Central Italy: news archives in English

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.

Arrosticini: Abruzzo’s iconic lamb skewers

January 11, 2026January 11, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Arrosticini are one of Abruzzo’s most recognisable dishes and a symbol of its pastoral history. Also known locally as arrustelle or rustelle, arrosticini are small skewers of sheep meat.

Bologna train station where a train conductor was stabbed to death on 5th January 2026.

Train conductor stabbed to death outside Bologna station

January 6, 2026January 6, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

A 34-year-old Italian train conductor was stabbed to death outside Bologna Centrale railway station on Monday evening, in a shocking attack that has stunned colleagues and sparked a police manhunt.

Rome introduces 30 km/h speed limit in historic centre. Image shows congested traffic in centre of Rome. Image credit: istock

Rome introduces 30 km/h speed limit across historic centre

January 4, 2026January 4, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

From January 2026, all streets in Rome’s historic centre are subject to a 30 km/h speed limit.The measure applies to cars, scooters and motorcycles.

An Italian wolf lying in the snow. By LuigiFilice, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=123232934 A wolf is roaming the Bologna hills

Wolf roams Bologna hills, City issues safety ordinance

January 1, 2026January 1, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

BOLOGNA — A wolf has been sighted roaming the Bologna hills around Villa Ghigi park, prompting the City Council to issue a public safety ordinance, officials announced on Wednesday.

Fireworks ban in Florence for New Years Eve. Image shows a firework display

Florence bans fireworks on New Year’s Eve

December 31, 2025December 31, 2025Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

ROME — Florence will usher in 2026 with tighter safety rules, including a citywide fireworks ban and restrictions on glass containers in the historic centre. Mayor Sara Funaro signed an ordinance on Tuesday, agreed with the Prefecture, setting out the measures for New Year’s Eve.

Chinese mobsters shoot up cultural centre in Prato. Image shows street in Prato's Chinatown. I, Sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Chinese Mob violence escalates in Prato

December 29, 2025December 29, 2025Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

A surge in violence linked to Chinese organised crime erupted again in Tuscany over the weekend, with a group of four suspected Chinese mobsters firing pistols and rifles inside a Chinese cultural club in Prato. The attack, occurring late Sunday into early Monday, represents the latest episode in the so-called “War of the Hangers”, a […]