ROME – An explosion in the centre of a hydroelectric power station in Bargi, near Bologna, has left several people dead and others trapped underground with "not much hope" of finding them alive, emergency services said.
At least seven people are feared dead, after three deaths were confirmed by rescue services, with four workers still missing and another five seriously injured. This makes it one of Italy's worst industrial accidents in recent years.
ROME – Fratelli D’Italia’s former Palermo city councillor, Mimmo Russo, was arrested on charges of collusion with the mafia, police said.
Russo, 69, is accused of “external complicity in mafia association” including "political-mafia vote exchange, aggravated extortion, bribery, and complicity in corruption for acts contrary to official duties."
According to Palermo Prosecutor’s Office, who issued the warrant for his arrest, the politician allegedly secured jobs for unemployed mafia members at local supermarkets and associations that were financed with public funds.
ROME – An ISIS member was arrested in Leonardo di Vinci airport near Fiumicino, Rome, after trying to enter Italy with a fake passport, police said.
Ikhomi Sayrakhmonzoda, 32, from Tajikistan was the subject of an international “red notice”, with a warrant out for his arrest for “having joined the ranks of the Islamic State and having gone to Syria to fight in 2014.” Interpol said he had fought against the local Syrian government as “an active member of the terrorist faction of ISIS.” This comes weeks after the terrorist attack in Moscow which was perpetrated by Tajiks.
ROME - The editorial board of Repubblica has voted on a motion of censure against director Maurizio Molinari, submitted by the editorial committee after an unapproved article modiciation. There were 164 votes in favour, 55 against and 35 abstentions. Repubblica journalists withdrew their signatures from the newspaper and website for 24 hours on April 9.
ALICUDI -- The picturesque island of Alicudi, nestled in the Aeolian archipelago off Sicily's coast, is battling a unique problem – its wild goat population that has exploded in past years and is overrunning the island.
With about 100 human residents, the previously idyllic island set in the shimmering Mediterranean Sea now hosts an alarming ratio of six goats per person, with the imbalance sparking concerns about the island's ecosystem and safety.
ROME -- When we talk about Iftar, we are referring to the evening meal with which the daily fast is broken during the month of Ramadan. Iftar is also a time of sharing, with relatives and friends gathering to break the fast just after sunset.
Therefore, responding to an international, demanding and extremely mobile clientele, this year, the Bulgari Hotel of Rome, has planned an Iftar with an accurate attention to every detail available to those of its customers who observe the fast of the month of Ramadan.
ROME – University students and staff across Italy are protesting the Italian-Israel industrial, scientific and technological cooperation and research agreement, because of the Israeli bombing of Gaza, students said.
The Italian government’s website states they are looking to fund joint Italian Israeli research projects in the areas of “technologies for healthy soils”, “water technologies” and “precision optics.” The deadline for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s calls for tenders is Wednesday 4 p.m.
ROME – Matteo Berrettini, an Italian tennis player, won his first ATP title in two years after beating Carballes Baena in Marrakech.
Berrettini beat Baena in straight sets 7-5, 6-2, marking the Italian’s return to winning ways after numerous injuries which halted his performance. He had not won a tournament since Queen’s Club Championships in London in 2022.
SUZUKA - Two weeks after Max Verstappen retired during Australian GP, Red Bull bounced back this weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix by securing a one-two finish. Christian Horner praised the performance of his drivers but nevertheless acknowledged that Red Bull was feeling the pressure from Ferrari.
