The Dispatch

Carlo Cottarelli given mandate to form new technocratic government in Italy

Italy's President Sergio Mattarella has appointed former International Monetary Fund official Carlo Cottarelli as interim prime minster despite demands for him to be impeached. Cottarelli accepted the mandate with reservation…

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Understanding Italy’s current state of affairs

The British have this saying "It never rains. It pours", and that was the case yesterday night as the drama surrounding the appointment of the New Italian government unfolded. The…

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Institutional crisis in Italy. Di Maio announces intention of putting an impeachment motion against President Mattarella amidst accusations of treason

After 85 days of stalemate and unsuccessful attempts to give the country a government, the political impasse transforms itself into an unprecedented institutional clash. The Italian President has refused to accept…

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Quo Vadis Italia?

Italy’s premier-designate has told the president he has been unable to form what would have been western Europe’s first populist government. A presidential palace official told reporters on Sunday night…

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Giuseppe Conte called for a meeting with Italian President

Italy's president summoned Prime Minister-designate Giuseppe Conte to his office on Sunday in a move that could break a long-running political deadlock and open the way for the formation of…

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Di Maio issues ultimatum to Mattarella – Or close discussions within today or elections.

"This government game either closes within the next 24 hours or does not close anymore, we have already waited long enough". This was stated by the political leader of the M5s,…

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Disagreement with Mattarella on the appointment of Minister of Finance lead to tensions and increases the risk of new elections in Italy.

Italy risks to go back to vote. 82 days since the last Italian election, the country is still without a government. Although M5s and Lega have agreed on the appointment…

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Libya exports first natural gas shipment to Italy after four years

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) shipped on Wednesday its first quantity of propane gas from the Zueitina port to Italy, estimated at approximately 61,761 barrels. The NOC said in…

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Spain: 32 years prison sentence for politician for kickbacks-for-contracts scheme that operated during Spain’s decade-long construction boom

The Financial Times report that the Spanish court has handed a series of fines and prison sentences to politicians and businesspeople connected to Spain’s ruling centre-right party, as part of a long-running…

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“I will be the defence lawyer of the Italians” – Giuseppe Conte accepts official mandate to form government

The President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella gave Professor Giuseppe Conte the task of forming the new Italian government. The decision was announced by the secretary general of the Quirinale…

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Italy: Truck hits train and derails. One dead, 18 injured

One person died and 16 got injured when a regional train hit a truck, which is used for special transport on the Turin-Ivrea railway line, at Caluso . The regional train 10027 has hit…

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Italian President Mattarella calls Giuseppe Conte for a decisive meeting, an indication that soon, Italy might have a Prime Minister

The Italian President Sergio Mattarella, has called for Giuseppe Conte, the person indicated by both M5S and Lega as the next Prime Minister for a meeting. The meeting is expected to take place today at 1730. According to…

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Universities in New York and Malta have no records showing enrolment or engagement of Giuseppe Conte

Giuseppe Conte's academic credentials credibility have been put in doubt after two mentioned academic institutions denied Conte's claimed links. The New York Times has quoted a New York University spokesperson…

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Podemos party members in leadership vote of confidence following purchase of €600,000 is seen as undermining Party’s credibility

Podemos head Pablo Iglesias and his partner Irene Montero, the party’s parliamentary spokeswoman, called a members’ vote of confidence in response to complaints about their €600.000, 268 square-meter villa, equipped…

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Law Professor Giuseppe Conte named as chosen candidate for Italian Prime Minister

Law professor Giuseppe Conte has been named as the choice of the Five Star Movement and League to lead the coalition government. During the past two weeks, the League's Matteo…

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Pepe Reina, Paolo Cannavaro and Salvatore Aronica summoned by the FIGC for links with the Camorra

Outgoing Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina has been summoned to a hearing at the Italian football federation over his association with people with links to the Camorra. Reina, along with Paolo…

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“I came as a boy. I left as a man”. Andres Iniesta

A tribute fitting to a star was held on Sunday at the Barcelona Camp Nou for Andres Iniesta who made his last ever appearance for Barcelona. Iniesta, 34, has announced earlier…

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Investigations on rape accusations against film director Luc Besson

CNN reports that a rape investigation has been launched against one of France's best-known film directors, Luc Besson. CNN quotes the Paris prosecutor's office, saying that the alleged incident happened at…

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Pope Francis announces the appointment of 14 new cardinals, aimed to reflect the universality of the Catholic church

Speaking to pilgrims and visitors gathered in St Peter's Square on Sunday for the recitation of the Regina Caeli prayer, the Pope announced he would create 14 new cardinals at…

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France proposes 2018 elections plan to end Libya political stalemate

France has proposed an initiative to end Libya’s political impasse by holding parliamentary and presidential elections by the end of 2018 as per a United National timeline. “Political solution plus a…

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Pope Paul VI and Bishop Romero to be canonised

Pope Paul VI and Msgr. Oscar Arnulfo Romero will be canonised in St. Peter's Square next October 14, during the Synod of Bishops dedicated to young people. Pope Francis said this…

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No damage or casualties reported in 4.3 earthquake in Piacenza, Italy

An earthquake has been felt by the population in the province of Piacenza, Italy. According to the INGV survey, the earthquake, which occurred at 18:41, had a magnitude of 4.3…

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Platini admits use of tricks to manipulate 1998 World Cup draws

Former Uefa president Michel Platini has claimed "a little trickery" was used in the 1998 World Cup draw to increase the chances of France and Brazil meeting in the final. The former…

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All Chilean Bishops offer resignation to Vatican

All of Chile's 34 Roman Catholic bishops have offered Pope Francis their resignations in the wake of a child sex scandal and cover-up. They asked forgiveness from victims and the…

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Italy – Contract for the Government of Change approved by 94% of 5 Star Movement members

More than 94% of the members of the 5 Star Movement have said yes to the Contract for the Government of Change! There was a great participation throughout the day.…

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We have to make young people ‘land’ in the real world. – Pope Francis

Pope Francis said he is worried that youth are too enmeshed in a virtual world of cell phones and other technology, separated, in particular, from the real human contact experienced…

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If Mattarella needs me, I am available – Silvio Berlusconi

"At the moment no body has the necessary experience to be a Prime Minister. If Mattarella needs me, I am available." Silvio Berlusconi said this earlier on Friday on the margins…

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French Police foil terror attack – French Interior Minister

French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb announced that the police have foiled a suspected terror attack and arrested two brothers of Egyptian origin, French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said on Friday.…

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Aurora Ramazzotti, daughter of Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti and Michelle Hunziker, shares her experience on living under threat of acid attack

On her way to to University Aurora Ramazzotti, receives phone call from her mother Michell Hunziker to inform her that she had an anonymous call asking or money otherwise they would…

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Gianluigi Buffon ‘Maradona of Goalkeepers’ bids farewell to Juventus

Saturday's game against Hellas Verona will be Gianluigi Buffon's last in a Juventus shirt. A BBC report qualifies Buffon as the last great player of a great Football Italia generation, while citing…

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New Italian Prime Minister to be named ‘in a matter of days’

ANSA reports that the 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Luigi Di Maio said Thursday that he was confident a deal with the League on a programme for a new government will…

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Agreement on the contract for Italy’s new Government. Last hurdle is naming the Prime Minister

After hours of negotiations and discussions on the formation of the new government in Italy, M5s and La Lega has found enough ground to sign an agreement on a plan…

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Pasta is Italy’s best export product

According to research conducted by Aidepo, the Association of Italian sweet and pasta industries 56% of pasta produced in Italy ends up on the foreign markets. This means that Italian pasta factories…

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“Don’t tweet too much” – Vatican says that cloistered nuns should use social media with sobriety and discretion

The Vatican has issued new guidelines for cloistered nuns, reminding them that they’re supposed to live separated from the world and in silence — and therefore shouldn’t be tweeting too…

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Italy : The long obstacle race for government formation is still on

There was no agreement on who will be the next Prime Minister of Italy and both M5s and Lega asked Italian President Mattarella for more time. The Head of State agreed to…

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“We will build a Catalan republic” – Catalonia Leader

Newly appointed regional president Quim Torra declared that the vision for an independent Catalonia is still alive. A close ally of exiled leader Carles Puigdemont, 55-year old lawyer Torra vowed…

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New Italian premier will not be a technocrat, but a politician

"We are ready to report". The call to the Quirinale arrives Sunday evening, after a long day of negotiations marked by a double summit in Milan between M5s and Lega…

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I invite communications professionals to promote a journalism of peace at the service of all people, especially those without a voice. Pope Francis on World Communications Day

The Catholic Church today marks its World Communications Day. The annual day was established by Pope Paul VI in 1967 to encourage Catholics to reflect on the opportunities and challenges…

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