagna and Umbria, with final tallies showing FdI maintaining position while Lega declined. By mid-morning, attention shifted to Ukraine's first use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles against Russian territory, prompting Putin to sign an updated nuclear doctrine explicitly allowing atomic response to Western conventional weapons.
The afternoon was dominated by reports of eight Hezbollah rockets striking the Italian UNIFIL base in Lebanon, with five soldiers requiring medical observation. Defense Minister Crosetto labeled the attack "intolerable" while Argentina announced withdrawal of its peacekeepers.
Financial markets responded to the escalation, with Milan's exchange showing particular weakness. ECB's Panetta suggested monetary restrictions might no longer be necessary, while a Christmas bonus of 100 euros was announced for 4.6 million Italians.