The Dispatch

Nationwide Strike Disrupts Trains and Public Transport Across Italy

A 24-hour general strike called by the USB trade union is disrupting transport and public services across Italy on Monday, affecting rail services, local transit systems, schools and health services.…

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Two tragedies, one grieving nation: Italy confronts deaths in Maldives and Modena horror

Italy is confronting a period of national grief after two separate tragedies — a deadly cave-diving disaster in the Maldives and a car-ramming incident in Modena — left the country…

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Nuclear energy set for comeback in Italy under new government framework

The Italian government is set to approve a framework for the resumption of nuclear power this summer, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told parliament. Italy abandoned nuclear energy following a referendum…

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Probe says sunken Russian cargo ship off Spain was transporting nuclear reactors to North Korea

Spanish investigators have discovered that the Russian cargo ship that sank in the Mediterranean in 2024 — originally believed to be part of a weapons retrieval mission to Syria —…

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UPDATED: Italy says four people quarantined for hantavirus have all tested negative

Four people who have been under observation in Italy for possible hantavirus infection have all tested negative, the Italian health ministry said on Wednesday. Tests were conducted on an Argentine…

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Italy to face nationwide general strike on May 18

Italy is set to face a nationwide general strike on May 18 involving multiple sectors, with disruptions and possible closures expected across parts of the country. According to Italian state…

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Stable weather drives higher number of migrants reaching Crete

More than 600 migrants have arrived on Crete and Gavdos in recent days, as boats carrying them were either found adrift by the Greek Coast Guard or managed to reach…

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Italy prepares hantavirus guidance as global health authorities monitor cruise ship outbreak

Italy’s Health Ministry is preparing a circular letter on hantavirus for regional authorities and healthcare professionals following renewed international concern over the rare but potentially deadly disease, Italian news agency…

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Record number of candidates fuels fears of political fragmentation in Cyprus

A record number of candidates submitted bids for Cyprus's May 24 parliamentary election this week in a race which could shape one of the most fragmented ‌legislatures in the island's…

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Italy leans on Libya to plug energy gap caused by Iran war

A delegation of Italian lawmakers has traveled to Libya to explore potentially ramping up energy trade with the war-torn country to fill the gap caused by the war in the…

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Severe storms batter Italy with heavy rain, hail and flood warnings

Italy remained in the grip of severe weather on Thursday as heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail swept across several northern and central regions, prompting flood warnings and civil protection alerts.…

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France moves aircraft carrier to Red Sea with eye on Hormuz mission

France deployed its carrier strike group to the Red Sea as part of planning for a potential mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, urging Washington ‌and Tehran to consider…

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Hantavirus: American CDC says risk to public ‘very low’

The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) said it was closely monitoring American passengers aboard the MV Hondius but added that the hantavirus outbreak posed a "very low" risk to…

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Italy Warns of Major Flight Disruption as May 11 Strikes Loom

Travellers heading to Italy next month are being warned to expect widespread disruption as airport and air‑traffic control staff prepare for coordinated strikes that could halt flights for hours. Italian…

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Record Tourism Prompts Greece to Impose Strict Rules on Remote Beaches

Greece has introduced strict new rules to protect some of its most fragile coastlines as the country struggles with the environmental pressures of record tourism. Officials say the measures target…

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Pope Leo heading back to Rome after outspoken Africa tour

Pope Leo returns to Rome on Thursday after wrapping up ‌an ambitious four-nation Africa tour in which he forcefully decried the direction of global leadership, denouncing despotism and war, and…

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Cyprus urges EU to prepare joint response plan if member state is attacked

President Nikos Christodoulides called on European Union leaders to begin preparing a coordinated response framework if a member state is attacked, stressing the need for greater readiness and clarity in…

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Report Finds Corruption in Italy Growing More Hidden and Systemic

Corruption in Italy has become “more insidious and evasive,” spreading into “every part of public life,” according to the anti-corruption agency ANAC in its annual report. The report, presented to…

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Iran crisis costs France up to 6 billion euros, says minister

The economic fallout from the crisis in Iran has cost France between 4 ‌billion euros ($4.70 billion) and 6 billion euros, Finance Minister Roland Lescure said on Tuesday, as the…

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19

Apr

A new, forceful Pope Leo steps onto the world stage

Pope Leo has debuted a new, forceful speaking style on his four-nation Africa tour this week, issuing sharp denunciations of war and inequality that have sparked repeated attacks on the…

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Italy urged by IEA chief to rethink nuclear power

Italy should reconsider its rejection of nuclear energy as it seeks greater energy security and economic stability, the head of the International Energy Agency said in an interview published on…

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Diplomatic strain between Washington and Rome deepens amid Iran and NATO row

United States President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying their relationship has deteriorated over Rome’s stance on US policy toward Iran. In comments to Fox…

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Portugal rejects separate European army

Portugal is against the creation of a separate European army and instead backs strengthening and modernising its armed forces within the U.S.-led NATO alliance, the country's defence minister said, contrasting…

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Italian PM condemns ally Trump over ‘unacceptable’ Pope criticism

Giorgia Meloni has described Donald Trump’s comments about Pope Leo XIV as “unacceptable”. The US president had accused the pontiff of being “WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policy”…

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Mediterranean Sea at centre of Pope’s warning against ‘sea of despair’

Pope Leo XIV has placed the Mediterranean at the heart of a powerful appeal, describing it and the Sahara Desert as crucial geographic and spiritual crossroads that embody both history…

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Trump launches sharp attack on Pope Leo XIV

President Donald Trump launched a sharp and highly unusual attack on Pope Leo XIV, saying the US-born pontiff was “not doing a very good job” and describing him as “very…

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Trump officials deny threatening Vatican over Pope Leo’s criticisms

The Trump administration has sought to contain backlash over reports that it pressured the Vatican’s ambassador to Washington in an attempt to align the Holy See more closely with US…

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From Dubai to Milan: Tax Policy Drives New Wave of Elite Migration

Wealthy British nationals are increasingly reconsidering their ties to Dubai as geopolitical tensions in the Gulf, including recent Iranian threats, raise concerns about long-term stability. The emirate, long known for…

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Meloni Distances Italy from Trump Amid Political and Economic Pressures

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly distanced herself from US President Donald Trump during a parliamentary address on Thursday, following a referendum defeat widely seen as a rebuke to her…

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Italy says EU should consider pausing budget rules if Iran crisis persists

European Union authorities should consider a temporary suspension of budget deficit rules if the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran flares up again, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told parliament on Thursday. Meloni…

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Greece to ban social media for under-15s from 2027

Greece will ban access to social media for children under the age ‌of 15 from January 1, 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday, citing rising anxiety, sleep problems…

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Jet Fuel Squeeze Spreads Across Italy as Airlines Brace for Disruption

Italy is facing growing pressure on aviation fuel supplies, with several regional airports introducing restrictions that are raising concerns ahead of the peak summer travel season. New aviation notices (NOTAMs)…

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Extreme weather batters Italy’s Adriatic regions, cutting roads and rail lines

Italy has been effectively split along its Adriatic side after nearly 72 hours of severe weather battered central and southern regions, triggering floods, landslides and major transport disruption. A bridge…

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UPDATED: Italy blocks base use, Spain closes airspace, France denies transit over Iran war

Italy, Spain and France have moved to restrict military activity linked to the war in Iran, underscoring divisions among European allies as the conflict continues. Italian authorities denied the United…

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Spain closes airspace to US planes involved in Iran war

Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use ‌of jointly-operated military bases, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported…

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Spain’s parliament approves €5 billion package to curb impact of war in Iran

Spain’s parliament has approved a €5 billion package aimed at cushioning the economic fallout from the Iran conflict, with a strong focus on cutting energy costs for households and key…

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Cyprus Seeks to Reassure Tourists Amid Regional Tensions

Cyprus is pushing back against security concerns linked to the Middle East conflict as it looks to safeguard its crucial summer tourism season. Officials stress the island remains far from…

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Italy’s PM Meloni plans closer cooperation with Algeria to boost gas deliveries

Italy, which produces over 40% of its electricity from natural gas according to the International Energy Agency, has been seeking alternative suppliers to replace lost LNG imports from Qatar. During…

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Pope Leo: Life must be defended amid “madness of war”

Pope Leo XIV has said that in a world marked by the “madness of war,” life must be defended from conception to its natural end. Speaking during his Wednesday General…

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European countries losing out on LNG cargoes – reports

Europe is losing out on liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes as Asian buyers outbid European utilities in an increasingly tight global market, with several shipments reportedly being diverted mid-voyage. Ship-tracking…

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Italy Sees First Government Resignations After Referendum Setback

The first political consequences of the referendum defeat are unfolding inside the Italian government, with a wave of resignations and mounting pressure on several senior officials. The crisis follows a…

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Five takeaways from local French elections

France held the runoff of mayoral elections on Sunday, and although the results of local contests do not always offer a reliable preview of national elections, the vote provided a…

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Umberto Bossi, firebrand founder of Italy’s Northern League party, dies at 84

Umberto Bossi, a gravel-voiced populist leader who pushed for independence for northern Italy and shook up national politics, died on Thursday at a hospital in Varese, in the north of…

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Italy Says Iranian Missiles Unlikely to Reach Sicily, Bases Safe

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said there is no immediate threat of Iranian attacks on U.S. military bases in Italy, offering reassurance amid heightened regional tensions. “I see no danger…

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Cyprus records fall in asylum applications according to Eurostat

Eurostat data published this week showed a decrease in asylum applications in Cyprus, with 130 first-time claims and 95 repeat applications in December 2025. This represents a decline from November…

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Greece will ‘support Cyprus’ choices’ over Nato accession

Greece will back whatever decision Cyprus makes on joining NATO, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said on Tuesday. Speaking alongside Germany’s Johann Wadephul, he said NATO expansion strengthens resilience and solidarity.…

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Pope Leo asks media to show suffering of war, not amplify ‘propaganda’

Pope Leo urged journalists on Monday to highlight the suffering caused by war, cautioning against news reports that risk sliding into propaganda by ‌glorifying conflicts or serving as "a megaphone"…

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Greece wants durable solution to ensure free shipping in Hormuz Strait

Greece does not back any separate deals that would allow ships to enter and exit the Strait ‌of Hormuz but wants a durable solution to safeguard peace in the region,…

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Italy weighs options as damaged Russian LNG tanker drifts in the Mediterranean

Italian authorities are weighing how to deal with a Russian liquefied natural gas tanker left adrift in the Mediterranean ‌after what Moscow described as a Ukrainian drone attack, sources said…

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Spain permanently withdraws ambassador as rift with Israel deepens

Spain has permanently withdrawn its ambassador to Israel, deepening a diplomatic standoff between the two countries over Madrid’s opposition to US-Israeli strikes on Iran. The ambassador had already been recalled…

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Italy will not enter a war, Meloni tells Senate

Italy will not enter a war, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told the Senate on Wednesday, as tensions around Iran continue to escalate. Speaking amid growing international concern over unilateral military…

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European and NATO forces reinforce Mediterranean and Gulf as Iran war escalates

European powers and NATO allies are expanding their military deployments across the Mediterranean, the Gulf and parts of the eastern flank as the conflict involving the United States, Israel and…

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Far-right eyes breakthrough in French municipal elections

France’s far-right National Rally is under pressure to secure a strong showing in municipal elections starting Sunday, widely seen as a key test of the party’s prospects ahead of next…

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12 members of money laundering scheme exploiting Ukrainian women arrested in Spain

An international operation in Spain targeting a money laundering scheme resulted in the arrest of 12 suspects. The disrupted criminal network systematically exploited vulnerable Ukrainian women to open bank accounts,…

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Rome boosts air defence to maximum amid Iran crisis as Meloni rules out any current US request for base use

Italy has raised its air-defence protection to the highest level as tensions escalate across the Middle East, while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Rome has so far received no request…

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Macron asks Netanyahu to ‘refrain from a ground offensive’ in Lebanon

Emmanuel Macron said he asked Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from launching a ground offensive in Lebanon during a phone call between the two leaders. Macron said he also held talks…

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EU Rallies Around Spain After Trump Threatens Trade Embargo

European leaders have moved quickly to support Spain after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose a trade embargo on the country, escalating tensions between Washington and the European Union.…

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