Each year, global cement production releases more than two and a half billion tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere. This immense carbon footprint makes concrete one of the biggest hurdles in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Now, researchers at Northwestern University have developed a technology that could help turn the tide: a carbon-negative building material that not only avoids emissions but also captures CO₂ from the air—while generating hydrogen as a valuable by-product. The method, which mimics the shell-forming process of molluscs, produces a new kind of sand that could form the foundation for greener concrete.
Producing sand for sustainable concrete—and clean energy
To create this innovative carbon-negative material, the researchers introduced electrodes into seawater and applied a low-voltage electric current. This current splits water molecules, releasing hydrogen and generating hydroxide ions. Simultaneously, CO₂ is injected into the seawater, altering its chemical composition and increasing the concentration of bicarbonate ions.
These hydroxide and bicarbonate ions then react with other dissolved minerals naturally found in seawater, such as calcium and magnesium. The result is the formation of solid compounds—mainly calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. Calcium carbonate acts as a direct carbon sink by locking away CO₂ in its crystal structure, while magnesium hydroxide can continue to absorb carbon through further chemical reactions.
According to the researchers, this approach resembles the way molluscs and corals form their shells, using biological energy to transform dissolved ions into calcium carbonate. In this case, the team has swapped biological energy for electricity and boosted mineral formation by adding CO₂ to speed up the process.
Crucially, when powered by renewable energy, the system also produces green hydrogen as a by-product—a clean fuel with a growing role in sectors such as transport, chemicals and power generation. This dual benefit positions the technology as a tool not only for reducing emissions but also for generating renewable energy.
Reducing reliance on sand mining
As well as tapping into abundant natural resources, the technique offers an alternative to intensive sand mining—a growing environmental concern worldwide.
Cement, concrete, paints and plasters typically rely on minerals rich in calcium and magnesium, which are commonly sourced by extracting sand and aggregates. Today, these materials are mined from mountains, rivers, coastlines and even the seabed—practices that are increasingly unsustainable.
Benefits and potential applications
The material developed by the Northwestern team offers a series of advantages that could make it a game-changer for the construction sector:
Lower emissions: By capturing more CO₂ than it emits, the process actively contributes to efforts to combat climate change.
Renewable inputs: It uses seawater and atmospheric CO₂—resources that are practically limitless—ensuring long-term environmental viability.
Hydrogen co-production: The generation of hydrogen adds further value, opening up additional pathways for clean energy development.
Versatility: The material can be adapted for a wide range of applications, from structural concrete to architectural finishes and decorative features.
Despite its potential, the material still faces hurdles before it can be rolled out at scale:
Industrial scalability: Moving from lab to large-scale production will require investment, pilot testing and process optimisation.
Cost-effectiveness: Its economic viability compared with conventional alternatives will need to be assessed across various markets.
Regulatory approval: Like all new building materials, it must meet stringent safety and performance standards before entering the mainstream.
Nonetheless, the team at Northwestern is optimistic. With support from research institutions, investors and policymakers, they believe this new material could be integrated into commercial construction over time.
Turning CO₂ into a resource
Northwestern University’s approach marks a significant step forward in rethinking how we build. By turning CO₂ from a pollutant into a raw material, it points the way towards infrastructure that is not just durable and functional, but also an ally in tackling climate change.
If you are interested in other ways CO₂ is being repurposed as a resource, take a look at our recent article on the subject. And if you would like to stay up to date on the latest breakthroughs in science and technology, you can subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the page.
As any wellness expert will tell you, if you want to avoid becoming dangerously dehydrated, you have to drink before you start feeling thirsty. So, how do you know when to do so? According to a new study, a simple tap of your smartphone screen may soon provide the answer.
Users do have to purchase such gadgets, learn how to utilize them, and put them on their body, however, which are all steps that many folks simply won’t bother taking. This is particularly true of people who aren’t often in situations where there’s a substantial risk of dehydration, or who just aren’t all that tech-savvy.
With this problem in mind, Prof. Tareq Al-Naffouri and colleagues at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) looked to the type of capacitive sensors that are already incorporated into smartphone touchscreens.
It turns out that such sensors don’t just detect the electrical charge in the skin of a user’s fingertip, they’re also capable of measuring changes in the skin’s capacitance, which is its ability to store an electrical charge. And it was already known that the lower a person’s hydration levels, the lower their skin capacitance.
Al-Naffouri’s team thus developed a machine-learning algorithm that converts measured changes in skin capacitance to one of five corresponding levels of hydration. The scientists then tested the technology on a total of 45 volunteers. All of the individuals simply pressed their fingertip pads to a smartphone-like capacitive sensing board, along with providing basic information such as their weight and gender.
Thirty-five of the people were Muslims in the month-long process of fasting for Ramadan, who were tested at regular intervals five times a day. The other 10 were athletes, who were tested before and after sessions of intense physical activity.
When compared to traditional hydration-monitoring methods, the new system proved to be 87% accurate with the fasting individuals and 92% accurate with the athletes. Those figures should improve as the technology is developed further, and ultimately incorporated into an app.
“We envision real-time, everyday, user-friendly hydration monitoring, where users simply place their finger on their smartphone screen to assess their hydration status,” says team member Soumia Siyoucef.
The research is described in a paper that was recently published in IEEE Sensors Journal.
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Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz has backed Ukrainian military strikes deep into Russian territory, following his earlier commitment to supply Kyiv with German long-range missiles.
Germany, Britain, France and the US have removed all range restrictions for weapons delivered to Ukraine, Merz said on Monday.
Paris, London and Washington have supplied long-range missiles to Kyiv and have already allowed strikes in Russian territory.
But Merz’s stance contrasts with that of his Social Democratic predecessor Olaf Scholz, whom he replaced this month.
The former chancellor repeatedly rejected pleas from Kyiv and its allies to supply the Ukrainian armed forces with German Taurus missiles, which have an intelligent warhead system that can inflict huge damage to structures such as bridges and bunkers.
While Merz has decided to stop disclosing weapon deliveries since taking office — a stance in line with the “strategic ambiguity” approach of French President Emmanuel Macron — he had previously said he favoured deliveries of Taurus missiles to Kyiv if they were co-ordinated with European allies.
“There is no longer any range restriction on weapons delivered to Ukraine, neither by the British, nor by the French, nor by us, nor by the Americans,” Merz said at a conference in Berlin on Monday.
He added: “This means that Ukraine can now defend itself, for example by attacking military positions in Russia. It couldn’t do that until some time ago, it did do that with very few exceptions. [Ukraine] can do that now. In jargon we call this long range fire.”
The centre-right chancellor made his comments after three days of Russian air attacks on Ukraine that involved more than 1,000 drone and missile strikes.
Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, said that decisions to give Ukraine longer-range missiles were “potentially dangerous” and could frustrate “attempts to reach a settlement” in Ukraine, according to state newswire Tass.
The 500km-plus range of the Taurus cruise missile is further than the Storm Shadows and Scalps supplied by the British and French and the Army Tactical Missile System (Atacms) provided by the US.
Those British, French and American missiles were first used against military targets inside Russia’s Bryansk and Kursk regions in November, when the respective governments quietly lifted geographical restrictions on their use.
Separately, Kyiv has also developed its own Neptune long-range missiles, as well as drones that target Russian territory.
Merz’s comments come as European leaders are racing to come up with a plan to increase pressure on Moscow, after US President Donald Trump signalled he is inclined to leave them to sort the conflict among themselves.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet Merz in Aachen in western Germany on Thursday, where EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen is receiving the Charlemagne prize.
British officials said Starmer would talk to Merz about increasing economic pressure on Russia and ensuring Ukraine has the financial and military support it needs to maintain the fight.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to travel to Berlin on Wednesday, according to Der Spiegel.
With Washington’s commitment to Ukraine’s security seemingly waning, the French, British and German leaders are increasingly divided over how much military support can be provided to Ukraine after the war.
France and the UK, the two instigators of a so-called “coalition of the willing”, have insisted that an initial plan of deploying troops on the ground in Ukraine is still feasible.
Other nations, including Germany, are more sceptical, since the US remains opposed to the idea and has not promised the security “backstop” previously sought by European powers for such a force.
Starmer and Macron continue to back the troops proposal, people involved in the negotiations said, so as to keep Europe involved in the ceasefire talks and maintain Ukrainian morale, as well as demonstrating their commitment to Trump.
One European official said the troops plan was “dead”, since it was “preposterous without the help of Trump, and he’s not willing to provide it”.
But a French diplomat countered that the reports of the proposal’s death were “not only greatly exaggerated” but also “totally untrue”, adding that the countries were still working on the plans “at normal pace”.
Additional reporting by Leila Abboud in Paris and Max Seddon in Berlin
The European Union said it agreed to accelerate negotiations with the US to avoid a transatlantic trade war, signaling a more amicable approach just days after President Donald Trump criticized the bloc for taking advantage of the US and slow-walking talks.
“There’s now a new impetus for the negotiations,” Paula Pinho, a spokeswoman for the European Commission, told reporters on Monday, a day after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke with Trump by phone. “They agreed both to fast track the trade negotiations and to stay in close contact.”
Following the call, Trump extended the deadline to hit the EU with 50% tariffs by more than a month to July 9 to allow for more negotiations. “We had a very nice call and I agreed to move it,” Trump told reporters Sunday.
Talks so far have been beset with a multitude of problems, with no clear path to finding a middle ground that will appease them both. The Europeans have complained that it’s not clear what the US wants or even who speaks for the American president, and the US has said the EU unfairly targets US companies with lawsuits and regulations.
The EU’s trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, was expected to speak with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Monday. EU ambassadors were also scheduled to hold a last-minute meeting on Monday to discuss the latest developments with the commission.
US and European equity-index futures climbed along with Asian stocks on Monday. The dollar fluctuated after falling to its lowest level since December 2023.
Trump’s 50% tariff threat would hit $321 billion worth of US-EU goods trade, lowering US gross domestic product by close to 0.6% and boosting prices by more than 0.3%, according to Bloomberg Economics calculations.
After an initial exchange of papers, the US last week rejected a proposal sent by the commission, which handles trade matters on behalf of the EU’s 27 member states. The EU had offered to jointly remove tariffs on industrial goods, to boost access for some American agricultural products and to co-develop AI data centers, Bloomberg reported.
While the EU has said its priority is to find a negotiated solution with the US, it’s also been preparing to retaliate if necessary.
The EU has approved tariffs on €21 billion ($23.9 billion) of US goods in response to Trump’s metals levies that can be quickly implemented. They target politically sensitive American states and include products such as soybeans from Louisiana, home to House Speaker Mike Johnson, as well as agricultural products, poultry and motorcycles.
The bloc is also preparing an additional list of tariffs on €95 billion of American products. Those measures, which are in response to Trump’s “reciprocal” levies and automotive duties would target industrial goods including Boeing Co. aircraft, US-made cars and bourbon.
Some member states have been urging cool heads as the tariff deadline nears. German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said the EU and US need “to calm down” ahead of the talks.
“We need to find common ground. That must be the goal,” Reiche said at a Handelsblatt event in Heilbronn on Monday. At the same time, the US must understand that tariffs also hurt them, she said. “There are still six weeks left to find a solution,” said Reiche.
Welcome to Music Business Worldwide’s weekly round-up – where we make sure you caught the five biggest stories to hit our headlines over the past seven days. MBW’s round-up is supported by Centtrip, which helps over 500 of the world’s best-selling artists maximize their income and reduce their touring costs.
This week we got some interesting Spotify-related news, with the streaming service revealing that it has seen a significant uptick in conversions to paid subscriptions on Apple devices, ever since Apple was ordered by a court order to allow third-party app developers to direct users to payment systems outside the Apple Store.
Also in Spotify news, regulatory filings showed that company co-founder Martin Lorentzon sold a whopping $666 million of his Spotify shares in the space of a week.
We also got word this week that Universal Music Group‘s Latin artist services company Global Talent Services (GTS) has acquired Latin music management company RLM (Rosa Laguarrige Management), which will be integrated into GTS.
Elsewhere, a news report out of South Korea pointed to the possible next target of K-pop giant HYBE‘s global expansion: India.
And closer to home, MBW revealed its new Music Business Jobs platform, connecting industry professionals with top career opportunities.
Spotify co-founder Martin Lorentzon has offloaded a mountain of shares in the streaming giant.
On Wednesday, May 21, Lorentzon sold 1 million shares at Tuesday’s closing price of $658.60 per share, raising a total of $658.6 million. That’s right: nearly $659 million in ONE GO.
The sale was executed through his holding company Rosello Co. Ltd, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, spotted by MBW.
The divestment came just five days after Lorentzon unloaded another 11,275 shares for $7.3 million on Friday (May 16), which was filed with the SEC under his full name, Sven Hans Martin Lorentzon, instead of his holding company Rosello…
Universal Music Group-owned Latin artist services agency Global Talent Services (GTS) has acquired prominent Latin music management company RLM (Rosa Lagarrigue Management).
GTS said on Monday (May 19) that since RLM’s founding in 1980, the Spain-headquartered management company “has been a benchmark in the development of artistic talent worldwide”.
Led by founder Rosa Lagarrigue, the company has worked with artists like Miguel Bosé, Mecano, Alejandro Sanz, Raphael, Sara Baras, Rozalén, and Marlena, among others.
Lagarrigue will join the GTS leadership as Global Executive Vice President, alongside the RLM team, which will be integrated into the company…
Spotify said its iOS app update, approved by Apple earlier this month, drove “a significant increase” in conversions from free to Premium subscriptions.
On May 2, Spotify said Apple approved its app updated in the US, a move that was prompted by a federal court ruling that found Apple in “willful violation” of a previous injunction against its App store practices.
Spotify users on Apple devices are now able to use other payment options beyond Apple Pay. Previously, apps were barred from mentioning alternative payment options or indicating that external payments might be less secure.
Spotify is among the first to update its app, the result of a legal battle that began with Epic Games’ 2020 lawsuit challenging Apple‘s app distribution policies…
HYBE is becoming a truly global entertainment giant.
Over the past few years, the South Korea-born K-Pop firm has expanded into Japan, followed by the United States and, most recently, Latin America.
But the company’s global ambitions clearly don’t stop there. The big question is, where in the world is HYBE planning to expand to next?
The answer may have arrived via a recent story published by South Korean news agency Yonhap, which, citing sources in the investment community, reported that HYBE is planning to establish an office in Mumbai, India…
Music Business Worldwide is delighted to unveil our all-new Music Business Jobs platform, connecting industry professionals with top career opportunities.
Music Business Jobs offers unparalleled reach and effectiveness for companies hiring talent, providing access to MBW’s global audience of savvy executives across all industry sectors.
Recruiters can purchase a Basic listing or boost their role’s visibility with additional high-impact promotion across MBW’s website, emails, and social channels.
MBW founder Tim Ingham said: “Music Business Jobs is simply the most powerful solution available for music companies looking to connect with exceptional executive talent.
“We’ve custom-built an intelligent platform to draw the eyeballs and interest of brilliant people who are serious about the music business.
“MBW’s readers aren’t casual observers – they’re the executives driving the global industry forward…”
MBW’s Weekly Round-Up is supported by Centtrip, which helps over 500 of the world’s best-selling artists maximise their income and reduce their touring costs.Music Business Worldwide
Travel has become really expensive. Post-COVID, the entire world seems to be traveling again and prices just keep rising. I am astonished at how high they have gotten. But it’s a product of rising costs and out-of-control demand. Everyone just wants to travel. We’re all looking for an escape.
Fortunately, it’s not all bad. Airfare has started to go down again, there are more deal-finding websites online, free walking tours in more cities, and more opportunities to bypass the traditional travel infrastructure and connect directly into the local way of life via the sharing economy.
As we navigate the post-COVID world of high prices, I want to share some tips and tricks on how to travel on a budget this year!
1. Change Your Mindset
Changing your mindset might not be a traditional budget tip, but it’s important nonetheless. Constantly remind yourself that travel is possible while taking concrete steps to make it a reality. Action begets action — even if it’s just baby steps.
Start with a “yes, I can” mindset. Don’t think “I can’t travel” — think “What’s one thing I can do today to make my trip closer to reality?”
Life is a mental game. Do one thing every day that gets you closer to your trip and you’ll find yourself building unstoppable momentum.
2. Come Up with a Savings Plan
Unless you’re Bill Gates, we all need to save more money. But how do you do that? While life is expensive, I do believe there are always ways to save a little more. There’s always something you can cut. A little bit of savings adds up a lot over time.
First, start by tracking your spending. Write down everything you spend money on for a month. Groceries, rent, eating out, Netflix — everything. You can’t figure out where to save if you don’t know where your money is going.
Next, start a savings account specifically for travel. That way, you’ll have a dedicated space for your travel fund and you can watch it grow. That progress will keep you motivated. Even if it’s just a few dollars a week, every penny counts. The more you save, the more you want to save.
Finally, start cutting. Maybe it’s going to Starbucks, maybe it’s saving on gas by carpooling to work or cutting back on eating out. We all have things we can cut. Find yours.
Here are some posts on how to save money:
3. Score a Flight Deal
One of the things that people always tell me holds them back from traveling more is the cost of flights. But, let me tell you, there are a lot of deals right now.
All the airlines are trying to fill planes and are offering a lot of deals for summer and fall travel right now. After all, they need to make up for a lost year and are desperate to get people on planes.
The key to finding a cheap flight is to be flexible with your dates and your destination. If you have your heart set on “Paris in June” you’ll be forced to pay whatever the flight costs. But, if you open that up to “France in the summer” — or even “Europe in the summer” you’ll be able to find much cheaper flights since you’ll have a lot more wiggle room to test dates and destinations.
I like to use Google Flights and Skyscanner to browse my options. I type in my home city and then pick “everywhere” as my destination. I then base my plans around where I can fly to for the least amount of money.
Both websites also let you sign up for price alerts so you’ll get an email if the price for your ideal trip happens to drop.
And if you really want to find amazing flight deals, consider joining a flight deal site like Going. It’s the best website for finding flight deals from the US and has saved me a fortune over the years. It’s not free, but new users can get 20% off a Premium membership with the code NOMADICMATT20.
Other helpful flight deal sites are:
The Flight Deal – Incredible deals for flights all around the world.
Secret Flying – Another site with amazing flight deals from around the globe (they find a lot of Asia/Africa/South America deals not found elsewhere).
4. Get Points!
Collecting points and miles is a great way to travel on a budget. By getting point-yielding credit cards and using a few simple techniques, you can get hundreds of thousands of miles — without any additional spending (you can even earn points just by paying your rent!). These points can then be cashed in for free flights, free hotel stays, and other travel rewards.
I’ve earned countless free flights, upgrades, and hotel stays from my points and miles. By optimizing my spending and paying attention to which cards earn the most points where, I’ve saved thousands of dollars — and you can too!
Here are some resources to help you begin:
Even if you aren’t American, you still have options, as points and miles have gone global:
Once you have points, use platforms like point.me (for flights) and Awayz (for hotels) to manage them. These platforms help you maximize your points and miles so you earn more free flights and hotel stays.
5. Use the Sharing Economy
The sharing economy has led to a plethora of new money-saving and community-building platforms that have made travel even more affordable, personal, and accessible. It’s never been easier to get off the tourist trail, connect with locals, and experience their pace of life. I live by these websites when I travel! You should too.
Here are some of the best sharing economy sites to help you get started:
Trusted Housesitters – The most comprehensive website to find house-sitting gigs. You watch a place on vacation while the homeowner is on vacation.
EatWith – Allows you to eat home-cooked meals with locals (it’s the Airbnb of food). It always leads to interesting encounters, so it’s one of my favorite things to do.
BlaBlaCar – A ridesharing app that pairs riders with verified locals who have a spare seat in their car.
RVShare – Allows you to rent RVs and camper vans directly from locals.
6. Find the Free!
The world is awash with amazing free travel resources (like this website) that can help you travel on a budget. No matter where you are going, there’s probably a blog post on what to do and see there for free or cheaply. Someone has been there and they’ve written about it! Make the best use of all of them to help you plan your trip.
My favorite search term is “free things to do in X.” You’ll always get a result!
Additionally, don’t be afraid to walk into a hostel — even if you aren’t staying there — and ask them what to do for cheap. Their clientele is budget-sensitive, so they always know what to do and where to go for little money.
Local tourism boards will also have tons of info on free things to do as well (more on that below).
7. Stick to Public Transportation
If you’re on a budget, skip the taxis and rideshares like Lyft or Uber. Unless you can lower your cost by sharing a ride with other passengers, public transportation is going to be the most cost-effective way to get around. Not only will it save you money but you’ll get to see how the locals travel too.
Google Maps usually can give you a basic overview of the public transportation options and prices available. You can find information about day passes and/or multi-day passes from your local hostel/hotel staff (as well as from local tourism offices). For cheap intercity travel information, check out Rome2Rio.
8. Use Local Tourism Offices
Local tourist offices are a wealth of knowledge. They exist solely to provide you with information on what to see and do. They often have tons of discounts not found anywhere else and can also keep you updated on local events, free tours, and the best spots to eat. They can help you find public transportation discounts and/or multiday passes too.
Don’t skip the local tourist office! They are a severely underutilized resource.
9. Get Cheap Accommodation
Accommodation is one of the biggest fixed costs travelers have, so reducing that cost can lead to big savings on the road. I’m sure many backpackers would sleep in a barn if it were the cheapest accommodation they could find! Heck, I’ve slept in hammocks in national parks to save a buck!
Since you have to stay somewhere every night, reducing this expense can save you a lot of money on the total cost of your trip. Stay in hostels, use Couchsurfing, stay in empty university dorms, camp, or try an Airbnb.
Since there are a lot of ways to cut your accommodation costs, here are my posts on how to get accommodation deals:
10. Eat Cheap
Other than accommodation, food is one of the biggest travel costs. After all, everyone needs to eat. But there are lots of ways to eat on the cheap:
Also, use the five-block rule. There seems to be this magical wall that surrounds tourist areas. Most people don’t go past it. It’s been my experience that if you walk five blocks in any direction from a major tourist area, you end up losing the crowds and finding the local restaurants.
In my experience, tourist restaurants don’t care about quality since those tourists aren’t coming back. Residents do care so places catering to them need to be better — and more affordable – or they go out of business. Those are the places you want to eat at. Use the above resources to find where the locals eat and avoid crappy food!
11. Travel Like You Live
The majority of people in your destinations don’t spend lots of money per day like tourists do. Neither do you in your day-to-day life. So take that mentality with you. Walk, take public transportation, grocery shop, spend a day in a park, and look for deals. Do the things you do at home every day to keep your costs down.
Too many people get into this mindset that when they go on the road, they just have to spend, spend, spend, spend. That’s not true at all. There’s no law that says you have to spend more. Be smart with your budget — just like you are at home. That will help you save money and prevent you from going home early (and broke).
12. Work & Volunteer to Lower Your Expenses
If you’re a long-term traveler, consider volunteering or doing a work exchange to lower your costs. There are tons of options out there such as farm stays, working in hostels, teaching in schools, and more.
You’ll usually need to commit for a week or more, however, these opportunities enable you to get a much deeper and more nuanced travel experience. Here are some websites to help you find suitable opportunities:
Worldpackers – Worldpackers offers travelers a chance to find volunteer experiences overseas. In addition to hostels, they can help you find experiences with NGOs, homestays, and eco-projects all over the world!
WWOOF – WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is a program that connects you with farms all around the world where you can work in exchange for room and board.
Helpx – Like Worldpackers, Helpx offers exchanges such as farmstays, homestays, B&Bs, hostels, and sailboats.
Workaway – Workaway is a lot like HelpX, except it has more paid job opportunities (though it has volunteer opportunities too).
***
While prices may be higher than they were pre-pandemic, there are still plenty of ways to plan a budget trip without breaking the bank. By being flexible, getting creative, and embracing the right mindset, you’ll be able to get out the door in no time. And it won’t cost you a fortune either.
All you have to do is take that first step. Remember, action begets action. Once you start moving, everything else gets easier. So don’t wait!
How to Travel the World on $75 a Day
My New York Times best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the “bible for budget travelers.”
Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Some places grab you the moment you arrive—and Italy is definitely one of them. It’s not just the history, food, or stunning views; it’s something you feel. Imagine sitting in a cozy little wine bar in Florence, walking along quiet canals in Venice at night, or having a meal in Rome that tantalizes your tastebuds long after you leave. These are the moments that make traveling here unforgettable, and here is a 7-day Italy itinerary to make it all happen!
We just spent seven days traveling through Italy, and every part of it felt alive. One moment, we were standing on a clifftop in Positano, watching the waves roll in; the next, we were in a tiny family-run trattoria, sipping wine while an old Italian couple danced to a live accordion player. Some places look beautiful in pictures, but Italy is different—you have to be there to understand it.
What made this trip even better? The small surprises. The boutique hotel in Rome had more charm than any five-star resort. A tiny café in Florence where a local chef served up the best plant-based pasta we’ve ever had. A remote beach in Capri where the only sound was the water going against the cliffs.
For travelers looking to experience Italy the right way, we’ve put together a detailed itinerary with the best places to stay, divine restaurants, and experiences you won’t want to miss. If you’re planning your own trip, Reliabletraveler is a great place to find expert recommendations, first-hand travel stories, and insider tips to make your visit even better.
Italy is romantic, effortless, and completely unforgettable. In this seven-day journey, we’ll show you how to experience it to the fullest.
The second we step off the plane in Rome, we felt the cit has its own energy. One minute you’re walking past ruins that have been here for thousands of years, the next, you’re squeezing into a tiny café where locals are casually sipping espresso like they’ve got all the time in the world. Rome moves at its own pace—fast, slow, chaotic, relaxed—all at the same time, and somehow, it just works.
Day 1: Arrival, Trevi Fountain & Rome’s Buzzing Piazzas
I start my first afternoon in Rome at the Trevi Fountain. Sure, it’s a tourist magnet, but there’s a reason for that. The white stone sculptures, the rush of cascading water—it’s the kind of place that makes you stop for a second and just take it in. We toss a coin over our shoulder (because, hey, tradition) and watch it disappear into the turquoise water before heading off.
From there, we wander toward Piazza Navona, one of the liveliest squares in Rome. Artists set up their canvases, vendors sell paintings of the Colosseum, and the air is thick with conversation and the occasional clatter of plates from the restaurants lining the square. We grab a quick coffee at Caffè Sant’Eustachio, a tiny café that’s been perfecting its roast since the 1930s. It’s strong, smooth, and exactly what we need before diving into the next stop.
Day 2: Walking Through History – The Colosseum & Roman Forum
On my second day in Rome, we start with one of the city’s most famous landmarks—the Colosseum. Seeing it up close, the sheer scale is overwhelming. We book a small group tour (highly recommend) and step inside, walking through the underground tunnels where gladiators once stood, waiting for their turn in the arena. The guide shares stories about how this place once held over 50,000 roaring spectators, and for a moment, you can almost hear the echoes of the past.
From there, we head toward the Roman Forum, the former heart of ancient Rome. It’s a mix of towering columns, half-standing temples, and worn cobblestone paths leading to stories of emperors, gods, and daily life from centuries ago. Unlike a museum, where history is kept behind glass, this is a place you walk through, touch, and experience firsthand.
For lunch, we found a cozy spot at Ginger Sapori e Salute, a sustainable restaurant that specializes in organic Italian dishes. Fresh salads, homemade pasta, and cold-pressed juices—light but full of flavor, perfect for a mid-day break.
The afternoon is spent exploring Trastevere, one of Rome’s most charming neighborhoods. With its cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and lively piazzas, it’s easy to see why this area is a favorite among both locals and visitors. We stop by Giselda, a café that serves some of the best vegan pastries we’ve ever had, before ending the day at a rooftop bar, watching the sunset over the city.
Day 3: Vatican City & Sunset Views
On my final day in Rome, we cross the Tiber River to visit Vatican City—home to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. The sheer scale and beauty of these sites are breathtaking. Standing inside St. Peter’s Basilica, staring up at Michelangelo’s dome, it’s impossible not to be inspired.
After a few hours of exploring, we take a break at Flower Burger, a fully vegan burger spot that’s been making waves in Rome’s food scene. It’s colorful, creative, and surprisingly good for plant-based fast food.
As the sun starts to set, we make our way to Pincian Hill Terrace in Villa Borghese. If there’s one place to watch Rome bathe in golden light, this is it. The rooftops stretch as far as the eye can see, and couples gather along the railing, soaking in the view before the city lights flicker on.
Dinner is at Aroma, a Michelin-starred restaurant with an insane view of the Colosseum. The atmosphere is intimate and perfect for honeymooners and couples looking for that unforgettable dining experience. They also offer a full vegan menu and focus on sustainable ingredients, making it a guilt-free indulgence.
Walking back through the softly lit streets, we realize something—Rome isn’t just a city you visit, it’s a city you feel.
After three packed days in Rome, we hop on a high-speed train to Venice. The ride itself is smooth, passing through rolling hills and sleepy Italian towns. But the moment we step out of Santa Lucia Station, it’s like entering another world. Instead of honking cars and busy streets, there’s water everywhere—boats replacing taxis, gondoliers navigating narrow canals, and old buildings with their foundations dipping right into the lagoon. It’s chaotic, historic, and a little surreal—but in the best way.
Day 4: Exploring the Grand Canal, St. Mark’s, and Venice’s Hidden Corners
I check into Ca’ Sagredo, a hotel that’s part museum, part palace, and fully Venetian. It’s a restored 15th-century building right on the Grand Canal, with ceilings so intricately painted it feels like a Renaissance masterpiece. More importantly, it’s part of Venice’s sustainability efforts, helping to preserve the fragile balance between tourism and conservation.
First stop? St. Mark’s Square. It’s the heart of the city, always buzzing with energy—tourists snapping photos, pigeons fluttering around, and cafés filled with people sipping espresso at tiny tables. St. Mark’s Basilica, with its domes and gold mosaics, is even more impressive in person, while Doge’s Palace next door gives a glimpse into the city’s former rulers and their lavish lifestyles.
Instead of climbing St. Mark’s Campanile for the classic Venice skyline view, we take the locals’ tip and head to San Giorgio Maggiore. Fewer crowds, the same panoramic view, and a much quieter moment to soak it all in.
By afternoon, we finally cave in and take a gondola ride. Some say it’s a tourist trap, but honestly? Gliding through the smaller, quieter canals is where Venice really feels magical. Away from the crowds, you pass centuries-old houses, wooden shutters barely holding on, and balconies overflowing with flowers. The gondolier, who’s clearly done this a thousand times, still manages to crack jokes while expertly steering under low bridges.
Dinner is at Osteria La Zucca, a cozy, vegetarian-friendly spot that proves Italian food isn’t all about meat. Their pumpkin flan and homemade pasta are so good we don’t even think about missing a traditional meat dish.
Day 5: Murano & Burano – The Islands Beyond the Canals
While most visitors stick to Venice’s main attractions, the real gems are just a short boat ride away.
First up is Murano, the island famous for its handmade glasswork, a craft that dates back over 700 years. Venice’s glassmakers were moved here in the 13th century to prevent fires from breaking out in the city (and, let’s be honest, to keep their trade secrets safe). Today, the tradition is still alive, with small studios and family-run workshops lining the canals.
I visit Vetreria Artistica Colleoni, where glassblowers work in front of open flames, shaping delicate vases, intricate chandeliers, and impossibly thin glass figurines. Watching them work is mesmerizing—it takes just minutes to transform molten glass into something beautiful, but years of training to master the craft.
After Murano, we take the vaporetto to Burano, a small fishing island that looks like it was painted with a box of crayons. Every house is a different shade—bright yellows, deep blues, and fiery reds—originally painted that way so fishermen could spot their homes even in thick fog. The island is also famous for its handmade lace, a craft that dates back to the 1500s.
I stop for lunch at Trattoria al Gatto Nero, a family-run spot that serves up some of the freshest seafood in the lagoon. The owner tells me that Burano is one of the last places where fishermen still use traditional techniques passed down for generations. It’s a reminder that beyond the tourist crowds, Venice’s islands still hold onto their old ways of life.
Back in Venice, we wander through Dorsoduro, a quieter, artsier neighborhood that feels miles away from the chaos of St. Mark’s. Here, small wine bars spill onto the streets, Cicchetti (Venetian tapas) is served on wooden boards, and the whole place has a relaxed, lived-in feel.
As we sip a glass of Venetian spritz, watching the sun dip behind the terracotta rooftops, we get why this city leaves such an impression on people. It’s not just the gondolas or the canals—it’s the way Venice makes you slow down, wander, and just take it all in.
After soaking up the magic of Venice, we board a flight to Naples and take a winding coastal drive towards the Amalfi Coast. The road itself is an adventure—hairpin turns, dramatic sea cliffs, and tiny villages clinging to the edge of the mountains like they’re defying gravity. From the moment we arrive, we get it—this place is pure, effortless beauty.
Day 6: Positano & The Path of the Gods
We based ourselves in Positano, a postcard-perfect town that looks like it was built for honeymooners. Pastel-colored houses stack up the cliffside, tiny alleyways lead to hidden cafés, and the entire town smells like fresh lemons and sea breezes.
We check into Le Sirenuse, one of the Amalfi Coast’s most famous hotels. It’s elegant but laid-back, with a strong focus on sustainability—from plastic-free initiatives to a menu built around locally sourced ingredients. The balcony view? Straight out of a dream.
Hiking the Path of the Gods
Instead of spending my first day lounging on the beach (tempting), we decide to take on the Sentiero degli Dei—aka the Path of the Gods. It’s one of the most famous hiking trails in Italy, running high above the coastline with panoramic views that make every uphill step worth it.
The trail is about 7km long, starting in Bomerano and ending in Nocelle (just above Positano). Along the way, we pass tiny stone cottages, lemon groves, and mountain goats standing in places we wouldn’t dare attempt. At one point, we stop at a lookout where the entire Amalfi coastline stretches out beneath me, and we have to remind myself that this is real.
For lunch, we stop at La Tagliata, a family-run restaurant perched on the cliffs, where everything they serve comes from their own farm. The owner, an older Italian woman, insists we try her homemade pasta. We don’t argue. It’s hands-down the best meal of the trip.
After hiking, we head back down to Spiaggia Grande, Positano’s main beach. The pebbled shore is lined with colorful umbrellas, and the water is that perfect shade of Mediterranean blue. We cool off with a quick swim before grabbing an aperitivo at Franco’s Bar, just in time to watch the sun sink into the sea.
Day 7: Amalfi, Ravello & The Most Scenic Drive of My Life
On my last full day, we explore two more Amalfi gems: Amalfi Town & Ravello.
I start in Amalfi, the town that gave the coastline its name. It’s smaller and less dramatic than Positano but full of history. The centerpiece is Duomo di Sant’Andrea, an 11th-century cathedral with a grand staircase leading up to its mosaic-covered façade. Amalfi is also famous for its paper-making tradition, so we pop into the Museo della Carta to see how they’ve been making handmade paper here for centuries.
From there, we take the bus up to Ravello, a peaceful hilltop town known for its gardens and jaw-dropping views. The highlight? Villa Cimbrone, a historic villa with the famous Terrace of Infinity—a long balcony that feels like it’s floating above the sea. The view is endless, and for a second, the world just stops.
A Farewell Feast at a Cliffside Ristorante
For our last meal on the Amalfi Coast, we head to Il Flauto di Pan, a restaurant tucked inside the gardens of Villa Cimbrone. It’s a slow-food experience where each dish feels like a work of art. We go for the vegan-tasting menu, which includes fresh pasta, grilled seasonal vegetables, and a lemon sorbet made from Amalfi’s famous citrus.
With the twinkling lights of the coastline below, we can’t think of a better way to end this trip.
Final Thoughts on this 7-day Italy Itinerary
Seven days, three incredible destinations, and enough memories to last a lifetime. Rome, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast each had their own magic, but together, they created a journey that felt like the best of Italy wrapped into one adventure. Would we do it all over again? In a heartbeat. For more information and planning tools for Italy, check out our friends at ReliableTraveler.
Advertiser Disclosure Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Over the past nineteen years as a business owner, I’ve used countless business cards. Some have been amazing and elevated both my travel and my business. Others have been…well, lackluster.
One of the best? The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. It comes with a lot of world-class perks and benefits, quality customer care, and a solid rewards structure (especially on large purchases).
While the annual fee is pretty high ($695, pay over time available. See Rates and Fees), for me, the travel benefits, along with all the statement credits, make the card worth carrying. I think it’s a great choice for business owners who travel frequently.
In this breakdown, I’ll detail the card, what you get, and why I like it.
What is the Business Platinum Card® from American Express?
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a travel rewards card geared towards business owners. (Remember: even side hustles and freelancing count as businesses so you can get this card even without being an LLC.) First, let’s go over some of the best things you get when you sign up, which make it a no brainer to get for the first year:
Limited Time Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. Offer ends 6/30/25.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals and prepaid flight + hotel packages booked at AmexTravel.com. 1x points on other eligible purchases.
1.5x points per dollar on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
Complimentary access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection®, featuring more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries. Access is limited to eligible Card Members.
Up to $120 in statement credits for Global Entry or TSA Pre-check every 4 years.
Up to $199 yearly CLEAR® Plus credit (subject to auto-renewal)
Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline.
Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties. (Distributed in up to $50 increments per quarter. Hilton for Business program membership is required.)
$150 credit with Adobe on eligible annual prepaid business plan purchases of Adobe Creative Cloud for teams or Adobe Acrobat Pro for teams on the Business Platinum Card through 6/30/25.
Up to $120 per calendar year in statement credits for purchases made directly from any U.S. wireless telephone provider (up to $10 back per month).
Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status (enrollment required)
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status (enrollment required)
No foreign transaction fees
Using Your Membership Rewards Points
You’ll earn Membership Rewards points with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Since Amex has a well-rounded suite of travel partners, Membership Rewards points are some of the most valuable points out there.
These are Amex’s current travel partners:
Aer Lingus AerClub (1:1 ratio)
Aeromexico Rewards (1:1.6 ratio)
Air Canada Aeroplan (1:1 ratio)
Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1 ratio)
ANA Mileage Club (1:1 ratio)
Avianca LifeMiles (1:1 ratio)
British Airways Club (1:1 ratio)
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1 ratio)
Choice Privileges (1:1 ratio)
Delta SkyMiles (1:1 ratio)
Emirates Skywards (1:1 ratio)
Etihad Guest (1:1 ratio)
HawaiianMiles (1:1 ratio)
Hilton Honors (1:2 ratio)
Iberia Plus (1:1 ratio)
JetBlue TrueBlue (250:200 ratio)
Marriott Bonvoy (1:1 ratio)
Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1 ratio)
Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1 ratio)
Singapore KrisFlyer (1:1 ratio)
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1 ratio)
Most transfers are instant, though some can take up to 48 hours.
You can also use your Membership Rewards points to book flights and hotels in the Amex Travel portal. I generally wouldn’t do this though as it’s not the best use of your points. It’s always better to transfer them out to one of their partners. However, you can get 35% points back when you do book via their portal so just compare the points costs between both before making a decision.
Breaking Down the Business Platinum’s Credits and Benefits
Amex cards are well-known for their plethora of perks and benefits. They’re a big reason I love their cards. And, if you can take advantage of all that it has to offer, the Business Platinum boasts over $1,700 worth of value. But, with so many categories and so much fine print, it can be hard to keep track of whether a benefit is actually useful for your spending habits. So, to help you decide if the card is right for you, I want to break down some of the major categories of benefits:
Airport Experience Credits (Lounge Access, CLEAR Plus, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck) One of the best things about this card — and what makes it a standout for frequent travelers — is the unbeatable airport lounge access. You’ll get into some of the top lounges worldwide, including the excellent Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when you’re flying Delta, with up to 10 visits per year).
On top of that, you’ll get complimentary access to the huge Priority Pass network. If having a quiet space to relax, grab a drink, or get some work done is a priority when you travel, this card has you covered pretty much anywhere.
I also appreciate that the Business Platinum helps you get through the airport faster. It offers up to $199 in statement credits each year for a CLEAR® Plus membership, which speeds you through security lines.
You’ll also get a credit for Global Entry (up to $100 every 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85 every 4.5 years), depending on which one you choose. I personally recommend going for Global Entry. It takes a little more effort (there’s an interview), but it includes TSA PreCheck too. It’ll save you a ton of time if you travel internationally.
Airline and Hotel Credits Another travel-related benefit is the up to $200 airline credit. Unfortunately, it comes with a fair number of restrictions, making this credit a bit more annoying to use. It can only be used on one (pre-selected) airline, and you can only use it for incidentals, not airfare. But if you don’t have an airline credit card that offers free baggage, it can be useful to have. You can also use the credit for airline expenses like paid seat selection or on-board food and drink.
The Business Platinum also offers a few Hilton-related benefits. First, you can receive up to $200 in statement credits at Hilton properties when booked directly. Since these credits are distributed in quarterly $50 increments, you’d have to stay in a Hilton property at least four times a year to get the full value of this credit. But if you’re on the road a lot, that can be easy to do.
Second, the Business Platinum offers complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status (as well as Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status), which offer extra perks and benefits when staying at these properties.
Business-Related Statement Credits The Business Platinum card comes with some great perks to help lighten the financial load of running a business. Expenses can really add up if you’re managing a business while traveling, so I appreciate that the Business Platinum helps offset these costs.
You can get up to $400 in statement credits on U.S. Dell purchases (through June 30, 2025, split into $200 chunks every six months). There’s also up to $360 back per year on Indeed ads (up to $90 each quarter), which is great if you’re hiring as your business grows.
If you use Adobe tools, there’s a $150 credit available when you prepay annually for eligible Adobe Creative Cloud or Acrobat Pro plans for teams. And to keep you connected on the go, you’ll get up to $120 a year for purchases made directly with U.S. wireless providers — that’s $10 back each month.
Amex Offers On top of all those valuable statement credits, the Business Platinum gives you access to Amex Offers, an easy way to save some cash or rack up extra points with a wide range of retailers. These deals rotate regularly and are personalized, so what shows up for you might be totally different from what another cardholder sees. Most of the time, it’s a simple setup like “spend X, get Y back.” I always check Amex Offers before I purchase. (The personal card offers this too.)
The Business Platinum’s Travel Insurance The Business Platinum also comes with great travel insurance. While I still recommend buying a standalone policy for medical, this card includes strong built-in coverage like trip delay, trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, and medical transport. It also includes cell phone protection for damage or theft, a rare but valuable perk. For a maximum of $800 per claim, with a limit of two approved claims per 12-month period, when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim.
So, while you could get away with the card’s insurance if you book the trip on the card, I wouldn’t rely on it completely. But it’s better than most!
Should you get this card?
The Business Platinum is ideal for frequent travelers who can make the most of perks like smoother airport experiences and hotel elite status. If you can take advantage of a few of the business-related statement credits, the statement credits alone make the high annual fee worth it. I get a lot of value from the card through the statement credits that make carrying the card after the first year really worth it.
While it’s true you only get 1x point per dollar spent on anything under $5,000 (which isn’t as good as many other cards), the points back on redemptions and the tons of statement credits, elite status, Amex offers, and partners you don’t find anywhere else make this card essential for any business owner.
Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! It’s how all the pros travel so much! In this guide, I’ll show you:
How to Pick a Credit Card
How to Earn Up to 10x Miles on Your Spending
How to Redeem Your Points
And a Ton of Other Money Saving Tips!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Some Israelis chant, ‘Death to Arabs’ and ‘May your village burn,’ as they march through Jerusalem’s Old City.
Right-wing Israelis in Jerusalem have stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and a United Nations facility for Palestinian refugees as an annual march took place marking Israel’s conquest of the eastern part of the city.
Some Israelis chanted, “Death to Arabs” and “May your village burn,” as they marched through the alleyways of Jerusalem’s Old City on Monday, going through the Muslim quarter to mark “Jerusalem Day”, which commemorates the Israeli occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem after the 1967 war.
Thousands of heavily armed police and border police were dispatched in advance because settlers regularly assault, attack and harass Palestinians and shops in the Muslim quarter. The settlers live in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem in settlements and outposts, which are illegal under international law.
Groups of young people, some carrying Israeli flags, were seen on Monday confronting Palestinian shopkeepers, passers-by and schoolchildren as well as Israeli rights activists and police, at times spitting on people, lobbing insults and trying to force their way into houses.
Police detained at least two youths, according to AFP journalists at the scene.
A small group of those rallying, including an Israeli member of parliament, stormed a compound in East Jerusalem belonging to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA.
Israel has banned the agency from working in occupied Palestinian territory and in Israel, impacting the life-saving work that it has been carrying out for more than 70 years in areas that include the besieged and bombarded Gaza Strip.
UNRWA West Bank coordinator Roland Friedrich said about a dozen Israeli protesters, including Yulia Malinovsky, one of the legislators behind an Israeli law that banned UNRWA, entered the compound, climbing its main gate in view of Israeli police.
Last year’s procession, held during the first year of Israel’s assault on Gaza, saw ultranationalist Israelis attack a Palestinian journalist in the Old City and call for violence against Palestinians. And four years ago, the march contributed to the outbreak of an 11-day war in Gaza.
Earlier on Monday, Israel’s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and other politicians were among more than 2,000 Israelis who stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and surrounding areas.
Ben-Gvir released a video on his X account from the site – Islam’s third holiest – saying he “prayed for victory in the war, for the return of all our hostages, and for the success of the newly-appointed head of the Shin Bet – Major General David Zini”.
Negev and Galilee Minister Yitzhak Vaserlauf and Knesset member Yitzhak Kreuzer were among those accompanying the ultranationalist minister.
Backed by armed police, Ben-Gvir has carried out similar provocative moves in the compound before, often at sensitive junctures in Israel’s war on Gaza, to advocate for increased military pressure and to block all humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
The Jerusalem Waqf – the Islamic authority that oversees the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary) – decried the storming of the compound by Ben-Gvir and other members of the Israeli Knesset and called for a halt to all “provocative activities” in the area.
Under the management of the Jordan-appointed Waqf, only Muslims are allowed to pray at the compound.
Al Jazeera’s Nida Ibrahim said the march is aimed at asserting Israeli dominance over the city.
“Videos show Israeli citizens inside the Old City of Jerusalem attacking Palestinian shops and throwing objects at them,” Ibrahim said, reporting from Doha, Qatar as Al Jazeera has been banned from reporting in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem.
“This is again a reminder that no one has immunity.”
