5/18: CBS News Mornings
Debt ceiling talks; retail spending trends.
Italy
Deadly floods in Italy after historic drought
Flooding in Northern Italy has killed at least 11 people and forced thousands more to evacuate their homes less than a year after a historic drought. The region has been battered by torrential rain, triggering floods and landslides. CBS News foreign correspondent Chris Livesay has more.
Italian police dog sniffs out 3 tons of cocaine hidden in banana shipment
Most of the drug trade in Italy, and much of Europe, is dominated by the 'Ndrangheta crime group, a highly sophisticated global network dealing in international narcotics that operates in 40 countries.
Skeletons found in Pompeii ruins reveal deaths by earthquake
Archeologists discovered two new skeletons during excavations of the ancient city of Pompeii.
Zelenskyy meets with Pope Francis in Rome
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to Rome on Saturday, where he met with Pope Francis at the Vatican.
Pope warns of "demographic winter," urges action to boost birth rates
Pope Francis called on Italian and other European leaders to solve problems he said were preventing young couples from choosing parenthood.
Evidence proves bear held over jogger's killing is "innocent," activists say
Animal rights activists say teeth marks on the victim show the aggressor was male — not the female bear captured last month.
Italy calls a crisis meeting over surging pasta prices
Italian officials are investigating why macaroni prices have risen by more than twice the rate of the country's overall inflation.
Police crack down on 'Ndrangheta mafia in sweeping bust across Europe
About 132 people were taken into custody in early morning raids as part of a blitz involving eight European countries plus Brazil and Panama.
Florida principal visits Michelangelo's David
Cecilie Hollberg, a former Florida school principal who was forced to resign for showing students an image of Michelangelo's David visited the iconic statue in Florence, Italy.
Florida principal forced to resign views Michelangelo's David in Italy
Hope Carrasquilla stepped down as principal of Tallahassee Classical school last month after one parent claimed the sculpture was pornographic.
Top mafia boss arrested by Italian police after 5 years on the run
Pasquale Bonavota was leaving Genoa's cathedral when he was arrested and was carrying a fake ID, local media said.
The Dish: Robbie Felice at Pasta Ramen
A well-known Japanese trend is taking root in the United States. The popular fusion blends Japanese and Italian flavors for a unique and tasty experience. Nancy Chen has more from Pasta Ramen in New Jersey.
Brown bear that killed Italian runner is captured, her 3 cubs freed
Jj4 is the same Alpine brown bear that injured a father and son out walking in the region in 2020.
Italian police seize 2 tons of cocaine found adrift at sea off Sicily
The drugs were found wrapped in 70 waterproof packages held together by nets and kept afloat by life preservers, with a tracking device attached.
Archeologists in Italy unearth ancient dolphin statuette
The discoveries shine new light on the religious life and rituals of an ancient city, culture ministry officials said.
Bear kills jogger; same animal reportedly attacked 2 others in 2020
In March, a man was attacked by a bear in the same region, launching a debate on the dangers posed by the animals.
Migrant deaths in Mediterranean reach highest level in 6 years
A new report from the U.N. found that the first three months of 2023 were the deadliest such period for migrants in the Central Mediterranean since early 2017.
Pope Francis leads Good Friday celebration
Pope Francis is leading a Good Friday celebration at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City today, but he will skip a ceremony later at the Colosseum in Rome due to cold weather. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Seth Doane joins Errol Barnett and Vladimir Duthiers to discuss the pope's altered schedule and more.
Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi reportedly in intensive care
The 86-year-old ex-premier known for his "Bunga Bunga" sex parties has been one of the most controversial leaders of modern Italy.
A proposed law bans English in Italy — and violators could face hefty fines
According to reports, public employees, universities and firms could face hefty fines — ranging from approximately $5,500 to $110,000 — if they are caught using foreign instead of Italian words in any public communication.
Russian wanted by U.S. back home after escaping house arrest in Italy
"I'm in Russia!" said Artyom Uss, whose father is a governor in Russia's vast Siberia region, after evading likely extradition to the U.S.
Attending a masquerade ball in fairy-tale Venice
The opulence of a masked ball in the Italian city of Venice during Carnival must be seen to be believed. Correspondent Seth Doane joins revelers, including a couple who traveled from Florida to attend a lavish costume party, "Il Ballo del Doge"; and talks with designer Antonia Sautter, who has created ever-more extravagant costumes for this Venetian tradition dating back centuries.
Pope's health "progressively improving"
CBS News foreign correspondent Chris Livesay joins Errol Barnett and Lana Zak from Rome to discuss the latest we know about the Pope after he was hospitalized Wednesday with a respiratory infection.
Pope hospitalized with respiratory infection
Pope Francis has been hospitalized with a respiratory infection, the Vatican said Wednesday. The pontiff is expected to receive treatment for several days. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Seth Doane joined Errol Barnett and Lana Zak from Rome to discuss the breaking news.
Authorities find remains they think are Travis Decker, accused of killing his 3 daughters
Decker didn't return them to their mother's home in Wenatchee, Washington on May 30.
Legal experts see a dangerous precedent in crackdown on Charlie Kirk criticism
Trump administration figures have vowed to pursue anyone who mocks or celebrates Kirk's death, alarming First Amendment advocates.
CDC's vaccine advisory panel votes on measles shot
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met Thursday to discuss and vote on the hepatitis B and measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccines for children.
Texas A&M president resigning following political backlash over classroom video
In a video that captures the encounter, a student confronts a professor over class curriculum surrounding gender identity.
ATF agent shoots teen in Aliquippa, Pa., near Pittsburgh, local officials say
A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent shot a person in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, the city's mayor said.
Trump says TV networks covering him negatively should "maybe" have their licenses revoked
On Thursday, ABC took Jimmy Kimmel off the air after the FCC chairman hinted at action against ABC over comments the comedian had made about the suspect in Charlie Kirk's killing.
Rising grocery prices could lead to shrinkflation, food industry analyst says
Overall grocery prices in August 2025 rose 2.7% compared to one year ago, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.
New York officials among dozens arrested at anti-ICE demonstration
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 71 people, including two state senators and nine state Assembly members, were arrested.
Drone strike on displacement camp in Sudan reportedly kills 75 people
U.N. rights chief says Sudan's "forgotten" war is escalating, as another mass killing of civilians is reported by aid workers.