Zero's Briefs

Economy and Markets — Volkswagen approves plan with another 50,000 job cuts — The group’s supervisory board approved on September 3 a plan providing for a further 50,000 fewer jobs in the years ahead; the decision was unanimous according to Tagesschau. For four German plants — Emden, Zwickau, Hannover and Neckarsulm — a competitive production future is not guaranteed, in stages spanning 2031 to 2034; the company intends to present a plan for a sustainable production structure by the end of June 2027. Handelsblatt reports, citing Lower Saxony’s premier Olaf Lies, that around 25,000 of the 50,000 cuts could affect Germany. Sources: Tagesschau, Handelsblatt.

Foreign Affairs and Geopolitics — Trump administration files emergency appeal on postal voting — Late on Thursday, September 3, the U.S. administration filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court to overturn the block on new restrictions on postal ballots. The filing comes the day before the start of ballot mailing for the midterm elections. The news currently comes from a single source (WORLD Radio, September 4 newscast); no independent confirmation available.

Italy — Toward a new short-term extension of the excise duty discount — Gasoline and diesel prices are reported at historic highs by the September 4 press review. The government is working on extending the cut to diesel excise duties for the period from September 5 to 10: confirmation came from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Matteo Salvini during the Dritto e Rovescio programme on Rete 4. The measure is presented as a bridge ahead of a Council of Ministers meeting next week with targeted support for low incomes and truckers. Sources: Today.it, Sarno Notizie.

Health — Ebola in DR Congo: 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 deaths — The ECDC update of September 2, based on data from the Congolese Ministry of Health as of September 1, indicates 6,250 confirmed cases and 3,039 related deaths in the Bundibugyo virus outbreak that began in May in Ituri, with 869 patients hospitalized in isolation and 1,439 recovered. Compared with the previous report there were 64 new confirmed cases and 32 deaths, with new cases in Ituri (39), North Kivu (20), Haut Uele (4) and Tshopo (1); 89% of identified contacts are under observation. No approved vaccines or specific treatments exist for this species. On September 1, the WHO published updated emergency guidance on the potential use of Ervebo, the only licensed Ebola vaccine, during outbreaks. Sources: ECDC, WHO.

Culture — Ernesto Ferrero Prize, public call open until September 23 — The Turin International Book Fair and the Fondazione CRT have opened a call, running until September 23, for Italian organizations engaged in promoting reading: selected organizations will receive donated books from the three publishing houses that won the second edition of the prize, Quinto Quarto, Settenove and Settecolori, honored in May in Turin. The award was established in 2025 to recognize excellence in publishing. The news comes from a single source (ANSA, based on the promoters’ statement); no independent confirmation available.

Film & Entertainment — Venice 83, two films in competition and two restorations — The Mostra’s programme for September 4 includes two titles in Competition, three out-of-competition screenings and a world premiere backed by George Clooney. At 5 p.m. in the Sala Grande, “15/18 (A Place to Heal)” by Cédric Kahn is scheduled, set in a children’s and adolescents’ psychiatric ward; Venezia Classici offers at 11:15 a.m. the restoration of “Abschied von Gestern” by Alexander Kluge and at 2 p.m. “To Be or Not to Be” by Ernst Lubitsch. At 5 p.m. the Giornate degli Autori presents “Balcanica” by Nicola Sorcinelli, filmed in Italian, English and Dari. Sources: Almanacco Cinema, Libero Magazine.