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☆ Hunter Biden Sought State Department Help for Ukrainian Company
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Kenneth P. Vogel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Hunter Biden sought assistance from the U.S. government for a potentially lucrative energy project in Italy while his father was vice president, according to newly released records and interviews. The records, which the Biden administration had withheld for years, indicate that Hunter Biden wrote at least one letter to the U.S. ambassador to Italy in 2016 seeking assistance for the Ukrainian gas company Burisma, where he was a board member. Embassy officials appear to have been uneasy with the request from the son of the sitting vice president on behalf of a foreign company. “I want to be careful about promising too much,” wrote a Commerce Department official based in the U.S. Embassy in Rome who was tasked with responding.

Persons: Hunter Biden, Biden, ” Organizations: U.S, Embassy, Commerce Department Locations: Italy, U.S, Rome

For weeks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has denied that he is trying to block a cease-fire deal in Gaza by hardening Israel’s negotiating position. Mr. Netanyahu has consistently placed all blame for the deadlocked negotiations on Hamas, even as senior members of the Israeli security establishment accused him of slowing the process himself. But in private, Mr. Netanyahu has, in fact, added new conditions to Israel’s demands, additions that his own negotiators fear have created extra obstacles to a deal. But the documents reviewed by The Times make clear that the behind-the-scenes maneuvering by the Netanyahu government has been extensive — and suggest that agreement may be elusive at a new round of negotiations set to begin on Thursday. It also showed less flexibility about allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza once fighting is halted.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Mr, Netanyahu Organizations: The New York Times, The Times Locations: Gaza, Israel, Rome

☆ Georgia tops college football AP preseason poll for second year in a row
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-13 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

1 college football team in the annual Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll for the second season running. Georgia received 46 of 62 first-place votes and 1,532 points to comfortably top the poll ahead of the Ohio State Buckeyes, who received 15 first-place votes. 1 for the entirety of the regular season, before being defeated by Alabama in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship game. Brett Patzke/USA TODAY Sports/ReutersThe AP poll also tells the story of wider conference realignment in college sports. 4 Texas joins Georgia in the SEC for this season, while Oregon is now a Big Ten member alongside Ohio State.

Persons: Carson Beck, Mykel Williams, Smael Mondon, Malaki Starks, Kirby Smart, Smart, Brett Patzke, Jim Harbaugh, JJ McCarthy –, Nick Saban, Kalen DeBoer, Michael Penix Jr, Rome Odunze, Ole Organizations: CNN, Georgia Bulldogs, Associated Press, Georgia, Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon Ducks, Bulldogs, Florida State, Orange, Alabama, Southeastern Conference, SEC, year’s College Football, Big, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Los Angeles Chargers, Saban, NFL, Rome, . Oregon, Texas, Ole Miss, Penn, Florida, . Missouri, Utah, LSU, Clemson, Tennessee, Oklahoma, . Oklahoma, Kansas State, Miami, Arizona, . Kansas, USC, North Carolina State Locations: Georgia, Texas, Oregon, Florida, Washington, Alabama, ., Iowa

CNN —Mediators in talks for a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel are making a last-ditch effort to revive stalled negotiations as the Middle East braces for an Iranian attack on Israel. President Joe Biden announces a proposed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza while delivering remarks in the State Dining Room at the White House on May 31 in Washington, DC. The militant group replaced Haniyeh with Yahya Sinwar, the hardline Hamas leader in Gaza who is one of Israel’s most wanted men. He is not interested in either a ceasefire or the full withdrawal of troops.”Why are Thursday’s talks so important? There have been some indications that Iran may abandon plans to attack Israel if a ceasefire deal is reached.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, ”, who’ve, Netanyahu, Chip Somodevilla, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel hasn’t, Yahya Sinwar, “ Haniyeh, “, Israel, Zahra, Omar Al, Thursday’s Organizations: CNN, Israeli, White, Thursday’s, Hamas, Getty, Israel, United Nations Locations: Israel, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Gaza, Rome, Washington ,, Rafah, Tehran, Iran, Palestinian, Shujaiya, Gaza City, AFP

☆ How this US couple scored rare Italy self-employment visas
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Silvia Marchetti | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

For those who want to move but need to work the options are extremely limited – working visas to Italy are like gold dust. “We wanted a fresh start, a place where we could enjoy more pleasure in life and quality time,” says Walker. Abandoning the American dreamBowers and Walker wanted to make a change before they got older. Back to the countryTopped by the Orsini castle, Soriano nel Cimino is in the Tuscia area of Italy, north of Rome. The couple have also started a new business, organizing itineraries for visitors craving to discover bucolic Italy.

Persons: we’ll, Stanley Tucci, Vita, Zeneba Bowers, Matt Walker, Soriano nel Cimino, Bowers, “, ”, Walker, –, Orsini, Davide Seddio, it’s Organizations: CNN, intel, Nashville Symphony, Getty Locations: Italy, Tennessee, Rome, Ireland, mull, Italian, Detroit, Tuscia, Viterbo, Walker, Nashville

☆ Pompeii archaeologists find bodies of man and woman – and their treasure
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Barbie Latza Nadeau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Rome CNN —The skeletal remains of a man and a woman have been unearthed in Pompeii, along with a cache of coins and precious jewelry, archaeologists say. Clutched in her hands was a small cache of gold, silver and bronze coins, as well as gold and pearl earrings. “Trapped in the cramped little room, their deaths were caused by the pyroclastic flow that buried them,” the archaeologists said. A large bronze candelabrum was found on the floor. They have provided some of the most important discoveries ever made in the ancient city.

Persons: Gabriel Zuchtriegel Organizations: Rome CNN, IX Locations: Rome, Vesuvius

☆ A couple tested out life in Canada and Italy. They chose to move where salaries are lower but life is sweeter.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

"I can easily travel around Italy or Europe for the same cost as a long-distance bus ticket in Canada," Craparotta said. Alexandr Spatari/Getty ImagesItalians "cook very simply," and there are fewer deep-fried or sugary dishes compared to restaurants in Canada, Craparotta said. Italian social life is less focused on drinkingIn Toronto, Craparotta was used to a social life that revolved around drinking. When they lived in Canada, Craparotta remembered Fabiani being shocked by a rowdy party where people were playing beer pong and drinking out of red Solo cups. While she is making less than what she would back in Toronto, Craparotta said the location is worth the pay cut.

Persons: —, Craparotta, Flavio Fabiani, They'd, Dyson, Fabiani, Victoria Craparotta, Allan Baxter, she's, Alexandr Spatari, I'm, she'd, querbeet, Numbeo Organizations: Service, Business, Fabiani, Getty Locations: Italy, Toronto, Spain, Rome, Canada, Banff, Vancouver, Europe, Milan, Amalfi, London, Paris, Craparotta

☆ These cities will be too hot for the Olympics by 2050
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Lou Robinson | Angela Dewan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The only certainty about Summer Olympics weather is that there’s really no certainty at all. In other words, holding the Summer Games in these cities would be a huge health risk for the athletes. The Games held in 1996 in Atlanta simply wouldn’t be possible in 2050. They may not againSome of the cities that have already hosted the Summer Games will be way beyond safe temperatures by 2050. Beijing, which hosted in 2008, would be much too hot and humid, with heat stress forecast to soar past 90 degrees.

Persons: CarbonPlan, Spain’s, Oriana Chegwidden, ”, It’s, —, exertional, Yuri Hosokawa, Exertional heatstroke, they’re, ” Hosokawa, Hosokawa, “ Organizations: CNN, Olympics, Brisbane, Doha, Southern, Waseda University Locations: CarbonPlan, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Texas, Atlanta, China, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Sydney, di Janeiro, Europe —, London, Oslo, Stockholm, Palermo, Sicily, Spain’s Seville, Los Angeles, Australian, Queensland, Brisbane, India, Ahmedabad, Indonesia, Nusantara, Qatar, Turkey, Istanbul, Poland, Chile, Warsaw, Santiago, Doha, Athens, Rome, Tokyo, Seoul, Barcelona, Australia, Rio de Janeiro, Sapporo, Japan

☆ Tamirat Tola wins captivating Olympic marathon for Ethiopia
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Tola surged clear and never looked back (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)After letting the little-known Eyob Faniel of Italy lead for most of the first half of the race, Tola made his first move just before the halfway mark. Tola crossed the line an Olympic record time (Andrej Isakovic/AFP via Getty Images)Most remarkably, Tola didn’t even make the Ethiopian team originally. “I trained hard so I could win,” Tola said. Even his compatriot, Kenenisa Bekele, one of the most decorated Ethiopian distance runners but at 42 nearing the end of his career, was gushing after finishing 39th. “Not easy to win the Olympic Games,” he said, in perhaps the understatement of the past two weeks in Paris.

Persons: Tamirat Tola, Tola, Cameron Spencer, ”, Bikila, Bikele, Belgium’s Bashir Abdi, Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, Eliud, victoire appartient, Napoleon, Roland Garros, Andrej Isakovic, Tola didn’t, “, ” Tola, Connor Mantz, Akira Akasaki, ” Mantz, Clayton Young, Abdi, Kenenisa Bekele, ” Bekele, Denisa Geleta, Kipruto Organizations: “, East, Getty, Ethiopian, Boston Marathon, Olympic Locations: Ethiopia, Invalides, Paris, Versailles, Eugene , Ore, New York, Italy, Rome, Tokyo, Kenya, AFP, Japan

☆ Europe was on the brink of a night train revolution. Here’s what actually happened
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Ben Jones | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Prior to the company’s demise, it had looked like Europe was poised for something of a night train revolution. Despite this demand, the hurdles for startups like Midnight Train trying to enter the market to meet it remain virtually insurmountable. Formidable obstaclesEuropean Sleeper is one of the few new night train operators to begin services, but the company has struggled to find rolling stock. “Politicians must be clear: the night train market will be effectively closed for a very long time,” he says. With the honorable exception of Nightjet, which plans to expand rapidly over the next five years, European night train services have yet to match the hype.

Persons: Adrien Aumont, Eva Plevier, Alex Halada, –, ÖBB, Nick Brooks, ”, “, Bart Biesemans, ” Brooks, Mark Smith, Robert Nemeti Organizations: CNN, Trains, Midnight Trains, Regiojet, Compagnie Internationale des, Orient Express, Getty, Austrian Federal Railways, Reuters, Barcelona, European Union, Swiss Federal Railways, Deutsche Bahn, Italian State Railways, Formidable, EU Locations: Europe, Stockholm, Denmark, Germany, Czech, Czechia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Prague, Croatia’s, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, –, France, Barcelona, AFP, Spanish, Paris, Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Madrid, Porto, Edinburgh, Anadolu, Vienna, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Sicily, Messina, Europe’s

☆ I quit my job at 55 and moved to Italy for retirement. I lost my incredible pension, but I'm so much happier now.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( Jane Ridley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I quit my government job in January 2022, two months after returning from a European vacation with my son, Ryan. I lost count of the people who said I'd lose a big chunk of my pension if I didn't retire at 65. Ryan qualified for Italian citizenship if he wanted to apply for it. AdvertisementSperoni and her son, Ryan, when they lived in Sacramento. He said I'd love the place.

Persons: —, Lisa Speroni, Ryan, I'd, isn't, I'm, Speroni, he'd, Medusa, — I'd, Italy Ryan, I've Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Italy, California, Italian, Sacramento, Florence, Salerno, Turin, Amalfi Coast, Rome

☆ Dolce & Gabbana launches $100 perfume for dogs inspired by owner's poodle
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-08 | by ( April Roach | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

(Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)Dolce and Gabbana's luxury perfume for dogs — costing over $100 — has sparked concerns from some animal welfare organizations. The Italian fashion house's alcohol-free fragrance mist for dogs, which costs £83 ($105) on its U.K. website, is inspired by Fefé, the pet dog of brand-owner Domenico Dolce. However, the fragrance has drawn some concern from animal welfare organizations and experts who warn that perfumes can interfere with a dog's sense of smell. Oils such as ylang ylang which is included in Fefé, can also have a positive effect, he said. RSPCA's Potter also noted that some "lightly-scented products," which do not use aversive scents or interfere with a dog's sense of smell, can have a calming effect.

Persons: Domenico Dolce's, Alberto PIZZOLI, ALBERTO PIZZOLI, —, Fefé, Domenico Dolce, Ylang, Gabbana, Alice Potter, Donald Maurice Broom, Broom, RSPCA's Potter, we'd, Potter, Dolce Organizations: Dolce, Gabbana, Getty, RSPCA, Cambridge Veterinary School Locations: Rome, AFP, Fefé

☆ Uber, Lyft and the gig economy think they've found a way to win the national labor war
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

While only applicable in California, labor law experts expect momentum to spread to other states where the issue hasn't yet been tested. 22 went into effect, more than 80% of California drivers surveyed said that it has been good for them. In other high-population states, there has been a wave of recent actions and compromises between the companies and the states. In November, New York announced two settlements totaling $328 million with Uber and Lyft to resolve multi-year investigations. The state had been seeking a court determination that Uber and Lyft drivers are employees, not independent contractors.

Persons: Caroline Donelan, Uber, Brazil —, Gary McLaughlin, Mitchell Silberberg, Lyft, there's, James Yukevich, Yukevich Cavanaugh, it's, Tony West, Kamala Harris, general's, Michael M, Baylson, Donelan, Massachusetts Uber, Verrett, John Wicker, Stradling Yocca Carlson, There's, Gregory P, Feit, Reavis Organizations: California Supreme, Blank, Employees, New York, Pew Research, Washington Post, Democratic Party, Transportation Network Companies, federal, Labor, Union, United, 32BJ SEIU, Service Employees International Union, International Association of Machinists, SEIU, Rauth Locations: California's, U.S, California, New, New York State, Massachusetts, Australia, Brazil, Washington, New York , Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Florida, Minneapolis, In Massachusetts

☆ Opinion | Why a Black-and-White Feminist Film Was Bigger Than ‘Barbie’ in Italy
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-04 | by ( Veronica Raimo | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Last summer the hot-pink feminism of “Barbie” took more than $1 billion at box offices worldwide. In Italy, however, “Barbie” was beaten by another film, a feminist dramedy with a clear nod to Italian neorealism set in postwar Rome. The film presents a monolithic patriarchy which the women bear stoically and symbolically counter, at the end — spoiler alert — by voting. At least part of the answer lies in the fact that “There’s Still Tomorrow” is a safe film set in a very binary world. The plot follows Delia, a woman devoted to her family and dominated by her violent, sexist husband, Ivano, himself the son of a violent, sexist father.

Persons: “ Barbie ”, “, ”, David, Donatello, Delia, Ivano, Marcella Locations: Italy, Rome

☆ Mykolas Alekna: Son of a two-time Olympic champion, the Lithuanian will aim to carry on his father’s legacy
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-04 | by ( Martynas Ruseckas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Lithuanian discus thrower Mykolas Alekna is poised to carry on the legacy of his father, Virgilijus, who holds an Olympic record in the same discipline. His 69.89-meter throw in Athens 2004 guaranteed the then-32-year-old a second Olympic gold medal, having also won in Sydney 2000. The world record followed in April 2024, when all his six throws – alongside his new all-time mark – were over the elite 70-meter mark. Deep-rooted traditionAlekna’s success in the discus throw is testament to Lithuania’s deep-rooted tradition in this field event – the Baltic state has been hugely successful with the discus in hand. Virgilijus Alekna’s victories on the global stage helped to popularize the sport, and now, finals of discus throw are among the most-watched Olympic events in Lithuania.

Persons: Bronny James, LeBron, Mykolas Alekna, Virgilijus, Jürgen, Alekna, you’ll, ” Virgilijus, Mykolas, –, Romas Ubartas, Ubartas, Martynas, Andrius Gudžius –, Lukas Weißhaidinger, Daniel Ståhl Organizations: CNN, Sydney, Sydney Games, University of California, Seoul Games, Soviet Union, Paris Games, League –, Lithuanian, European Athletics, Tokyo Games Locations: Paris, Lithuanian, Athens, Berkeley, Munich, Bavarian, Baltic, European, Soviet Union, Barcelona, Lithuania, Soviet, Rome, Slovenian, Sweden

☆ Susan Sarandon on Her Best Movie Roles: 'Rocky Horror,' 'Thelma & Louise'
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Caralynn Matassa | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Advertisement"It wasn't the kind of movie that you're really watching every single word. On Tim Curry convincing her to read for 'Rocky Horror' and being afraid to sing 'Happy Birthday'Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick, and Susan Sarandon in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." I know it looks like we had so much fun, but we really didn't hang out that much or do any of that. On her 'give and take' with Ridley Scott over the 'Thelma & Louise' scriptSusan Sarandon and Geena Davis in "Thelma & Louise." AdvertisementI think that's what you do with every project you go through, to just try to understand the whole.

Persons: Susan Sarandon, She's, Sarandon, Lou, who's, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Megan Mullally, Bette Midler, Billy Wilder, Bull Durham, Thelma, Louise, Ridley Scott, Tim Curry, Barry Bostwick, Michael Ochs, Tim Curry —, Tim, Janet, Nobody, it'll, Richard O'Brien, Kevin Costner, Ron Shelton's, Kevin, Costner, Robbins, Ron, wouldn't, It's, I've, Geena Davis, Ridley, I'm, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson Organizations: Business, SAG, WGA, Bull, Michael Ochs Archives, Hollywood Locations: Key West , Florida, Florida, Savannah, LA, London, Bull, Rome

☆ Marcell Jacobs Has Waited a Long Time to Prove the Doubters Wrong
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-03 | by ( Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The strict security protocols governing the movements of President Sergio Mattarella of Italy dictate that he is not permitted to appear in the same location repeatedly. He is, in this respect and probably this respect alone, like lightning: He is not supposed to strike twice. It seems the Italian president, like the rest of the country, cannot get enough of Marcell Jacobs. Five days later, Italy won gold in the men’s relay. Jacobs ran the second leg.

Persons: Sergio Mattarella, Mattarella, Marcell Jacobs, Jacobs, Gianmarco Tamberi, Jasmine Paolini Organizations: Olympic, Italy Locations: Italy, Rome, Italian, American

☆ She hit it off with the guy she met at the bar on vacation. Then he sent her an unexpected text message
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

And then, on her second night in Rome, Skyler crossed paths with Giuseppe Morisani in a busy bar. As soon as he met Skyler, Giuseppe started daydreaming about showing her around his home region and – most importantly – introducing her to his mother. He just had one complaint: the lack of Calabrian olive oil. In time, this first spark of an idea became EXAU Olive Oil – a successful olive oil company operated by Giuseppe and Skyler. “I wouldn’t have started EXAU, our olive oil company, if we hadn’t met just that day… I just feel happy.

Persons: Giuseppe Morisani, Skyler Mapes, She’d, Giuseppe, “, ” Skyler, Skyler couldn’t, ”, Skyler, she’d, ‘, Giuseppe didn’t, Skyler didn’t, Giuseppe –, –, Giuseppe gushed, who’d, he’d, Calabria Skyler, Giuseppe’s, we’d, didn’t, Giuseppe Morisani Skyler, ” “, ” Giuseppe, Skyler hadn’t, Giuseppe couldn’t, Oprah Winfrey, Olive, we’re, Skyler’s, they’ve, hadn’t, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, Google, CNN Travel, Familia, Fine Arts, Forbes, Olive Oil, US Locations: Rome, Calabria, Barcelona, Spain, Europe, Italy, Calabria –, California, Amsterdam, Netherlands, United States, San Francisco, ”, Southern Italy, Texas

☆ Imane Khelif: Algeria boxer who had gender test issue wins first Olympic fight in Paris when opponent quits
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Associated Press | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Villepinte, France AP —Imane Khelif of Algeria won her opening Olympic boxing bout Thursday when opponent Angela Carini of Italy quit after just 46 seconds. Carini and Khelif exchanged only a few punches before Carini walked away and abandoned the bout — an extremely unusual occurrence in Olympic boxing. They were allowed to compete in Paris by the IOC task force, which has run the past two Olympic boxing tournaments. Olympic boxing reached gender parity for the first time this year, with 124 men and 124 women competing in Paris. Several sports have updated their gender rules over the past three years, including World Aquatics, World Athletics and the International Cycling Union.

Persons: Angela Carini, Khelif, Carini, “, ” Carini, it’s, ” Khelif, Lin Yu, Lin, Uzbekistan’s, Imane, Giorgia Meloni, we’re, Meloni, ” Meloni, Mark Adams, ”, ” Lin, Umar Kremlev, Caitlin Parker, It’s, Nicole Winfield Organizations: France AP, Paris Olympics, North Paris, IBA, Algerian Olympic, Tokyo Games, IOC, Athletics, International Cycling Union, Gazprom, Los Angeles Games, Sport, Swiss, Tribunal, Associated Locations: Villepinte, France, Algeria, Italy, Taiwan, Paris, Janeiro, Russia, Australia, Rome

☆ ‘We don’t need more concrete’: A new village in Tanzania will use a 3D printer and soil to build its community
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Tom Page | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

In Kibaha, Tanzania, just west of the capital Dar es Salaam, a group of pioneering architects are set to build a new village with “earth printing” at its heart. A rendering of the community center for Hope Village, which Hassell says is expected to begin construction in 2025. Hope Village is more ambitious, according to Mark Loughnan, principal and head of design at Hassell. For Dr. Consola Elia, who will oversee the children’s home at Hope Village, the project is “the reality of a dream that I’ve had for over 20 years,” she said in a statement. Work on the masterplan has begun, with housing already underway and construction of the community center expected to begin in early 2025.

Persons: Hassell, ClarkeHopkinsClarke, ”, Xavier De Kestelier, De Kestelier, Mario Cucinella, ” De Kestelier, Hassel, Mark Loughnan, “, Consola Elia, I’ve, we’re Organizations: CNN, NASA, Hope, Institute, Architecture, Mario Cucinella Architects, Tanzanian, New Yorker, Crane WASP, Arts Locations: Kibaha, Tanzania, Dar, Salaam, Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain, Ravenna, Italy, Rome, Uganda, Hope

☆ Venice limits tour groups to 25 and bans megaphones in fightback against overtourism
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Barbie Natza Ladeau | Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Rome CNN —It’s about to get just a little bit quieter in Venice –- at least that’s the hope of the city council, which has banned tour guides from using megaphones and limited the groups to 25 people. Exceptions to the changes, which came into force Thursday, include children under 2 years of age, and visiting students and educational trips. Tourists and guides who break the 25-person limit or use loudspeakers will face fines of approximately $50-$100. However, the city has said it will double the charge when it reinstates it, probably later this year. Officials on the Greek island of Santorini are considering limiting the number of cruise ships that can dock off its shores.

Persons: Rome, Rome CNN —, ” Organizations: Rome CNN, overtourism Locations: Venice, Murano, overtourism ., Europe, Netherlands, Greece, Spain, Santorini, Spanish, Barcelona

☆ Iran says Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Hamas said Haniyeh was killed "in a Zionist airstrike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of Iran's new president." Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said early Wednesday, and Hamas blamed Israel for the attack. Hamas officials did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. In April, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed three of Haniyeh's sons and four of his grandchildren. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday, along with other Hamas officials and officials from Hezbollah and allied groups.

Persons: Ismail Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Ismail Haniyeh, Israel, Sinwar, Masoud Pezeshkian's, Fouad Shukur, Shukur, Biden, Bill Burns, Brett McGurk, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Organizations: Revolutionary Guard, Al, Israel, Guard, CIA, White, Hamas, Gaza Health Ministry Locations: Tehran, Israeli, Israel, Palestine, Gaza, Qatar, Al Jazeera, Iran, Beirut, Lebanese, U.S, Rome, East, North Africa

☆ Who was the Hamas chief killed in Tehran as the war in Gaza rages?
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-31 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hamas and Iranian state media said Wednesday that the 62-year-old had been killed in the Iranian capital Tehran. Hamas claimed Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli “strike” on his residence, while the Israeli military declined to comment when contacted by CNN. Haniyeh’s death strikes a significant blow to Hamas at a time when tensions are flaring across the Middle East over the devastating war in Gaza, and raises fraught questions about the future of negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Haniyeh was born in a refugee camp near Gaza City, and joined Hamas in the late 1980s during the First Intifada, or uprising. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (right) meets Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh (left) at the president's office in Tehran, Iran, on July 30, 2024.

Persons: CNN — Ismail Haniyeh, Haniyeh, Masoud Pezeshkian, Ismail Haniyeh, ”, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Abdel Aziz Rantisi, Donald Trump, – Haniyeh, Israel, “, Bashar Taleb, Benjamin Netanyahu, Barak Ravid, Wang Kejian Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Ministry of Health, Getty, CNN Political, International Criminal Locations: Israel, Gaza, Hamas, Tehran, Israeli, East, Gaza City, Askalan, Ashkelon, Iran, United States, Washington, Jerusalem, Deir el, Qatar, Egypt, Rome

☆ I traveled in first and business class on trains across Europe. There was just a $3 difference, but the cheaper one was better.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I rode a Trenitalia Frecciarossa train from Venice to Rome in business class in October 2022. A few days later, I rode a Trenitalia EuroCity train from Milan to Zürich in first class. Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementIn October 2022, I traveled around Italy and Switzerland by train and tried business and first-class cars in hopes of having luxurious, comfortable travel experiences. A few days later, I rode in first class on a 3.5-hour train from Milan to Zürich, which is about 135 miles.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Venice, Rome, Milan, Zürich, Italy, Switzerland

☆ Italy's Meloni vows to 'relaunch' cooperation with China
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni vowed on Sunday to "relaunch" cooperation with China, signing a three-year action plan during her first official visit to Beijing since taking office. The Italian leader said her five-day trip was a "demonstration of the will to begin a new phase, to relaunch our bilateral cooperation." Later in the day Meloni said that an industrial cooperation memorandum signed by Italy and China includes strategic industrial sectors such as electric mobility and renewables. Meloni, who sees Chinese investment as a way to spur Italy's anemic economic growth, will meet Xi and China's top legislator, Zhao Leji, third in the leadership hierarchy. Meloni is expected to raise Chinese overcapacity with Chinese officials, as well as Chinese economic support for Russia in its war with Ukraine.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni, Meloni, Premier Li Qiang, Xi, Qiang, Zhao Leji, Leonardo, Gabbana Organizations: Italian, Premier, Xi Jinping's, Pirelli, ENI, Russia Locations: China, Beijing, Rome, Italy, Ukraine

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