Italian Riviera

Liguria ship tragedy kills seven

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:46:00 +0000

The city of Nice has expressed its “solidarity” and “empathy” for Genoa following a tragic accident last week in the Liguria capital. A massive cargo ship collided with the port’s control tower, killing seven and injuring four. Memorial services are taking place today for two people that have not yet been found.

A little bit of everything for Italy's new government

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:40:00 +0000

The results of the Italian elections are in. A surprise third place has been given to comedian and Italian Riviera native Beppe Grillo. Coming in first is Pier Luigi Bersani, followed closely by Silvio Berlusconi. The concern now is how the government and country can stabilise as Bersani's centre-left seems likely to dominate lower house and Berlusconi's centre-right the Senate.

Italian elections reveal a divided nation

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 14:43:00 +0000

The polling stations officially closed across Italy at 14:00 GMT in what could be one of the closest elections in the nation's history. While Pier Luigi Bersani's centre-left Democratic party (PD) has emerged as a front-runner, former comedian Beppe Grillo's protest party drew in ample support in the final stages. But anything could happen in the midst of Monti's unpopular austerity measures, as young voters in the north west admit to "strategical voting."

Billions in aid for Italian agriculture

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:31:00 +0000

Northern Italian regions hit by earthquakes in May 2012 will receive 2.66 billion euros in aid. The European Commission gave approval for the funding on Wednesday 19th December to help agriculture recover from the devastating natural disaster, which killed seven and left many villages in ruin.

Take a trip to Genoa!

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 14:49:00 +0000

What does famous Spanish artist Joan Miró have to do with the Genoa Aquarium? Well, until 7th April, guests at the famous marine hub will also get the chance to visit the Palazzo Ducale in Genova for the 'Miró! Poetry and light' exhibition.

A seabed of secrets

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 09:33:00 +0000

For almost a century, fishermen in the Italian region of Liguria have spoken of the mysterious pottery shards they regularly pulled up in their nets. Their questions have now finally been answered with the discovery of a Roman wreck that has lain almost perfectly preserved on the sea floor for two millennia. Could this ancient treasure reveal stories of the past?

Baby penguin says hello

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:15:00 +0000

The Aquatic Centre in Genoa has revealed that a recently born penguin has made his first appearance. Visitors can now meet the new arrival, taking the first steps dressed in its soft grey baby plumage, until the middle of September.

The philanthropist of Bordighera

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Charles Lowe lived in Wiltshire for many years but he also spent much of his retirement on the Italian Riviera, where he was just as generous with his donations to good causes - including providing funds for Italy's first tennis courts.

Genoa pond turtles head to the wild

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 08:31:00 +0000

A pack of pond turtles, commonly known as the Emys Orbicularis, are getting ready to set off into the wild this month as part of a project pioneered by the Albenga Emys Leca Center in Genoa. It has already been a great year for the centre with a record number of turtles born at the reserve.

Search for survivors continues

Wed, 30 May 2012 09:36:00 +0000

The death toll following northern Italy's largest earthquakes is continuing to rise and a further seven people are believed to be dead or trapped under rubble in the Emilia Romagna region. Soldiers have been drafted into the area to help support the rescue services but time could be running out for the missing people who are feared to be still entombed in the wreckage.

Earthquake rocks Northern Italy, again

Tue, 29 May 2012 14:11:00 +0000

Just nine days after the Italian town of Finale Emilia was destroyed by a fatal earthquake which killed seven people and shattered centuries of history and heritage, two more tremors have hit the Emilia region. The shocks have once again thrown northern Italy into uproar as rescue services rush to save the injured and uncover the dead.

Lives and legacies lost in Italian quakes

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:44:00 +0000

Northern Italy has been struck by a deadly earthquake. Seven people are dead, centuries of history and heritage now lies in the dust, and with aftershocks still rippling around the region, government officials fear another tremor on the scale of the murderous L’Aquila quake that claimed hundreds of lives just three years ago.

A museum fit for a queen

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

The Villa Regina Margherita in Bordighera has had a place in Italy’s history since its unification in 1861. It was the favourite residence of the of the new country’s first queen: Queen Margherita of Savoy, wife of King Umberto I, himself the son of Victor Emmanuel II.

The Transylvania catastrophe

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:00:00 +0000

With more than 3,000 passengers on board, the English ship Transylvania was torpedoed by the German submarine U-63 during the First World War, just off the island of Bergeggi. Ninety-four years later, thanks to innovative new technology, the Carabinieri from Genoa have been able to track down this relic, resting at over 600 metres below sea level.

5 year jail call for Berlusconi

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:25:00 +0000

Silvio Berlusconi could face five years in prison for bribing his former tax lawyer, Italian media reports. Prosecutors have called for a relatively hefty jail term for the former Italian Prime Minister.

Earthquake recorded in Liguria

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:18:00 +0000

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake has been recorded in Liguria in the Italian Riviera.

"Low risk" of fuel leak for Costa Concordia

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:29:00 +0000

While salvage work on the Costa Concordia wreck is expected to begin later today, experts believe the stricken cruise ship is unlikely to leak harmful fuels into the Mediterranean sea.

Italy fears environmental disaster

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:21:00 +0000

The Italian government has declared a state of emergency amid fears that the Costa Concordia cruise ship could slide off a rock ledge and fall 300 feet to the seabed, spilling half a million gallons of harmful fuels into Mediterranean waters.

Genoa and Turin new allies of Nice

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:59:00 +0000

Ties have been strengthened between Nice and its neighbours Genoa and Turin. New initiatives involve the improvement of links between transport and education.

Genoa aquarium a favourite

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

The Aquarium of Genoa has ranked number three in the top ten list of most popular attractions in Europe in 2011 by TripAdvisor.it.

Flash floods kill six in Italian Riviera

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:10:00 +0000

Northwest Italy continues to be thrashed by torrential rains and flash flooding, this time in Genoa. There have been seven confirmed deaths, and the number is quickly rising. It comes just days after deadly floods killed nine people in the region of Liguria.

A magical fairy tale come true

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Seborga is a place where reality and fantasy appear intertwined. The village is famous for its claim of independence from Italy, although this is not legally recognised. It is also the spiritual home of a young German-Italian couple who have ambitious plans to rouse the Ligurian principality from its long slumber.

Italy now and then

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 07:00:00 +0000

As Italy celebrates 150 years since its unification (Il Risorgimento meaning resurgence), we look back at how the country has changed in the last 150 years.

Scullino stays on as prefect probe Mafia infiltration links

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:57:00 +0000

The mayor of Ventimiglia, Gaetano Scullino has reversed his decision to resign over corruption allegations. Scullino initially stepped down from his post on the 24th of June, following intense pressure from the prefect of Imperia Francescopaolo Di Menna, who sought an investigating into suspected mafia infiltration in Scullino’s administration.

Delightfully anarchic Seborga

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 07:00:00 +0000

The RT recently set off for the Principality of Seborga to meet the Englishman, broadcaster and journalist Mark Dezzani. This small Italian hilltop village lies north of Bordighera, an easy train and two bus journeys from Nice.