Top news stories from Italy this week.

Italy's main news headlines from 9-15 November 2024.

Mattarella responds to Musk: Sergio Mattarella issued a strong rebuke to Elon Musk after the billionaire criticised Italian judges for blocking migrant transfers to Albania. Mattarella called Italy “a great democratic country” that respects its constitution, demanding that anyone assuming an important role abroad respect its sovereignty. Following a phone call with prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Musk released a statement through his Italian representative affirming his respect for Italy’s institutions. Opposition parties have urged the government to take a stronger stand in defending national sovereignty, emphasising that such comments from a foreign figure undermine Italian governance.

Regional elections in Umbria and Emilia-Romagna: Voters in Umbria and Emilia-Romagna head to the polls this weekend for key regional elections that could have national ramifications. For Prime Minister Meloni, a victory would consolidate the right’s political dominance. For the opposition, these elections offer a chance to gain momentum after a period of decline. The elections come amid rising tensions, including protests and clashes in Bologna, where far-right and anti-fascist groups have faced off, prompting criticism of the government’s handling of public order.

Government and judiciary clash over migration policies: Tensions between the judiciary and the government escalates after judges in Rome blocked migrant transfers under the Albania migration deal. Deputy premier Matteo Salvini has criticised magistrates, accusing them of bias, while justice minister Nordio urged judges to refrain from public policy debates. The government has proposed transferring jurisdiction over immigration detention cases from specialised immigration sections to the Court of Appeal. Opposition leaders claim the move is a politically motivated attempt to remove judicial obstacles and weaken judicial independence.

Meloni advocates pragmatism on climate at COP29: Addressing COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Meloni stressed the importance of a pragmatic and non-ideological approach to combating climate change. She emphasised the need for an energy mix that includes renewables, gas, biofuels, hydrogen, and nuclear fusion. Meloni said the government is allocating a large amount of the more-than €4 billion Climate Fund budget towards initiatives in Africa. While supporters highlight her focus on innovation, critics argue that her emphasis on nuclear fusion is unrealistic given that its technology remains in the early stages of development.

Jubilee preparations marred by corruption allegations: Rome’s preparations for the Jubilee Year 2025 have been tainted by corruption investigations involving four municipal officials and one regional officer. Prosecutors allege that companies linked to organised crime paid bribes to avoid oversight during road resurfacing projects. As a result, substandard asphalt was used, jeopardising the integrity of the works. The scandal has raised questions about governance and transparency in managing the Jubilee’s significant infrastructure budget.

Italy's main news headlines from 2-8 November 2024.

Italy sends migrants to Albania: An Italian naval ship carrying a total of eight migrants – six Egyptians and two Bangladeshis – landed in Albania as Rome sought to revive its controversial migrant repatriation deal with Tirana. The scheme, a flagship policy of Italy's right-wing premier Giorgia Meloni, has run into several legal hurdles from Italian courts and faced much criticism from human rights groups since its launch last month.

Mattarella in China: President Sergio Mattarella set out on a diplomatic mission to China in an effort to restore Italy's trade ties with the superpower after Italy withdrew from the Belt and Road Initiative. Mattarella met with President Xi Jinping - who hailed him as "an old friend of the Chinese people" - and stressed the need for harmony amid a fast-changing world. Mattarella was joined on the trip by Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani.

Reaction to Trump win: Meloni called Donald Trump to congratulate him on winning the US presidential election, underlining the "unshakable alliance, common values, and historic friendship" between Italy and the US. She also offered congratulations to her "friend" Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who backed Trump's election campaign. Italy’s deputy premier Matteo Salvini hailed the "common sense" that led to the "historic" victory in the US, pointing out that he was the only party leader to openly support Trump.

Strikes: Italy has faced a spate of strikes affecting public transport amid rising tensions between trade unions and the government. One strike was in response to the stabbing of a train conductor, others are in relation to demands for pay hikes and better working conditions. Maurizio Landini, leader of Italy's biggest trade union CGIL, accused Meloni of "bullying" after she said pointedly that she had to work even though she was sick, as she did not have any union rights. Meloni also said her government defends workers better than the “caviar-eating left”. Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD), responded: “I have never eaten caviar, but I cannot stand workers being purged with castor oil either; so we will continue to stand by them.” Italy faces a general strike on 29 November to protest against the government's budget plans.

Trevi Fountain: The international spotlight was on the Trevi Fountain after Rome authorities installed a small makeshift pool in front of the Baroque landmark, which is currently drained as it undergoes maintenance, to allow tourists to continue the tradition of tossing coins. The city has also erected a raised walkway over the fountain for the duration of the works, scheduled to end this year, amid plans to introduce an entry fee in 2025.

Mattarella and RAI: President Mattarella stressed the importance of preserving pluralism at RAI, Italy's state broadcaster, when it comes to public media reform. The president urged for a fair and inclusive platform that better serves Italy's diverse populace, cautioning against the polarising impact of partisanship in public service media.

Italy's main news headlines from 26-31 October 2024.

Liguria elections: Italy's right-wing coalition celebrated the victory of its candidate Marco Bucci in Liguria's regional elections. Genoa mayor Bucci won 48 per cent of the vote, narrowly beating his centre-left rival, former justice minister Andrea Orlando. The result was a blow for Italy's opposition on the left, comprising an uneasy alliance between the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD) and the populist Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S). The PD emerged as the largest single party by vote percentage while the M5S saw a substantial decline in support compared to previous elections.

Migrant decree: The Italian government's contested migrant repatriation scheme in Albania hit another hurdle after Bologna judges challenged a new decree classifying 19 countries as "safe". The Bologna tribunal questioned the parameters of the government's migrant repatriation decree, which classifies 19 countries as “safe”, after a Rome court rejected the detention of the first 12 migrants at the new processing centre in Albania. Bologna judges have referred the decree to the European Court of Justice, asking how entire countries could be declared safe where there is evidence of the persecution of minorities.

Hackers infiltrate government: Italy was rocked by a major espionage scandal after hackers infiltrated the interior ministry’s database and compromised sensitive information on public figures, including President Mattarella. Authorities have implemented additional security measures to prevent unauthorised access, with Italian premier Giorgia Meloni warning that the situation poses a serious threat to Italian democracy.

Santanchè’s legal woes: Milan prosecutors issued a new request for Italian tourism Daniela Santanchè to stand trial for alleged accounting fraud at her former publishing company Visibilia. Santanchè, a prominent member of Meloni's right-wing Fratelli d'Italia party, faces accusations that she and 16 others were aware of alleged falsification of financial statements at the company. Santanchè sold her stake in Visibilia on becoming tourism minister two years ago. She denies all wrongdoing and has dimissed calls for her resignation.

Surrogacy case in Argentina: An Italian couple were prohibited from leaving Argentina with their surrogate and newborn baby after being stopped while attempting to travel to Paris. Police were reportedly focusing their investigation on an organisation that allegedly exploits women. The Italian government recently made it illegal for couples to go abroad to have a baby via surrogacy, classifying it as a universal crime and imposing maximum penalties of two years in jail and fines of €1 million.

General strike against budget: Two of Italy's main trade unions, CGIL and UIL, have called a national general strike on 29 November in response to the government's "inadequate" budget, claiming they were excluded from budget discussions. The unions have demanded salary and pension increases and more spending on healthcare, education, public services and industrial policies. Italy’s other main union, Cisl, has chosen not to participate in the general strike.

Italy's main news headlines from 19-25 October 2024.

Francesco Spano resignation and MAXXI: Francesco Spano, chief of cabinet to Italy’s culture minister Alessandro Giuli, resigned following allegations of a conflict of interest. The issue centres on Spano’s husband, Marco Carnabuci, who received a post at MAXXI during Giuli's tenure as director, although his collaboration began under former director Giovanna Melandri. Giuli condemned the "barbaric climate" around the case and downplayed reports of allegedly damaging revelations concerning him as part of the Report TV programme set to be aired on Sunday.

El Alamein controversy: The Italian government faced a backlash over a social media post by the defence ministry commemorating the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of El Alamein. The post praised the Italian soldiers who fought alongside Nazi Germany in the North African campaign during the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini. In the post, the defence ministry stated that Italian troops had "sacrificed their lives for our freedom" and described the defeat as "heroic and tragic".

Migration decree: President Mattarella signed a migrant repatriation decree passed by Italy's government to overcome court objections to its controversial immigration plan in Albania. The decree, which classifies 19 countries including Bangladesh and Egypt as “safe”, followed the rejection by a Rome court of the detention of the first 12 migrants at the new processing centre in Albania. The court had made the ruling on the grounds that the migrants, from Bangladesh and Egypt, did not come from safe countries.

Tensions between government and judiciary: Meloni continues to clash with sections of the Italian judiciary over immigration policies, particularly in relation to the Italy-Albania protocol. She defended the policy as necessary, claiming some judges disrespect the popular vote. Deputy premier Matteo Salvini called for the resignation of magistrates he views as biased against the government.

Supreme Defence Council: Italy’s Supreme Defence Council, led by President Mattarella, emphasised the importance of reinforcing peacekeeping efforts in Lebanon and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The council condemned Israeli attacks on UNIFIL bases, where Italy has around 1,000 soldiers stationed, and raised concerns about a "grave and unacceptable" resurgence of anti-Semitism.

US raises concerns about Italy's surrogacy law: The US state department has voiced concerns over Italy’s new law making surrogacy a universal crime, La Repubblica reports, particuarly regarding the fate of American children born through surrogacy, the impact on families, and LGBTQ+ rights.

G7 Development Meeting: Italy’s G7 Development meeting in Pescara focused on peace in the Middle East, with representatives of the Lebanese and Israeli governments and the Palestinian Authority. Foreign minister and deputy premier Antonio Tajani pledged €25 million in humanitarian aid for Lebanon and Gaza.

Emilia-Romagna floods: Following severe floods in Emilia Romagna, the regional government requested urgent assistance as damage estimates reach €200 million. At least 3,000 people were displaced after being evacuated from their homes, and a 20-year-old man was killed after his car was swept away by the flood waters.

Venice entry fee: Venice is to extend its contested day-tripper entry fee system in 2025 in an effort to tackle overtourism. The €5 entry ticket, launched on 29 days earlier this year, will be in effect on 54 days next year and will be hiked to €10 for last-minute bookings.

Italy's main news headlines from 12-18 October 2024.

Surrogacy as a universal crime: Italy makes it illegal for couples to go abroad to have a baby via surrogacy after the senate voted in favour of a bill making surrogacy a universal crime. The new legislation, viewed by critics as a government crackdown on LGBT couples, carries penalties of up to two years in jail and fines of up to €1 million. Italian premier Giorgia Meloni hailed the law as a "common sense rule against the commodification of the female body and children".

Migrants and Albania: Italy opens two migrant centres in Albania to process male migrants rescued at sea by Italian authorities, amid strong criticism from human rights groups. The first 16 migrants - 10 from Bangladesh and six from Egypt - were taken to the controversial centres on an Italian navy ship however four were promptly sent back to Italy: two were minors and two had health problems.

Middle East and Italy’s position: In a speech to the Italian senate Meloni condemned Israel’s recent attacks on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. She confirmed that she will travel to Lebanon and Jordan, and said that foreign minister Antonio Tajani is preparing to go to Israel and Palestine next week.

Stellantis and automotive workers strike: Italian automakers staged a national strike and a demonstration in Rome to oppose job cuts and demand a relaunch of the struggling automotive industry as the Stellantis automaker group comes under pressure from Meloni's government to clarify its production plans in Italy.

Rome incinerator: Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri presented plans to build a billion-euro incinerator to tackle the city's garbage disposal problems. The giant waste-to-energy facility, designed to treat 600,000 tons of rubbish a year, is to be built south of the capital and is projected to generate enough energy to power 200,000 homes.

Medical school access reform: Italy is set to scrap entrance exams for medical school applicants, granting free access to the first semester after which students who complete all tests will be evaluated. The cabinet hopes to introduce the reforms, which also apply to dentistry and veterinary medicine, in time for the 2025-2026 academic year, pending parliamentary approval.

Italy's main news headlines from 5-11 October 2024.

Italy protests to Israel: The Italian government protested to Israel after the headquarters of the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission and two Italian bases in Lebanon were attacked by Israeli forces. Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto summoned Israel's ambassador in Rome and said the attack was "not a mistake and not an accident", and that it “could constitute a war crime".

Zelensky in Rome: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky met Italian premier Giorgia Meloni for talks in Rome as part of a European tour aimed at securing more Western support before the US election. Zelensky was also received by Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Italy opens migrant reception centres in Albania: Italy opens two reception centres built in Albania to take in male migrants rescued in international waters while trying to cross from Africa to Europe. The controversial deal between Italy and Albania, signed in November by Meloni and her Albanian counterpart Edi Rama, has been strongly criticised by human rights groups.

Russian arrest warrants for Italian reporters: A Russian court issued arrest warrants for two Italian journalists, Stefania Battistini and Simone Traini, accused of illegally crossing the border between Ukraine and Russia's Kursk region in August. Italy's foreign minister and deputy premier Antonio Tajani condemned Russia's move against the RAI journalists as "persecution against freedom of the press".

Bank data breach scandal: An Intesa Sanpaolo bank employee was fired after accessing private accounts of high-profile politicians, including Meloni and senate leader Ignazio La Russa. The data breach sparked outrage over privacy violations and fears of political manipulation, prompting calls for stronger privacy regulations.

Imam expulsion: Bologna-based Imam Zulfikar Khan was expelled from Italy, following an order signed by interior minister Matteo Piantedosi, after voicing support for Hamas.

Naples reacts to art installation: A monumental outdoor art installation in Naples caused anger and amusement over its "phallic" appearance. The city's mayor Gaetano Manfredi defended the 12-metre-high work, by the late artist Gaetano Pesce, saying that contemporary art should be the subject of discussion.

Italy's main news headlines from 28 September - 4 October 2024.

Train chaos in Italy: A nationwide train disruption, caused by an electrical fault in Rome, led to calls for the resignation of transport minister Salvini who shifted blame to operational mistakes by a private company. The country's rail network faced further disruption after a railway worker was killed after being hit by a train on the Bologna-Venice line.

Centre-left political divide: Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD), urges her party to focus on regional elections, as tensions rise with Giuseppe Conte, leader of the populist Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S), who pulls away from the “campo largo” (broad field) coalition.

Migration decree: Italy approved a new migration policy that will offer an extra 10,000 migrant work visas in 2025 for caregivers to the elderly and the disabled, while bringing in stricter measures against illegal immigration.

Milan football mafia probe: Milan police arrested 19 hardcore "ultra" soccer fans, many of whom are suspected of having links with the 'Ndrangheta mafia, on charges of extortion and other crimes. Those arrested included high-profile fans linked to the Inter Milan and AC Milan clubs.

Cybersecurity breach: Police arrested a 24-year-old Italian man on suspicion of hacking the computer systems of Italy's justice ministry and allegedly gaining access to highly sensitive judicial records.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations: Despite a ban on pro-Palestinian rallies from taking place in Rome on 5 October,  unauthorised protests may still go ahead in the Italian capital.

Italian-Swiss border shift: Italy and Switzerland redraw part of their shared border in the Alps, forced by melting glaciers that, along with vast snowfields, define large sections of the territorial boundary.

Italy's main news headlines from 21-27 September 2024.

Citizenship referendum: A petition in Italy calling for a referendum to make it easier for foreigners to claim Italian citizenship reached the half a million signatures needed to trigger a public vote. The proposed referendum aims to reduce from 10 to five the number of years of continual legal residence in Italy required to apply for Italian citizenship which, once obtained, would automatically be passed on to the citizen's children. The move has faced opposition including from Italy’s right-wing premier Giorgia Meloni who said she saw “no need” to change the current citizenship system. Before the referendum can go ahead it first has to be passed by the court of cassation and the constitutional court.

Security decree sparks controversy: A new security bill passed by the parliament was at the centre of protests over claims that it is unduly harsh on migrants and climate activists. The bill includes prison sentences and steep fines for those who block roads or railways and gives authorities more powers to monitor prisons and pre-deportation migration detention centres, with jail terms for riots and passive protests. The bill, launched by interior minister Matteo Piantedosi, will need to be passed by the senate before becoming law.

Filippo Turetta trial: The trial of Filippo Turetta, an engineering student who confessed to the brutal murder of his former girlfriend Giulia Cecchettin last November, got underway in Venice. The killing of Cecchettin, 22, sparked a national debate on femicide in Italy. The verdict in Turetta's trial is expected to be handed down on 3 December.

Civil agricultural service: Italy's agriculture minister Francesco Lollobrigida announced the upcoming launch of a civil agricultural service, describing it as an opportunity for young people to serve their country through working on farms. Lollobrigida, who made the announcement at the opening of the G7 Agriculture Summit in Ortigia, denied that the service was a form of conscription.

Meloni defends US trip: On returning from her trip to New York, Meloni defended herself against accusations of siding Italy with the US Republican party due to her strong relationship with Elon Musk, one of Donald Trump's biggest supporters, amid claims that Italy's relations with the US could be strained if Kamala Harris wins the presidential race. Musk, who presented Meloni with the Atlantic Council Award, denied any "romantic relationship" with the Italian premier.

Regional autonomy: Elly Schlein, the leader of the centre-left Partito Democratico (PD), presented the court of cassation with more than one million signatures collected in favour of a referendum to repeal a law on differentiated regional autonomy which critics say will widen the north-south gap and lead to poorer public services in the south.

Centro Popolare: After departing from the centrist Azione over the decision by party leader Carlo Calenda to join the centre-left alliance for regional elections, Mariastella Gelmini, Mara Carfagna and Giusy Versace have launched a new association called Centro Popolare. This group will federate with Maurizio Lupi's Noi Moderati.

Opposition divisions: The gap between the PD and the populist Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) in the campo largo or “broad field” is widening. The M5S opposes an alliance with Matteo Renzi's centrist Italia Viva for the regional elections in Liguria, is against sending weapons to Kiev, and remains neutral between Trump and Harris in the American elections. The M5S did not campaign for the citizenship referendum and did not join the PD in boycotting the vote for the renewal of top management at the state broadcaster RAI.

Pontida rally: Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orbán and Geert Wilders, the leader of the Dutch far-right Party for Freedom, are set to attend the Pontida rally organised by the right-wing Lega party of Italy's deputy premier Matteo Salvini. Orbán and Wilders both expressed their support for Salvini who risks a six-year jail term on charges of abduction and refusal to perform official duties, for his role in preventing the landing in Italy of 147 migrants rescued by the NGO Open Arms five years ago.

Emilia-Romagna flood emergency: Irene Priolo, the interim governor of Emilia-Romagna, has been appointed as the region's commissioner for the emergency caused by the recent devastating floods. Meloni's cabinet declared a state of emergency in Emilia-Romagna and Marche following the extreme weather and approved an initial allocation of €20 million in aid for the former region and €4 million for the latter.

Secret files on sunken yacht: Watertight safes aboard the Bayesian superyacht, which sank last month killing seven people including billionaire UK tech tycoon Mike Lynch, may contain top-secret files and confidential information of interest to both Russia and China, CNN reported.

Italy's main news headlines from 14-20 September 2024.

Emilia-Romagna Floods: Heavy rains have caused rivers to overflow in the northeastern Emilia-Romagna region, with more than 1,000 people evacuated from their homes. The flooding was particularly serious in the provinces of Ravenna and Forlì, which had already faced severe floods in May 2023. The storm extended into the neighbouring Marche region, leading to the closure of schools.

Italy hosts G7 Culture Summit in Naples: Italy's new culture minister Alessandro Giuli will host the Group of Seven (G7) Culture Summit in Naples on 20-21 September, with events in Pompeii including a performance by tenor Andrea Bocelli. Topics to be addressed include support for Ukraine's cultural heritage, the impact of artificial intelligence on the creative industries, combatting the illegal trafficking of works of art, and managing the effects of climate change on cultural heritage.

Salvini risks six years in Open Arms trial: Prosecutors in Palermo requested a six-year jail sentence for Italy's former interior minister and current deputy premier Matteo Salvini on charges of abduction and refusal to perform official duties, for his role in preventing the landing in Italy of 147 migrants rescued by the NGO Open Arms five years ago. Salvini received support from Meloni and his government colleagues, while the right-wing Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban hailed him as "Europe's bravest patriot".

Italy's Fitto gets key EU post: Meloni welcomed the appointment of Italy's Raffaele Fitto to executive vice president in the next European Commission, hailing it as proof of Rome's influence within the European Union. Fitto, a member of Meloni's right-ring Fratelli d'Italia party, be in charge of "cohesion and reforms". His appointment sparked concerns however among centre-left lawmakers.

Meloni-Draghi meeting: Meloni and former premier Mario Draghi met at Palazzo Chigi to discuss key priorities such as innovation, demographic challenges and control over value chains. Central to the talks was Draghi’s report on the future of European competitiveness.

Italy's 1990 World Cup hero Totò Schillaci dies: Tributes flooded in for Salvatore "Toto" Schillaci, the Italian footballer best known for his legendary performance in the 1990 World Cup, who died in hospital in Sicily aged 59 after a battle with colon cancer. Schillaci, who played for Juventus and Inter Milan, was the top scorer in Italia '90, making him a national hero.

Calenda's Azione party shrinks: Mariastella Gelmini and Mara Carfagna were among several MPs who abandoned the centrist Azione party, attributing their departure to the decision by party leader Carlo Calenda to join the centre-left alliance for regional elections.

Italy pays tribute to Sophia Loren: Oscar-winning Italian actress Sophia Loren, one of the last stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, will mark her 90th birthday with a gala event and a party in Rome where she will be honoured by Italy's culture ministry and Cinecittà film studios.

Italy's main news headlines from 13-19 September 2024.

Sangiuliano under investigation: Former culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, who resigned last week after becoming embroiled in a scandal over an unpaid advisor role for his alleged former mistress Maria Rosaria Boccia, faces two separate investigations. The Rome prosecutor's office is investigating him for misappropriation of public funds and disclosure of confidential documents, while a probe by the audit court of Lazio will focus on Sangiuliano’s attendance with Boccia at state-funded events, as well as examining if Boccia had access to confidential documents.

G7 labour meeting: The Group of Seven (G7) Ministers’ Meeting on Labour and Employment, is being held in Cagliari on 11-13 September as part of Italy's G7 presidency. The three main topics up for discussion at the meeting, led by Italy’s labour minister Marina Calderone, are: a human-centered development and use of artificial intelligence in the world of work; resilient labour markets in ageing societies; and responsive, flexible and inclusive skills and lifelong learning policies and systems.

Italy prepares for G7 Culture Summit: Italy is preparing to host the G7 Culture Summit in Naples from 20-21 September, with events scheduled to take place in Pompeii. The summit will be hosted by Italy's new culture minister Alessandro Giuli, who was sworn in last week after his predecessor Gennaro Sangiuliano resigned amid the fallout from the affair scandal.

Liguria elections: The leaders of the ruling coalition announced Genoa mayor Marco Bucci as the centre-right candidate in the race for Liguria governor. The regional elections, called after the resignation of former governor Giovanni Toti in the wake of a corruption investigation, are scheduled to be held on 27-28 October. Bucci's main rival in the race is the centre-left candidate, former justice minister Andrea Orlando.

Rachele Mussolini quits Fratelli d'Italia: A granddaughter of Italy's wartime dictator Benito Mussolini has swapped the right-wing Fratelli d'Italia party of premier Giorgia Meloni for the centre-right Forza Italia. Rachele Mussolini, a city councillor in Rome, said the move was due to her more liberal stance on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, claiming that Meloni's party was too rightwing.

Trevi Fountain tickets: Debate continues over Rome's plan to introduce a ticketing system at the Trevi Fountain, which would require visitors to book a 30-minute time slot for a €2 entry fee. Rome tourism councillor Alessandro Onorato said that under the draft plans the piazza around the fountain "would stay open and free", while the reservation and entry fee would concern the steps leading down to the monument. Onorato said there would be no charge for Rome residents and that the ticketing system should be operational in time for the Vatican's Jubilee Year 2025  when the Eternal City is set to welcome 32 million tourists and pilgrims.

Rome bus fares: Authorities in Rome and the Lazio region met with trade unions to discuss a proposed fare hike on Rome's buses, trams and subways. The talks followed a request from Rome mayor Roberto Gualtieri to the Lazio region, which controls ticket prices on the capital's public transport network, citing a budget shortfall of €22 million to renew the service contract with municipal public transport company ATAC for 2025-2027. Under the proposed fare hike, the 100-minute €1.50 ticket would rise to €2. During this week's talks, one proposal from unions was to raise the fare to €2.50 for tourists and keep it unchanged for locals.

Clio Napolitano dies: Clio Napolitano, the widow of former President Giorgio Napolitano, died in Rome at the age of 89. Giorgio Napolitano, who served as president of Italy from 2006 until 2015, died last September aged 98.

Italy's main news headlines from 31 August-6 September 2024.

Sangiuliano-Boccia case: Culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano admits to an affair with influencer and fashion entrepreneur Maria Rosaria Boccia but denies any misuse of public funds, in a controversy that has dominated news headlines in Italy for a week. The minister said he blocked Boccia's nomination to avoid conflicts of interest and is willing to step down if asked by prime minister Giorgia Meloni who has so far rejected his resignation. Boccia contests his statements, while opposition parties demand Sangiuliano to give an explanation in parliament.

Beach concessions extension: Meloni's government has approved an extension of lucrative beach concessions until September 2027 after negotiating with the European Union, in a long-running standoff over private beach bars and clubs. The EU has been exerting pressure on Italy to free up the market for beach club licences which, although state-owned, are traditionally controlled by families who pass the concession from one generation to the next. The government's draft decree puts an end to automatic renewal of beach concessions in 2027. European Commission spokesperson Eric Mamer described the move as "an important step in the right direction" but warned that an infringement procedure against Italy for breaching EU law in its handling of beach concessions will be closed only when Italian legislation is "fully in line with EU law".

Migration tragedy at sea: A migrant boat capsized off the island of Lampedusa, with 21 people, including three children, missing. Seven survivors, all male Syrian nationals, were rescued after being adrift for three days. The head of UNHCR Italy, Chiara Cardoletti, wrote on X that the survivors were in critical condition and many of them had lost family members at sea.

Back to school: Schools in Italy are reopening with a staggered schedule from 5 to 16 September, depending on the region, with some seven million students returning to the classroom. The first schools to open were in Bolzano, with the last to open in the regions of Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Liguria, Puglia and Tuscany.

Rome's plan for Trevi Fountain tickets: Rome tourism authorities have floated plans to introduce a ticketing system at the Trevi Fountain, requiring visitors to book in advance. Under the draft plans, tourists would pay €2 for a 30-minute time slot, while there would be no charge for Rome residents.

Italy's main news headlines from 23-30 August 2024.

Government coalition leaders meet amid rising tensions: Leaders from the government coalition convene to discuss the upcoming budget as well as formalising appointments for the EU Commissioner and within state broadcaster RAI. Tensions within the coalition are evident, with deputy premier and Lega leader Matteo Salvini criticising the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) and Pope Francis for challenging the government's proposals on migration and greater regional autonomy.

Regional elections: As regional elections approach, pressure is mounting within the centre-left to finalise candidate selections, with Partito Democratico (PD) leader Elly Schlein set to play a key role. Antonio Tajani, leader of the centre-right Forza Italia (FI), part of the ruling coalition, announced his party’s plan to contest the Veneto region with candidate Flavio Tosi. Meanwhile competition emerges between different political factions in Liguria in the race to elect a new governor following the resignation in July of Giovanni Toti in the wake of a corruption investigation.

Regional autonomy and ius scholae spark political debates: The opposition is pushing for parliament to discuss the ius scholae bill, which would allow children of residents to acquire Italian citizenship after completing formal education in Italy. Earlier this summer FI leader Tajani reginited the debate, highlighting divisions within the coalition. Salvini said it was "not a priority" while Meloni has remained silent on the matter. Meanwhile the debate over regional autonomy continues, with the southern Campania region appealing to the constitutional court against the law which critics say would widen the north-south gap and lead to poorer public services in the south. Attilio Fontana, the Lega governor of the northern Lombardia region around Milan, has expressed frustration with FI's stance on regional autonomy, indicating that Lombardy will proceed with autonomy measures without delay.

Severe weather hits Campania: Rescuers in the Campania region were searching for two people reported missing in the wake of a severe storm. Northern regions of Italy were also hit by extreme bad weather, with flooding in Milan's Malpensa airport and damage caused to cars and property by huge hailstones in Brescia.

Venice Film Festival kicks off with star-studded red carpet: The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival got underway, with a return of top movie stars after last year's strikes in Hollywood kept A-listers away from the world's oldest film festival. The celebrity guests gracing the red carpet at the 10-day festival include George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and Nicole Kidman.

Italy's main news headlines from 2-9 August 2024.

Prison decree becomes law: The Italian parliament approved a law to tackle chronic overcrowding and understaffing in the country's jails where 65 inmates have taken their own lives so far this year. The decree has sparked a political debate, with critics claiming the reforms don't go far enough to address the problems in Italy's prisons.

Beach establishments strike: Owners of beach concessions went on strike on Friday, accusing the government of inaction as their concessions are set to expire at the end of this year. The European Union is exerting pressure on Italy to free up the market for beach club licences which, although state-owned, are traditionally controlled by families who pass the concession from one generation to the next.

Italy appoints blue crab commissioner: The government appointed a special commissioner to address the emergency created by the rapid spread of the blue crab, an aggressive species with no natural predators in Italian waters, which threatens the harvesting of clams and mussels in Italy.

School reform: A new national contract for school managers, including salary increases, has been signed. Education minister Giuseppe Valditara announced an increase in civic education hours and a focus on constitutional values.

Reforms and political challenges: The government is delaying discussions on key reforms, including the issue of beach concessions and appointments to state broadcaster RAI, amid ongoing tensions with the opposition.

Italicus train massacre anniversary: President Sergio Mattarella marked the 50th anniversary of the Italicus Express massacre - in which 12 people were killed and 48 injured when far-right terrorists blew up a train between Rome and Munich - describing it as part of a neofascist terror season.

Italy tackles subway pickpockets: Interior minister Matteo Piantedosi announced the establishment of Polmetro, a special police task force to tackle pickpockets in subway stations and metro lines in Rome, Milan and Naples, amid a spate of negative headlines this summer.

Paris Olympics: It now seems unlikely that Italy will improve on the record 40 medals won in Tokyo however the country's aim of staying in the top 10 on the medal table is still within reach.

Italy's main news headlines from 26 July - 2 August 2024.

Meloni's visit to China: Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni's recent visit to China saw her sign a three-year action plan aimed at relaunching ties and boosting bilateral relations in trade and economic cooperation. The trip came after Meloni removed Italy from China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) last year.

Major fire in Rome: Rome prosecutors have launched an investigation into a major wildfire in Monte Mario, a nature reserve on a landmark hill in a north Rome suburb. The blaze led to the evacuation of nearby residents and office workers, including from RAI television studios, and devastated the wooded hillside.

Scampia building collapse: The collapse at the Vele buildings in Scampia, a delipadated housing estate in a crime-ridden area in the outskirts of Naples, resulted in three fatalities and multiple injuries. The tragedy has led to scrutiny of previous warnings to authorities about the structural instability of the buildings.

Liguria bribery scandal: Former Liguria governor Giovanni Toti, who is under investigation for corruption, was released from house arrest. The centre-right politician is embroiled in a case involving alleged bribes in which cash for an election campaign was allegedly exchanged for favours, including the extension of a port terminal concession in Genoa.

Controversies over press freedom: Premier Giorgia Meloni drew a backlash over her comments in relation to an EU report which raised concerns about freedom of the press in Italy. Her remarks, particularly targeting certain newspapers, sparked further debate about media freedom and government accountability, reflecting ongoing tensions between the government and the press.

Differentiated autonomy referendum mobilisation: A public mobilisation has resulted in more than half a million signatures requesting a referendum on differentiated autonomy. The petition is supported by opposition parties and trade unions. Critics says the government's plan for devolution of powers to individual regions would widen the north-south gap and lead to poorer public services in the south.

Travel disruptions due to railway works: Maintenance projects on Italy's high-speed rail network in August are set to cause significant travel delays and cancellations, impacting summer holiday plans for many travellers. The disruption will see some high-speed services delayed by up to two hours.

Olympic controversy over Algerian boxer: Italian premier Meloni and deputy PM Matteo Salvini have criticised the inclusion of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif in the women's category at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Italy’s Angela Carini quit just 46 seconds into her first round with Khelif who, despite allegations, is biologically female but has higher testosterone levels. The controversy has ignited a furious international debate about gender and sports.

Italian Olympic success: Italy celebrated significant achievements at the Paris Olympics, winning five gold medals so far. The women's fencing team won gold, as did swimmers Nicolò Martinenghi and Thomas Ceccon, canoeist Giovanni De Gennaro and judoka Alice Bellandi.

Italy's main news headlines from 6-12 July 2024.

New name for Malpensa Airport: Milan's main airport Malpensa has been officially renamed after controversial former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. The decision, championed by transport minister Matteo Salvini, has sparked a backlash among Italy's opposition politicians and the general public.

Fiat's 125th anniversary: Fiat celebrated its 125th anniversary with the launch of the new Grande Panda model in Turin where the company as founded in 1899. The milestone was marked with various events highlighting the brand's enduring legacy in the automotive industry.

Smartphone ban in schools: The Italian government announced a ban on the use of mobile phones in school classrooms, "including for educational purposes", from primary level up to junior high school level, along with the reintroduction of the traditional paper homework diary.

Pope Francis on populism: Pope Francis has spoken out against populism, urging Italians to participate actively in democracy. During his address at the Social Weeks of Catholics in the north Italian city of Trieste, the pontiff emphasised the importance of democracy in countering populism and egoism, and called for greater civic engagement.

Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift's two sold-out concerts in Milan are set to result in a total economic impact of almost €180 million for the north Italian city. The 'Swiftonomics' effect will be driven by the 128,000 fans of the American pop star who will perform two concerts at San Siro Stadium this weekend.

Heatwave warning: Italy's health ministry has issued a red alert heatwave warning for 11 Italian cities, including Rome, on Friday 11 July, with high temperatures set to last into next week.

Italy's main news headlines from 29 June-5 July 2024.

EU leadership agreement and Giorgia Meloni's reaction: Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni continues to criticise the recent EU leadership positions agreement, expressing frustration over the perceived disregard for voters' opinions. This ongoing issue highlights tensions within the EU regarding the process of selecting top positions​.

Economic indicators: Italy's consumer confidence index has shown an increase, rising from 96.4 to 98.3 in June. However business confidence has declined slightly, dropping from 95.1 to 94.5. This mixed economic sentiment reflects optimism among consumers but caution among businesses​. 

Women's rights protest: Women's rights activists in Rome covered the Spanish Steps in red paint to symbolise the blood of female victims of violence. This protest is part of a larger campaign against femicide and gender-based violence in Italy​​. 

Daniele De Rossi extends contract with AS Roma: Former footballer Daniele De Rossi has signed a contract extension to remain the first-team coach of AS Roma until 2027. This move underscores the Serie A club's confidence in De Rossi's leadership and vision for the team's future​. 

Increase in drug consumption: On the occasion of UN Anti-Drug Day, it was reported that global drug consumption has increased by 20 per cent over the past decade. Pope Francis has called for stronger efforts to combat drug trafficking, labelling traffickers "death merchants".

UEFA EURO 2024: Italy is preparing for the upcoming knockout stages of the EURO 2024 football championship, with significant attention on their next match against Switzerland, on Saturday. The team's performance has been a major topic of discussion among fans and analysts​​.

Italian basketball star becomes a nun: Oriana Milazzo, a former star of Italy's national basketball team, has taken vows to become a nun with the Poor Sisters. Her transition from sports to religious life has captured public interest, with a grand celebration planned for 28 June​. 

Naples anti-seismic exercise: An important anti-seismic exercise was conducted in the Campi Flegrei area near Naples. The exercise, however, saw low participation, raising concerns about public preparedness for potential volcanic or seismic events in this geologically active region​​. 

Italian medical test controversy: A surge in perfect scores on medical school admission tests in Palermo and Naples has led to suspicions of irregularities. The anomaly has prompted investigations, particularly after videos relating to the tests surfaced on TikTok​​.

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