News from Italy in English: Archives - Page 27 of 383

Biennale jury resigns over Russian pavilion row

May 1, 2026May 1, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

The international jury of the 61st Venice Biennale has quit en masse a day after culture ministry inspectors arrived on site. This throws the awards process into disarray with the Foundation replacing the jury award process with a visitor vote.

Andrea Sempio is now accused of having committed the murder of Chiara Poggi alone.

Garlasco Murder – Prosecutors say Sempio acted alone

April 30, 2026April 30, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Prosecutors in Pavia announced on Wednesday that Andrea Sempio, a 37-year-old friend of Chiara Poggi’s younger brother Marco, killed the 26-year-old economics graduate alone on the morning of 13 August 2007. Previously, he had been accused of conspiracy to murder. Alberto Stasi, Poggi’s ex-boyfriend, has served 16 years for her murder.

Image from the scene of the Crans-Montana fire on New Year's Eve

Italy joins Crans-Montana fire trial as civil plaintiff

April 30, 2026April 30, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Rome takes formal legal action in Swiss courts for the New Year’s Eve disaster in Crans-Montana that killed six Italian teenagers. It also rejects demands that Italy pay for its own victims’ medical care.

Russian Pavilion, Venice. Photo: © Marco Cappelletti

Culture Ministry investigates Russian presence at Venice Biennale

April 30, 2026April 30, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Italy’s culture war over the 61st Biennale escalates. A government investigation and ministerial boycott are afoot with EU funding at risk over the Russian pavilion.

Italian journalists subject to arrest warrants and attack. National day of remebrance for journalists killed in the line of duty

National day to honour journalists killed in line of duty

April 30, 2026April 30, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

The Senate has voted unanimously to establish 3 May as an annual day of remembrance in recognition of the journalists – both reporters and camera operators – who paid with their lives to bring the truth to light.

Interpol involved in Minetti pardon case

Interpol called in over Minetti pardon

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

The scandal surrounding the Nicole Minetti pardon deepens with Interpol now involved in the investigation. Key hospitals deny any knowledge of the child cited as the humanitarian grounds for clemency.

80th edition of the Strega Prize for literature

Mattarella jibe to the powerful at Strega Prize reception

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Italy’s president used a reception for the Strega Prize 80th anniversary to deliver a pointed message about the value of reading to world leaders. The country’s most prestigious literary award, meanwhile, prepares for its most symbolically charged finale yet.

Italy’s economic pressures

April 29, 2026April 29, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

A cabinet press conference on Tuesday produced a cluster of significant economic signals. The prime minister recalibrated her defence ambitions in the face of economic headwinds, there is a targeted fuel tax cut in the works, and a damning assessment from Italy’s national statistics office. Add to that a sharp rebuke from Brussels over suggestions […]

Nicole Minetti whose pardon is under investigation by order of the Italian presidency.

President wants investigation into Minetti pardon

April 28, 2026April 28, 2026Deborah CaterLeave a Comment

Italy’s presidency has taken the extraordinary step of writing to the Justice Ministry to investigate allegations that the humanitarian pardon granted to bunga bunga-era figure Nicole Minetti was based on fabricated information. A child, a disappeared mother, and a lawyer found burned in her car are all now part of the story.