Blog - Page 47 of 379

ICE Out - piece by street artist Laika in Rome.

Street artist Laika protests ICE presence at Olympics

February 5, 2026February 5, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

As the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opened amid heightened scrutiny and political debate, a provocative new piece of street art has emerged in Rome. Artist Laika captures the wider controversy surrounding the presence of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel at the Games.

Gentileschi self-portrait sale price at Christie's

Artemisia Gentileschi self-portrait sells for record price

February 5, 2026February 5, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

A rare early self-portrait by Italian Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi sold for a record $5.69 million at Christie’s in New York on Wednesday night, marking the highest public auction result for the artist to date and underscoring the soaring market for her work.

Amphorae in Roman-era shipwreck Cover Image Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture Via Facebook

Roman-era shipwreck found off Puglia coast

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Italy’s finance police said on Tuesday that they have discovered the remains of a large ancient Roman-era shipwreck on the seabed of the Ionian Sea off the coast of Puglia.

Clean-up begins of Sistine Chapel’s Last Judgement

February 4, 2026February 7, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

The Vatican has announced a new conservation clean-up of Michelangelo’s Last Judgement in the Sistine Chapel, around 30 years after the previous major restoration was completed.

Antitrust fines eDreams €9m for unfair practices

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Italy’s Antitrust Authority has fined online travel agency eDreams nine million euros for engaging in two unfair commercial practices, it said on Wednesday.

Roberto Vannacci who has sent up his own political party - By © European Union, 1998 – 2026, Attribution, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=168906543National Future

Vannacci’s new party – National Future -polls at 4.2%

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Roberto Vannacci’s newly launched far-right party, National Future, has the backing of 4.2% of Italian voters, according to a YouTrend poll for Sky TG24. The party was officially unveiled on Tuesday after Vannacci announced his departure from Matteo Salvini’s League. Vannacci, a paratroop general and controversial author, had served as joint deputy leader of the […]

On this day in history: architect Giovanni Battista Vaccarini born

February 3, 2026February 3, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Giovanni Battista Vaccarini, the architect whose work helped define the Baroque character of Catania, was born on 3rd February, 1702 in Palermo. His designs played a central role in shaping the rebuilt city following the catastrophic earthquake of 1693, which devastated large parts of eastern Sicily.

Matteo Salvini in 2019 the year he blocked the migrant ship. Image by Confartigianato Imprese via Flickr.com under creative common licence Salvini's rise was closely monitored in the Epstein Files.

Epstein files shed light on US interest in Salvini’s rise

February 3, 2026February 3, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Newly released documents from the so-called Epstein Files include repeated references to Italian politics, notably to Matteo Salvini, leader of the right-wing Lega and former interior minister. While the material contains no suggestion of any involvement by Salvini in Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities, it highlights the attention that Epstein and his associates paid to the […]

Rebecca Passler, who has tested positive for a banned substance. Image credit: X.com

Italian biathlete Rebecca Passler suspended after positive doping test

February 3, 2026February 3, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Italy’s Winter Olympics team has been hit by a doping controversy on the eve of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games, with biathlete Rebecca Passler testing positive for a banned substance and being provisionally suspended from competition.

An image of Giorgia Meloni in comparison to the angel's face, part of the fresco restoration fiasco.

Rome diocese opens inquiry over fresco restoration

February 3, 2026February 3, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

The Diocese of Rome has opened an internal inquiry after a fresco restoration at the church of San Lorenzo in Lucina saw an angel draw comparisons with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The case has attracted political and public attention, raising questions about artistic restoration, intent and the use of sacred imagery.