Zero's Briefs

Foreign — Ukraine, day 1,638 — On August 19, 2026 the war between Russia and Ukraine is at day 1,638, with an intensification of long-range attacks between the two countries. On the night of August 11 Russian forces had struck Zaporizhzhia with ten missiles, including a North Korean ballistic missile and Zircon hypersonic missiles, as well as guided aerial bombs: six dead and 52 wounded, the State Center for Standardization, Metrology and Certification destroyed and four residential buildings damaged. The news currently comes from a single source (Italpress); no independent confirmation available.

Europe — Queues at border controls — The rollout of the European Union’s new external border control system is causing serious disruption at ports and airports, with waits reported of up to five hours. On August 18 at Brussels Airport, European passengers with children waited more than two hours at checkpoints. The news currently comes from a single source (L’Avenir); no independent confirmation available.

News — Abruzzo, Monte Morrone remains the critical front — On August 19 the wildfire emergency continues in Abruzzo, with Monte Morrone identified as the day’s most critical front. The news currently comes from a single source (Sky TG24); no independent confirmation available.

Italy — Over 30 million travelling for the return trip — On August 18 more than 30 million Italians were reported to be involved in the return from summer holidays, with driving safety recommendations issued ahead of traffic peaks. The news currently comes from a single source (Agenzia DIRE); no independent confirmation available.

Sport — Juventus and Napoli complete three deals — On August 18 Juventus officially announced the arrival of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham, with whom he had played 117 matches winning the 2024/25 Europa League, and of defender Jhon Lucumí from Bologna for 20 million euros plus bonuses. Napoli finalized the paid loan of Benoît Badiashile from Chelsea, 3 million with an option to buy set at 27. The 2026-27 Serie A season begins on August 23; the transfer window closes on September 1 at 8pm (Sky Sport, Goal.com Italia).

Culture — The Palio dell’Assunta goes to Nicchio — After postponements ordered by the Municipality of Siena due to bad weather, the race was run on August 18 and won by the Nicchio contrada with jockey Tittia on the horse Anda e Bola (Agenzia DIRE, Sky TG24).

Cinema & Entertainment — Oasis, Guadagnino and Bertolucci in Venice’s program — Outside the main competition, the 83rd Mostra includes a documentary on the Oasis reunion, the series “Peccato” with Emanuela Fanelli and “Joie de vivre” by Luca Guadagnino on Bernardo Bertolucci. In competition is “The Echo Chamber” by Andrea Pallaoro, based on Bertolucci’s own last screenplay. This edition is contending with a reduced presence of the Hollywood industry (Sky TG24, L’Officiel Italia).

Tech & AI — The World Bank devotes its development report to AI — The World Development Report 2026, titled “The Promise of Artificial Intelligence” and published on August 4 in Washington, argues that developing countries could achieve in one decade results otherwise attainable in a century, provided they rapidly close gaps in energy, connectivity, skills and institutional quality. The news currently comes from a single source (World Bank); no independent confirmation available.