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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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Berlusconi Family Sells Iconic Sardinian Villa to Qatari Buyer

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The heirs of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi have agreed to sell Villa Certosa, his famous luxury estate in Sardinia, to a company linked to Qatar’s ruling family. According to local media reports, the property was sold for around €350 million, with the buyer identified as Constellation Hotels Holding Ltd, associated with Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Villa Certosa was one of Berlusconi’s most recognizable residences and became a symbol of his lavish lifestyle. Located on Sardinia’s exclusive Costa Smeralda coastline, the sprawling estate spans roughly 120 hectares and features numerous villas, swimming pools, an amphitheatre, extensive gardens, a mock volcano and a private underground grotto designed for discreet boat access.

The property frequently hosted world leaders, celebrities and business figures during Berlusconi’s time in office and beyond. The sale is part of a broader effort by Berlusconi’s five children to streamline and manage the vast assets inherited following his death in 2023, ending an era for one of Italy’s most famous private estates.

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Mass Poisoning Suspected After 18 Wolves Found Dead in Italian National Park

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Italian authorities have launched an investigation after at least 18 wolves and several other wild animals were found dead in and around Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. Officials suspect the animals were killed using poisoned bait, marking one of the most severe attacks on protected wildlife in the country. The discovery has raised alarm not only for biodiversity but also for potential risks to public safety.

Park authorities expressed shock and “deep grief,” while Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin condemned the incident as “horrendous” and ordered intensified inspections by forestry police. Conservationists warn that such actions threaten the fragile recovery of Italy’s wolf population, which has rebounded in recent decades after nearing extinction in the 20th century.

Environmental group Legambiente reported that other animals, including foxes and a buzzard, were also found dead, pointing to a wider poisoning event. Prosecutors in Sulmona have opened a formal investigation, as authorities urge locals to report suspicious activity. The incident has reignited debate over wildlife protection and tensions between conservation efforts and rural farming communities.

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Meloni Condemns Political Violence After Attack on Party Activists

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for an end to political violence after four activists from her party’s youth wing, Gioventù Nazionale, were attacked in Rome on the 48th anniversary of the 1978 killings of three neofascist militants in Via Acca Larentia. Witnesses said the activists were assaulted while putting up commemorative posters, and their car windscreen was smashed, though none were seriously hurt.

Meloni described the 1978 deaths as “a painful page in the history of our nation,” referring to a period of terrorism and political hatred in which much innocent blood was shed. She emphasized that political violence, in all its forms, is never justifiable and must never be repeated, urging Italians to choose respect, dialogue, and civil coexistence.

The Via Acca Larentia commemoration has historically drawn far-right participants performing Roman salutes, a practice linked to Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party roots in the neofascist Italian Social Movement (MSI). While her party denies ties to fascism, Meloni has repeatedly condemned those idolizing Italy’s fascist past and stressed that such actions threaten democracy.

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Ornella Vanoni, Legendary Italian Singer and ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ Voice, Dies at 91

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Italian music icon Ornella Vanoni, whose timeless hit “L’appuntamento” gained global fame after featuring in “Ocean’s Twelve,” has died at her home in Milan at the age of 91. According to Italian media reports, the singer passed away late Friday following cardiac arrest. Known for her bold personality, emotional performances and distinctive voice, Vanoni was one of Italy’s longest-standing musical figures, with a career spanning more than seven decades.

Born in 1934 in Milan, Vanoni first stepped into the spotlight through theatre before transitioning to music in the early 1960s. She became a household name through televised music festivals and went on to release around 40 studio albums, selling over 55 million records. Her music explored themes of love, heartbreak, social struggle and womanhood, earning her national admiration and inspiring generations of artists.

Elegant, outspoken and fiercely independent, Vanoni retained a strong public presence well into her later years, appearing on talk shows and collaborating with new musicians. Known for hits such as “Senza fine” and “Domani è un altro giorno,” her voice remained a cultural symbol of authenticity. She once said she wished for a simple funeral and to have her ashes scattered at sea. “I have the dress,” she joked—“It’s by Dior.”

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