Italian trucker strike empties shelves and rots food in southern regions

Trucker protests over high fuel prices have paralyzed roads and ports in southern Italy, emptying supermarket shelves and causing food to rot in warehouses. The government has called a meeting for October 20, but the strike continues. The blockade is most severe in Campania, Puglia, Calabria, and Sicily, where trucks are blocking highways, toll booths, and ports. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini has moved a meeting with haulers to Tuesday, but protesters vow to continue until demands are met. Over 80% of Italian goods move by truck, so the stoppage threatens food, animal feed, fuel, and potentially medicine supplies. Bus services in Sicily may also be disrupted, and the strike commission is investigating the blockades.