North-east Italy: news archives

balsamic vinegar acetaia di giorgio Modena Image credit: Acetaia di Giorgio

Balsamic vinegar of Modena

September 6, 2026September 6, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

We look at the history of balsamic vinegar and how a centuries-old Este court tradition became one of Italy’s most fiercely protected culinary exports.

Francesco_I_d'Este,_Duke_of_Modena_in_1638_by_Diego_Velázquez cropped

On this day: birth of Francesco I d’Este – Duke of Modena

September 6, 2026September 6, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Francesco 1 d’Este was a warrior-duke who survived plague, played both sides of the Thirty Years’ War, and left Modena one of Italy’s finest baroque palaces.

Man with Parkinson's becomes first medically assisted suicide in Tuscany. Image credit: Getty Images

Veneto approves medically assisted suicide law

September 3, 2026September 3, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Veneto has become the fourth Italian region to regulate medically assisted suicide, despite the absence of national legislation on end-of-life care. It is the first centre-right administration to make the decision.

Maggie Gyllenhaal By Montclair Film - NEG_2969, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=111701620

Maggie Gyllenhaal calls lack of female directors up for award ‘systemic’

September 3, 2026September 3, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

The lack of female directors competing for the Golden Lion at this year’s Venice Film Festival reflects a wider “systemic problem”, jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal said as the world’s oldest film festival prepared to open on Wednesday.

Moretti’s “prodigal son” return leads Italian charge for Golden Lion

September 2, 2026September 2, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Five Italian films compete for the Golden Lion top prize at this year’s Venice Film Festival, running September 2–12. Nanni Moretti is back in competition after 37 years, alongside stories of love, ghosts and horror.

Mayor of Como bans all cycling in historic centre of town

Como mayor bans all cycling in historic centre

August 31, 2026August 31, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

The mayor of Como, Alessandro Rapinese, introduces sweeping cycling ban in 30 streets after being hit by an electric bike outside the town hall. His action has sparked protests from cyclists and traders alike.

Mimmo is one of only two officially recogniseed dolphin sightings in the Venice lagoon REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri

Rising dolphin sightings in Venice signal depleted Adriatic

August 29, 2026August 29, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Growing numbers of dolphin sightings near the lagoon city point not to a recovery but to overfishing and warming seas pushing the mammals closer to shore, say experts.

Crevan Island Venice is up for sale. Image courtesy of Lionard

Venice lagoon island with Napoleonic fort listed for sale

August 28, 2026August 28, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Crevan, a private island near Burano and Torcello, offers a converted fortress villa, manicured gardens and a helipad. According to the brochure, the asking price is €6,500,000.

Year of drought ahead if no rain falls in spring River Po

River Po hits record low at Cremona

August 2, 2026August 2, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Water levels in the River Po at Cremona fell to -8.59 metres, breaking the previous record set in 2022. More than 100 municipalities in Piedmont and Lombardy face critical drinking water shortages.

2 Germans to remain in custody over TAV clashes

July 30, 2026July 30, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

TURIN — A Turin judge on Wednesday ordered that two young German nationals arrested over violent clashes at construction sites for the TAV Turin-Lyon high-speed rail link will remain in custody.