Deborah Cater

Excavation of the basilica of Vitruvius in Fano. Image credit: Italian Ministry of Culture

Lost basilica of Vitruvius uncovered in Fano

January 19, 2026January 19, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of the long-lost basilica designed by the Roman architect Vitruvius in the Marche city of Fano, a discovery hailed by Italy’s culture minister as “the Tutankhamun of the 21st century”.

Meloni addresses issues of talk of US tariffs over Greenland

Meloni seeks to defuse Arctic tensions with US

January 19, 2026January 19, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Giorgia Meloni has returned to a familiar role as a bridge between Europe and the United States, seeking to calm rising tensions over Greenland and the Arctic.

Train crash near Cordoba Photograph: Civil Guard Handout/EPA

High-speed train crash in Córdoba involving Iryo train

January 19, 2026January 19, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Spain is mourning after a deadly high-speed train crash near Cordoba in southern Spain killed at least 39 people on Sunday evening. A Málaga–Madrid Iryo service carrying around 300 passengers partially derailed and struck an oncoming Renfe train travelling from Madrid to Huelva.

St Francis of Assisi at 800

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

In 2026, Italy marks 800 years since the death of St Francis of Assisi. Few medieval figures still command such wide attention, yet Francis speaks across centuries because his ideas confront enduring human tensions. We only have to look at news articles to understand that wealth, power, violence, and humanity’s place in the natural world […]

Caffe Gilli, Florence Freepenguin, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Florence’s Caffè Gilli to close for renovation

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Florence’s historic Caffè Gilli will close temporarily from Monday, 19 January, for a major renovation. The café is expected to reopen by the end of March.

Meloni considers military presence in Greenland PM Giorgia Meloni says ReArm Europe is a misnomer. Meloni asked to address parliament on US tariff threat

Italian PM says military presence in Greenland could be considered

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Giorgia Meloni said on Friday that Italy could consider increasing its military presence in Greenland within a NATO framework. Meloni spoke to reporters at the end of an official visit to Tokyo. She said any Italian involvement would take place as part of NATO, according to ANSA.

Ancient Roman pool discovered under scrapyard. Photo credit: ITALIAN MINISTRY OF CULTURE

Ancient Roman pools unearthed beneath scrapyard in Rome

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Construction workers preparing a residential development in an eastern suburb of Rome have uncovered two large Roman pools dating back around 1,800 years.

House of the Griffins. Photo: Simona Murrone, courtesy of the Colosseum Archaeological Park.

Restored House of the Griffins on Palatine Hill opens with livestream tours

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

One of ancient Rome’s best-preserved elite homes will open to the public in March following a major restoration, combining archaeology with digital technology. The House of the Griffins, located on the Palatine Hill near the Colosseum, will reopen on 3 March after extensive conservation work led by the Colosseum Archaeological Park.

Youssef Abanoub - victim of a school stabbing in Rome. Photo credit: social media

School Stabbing in La Spezia: 18-Year-Old Dies

January 17, 2026January 17, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

An 18-year-old student of Egyptian origin has died after a school stabbing in La Spezia on Friday. His death has sparked urgent debate over school safety.

Roma Ciampino airport received 4* rating from Skytrak

Skytrax awards Ciampino 4-Star rating

January 16, 2026January 16, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Rome’s Ciampino airport has been certified for the first time as a 4-Star regional airport by Skytrax, the leading international airport rating and assessment organisation.