Italy's government has decided to postpone a plan to ban old diesel vehicles from towns and cities in the northwestern Piedmont region during working hours. The one-year delay comes after protests from motorists and showcases the government's cautious approach to environmental regulation. The proposed ban aimed to address air pollution and would have affected more than 600,000 vehicles, including 140,000 Euro 5 diesels and other older, more polluting vehicles. However, the ban will now only enter into force from October 1, 2024, and will be applied only to places with more than 30,000 inhabitants.

The government's decision was made to avoid a social and economic crisis for families and businesses while still upholding commitments made with the European Union. Piedmont, located in the Po Valley, is one of the most polluted areas in Europe. The region's government, which is controlled by the same parties as the national coalition, faced pressure to take action after Italy was found in breach of the EU's clean air regulations by the EU Court of Justice in 2020.

Environment Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin stated that the government has ordered a review and update of regional anti-pollution plans, and until this is completed, restrictions on Euro 5 diesel vehicles will be temporarily suspended. This move is in line with EU rules. In other news, a convenience store in Pasadena, Newfoundland and Labrador, was broken into and a vehicle was used to crash into the business, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

The break-in occurred on September 4, with police receiving the report shortly after 4:15 a.m. The culprits smashed the front window with a stolen truck from Deer Lake and then stole a safe containing an undisclosed amount of cash. The stolen vehicle was later found on fire in a wooded area near Pasadena. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with CCTV footage is urged to contact the Deer Lake RCMP or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers.