ROME – The Italian government has declared that all schools and universities are closed until at least March 15, following the government's consultation with a scientific committee at the Palazzo Chigi on Wednesday morning. The number of coronavirus cases in Italy has increased to 3089, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano. The total number of victims in Italy stands at 107, with 88 per cent having occurred the regions of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto, in the north of Italy. The number of people who have recovered has increased to 276.

ROME – A former Italian admiral, Matteo Bisceglia, is under investigation for the alleged rigging of defence contracts after the interception of hundreds of phone calls, according to judicial sources. Mr. Bisceglia was chief inspector admiral until Sept. 18 2019, and through his role as head of the Naval Armaments Directorate of Rome, allegedly involved himself with companies to which he subcontracted naval projects.

ROME – The British ambassador to Italy, Her Excellency Jill Morris, has spoken out about antisemitism on an all-woman panel set up to explore the sociological and cultural factors that cause intolerance and discrimination. Also speaking at the event was the President of Jewish Community in Rome, Ruth Dureghello, and the Italian National coordinator for the Fight against Antisemitism, Milena Santerini.

ROME – Two small explosions in Rome and one in Fiumicino have injured three women, in separate attacks caused by identical devices, according to police officials. The first explosion took place late on Sunday night at the postal sorting center in via Cappannini, Fiumicino. The other two explosions occurred in Rome on Monday night, only this time in the homes of the victims.