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Italy’s Genoa Bridge Collapse Trial Nears First Verdict After Eight Years

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Nearly eight years after the tragic collapse of Italy’s Morandi Bridge in Genoa claimed 43 lives, a court is set to deliver its first verdict on July 16. The trial, which began in 2022 and has involved 284 hearings, includes 57 defendants such as former executives of motorway operator Autostrade, Atlantia, engineers, and government officials. Prosecutors allege years of poor maintenance and ignored safety warnings led to the disaster, while the accused deny any wrongdoing.

Among those awaiting the verdict is Cesare Cerulli, whose father, Andrea Cerulli, was one of the victims. Just 10 years old at the time of the tragedy, Cesare is now preparing to begin university. He says he is not seeking revenge but hopes justice will be served for the victims, their families, and the country.

The case has become a symbol of Italy’s slow judicial process. Prosecutors argue that delayed repairs and negligence caused the bridge to collapse, while defence lawyers insist the disaster resulted from an original design flaw that maintenance could not have prevented. Even after the upcoming ruling, appeals are expected, meaning a final judgment could still be years away.

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Heatwave Grips Italy and Balkans as Wildfire Risk Intensifies Across Europe

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A record-breaking heatwave continued to grip Italy and several Balkan countries on Monday, triggering red weather alerts, raising the threat of wildfires, and disrupting daily life across Europe. Italy placed 22 cities under the highest heat warning, while Croatia issued red alerts for Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik as firefighters battled a major blaze on the Adriatic island of Vis. Serbia and Albania also faced soaring temperatures and wildfire concerns as the extreme weather persisted.

Scientists say the heatwave, which began on June 20, has become one of the most severe ever recorded in Europe. France has reported around 1,000 excess deaths linked to the prolonged heat, mostly among older people, while experts warn temperatures are expected to climb again in early July across France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland and parts of Britain. Researchers also said the unprecedented heat would have been virtually impossible without the influence of human-caused climate change.

The extreme conditions have strained healthcare systems, disrupted power generation and damaged infrastructure across the continent. Tragic incidents linked to the heat were also reported over the weekend, including the deaths of two children found inside a hot car in Cyprus and two cyclists who collapsed during a marathon event in Poland, where temperatures reached a record 40.5°C. Authorities across Europe continue to urge people to avoid prolonged exposure to the heat as wildfire risks remain high.

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Saltwater Intrusion Threatens Italy’s Po River Farms Amid Severe Heatwave

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Po River in northern Italy has seen a sharp drop in water flow during an intense European heatwave, allowing seawater from the Adriatic to push as far as 18 km inland. The river’s discharge has fallen dramatically from around 1,000 cubic metres per second to below 300, triggering a “salt wedge” effect in the delta region.

The intrusion is disrupting agriculture and fragile wetland ecosystems, with irrigation canals being shut to prevent saltwater from damaging crops such as maize, rice, soybeans, and sunflowers. Farmers say the situation is worsening earlier than in previous drought years, raising concerns over crop survival during a critical growing phase.

Experts and local water managers warn that climate-driven extreme heat events are increasing both in frequency and intensity, overwhelming existing barriers and water management systems. They note that river flow levels have dropped below previously assumed safe thresholds, intensifying risks for farming communities across the delta.

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Deadly Omega Heatwave Scorches Europe

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A powerful “Omega” heatwave continues to grip Western Europe, breaking temperature records and causing widespread disruption across several countries. Britain recorded its hottest June temperature ever at 36.1°C, while Paris reached a record 40.9°C. Italy placed 16 cities on its highest heat alert as forecasters warned that extreme conditions could persist through the weekend.

The severe heat has claimed dozens of lives, with France reporting at least 50 deaths linked to the heatwave, including drowning incidents and heat-related fatalities. Spain also recorded deaths from heatstroke, while soaring temperatures affected power supplies, reduced nuclear plant output, disrupted transport networks, and forced schools, tourist attractions, and public events to close or scale back operations.

Meteorologists say the heatwave is being driven by an “Omega block” weather pattern that traps hot air over regions for extended periods. Experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events. With Europe warming faster than the global average, authorities across the continent are urging residents to take precautions as temperatures remain dangerously high.

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Europe’s Refugee Population Stabilises After Years of Rapid Growth

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Europe’s refugee and asylum-seeker population remained largely unchanged in 2025, marking the end of more than a decade of steady growth, according to a new migration report. The total number of refugees and asylum seekers across the European Union and Britain stood at 9.59 million, nearly identical to the 9.58 million recorded in 2024.

The report highlighted a continued decline in asylum applications, which dropped to 770,000 in 2025 from 1.01 million in 2024 and 1.1 million in 2023. Researchers said the slowdown signals the end of the rapid increases seen in recent years, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

While Germany and Italy recorded declines in refugee and asylum-seeker populations, France, Spain and Britain saw increases. The report also noted a sharp fall in asylum applications from Syrians after the collapse of the Assad regime, while applications from Venezuelans rose significantly. Ukrainians continue to make up nearly half of all refugees and asylum seekers in the EU and Britain.

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New Far-Right Party Surpasses Italy’s League in Polls

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Italy’s emerging far-right party, Futuro Nazionale, has overtaken the League for the first time in a national opinion poll. The movement, led by former army general Roberto Vannacci, secured 5.9% support, narrowly ahead of the League’s 5.8%, continuing a steady rise since its launch earlier this year.

Founded in February after Vannacci and several lawmakers split from the League, Futuro Nazionale aims to become the dominant force on Italy’s far right. Its growing popularity has added a new dynamic to the country’s political landscape and is drawing attention ahead of next year’s national election.

The party’s rise is creating challenges for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her ruling coalition. While Meloni’s Brothers of Italy remains the country’s most popular party with 27.8% support, questions remain over whether an alliance with Vannacci could emerge as Italy’s right-wing parties compete for influence.

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Italian Families Sue Meta and TikTok After Teen’s Tragic Death

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An Italian mother has joined a landmark lawsuit against Meta and TikTok after the death of her 12-year-old daughter, Rossella, who died by suicide in 2024. Her parents say they discovered after her death that she had been heavily exposed to self-harm and depressive content on social media, including through a secret Instagram account. They allege that platform algorithms repeatedly promoted harmful material that worsened her mental state.

The case, the first collective legal action of its kind in Italy, seeks stronger protections for minors online and greater accountability from social media companies. Several families argue that current safeguards are insufficient and that algorithms are designed to encourage prolonged engagement, potentially exposing vulnerable children to harmful content. Meta and TikTok deny the allegations, stating that they actively remove dangerous material and have introduced tools to protect young users.

The lawsuit comes amid growing scrutiny of social media platforms across Europe and beyond. Regulators are increasing pressure on technology companies to strengthen child safety measures, while experts continue to debate the long-term impact of social media on adolescent mental health. Rossella’s mother says she joined the case to raise awareness and help other families recognize risks before it is too late.

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Sardinian Beach Limits Visitors and Bans Most Umbrellas

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Authorities in Sardinia have introduced strict new rules at Punta Molentis beach following devastating wildfires that damaged the coastline, dunes, and nearby car park last year. To protect the fragile ecosystem and support recovery efforts, visitor numbers will be capped at 150 people at a time, with mandatory reservations required for beach access through October.

Under the new regulations, visitors arriving by land must pay an entry fee of €10, while those arriving by boat will be charged €5. Vehicle access has also been restricted to just 70 cars per day. In one of the most unusual measures, beach umbrellas are prohibited for most visitors and are only allowed for families with children under 10 years old or adults aged over 65.

Local officials say the restrictions are necessary to reduce human impact and preserve one of Villasimius’ most valuable natural attractions. While some residents have criticised the rules as excessive, authorities argue they are essential to ensure the long-term protection of Punta Molentis, one of Sardinia’s most popular and environmentally sensitive beaches.

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Far-Right General Roberto Vannacci Launches Party, Challenging Italian PM Meloni

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Former general Roberto Vannacci has created a significant political headache for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with the rapid rise of his new far-right party, Futuro Nazionale. Launched just four months after Vannacci broke away from Meloni’s coalition ally, the League party, the movement has already attracted nearly 100,000 paying members and is polling at 4.6%. Accusing Meloni’s government of becoming a “fearful right” that has softened on Brussels, crime, and immigration, Vannacci’s rapid ascent presents Meloni with a difficult dilemma ahead of next year’s tight election: alliance with a radical element or risking a fractured right-wing vote.

Vannacci, a 57-year-old former paratrooper and ex-defence attaché to Russia, initially shot to prominence by publishing a controversial book disparaging LGBTQ+ individuals, migrants, and feminists. Though suspended from active military service for bringing the army into disrepute, he was embraced by League leader Matteo Salvini, using that momentum to win a seat in the European Parliament in 2024. Now running his own anti-EU, pro-Russia movement, Vannacci is successfully siphoning support away from Salvini’s League, forcing mainstream right-wing leaders to consider adopting more radical stances to prevent being completely outmanoeuvred.

While no ruling coalition parties have officially proposed an alliance, Vannacci’s rise threatens to undermine Meloni’s efforts to recast her Brothers of Italy party as a mainstream, credible conservative force in Brussels and Washington. Futuro Nazionale has already poached eight lawmakers from government ranks and explicitly opposes unconditional financial and military aid to Ukraine. Mainstream coalition partners, such as Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani’s Forza Italia, remain deeply uncomfortable with Vannacci’s radical alignment with groups like Germany’s AfD, yet the rising poll numbers may eventually force a compromise to keep the centre-left out of power.

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Italy Cuts Growth Forecast, Sees Economy Expanding 0.7% Through 2027

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Italy’s national statistics bureau ISTAT has slightly lowered its economic growth forecast for 2026, projecting gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 0.7%, down from the 0.8% estimate issued in December. The agency also expects the economy to expand by 0.7% in 2027, supported by stronger-than-expected performance in the first quarter, when GDP rose 0.3% from the previous three months.

Despite the downgrade, ISTAT’s outlook remains somewhat more optimistic than forecasts from the European Commission, IMF, OECD and the Bank of Italy, all of which expect growth between 0.5% and 0.6% over the next two years. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government also revised its projections lower in April, citing rising energy costs and ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

ISTAT warned that geopolitical uncertainty continues to pose risks to the economy, particularly developments related to the conflict in the Middle East. The statistics bureau also improved its labour market outlook, forecasting an average unemployment rate of 5.5% this year and in 2027, lower than its previous estimate of 6.1%. Italy’s economy grew 0.5% in 2025, marking a third consecutive year of growth below 1%.

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