A Ukrainian circus group is on a never-ending "Alice in Wonderland" tour of Italy, trapped in the real-world rabbit hole of having to put on happy shows on stage while their people at home are suffering through war.

Ukrainian performers raise money for families back home, amid war

President Zelensky has now confirmed that Europe is formulating the sixth branch of sanctions against the Kremlin. The Russian government is already facing a number of sanctions and now Italy seized a yacht that has links to Russia.

Ukraine war: West continues sanctions against Kremlin, Italy seizes Russian luxury yacht

A luxury yacht worth around $700 million has been impounded on Friday in Italy. The vessel seems to have been linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as per media reports. &nbsp;

The Italian government had ordered the police to seize the vessel, said reports. &nbsp;

Since September, Scheherazade, which has six decks, has been undergoing repairs in the port of Marina di Carrara, Italy. But the crew seemed to be preparing to put the sleek yacht to sea, according to the recent activity at the dockside. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-new-150mn-weapons-package-us-president-joe-biden-to-send-counter-artillery-radar-others-to-ukraine-476979" hreflang="en">In new $150mn package, US prez to send counter-artillery radar to Ukraine</a>

The yacht, which has two helicopter landing pads, seems to belong to Putin, claimed an organisation set up by Alexei Navalny. In March, it released a report, saying it had evidence to substantiate the claim. &nbsp;

Police have struggled to identify the real owner of the Scheherazade, officials told Reuters. &nbsp;

The vessel can host up to 18 guests and 40 crew, and is registered in the Cayman Islands. The vessel, which was built by the German firm Luerssen, was delivered to its mysterious owner in 2020. &nbsp;

The police seem to believe that the owner of this vessel is Eduard Khudainatov, a Reuters report said citing a source familiar with the probe into the case. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Victory Day in Russia: Who will win the war? | WION Wideangle

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Khudainatov, who is former chief of Russian energy giant Rosneft, is currently not a target of EU sanctions. &nbsp;

Without naming the owner, the finance ministry, while announcing the seizure order in a statement, said, he had ties to "prominent elements of the Russian government". &nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)

A luxury yacht worth around $700 million has been impounded on Friday in Italy. The vessel seems to have been linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as per media reports.

A luxury yacht worth around $700 million has been impounded on Friday in Italy. The vessel seems to have been linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as per media reports. The Italian government had ordered the police to seize the vessel, said reports. Since September, Scheherazade, which has six decks, has been undergoing repairs in the port of Marina di Carrara, Italy. But the crew seemed to be preparing to put the sleek yacht to sea, according to the recent activity at the dockside. Also Read: In new $150mn package, US prez to send counter-artillery radar to Ukraine The yacht, which has two helicopter landing pads, seems to belong to Putin, claimed an organisation set up by Alexei Navalny. In March, it released a report, saying it had evidence to substantiate the claim. Police have struggled to identify the real owner of the Scheherazade, officials told Reuters. The vessel can host up to 18 guests and 40 crew, and is registered in the Cayman Islands. The vessel, which was built by the German firm Luerssen, was delivered to its mysterious owner in 2020. The police seem to believe that the owner of this vessel is Eduard Khudainatov, a Reuters report said citing a source familiar with the probe into the case. Watch: Victory Day in Russia: Who will win the war? | WION Wideangle × Khudainatov, who is former chief of Russian energy giant Rosneft, is currently not a target of EU sanctions. Without naming the owner, the finance ministry, while announcing the seizure order in a statement, said, he had ties to "prominent elements of the Russian government". WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies)

Italy seizes $700-million luxury yacht 'Scheherazade' allegedly linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin

Europe's third largest economy is no different as the war in Ukraine casts a shadow over growth prospects. Italy has unveiled a hefty package of measures yesterday and these were aimed at shielding firms and families from surging energy costs of Eurozone's third largest economy.

Italy: Economic outlook darkens, unveils new stimulus plan

Italians are still demanding compensation for Hitler's crimes. Germany has now dragged Italy to the ICJ. Berlin claims Rome may start selling German property to pay war reparation. Palki Sharma Upadhyay brings you a report.

Gravitas: Germany files a case against Italy at ICJ

Russia has retaliated against western sanctions by halting its gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria. This decision is impacting different parts of Europe, and in Italy, a new measure is being implemented called 'operation thermostat'.

Ukraine-Russia conflict: Italy launches new measure to save gas

A court in Italy has ruled that children should have both parents' surnames. In most countries, children are given the father's surname by default. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Italy's court says children should have the surname of both parents

Mino Raiola, one of the superstar football agents, rubbished rumours of his death courtesy of a tweet from his hospital bed on Thursday (April 28). After a section of international media claimed that the 54-year-old passed away due to illness, the veteran football agent took matters into his own hands and tarnished all fake news related to his death with a tweet.

"Current health status for the ones wondering: pissed off second time in 4 months they kill me. Seem also able to resuscitate," Raiola said on Twitter.

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Current health status for the ones wondering: pissed off second time in 4 months they kill me. Seem also able to ressuscitate.
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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-breeze-past-villarreal-to-close-in-on-uefa-champions-league-final-474548">Liverpool breeze past Villarreal to close in on UEFA Champions League final</a>

Not only Mino, even the doctor treating the agent, at the San Raffaele Hospital, named Dr. Alberto Zangrillo, slammed the rumours. He claimed&nbsp;that he was outraged by the phone calls he had been getting over the last few hours with many asking about the Italian.&nbsp;

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Dr. Alberto Zangrillo from San Raffaele Hospital in Milano tells Ansa on Mino Raiola conditions: “I’m outraged by the phone calls from pseudo-journalists speculating on the life of a man who is fighting to survive”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1519655641668890625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Raiola, who has star-studded clients&nbsp;including Paul Pogba, Erling Haaland and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is understood to have been living with a serious illness since the beginning of 2022. A tweet from Raiola’s official account in January had revealed that he had undergone medical checks requiring anaesthesia, but that he had not had emergency surgery.&nbsp;

According to a report filed by The Sun as well as the updates&nbsp;shared by journalist Fabrizio Romano, Raiola is battling his illness and remains alive 'but in a bad way'.

Mino Raiola, one of the superstar football agents, rubbished rumours of his death courtesy of a tweet from his hospital bed on Thursday (April 28). After a section of international media claimed that the 54-year-old passed away due to illness, the veteran football agent took matters into his own hands and tarnished all fake news related to his death with a tweet.

Mino Raiola, one of the superstar football agents, rubbished rumours of his death courtesy of a tweet from his hospital bed on Thursday (April 28). After a section of international media claimed that the 54-year-old passed away due to illness, the veteran football agent took matters into his own hands and tarnished all fake news related to his death with a tweet. "Current health status for the ones wondering: pissed off second time in 4 months they kill me. Seem also able to resuscitate," Raiola said on Twitter. Current health status for the ones wondering: pissed off second time in 4 months they kill me. Seem also able to ressuscitate. — Mino Raiola (@MinoRaiola) April 28, 2022 × ALSO READ | Liverpool breeze past Villarreal to close in on UEFA Champions League final Not only Mino, even the doctor treating the agent, at the San Raffaele Hospital, named Dr. Alberto Zangrillo, slammed the rumours. He claimed that he was outraged by the phone calls he had been getting over the last few hours with many asking about the Italian. Dr. Alberto Zangrillo from San Raffaele Hospital in Milano tells Ansa on Mino Raiola conditions: “I’m outraged by the phone calls from pseudo-journalists speculating on the life of a man who is fighting to survive”. — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 28, 2022 × Raiola, who has star-studded clients including Paul Pogba, Erling Haaland and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is understood to have been living with a serious illness since the beginning of 2022. A tweet from Raiola’s official account in January had revealed that he had undergone medical checks requiring anaesthesia, but that he had not had emergency surgery. According to a report filed by The Sun as well as the updates shared by journalist Fabrizio Romano, Raiola is battling his illness and remains alive 'but in a bad way'.

Italian football agent Mino Raiola tweets from hospital bed to dismiss death rumours

Italy’s constitutional court has ruled that the practice of children taking only the father’s surname is ‘discriminatory and harmful to their identity’ and it further instructed that Italian children will be given the surname of both parents with the decision to change it lying with the family in the future.

In a statement released by the court, it said that the goal of this ruling is to provide both parents with equal power in the decision and this will be the norm unless there is a prior request.

The ruling will still have to be approved by the Italian government but family minister, Elena Bonetti, has said that the government will be supporting the parliament in implementing this change.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-votes-overwhelmingly-in-favour-of-supplying-heavy-weapons-to-ukraine-amid-ongoing-conflict-474643">Germany votes overwhelmingly in favour of supplying heavy weapons to Ukraine</a>

“We need to give substance [to the decision] ... and it is a high priority and urgent task of politics to do so,” Bonetti wrote in a post on Facebook. She added that the decision is a welcome one and insisted that both mother and father should share the responsibilities when it comes to their child.

There was also a lot of support from other members of the Italian parliament as president of the South Tyrolean People’s Party (SVP) Renate Gebhard said that is time for the matter to be accepted in the parliament.

"This issue has been dragging on from one parliamentary term to the next, it is time to decide," he said according to a Reuters report.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-21st-century-war-is-an-absurdity-un-chief-antonio-guterres-visits-destroyed-ukrainian-towns-474656" hreflang="en">In 21st century, war is an absurdity: UN chief visits destroyed Ukraine towns</a>

The report further said that Laura Boldrini, an MP for the Democratic party, also welcomed the ruling and said - "It is now up to Parliament to make this leap forward in terms of civilisation. Parents have equal responsibility and equal rights, no more discrimination that penalises mothers and children."

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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(With inputs from agencies)

Italy’s constitutional court has ruled that the practice of children taking only the father’s surname is ‘discriminatory and harmful to their identity’ and it further instructed that Italian children will be given the surname of both parents with the decision to change it lying with the family in the future.

Italy’s constitutional court has ruled that the practice of children taking only the father’s surname is ‘discriminatory and harmful to their identity’ and it further instructed that Italian children will be given the surname of both parents with the decision to change it lying with the family in the future. In a statement released by the court, it said that the goal of this ruling is to provide both parents with equal power in the decision and this will be the norm unless there is a prior request. The ruling will still have to be approved by the Italian government but family minister, Elena Bonetti, has said that the government will be supporting the parliament in implementing this change. Also read | Germany votes overwhelmingly in favour of supplying heavy weapons to Ukraine “We need to give substance [to the decision] ... and it is a high priority and urgent task of politics to do so,” Bonetti wrote in a post on Facebook. She added that the decision is a welcome one and insisted that both mother and father should share the responsibilities when it comes to their child. There was also a lot of support from other members of the Italian parliament as president of the South Tyrolean People’s Party (SVP) Renate Gebhard said that is time for the matter to be accepted in the parliament. "This issue has been dragging on from one parliamentary term to the next, it is time to decide," he said according to a Reuters report. Also read | In 21st century, war is an absurdity: UN chief visits destroyed Ukraine towns The report further said that Laura Boldrini, an MP for the Democratic party, also welcomed the ruling and said - "It is now up to Parliament to make this leap forward in terms of civilisation. Parents have equal responsibility and equal rights, no more discrimination that penalises mothers and children." WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies)

Italian children should be given surnames of both mother and father, constitutional court rules

Venice imposes tax and reservation system for travellers

Roberto Mancini has vowed to stay on as Italy manager, telling reporters on Monday that he wanted to eventually win the World Cup despite the European champions failing to qualify for the showpiece event for the second time in a row.

Italy missed out on the tournament in Qatar later this year after a shock 1-0 defeat at home by North Macedonia in last week's playoff semi-final.

There were no calls for Mancini's removal, however, with Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina backing him to continue in his role.

"I have talked with the (FIGC) president, we agree on everything. I'm glad, we'll talk again in the next few days," Mancini said ahead of Tuesday's friendly away to Turkey.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/portugal-ready-to-avoid-an-upset-cristiano-ronaldo-after-north-macedonia-dump-italy-out-of-world-cup-466456">Portugal ready to avoid an upset: Cristiano Ronaldo after North Macedonia dump Italy out of FIFA World Cup</a>

"Now we're focusing on this match, then we'll discuss what we need to improve in the future. That's all.

"I feel like staying because I am still young. I wanted to win one European Championship and one World Cup, so for the World Cup I'll have to wait a little."

Mancini said it would be up to Gravina to decide if a change was needed in the squad but added that Italy were planning to call up a new generation of players.

"We will certainly add younger players, hoping they can have important experiences at their clubs because this is important. We'll work on this and we'll see what the general situation is," he said.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/canada-beat-jamaica-4-0-to-bring-an-end-to-36-year-long-wait-for-a-spot-in-fifa-world-cup-466296">Canada beat Jamaica 4-0 to bring an end to 36-year long wait for a spot in FIFA World Cup</a>

"The squad in these years deserved a lot. It has not been just the Euros but a three-year path with a streak of matches without any defeat and we need to acknowledge that."

Mancini's side won the Euros during a world record 37-match unbeaten streak stretching back to September 2018, coming after their humiliating failure to qualify for that year’s World Cup.

Veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci told reporters on Monday that he and fellow centre back Giorgio Chiellini had decided to stay and play against Turkey.

"Giorgio and I felt we had to set an example to support a young squad in need of experience and of understanding that the only way is forward," he said.

Roberto Mancini has vowed to stay on as Italy manager, telling reporters on Monday that he wanted to eventually win the World Cup despite the European champions failing to qualify for the showpiece event for the second time in a row.

Roberto Mancini has vowed to stay on as Italy manager, telling reporters on Monday that he wanted to eventually win the World Cup despite the European champions failing to qualify for the showpiece event for the second time in a row. Italy missed out on the tournament in Qatar later this year after a shock 1-0 defeat at home by North Macedonia in last week's playoff semi-final. There were no calls for Mancini's removal, however, with Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina backing him to continue in his role. "I have talked with the (FIGC) president, we agree on everything. I'm glad, we'll talk again in the next few days," Mancini said ahead of Tuesday's friendly away to Turkey. ALSO READ: Portugal ready to avoid an upset: Cristiano Ronaldo after North Macedonia dump Italy out of FIFA World Cup "Now we're focusing on this match, then we'll discuss what we need to improve in the future. That's all. "I feel like staying because I am still young. I wanted to win one European Championship and one World Cup, so for the World Cup I'll have to wait a little." Mancini said it would be up to Gravina to decide if a change was needed in the squad but added that Italy were planning to call up a new generation of players. "We will certainly add younger players, hoping they can have important experiences at their clubs because this is important. We'll work on this and we'll see what the general situation is," he said. ALSO READ: Canada beat Jamaica 4-0 to bring an end to 36-year long wait for a spot in FIFA World Cup "The squad in these years deserved a lot. It has not been just the Euros but a three-year path with a streak of matches without any defeat and we need to acknowledge that." Mancini's side won the Euros during a world record 37-match unbeaten streak stretching back to September 2018, coming after their humiliating failure to qualify for that year’s World Cup. Veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci told reporters on Monday that he and fellow centre back Giorgio Chiellini had decided to stay and play against Turkey. "Giorgio and I felt we had to set an example to support a young squad in need of experience and of understanding that the only way is forward," he said.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini vows to stay despite missing out on FIFA World Cup 2022

With a spot on the line for what could be his fifth and final World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo needs to avoid an upset like the one that ended Italy's hopes of making it to the tournament in Qatar.

Portugal faces a winner-take-all game on Tuesday against North Macedonia, the team that shocked Italy last week to keep the four-time champions out of the World Cup for the second straight time.

"We were surprised," Ronaldo said Monday.

"North Macedonia has surprised in many matches. But I don't think they will surprise us tomorrow. Portugal will play better and we will make it to the World Cup."&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/canada-beat-jamaica-4-0-to-bring-an-end-to-36-year-long-wait-for-a-spot-in-fifa-world-cup-466296">Canada beat Jamaica 4-0 to bring an end to 36-year long wait for a spot in FIFA World Cup</a>

Portugal is trying to reach its sixth straight World Cup, and Ronaldo is hoping to play in his 10th consecutive major tournament after appearing in four World Cups and five European Championships since 2004.

"We know that if we win we will go to the World Cup and if we lose we are out,"&nbsp;he said.

"We have the responsibility to be positive and win the match. I see everyone well prepared and wanting to be at their best tomorrow."

Ronaldo is the only player to have scored at least once in the finals of nine top tournaments in a row.

The highest scorer in men's international soccer, Ronaldo would be 41 by the time of the next World Cup if Portugal doesn't qualify to play this year in Qatar.

The Manchester United forward didn't want to talk about the possibility of a World Cup without him.

"There is no World Cup without Portugal,"&nbsp;Ronaldo said.

"There are no individualities here."

Ronaldo said he is starting to hear repeated questions about his future and made it clear he is the only one who can make a decision on that.

"If I feel like playing, I will keep playing," he said.

"If I don't, I won't."

Portugal advanced to the game against North Macedonia by beating Turkey 3-1 in Porto on Thursday, when the visitors squandered an 85th-minute penalty kick that could have erased a two-goal lead from the first half. The Portuguese added their third goal in injury time.

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Portugal had been forced into the playoffs after conceding late and relinquishing a lead last year in the final group game against Serbia.

North Macedonia, which gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, is trying to make it to the World Cup final for the first time. It made its first appearance in the European Championship last year.

Aleksandar Trajkovski's surprising winner against Italy on Thursday came in the second minute of stoppage time in Palermo. North Macedonia had also beaten Germany a year ago in its European qualifying group, in which it finished second to the Germans.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos will have a more complete squad for the match&nbsp;in Porto as defenders Pepe and Jo'o Cancelo are back after missing the game against Turkey. Pepe had tested positive for COVID-19, while Cancelo was suspended.

With a spot on the line for what could be his fifth and final World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo needs to avoid an upset like the one that ended Italy's hopes of making it to the tournament in Qatar.

With a spot on the line for what could be his fifth and final World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo needs to avoid an upset like the one that ended Italy's hopes of making it to the tournament in Qatar. Portugal faces a winner-take-all game on Tuesday against North Macedonia, the team that shocked Italy last week to keep the four-time champions out of the World Cup for the second straight time. "We were surprised," Ronaldo said Monday. "North Macedonia has surprised in many matches. But I don't think they will surprise us tomorrow. Portugal will play better and we will make it to the World Cup." ALSO READ: Canada beat Jamaica 4-0 to bring an end to 36-year long wait for a spot in FIFA World Cup Portugal is trying to reach its sixth straight World Cup, and Ronaldo is hoping to play in his 10th consecutive major tournament after appearing in four World Cups and five European Championships since 2004. "We know that if we win we will go to the World Cup and if we lose we are out," he said. "We have the responsibility to be positive and win the match. I see everyone well prepared and wanting to be at their best tomorrow." Ronaldo is the only player to have scored at least once in the finals of nine top tournaments in a row. The highest scorer in men's international soccer, Ronaldo would be 41 by the time of the next World Cup if Portugal doesn't qualify to play this year in Qatar. The Manchester United forward didn't want to talk about the possibility of a World Cup without him. "There is no World Cup without Portugal," Ronaldo said. "There are no individualities here." Ronaldo said he is starting to hear repeated questions about his future and made it clear he is the only one who can make a decision on that. "If I feel like playing, I will keep playing," he said. "If I don't, I won't." Portugal advanced to the game against North Macedonia by beating Turkey 3-1 in Porto on Thursday, when the visitors squandered an 85th-minute penalty kick that could have erased a two-goal lead from the first half. The Portuguese added their third goal in injury time. ALSO READ: India end Bahrain outing with 3-0 loss to Belarus in international friendly Portugal had been forced into the playoffs after conceding late and relinquishing a lead last year in the final group game against Serbia. North Macedonia, which gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991, is trying to make it to the World Cup final for the first time. It made its first appearance in the European Championship last year. Aleksandar Trajkovski's surprising winner against Italy on Thursday came in the second minute of stoppage time in Palermo. North Macedonia had also beaten Germany a year ago in its European qualifying group, in which it finished second to the Germans. Portugal coach Fernando Santos will have a more complete squad for the match in Porto as defenders Pepe and Jo'o Cancelo are back after missing the game against Turkey. Pepe had tested positive for COVID-19, while Cancelo was suspended.

Portugal ready to avoid an upset: Cristiano Ronaldo after North Macedonia dump Italy out of FIFA World Cup

European champions Italy failed to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2022 to be played in Qatar after being stunned by North Macedonia 0-1 in their play-off here at Renzo Barbera Stadium. This is for the second consecutive time that the four-time World Champions Italy have failed to qualify for the showpiece event. The Italians played well but failed to get to the scoring sheet.

Aleksandar Trajkovski scored for North Macedonia in the 92nd minute to cause one of the biggest upsets. Italy had failed to qualify for the World Cup four years ago, missing out for the first time since 1958. Roberto Mancini`s side had 32 efforts at goal but failed to convert it into goals. The hosts became more desperate in their search for a winner after the first half as chances continued to come and go before, in stoppage time, Trajkovski scored a decisive goal.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ac-milan-owners-elliott-management-join-nick-candy-led-blue-football-consortium-in-bid-for-chelsea-465233">AC Milan owners Elliott Management join Nick Candy-led Blue Football consortium in bid for Chelsea</a>

Eight months ago Italy were crowned as Euro Champions and now they have failed to qualify for FIFA WC. Roberto Mancini`s Italy side was booed by the crowd after the defeat. After defeating Italy, North Macedonia will now take on Portugal in the playoff final on Tuesday in order to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.&nbsp;

European champions Italy failed to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2022 to be played in Qatar after being stunned by North Macedonia 0-1 in their play-off here at Renzo Barbera Stadium.

European champions Italy failed to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2022 to be played in Qatar after being stunned by North Macedonia 0-1 in their play-off here at Renzo Barbera Stadium. This is for the second consecutive time that the four-time World Champions Italy have failed to qualify for the showpiece event. The Italians played well but failed to get to the scoring sheet. Aleksandar Trajkovski scored for North Macedonia in the 92nd minute to cause one of the biggest upsets. Italy had failed to qualify for the World Cup four years ago, missing out for the first time since 1958. Roberto Mancini`s side had 32 efforts at goal but failed to convert it into goals. The hosts became more desperate in their search for a winner after the first half as chances continued to come and go before, in stoppage time, Trajkovski scored a decisive goal. ALSO READ | AC Milan owners Elliott Management join Nick Candy-led Blue Football consortium in bid for Chelsea Eight months ago Italy were crowned as Euro Champions and now they have failed to qualify for FIFA WC. Roberto Mancini`s Italy side was booed by the crowd after the defeat. After defeating Italy, North Macedonia will now take on Portugal in the playoff final on Tuesday in order to qualify for FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Huge blow! European champions Italy to miss FIFA World Cup 2022

High temperatures and lack of rainfall have dried up the artificial lake in Ceresole Reale, Italy, for the first time. The bottom of the lake, which has a capacity of 35 million cubic metres of water, is now completely dry.

Lake Ceresole dries up in Italy due to temperature rise

In a response to the energy crisis, Italian Prime Minister held a quadrilateral meeting with Spanish, Portuguese and Greek counterparts to discuss plans to make Europe more resilient.

Quadrilateral meet on energy crisis: Italy pushes for cap on gas prices

The iconic Drama Theatre in the port city of Mariupol was a major source of pride for both Ukraine and Europe. However, according to Ukraine, the structure was destroyed due to heavy shelling from Russia.

"Today, the invaders destroyed the Drama Theatre. A place, where more than a thousand people found refuge. We will never forgive this," Mariupol local council said after the incident.<o:p></o:p>

The theatre was one of the oldest buildings in the city and at the time of bombing, Ukraine said that it was housing a number of civilians. According to the official report from Kyiv, around 50 people were declared dead and many more were injured as the building collapsed due to the bombing.<o:p></o:p>

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/european-leaders-want-volodmir-zelensky-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize-463521" hreflang="en">European leaders want Volodmir Zelensky nominated for Nobel Peace Prize</a>

However, Italy has offered to help Ukraine in the renovation and rebuilding of the famous theatre.<o:p></o:p>

In a tweet, Italy's culture minister Dario Franceschini said on Thursday that they want to help Ukraine in the rebuilding process.

“Italy is ready to rebuild the Theatre of Mariupol. The cabinet of Ministers has approved my proposal to offer Ukraine the resources and means to rebuild it as soon as possible. Theaters of all countries belong to the whole of humanity (sic)," he said.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/war-crimes-amid-ukraine-war-baltic-states-expel-russian-diplomats-463524">'War crimes': Amid Ukraine war, Baltic states expel Russian diplomats</a>

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Franceschini for the offer and vowed to rebuild the country to the last brick with the help of their allies. “Thanks Dario Franceschini. You set a good example to follow. Together we will rebuild the country to the last brick,” he said.<o:p></o:p>

The Ukrainian President also awarded the Mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, with the Order For Courage, III degree. He was captured by Russian forces on March 11 amid the ongoing conflict.

<o:p>Watch |</o:p>&nbsp;'Firefighters in Kyiv working in volatile conditions' <o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/state-emergency-service-firefighters-in-kyiv-working-in-volatile-conditions-463511/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

The iconic Drama Theatre in the port city of Mariupol was a major source of pride for both Ukraine and Europe. However, according to Ukraine, the structure was destroyed due to heavy shelling from Russia.

The iconic Drama Theatre in the port city of Mariupol was a major source of pride for both Ukraine and Europe. However, according to Ukraine, the structure was destroyed due to heavy shelling from Russia. "Today, the invaders destroyed the Drama Theatre. A place, where more than a thousand people found refuge. We will never forgive this," Mariupol local council said after the incident. The theatre was one of the oldest buildings in the city and at the time of bombing, Ukraine said that it was housing a number of civilians. According to the official report from Kyiv, around 50 people were declared dead and many more were injured as the building collapsed due to the bombing. Also read | European leaders want Volodmir Zelensky nominated for Nobel Peace Prize However, Italy has offered to help Ukraine in the renovation and rebuilding of the famous theatre. In a tweet, Italy's culture minister Dario Franceschini said on Thursday that they want to help Ukraine in the rebuilding process. “Italy is ready to rebuild the Theatre of Mariupol. The cabinet of Ministers has approved my proposal to offer Ukraine the resources and means to rebuild it as soon as possible. Theaters of all countries belong to the whole of humanity (sic)," he said. Also read | 'War crimes': Amid Ukraine war, Baltic states expel Russian diplomats Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Franceschini for the offer and vowed to rebuild the country to the last brick with the help of their allies. “Thanks Dario Franceschini. You set a good example to follow. Together we will rebuild the country to the last brick,” he said. The Ukrainian President also awarded the Mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, with the Order For Courage, III degree. He was captured by Russian forces on March 11 amid the ongoing conflict. Watch | 'Firefighters in Kyiv working in volatile conditions' (With inputs from agencies)

Italy offers to help Ukraine in rebuilding iconic theatre in Mariupol

As climate change drives global temperatures ever higher, the glacier risks melting away into the geological record books altogether. As per experts, the Calderone glacier could melt by 2050 if drastic measures aren’t taken.

Europe's Southernmost Glacier: Calderone Glacier will be gone by 2050

The award-winning photograph — of a man who had lost a leg in a bomb attack in Syria, hoisting into the air his son, born without limbs, another casualty of the country’s civil war — went viral last year in Italy.

On Friday, Munzir El Nezzel, the man in the picture, and his son Mustafa arrived in Italy after a remarkable effort by the organizers of the Siena International Photo Awards, to bring them and their family from Turkey, where they had fled after Syria.

“We are coming, thank you,” 6-year-old Mustafa, smiling broadly, said in a video message recorded before he and his family — El Nezzel, the boy’s mother and two sisters ages 1 and 4 — boarded a plane in Ankara, Turkey, on Thursday to fly to Italy. “We love Italia,” he added.

The picture of Mustafa and his father, both with loving smiles, which was taken in January 2021 by Turkish photographer Mehmet Aslan and called “Hardship of Life,” was declared photo of the year at the Siena awards last year.

The emotional and shocking picture made headlines in Italy and spread internationally on social media, spurring the festival’s organizers to take action and start a fundraising drive to get treatment for father and son.

The festival’s organizers contacted diplomats, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and the Catholic diocese in Siena to host the Syrian family, so that Mustafa and his father could get treatment and prosthetics.

“The picture was beyond all imagination,” said Luca Venturi, an engineer who founded the Siena photography festival, which bestowed the award, about six years ago. “We thought we could also go beyond our fear of not being able to do anything for this family.”

Like all countries, Italy can issue visas for humanitarian reasons, but refugees need to be sponsored by a local organization that handles paperwork and provides financial support.

Motivated by the success of the crowdfunding effort, the nonprofit that organizes the photography festival decided to sponsor the Syrian family.

“It was a big dream for everybody,” Venturi said.

As Venturi worked his connections in Italy, trying to get permission to bring the family from Turkey, he kept regular contact with El Nezzel via WhatsApp, using Google Translate to communicate in Arabic with the 33-year-old father of three.

Venturi also sent aerial shots of Siena’s walled medieval city center to explain to the family, who had lived without a television for a decade, where they were going to move.

El Nezzel responded with exclamation points.

When the family was told this month that their visas had come through, “they were in disbelief,” Venturi said, adding that in a video, Mustafa did somersaults and laughed, shouting “I love you” to him.

Mustafa was born with a congenital disorder that resulted from medications that his mother had to take while pregnant with him, after she was sickened by nerve gas released during the war in Syria. He will need long-term treatment to be able to walk or live more independently. His parents currently carry him around, and one of his two sisters also helps him around the house.

Prosthetics experts in Italy will meet with Mustafa and his father in coming weeks to design new artificial limbs. El Nezzel’s treatment is likely to be easier because he is an adult. Working with a 6-year-old will be more challenging, according to the doctors and engineers of Italy’s leading rehabilitation and prosthetics center.

Gregorio Teti, director of the facility, the Centro Protesi Inail, in Vigorso di Budrio in northern Italy, said that the father could recover most of his mobility in a few weeks.

For Mustafa, the process could be longer, starting with simple prosthetics on his upper limbs that are usually easier to accept and get accustomed to. Later, engineers will design artificial limbs around Mustafa’s hips.

“It’s a technical but also a psychological learning curve,” Teti said. “His world will change, and even accepting that takes time.”

As Mustafa grows, his prosthetics will have to be adjusted to his changing body.

“As a child, he has time on his side,” Teti said. “Research will probably allow him to drive a car and get to work autonomously when he is older.”

But he will also be facing the challenges of migrating to a foreign country, learning a different language and creating a new life.

“Leaving your home country is always an enormous jump, but we hope to help them find a new home here,” said Anna Ferretti, who is in charge of the city’s branch of Caritas, a Catholic aid association that is offering the El Nezzels an apartment on the outskirts of Siena and will cover their daily financial needs for a year.

Since 2016, the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic charity, together with various Protestant churches in Italy, has brought more than 4,300 refugees from around the world to Italy from camps in Lebanon, Ethiopia, Greece and Libya.

Ferretti added that a couple of Syrian families settled in Siena years ago, and they will help the five members of the El Nezzel family get accustomed to their new lives.

“This is a small city and the solidarity network is strong,” she said. “Together, we are going to make it.”

The award-winning photograph — of a man who had lost a leg in a bomb attack in Syria, hoisting into the air his son, born without limbs, another casualty of the country’s civil war — went viral last year in Italy.

The award-winning photograph — of a man who had lost a leg in a bomb attack in Syria, hoisting into the air his son, born without limbs, another casualty of the country’s civil war — went viral last year in Italy. On Friday, Munzir El Nezzel, the man in the picture, and his son Mustafa arrived in Italy after a remarkable effort by the organizers of the Siena International Photo Awards, to bring them and their family from Turkey, where they had fled after Syria. “We are coming, thank you,” 6-year-old Mustafa, smiling broadly, said in a video message recorded before he and his family — El Nezzel, the boy’s mother and two sisters ages 1 and 4 — boarded a plane in Ankara, Turkey, on Thursday to fly to Italy. “We love Italia,” he added. The picture of Mustafa and his father, both with loving smiles, which was taken in January 2021 by Turkish photographer Mehmet Aslan and called “Hardship of Life,” was declared photo of the year at the Siena awards last year. The emotional and shocking picture made headlines in Italy and spread internationally on social media, spurring the festival’s organizers to take action and start a fundraising drive to get treatment for father and son. The festival’s organizers contacted diplomats, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and the Catholic diocese in Siena to host the Syrian family, so that Mustafa and his father could get treatment and prosthetics. “The picture was beyond all imagination,” said Luca Venturi, an engineer who founded the Siena photography festival, which bestowed the award, about six years ago. “We thought we could also go beyond our fear of not being able to do anything for this family.” Like all countries, Italy can issue visas for humanitarian reasons, but refugees need to be sponsored by a local organization that handles paperwork and provides financial support. Motivated by the success of the crowdfunding effort, the nonprofit that organizes the photography festival decided to sponsor the Syrian family. “It was a big dream for everybody,” Venturi said. As Venturi worked his connections in Italy, trying to get permission to bring the family from Turkey, he kept regular contact with El Nezzel via WhatsApp, using Google Translate to communicate in Arabic with the 33-year-old father of three. Venturi also sent aerial shots of Siena’s walled medieval city center to explain to the family, who had lived without a television for a decade, where they were going to move. El Nezzel responded with exclamation points. When the family was told this month that their visas had come through, “they were in disbelief,” Venturi said, adding that in a video, Mustafa did somersaults and laughed, shouting “I love you” to him. Mustafa was born with a congenital disorder that resulted from medications that his mother had to take while pregnant with him, after she was sickened by nerve gas released during the war in Syria. He will need long-term treatment to be able to walk or live more independently. His parents currently carry him around, and one of his two sisters also helps him around the house. Prosthetics experts in Italy will meet with Mustafa and his father in coming weeks to design new artificial limbs. El Nezzel’s treatment is likely to be easier because he is an adult. Working with a 6-year-old will be more challenging, according to the doctors and engineers of Italy’s leading rehabilitation and prosthetics center. Gregorio Teti, director of the facility, the Centro Protesi Inail, in Vigorso di Budrio in northern Italy, said that the father could recover most of his mobility in a few weeks. For Mustafa, the process could be longer, starting with simple prosthetics on his upper limbs that are usually easier to accept and get accustomed to. Later, engineers will design artificial limbs around Mustafa’s hips. “It’s a technical but also a psychological learning curve,” Teti said. “His world will change, and even accepting that takes time.” As Mustafa grows, his prosthetics will have to be adjusted to his changing body. “As a child, he has time on his side,” Teti said. “Research will probably allow him to drive a car and get to work autonomously when he is older.” But he will also be facing the challenges of migrating to a foreign country, learning a different language and creating a new life. “Leaving your home country is always an enormous jump, but we hope to help them find a new home here,” said Anna Ferretti, who is in charge of the city’s branch of Caritas, a Catholic aid association that is offering the El Nezzels an apartment on the outskirts of Siena and will cover their daily financial needs for a year. Since 2016, the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic charity, together with various Protestant churches in Italy, has brought more than 4,300 refugees from around the world to Italy from camps in Lebanon, Ethiopia, Greece and Libya. Ferretti added that a couple of Syrian families settled in Siena years ago, and they will help the five members of the El Nezzel family get accustomed to their new lives. “This is a small city and the solidarity network is strong,” she said. “Together, we are going to make it.”

A viral photo helps bring Syrian refugee family to Italy

Modern problems require modern solution is a catchphrase used in many memes but ingenuity of scientists and artists sometimes makes us believe the urban adage.

When one says the word 'bacteria' it generally elicits a negative sentiment. Armies of bacteria are ever ready to make us sick. But not all bacteria are bad. We are not talking about good bacteria that reside in our gut helping us digest food and all that but some other bacteria.

A truly bright idea allowed scientists to successfully restore a medieval masterpiece in Florence, Italy. The artist is none other than Michelangelo, the master of renaissance years.

The master created a chapel for the powerful Medici family in medieval Italy. The year was 1520. Passage of time meant that the chapel and the tomb of members of Medici family accumulated dirt and grime that was hard to clean.

Scientists thought of a novel approach to tackle this problem. They tested 11 strains (types) of bacteria for their effect on marble and selected a few from among them.

The strains that were selected were Serratia ficaria SH7, Pseudomonas stutzeri CONC11 and Rhodococcus sp. ZONT

Selecting the bacteria was an important task as it was absolutely necessary to ensure that the bacteria only cleaned the dirt and didn't cause any harm/ degrade the marble of which the invaluable artwork was made.

Bit it was observed that the carefully selected bacteria did the job they were expected to do.

Funnily enough, bacteria names Serratia ficaria causes urinary tract infection. But it was observed that it cleaned the marble within two days. The strains of bacteria were applied to the artwork in the form of a gel.

The chapel was presented to the public on 545th birth anniversary of Michelangelo.

Modern problems require modern solution is a catchphrase used in many memes but ingenuity of scientists and artists sometimes makes us believe the urban adage. When one says the word 'bacteria' it generally elicits a negative sentiment.

Modern problems require modern solution is a catchphrase used in many memes but ingenuity of scientists and artists sometimes makes us believe the urban adage. When one says the word 'bacteria' it generally elicits a negative sentiment. Armies of bacteria are ever ready to make us sick. But not all bacteria are bad. We are not talking about good bacteria that reside in our gut helping us digest food and all that but some other bacteria. A truly bright idea allowed scientists to successfully restore a medieval masterpiece in Florence, Italy. The artist is none other than Michelangelo, the master of renaissance years. The master created a chapel for the powerful Medici family in medieval Italy. The year was 1520. Passage of time meant that the chapel and the tomb of members of Medici family accumulated dirt and grime that was hard to clean. Scientists thought of a novel approach to tackle this problem. They tested 11 strains (types) of bacteria for their effect on marble and selected a few from among them. The strains that were selected were Serratia ficaria SH7, Pseudomonas stutzeri CONC11 and Rhodococcus sp. ZONT Selecting the bacteria was an important task as it was absolutely necessary to ensure that the bacteria only cleaned the dirt and didn't cause any harm/ degrade the marble of which the invaluable artwork was made. Bit it was observed that the carefully selected bacteria did the job they were expected to do. Funnily enough, bacteria names Serratia ficaria causes urinary tract infection. But it was observed that it cleaned the marble within two days. The strains of bacteria were applied to the artwork in the form of a gel. The chapel was presented to the public on 545th birth anniversary of Michelangelo.

Michelangelo's chapel in Florence restored with help from bacteria

Italian police have seized luxurious properties like villas and yachts from high-profile Russians who were placed on an EU sanctions list after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Italian authorities seizes yachts and villas from Russian oligarchs

Italian police have seized villas and yachts worth at least 140 million euros ($153 million) from four high-profile Russians who were placed on an EU sanctions list following Moscow's attack on Ukraine, sources said on Saturday.

A police source said a villa owned by billionaire businessman Alisher Usmanov on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, and a villa on Lake Como owned by state TV host Vladimir Soloviev, had both been seized.

In addition, sources confirmed that yachts belonging to Russia's richest man, Alexey Mordashov, and Gennady Timchenko, who has close tied with Russian President Vladimir Putin, were impounded overnight in northern Italian ports. [L5N2V75YZ]

Russian oligarchs are believed to have bought numerous villas in choice Italian locations over the past 20 years and sources said more assets were expected to be seized in coming days as Western states implement massive sanctions to try to force Russia to withdraw from Ukraine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/washington-state-advances-landmark-deal-on-gig-drivers-job-status-459285">Washington State advances landmark deal on gig drivers’ job status</a>

Italian banks were instructed by the Bank of Italy's financial intelligence division on Friday to urgently let it know of all measures taken to freeze the assets of people and entities placed on the EU list.

Uzbekistan-born metals and telecoms tycoon Usmanov is well known in Italy for owning multiple properties on Sardinia, while Italian media say Mordashov owned a villa worth some 66 million euros ($72 million) on the same island.

Taking into account the assets of his whole family, Forbes magazine estimates that Mordashov had an estimated net worth of $29.1 billion before sanctions hit.

His 65 metre (215 ft) yacht the "Lady M" had a price tag of 65 million euros and was impounded in the northwest port of Imperia, while Timchenko's boat Lena was worth some 50 million euros and was seized in nearby Sanremo, a judicial source said.

Timchenko made a fortune in oil trading and has been described by Putin as one of his closest associates.

Soloviev reportedly complained&nbsp;on Russian television when he found out last month that he risked losing his Italian villa.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japanese-scientists-to-probe-origins-of-mummified-mermaid-said-to-grant-immortality-459277">Japanese scientists to probe origins of mummified mermaid said to grant immortality</a>

"Suddenly someone makes a decision that this journalist is now on the list of sanctions. And right away it affects your real estate. Wait a minute. But you told us that Europe has sacred property rights," he was quoted saying by The Daily Beast.

While the European Union has moved quickly against individuals seen as close to the Russian government, Britain has moved more slowly.

However British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was quoted as saying on Saturday that amendments to Britain's economic crimes legislation would be presented to parliament on Monday to help the government act with more speed.

Italian police have seized villas and yachts worth at least 140 million euros ($153 million) from four high-profile Russians who were placed on an EU sanctions list following Moscow's attack on Ukraine, sources said on Saturday.

Italian police have seized villas and yachts worth at least 140 million euros ($153 million) from four high-profile Russians who were placed on an EU sanctions list following Moscow's attack on Ukraine, sources said on Saturday. A police source said a villa owned by billionaire businessman Alisher Usmanov on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, and a villa on Lake Como owned by state TV host Vladimir Soloviev, had both been seized. In addition, sources confirmed that yachts belonging to Russia's richest man, Alexey Mordashov, and Gennady Timchenko, who has close tied with Russian President Vladimir Putin, were impounded overnight in northern Italian ports. [L5N2V75YZ] Russian oligarchs are believed to have bought numerous villas in choice Italian locations over the past 20 years and sources said more assets were expected to be seized in coming days as Western states implement massive sanctions to try to force Russia to withdraw from Ukraine. Also read | Washington State advances landmark deal on gig drivers’ job status Italian banks were instructed by the Bank of Italy's financial intelligence division on Friday to urgently let it know of all measures taken to freeze the assets of people and entities placed on the EU list. Uzbekistan-born metals and telecoms tycoon Usmanov is well known in Italy for owning multiple properties on Sardinia, while Italian media say Mordashov owned a villa worth some 66 million euros ($72 million) on the same island. Taking into account the assets of his whole family, Forbes magazine estimates that Mordashov had an estimated net worth of $29.1 billion before sanctions hit. His 65 metre (215 ft) yacht the "Lady M" had a price tag of 65 million euros and was impounded in the northwest port of Imperia, while Timchenko's boat Lena was worth some 50 million euros and was seized in nearby Sanremo, a judicial source said. Timchenko made a fortune in oil trading and has been described by Putin as one of his closest associates. Soloviev reportedly complained on Russian television when he found out last month that he risked losing his Italian villa. Also read | Japanese scientists to probe origins of mummified mermaid said to grant immortality "Suddenly someone makes a decision that this journalist is now on the list of sanctions. And right away it affects your real estate. Wait a minute. But you told us that Europe has sacred property rights," he was quoted saying by The Daily Beast. While the European Union has moved quickly against individuals seen as close to the Russian government, Britain has moved more slowly. However British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was quoted as saying on Saturday that amendments to Britain's economic crimes legislation would be presented to parliament on Monday to help the government act with more speed.

Italy seizes oligarchs' villas and yachts in initial swoop

Ukrainian musicians stuck in Italy are playing for peace. As more Russian troops are entering Ukrainian cities, some musicians are touring Italian cities to raise funds. A prestigious Ukrainian chamber ensemble is holding concerts. The musicians say that their thoughts are with their families & loved ones.

Watch what these Ukrainian musicians did amid Russian invasion

As Italian skiers kicked the snow off their boots and warmed up in the lobby of his lodge in the Apennine Mountains, the hotel owner worried what European sanctions on Russia would do to his already astronomically high heating bills.

“There will be major downsides for Italy,” said the owner, Roberto Minafra, as his guests checked the latest news about Ukraine on their phones. But in the face of an existential threat from President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Minafra decided that Italy, which receives more than 40% of its natural gas from Russia, needed to act with Europe. The economic hit was worth the sacrifice.

“Putin needs to be isolated,” he said. “We don’t have an alternative.”

After an initial wariness about the boomerang effect that sanctions would have on Italy’s energy imports, luxury goods businesses and banking sector, the country with some of the closest ties to Russia in Europe has stepped up with its Western allies in enacting muscular sanctions to weaken Putin, even at a potentially outsize cost for Italians.

Once seen by Russia — and nervous NATO allies — as the potential soft underbelly allowing Putin to break Europe’s liberal consensus and strengthen his regional influence, Italy has armored itself in the unity of the bloc and accepted the risk that the Kremlin could cut off much of Italy’s fuel in retaliation.

“In case of interruptions of gas supplies from Russia, Italy has more to lose compared to other European countries that rely on different sources,” Mario Draghi, the Italian prime minister but also a leading figure in the European Union, told the Italian Parliament on Tuesday. “This does not diminish our determination to support sanctions that we deem justified and necessary.”

In his speech, Draghi set out a vision of Europe, calling the Russian invasion a “decisive turning point in European history” that broke the “illusion” of permanent peace through economic and political integration, and posed a “new reality,” recalling the Nazi annexation of Austria or the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. He said it required choices that were until now unthinkable to protect against an attack on Western values and “the international order that we built together.”

“Italy does not intend to look away,” he said, adding that Italy and Europe had “adopted an increasingly tough and punitive response toward Moscow.”

He also said Italy had “responded to the appeal” of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine for military arms, equipment and vehicles because when a democracy under attack asks for help, “it’s not possible to respond only with encouragement.”

He said the crisis would accelerate the European Union’s integration process on immigration policy as it welcomed Ukrainian refugees, but also with regard to investments toward “a common defense” to protect the international order created after World War II.

For much of the postwar period, Italy has maintained a close connection to Russia. In the decades after the fall of Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime, Italy’s Communist Party was the largest outside the Soviet bloc. The Italian car company Fiat built the Soviet Union’s biggest car factory in a city named after Italian Communist leader Palmiro Togliatti, and also invested in helping the Soviets modernize their automobile industry and infrastructure.

That strong link to the Soviets spooked the West, and prompted the United States, which helped fund Italy’s rehabilitation through the Marshall Plan, and the Vatican to prop up Christian Democrats who ran Italy for nearly a half century. But during the Cold War, the Soviets exercised arguably more sway over Italy’s cultural intelligentsia, leaving the country divided.

Italy became a political and ideological borderland in the heart of Western Europe. The country’s leaders — those on the left and the right — maintained a strong alliance with the United States but also cozied up to the Soviets, and then the Russians, for their energy supply. With the rise of the oligarchs, Russia emerged as a market for Italian agriculture, banking and luxury goods.

But the collapse of Communism and the rise of Putin as a strongman shifted Russia’s support base in Italy to the right. Putin developed a close relationship with former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who shared his gaudy tastes. Ascending Italian populists saw in Putin a model for their opposition to migration and the decay of traditional values.

As those Euroskeptic forces rose, and America’s commitment to NATO eroded under President Donald Trump, Putin, always eager to destabilize Europe’s western front, sought to further boost Russia’s political, cultural and economic ties in Italy. His government welcomed sympathetic politicians to Moscow, supported cultural associations around Italy and wooed foreign investment with talk of Russia’s potential as an export market.

In the run-up to the war, Putin personally laid his soft power on thick, spending hours in a video call with Italian business leaders, including the chairman of the banking group Intesa Sanpaolo’s Russian unit, who “categorically” excluded an attack by Russia.

But the transactional era of extreme Italian flexibility between Russia and the West seemed to fade with Draghi, who, since taking office in 2021, has strengthened Italy’s ties with the European Union.

Now the politicians who courted Russia’s favor, and attended the Russia Day celebrations in Rome at the Russian ambassador’s residence, newly protected with barbed wire, have found themselves squirming.

Matteo Salvini, the leader of the Northern League party, which once signed a pact with Putin’s Russia United party, and who had a penchant for shirts with Putin’s face on them, has tried to condemn the violence without condemning Putin outright, and has voiced concern about sanctions cutting gas supplies.

“Sanctions should hit those who started and are conducting the war,” he said on Italian television Sunday, including politicians and billionaires. “Not poor people in Russia and even in Italy.”

But Draghi has shown little interest in cutting Russia a break since the start of the war. A former president of the European Central Bank, he said he had personally proposed that Europe take further measures against Russian oligarchs with assets surpassing 10 million euros ($11 million), intensify pressure on the Russian Central Bank and ask the Bank for International Settlements, headquartered in Switzerland, to join the sanctions.

Draghi has taken past Italian leaders to task for leaning so heavily on Russia. “The events of these days show the imprudence of not having further diversified our energy sources and our suppliers in the last decades,” he said last week.

On Tuesday he said the country had enough supply of oil and natural gas to mitigate shortages in the waning days of winter, but would jump-start its diversification projects, building up renewable energy and new gas supplies, “because we cannot be so dependent on the decisions of a single country.”

Italy’s Five Star Movement, which came to prominence as an anti-establishment force that often echoed Russian talking points and cross-pollinated with Russian propaganda websites, fought against alternative sources of energy.

One of the party’s members of Parliament infamously suggested that Ukrainians were cannibals, based on a photo that turned out to be from a horror movie. But perhaps its most prominent Russophile was Manlio Di Stefano, the party’s foreign policy point man.

In 2015, Di Stefano said the United States, NATO and the agricultural giant Monsanto had conspired to stir conflict in Ukraine to transform it “into a NATO base to launch the final attack on Russia,” but also to sell genetically modified foods. In 2016, he called Ukraine an American “puppet state” and attended a convention of Putin’s Russia United party.

He echoed Kremlin talking points to the Russian propaganda site Sputnik — which often promoted his party’s attacks on establishment rivals and is now banned in Europe — and urged Italy to “block sanctions against Russia” in part to help suffering Italian businesses.

Now, as Italy’s undersecretary for foreign affairs, he has become a supporter of the sanctions and a critic of Putin and Russia.

“I am also for further sanctions if war operations should continue, including forbidding Russian oil imports into the EU,” Di Stefano wrote in an email Tuesday. “My position has not changed.”

On Tuesday, Draghi urged the country not to litigate the past and to use the new momentum to push Europe further.

“The struggle that we support today,’’ Draghi said, “the sacrifices that we endure tomorrow, are in the defense of our principles and our future.”

As Italian skiers kicked the snow off their boots and warmed up in the lobby of his lodge in the Apennine Mountains, the hotel owner worried what European sanctions on Russia would do to his already astronomically high heating bills.

As Italian skiers kicked the snow off their boots and warmed up in the lobby of his lodge in the Apennine Mountains, the hotel owner worried what European sanctions on Russia would do to his already astronomically high heating bills. “There will be major downsides for Italy,” said the owner, Roberto Minafra, as his guests checked the latest news about Ukraine on their phones. But in the face of an existential threat from President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Minafra decided that Italy, which receives more than 40% of its natural gas from Russia, needed to act with Europe. The economic hit was worth the sacrifice. “Putin needs to be isolated,” he said. “We don’t have an alternative.” After an initial wariness about the boomerang effect that sanctions would have on Italy’s energy imports, luxury goods businesses and banking sector, the country with some of the closest ties to Russia in Europe has stepped up with its Western allies in enacting muscular sanctions to weaken Putin, even at a potentially outsize cost for Italians. Once seen by Russia — and nervous NATO allies — as the potential soft underbelly allowing Putin to break Europe’s liberal consensus and strengthen his regional influence, Italy has armored itself in the unity of the bloc and accepted the risk that the Kremlin could cut off much of Italy’s fuel in retaliation. “In case of interruptions of gas supplies from Russia, Italy has more to lose compared to other European countries that rely on different sources,” Mario Draghi, the Italian prime minister but also a leading figure in the European Union, told the Italian Parliament on Tuesday. “This does not diminish our determination to support sanctions that we deem justified and necessary.” In his speech, Draghi set out a vision of Europe, calling the Russian invasion a “decisive turning point in European history” that broke the “illusion” of permanent peace through economic and political integration, and posed a “new reality,” recalling the Nazi annexation of Austria or the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. He said it required choices that were until now unthinkable to protect against an attack on Western values and “the international order that we built together.” “Italy does not intend to look away,” he said, adding that Italy and Europe had “adopted an increasingly tough and punitive response toward Moscow.” He also said Italy had “responded to the appeal” of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine for military arms, equipment and vehicles because when a democracy under attack asks for help, “it’s not possible to respond only with encouragement.” He said the crisis would accelerate the European Union’s integration process on immigration policy as it welcomed Ukrainian refugees, but also with regard to investments toward “a common defense” to protect the international order created after World War II. For much of the postwar period, Italy has maintained a close connection to Russia. In the decades after the fall of Benito Mussolini’s fascist regime, Italy’s Communist Party was the largest outside the Soviet bloc. The Italian car company Fiat built the Soviet Union’s biggest car factory in a city named after Italian Communist leader Palmiro Togliatti, and also invested in helping the Soviets modernize their automobile industry and infrastructure. That strong link to the Soviets spooked the West, and prompted the United States, which helped fund Italy’s rehabilitation through the Marshall Plan, and the Vatican to prop up Christian Democrats who ran Italy for nearly a half century. But during the Cold War, the Soviets exercised arguably more sway over Italy’s cultural intelligentsia, leaving the country divided. Italy became a political and ideological borderland in the heart of Western Europe. The country’s leaders — those on the left and the right — maintained a strong alliance with the United States but also cozied up to the Soviets, and then the Russians, for their energy supply. With the rise of the oligarchs, Russia emerged as a market for Italian agriculture, banking and luxury goods. But the collapse of Communism and the rise of Putin as a strongman shifted Russia’s support base in Italy to the right. Putin developed a close relationship with former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who shared his gaudy tastes. Ascending Italian populists saw in Putin a model for their opposition to migration and the decay of traditional values. As those Euroskeptic forces rose, and America’s commitment to NATO eroded under President Donald Trump, Putin, always eager to destabilize Europe’s western front, sought to further boost Russia’s political, cultural and economic ties in Italy. His government welcomed sympathetic politicians to Moscow, supported cultural associations around Italy and wooed foreign investment with talk of Russia’s potential as an export market. In the run-up to the war, Putin personally laid his soft power on thick, spending hours in a video call with Italian business leaders, including the chairman of the banking group Intesa Sanpaolo’s Russian unit, who “categorically” excluded an attack by Russia. But the transactional era of extreme Italian flexibility between Russia and the West seemed to fade with Draghi, who, since taking office in 2021, has strengthened Italy’s ties with the European Union. Now the politicians who courted Russia’s favor, and attended the Russia Day celebrations in Rome at the Russian ambassador’s residence, newly protected with barbed wire, have found themselves squirming. Matteo Salvini, the leader of the Northern League party, which once signed a pact with Putin’s Russia United party, and who had a penchant for shirts with Putin’s face on them, has tried to condemn the violence without condemning Putin outright, and has voiced concern about sanctions cutting gas supplies. “Sanctions should hit those who started and are conducting the war,” he said on Italian television Sunday, including politicians and billionaires. “Not poor people in Russia and even in Italy.” But Draghi has shown little interest in cutting Russia a break since the start of the war. A former president of the European Central Bank, he said he had personally proposed that Europe take further measures against Russian oligarchs with assets surpassing 10 million euros ($11 million), intensify pressure on the Russian Central Bank and ask the Bank for International Settlements, headquartered in Switzerland, to join the sanctions. Draghi has taken past Italian leaders to task for leaning so heavily on Russia. “The events of these days show the imprudence of not having further diversified our energy sources and our suppliers in the last decades,” he said last week. On Tuesday he said the country had enough supply of oil and natural gas to mitigate shortages in the waning days of winter, but would jump-start its diversification projects, building up renewable energy and new gas supplies, “because we cannot be so dependent on the decisions of a single country.” Italy’s Five Star Movement, which came to prominence as an anti-establishment force that often echoed Russian talking points and cross-pollinated with Russian propaganda websites, fought against alternative sources of energy. One of the party’s members of Parliament infamously suggested that Ukrainians were cannibals, based on a photo that turned out to be from a horror movie. But perhaps its most prominent Russophile was Manlio Di Stefano, the party’s foreign policy point man. In 2015, Di Stefano said the United States, NATO and the agricultural giant Monsanto had conspired to stir conflict in Ukraine to transform it “into a NATO base to launch the final attack on Russia,” but also to sell genetically modified foods. In 2016, he called Ukraine an American “puppet state” and attended a convention of Putin’s Russia United party. He echoed Kremlin talking points to the Russian propaganda site Sputnik — which often promoted his party’s attacks on establishment rivals and is now banned in Europe — and urged Italy to “block sanctions against Russia” in part to help suffering Italian businesses. Now, as Italy’s undersecretary for foreign affairs, he has become a supporter of the sanctions and a critic of Putin and Russia. “I am also for further sanctions if war operations should continue, including forbidding Russian oil imports into the EU,” Di Stefano wrote in an email Tuesday. “My position has not changed.” On Tuesday, Draghi urged the country not to litigate the past and to use the new momentum to push Europe further. “The struggle that we support today,’’ Draghi said, “the sacrifices that we endure tomorrow, are in the defense of our principles and our future.”

Joining sanctions on Russia, Italy risks more than most

Europe's most active volcano- Mount Etna has once again erupted sending plumes of ash into the sky, flight services have also been disrupted.

Italy: Europe's most active volcano, Mount Etna's new eruption shuts airport

Fire fighters battling a blaze on a ferry sailing from&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;to Italy discovered a survivor on the stern of the still burning vessel on Sunday, the Greek coast guard said, reviving hopes that other missing passengers could still be found alive.

Rescuers managed to take at least 281 out of 292 passengers and crew to safety after the blaze broke out on the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia early on Friday, but 11 people are still missing, according to the coast guard and ferry operator.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rescue-efforts-continue-for-12-missing-in-greece-ferry-fire-454526">Rescue efforts continue for 12 missing in Greece ferry fire</a>

Firefighters have been trying for days to contain the fire and cool scorching temperatures on the 183-metre (600 ft) ship to allow emergency crews to board and rescue any survivors. The authorities have not announced a death toll.

"Firefighters are still battling the fire and crews are searching for more people," the fire brigade said.

The cause of the blaze is still being investigated and a prosecutor has launched an inquiry, according to coast guard officials.

The ferry had been on its way to the Italian port of Brindisi from Igoumenitsa in&nbsp;Greece. Many of the passengers were truck owners or drivers transporting goods through Europe.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-trapped-hundreds-rescued-after-flames-engulf-greece-italy-ferry-454317">Two trapped, hundreds rescued after flames engulf Greece-Italy ferry</a>

The man rescued on Sunday was from Belarus, according to the coast guard, while those still missing are Bulgarian, Turkish and Greek nationals.

Reuters footage showed rescuers climbing up a stepladder to the vessel after a tug boat towed it closer to the shore.

"Since one person is rescued, we are optimistic that more survivors can be found," Greek coastguard spokesman Nikos Alexiou told Skai TV.

Aerial footage released by the Greek coastguard on Friday showed rows of burnt trucks on the blackened deck after flames engulfed the ship. The ferry was carrying 153 vehicles, the company said.

A group of truck drivers who survived the ordeal arrived back in Bulgaria in the early hours of Sunday.

"Once we were in the boats we saw the huge flames. Everything burned, the losses are big, but I am glad we are alive and we will see our families," truck driver Rumen Cholakov told Bulgarian Nova TV.

Fire fighters battling a blaze on a ferry sailing from Greece to Italy discovered a survivor on the stern of the still burning vessel on Sunday, the Greek coast guard said, reviving hopes that other missing passengers could still be found alive.

Fire fighters battling a blaze on a ferry sailing from Greece to Italy discovered a survivor on the stern of the still burning vessel on Sunday, the Greek coast guard said, reviving hopes that other missing passengers could still be found alive. Rescuers managed to take at least 281 out of 292 passengers and crew to safety after the blaze broke out on the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia early on Friday, but 11 people are still missing, according to the coast guard and ferry operator. Also read | Rescue efforts continue for 12 missing in Greece ferry fire Firefighters have been trying for days to contain the fire and cool scorching temperatures on the 183-metre (600 ft) ship to allow emergency crews to board and rescue any survivors. The authorities have not announced a death toll. "Firefighters are still battling the fire and crews are searching for more people," the fire brigade said. The cause of the blaze is still being investigated and a prosecutor has launched an inquiry, according to coast guard officials. The ferry had been on its way to the Italian port of Brindisi from Igoumenitsa in Greece. Many of the passengers were truck owners or drivers transporting goods through Europe. Also read | Two trapped, hundreds rescued after flames engulf Greece-Italy ferry The man rescued on Sunday was from Belarus, according to the coast guard, while those still missing are Bulgarian, Turkish and Greek nationals. Reuters footage showed rescuers climbing up a stepladder to the vessel after a tug boat towed it closer to the shore. "Since one person is rescued, we are optimistic that more survivors can be found," Greek coastguard spokesman Nikos Alexiou told Skai TV. Aerial footage released by the Greek coastguard on Friday showed rows of burnt trucks on the blackened deck after flames engulfed the ship. The ferry was carrying 153 vehicles, the company said. A group of truck drivers who survived the ordeal arrived back in Bulgaria in the early hours of Sunday. "Once we were in the boats we saw the huge flames. Everything burned, the losses are big, but I am glad we are alive and we will see our families," truck driver Rumen Cholakov told Bulgarian Nova TV.

Passenger found alive on Greece-Italy ferry after blaze, 11 still missing

Rescuers picked up the search for 12 missing people at the break of dawn Saturday after an Italian-flagged ferry caught fire on the Ionian Sea the previous day.&nbsp;

Overnight, patrol ships combed the area off Corfu island hoping to locate survivors, the Greek coastguard told AFP.

Rescuers brought 278 passengers to Corfu after the blaze on the Euroferry Olympia broke out en route from Greece to Italy.

Officials have said the cause of the fire remains unknown.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-trapped-hundreds-rescued-after-flames-engulf-greece-italy-ferry-454317">Two trapped, hundreds rescued after flames engulf Greece-Italy ferry</a>

According to the coastguard, all of the still-missing people are truck drivers, nine from Bulgaria and three from Greece.

Truckers who were rescued from the vessel told Greece's public broadcaster on Saturday that some drivers prefered to sleep in their vehicles because the ship cabins were overcrowded. &nbsp;

Grimaldi Lines, the owner of the vessel, said late last night the fire&nbsp;"is currently under control" but Greek Coast Guard Saturday morning didn't confirm.&nbsp;

According to the company, the ferry was officially carrying 239 passengers and 51 crew, as well as 153 trucks and trailers and 32 passenger vehicles.&nbsp;

But raising concern for how many potential unofficial passengers could still be missing, the coastguard said two of the rescued people were not included on the manifest.&nbsp;

Both were Afghans, the coastguard told AFP. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/right-to-die-italy-court-refuses-to-allow-euthanasia-referendum-453723">'Right-to-die': Italy court refuses to allow euthanasia referendum</a>

The Bulgarian foreign ministry said 127 of its nationals were on the passenger list, including 37 truck drivers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Another 24 were from Turkey, the country's NTV station said, while broadcaster ERT said there were 21 Greeks onboard.

Among the rescued, 10 were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties and minor injuries, ERT said.

A specialised Greek rescue team that boarded the burning vessel ceased&nbsp;its efforts Friday evening because of the high heat on the ship, the dense smoke and the darkness, according to Athens News Agency.

The 27-year-old ship's latest safety check was at Igoumenitsa on February 16, the company said.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Fire breaks out on ferry from Greece to Italy with 288 people on board

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fire-breaks-out-on-ferry-from-greece-to-italy-with-288-people-on-board-454363/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

There is heavy maritime traffic between the western Greek ports of Igoumenitsa and Patras and the Italian ports of Brindisi and Ancona.&nbsp;

The last shipboard fire in the Adriatic occurred in December 2014 on the Italian ferry Norman Atlantic. Thirteen people died in that blaze.

Rescuers picked up the search for 12 missing people at the break of dawn Saturday after an Italian-flagged ferry caught fire on the Ionian Sea the previous day. Overnight, patrol ships combed the area off Corfu island hoping to locate survivors, the Greek coastguard told AFP.

Rescuers picked up the search for 12 missing people at the break of dawn Saturday after an Italian-flagged ferry caught fire on the Ionian Sea the previous day. Overnight, patrol ships combed the area off Corfu island hoping to locate survivors, the Greek coastguard told AFP. Rescuers brought 278 passengers to Corfu after the blaze on the Euroferry Olympia broke out en route from Greece to Italy. Officials have said the cause of the fire remains unknown. Also read | Two trapped, hundreds rescued after flames engulf Greece-Italy ferry According to the coastguard, all of the still-missing people are truck drivers, nine from Bulgaria and three from Greece. Truckers who were rescued from the vessel told Greece's public broadcaster on Saturday that some drivers prefered to sleep in their vehicles because the ship cabins were overcrowded. Grimaldi Lines, the owner of the vessel, said late last night the fire "is currently under control" but Greek Coast Guard Saturday morning didn't confirm. According to the company, the ferry was officially carrying 239 passengers and 51 crew, as well as 153 trucks and trailers and 32 passenger vehicles. But raising concern for how many potential unofficial passengers could still be missing, the coastguard said two of the rescued people were not included on the manifest. Both were Afghans, the coastguard told AFP. Also read | 'Right-to-die': Italy court refuses to allow euthanasia referendum The Bulgarian foreign ministry said 127 of its nationals were on the passenger list, including 37 truck drivers. Another 24 were from Turkey, the country's NTV station said, while broadcaster ERT said there were 21 Greeks onboard. Among the rescued, 10 were taken to hospital with breathing difficulties and minor injuries, ERT said. A specialised Greek rescue team that boarded the burning vessel ceased its efforts Friday evening because of the high heat on the ship, the dense smoke and the darkness, according to Athens News Agency. The 27-year-old ship's latest safety check was at Igoumenitsa on February 16, the company said. Watch | Fire breaks out on ferry from Greece to Italy with 288 people on board There is heavy maritime traffic between the western Greek ports of Igoumenitsa and Patras and the Italian ports of Brindisi and Ancona. The last shipboard fire in the Adriatic occurred in December 2014 on the Italian ferry Norman Atlantic. Thirteen people died in that blaze.

Rescue efforts continue for 12 missing in Greece ferry fire

A fire broke out on a ferry sailing from Greece to Italy with 288 people on board. The fire, the cause of which was not immediately known, broke out near the island of Corfu in the Ionian Sea.

Fire breaks out on ferry from Greece to Italy with 288 people on board

Two&nbsp;people are&nbsp;trapped&nbsp;on a&nbsp;ferry&nbsp;that was&nbsp;engulfed in a blaze as it sailed between&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;and&nbsp;Italy&nbsp;in the early hours of Friday, the Greek coastguard said,&nbsp;after&nbsp;scores of others passengers and crew members were&nbsp;rescued.

The coastguard said in total 239 passengers and 51 crew members had been on board the Italian-flagged Euroferry&nbsp;Olympia and most of them had boarded rescue vessels transferring them to the port of the island of Corfu where ambulances were waiting.

"We were woken up around 4:20 a.m. Within an hour we had left the ship ... We were saved by the crew, which acted fast," one of the passengers told Skai TV via telephone.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or severe injuries. One person with breathing problems had been taken to the hospital, according to local health authorities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/right-to-die-italy-court-refuses-to-allow-euthanasia-referendum-453723">'Right-to-die': Italy court refuses to allow euthanasia referendum</a>

Greek media reported that at least 10 were feared missing. Authorities could not confirm the information, saying the operation was ongoing. Hours&nbsp;after&nbsp;the alarm was raised, the ship was still ablaze.

"Two&nbsp;people have been&nbsp;trapped&nbsp;in the garage and efforts are being made to lead them to the deck," one coastguard official said, adding that a helicopter was waiting to airlift them away.

A video uploaded on Greek news website Proto Thema showed the 183-metre (600 foot)&nbsp;ferry&nbsp;on fire and swathed in huge plumes of smoke. "May Day" was blasting from speakers.

The&nbsp;ferry&nbsp;had sailed from Igoumenitsa, the largest port in western&nbsp;Greece, and was headed to the Italian port of Brindisi, about nine hours away.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-warns-greece-not-to-test-its-patience-with-provocations-443239">Turkey warns Greece not to test its patience with provocations</a>

The fire, the cause of which was not immediately known, broke out near the island of Corfu in the Ionian Sea.

The&nbsp;ferry&nbsp;is part of the fleet of group Grimaldi Lines and has a capacity of up to 560 passengers, according to the company's website.

Grimaldi Lines spokesman Paul Kyprianou told Reuters that the cause of the fire was still under investigation but there were indications it started from the ship's hold.

"Damage is severe because despite the efforts the crew was unable to extinguish the fire," he said.

At least three Greek coastguard vessels and the Italian financial police patrol boat Monte Sperone were involved in the rescue operation.

Watch |&nbsp;19 froze to death on Greek border, hundreds protest against migrant pushback

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/19-froze-to-death-on-greek-border-hundreds-protest-against-migrant-pushback-451137/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ship tracking data provided by Refinitiv Eikon showed the Euroferry&nbsp;Olympia performing a U-turn northwest of the North Corfu channel.

In 2014, 10 people were killed when the car&nbsp;ferry&nbsp;Norman Atlantic carrying 466 passengers and crew caught fire while sailing from&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;to&nbsp;Italy.

Two people are trapped on a ferry that was engulfed in a blaze as it sailed between Greece and Italy in the early hours of Friday, the Greek coastguard said, after scores of others passengers and crew members were rescued.

Two people are trapped on a ferry that was engulfed in a blaze as it sailed between Greece and Italy in the early hours of Friday, the Greek coastguard said, after scores of others passengers and crew members were rescued. The coastguard said in total 239 passengers and 51 crew members had been on board the Italian-flagged Euroferry Olympia and most of them had boarded rescue vessels transferring them to the port of the island of Corfu where ambulances were waiting. "We were woken up around 4:20 a.m. Within an hour we had left the ship ... We were saved by the crew, which acted fast," one of the passengers told Skai TV via telephone. There were no immediate reports of deaths or severe injuries. One person with breathing problems had been taken to the hospital, according to local health authorities. Also read | 'Right-to-die': Italy court refuses to allow euthanasia referendum Greek media reported that at least 10 were feared missing. Authorities could not confirm the information, saying the operation was ongoing. Hours after the alarm was raised, the ship was still ablaze. "Two people have been trapped in the garage and efforts are being made to lead them to the deck," one coastguard official said, adding that a helicopter was waiting to airlift them away. A video uploaded on Greek news website Proto Thema showed the 183-metre (600 foot) ferry on fire and swathed in huge plumes of smoke. "May Day" was blasting from speakers. The ferry had sailed from Igoumenitsa, the largest port in western Greece, and was headed to the Italian port of Brindisi, about nine hours away. Also read | Turkey warns Greece not to test its patience with provocations The fire, the cause of which was not immediately known, broke out near the island of Corfu in the Ionian Sea. The ferry is part of the fleet of group Grimaldi Lines and has a capacity of up to 560 passengers, according to the company's website. Grimaldi Lines spokesman Paul Kyprianou told Reuters that the cause of the fire was still under investigation but there were indications it started from the ship's hold. "Damage is severe because despite the efforts the crew was unable to extinguish the fire," he said. At least three Greek coastguard vessels and the Italian financial police patrol boat Monte Sperone were involved in the rescue operation. Watch | 19 froze to death on Greek border, hundreds protest against migrant pushback Ship tracking data provided by Refinitiv Eikon showed the Euroferry Olympia performing a U-turn northwest of the North Corfu channel. In 2014, 10 people were killed when the car ferry Norman Atlantic carrying 466 passengers and crew caught fire while sailing from Greece to Italy.

Two trapped, hundreds rescued after flames engulf Greece-Italy ferry

Molineux will stage an England game for the first time since 1956 when Gareth Southgate's team take on Italy in June, the Football Association said on Thursday.

The home of Wolverhampton Wanderers will welcome Italy on June 11 in a Nations League clash with England up against Hungary three days later also at Molineux.

The match against Italy, a repeat of the Euro 2020 final in which Italy won on penalties, will take place behind closed doors because of a UEFA sanction.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fans-raise-whopping-sum-for-young-kid-who-sent-heartwarming-note-to-favourite-player-harry-mckirdy-454051">Fans raise WHOPPING sum for young kid who sent heartwarming note to favourite player Harry McKirdy</a>

Wembley is the traditional home of the England team but there has been a trend of taking games on the road in the build-up to major tournaments, with games having been played in Sunderland, Manchester, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Leicester and Southampton in recent years.

The last time England played at Molineux was a 5-2 victory over Denmark in a World Cup qualifier in December 1956.

"While Wembley is our home, we very much enjoy taking the squad on the road where possible, particularly in the run up to a major tournament," Southgate said.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-firmino-salah-star-in-liverpools-win-over-inter-milan-bayern-salzburg-play-out-a-draw-453981">Champions League: Firmino, Salah star in Liverpool's win over Inter Milan, Bayern-Salzburg play out a draw</a>

"2022 promises to be an exciting adventure for England fans and it is great that one of English football`s famous stadiums will be a part of that."

England will also face Germany in their Nations League group. Their first match is away to Hungary on June 4.

The Nations League will be completed in September before the World Cup starts in Qatar in November.

Molineux will stage an England game for the first time since 1956 when Gareth Southgate's team take on Italy in June, the Football Association said on Thursday. The home of Wolverhampton Wanderers will welcome Italy on June 11 in a Nations League clash with England up against Hungary three days later also at Molineux.

Molineux will stage an England game for the first time since 1956 when Gareth Southgate's team take on Italy in June, the Football Association said on Thursday. The home of Wolverhampton Wanderers will welcome Italy on June 11 in a Nations League clash with England up against Hungary three days later also at Molineux. The match against Italy, a repeat of the Euro 2020 final in which Italy won on penalties, will take place behind closed doors because of a UEFA sanction. ALSO READ: Fans raise WHOPPING sum for young kid who sent heartwarming note to favourite player Harry McKirdy Wembley is the traditional home of the England team but there has been a trend of taking games on the road in the build-up to major tournaments, with games having been played in Sunderland, Manchester, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Leicester and Southampton in recent years. The last time England played at Molineux was a 5-2 victory over Denmark in a World Cup qualifier in December 1956. "While Wembley is our home, we very much enjoy taking the squad on the road where possible, particularly in the run up to a major tournament," Southgate said. ALSO READ: Champions League: Firmino, Salah star in Liverpool's win over Inter Milan, Bayern-Salzburg play out a draw "2022 promises to be an exciting adventure for England fans and it is great that one of English football`s famous stadiums will be a part of that." England will also face Germany in their Nations League group. Their first match is away to Hungary on June 4. The Nations League will be completed in September before the World Cup starts in Qatar in November.

England to face Euro 2020 champions Italy in UEFA Nations League game at Molineux

Italy's Justice Ministry has issued an international arrest warrant for former AC Milan and Brazil striker Robinho after the country's top court confirmed his conviction for rape, a ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

The ministry has asked the global police agency Interpol to enact the warrant.

Robinho, whose full name is Robson de Souza, lives in Brazil. The South American country does not extradite its nationals, which means Robinho would only face arrest if he travelled abroad.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-manchester-united-should-be-fighting-for-more-than-top-four-says-david-de-gea-453706">Premier League: Manchester United should be fighting for more than top four, says David de Gea</a>

A Milan court in 2017 found Robinho and five other Brazilians guilty of gang-raping a woman after plying her with alcohol in a discotheque. The conviction was confirmed by an appeals court in 2020 and validated by Italy's Supreme Court last month.

Robinho, 38, has always denied the charge.

He was capped 100 times by Brazil and played for top European clubs Real Madrid and Manchester City as well as AC Milan.

Italy's Justice Ministry has issued an international arrest warrant for former AC Milan and Brazil striker Robinho after the country's top court confirmed his conviction for rape, a ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

Italy's Justice Ministry has issued an international arrest warrant for former AC Milan and Brazil striker Robinho after the country's top court confirmed his conviction for rape, a ministry spokesman said on Wednesday. The ministry has asked the global police agency Interpol to enact the warrant. Robinho, whose full name is Robson de Souza, lives in Brazil. The South American country does not extradite its nationals, which means Robinho would only face arrest if he travelled abroad. ALSO READ: Premier League: Manchester United should be fighting for more than top four, says David de Gea A Milan court in 2017 found Robinho and five other Brazilians guilty of gang-raping a woman after plying her with alcohol in a discotheque. The conviction was confirmed by an appeals court in 2020 and validated by Italy's Supreme Court last month. Robinho, 38, has always denied the charge. He was capped 100 times by Brazil and played for top European clubs Real Madrid and Manchester City as well as AC Milan.

Italy issues international arrest warrant for former AC Milan and Brazil striker Robinho

Italy's Constitutional Court rejected a request for a referendum on the right to die on Tuesday, even after the initiative's proponents collected more than a million signatures.

Right-to-die advocates in Italy have been trying to force a referendum on the contentious issue in the largely Catholic country where opposition is strong.

They seek to at least partially repeal sanctions against people who assist in the suicide of patients suffering from incurable illnesses or intolerable pain and who have already received palliative care.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/countries-where-euthanasia-assisted-suicide-is-legal-281943">Countries where euthanasia, assisted suicide is legal</a>

The Constitutional Court, however, said that repealing punishments would not safeguard the minimum constitutional standards governing the protection of human life, "particularly for the weak and vulnerable."

"The Constitutional Court's decision must push parliament to approve the law on assisted suicide," Enrico Letta, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), wrote on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
La bocciatura da parte della Corte Costituzionale del referendum sull’ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/eutanasialegale?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#eutanasialegale</a> deve ora spingere il Parlamento ad approvare la legge sul <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/suicidioassistito?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#suicidioassistito</a>, secondo le indicazioni della Corte stessa.
— Enrico Letta (@EnricoLetta) <a href="https://twitter.com/EnricoLetta/status/1493662687263399940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
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In 2019, the court partially decriminalised assisted suicide under certain conditions with the approval of local health authorities and an ethics committee. Nonetheless, it recommended that parliament should pass a law regulating the practice.

Among the leading advocates of a referendum is Marco Cappato, who said the court's decision was "bad news for those who suffer and will have to (face) even longer unbearable suffering against their will".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/end-of-life-choice-act-28-assisted-deaths-in-first-three-months-of-new-law-451116">'End of life choice act': 28 assisted deaths in first three months of new law</a>

Last year, proponents of the right to die collected more than twice the 500,000 signatures needed to see a referendum approved.

The country's parliament is debating a legislation that would allow terminally ill patients to commit suicide through the public health system and protect doctors from legal action.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Can a person end their own life to escape pain?

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Political parties remain deeply divided on the issue, with the centre-left generally supporting it and the centre-right generally opposing it. The pope has recently condemned assisted suicide, stating that it has no place in medical ethics.

According to a poll by the SWG research group in 2019, 92 per cent of Italians were in favour of allowing assisted suicides and euthanasia. Around 45 per cent said they were in favour of it generally, while 47 per cent said they were in favour in some circumstances.

(With inputs from agencies)

Italy's Constitutional Court rejected a request for a referendum on the right to die on Tuesday, even after the initiative's proponents collected more than a million signatures.

Italy's Constitutional Court rejected a request for a referendum on the right to die on Tuesday, even after the initiative's proponents collected more than a million signatures. Right-to-die advocates in Italy have been trying to force a referendum on the contentious issue in the largely Catholic country where opposition is strong. They seek to at least partially repeal sanctions against people who assist in the suicide of patients suffering from incurable illnesses or intolerable pain and who have already received palliative care. Also read | Countries where euthanasia, assisted suicide is legal The Constitutional Court, however, said that repealing punishments would not safeguard the minimum constitutional standards governing the protection of human life, "particularly for the weak and vulnerable." "The Constitutional Court's decision must push parliament to approve the law on assisted suicide," Enrico Letta, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), wrote on Twitter. La bocciatura da parte della Corte Costituzionale del referendum sull’ #eutanasialegale deve ora spingere il Parlamento ad approvare la legge sul #suicidioassistito, secondo le indicazioni della Corte stessa. — Enrico Letta (@EnricoLetta) February 15, 2022 × In 2019, the court partially decriminalised assisted suicide under certain conditions with the approval of local health authorities and an ethics committee. Nonetheless, it recommended that parliament should pass a law regulating the practice. Among the leading advocates of a referendum is Marco Cappato, who said the court's decision was "bad news for those who suffer and will have to (face) even longer unbearable suffering against their will". Also read | 'End of life choice act': 28 assisted deaths in first three months of new law Last year, proponents of the right to die collected more than twice the 500,000 signatures needed to see a referendum approved. The country's parliament is debating a legislation that would allow terminally ill patients to commit suicide through the public health system and protect doctors from legal action. Watch | Gravitas: Can a person end their own life to escape pain? Political parties remain deeply divided on the issue, with the centre-left generally supporting it and the centre-right generally opposing it. The pope has recently condemned assisted suicide, stating that it has no place in medical ethics. According to a poll by the SWG research group in 2019, 92 per cent of Italians were in favour of allowing assisted suicides and euthanasia. Around 45 per cent said they were in favour of it generally, while 47 per cent said they were in favour in some circumstances. (With inputs from agencies)

'Right-to-die': Italy court refuses to allow euthanasia referendum

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