Members of the Italian Skiing community have slammed the authority saying that the government has been disrespectful towards them. This comes after Italy extended the ban on amateur skiing till March, nearly 12 hours before skiing resorts were set to reopen.

Italian Health Officials extend ban on amateur Skiing

The practice of quarantine was started in Venice from the threat of a bubonic plague. On the islands of Lazaretto in Italy, the word quarantine originated more than 600 years ago.

Wion Dispatch: Quarantine originated more than 600 years ago

Ever wondered how the practice of "quarantine" originated? Turns out, it was first employed 600 years ago when quarantine was used to save people from the bubonic plague.

Venice invented quarantine 600 years ago

Mario Draghi, former European Central Bank chief on Friday formally accepted Italy's prime ministerial post. He will now lead the government set to&nbsp;replace Giuseppe Conte's centre-left coalition that collapsed a month ago. Draghi, the 73-year-old economist, spoke with Italy President Sergio Mattarella and spoke only to list the names of his ministers, a mix of politicians and technocrats. Draghi will return to the presidential palace at midday on Saturday to be formally sworn in, a spokesman for Mattarella said.

The senior deputy governor of Bank of Italy, Daniele Franco, was named as the new economy minister, while Roberto Speranza and Luigi Di Maio stay on at health and foreign affairs, respectively.

Draghi will take the reins when Italy has not fully recovered from the blow of coronavirus pandemic.

More than 93,000 people with coronavirus have died in Italy since it became the first European country to face the full force of the pandemic one year ago, and the toll is still rising by the hundreds each day.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-to-spare-turkey-from-tax-blacklist-sources-say-363228">EU to spare Turkey from tax blacklist, sources say</a>

Shutdowns and coronavirus restrictions have plunged Italy, eurozone's third-largest economy into its worst recession since second world war. More than 420,000 people have lost their jobs.

Coalition, for now?

President Sergio Mattarella asked Draghi to form a new government on February 3, and the respected economist has spent the last nine days assembling the widest possible majority in parliament.

Almost all the main parties are behind him, from leftists to Matteo Salvini's far-right League, and including the populist Five Star Movement (M5S), the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and Italia Viva, who shared power before.

Draghi was expected to present a list of ministers to Mattarella, before being formally sworn in on Saturday.

M5S, the biggest party in parliament which began life as an anti-establishment movement, was split over whether to support a government led by an unelected technocrat.

But in an online vote, members backed Draghi by 59 per cent, after it claimed to have secured the promise to set up a new super-ministry for "ecological transition".

Uphill challenges

Italy has high hopes for its new leader, dubbed "Super Mario" after vowing to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro single currency during the 2010s debt crisis.&nbsp;

His arrival was greeted with delight by the financial markets, and Italy's borrowing costs dropped to a historic low this week.

But "it is difficult to overstate the scale of the challenges that Draghi and Italy face", said Luigi Scazzieri, of the Centre for European Reform.

The economy shrank by a staggering 8.9 per cent last year, while Covid-19 remains rife and restrictions including a night curfew and the closure of bars and restaurants in the evening remain in place.

(With AFP inputs)

Mario Draghi, former European Central Bank chief on Friday formally accepted Italy's prime ministerial post. He will now lead the government set to replace Giuseppe Conte's centre-left coalition that collapsed a month ago.

Mario Draghi, former European Central Bank chief on Friday formally accepted Italy's prime ministerial post. He will now lead the government set to replace Giuseppe Conte's centre-left coalition that collapsed a month ago. Draghi, the 73-year-old economist, spoke with Italy President Sergio Mattarella and spoke only to list the names of his ministers, a mix of politicians and technocrats. Draghi will return to the presidential palace at midday on Saturday to be formally sworn in, a spokesman for Mattarella said. The senior deputy governor of Bank of Italy, Daniele Franco, was named as the new economy minister, while Roberto Speranza and Luigi Di Maio stay on at health and foreign affairs, respectively. Draghi will take the reins when Italy has not fully recovered from the blow of coronavirus pandemic. More than 93,000 people with coronavirus have died in Italy since it became the first European country to face the full force of the pandemic one year ago, and the toll is still rising by the hundreds each day. Also Read | EU to spare Turkey from tax blacklist, sources say Shutdowns and coronavirus restrictions have plunged Italy, eurozone's third-largest economy into its worst recession since second world war. More than 420,000 people have lost their jobs. Coalition, for now? President Sergio Mattarella asked Draghi to form a new government on February 3, and the respected economist has spent the last nine days assembling the widest possible majority in parliament. Almost all the main parties are behind him, from leftists to Matteo Salvini's far-right League, and including the populist Five Star Movement (M5S), the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and Italia Viva, who shared power before. Draghi was expected to present a list of ministers to Mattarella, before being formally sworn in on Saturday. M5S, the biggest party in parliament which began life as an anti-establishment movement, was split over whether to support a government led by an unelected technocrat. But in an online vote, members backed Draghi by 59 per cent, after it claimed to have secured the promise to set up a new super-ministry for "ecological transition". Uphill challenges Italy has high hopes for its new leader, dubbed "Super Mario" after vowing to do "whatever it takes" to save the euro single currency during the 2010s debt crisis. His arrival was greeted with delight by the financial markets, and Italy's borrowing costs dropped to a historic low this week. But "it is difficult to overstate the scale of the challenges that Draghi and Italy face", said Luigi Scazzieri, of the Centre for European Reform. The economy shrank by a staggering 8.9 per cent last year, while Covid-19 remains rife and restrictions including a night curfew and the closure of bars and restaurants in the evening remain in place. (With AFP inputs)

Mario Draghi formally accepts Italy's prime ministerial post

The Italian president swore in the former chief of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, as prime minister on Saturday at the head of a unity government called on to confront the coronavirus crisis and economic slump.

Mario Draghi sworn-in as Italian Prime Minister

The former European Central Bank chief, Mario Draghi, on Friday formally accepted Italy's prime ministerial post. The development comes after weeks of political turmoil following the resignation of former prime minister Giuseppe Conte's who lost the government majority in the senate due to inability to handle the covid-19 crisis.

Mario Draghi formally accepted Italy's Prime Ministerial post

The Italian town of Cortina d'Ampezzo was putting the finishing touches to its preparations for the Alpine skiing world championships on Sunday (February 7).

Italian town ready to welcome ski world championships

The Italian President has asked the former head of European Central bank Mario Draghi to form a new government after the collapse of former Prime Minister's coalition government.

Italy's Draghi asked to form the new Italian govt, seeks party backing to end turmoil

Popular video app TikTok has agreed with Italian authorities to block all users who gave their age as under 13.

It has also agreed to follow a set of instructions after the death of a 10-year-old girl was blamed on a breath-holding social media challenge.

Prosecutors in Palermo are investigating that case, which has led to increased scrutiny of children's use of social media platforms. 
TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance.

The Italian regulator on Wednesday said TikTok had agreed to block all accounts in Italy from February 9, and to re-admit only users who provided a date of birth showing they were at least 13 years old.

The regulator said TikTok had also agreed to evaluate using artificial intelligence to detect under-age accounts.

Alexandra Evans, Tiktok's head of child safety in Europe, said it would also introduce a button into the app to enable members to report users who appeared to be under 13. 
&nbsp;

Popular video app TikTok has agreed with Italian authorities to block all users who gave their age as under 13. It has also agreed to follow a set of instructions after the death of a 10-year-old girl was blamed on a breath-holding social media challenge.

Popular video app TikTok has agreed with Italian authorities to block all users who gave their age as under 13. It has also agreed to follow a set of instructions after the death of a 10-year-old girl was blamed on a breath-holding social media challenge. Prosecutors in Palermo are investigating that case, which has led to increased scrutiny of children's use of social media platforms. TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance. The Italian regulator on Wednesday said TikTok had agreed to block all accounts in Italy from February 9, and to re-admit only users who provided a date of birth showing they were at least 13 years old. The regulator said TikTok had also agreed to evaluate using artificial intelligence to detect under-age accounts. Alexandra Evans, Tiktok's head of child safety in Europe, said it would also introduce a button into the app to enable members to report users who appeared to be under 13.

TikTok to block users in Italy who say they are under 13

The sounds of classical music echoed around an almost empty Colosseum on Monday (February 1) as a concert took place that organisers wished would be a sign of hope for a new beginning.

Classical concert a 'sign of hope' as Colosseum reopens

In a year when Italy remembers one of its greatest poets Dante Alighieri, the country has increased its cultural outreach in India. Last week saw the Italian envoy to India, Vincenzo de Luca inaugurating the Festival of Italian Culture in India. The mega festival of Italian culture in India was opened in the presence of the Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs S. Jaishankar and the Director-General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Dinesh K. Patnaik.

The event was hosted at the Italian embassy in Delhi. The event which followed all the COVID-19 protocol was the first such physical event hosted by the embassy since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. &nbsp;

The outreach will see an important focus on Dante Alighieri whose 700th death anniversary comes this year. As part of events to remember him, programs will be held that will see a number of events such as participation of experts at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) to musical, theatrical, and cinematographic productions dedicated to his masterpiece "Divine Comedy".

During last year's India-Italy virtual summit, the then Italian PM Giuseppe Conte had invited the Indian PM Modi to his country for the anniversary celebrations of Dante Alighieri. He has made many references to India, including references to River Ganges in his "Divine Comedy".

Meanwhile, Italy will be present in the principal Indian film festivals and will promote "innovative projects" as part of the outreach. Screenings of documentaries dedicated to India by Italian film directors — Pasolini and Rossellini — are scheduled for open-air cinema sessions. The second&nbsp;half of 2021 will see an exhibition of Italian fashion inspired by India, which will be hosted in a historic monument in Delhi.

In a year when Italy remembers one of its greatest poets Dante Alighieri, the country has increased its cultural outreach in India. Last week saw the Italian envoy to India, Vincenzo de Luca inaugurating the Festival of Italian Culture in India.

In a year when Italy remembers one of its greatest poets Dante Alighieri, the country has increased its cultural outreach in India. Last week saw the Italian envoy to India, Vincenzo de Luca inaugurating the Festival of Italian Culture in India. The mega festival of Italian culture in India was opened in the presence of the Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs S. Jaishankar and the Director-General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Dinesh K. Patnaik. The event was hosted at the Italian embassy in Delhi. The event which followed all the COVID-19 protocol was the first such physical event hosted by the embassy since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outreach will see an important focus on Dante Alighieri whose 700th death anniversary comes this year. As part of events to remember him, programs will be held that will see a number of events such as participation of experts at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) to musical, theatrical, and cinematographic productions dedicated to his masterpiece "Divine Comedy". During last year's India-Italy virtual summit, the then Italian PM Giuseppe Conte had invited the Indian PM Modi to his country for the anniversary celebrations of Dante Alighieri. He has made many references to India, including references to River Ganges in his "Divine Comedy". Meanwhile, Italy will be present in the principal Indian film festivals and will promote "innovative projects" as part of the outreach. Screenings of documentaries dedicated to India by Italian film directors — Pasolini and Rossellini — are scheduled for open-air cinema sessions. The second half of 2021 will see an exhibition of Italian fashion inspired by India, which will be hosted in a historic monument in Delhi.

Italy increases cultural outreach in India

The Indian embassy in Italy was vandalised ahead of Republic Day Celebrations. 'Khalistan Zindabad' scribbled on walls. Who was behind it? WION's Molly Gambhir gets you a report.

Gravitas: Indian Embassy in Italy vandalised

Giorgio Armani paid tribute to Milan in his haute couture collection, unveiled without an audience on Tuesday (January 26) at the Palazzo Orsini.

Armani pays tribute to Milanese elegance in cloistered couture show

As the farmer's tractor rally in New Delhi got hijacked by rioters, 5,000 kilometres away in Italy, the Indian embassy was vandalised. The attack took place just ahead of the Republic Day celebrations. Khalistani elements were behind it. The embassy was vandalised and words like 'Khalistan Zindabad' were written on the walls. The vandalism was carried out at night. Khalistan posters and flags were tied to the gate of the Indian embassy

The vandals took videos and used them to spread propaganda on social media. India has conveyed its concerns about this incident to italian authorities. It has reminded them that 'the safety and security of Indian diplomats &amp; diplomatic premises is the responsibility of italian authorities'. At the same time it has expressed confidence that 'the Italian authorities will take action against the perpetrators and prevent such incidents from happening in the future.'

9,000 km away, Khalistan supporters gathered outside the Indian embassy in Washington DC. Many in the crowd held saffron-coloured Khalistani flags and chanted anti-India slogans.

New Delhi has constantly been raising its concerns with western governments regarding Khalistani activities. Most of which are carried out by outlawed groups like Sikhs for Justice or SFJ

In July 2019, this group was banned by India for its unlawful association with Khalistani separatists. But SFJ &amp; its subsidiaries are still quite active in western countries.

Https://twitter.Com/ani/status/1354229798306869250

In December last year, a protest in solidarity with Indian farmers was held outside the Indian High Commission in London. Some 4,000 people turned up. Many were seen carrying Khalistani flags. This included known Khalistanis like Paramjeet Singh Pamma of the SFJ, and Kuldeep Singh Chahehru of the Federation of Sikh organisation.

From London, to Washington to Rome, Khalistani elements have waded into the farmer's movement to serve their own interest

As the farmer's tractor rally in New Delhi got hijacked by rioters, 5,000 kilometres away in Italy, the Indian embassy was vandalised. The attack took place just ahead of the Republic Day celebrations.

As the farmer's tractor rally in New Delhi got hijacked by rioters, 5,000 kilometres away in Italy, the Indian embassy was vandalised. The attack took place just ahead of the Republic Day celebrations. Khalistani elements were behind it. The embassy was vandalised and words like 'Khalistan Zindabad' were written on the walls. The vandalism was carried out at night. Khalistan posters and flags were tied to the gate of the Indian embassy The vandals took videos and used them to spread propaganda on social media. India has conveyed its concerns about this incident to italian authorities. It has reminded them that 'the safety and security of Indian diplomats & diplomatic premises is the responsibility of italian authorities'. At the same time it has expressed confidence that 'the Italian authorities will take action against the perpetrators and prevent such incidents from happening in the future.' 9,000 km away, Khalistan supporters gathered outside the Indian embassy in Washington DC. Many in the crowd held saffron-coloured Khalistani flags and chanted anti-India slogans. New Delhi has constantly been raising its concerns with western governments regarding Khalistani activities. Most of which are carried out by outlawed groups like Sikhs for Justice or SFJ In July 2019, this group was banned by India for its unlawful association with Khalistani separatists. But SFJ & its subsidiaries are still quite active in western countries. Https://twitter.Com/ani/status/1354229798306869250 In December last year, a protest in solidarity with Indian farmers was held outside the Indian High Commission in London. Some 4,000 people turned up. Many were seen carrying Khalistani flags. This included known Khalistanis like Paramjeet Singh Pamma of the SFJ, and Kuldeep Singh Chahehru of the Federation of Sikh organisation. From London, to Washington to Rome, Khalistani elements have waded into the farmer's movement to serve their own interest

Amid farmer protests in Delhi, Indian embassy in Italy vandalised

The Indian Embassy building in Italy's Rome was reportedly vandalised by Khalistan elements just ahead of India's Republic Day. India has strongly raised the issue with Italian authorities, even as it complimented the UK on handling the situation expertly.

WION Dispatch: India expresses concern over vandalism on Rome embassy with Italy

Italy's consumer association has launched a class-action lawsuit against Apple for allegedly shortening the life of iPhones. WION's Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Apple sued in Italy for slowing down iPhones

India has strongly raised the vandalism issue of the Indian mission in Rome by Khalistan elements with Italian authorities, even as it complimented the UK on handling the situation expertly.

India expresses concern over vandalism of India's Italy embassy by Khalistanis

Italian PM Giuseppe Conte is all set to resign as political turmoil grips the country, Speculations have arrived that Conte will attempt to form a new government. The move comes after Conte's government survived no-confidence vote in the Senate.

Italian PM Giuseppe Conte announces his resignation

Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is close to resigning to make way for the formation of a new government with a wider majority, local media reported on Monday.

"My aim is to find an agreement that gives a clear political perspective to the government until the end of the term", the La Repubblica newspaper cited Conte as saying.

Conte survived a vote in Italian Senate on Tuesday and appealed centrist/unaligned lawmakers outside the coalition to join hands with his minority government.

So far, only a few people have responded.

To push forward legislation, Conte needs a majority in the Senate. Italy has seen Europe's worst coronavirus outbreaks, also causing an economic crisis.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/italian-government-totters-as-conte-renzi-divide-deepens-354257" hreflang="en">Italian government totters as Conte, Renzi divide deepens</a> 
 
Relations between Conte and his partner, former premier Matteo Renzi have deteriorated over the last few weeks. Renzi has called for radical changes to resuscitate the economy, while urging Conte to give up his control of secret services.

Conte's two main coalition allies include the 5-star Movement and the Democratic Party. Both have urged restraint, but seem to be preparing for a face-off with Renzi.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/indian-farmers-agree-to-meet-government-over-contentious-farm-laws-352618" hreflang="en">Indian farmers agree to meet government over contentious farm laws</a>

If Conte's government falls, coalition parties coult try to carve out a new pact to agree on a new team of ministers, which may or may not include Conte as the Prime Minsiter.

In a different situation, the head of state could put together a government of national unity in a bid to confront health and economic crisis.

If nothing bears benefits, national elections in the country could be held two years ahead of time. Such an event seems unlikely given the severity of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is close to resigning to make way for the formation of a new government with a wider majority, local media reported on Monday.

Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is close to resigning to make way for the formation of a new government with a wider majority, local media reported on Monday. "My aim is to find an agreement that gives a clear political perspective to the government until the end of the term", the La Repubblica newspaper cited Conte as saying. Conte survived a vote in Italian Senate on Tuesday and appealed centrist/unaligned lawmakers outside the coalition to join hands with his minority government. So far, only a few people have responded. To push forward legislation, Conte needs a majority in the Senate. Italy has seen Europe's worst coronavirus outbreaks, also causing an economic crisis. Also read: Italian government totters as Conte, Renzi divide deepens Relations between Conte and his partner, former premier Matteo Renzi have deteriorated over the last few weeks. Renzi has called for radical changes to resuscitate the economy, while urging Conte to give up his control of secret services. Conte's two main coalition allies include the 5-star Movement and the Democratic Party. Both have urged restraint, but seem to be preparing for a face-off with Renzi. Also read: Indian farmers agree to meet government over contentious farm laws If Conte's government falls, coalition parties coult try to carve out a new pact to agree on a new team of ministers, which may or may not include Conte as the Prime Minsiter. In a different situation, the head of state could put together a government of national unity in a bid to confront health and economic crisis. If nothing bears benefits, national elections in the country could be held two years ahead of time. Such an event seems unlikely given the severity of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Italian Prime Minister Conte close to resigning: Report

Italian&nbsp;Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte lashed out at suppliers of COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday, saying delays in deliveries amounted to a serious breach of contractual obligations.

Italy will have to rethink its whole vaccination programme if supply problems persist, a senior health official warned on Saturday, after Rome was forced to cut its daily rollout of COVID-19 shots by more than two thirds.

Pfizer Inc last week said it was temporarily slowing supplies to Europe to make manufacturing changes that would boost output.

On Friday, a senior official told Reuters AstraZeneca Plc had also informed the European Union it would cut deliveries of its COVID-19 vaccine to the bloc by 60% because of production problems.

"This is unacceptable," Conte said in a Facebook post. "Our vaccination plan ... has been drawn up on the basis of contractual pledges freely undertaken by pharmaceutical companies with the European Commission."

Italy, which is using vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna Inc as AstraZeneca awaits clearance for use of its vaccines across the EU, says Pfizer deliveries were 29% lower than planned this week and would be down 20% next week.

The head of Italy's higher health council, Franco Locatelli, told a press conference they were expected to return to agreed levels from Feb. 1.

In the meantime, vaccinations in Italy have slowed to 20,000-25,000 a day from peaks of more than 90,000 around two weeks ago, Locatelli said.

Rome has threatened to sue Pfizer.

Conte said expected delays in the vaccine by AstraZeneca were even more worrying, adding Italy would receive 3.4 million doses instead of 8 million in the first quarter if the 60% reduction were confirmed.

He added the heads of AstraZeneca Italy had confirmed the reduction in production capacity at a meeting on Saturday with&nbsp;Italian&nbsp;Health Minister Roberto Speranza and COVID-19 Special Commissioner Domenico Arcuri.

"Such delays in deliveries represent serious contractual violations, which cause enormous damage to Italy and other countries," Conte said.

"We'll use all available legal tools as we're already doing with Pfizer-BioNTech," he added.

The European Medicines Agency will rule on the AstraZeneca vaccine on Jan. 29 and Locatelli said Rome would have to reassess immunisation plans after that.

So far 1.31 million doses of vaccine have been injected in Italy, corresponding to around 70% of deliveries, placing Italy second in the EU after Germany. Nearly 40,300 people have completed the vaccination cycle after receiving the second dose.

Italy reported 13,331 new coronavirus cases on Saturday and 488 deaths.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte lashed out at suppliers of COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday, saying delays in deliveries amounted to a serious breach of contractual obligations.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte lashed out at suppliers of COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday, saying delays in deliveries amounted to a serious breach of contractual obligations. Italy will have to rethink its whole vaccination programme if supply problems persist, a senior health official warned on Saturday, after Rome was forced to cut its daily rollout of COVID-19 shots by more than two thirds. Pfizer Inc last week said it was temporarily slowing supplies to Europe to make manufacturing changes that would boost output. On Friday, a senior official told Reuters AstraZeneca Plc had also informed the European Union it would cut deliveries of its COVID-19 vaccine to the bloc by 60% because of production problems. "This is unacceptable," Conte said in a Facebook post. "Our vaccination plan ... has been drawn up on the basis of contractual pledges freely undertaken by pharmaceutical companies with the European Commission." Italy, which is using vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna Inc as AstraZeneca awaits clearance for use of its vaccines across the EU, says Pfizer deliveries were 29% lower than planned this week and would be down 20% next week. The head of Italy's higher health council, Franco Locatelli, told a press conference they were expected to return to agreed levels from Feb. 1. In the meantime, vaccinations in Italy have slowed to 20,000-25,000 a day from peaks of more than 90,000 around two weeks ago, Locatelli said. Rome has threatened to sue Pfizer. Conte said expected delays in the vaccine by AstraZeneca were even more worrying, adding Italy would receive 3.4 million doses instead of 8 million in the first quarter if the 60% reduction were confirmed. He added the heads of AstraZeneca Italy had confirmed the reduction in production capacity at a meeting on Saturday with Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza and COVID-19 Special Commissioner Domenico Arcuri. "Such delays in deliveries represent serious contractual violations, which cause enormous damage to Italy and other countries," Conte said. "We'll use all available legal tools as we're already doing with Pfizer-BioNTech," he added. The European Medicines Agency will rule on the AstraZeneca vaccine on Jan. 29 and Locatelli said Rome would have to reassess immunisation plans after that. So far 1.31 million doses of vaccine have been injected in Italy, corresponding to around 70% of deliveries, placing Italy second in the EU after Germany. Nearly 40,300 people have completed the vaccination cycle after receiving the second dose. Italy reported 13,331 new coronavirus cases on Saturday and 488 deaths.

Italian PM says vaccine delays 'unacceptable', threatens to sue Pfizer

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte lashed out at suppliers of COVID-19 vaccines over delayed deliveries, saying delays in deliveries amounted to a serious breach of contractual obligations.

Italian PM Conte lashes out over vaccines delayed deliveries

Emanuele Filiberto, the descendent of Italy'w wartime king Victor Emmanuel III apologised to country's Jewish community for monarchy's role in Holocaust.&nbsp;

"I condemn the 1938 racial laws, all of whose weight I still feel on my shoulders to this day, and with me the whole royal house," 48-year-old Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy said of his great-grandfather.

Victor Emmanuel III had put his signature to an "unacceptable document", he added in a letter posted to Facebook, "officially apologising" in the name of his family.

During the second world war, about 8000 Italian Jews were deported from the country and murdered in Nazi concentration camps.

Alongside the letter, Filiberto also gave a TV interview in which he mentioned royal family's positive role in Italian unification and granting equal rights to Jews from 1848.

Several Italian royals were themselves deported to Nazi concentration camps, he recalled.

After the war, Victor Emmanuel III abdicated in May 1946 and died the following year in Egypt.

His son Humbert II reigned for only a month before leaving for Switzerland when Italians opted for a republican constitution in a referendum.

Parliament only ended a constitutional ban on the House of Savoy's male heirs returning to Italy in 2002, after Emanuele Filiberto and his father Vittorio Emanuele swore loyalty to the republic.

The two men gave up on compensation claims demanding 260 million euros ($316 million) for their family's exile and the return of the royal family's confiscated property after a public outcry.

Emanuele Filiberto is married to French actress Clotilde Courau.

(With AFP inputs)

Emanuele Filiberto, the descendent of Italy'w wartime king Victor Emmanuel III apologised to country's Jewish community for monarchy's role in Holocaust. "I condemn the 1938 racial laws, all of whose weight I still feel on my shoulders to this day, and with me the whole royal house," 48-year-old Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy said of his great-grandfather.

Emanuele Filiberto, the descendent of Italy'w wartime king Victor Emmanuel III apologised to country's Jewish community for monarchy's role in Holocaust. "I condemn the 1938 racial laws, all of whose weight I still feel on my shoulders to this day, and with me the whole royal house," 48-year-old Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy said of his great-grandfather. Victor Emmanuel III had put his signature to an "unacceptable document", he added in a letter posted to Facebook, "officially apologising" in the name of his family. During the second world war, about 8000 Italian Jews were deported from the country and murdered in Nazi concentration camps. Alongside the letter, Filiberto also gave a TV interview in which he mentioned royal family's positive role in Italian unification and granting equal rights to Jews from 1848. Several Italian royals were themselves deported to Nazi concentration camps, he recalled. After the war, Victor Emmanuel III abdicated in May 1946 and died the following year in Egypt. His son Humbert II reigned for only a month before leaving for Switzerland when Italians opted for a republican constitution in a referendum. Parliament only ended a constitutional ban on the House of Savoy's male heirs returning to Italy in 2002, after Emanuele Filiberto and his father Vittorio Emanuele swore loyalty to the republic. The two men gave up on compensation claims demanding 260 million euros ($316 million) for their family's exile and the return of the royal family's confiscated property after a public outcry. Emanuele Filiberto is married to French actress Clotilde Courau. (With AFP inputs)

Italian king's heir apologises for monarchy's role in Holocaust during second world war

Prosecutors in Italy are probing the death of 10-year-old girl who allegedly took part in Tiktok 'blackout challenge'. &nbsp;Italy has temporarily blocked access to TikTok to those whose age could not be proven definitively. As per TikTok's terms and conditions, its users must be at least 13-years-old.

The girl was found by her five-year-old sister in the family's bathroom with her cellphone. She was taken to hospital but she passed away.&nbsp;

TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, said Friday it had not managed to identify any content on its site that could have encouraged the girl to participate in any such challenge, but was helping the authorities in the probe over possible "incitement to suicide".

"The safety of the TikTok community is our absolute priority, for this motive we do not allow any content that encourages, promotes or glorifies behaviour that could be dangerous," a TikTok spokesman said.

The Italian Data Protection Authority said in a statement later Friday that it would "block the (Chinese) social media network" with immediate effect until February 15, by which date the network will have to meet the regulator's demands.

Medical experts have warned about the danger of the challenge being taken up by some young people, who refer to it as "scarfing" or "the choking game" in which restricted oxygen to the brain results in a high.

The deceased girl's parents told media that her sister told them that she "was playing the blackout game"

"We didn't know anything," the girl's father told the paper.&nbsp;

"We didn't know she was participating in this game. We knew that (our daughter) went on TikTok for dances, to look at videos. How could I imagine this atrocity?" he said.

Italy's data protection agency filed a lawsuit against TikTok in December, alleging a "lack of attention to the protection of minors" and criticising the ease with which very young children could sign up to the video app.

(With AFP inputs)

Prosecutors in Italy are probing the death of 10-year-old girl who allegedly took part in Tiktok 'blackout challenge'. Italy has temporarily blocked access to TikTok to those whose age could not be proven definitively.

Prosecutors in Italy are probing the death of 10-year-old girl who allegedly took part in Tiktok 'blackout challenge'. Italy has temporarily blocked access to TikTok to those whose age could not be proven definitively. As per TikTok's terms and conditions, its users must be at least 13-years-old. The girl was found by her five-year-old sister in the family's bathroom with her cellphone. She was taken to hospital but she passed away. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, said Friday it had not managed to identify any content on its site that could have encouraged the girl to participate in any such challenge, but was helping the authorities in the probe over possible "incitement to suicide". "The safety of the TikTok community is our absolute priority, for this motive we do not allow any content that encourages, promotes or glorifies behaviour that could be dangerous," a TikTok spokesman said. The Italian Data Protection Authority said in a statement later Friday that it would "block the (Chinese) social media network" with immediate effect until February 15, by which date the network will have to meet the regulator's demands. Medical experts have warned about the danger of the challenge being taken up by some young people, who refer to it as "scarfing" or "the choking game" in which restricted oxygen to the brain results in a high. The deceased girl's parents told media that her sister told them that she "was playing the blackout game" "We didn't know anything," the girl's father told the paper. "We didn't know she was participating in this game. We knew that (our daughter) went on TikTok for dances, to look at videos. How could I imagine this atrocity?" he said. Italy's data protection agency filed a lawsuit against TikTok in December, alleging a "lack of attention to the protection of minors" and criticising the ease with which very young children could sign up to the video app. (With AFP inputs)

Italy opens probe after 10-year-old girl dies in TikTok 'choking game'

Italy's mint stamped a new 2 euro coin on Thursday (January 21), commemorating the role of health workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Italian mint stamps new 2 euro coin commemorating health workers

Italian police on Saturday (January 16) recovered a priceless painting of the Leonardo da Vinci school which had been stolen from the Basilica of San Domenico Maggiore in Naples.

Italy police recover stolen Leonardo-school painting; museum unaware of theft

After surviving coronavirus infection months ago, a 108-year-old Italian woman has received coronavirus vaccine on Monday, thereby becoming one of the oldest people in the world to get inoculated.&nbsp;

Fatima Negrini, who will turn 109 on June 3, received the jab along with other residents of the Anni Azzurri San Faustino care home in Milan, a spokesman told news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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Earlier when the 108-year-old defected the virus last year, she said: "God forgot about me" as quoted by the Corriere della Sera newspaper.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-turns-to-flower-power-to-help-spread-vaccine-message-353005">Italy turns to flower power to help spread vaccine message</a>

On Monday, Sami Modiano, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor from Rome, also received Covid-19 vaccine according to regional president and leader of the centre-left Democratic Party Nicola Zingaretti.

Zingaretti shared the picture of the 90-year-old getting the jab on Twitter, describing it as "an image of trust and hope for everybody".

Meanwhile, Italy ranks third in the world following the US and the UK respectively to give the most number of coronavirus doses to its people with 1.15 million doses, according to a report by AFP.&nbsp;

Italy on Monday confirmed 377 Covid-19 deaths, the same it witnessed a day before, the health ministry said.

The daily tally of new infections dropped to 8,824 from 12,545 taking the total infections to 2.39 million.&nbsp;

Italy has recorded 82,554 coronavirus deaths, the second-highest toll in Europe and the sixth-highest globally.&nbsp;

After surviving coronavirus infection months ago, a 108-year-old Italian woman has received coronavirus vaccine on Monday, thereby becoming one of the oldest people in the world to get inoculated.

After surviving coronavirus infection months ago, a 108-year-old Italian woman has received coronavirus vaccine on Monday, thereby becoming one of the oldest people in the world to get inoculated. Fatima Negrini, who will turn 109 on June 3, received the jab along with other residents of the Anni Azzurri San Faustino care home in Milan, a spokesman told news agency AFP. Watch | Earlier when the 108-year-old defected the virus last year, she said: "God forgot about me" as quoted by the Corriere della Sera newspaper. Also read | Italy turns to flower power to help spread vaccine message On Monday, Sami Modiano, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor from Rome, also received Covid-19 vaccine according to regional president and leader of the centre-left Democratic Party Nicola Zingaretti. Zingaretti shared the picture of the 90-year-old getting the jab on Twitter, describing it as "an image of trust and hope for everybody". Meanwhile, Italy ranks third in the world following the US and the UK respectively to give the most number of coronavirus doses to its people with 1.15 million doses, according to a report by AFP. Italy on Monday confirmed 377 Covid-19 deaths, the same it witnessed a day before, the health ministry said. The daily tally of new infections dropped to 8,824 from 12,545 taking the total infections to 2.39 million. Italy has recorded 82,554 coronavirus deaths, the second-highest toll in Europe and the sixth-highest globally.

Italy: 108-year-old woman receives coronavirus vaccine

Ski resorts in Italy will not open to the public until at least February 15, the Italian government has announced. Authorities had set the reopening date to January 18, but have opted for a further postponement over fears of resorts becoming COVID-19 hotspots.

Italy ski resorts stay closed for now due to COVID

A suspected carbon monoxide leak in the Italian capital of Rome led to the deaths of five residents of a retirement home.

"Unfortunately there are five dead, then there are also five other residents in a serious condition and two care workers, a total of seven people in hospital," AFP quoted the local police as saying. 
 
After discovering 12 unconscious people in the care home, the morning team responsible for supervision of the building raised the alarm. The retirement home lies 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of Rome. 
 
The five surviving residents are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital nearby, while two care assistants have been moved to a hospital in Rome.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/giant-sinkhole-appears-in-hospitals-car-park-in-italy-355580" hreflang="en">Giant sinkhole appears in hospital's car park in Italy</a> 
 
Most of them showed symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a press release from the Anti-COVID Crisis Unit of the Lazio region.

According to the statement, nine residents and three employees tested positive for COVID-19 this week.&nbsp;

Since then, most of them were set to be moved to a COVID-19 treatment facility on Saturday morning.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/families-of-coronavirus-victims-sue-italy-for-100-million-euros-351928" hreflang="en">Families of coronavirus victims sue Italy for 100 million euros</a> 
 
The accident took place at the Villa Dei Diamanti care home in Lanuvio, a town situated near Rome. Italian firefighters, in a Tweet said the following - &nbsp;"Some residents have [been] killed, while others have been hospitalised”.

"It's a tragedy," Interior Ministry Undersecretary Carlo Sibilia said in a Facebook post.

A suspected carbon monoxide leak in the Italian capital of Rome led to the deaths of five residents of a retirement home. "Unfortunately there are five dead, then there are also five other residents in a serious condition and two care workers, a total of seven people in hospital," AFP quoted the local police as saying.

A suspected carbon monoxide leak in the Italian capital of Rome led to the deaths of five residents of a retirement home. "Unfortunately there are five dead, then there are also five other residents in a serious condition and two care workers, a total of seven people in hospital," AFP quoted the local police as saying. After discovering 12 unconscious people in the care home, the morning team responsible for supervision of the building raised the alarm. The retirement home lies 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of Rome. The five surviving residents are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital nearby, while two care assistants have been moved to a hospital in Rome. Also read: Giant sinkhole appears in hospital's car park in Italy Most of them showed symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to a press release from the Anti-COVID Crisis Unit of the Lazio region. According to the statement, nine residents and three employees tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Since then, most of them were set to be moved to a COVID-19 treatment facility on Saturday morning. Also read: Families of coronavirus victims sue Italy for 100 million euros The accident took place at the Villa Dei Diamanti care home in Lanuvio, a town situated near Rome. Italian firefighters, in a Tweet said the following - "Some residents have [been] killed, while others have been hospitalised”. "It's a tragedy," Interior Ministry Undersecretary Carlo Sibilia said in a Facebook post.

Carbon monoxide leak in Italian retirement home kills five

An eruption from Mount Etna lit up the sky during the night on Wednesday (January 13), seen from Fornazzo, a small village under the volcano.

Colourful explosions from Mount Etna light up night sky

Italian chef Marco Manili is demoralised, the Spazio Caffe restaurant where he works in Rome is struggling to get by and now the government has collapsed into crisis. He says it is difficult to understand how people will be able to keep going if the government goes into free-fall.

Small businesses cry for help, no time for government crisis

A bell rings in the convent of Saint Veronica Giuliani, in the medieval town of Citta di Castello, signalling a visitor.

Cloistered nuns feel more isolated in COVID-19 lockdown

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