Fraud indictment fuels pressure for tourism minister to quit

Josephine de La Bruyère

ROME — A Milan judge ruled Friday that embattled tourism minister Daniela Santanchè will stand trial for financial crimes this March. 

 Prosecutors allege that over at least a six-year period, Santanchè and 16 others — including the minister's second husband, current boyfriend, sister, and nephew — profited from falsifying the financial statements of Visibilia Editore, a strategic consulting firm. Until her 2022 appointment in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's cabinet, Santanchè served as president, then majority owner, of the publicly-traded company.  

Business, Rome, Italy
18 Jan 2025
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Schools close in Sicily due to heavy rainfall

Ophelia Gregory

ROME – Schools in eastern Sicily were closed Friday due to red alerts for the risk of heavy rainfall, including in the provinces of Catania, Messina and Syracuse. They remained open in Palermo. 

 The main risk of heavy showers was in the provinces of Messina, Catania, Syracuse, Ragusa, Caltanissetta and Enna.  

 There could be scattered or widespread rainfall, including showers or thunderstorms on the island, warned regional civil protection.

 There were also closures and limited rail services. Sicily was not the only region affected by bad weather. 

Rome, Italy
17 Jan 2025
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Pope suffers new fall but soldiers on with public appearances

Ophelia Gregory

 VATICAN CITY - Due to a fall Thursday morning in his apartment at the Casa Santa Marta guest house in his tiny city state, Pope Francis suffered a bruise on his right forearm, without any fractures, according to the Vatican press office.

 The 88-year-old Argentinian pontiff's arm has been placed in a sling as a precautionary measure, the Vatican said.

 Despite this he has managed to continue his public appearances Thursday morning and carry out his meetings with visiting dignitaries. 

Rome, Vatican
16 Jan 2025
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More Latin and Italian history announced in new school syllabus

Ophelia Gregory

ROME – Latin will return as an option for children in high schools across Italy, along with increased hours allocated to Italian history, as well as study of the Bible. 

 Geo-history will be scrapped in favour of more geography lessons and there shall be a greater emphasis placed on Italian literature, with the teaching of nursery rhymes and poems from infant school and from elementary schools, through the study of music. 

Italy
16 Jan 2025
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Vogue Italia promotes 60 year anniversary

Antonia Tarashmanova

 ROME — Vogue Italia celebrated its 60th anniversary with flair, glamour, and a series of events. Former Vogue Italia creative director Ferdinando Verderi headed a public exhibit titled ‘Sixty Years of Future’ at Milan’s Palazzo Citterio. Open 19-20 September, the exhibit showcased 60 covers from Vogue Italia’s archive that chronicle the magazine’s impact on fashion, culture, and society, its role solidifying Milan’s status as a fashion capital.

Culture, Italy
14 Jan 2025
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