Italy’s Berlusconi shows up for prostitution trial
Apr 20th
Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi is making a rare appearance at his trial in Milan on charges he paid for sex with an underage prostitute and then used his office to try to cover it up. The media mogul made no remarks to reporters as he entered the courthouse on Friday. He has denied all wrongdoing.
A Milan police official was testifying about prosecutors’ contention that Berlusconi told authorities the Moroccan prostitute, then 17, was related to former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.
Italy’s Rossi ruled out of EURO after relapse
Apr 13th
Italy will be without Giuseppe Rossi for their UEFA EURO 2012 campaign after the Villarreal CF striker sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in training.
Rossi’s involvement in Poland and Ukraine always looked in doubt from the moment he suffered the exact same injury last October, but today’s setback rules him out for certain. The 25-year-old was close to returning to first-team action with Spanish Liga strugglers Villarreal until tearing the cruciate ligament during training. The former Manchester United FC forward requires further surgery and is expected to be sidelined for at least another six months.
Italy and Spain Bond Trade Muted
Mar 30th
Italian and Spanish government bond markets shrugged off Friday’s agreement to strengthen the euro-zone’s defenses against the debt crisis, a move that fell short of some investors’ expectations.
The decision was seen in some quarters as crucial to ending a crisis that has roiled the region for two years. But the muted reaction on the debt markets of Spain and Italy–two potential flashpoints in the crisis–suggests a larger rescue fund alone won’t be enough to contain the country’s borrowing costs.
Italy won’t rush disputed labor reform
Mar 23rd
Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti opted on Friday not to rush a heavily contested labor reform through parliament after running into strong resistance from unions and a key ally supporting his government.
After more than five hours of discussion in cabinet, the government said it would send a regular draft bill to parliament rather than an immediately applicable emergency decree. The move will mean that it could take several months for parliament to approve reforms that include a measure to loosen restrictions on companies firing workers and opens the door to potential changes by lawmakers.
Deaths barred in Italian village
Mar 16th
Since the start of the month it has been illegal to die in Falciano del Massico, a village of 3,700 people some 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Naples in southern Italy.
Mayor Giulio Cesare Fava issued the tongue-in-cheek decree because the village has no cemetery and it is feuding with a nearby town that has one — creating a logistical problem about what to do with the deceased. The mayor told newspapers that villagers are content.
Italy attacks UK over Nigeria hostage rescue
Mar 9th
Britain and Italy were embroiled in a diplomatic row on Friday after the Italian head of state demanded to know why the UK did not inform Rome of its plans to try to rescue two hostages in Nigeria.
Giorgio Napolitano, the Italian president, attacked the British government for failing to inform its Italian counterparts ahead of its failed attempt to rescue two hostages – Italian Franco Lamolinara and Briton Chris McManus – on Thursday.
Italian crew face murder charges in India
Feb 17th
Authorities in Italy and India launched separate inquiries Friday into the alleged killing this week of two Indian fishermen by Italian Navy personnel who apparently opened fire on them thinking they were pirates.
Police in India’s southern state of Kerala have opened a murder inquiry against the crew of an Italian oil tanker from which the fatal shootings took place, media reported.
Italy look to shock England in Six Nations
Feb 10th
Despite never having beaten England and having lost heavily in its Six Nations opener against France last week, Italy heads into tomorrow’s match against the defending champion believing it can produce a major upset.
Italy stunned France in Rome last year and captain Sergio Parisse knows a similar result at the Stadio Olimpico against England would send shockwaves through the sport.
We’re confident for sure,” Parisse said.
Italy’s rugby captain warns of attack
Feb 3rd
Italy captain Sergio Parisse vowed that his team will play a more attacking style of rugby when they meet France at the Stade de France in their Six Nations opener here on Saturday.
Italy have a new coach in Jacques Brunel, the former Perpignan boss who believes that his four-year assignment is long enough to push Italy into the top six teams in the world.
Deal struck for Italian liner passengers, oil pumping delayed
Jan 27th
Some 3,000 survivors of Italy’s cruise ship wreck will receive 11,000 euros each plus expenses, negotiators said Friday, two weeks after the accident that may have killed up to 32 people. More >
