Latest Italy government News

Italy plans to return an ambassador to Syria to reflect new diplomatic developments, minister says

Jul. 26, 2024 13:00 PM EDT

ROME (AP) — Italy plans to send an ambassador back to Syria after a decade-long absence, the country’s foreign minister said, in a diplomatic move that could spark divisions among European Union allies. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking in front of relevant parliamentary...

Governor of Italy's Liguria region resigns after being arrested for alleged corruption

Jul. 26, 2024 06:49 AM EDT

ROME (AP) — The governor of Italy’s northern Liguria region resigned on Friday after being held under house arrest since May as part of a corruption investigation by local prosecutors. Giovanni Toti, a right-wing governor who is accused of providing political favors in exchange...

Italian judge orders a journalist to pay 5,000 euros in damages for making fun of Meloni's height

Jul. 19, 2024 11:20 AM EDT

ROME (AP) — A judge in Milan has ordered an Italian journalist to pay 5,000 euros (nearly $5,500) in damages to Premier Giorgia Meloni for making fun of her height in social media posts. The judge ruled on Wednesday that two social media posts by journalist Giulia Cortese, who was...

European leaders discuss migration and Ukraine at a UK summit as concern grows about direction of US

Jul. 18, 2024 17:31 PM EDT

WOODSTOCK, England (AP) — Leaders from across Europe expressed support for Ukraine and concern about the direction of the United States on Thursday at a security-focused summit clouded by worries about whether the U.S. will remain a reliable ally if Donald Trump wins a second presidency. ...

Greece shuts Acropolis, 2 firefighters killed in Italy as southern Europe swelters in a heat wave

Jul. 18, 2024 04:06 AM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A heat wave across southern Europe forced authorities in Greece to close the Acropolis Wednesday for several hours and two firefighters died while putting out a fire in the Basilicata region in southern Italy, Italian authorities said. Italy added Palermo,...

Rome's airport is named for da Vinci, Venice's for Marco Polo. Milan's Malpensa? Silvio Berlusconi

Jul. 11, 2024 14:54 PM EDT

ROME (AP) — Silvio Berlusconi, a cruise-ship singer, media mogul and three-time premier who dominated Italian politics for three decades, is getting a new act following his death last year. Milan’s Malpensa Airport, Italy’s second-busiest passenger airport, is being renamed for...

At 28, Bardella could become youngest French prime minister at helm of far-right National Rally

Jul. 07, 2024 01:15 AM EDT

NICE, France (AP) — At just 28 years old, Jordan Bardella has helped make the far-right National Rally the strongest political force in France. And now he could become the country's youngest prime minister. After voters propelled Marine Le Pen’s National Rally to a strong lead in...

Italian Premier Meloni rebukes the youth wing of her far-right party for glorifying fascism

Jul. 03, 2024 11:39 AM EDT

MILAN (AP) — Italian Premier Giorgia Melon i has admonished the youth wing of her far-right Brothers of Italy party after an Italian news outlet published videos showing some of its members glorifying fascism. “I have said and repeated dozens of times, but perhaps I need to...

EU commission approves Lufthansa purchase of long-troubled Italian airline ITA, with conditions

Jul. 03, 2024 09:49 AM EDT

MILAN (AP) — The European Commission on Wednesday approved Lufthansa’s takeover of Italian airline ITA with conditions to protect competition in a deal that Italy's finance minister called “historic.” Lufthansa will invest 325 million euros ($350 million) to acquire a 41%...

Two plundered ancient Greek vases are repatriated from Switzerland

Jul. 02, 2024 12:52 PM EDT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Two plundered marble vases that marked ancient Athenians' graves more than 2,000 years ago, including one with an emotional family scene, have been returned to Greece from Switzerland. Greece's Culture Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that the two white...