PADUA (Reuters) – Venetians gave the cold shoulder to the fifth vote in 40 years to break away from sister city Mestre on the Italian mainland, with little expectation of a parting of the ways. By 1800 GMT only 18.6% of 206,553 potential voters had showed up at the polls, …
More than 10,000 people were evacuated from central Turin on Sunday as experts worked to defuse a World War Two bomb. Residents of the Italian city were told to vacate a “red zone” in the historic district. A further 50,000 living further away were told either to leave their homes …
Buffeted by climate change and thrifty day trippers, the mood in the lagoon city is bleak. Two weeks after high tides and fierce winds produced the worst flooding in Venice in more than half a century, sirens sound about 6:30 a.m. to warn the fragile lagoon city’s weary residents that “acqua alta” is …
In a surprise move, an Italian lawmaker proposed to his girlfriend ahead of a discussion in the normally volatile lower house. ROME — The Chamber of Deputies in Italy’s Parliament, the arena where lawmakers berate each other, betray alliances and sometimes brawl, is not where Italians usually go to find …
Demonstrators chant ‘Venice resist’ amid anger over waves caused by ocean liners and flawed flood-proofing project Thousands of Venetians have taken to the streets to protest over frequent flooding and the impact of giant cruise ships. In heavy rain between 2,000 and 3,000 people answered the call of environmental groups …
This mosaic is trash. IN THE VATICAN’S PROFANE MUSEUM, there’s one artifact that looks out of place among the ornate sarcophagi and marble statues: a mosaic floor that seems to be covered in the picked-over refuse of a meal. When you first look down at the mosaic, it looks like the kitchen …
The Italian city of Venice is still reeling from a week of three exceptional tides whose floodwaters have caused massive damage to the city’s cultural legacy and to residences and businesses. The disaster has gripped Italy and inspired a wave of volunteers to salvage what they can. There is a …
VENICE, Italy (AP) — One of only four oar makers for Venice’s famed gondoliers, Paolo Brandolisio wades through his ground-floor workshop for the third time in a week of record-breaking floods, despairing of any help from national or local institutions. “If these phenomena continue to repeat themselves, you have to …
ROME (Reuters) – The 5-Star Movement, senior partner in two coalitions since last year’s national election, is struggling with internal strife and falling support which threaten the survival of Italy’s two-month old government. FILE PHOTO: 5-Star Movement leader Luigi di Maio speaks to the media after consultations with Italian President …
Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and the popular anti-migrant leader Matteo Salvini may be out of power. But their sparring has come to dominate Italy’s political life. ROME — Pity the weak and wobbly new Italian government. While its incompatible coalition partners pretend to tolerate one another, they are relegated to …
VENICE, Italy (AP) — Tourists and residents were allowed back into St. Mark’s Square in Venice on Saturday, a day after it was closed due to exceptionally high tidal waters that swept through most of the lagoon city’s already devastated center. Despite sunny skies, the city remained on edge due …
VENICE, Italy (AP) — Exceptionally high tidal waters surged through Venice again on Friday, prompting the mayor to close St. Mark’s Square and call for more donations for repairs just three days after the Italian lagoon city suffered its worst flooding in 50 years. The high tide peaked at 1.54 …