Latest news with #Mediterraneo
The National
19 hours ago
- Climate
- The National
Tourists run to safety as Mount Etna erupts
Footage captured on the Italian island of Sicily shows thick, grey clouds billowing from the volcano
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 days ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Italy Urges Israel to Stop Offensive in Gaza, Respect Humanitarian Law
Israel's continued assault on the Gaza Strip has become unacceptable and must stop immediately, Italy's foreign minister said on Wednesday, warning against any move to forcibly displace Palestinians from the enclave. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani spoke to parliament about the situation in Gaza amid mounting Western criticism of Israel, which invaded the Palestinian territory after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas on its southern communities. "The legitimate reaction of the Israeli government to a terrible and senseless act of terrorism is unfortunately taking absolutely dramatic and unacceptable forms, which we call on Israel to stop immediately," Tajani told parliament. Italy has been a vocal supporter of Israel, but there has been growing unease within the right-wing coalition government over the relentless and long-running military campaign. In all, more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's air and ground war, Gaza health authorities say. "The bombing must end, humanitarian assistance must resume as soon as possible, respect for international humanitarian law must be restored," Tajani told a heated debate in the lower house of parliament. On Gaza, the government has come under attack from the opposition parties, which have announced a demonstration in Rome on June 7, demanding sanctions against Israel and that Italy formally recognizes the State of Palestine. "The levels of political, moral and intellectual squalor that all of you, Italian and European ruling classes, are reaching, will condemn you as those who are complicit in extermination, genocide and inhuman crime," said Riccardo Ricciardi, a lawmaker from the 5-Star Movement. Tajani said a Palestinian state could still be created following negotiations involving Israel, and Italy wanted to keep a dialogue open with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. But he reiterated that Italy was against displacing Palestinians from Gaza, an option US President Donald Trump proposed earlier this year and which was swiftly rejected by Arab countries. "The expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza is not and will never be an acceptable option," Tajani said. He reiterated that Italy might be prepared to take part in an eventual Arab-led peacekeeping mission in Gaza.
LBCI
6 days ago
- General
- LBCI
Italy demands Israel strikes stop, blasts expulsions of Gazans
Italy's foreign minister urged Israel again on Wednesday to stop its strikes on Gaza while warning that expelling Palestinians from the territory "is not and never will be an acceptable option." Speaking to parliament, Antonio Tajani said Israel's reaction to the October 7 Hamas attack had taken on "unacceptable forms," adding that "the bombings must stop, humanitarian assistance must resume as soon as possible, respect for international humanitarian law must be restored." AFP
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Darlington takeaway with top reviews put up for sale for £40,000
A Darlington takeaway with top online reviews has hit the market, being put up for sale for £40,000. Mediterraneo, on Skinnergate is an Italian takeaway, serving up pizza, pasta, parmos and garlic bread on its menu. But the business, which has been trading for just over a year, has now been put on the market, with estate agents Parker Barras listing the venue leasehold for £40,000. Four years of its lease remain, as the agents highlight the business is "Fully fitted, in good decorative order throughout." With opening times between 12pm and 10pm on Monday to Saturday, and Sunday opening times of 4pm to 10pm, Mediterraneo boasts takings of about £5,000 per week. It has 4.8 out of 5 stars out on Google reviews, with users praising the quality of food and portion sizes. "Mint food and mint service loaded fries got some extra stuff," one reviewer said. Another, Tia Strange, said: "Mediterraneo in Darlington is a little gem. "They offer the cleanest and most delicious variety of food, with every dish prepared to perfection. The quality and freshness of their ingredients truly stand out, making it a must-visit for anyone in the area. Highly recommended." While a different reviewer said: "Absolutely delicious pasta, so glad we found this restaurant for a quick gluten free lunch. 'Missed her completely': Kylie Minogue heads to Seaham beach 'unnoticed' by fans 24 giant beanbags in new exhibition sees artist reimagine Bowes Museum's collection County Durham man who caused major A1 crash, injuring seven, has his sentence delayed "Chef was so friendly and accommodating, they cooked the gluten free pasta and the sauce from scratch we had Chicken Alfredo sauce it was fresh, tasty and really full of flavour. "Looking forward to visiting again and trying the other sauces." Those interested in the business should contact the estate agents, Parker Barras, for any information.
Asharq Al-Awsat
17-05-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Too Many Tourists? Crowds Offer an Opportunity for Italy's South
In a rundown neighbourhood of Sicily's capital Palermo, a whitewashed old farmhouse that accommodates pilgrims now offers two rooms to tourists for bed and breakfast after a renovation. As foreign visitors flock to Sicily, last year Brother Mauro Billetta, head of the parish in the Danisinni neighbourhood, decided that revenue from B&B guests could help lift the area out of decades of neglect. Two months ago he also opened a cafe at the farmhouse, overlooking the vegetable garden. "That was our main goal from the start: to open up this part of the city, and also to tourists," said Mauro, sitting in his brown robes in his office at the parish church. While residents in Rome, Florence and Venice have staged protests, complaining of overcrowded streets and housing shortages due to rising holiday rentals, it's a different story in poorer southern Italy. In Sicily and other parts the tourism boom is helping make some neighbourhoods safer and bringing much needed cash to deprived areas, although residents see risks ahead if it is not controlled. Danisinni is walking distance from Palermo Cathedral and the Norman Palace, two of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Sicilian capital, which welcomed over 800,000 visitors in 2023, up 16% from 2022. "Our houses became more valuable and some of the businesses that opened in recent years, like the restaurants, are good for the residents as well," said Aurelio Cagnina, while walking his dog near his home by Palermo's ancient port of La Cala. However, some city residents are starting to complain that local authorities are failing to regulate the tourist boom. Short-term rentals are on the rise - more than 180,000 of Palermo's visitors in 2023 stayed in non-hotel accommodation, up 44% from 2019, official data shows - and residents say the growing night life has brought an increase in drug dealing. "The lack of intervention is setting the stage for irreversible transformations. The so-called 'showcase' historic centre is what is happening," Palermo resident Massimo Castiglia said. He reflects fears voiced by residents in Florence and Venice that their city centres will become amusement parks as locals are priced out by visitors. PRESERVATION STRATEGY A rebound in air travel after the pandemic and more low-cost direct flights have led to a surge in visitor numbers to Europe's tourism hot spots, causing friction in parts of Spain and elsewhere, not just Italy - where tourism accounts for more than 10% of gross domestic product. Spending by foreign visitors in Italy rose 19% in 2023 to a record 51.4 billion euros ($57.56 billion), according to The World Travel & Tourism Council's latest data. Sicily drew 5.5 million tourists in 2023, up 14.5% on 2022, according to local government data, and more than the island's resident population of 4.8 million. "There is no risk of overtourism. The idea that the historical areas will become a desert, sold out to short-term rentals does not exist in Palermo at present," said Alessandro Anello, councillor responsible for tourism in Palermo. Yet he acknowledged a strategy was needed to preserve the city's character. The municipality was considering building student quarters in the city center, he said, and last month it passed rules to prevent the opening of more mini food markets for the next 18 months. "Otherwise, there would be a risk that it becomes an open-air street food market," Anello said. REVAMPED IMAGE Tourism has helped Palermo to revamp its image after difficult decades that long overshadowed its beauty. Memorial plaques in honour of the victims of the Cosa Nostra Mafia wars of the 1980s and 1990s are scattered across the city, sometimes hidden among shiny shop windows or restaurants serving typical Sicilian food. A car bomb exploded in 1983 in a residential street near the elegant Viale della Liberta boulevard, killing anti-mafia magistrate Rocco Chinnici, two police officers escorting him and the doorman of the building where he lived. Claudia Lombardo, who rents apartments to tourists with her daughter a few metres from the site, believes much has changed since then. "There is a different air, a more open mentality, and I believe the opportunity to interact with tourists has helped a lot," she said.
