A 7-year-old Italian boy has become a beacon of hope for millions. Sirio Persichetti has a form of Cerebral Palsy which affects the movement of his arms & legs, but this disability has not stopped him of becoming Italy's youngest influencer.

7-year-old Italian boy challenges perceptions of disability

Italy's Sirio Persichetti cannot speak or eat himself but still has become an inspiration for many on social media.&nbsp;

Persichetti, seven-year-old, was born premature on August 15, 2013 and was on the verge of losing his life within months.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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His parents found that he was not able to breathe on his own and the doctors thought that the newborn would remain brain dead for the rest of his life.

Also read&nbsp;| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-italian-village-is-paying-you-to-stay-there-337058">This Italian village is paying you to stay there</a>

However, Persichetti beat all odds and now has become one of his country's youngest social media influencers, explaining thousands of viewers how he overcame his setbacks.

This young sensation is suffering from a condition known as spastic tetraplegia, a type of cerebral palsy that hinders the movement of his arms and legs.

Due to the mouth being permanently paralysed open, Persichetti finds it difficult in forming words and swallowing.&nbsp;

A tube in his stomach allows Persichetti to stay on liquid nutrition and a tracheotomy helps him breathe.

He baffled doctors by starting to walk two years ago, something they said he would never manage to do.&nbsp;

Now at seven, he can walk comfortably and quickly via his leg braces.

His resilience, bubbly personality and love for life made her mother Valentina create his social media pages on Facebook and Instagram, a web site and a Twitter handle.&nbsp;

In these social media pages, videos from Persichetti's daily life are uploaded, which include funny anecdotes that have won hearts across the world.&nbsp;

(With Reuters inputs) 
&nbsp;

Italy's Sirio Persichetti cannot speak or eat himself but still has become an inspiration for many on social media. Persichetti, seven-year-old, was born premature on August 15, 2013 and was on the verge of losing his life within months.

Italy's Sirio Persichetti cannot speak or eat himself but still has become an inspiration for many on social media. Persichetti, seven-year-old, was born premature on August 15, 2013 and was on the verge of losing his life within months. Watch | His parents found that he was not able to breathe on his own and the doctors thought that the newborn would remain brain dead for the rest of his life. Also read | This Italian village is paying you to stay there However, Persichetti beat all odds and now has become one of his country's youngest social media influencers, explaining thousands of viewers how he overcame his setbacks. This young sensation is suffering from a condition known as spastic tetraplegia, a type of cerebral palsy that hinders the movement of his arms and legs. Due to the mouth being permanently paralysed open, Persichetti finds it difficult in forming words and swallowing. A tube in his stomach allows Persichetti to stay on liquid nutrition and a tracheotomy helps him breathe. He baffled doctors by starting to walk two years ago, something they said he would never manage to do. Now at seven, he can walk comfortably and quickly via his leg braces. His resilience, bubbly personality and love for life made her mother Valentina create his social media pages on Facebook and Instagram, a web site and a Twitter handle. In these social media pages, videos from Persichetti's daily life are uploaded, which include funny anecdotes that have won hearts across the world. (With Reuters inputs)

Watch: Journey of seven-year-old Italian who defeated disability to become social media influencer

Sirio Persichetti can't speak, can't feed himself, and he is only seven-years-old. He was born premature and almost died within months. His parents found him lifeless, not breathing in his cot just eight days into being back home. After spending most of the first year of his life in intensive care in a vegetative state, the hospital thought he would be brain dead his whole life. But against all odds Sirio proved them wrong, and has now become one of Italy's youngest influencers showing thousands of his social media viewers how he has conquered his setbacks.

7-year-old Italian influencer challenges perceptions of disability

Diversification of supply chains was the top focus of India-Italy virtual summit on Friday, the 5th such virtual summit of Indian Prime Minister amidst the COVID pandemic. The virtual summit between Indian PM Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giuseppe Conte also saw both sides discussing the COVID crisis and G20 summit, given Italy will host the summit next year and India in 2022.

Sandeep Chakravorty, Secretary (Europe West) at the MEA presser, after the virtual summit said, "Italy is very keen to diversify its supply chains &amp; investment to have a more substantive economic partnership with India. Bilateral economic cooperation was focused on diversification of supply chains".

India, Australia and Japan are working on alternate supply chains, and focus is that more countries join the initiative. In fact, one was the virtual summit was with Denmark's PM and the focus on the diversified supply chain. &nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/foreign-envoys-welcome-meas-covid-briefing-india-to-show-its-vaccine-facility-341260">Foreign envoys welcome MEA's COVID briefing; India to show its vaccine facility</a>

Currently, global supply chains are China dominated and amidst the covid pandemic, an aggressive Beijing necessitated alternate supply chains by like-minded countries such as India, US, Japan, Australia.

Interestingly, the Joint statement after the summit saw both sides stressing on the "importance of the Indo-Pacific region as a fundamental area" for connecting Asia and Europe and stated their Countries’ willingness to support"all connectivity initiatives based on internationally recognized norms and standards, good governance, rule of law, inclusiveness, transparency and a level playing field."

All in all 15 MoU were signed between the two sides, on trade, technology, shipping, energy.

Diversification of supply chains was the top focus of India-Italy virtual summit on Friday, the 5th such virtual summit of Indian Prime Minister amidst the COVID pandemic.

Diversification of supply chains was the top focus of India-Italy virtual summit on Friday, the 5th such virtual summit of Indian Prime Minister amidst the COVID pandemic. The virtual summit between Indian PM Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giuseppe Conte also saw both sides discussing the COVID crisis and G20 summit, given Italy will host the summit next year and India in 2022. Sandeep Chakravorty, Secretary (Europe West) at the MEA presser, after the virtual summit said, "Italy is very keen to diversify its supply chains & investment to have a more substantive economic partnership with India. Bilateral economic cooperation was focused on diversification of supply chains". India, Australia and Japan are working on alternate supply chains, and focus is that more countries join the initiative. In fact, one was the virtual summit was with Denmark's PM and the focus on the diversified supply chain. Also read| Foreign envoys welcome MEA's COVID briefing; India to show its vaccine facility Currently, global supply chains are China dominated and amidst the covid pandemic, an aggressive Beijing necessitated alternate supply chains by like-minded countries such as India, US, Japan, Australia. Interestingly, the Joint statement after the summit saw both sides stressing on the "importance of the Indo-Pacific region as a fundamental area" for connecting Asia and Europe and stated their Countries’ willingness to support"all connectivity initiatives based on internationally recognized norms and standards, good governance, rule of law, inclusiveness, transparency and a level playing field." All in all 15 MoU were signed between the two sides, on trade, technology, shipping, energy.

Diversification of supply chains top focus at India-Italy virtual summit

An Italian artist Giovanni Contardi, has created an art with with more than 6000 Rubik's cubes and in the process made a world record of solving each cube in 7 seconds.

Italian artist creates portrait using more than 6000 Rubik's cubes

In nearly seven decades in the barber business, Luigi Pinzo has seen Italy go through some bad times, from myriad recessions to political assassinations. But it took the coronavirus to force the old style master hair cutter to hang up his scissors.

Spooked by coronavirus, Italian hairdresser hangs up his scissors after 68 years

A Rubik's Cube artist has created a 6,000-piece mosaic in under 16 hours, the largest Rubik's Cube mosaic ever made in this time. Giovanni Contardi, 26, created the special artwork to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the logic puzzle and the finals of the Red Bull Rubik's Cube World Cup, both on Saturday, November 7.

Artist completes 6,000-piece Rubik's Cube mosaic in 16 hours

The lockdown is aimed at tamping down a surge in Covid-19 infections and preventing hospitals from being overwhelmed with cases.

COVID-19: Four Italian regions, including Milan, under lockdown

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed his condolences to the families of victims. Italian PM also condemned the attack.

France Knife Attack: UK & Italy leaders react to knife attack

Scuffles broke out in Rome on Tuesday evening (October 27) between police and supporters of an extreme right wing group, who were protesting against anti-COVID-19 safety measures.

Protests in Italy against new coronavirus curbs

Hundreds of locals took to streets in Italy to demonstrate fo a bill that would make anti-LGBT violence a hate crime leading to harsher penalties in comparison to the existing punishments under the current law.

Will Italy successfully pass its LGBTQ+ hate crime law?

Hundreds of locals took to streets in Italy to demonstrate fo a bill that would make anti-LGBT violence a hate crime leading to harsher&nbsp;penalties in comparison to the existing punishments under the current law.

The demonstrators came out to request the government to roll out the long-overdue measures to provide basic human rights and safety from the attacks that the LGBT community faces in the country.&nbsp;

“We have been through centuries of discrimination,” said Marlon Landolfo, 21, who recounted a vicious homophobic attack on him and another man in northern Italy last month told The New York Times. “Now it’s 2020 and we are still discussing a law that protects us for what we are.”

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This bill, in talks, will now recognise anti-LGBT and anti-women hate crimes and hate speech and will include these as offences under the existing law that marks these as a part of the punishment similar to&nbsp;discrimination, violence or incitement to violence based on someone’s race or religion. As per the new rule, the accused would face a jail time of four years, if found guilty.

The current law does not treat the accused under these strict measures and there is no&nbsp;specific designation for such offences against the LGBT community which fuels the attacks against conducted against this community leading to an increased number of&nbsp;homophobic and&nbsp;transphobic attacks.

Demonstrators came out despite a surge in coronavirus cases as many claimed that they feel less threatened by the pandemic and more by the continuous discrimination and attacks directed at them and their friends.

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Italy has been one of the countries where people have not openly accepted the LGBTQ community, as opposed to the openness in other Western countries such as the UK, France and Spain. The European country legalised same-sex relationships in 2016, but same-sex marriage is still a crime in Italy.

The bill has a majority in the parliament as of now, and a decision is pending on the same. Whether or not the bill will be passed, will be revealed soon.

Hundreds of locals took to streets in Italy to demonstrate fo a bill that would make anti-LGBT violence a hate crime leading to harsher penalties in comparison to the existing punishments under the current law. The demonstrators came out to request the government to roll out the long-overdue measures to provide basic human rights and safety from the attacks that the LGBT community faces in the country. “We have been through centuries of discrimination,” said Marlon Landolfo, 21, who recounted a vicious homophobic attack on him and another man in northern Italy last month told The New York Times. “Now it’s 2020 and we are still discussing a law that protects us for what we are.” × This bill, in talks, will now recognise anti-LGBT and anti-women hate crimes and hate speech and will include these as offences under the existing law that marks these as a part of the punishment similar to discrimination, violence or incitement to violence based on someone’s race or religion. As per the new rule, the accused would face a jail time of four years, if found guilty. The current law does not treat the accused under these strict measures and there is no specific designation for such offences against the LGBT community which fuels the attacks against conducted against this community leading to an increased number of homophobic and transphobic attacks. Demonstrators came out despite a surge in coronavirus cases as many claimed that they feel less threatened by the pandemic and more by the continuous discrimination and attacks directed at them and their friends. × Italy has been one of the countries where people have not openly accepted the LGBTQ community, as opposed to the openness in other Western countries such as the UK, France and Spain. The European country legalised same-sex relationships in 2016, but same-sex marriage is still a crime in Italy. The bill has a majority in the parliament as of now, and a decision is pending on the same. Whether or not the bill will be passed, will be revealed soon.

Italy comes out to support LGBTQ community before bill decision

Human clinical trials on raloxifene, a generic osteoporosis drug that researchers hope may also help reduce COVID-19 symptoms and make patients less infectious, will soon begin in Italy.

Italy's main medicines regulator gave the go-ahead for such trials on Tuesday.

The drug was identified as a potential COVID-19 treatment by researchers using supercomputers to screen more than 400,000 molecules for chemical characteristics that might inhibit the virus, focusing on those already approved for use in humans.

Researchers hope that raloxifene - a generic drug known as a selective oestrogen receptor modulator - would block replication of the virus in cells and thus slow down progress of the disease.

There was some evidence early in the coronavirus pandemic that oestrogen present in pre-menopausal women might have a protective effect against the virus. Some scientists think raloxifene, which is prescribed to strengthen the bones of older women with lower levels of oestrogen, the female hormone, may provide the same kind of protection.

The trial will involve 450 hospital and home patients at Rome's Spallanzani Hospital and Humanitas in Milan in the initial phase.

They will be given a seven-day treatment of raloxifene capsules in a randomised sample and 174 more people may be added in the final stage. Enrolment will last 12 weeks.

The Excalate4Cov platform is backed by the European Commission and coordinates supercomputing centres in Italy, Germany and Spain with pharmaceutical companies and research centres, including the University of Louvain, Fraunhofer Institut, Politecnico di Milano and Spallanzani Hospital.

It uses a chemical library of 500 billion molecules and can process 3 million molecules per second using four supercomputers of more than 122 Petaflops, a unit of computing speed equal to one thousand trillion floating-point operations a second.

Researchers harnessed the power of the supercomputers to create a three-dimensional structure of 12 coronavirus proteins and conduct simulations to see where the proteins may be attacked by a drug.

(with inputs)

Human clinical trials on raloxifene, a generic osteoporosis drug that researchers hope may also help reduce COVID-19 symptoms and make patients less infectious, will soon begin in Italy.

Human clinical trials on raloxifene, a generic osteoporosis drug that researchers hope may also help reduce COVID-19 symptoms and make patients less infectious, will soon begin in Italy. Italy's main medicines regulator gave the go-ahead for such trials on Tuesday. The drug was identified as a potential COVID-19 treatment by researchers using supercomputers to screen more than 400,000 molecules for chemical characteristics that might inhibit the virus, focusing on those already approved for use in humans. Researchers hope that raloxifene - a generic drug known as a selective oestrogen receptor modulator - would block replication of the virus in cells and thus slow down progress of the disease. There was some evidence early in the coronavirus pandemic that oestrogen present in pre-menopausal women might have a protective effect against the virus. Some scientists think raloxifene, which is prescribed to strengthen the bones of older women with lower levels of oestrogen, the female hormone, may provide the same kind of protection. The trial will involve 450 hospital and home patients at Rome's Spallanzani Hospital and Humanitas in Milan in the initial phase. They will be given a seven-day treatment of raloxifene capsules in a randomised sample and 174 more people may be added in the final stage. Enrolment will last 12 weeks. The Excalate4Cov platform is backed by the European Commission and coordinates supercomputing centres in Italy, Germany and Spain with pharmaceutical companies and research centres, including the University of Louvain, Fraunhofer Institut, Politecnico di Milano and Spallanzani Hospital. It uses a chemical library of 500 billion molecules and can process 3 million molecules per second using four supercomputers of more than 122 Petaflops, a unit of computing speed equal to one thousand trillion floating-point operations a second. Researchers harnessed the power of the supercomputers to create a three-dimensional structure of 12 coronavirus proteins and conduct simulations to see where the proteins may be attacked by a drug. (with inputs)

Italy to hold human trials of osteoporosis drug to treat COVID-19

We all crave a getaway. It has become all the more important in times of coronavirus pandemic. Everyone is craving an escape from the monotonous, gloomy days. Not all of us are wealthy enough to take the vacation of our dreams but if a picturesque Italian town is willing to pay you to move there, it sounds like a good deal right?

Well here's what's on offer.

Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a walled medieval village in Italy is offering people money to move there. The town council will pay you a monthly fee for three years, or make a lump sum payment.

The village is two hours away from Rome. The famed Adriatic coast is on a 90-minute drive. You will be given a place to stay at a nominal rent.

The village is situated in Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga national park so picturesque views of mountains and green valleys are sure to greet you through windows whenever you peer out.

In return for all this, the city council only expects that you start a business there.

The council is willing to pay monthly fees or upto USD 9500 per year for three years. Alternately, the council will make a lump-sum payment of USD 24,000

Town council will accept your application only if you are 18 to 40 years old. The only catch is that one needs to be a resident of Italy or have legal ability to become one.

The village of Santo Stefano has a population of 115. Authorities are taking action to ensure that the population doesn't fall any lower. About half of the residents are pensioners.

Despite all the conditions, there have been more than thousand applications to move to Santo Stefano.

We all crave a getaway. It has become all the more important in times of coronavirus pandemic. Everyone is craving an escape from the monotonous, gloomy days. Not all of us are wealthy enough to take the vacation of our dreams but if a picturesque Italian town is willing to pay you to move there, it sounds like a good deal right?

We all crave a getaway. It has become all the more important in times of coronavirus pandemic. Everyone is craving an escape from the monotonous, gloomy days. Not all of us are wealthy enough to take the vacation of our dreams but if a picturesque Italian town is willing to pay you to move there, it sounds like a good deal right? Well here's what's on offer. Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a walled medieval village in Italy is offering people money to move there. The town council will pay you a monthly fee for three years, or make a lump sum payment. The village is two hours away from Rome. The famed Adriatic coast is on a 90-minute drive. You will be given a place to stay at a nominal rent. The village is situated in Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga national park so picturesque views of mountains and green valleys are sure to greet you through windows whenever you peer out. In return for all this, the city council only expects that you start a business there. The council is willing to pay monthly fees or upto USD 9500 per year for three years. Alternately, the council will make a lump-sum payment of USD 24,000 Town council will accept your application only if you are 18 to 40 years old. The only catch is that one needs to be a resident of Italy or have legal ability to become one. The village of Santo Stefano has a population of 115. Authorities are taking action to ensure that the population doesn't fall any lower. About half of the residents are pensioners. Despite all the conditions, there have been more than thousand applications to move to Santo Stefano.

This Italian village is paying you to stay there

In the poor Spanish quarter, teachers have taken to the narrow, windy streets to hold their lessons with pupils socially distancing outdoors.

Naples teachers bring socially distanced school to streets and balconies

After decades locked away in a Rome basement, some of the finest sculptures from antiquity have been pulled from the gloom and returned to public view. Busts of Roman emperors, intricate sarcophagi and an ancient Greek relief carved 2,500 years ago are just some of the 92 pieces put on display in Villa Caffarelli, part of the ancient city's Capitoline Museums.

Ancient statues emerge from the shadows in blockbuster Rome show

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has recovered from COVID-19, a source close to the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.

The media tycoon, who spent the first half of September in a Milan hospital before being sent home under quarantine, has now tested negative for the virus and is waiting for the result of a second swab for final confirmation, the source said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/former-italian-premier-berlusconi-responding-to-coronavirus-drugs-but-in-delicate-phase-325564" hreflang="en">Former Italian premier Berlusconi responding to coronavirus drugs but in 'delicate' phase</a>

Berlusconi, 84, developed double pneumonia and was in Milan's San Raffaele hospital for more than 10 days.

He will not attend to the wedding on Wednesday of his youngest son Luigi, who also had the virus last month, but he is considering taking part in the family dinner organised for the evening, the source said.

Berlusconi is believed to have caught the coronavirus while on holiday on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, which saw a surge in infections during the summer.

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has recovered from COVID-19, a source close to the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. The media tycoon, who spent the first half of September in a Milan hospital before being sent home under quarantine, has now tested negative for the virus and is waiting for the result of a second swab for final confirmation, the source said.

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has recovered from COVID-19, a source close to the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. The media tycoon, who spent the first half of September in a Milan hospital before being sent home under quarantine, has now tested negative for the virus and is waiting for the result of a second swab for final confirmation, the source said. Also read: Former Italian premier Berlusconi responding to coronavirus drugs but in 'delicate' phase Berlusconi, 84, developed double pneumonia and was in Milan's San Raffaele hospital for more than 10 days. He will not attend to the wedding on Wednesday of his youngest son Luigi, who also had the virus last month, but he is considering taking part in the family dinner organised for the evening, the source said. Berlusconi is believed to have caught the coronavirus while on holiday on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, which saw a surge in infections during the summer.

Italy's former PM Berlusconi recovers from COVID-19

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Former first lady of the United States Michelle Obama has accused President Donald Trump of "willful mismanagement" of the coronavirus crisis and of racism in a scathing new video ahead of the November 3 presidential election.

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A vaccine against COVID-19 may be ready by year-end, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday, without elaborating.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trio-awarded-nobel-physics-prize-for-research-into-black-holes-332913">Trio awarded Nobel Physics Prize for research into black holes</a>

Roger Penrose of Britain, Reinhard Genzel of Germany and Andrea Ghez of the US won the Nobel Physics Prize on Tuesday for their research into black holes.

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A Hong Kong teacher has been struck off for allegedly promoting the city's independence in classes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/isro-plans-to-launch-new-rocket-before-december-2020-332899">ISRO plans to launch new rocket before December 2020</a>

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working towards launching its new rocket 'Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)' before December 2020, a senior official said.

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If you contract the coronavirus in the United States, you may get a similar behavioural treatment the president -- Donald Trump -- received. But not the same kind of medical treatment.

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Warner Bros., has released their movies release calendar with some major jigs between dates of ‘The Batman’, ‘Dune’ and other films.&nbsp;

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Massive floods in France and Italy have not just killed people along with causing other destruction, but their sheer intensity has also swept out corpses from cemeteries.&nbsp;

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A deceased gynaecologist has fathered at least 17 children with women, who thought they were receiving sperm from anonymous donors.

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Maldives former vice president Ahmed Adeeb has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to graft, money laundering and abuse of power.

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A car bomb on Tuesday killed 14 people in the Turkish-controlled town of Al-Bab in northern Syria.

Michelle Obama slams Trump in closing argument for Biden Former first lady of the United States Michelle Obama has accused President Donald Trump of "willful mismanagement" of the coronavirus crisis and of racism in a scathing new video ahead of the November 3 presidential election.

Michelle Obama slams Trump in closing argument for Biden Former first lady of the United States Michelle Obama has accused President Donald Trump of "willful mismanagement" of the coronavirus crisis and of racism in a scathing new video ahead of the November 3 presidential election. COVID-19 vaccine may be ready by year-end: WHO's Tedros A vaccine against COVID-19 may be ready by year-end, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday, without elaborating. Trio awarded Nobel Physics Prize for research into black holes Roger Penrose of Britain, Reinhard Genzel of Germany and Andrea Ghez of the US won the Nobel Physics Prize on Tuesday for their research into black holes. Hong Kong teacher struck off for holding 'pro-independence' classes A Hong Kong teacher has been struck off for allegedly promoting the city's independence in classes. ISRO plans to launch new rocket before December 2020 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working towards launching its new rocket 'Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)' before December 2020, a senior official said. Trump is the only patient to have received the Covid-19 treatment he did If you contract the coronavirus in the United States, you may get a similar behavioural treatment the president -- Donald Trump -- received. But not the same kind of medical treatment. Warner Bros. movies calendar: 'Batman' shifts to 2022, 'Matrix 4' to 2021 Warner Bros., has released their movies release calendar with some major jigs between dates of ‘The Batman’, ‘Dune’ and other films. Floods in Italy, France cause dead bodies unearth from cemeteries Massive floods in France and Italy have not just killed people along with causing other destruction, but their sheer intensity has also swept out corpses from cemeteries. Scandalous Dutch fertility doctor fathered 17 children A deceased gynaecologist has fathered at least 17 children with women, who thought they were receiving sperm from anonymous donors. Maldives former vice president gets 20 years for graft Maldives former vice president Ahmed Adeeb has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to graft, money laundering and abuse of power. Car bomb in north Syria kills 14 A car bomb on Tuesday killed 14 people in the Turkish-controlled town of Al-Bab in northern Syria.

Top ten world news: Updates on US election 2020, Covid vaccine and more

Massive floods in France and Italy have not just killed people along with causing other destruction, but their sheer intensity has also swept out corpses from cemeteries.&nbsp;

As many as 12 people have died since the storm pounded this Friday in Italy's Liguria and Piedmont and Alpes-Maritimes region in France.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-battles-floods-paris-stares-at-covid-19-lockdown-332309">France battles floods, Paris stares at COVID-19 lockdown</a>

Over 600 rescuers and others on Tuesday were searching for about 20 people still missing, a spokesperson for the Alpes-Maritimes regional administration said.&nbsp;

There were corpses found on the Italian side, she said, reports The Associated Press.&nbsp;

However, she did not confirm where the bodies came and how many were found. It was also not told whether the bodies were amongst the ones who had died in the storm.&nbsp;

Local officials have said graveyards in the French towns of Saint-Martin-de-Vesubie and Tende were partially swept off due to the floods.&nbsp;

Tende Mayor Jean-Pierre Vassallo told Le Parisien newspaper that the village cemetery "was cut in two" and bodies came out.&nbsp;

Forensic police, security personnel, firefighters, rescue divers, among others are working to identify the corpses, a spokesperson for France's national gendarme service said.

He added that police are carrying out door-to-door checks in hamlets where roads, electricity, communication and water supplies are disrupted.&nbsp;

Massive floods in France and Italy have not just killed people along with causing other destruction, but their sheer intensity has also swept out corpses from cemeteries.

Massive floods in France and Italy have not just killed people along with causing other destruction, but their sheer intensity has also swept out corpses from cemeteries. As many as 12 people have died since the storm pounded this Friday in Italy's Liguria and Piedmont and Alpes-Maritimes region in France. Also read | France battles floods, Paris stares at COVID-19 lockdown Over 600 rescuers and others on Tuesday were searching for about 20 people still missing, a spokesperson for the Alpes-Maritimes regional administration said. There were corpses found on the Italian side, she said, reports The Associated Press. However, she did not confirm where the bodies came and how many were found. It was also not told whether the bodies were amongst the ones who had died in the storm. Local officials have said graveyards in the French towns of Saint-Martin-de-Vesubie and Tende were partially swept off due to the floods. Tende Mayor Jean-Pierre Vassallo told Le Parisien newspaper that the village cemetery "was cut in two" and bodies came out. Forensic police, security personnel, firefighters, rescue divers, among others are working to identify the corpses, a spokesperson for France's national gendarme service said. He added that police are carrying out door-to-door checks in hamlets where roads, electricity, communication and water supplies are disrupted.

Floods in Italy, France cause dead bodies unearth from cemeteries

Italian parish priest Don Mario Carminati has had to open the doors of his church to hundreds of coffins, rather than the faithful.

Italy: Priest tells of coffins in church amid coronavirus pandemic

Happy to have you back: Countries offering incentives to lure travellers

As fear of a second wave grips Europe, Italy appears to be coping much better than other countries such as France, Spain and the U.K.

Coronavirus: How is Italy coping better than other nations

Italians voted on reducing the size of parliament and in local elections in the government's first test amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Italians vote to reduce Parliament size: 70% people voted in favour of the change

Italians head to the polls Sunday -- to the alarm of coronavirus experts -- for a referendum and regional elections that could weaken the government and radically reshape the political landscape.

Just a week after a Herculean effort by schools to reopen in line with last-minute Covid-19 rules, classrooms across the country will be shut to pupils and transformed into ballot stations for the two-day vote.

A triumph for the far-right in this fiercely fought campaign would sound alarm bells in Brussels.

It will be the first test for Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's centre-left coalition government since it imposed an economically crippling nationwide lockdown to fight the virus, which has killed almost 36,000 people.

The referendum, on slashing the number of members of parliament -- from 630 to 400 in the lower house, and 315 to 200 in the upper house -- is expected to pass, though there has been a late uptick in the number of prominent 'no' declarations.

The cost-cutting reform is the brainchild of the co-governing Five Star Movement (M5S), but while its centre-left coalition Democratic Party (PD) partner and parties on the right are theoretically in favour, their support has been lacklustre at best.

Uncertain future

The regional battle is for governance of Campania, Liguria, Marche, Puglia, Tuscany, Valle d'Aosta and Veneto.

The right-wing coalition is set to easily retake Veneto and Liguria, and it could also snatch Marche and Puglia from the left.

But all eyes will be on Tuscany, a historic left-wing stronghold that might fall to Matteo Salvini's far-right League.

"If the left performs particularly poorly... Brussels will grow concerned," Berenberg economist Florian Hense told AFP.

It will worry whether the national recovery plan Italy has to present to obtain grants or loans to aid its ailing economy after the coronavirus lockdown "will be ambitious enough, given the limited political capital of the coalition in Rome," he said.

"And whether, whatever plan Italy comes up with, it will actually implement it given the uncertain future of the current coalition".

Concern over virus

The poll is going ahead despite warnings against opening polling stations while Covid-19 case numbers are on the rise.

While Italy currently has fewer new cases than Britain, France or Spain, it is still recording more than 1,500 daily.

"The country is in a state of emergency; it is utterly contradictory to be massing people together at polling stations, particularly in light of the trend in Europe," Professor Massimo Galli, infectious diseases chief at Milan's Sacco hospital, told AFP.

He said previously that holding the elections now would be "madness".

Some precautions have been taken however, with elderly and pregnant voters getting fast-track lanes to vote.

With older people potentially put off voting by the health risks, the left has been organising special transport.

One in three of voters for the PD and League are over 65-years old, according to Italy's Corriere della Sera daily.

Nearly 2,000 voters in isolation due to the coronavirus have also registered to have their votes collected, including former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

But fear of catching the virus from voters obliged to pull down their masks to allow them to be identified has seen a flurry of last-minute desertions by polling station volunteers.

Milan was forced Saturday to call urgently for 100 fresh pairs of hands.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Conte has clinched a behind-doors deal with PD leader Nicola Zingaretti to fight to save each other's political skins should the left should perform disastrously, according to the Repubblica daily.

That might not be enough.

"These elections are not going to topple the government," Political commentator Barbara Fiammeri for Italy's Sole 24 Ore daily told AFP.

"But there could well be a crisis, whether it be Conte's fall, the forming of new coalition, or even a national unity government".

Italians head to the polls Sunday -- to the alarm of coronavirus experts -- for a referendum and regional elections that could weaken the government and radically reshape the political landscape.

Italians head to the polls Sunday -- to the alarm of coronavirus experts -- for a referendum and regional elections that could weaken the government and radically reshape the political landscape. Just a week after a Herculean effort by schools to reopen in line with last-minute Covid-19 rules, classrooms across the country will be shut to pupils and transformed into ballot stations for the two-day vote. A triumph for the far-right in this fiercely fought campaign would sound alarm bells in Brussels. It will be the first test for Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's centre-left coalition government since it imposed an economically crippling nationwide lockdown to fight the virus, which has killed almost 36,000 people. The referendum, on slashing the number of members of parliament -- from 630 to 400 in the lower house, and 315 to 200 in the upper house -- is expected to pass, though there has been a late uptick in the number of prominent 'no' declarations. The cost-cutting reform is the brainchild of the co-governing Five Star Movement (M5S), but while its centre-left coalition Democratic Party (PD) partner and parties on the right are theoretically in favour, their support has been lacklustre at best. Uncertain future The regional battle is for governance of Campania, Liguria, Marche, Puglia, Tuscany, Valle d'Aosta and Veneto. The right-wing coalition is set to easily retake Veneto and Liguria, and it could also snatch Marche and Puglia from the left. But all eyes will be on Tuscany, a historic left-wing stronghold that might fall to Matteo Salvini's far-right League. "If the left performs particularly poorly... Brussels will grow concerned," Berenberg economist Florian Hense told AFP. It will worry whether the national recovery plan Italy has to present to obtain grants or loans to aid its ailing economy after the coronavirus lockdown "will be ambitious enough, given the limited political capital of the coalition in Rome," he said. "And whether, whatever plan Italy comes up with, it will actually implement it given the uncertain future of the current coalition". Concern over virus The poll is going ahead despite warnings against opening polling stations while Covid-19 case numbers are on the rise. While Italy currently has fewer new cases than Britain, France or Spain, it is still recording more than 1,500 daily. "The country is in a state of emergency; it is utterly contradictory to be massing people together at polling stations, particularly in light of the trend in Europe," Professor Massimo Galli, infectious diseases chief at Milan's Sacco hospital, told AFP. He said previously that holding the elections now would be "madness". Some precautions have been taken however, with elderly and pregnant voters getting fast-track lanes to vote. With older people potentially put off voting by the health risks, the left has been organising special transport. One in three of voters for the PD and League are over 65-years old, according to Italy's Corriere della Sera daily. Nearly 2,000 voters in isolation due to the coronavirus have also registered to have their votes collected, including former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. But fear of catching the virus from voters obliged to pull down their masks to allow them to be identified has seen a flurry of last-minute desertions by polling station volunteers. Milan was forced Saturday to call urgently for 100 fresh pairs of hands. Prime Minister Conte has clinched a behind-doors deal with PD leader Nicola Zingaretti to fight to save each other's political skins should the left should perform disastrously, according to the Repubblica daily. That might not be enough. "These elections are not going to topple the government," Political commentator Barbara Fiammeri for Italy's Sole 24 Ore daily told AFP. "But there could well be a crisis, whether it be Conte's fall, the forming of new coalition, or even a national unity government".

Italy defies virus for vote as far-right plots seismic change

Rights activists on Sunday accused Italian authorities of blocking migrant rescue ship Sea-Watch 4 from leaving port and resuming its emergency mission in the Mediterranean.

After an inspection on the safety of the vessel to operate in high seas, Italian authorities placed the ship under an administrative blockade, said the German activist groups Sea-Watch and United4Rescue, as well as Doctors without Borders.

It is currently docked in Palermo in southern Italy.

The move comes as Italy has been struggling in recent months with daily arrivals of hundreds of migrants from North Africa, a task complicated by security measures imposed under the coronavirus crisis.

Inspectors made their decision after finding too many life jackets on board for a ship which has a sewage system that is unsuitable for the potential number of people rescued, said the groups.

"The flimsy justifications show once again that this was not an inspection serving the purpose of ship safety, but a systematic move to prevent civil sea rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean," said Philipp Hahn, Head of Mission on Sea-Watch 4.&nbsp;

"Even though the responsible authorities have asked us to assist in rescue operations, they are now blocking yet another rescue vessel."

Migrant rescue groups have repeatedly clashed with Italian authorities over their operations.

Italy has come under fire in the past for refusing to allow private vessels carrying migrants to dock -- former interior minister Matteo Salvini is facing a trial for illegally detaining migrants at sea.

However, Italy has authorised the arrival of charity ships since it signed a deal with France, Germany, and Malta last September.

The deal stipulates participants must voluntarily take in a share of asylum-seekers rescued from overcrowded boats in the Mediterranean.

Over the past five years, at least 19,164 migrants have died in the Mediterranean, the deadliest route for migrants attempting the perilous crossing from North Africa to Italy.

Rights activists on Sunday accused Italian authorities of blocking migrant rescue ship Sea-Watch 4 from leaving port and resuming its emergency mission in the Mediterranean.

Rights activists on Sunday accused Italian authorities of blocking migrant rescue ship Sea-Watch 4 from leaving port and resuming its emergency mission in the Mediterranean. After an inspection on the safety of the vessel to operate in high seas, Italian authorities placed the ship under an administrative blockade, said the German activist groups Sea-Watch and United4Rescue, as well as Doctors without Borders. It is currently docked in Palermo in southern Italy. The move comes as Italy has been struggling in recent months with daily arrivals of hundreds of migrants from North Africa, a task complicated by security measures imposed under the coronavirus crisis. Inspectors made their decision after finding too many life jackets on board for a ship which has a sewage system that is unsuitable for the potential number of people rescued, said the groups. "The flimsy justifications show once again that this was not an inspection serving the purpose of ship safety, but a systematic move to prevent civil sea rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean," said Philipp Hahn, Head of Mission on Sea-Watch 4. "Even though the responsible authorities have asked us to assist in rescue operations, they are now blocking yet another rescue vessel." Migrant rescue groups have repeatedly clashed with Italian authorities over their operations. Italy has come under fire in the past for refusing to allow private vessels carrying migrants to dock -- former interior minister Matteo Salvini is facing a trial for illegally detaining migrants at sea. However, Italy has authorised the arrival of charity ships since it signed a deal with France, Germany, and Malta last September. The deal stipulates participants must voluntarily take in a share of asylum-seekers rescued from overcrowded boats in the Mediterranean. Over the past five years, at least 19,164 migrants have died in the Mediterranean, the deadliest route for migrants attempting the perilous crossing from North Africa to Italy.

Activists accuse Italy of halting ship rescue mission

The resurgence in coronavirus cases is the biggest threat to the recovering eurozone economy. Growth and inflation are more likely to create negative surprises over the coming year than positive ones.

Resurging cases of COVID-19 pose big challenge to Euro Zone economy

Explosions and a huge fire ripped through the port area of the Italian city of Ancona early Wednesday, destroying warehouses and lorries, but there were no casualties, firefighters said.

The flames created vast mushroom clouds of smoke in the city on Italy's Adriatic coast.

The explosions sparked the fire shortly after midnight. The blaze was under control Wednesday morning after the intervention of 16 firefighting teams, the fire service said on Twitter.

It was not yet clear what caused the explosions.

Warehouses in the area were likely to have stored flammable liquid, according to Rai news, which said there was a company nearby that produced liquid nitrogen, as well as a power station and methane plant.

As the smell of burning filled Ancona, the capital of the Marche region, the council said it had "temporarily ordered closed all schools, the university, the parks, open-air sports facilities".

Explosions and a huge fire ripped through the port area of the Italian city of Ancona early Wednesday, destroying warehouses and lorries, but there were no casualties, firefighters said.

Explosions and a huge fire ripped through the port area of the Italian city of Ancona early Wednesday, destroying warehouses and lorries, but there were no casualties, firefighters said. The flames created vast mushroom clouds of smoke in the city on Italy's Adriatic coast. The explosions sparked the fire shortly after midnight. The blaze was under control Wednesday morning after the intervention of 16 firefighting teams, the fire service said on Twitter. It was not yet clear what caused the explosions. Warehouses in the area were likely to have stored flammable liquid, according to Rai news, which said there was a company nearby that produced liquid nitrogen, as well as a power station and methane plant. As the smell of burning filled Ancona, the capital of the Marche region, the council said it had "temporarily ordered closed all schools, the university, the parks, open-air sports facilities".

Explosions spark huge fire in Italian port, no casualties

People gather on an embankment to watch the annual traditional gondolas and boats Historical Regatta (Regata Storica) on the Grand Canal in Venice.

Your Story: Venice's annual Regata Storica festival

Stars of "The World to Come" lit up the Venice Film Festival red carpet on Sunday (September 6) evening as they attended the highly anticipated movie's world premiere.

'The World to Come' cast, Oliver Stone and Iran's Majid Majidi walk Venice red carpet

No-mask, anti-lockdown protests gather pace across the globe

Italy's antitrust authority said on Monday it had opened an inquiry into Google Inc, Apple Inc and Dropbox Inc over cloud computing services.

"The proceedings relate to alleged improper commercial practices and the possible inclusion of unfair clauses in contract conditions," the authority said in a statement.

(More details awaited)

Italy's antitrust authority said on Monday it had opened an inquiry into Google Inc, Apple Inc and Dropbox Inc over cloud computing services. "The proceedings relate to alleged improper commercial practices and the possible inclusion of unfair clauses in contract conditions," the authority said in a statement.

Italy's antitrust authority said on Monday it had opened an inquiry into Google Inc, Apple Inc and Dropbox Inc over cloud computing services. "The proceedings relate to alleged improper commercial practices and the possible inclusion of unfair clauses in contract conditions," the authority said in a statement. (More details awaited)

Italy antitrust opens inquiry into Google, Apple, Dropbox on cloud computing

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