Zero's Briefs

Italy — Meloni defends law enforcement from Rome — Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the Reparto Volanti of the Rome Police Headquarters ahead of the launch of the “Alto Impatto” special operations in Rome and Milan. Responding to criticism of law enforcement’s work, she said: “When you arrest hundreds of criminals it doesn’t make news” (Secolo d’Italia).

Europe — Madrid and Rome clash over border controls — Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares criticized the fifteen-day extension of Schengen border controls decided by the Meloni government over the Ceuta migration crisis, arguing that Italy receives twice as many irregular entries as Spain. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani replied by describing the Spanish reaction as “out of place and aggressive” (ANSA; il Giornale).

Europe — Berlin and Washington expand defense cooperation — German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a statement of intent in Washington to intensify bilateral industrial cooperation on joint development, licensed production, maintenance and support. According to Hegseth, Germany is moving closer to the NATO target of 5% of spending on defense (tagesschau.de; U.S. Department of War).

Foreign Affairs & Geopolitics — New strikes in Gaza despite ceasefire — Israeli strikes in the northern Gaza Strip on September 15 caused, according to local health sources cited by international media, at least two or three deaths and several wounded, including a child. Since the signing of the ceasefire in October 2025, Israeli attacks have caused between 1,372 and 1,375 Palestinian deaths (Forze Armate). Single-source report, no independent confirmation available.

News in Brief — Magnitude 2.6 quake off the Aeolian Islands, no damage — INGV confirmed a magnitude ML 2.6 quake recorded at 10:05 on September 15 at a depth of 118 kilometers in the area of the Aeolian Islands, in the province of Messina. The considerable depth of the hypocenter avoided damage to people or property (The Social Post).

News in Brief — Sabotage on Dutch rail tracks halts trains — In the Netherlands, faults in railway safety systems, starting at 5:30 on September 15, slowed or halted traffic after pipes and other materials were found fixed to the tracks at at least twenty points, according to network operator ProRail. The national police opened an investigation; in the evening a further pipe was found between Apeldoorn and Deventer (NOS).

Economy & Markets — ECB rate hike takes effect today — As of today, September 16, the rate hike decided by the ECB on September 10 in Berlin is in force: deposit rate at 2.50%, main refinancing rate at 2.65%, marginal rate at 2.90%. The decision responds to euro area inflation which rose to 3.3% in August, the highest since September 2023 (Investing.com).

Economy & Markets — Antitrust opens investigation into Intesa-Mps takeover bid — The competition authority has opened an investigation into the operation through which Intesa Sanpaolo intends to acquire exclusive control of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena through the public offer launched on June 8 (ANSA). Single-source report, no independent confirmation available.

Culture — Protohistoric excavations resume at Villamarzana — After a year’s halt, the excavation campaign at the protohistoric site of Villamarzana, in the Polesine area, directed by Professor Michele Cupitò of the University of Padua, resumed from September 7 to October 2. Two “Open Excavations” days are planned for September 17 and 24, as part of the “Prima Europa” project funded by Fondazione Cariparo (Archeologia voci dal passato). Single-source report, no independent confirmation available.

Sport — Fiorentina and Genoa advance in Coppa Italia — In the round of thirty-two, Fiorentina beat Pisa 3-0 in the Tuscan derby, with goals from Pellegrino, Gnonto and Goncalves; Genoa narrowly beat Sudtirol with a header from defender Vasquez. The winner of Fiorentina-Pisa will face Napoli in the round of sixteen (Economia e Sport). Single-source report, no independent confirmation available.

Health — Mpox remains a moderate risk according to WHO — The WHO report published on September 14 confirms a moderate global risk for mpox, with community transmission of clade Ib also recorded in Italy as well as in Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (Leggo). Single-source report, no independent confirmation available.

Health — WHO rules out pandemic risk for hantavirus — After three deaths and suspected cases aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius in the Arctic, the WHO clarified that hantavirus is a serious infectious disease but does not carry the risk of a new pandemic: “This is not the next Covid” (WHO spokesperson). Eight suspected cases were recorded on board, three of which were confirmed (Il Sole 24 Ore). Single-source report, no independent confirmation available.

Tech & AI — European Union prepares rules for minors online — The European Union is reportedly preparing the Kids Act, a bill that will regulate access by minors under 15 to social networks, chatbots and artificial intelligence platforms, requiring parental consent (Il Modello). Single-source report, no independent confirmation available.

Cinema & Entertainment — Scamarcio wins the Orizzonti Award in Venice — Riccardo Scamarcio won the Orizzonti Award at the Venice Film Festival with the film “I figli della scimmia”, the only major Italian recognition in this year’s list of winners (Libero Magazine). Single-source report, no independent confirmation available.

Number of the day — 117,656 tickets at the Venice Film Festival — The 2026 Venice Film Festival closed with sales of 117,656 tickets, 14% more than in 2025, and 14,000 accreditations; the next edition is set for the Lido from September 1 to 11, 2027 (Spazio50).

On this day — June 8 saw the launch of Intesa’s offer on Mps — On June 8, 2026, Intesa Sanpaolo launched the public purchase and exchange offer for Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the operation into which the Antitrust authority today opened a formal investigation (ANSA).