Hemp-based construction materials offer significant environmental and economic benefits, including reduced CO2 emissions, energy savings, and full recyclability. Experts like Paolo Ronchetti and Mike Lawrence highlight the advantages of hemp-lime bricks and advanced hemp panels. Sara and Mauro Cogi's experience with hemp insulation demonstrates practical energy savings. The Isobio project aims to industrialize these sustainable solutions, with researchers like Oliver Style emphasizing the need to scale up production to meet market demands.

Interior Minister Marco Minniti visited Castel Volturno near Naples amidst Italy's electoral campaign, signing a €21 million protocol for security and integration. Local mayor Dimitri Russo and residents, including those of African origin, expressed concerns about the adequacy of the funding and the challenges posed by high migration levels. The region faces issues of micro-criminality and organized crime, with migration and security being pivotal topics in the upcoming elections.

A series of earthquakes has struck central Italy, with the epicenter identified near Montereale, between L'Aquila and Rieti. There are no reported casualties, but many towns are isolated due to heavy snowfall complicating rescue efforts. Paolo Messina, Director of the Institute of Environmental Geology at CNR, explains that the faults that moved last year and the current ones are different but close to each other. The earthquakes are causing damage and concern among the population, exacerbated by adverse weather conditions. The immediate priority is to rescue people, with many towns isolated and up to two meters of snow making access difficult, necessitating the use of helicopters. The tremors were also felt in the Umbrian Apennine ridge and in the cities of Florence and Rome, leading to precautionary evacuations of schools and the metro in the capital.