Zero's Briefs

World — According to Xinhua, Xi Jinping arrived in Cairo for a state visit — The agency reports that the Chinese president arrived in Egypt on the evening of September 1 at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and that this is his second state visit to the country, ten years after the previous one, in the year of the seventieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations — Egypt, Xinhua writes, was the first Arab and African country to recognize the People’s Republic of China. Still according to the agency, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan were welcomed at the airport by President and Mrs. al-Sisi with a guard of honor, and on the eve of the visit the Chinese president published a signed article in Al-Ahram, Al-Akhbar and Al-Gomhuria. The news currently comes from a single source (Xinhua, Chinese state agency; the pickup by CCTV refers back to the same agency); no independent confirmation available, and the facts remain, here, an attributed statement.

Economy — Istat: Italian inflation at 3.3% in August — Consumer prices rose to an annual 3.3% from 2.9% in July, with energy continuing to weigh on household budgets. The second-quarter estimate was also confirmed: GDP up 0.2% on the previous quarter and up 1% year on year, with employment growing. The data appear in the press review reporting them; the schedule of the institute’s releases for today — July producer prices for industry and construction, second-quarter services prices — is in the ANSA agenda.

News — Heat on the way over Italy from September 4 — A new expansion of the subtropical high is expected between Friday, September 4 and Wednesday, September 9, with temperatures potentially exceeding the seasonal average by 8 degrees and peaks forecast at 37-38 degrees in some areas. The forecast currently comes from a single source (TorreSette); no independent confirmation available.

News — Edouard dissipates, flood warnings remain in Texas — The tropical storm broke apart overnight as it moved inland over the United States, but rainfall continued even after the system weakened: flood warnings remain in effect, and scattered showers are expected in Houston today. Single source (WORLD Radio); no independent confirmation available.

Sports — US Open, second round begins: Zverev advances in five sets — The main draw of the 146th edition, in New York, entered the second round today. The first round concluded on September 1 with top seed Alexander Zverev defeating Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 3-6 6-7(7) 7-5 6-4; five sets were also needed for Flavio Cobolli, who beat Francisco Comesaña after losing the first two. The singles finals are scheduled for September 12 and 13 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. (ATP Tour, Olympics.com)

Cinema — The Lido opens at 7 p.m. with a pair of hosts — The opening ceremony of the 83rd Mostra is being hosted for the first time by two presenters, actors Greta Scarano and Nicolas Maupas, and during the evening an award is being presented to an American actor, director and producer. The first title in competition is Danny Boyle’s “Ink,” having its world premiere in the Sala Grande of the Palazzo del Cinema; the festival, directed by Alberto Barbera, remains at the Lido until September 12. (La Biennale di Venezia, VeneziaToday)

Tech — California opens state agencies to Claude with a 50% discount — An agreement allows all state agencies to use Anthropic’s assistant at half price, with voluntary opt-in for cities and counties; it is presented as the first of its kind for a U.S. state administration. The news currently comes from a single source (Agenccy AI News); no independent confirmation available.

Italy — Tajani in Wicklow: grain, Black Sea and fertilizers — At the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, the head of the Farnesina reaffirms, according to the ministry’s statement, Western unity in support of Kyiv and the condemnation of Russian attacks on civilians and infrastructure, with attention to attacks in the Black Sea and their effect on grain exports; also announced is a new gathering in New York of the “Rome Coalition” on fertilizers, born in the MED9+ format. Single source, the Farnesina statement; no independent confirmation available.