Italy

Wednesday’s Morning Briefing

Good morning on another warm day! The heat seems to persist in the coming hours as the Met Office at the MIA is forecasting a high 28 degrees temperature during…

Read More Here

Monday’s morning briefing – 4th June

Good morning It might be cloudy, and despite the early hours, its 21degrees. The heat intends to persist as the temperature in Malta is expected to reach the 30degree mark.…

Read More Here

Salvini pledges to press EU for asylum law reform

The new Italian interior minister Matteo Salvini pledged on Sunday to press EU officials for asylum law reform that allows stricter controls on illegal immigration. During a visit to one…

Read More Here

Newspaper Review – Sunday 3rd June

Malta’s newspapers cover a myriad of topics. The salient points include the ongoing investigations in Daphne Caruana Galizia's murder and the investigations carried by Magistrate Aaron Bugeja on the Egrant…

Read More Here

Sunday’s Morning Briefing

Good morning, Malta's newspapers cover a myriad of topics. The salient points include the ongoing investigations in Daphne Caruana Galizia's murder and the investigations carried by Magistrate Aaron Bugeja on…

Read More Here

Juncker invites ‘German-speaking’ countries not to repeat the Greek mistake with Italy and avoid giving lessons to Rome

Deutsche Welle and The Guardian reported that since the new Italian government assumed power, EU President Jean-Claude Juncker seems to have taken a position of respectful distance. In a stark warning to 'Germany'…

Read More Here

Newspaper Review – Saturday 2nd June ’18

The traffic accident in which a cyclist was killed near the new Kappara Junction features prominently on all local newspapers. In-Nazzjon and The Malta Independent report the incident. L-Orizzont carries…

Read More Here

Corporate Dispatch – Saturday’s Morning Briefing

Good morning, The Maltese Newspapers report that the Malta Financial Services Authority said that Ali Sadr Hasheminejad’s arrest in the US “immediately compromised” Pilatus Bank’s entire operation and made it…

Read More Here

Italy’s new Government sworn in, almost 90 days after last election and on the eve the Italian Republic Day holiday.

The Italian President swore in the new Government, almost 90 days since the election held last March on the eve of the nation’s Republic Day holiday, the day in 1946 when…

Read More Here

Morning Briefing – 1st June ’18

Good morning, Unfortunately today’s morning briefing starts on a sad note as all media portals in Malta report the news of a male cyclist who was killed after he was…

Read More Here

Juncker’s comments on Italy, as reported on the Guardian, stirs controversy and criticism.

"Italians need to work harder and be less corrupt". This is what the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, would have said, according to the Guardian. Juncker's declaration has created a…

Read More Here

Italy: Habemus Premier

After 88 days of negotiations, discussions, false starts, impeachment threats and an institutional crisis Italy's powers announced that "There are all the conditions for a political government". So this marks…

Read More Here

Thursday’s Morning Briefing

Good morning, A number of stories are covered on today's Maltese newspapers. The government of Malta has signed an agreement with the World Health Organisation on technical help for a…

Read More Here

Elderly woman treated like an animal in hospice residence in Latina (Italy)

Seven domestic arrest warrants were issued after an elderly woman was held in a cage, or in the bed surrounded by bars, her hairs were pulled violently in the hospice…

Read More Here

Impeachment against Mattarella not on the cards

The impeachment against Mattarella is not on anymore on the cards. M5s Di Maio announced this on Tuesday. He stated that the possibility of impeachment is not being considered anymore…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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,…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

Thursday’s Morning Briefing – 24th May, 2018

Good morning The Maltese newspapers lead with the story related to a bomb which exploded yesterday in Gharghur. In this explosion a man Kevin Ellul (43), who happens to…

Read More Here

“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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

Tuesday’s Morning Briefing – 22nd May, 2018

Good morning Hazy morning in Malta. The overcast seems to stay throughout the day, even though temperatures should reach 21 degrees (C). Our morning round up follows. Today’s Malta's newspapers…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

Morning Briefing – Sunday 20th May 2018

Good morning, Here is our morning briefing. An update of the salient events of the last hours. Speculation about an empty seat, next to Prince William also led to various…

Read More Here

Anti-abortion activism in Italy take new lease of life following Irish referendum debate

As the 40th anniversary of Italy’s legalisation of abortion approaches, activists and far-right politicians have seized on Italy’s low birth rate and the attention on Ireland’s referendum on abortion to…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

Obituary – Former Maltese Ambassador Dr. Joseph Cassar passes away

Seasoned Maltese diplomat Dr. Joseph Cassar passed away. Born in 1947, Dr Cassar served as Malta's Ambassador to Portugal, Libya, the Russian Federation and Italy. He served as, Malta's permanent…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

Will Italy have a Government tonight?

"You're writing the story and obviously it takes some time, there's a great atmosphere at the table, you're dealing with very important issues." This was stated by the leader M5s…

Read More Here

New photo shows Mafia bosses amongst audience in Maurizio Costanzo show, a year before car bomb directed at TV presenter

It's been 25 years ago but new facts emerge on the attack against Italian TV presenter Maurizio Costanzo. The new revelations relate to a photo that there was also Matteo…

Read More Here

Berlusconi can stand for election, as court lifts ban

An Italian court has lifted a ban on former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi holding public office. He was barred in 2013 after receiving a four-year sentence for tax fraud, although…

Read More Here

Two people shot dead in Calabria

ANSA: Two people died and three were hurt in two shootings near Vibo Valentia in Calabria on Friday. The shootings at Limbadi and Nicotera were the work of the same person,…

Read More Here

Agreement on key issues for government formation in Italy

5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Luigi Di Maio said that a fresh meeting with League chief Matteo Salvini on the formation of a new government went well on Friday. "We are…

Read More Here

Italy fines Whatsapp for allegedly obliging users to agree to sharing their personal data

Italy’s Competition and Markets Authority (AGCM) announced it was imposing a €3 million (USD3.6 million) fine on messaging service Whatsapp for allegedly obliging users to agree to sharing their personal…

Read More Here

Mother’s Day – Celebrity motherhood

All children matter. All births are special. While some are born and live in 'anonymity', others, due to their parents, get more media attention. Baby shower in style for Eva…

Read More Here

Macron awarded Charlemagne Prize; refers to Brexit and Italian elections as European traumas

The situation in the Middle East, relations with the United States, but above all the state of the European Union were the main themes that emerged during a meeting between Emmanuel…

Read More Here

Siamese twins, dismissed after progress following operation at Bambino Gesu Hospital

Rayenne and Djihene, Siamese twins joined at the chest and the abdomen, who in October were admitted to the Bambino Gesu Hospital, for their separation, were dismissed and can go home to Algeria . The very delicate…

Read More Here

Italy breaks two jihadist cells

Italian police moved in on two jihadist rings accused of raising funding for terrorist attacks. 14 people were arrested in an operation that involved searches in 20 properties in Sardinia…

Read More Here

Italy: Race to reach government agreement by Sunday

Italy may be edging towards forming a new government after Luigi di Maio and Matteo Salvini indicate “significant steps forward” have been made. Fresh negotiations on Wednesday between Movimento Cinque…

Read More Here

Could Starbucks make it in the country of espresso?

Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz fuelled speculation that the brand is coming to the land of espresso, Italy. The multinational coffee-house chain grew from 11 stores in 1983 to a…

Read More Here

Political impasse in Italy sends Government Bond yields rising

Following the unsuccessful final round of coalition talks, Italian president Mattarella declared that the process to form a government had failed. Mattarella’s preferred option remains to install a fixed-mandate technical…

Read More Here

22nd July the most probable date for new elections in Italy

Italy might have failed to reach the World Cup, but at this stage, the months of June and July seem to be taken up by another kind of contest following…

Read More Here

Measles cases in Europe quadrupled in 2017

Measles, which had virtually disappeared in the UK and much of the developed world, is returning with a vengeance, despite the fact we’ve had a cheap and effective vaccine for…

Read More Here

Italy – No chance to form ‘Government’

President Sergio Mattarella held a third round of formal political consultations on Monday but there was no sign of a breakthrough to end the gridlock that followed Italy's inconclusive election…

Read More Here

Renzi satisfied that there was no deal between PD and M5s

Former premier and ex Democratic Party (PD) leader Matteo Renzi said that he was pleased he had intervened to scupper the possibility of the centre-left group striking a government deal…

Read More Here