Several European nations have reported their first cases of the coronavirus. The virus continues to spread from Italy, which has become a coronavirus hotbed. Italy is one of the worst coronaviruses hit country outside China.

Virus spreads from Italy to EU nations

Several European nations have reported their first cases of the coronavirus. The virus continues to spread from Italy, which has become a coronavirus hotbed. Italy is one of the worst coronavirus hit country outside China.

Coronavirus Outbreak: European nations report their first cases

Shoppers in Italy rushed to the supermarkets to stock up with basic products amid fears of coronavirus.

WION Wallet: Coronavirus outbreak causes panic in Italy

After 'No Time To Die, another Hollywood film has gotten affected by the recent outbreak of coronavirus. Paramount Pictures has halted the previously scheduled three-week shoot of the much anticipated Tom Cruise starrer `Mission: Impossible 7` in Italy due to the disease. 
 
The studio announced on Monday, citing the government`s missive to halt public gatherings.&nbsp; 
 
"Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our cast and crew, and efforts of the local Venetian government to halt public gatherings in response to the threat of coronavirus, we are altering the production plan for our three-week shoot in Venice, the scheduled first leg of an extensive production for `Mission: Impossible 7,`" Paramount said. 
 
"During this hiatus, we want to be mindful of the concerns of the crew and are allowing them to return home until production starts. We will continue to monitor this situation, and work alongside health and government officials as it evolves." 
 
Earlier, James Bond's 25th film 'No Time To Die' cancelled its promotional tour to Beijing, China due to the disease. China is one of Hollywood's biggest markets and the outbreak of the disease is likely to affect the business of several films.&nbsp;

Having Christopher McQuarrie at the helm, the upcoming sequel will have 57-year-old Cruise returning as the seemingly indestructible secret agent Ethan Hunt. 
 
The studio has given the upcoming seventh installment of the franchise the release date of July 23, 2021, whereas an eighth installment, will be released on August 5, 2022.

After 'No Time To Die, another Hollywood film has gotten affected by the recent outbreak of coronavirus. Paramount Pictures has halted the previously scheduled three-week shoot of the much anticipated Tom Cruise starrer `Mission: Impossible 7` in Italy due to the disease.

After 'No Time To Die, another Hollywood film has gotten affected by the recent outbreak of coronavirus. Paramount Pictures has halted the previously scheduled three-week shoot of the much anticipated Tom Cruise starrer `Mission: Impossible 7` in Italy due to the disease. The studio announced on Monday, citing the government`s missive to halt public gatherings. "Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our cast and crew, and efforts of the local Venetian government to halt public gatherings in response to the threat of coronavirus, we are altering the production plan for our three-week shoot in Venice, the scheduled first leg of an extensive production for `Mission: Impossible 7,`" Paramount said. "During this hiatus, we want to be mindful of the concerns of the crew and are allowing them to return home until production starts. We will continue to monitor this situation, and work alongside health and government officials as it evolves." Earlier, James Bond's 25th film 'No Time To Die' cancelled its promotional tour to Beijing, China due to the disease. China is one of Hollywood's biggest markets and the outbreak of the disease is likely to affect the business of several films. Having Christopher McQuarrie at the helm, the upcoming sequel will have 57-year-old Cruise returning as the seemingly indestructible secret agent Ethan Hunt. The studio has given the upcoming seventh installment of the franchise the release date of July 23, 2021, whereas an eighth installment, will be released on August 5, 2022.

Shoot of 'Mission: Impossible 7' cancelled in Italy due to outbreak of coronavirus

Another person infected with coronavirus died on Monday in Italy as the country witnessed second death in one day.&nbsp;

So far, six people have died in Italy due to coronavirus and earlier today an 88-year-old person became the fifth victim.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The chief of Italy's Civil Protection confirmed the fifth casualty and said that the total number of cases have reached 219 in the country. This is the fourth death from the northern Lombardy region, where lockdown has already been imposed and security measures are tightened in order to control the spread.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-2-dead-79-infected-in-italy-as-country-resorts-to-punitive-measures-to-contain-outbreak-282178">Coronavirus: 2 dead, 79 infected in Italy as country resorts to punitive measures to contain outbreak&nbsp;</a>

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has hinted of lockdown for weeks to control the outbreak.&nbsp;

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Presently, 11 towns in Italy are under lockdown, that includes 10 in Lombardy and one in neighbouring Veneto. In many regions, public gathering spots such as bars, cinemas and restaurants are ordered to be shut down.&nbsp;

High profile events such as Milan Fashion Week and the Venice Carnival have been disrupted due to virus fears. Serie A matches have also been postponed.&nbsp;

Milan stock market was also hit by the virus outbreak and was down nearly 5 per cent on Monday.&nbsp;

Italian passengers who arrived by bus in France's Lyon are also being kept on board after the driver was hospitalised with symptoms similar to that of the deadly virus.&nbsp;

Despite the massive spread of the virus, officials in Italy still didn't confirm how did the virus reach the country.&nbsp;

Italy's neighbour France has said that there is no need to close borders in order to control the spread.&nbsp;

Hungarian officials urged its citizens to postpone their trips to northern Italy, adding that the incoming passengers would be screened at Budapest and Debrecen airports. &nbsp;

The outbreak that was earlier majorly confined to China, where more than 2500 people are killed, but now has reached to dozens of countries.&nbsp;

Another person infected with coronavirus died on Monday in Italy as the country witnessed second death in one day. So far, six people have died in Italy due to coronavirus and earlier today an 88-year-old person became the fifth victim.

Another person infected with coronavirus died on Monday in Italy as the country witnessed second death in one day. So far, six people have died in Italy due to coronavirus and earlier today an 88-year-old person became the fifth victim. The chief of Italy's Civil Protection confirmed the fifth casualty and said that the total number of cases have reached 219 in the country. This is the fourth death from the northern Lombardy region, where lockdown has already been imposed and security measures are tightened in order to control the spread. Also read: Coronavirus: 2 dead, 79 infected in Italy as country resorts to punitive measures to contain outbreak Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has hinted of lockdown for weeks to control the outbreak. Also read: Coronavirus: South Korea reports 161 new cases, bringing total number of infected to 763 Presently, 11 towns in Italy are under lockdown, that includes 10 in Lombardy and one in neighbouring Veneto. In many regions, public gathering spots such as bars, cinemas and restaurants are ordered to be shut down. High profile events such as Milan Fashion Week and the Venice Carnival have been disrupted due to virus fears. Serie A matches have also been postponed. Milan stock market was also hit by the virus outbreak and was down nearly 5 per cent on Monday. Italian passengers who arrived by bus in France's Lyon are also being kept on board after the driver was hospitalised with symptoms similar to that of the deadly virus. Despite the massive spread of the virus, officials in Italy still didn't confirm how did the virus reach the country. Italy's neighbour France has said that there is no need to close borders in order to control the spread. Hungarian officials urged its citizens to postpone their trips to northern Italy, adding that the incoming passengers would be screened at Budapest and Debrecen airports. The outbreak that was earlier majorly confined to China, where more than 2500 people are killed, but now has reached to dozens of countries.

Italy records sixth death from coronavirus, second in one day

Deadly Coronavirus has claimed two lives in Italy in less than 24 hours with almost 79 cases reported in the European nation. A dozen towns have been put under virtual lockdown with massive travel restrictions in place.

Deadly Coronavirus has claimed two lives in Italy in less than 24 hours with almost 79 cases reported in the European nation. A dozen towns have been put under virtual lockdown with massive travel restrictions in place. Shops, offices and community centres were deserted in Codogno in Lombardy region where the 2 deaths occurred. Lombardy and Veneto represent Italy's industrial heart and jointly account for 30% of gross domestic output. Companies from Ray-Ban owner Luxottica to the country's top bank UniCredit have told workers living in the affected areas to stay home, reported news agency Reuters. Authorities postponed three Inter Milan football matches over coronavirus fears. "I've wondered myself why so many cases in Italy ... and the answer is in the rigorous and meticulous controls our country has adopted from the start," Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said at a late-night press conference. Italy's first victim was a 76-year-old woman who was found dead at her home 50 km (30 miles) south of Milan on Thursday and tested positive for the coronavirus. A 78-year-old man died of the infection in a hospital near Padua on Friday night.

Coronavirus: 2 dead, 79 infected in Italy as country resorts to punitive measures to contain outbreak 

Italy has reported the first European casualty from the coronavirus outbreak. 78-year old Adriano Trevisan was hospitalised 10 days ago for a completely unrelated health condition, Adriano was diagnosed with coronavirus based on preliminary tests.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Italy reports first European casualty

COVID-19 killed a 78-year-old Italian man. The victim was hospitalized for an unrelated condition. 10 Italian cities are under lockdown. 3,300 villagers in Deceased"s village to be tested. 15 positive cases of COVID-19 in Lombardy. Around 50,000 people in Lombardy are asked to stay indoors.

Coronavirus Outbreak : Italy has reported its second death

Streets were deserted and residents warned to keep out of an emergency room on Saturday in an Italian town placed under lockdown as a second death from coronavirus sparked fears throughout the region. &nbsp;

"No entry" read the sign on the emergency room in the small town of Codogno with a population of 15,000 where three people have already tested positive for the virus, including one 38-year old man now on life support.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Italian news agency ANSA reported a second death from the virus in the Lombardy region, where Codogno is located.&nbsp;

It came one day after the death of a 78-year-old retired bricklayer from the Padua area in the nearby Veneto region, who was the first local person in Europe to die from the coronavirus.&nbsp;

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ANSA reported that the new victim was a woman. No further information was immediately available.&nbsp;

Italy's health minister said that the man who died on Friday, Adriano Trevisan, had been admitted to hospital 10 days earlier for an unrelated health issue.

He was one of two people in the Veneto region with the virus, where another confirmed case overnight in a 53-year old man brought that number to three, president of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia told Rai24 news.&nbsp;

In Lombardy, 16 other people were discovered to have caught the virus and the region took immediate measures to isolate affected areas.

It was not immediately clear whether the victim on Saturday was part of that group or a new case.&nbsp;

In Rome, three people are being treated in isolation for the virus.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-coronavirus-cases-jump-over-200-president-moon-jae-in-calls-for-thorough-investigation-282085">South Korea - Coronavirus cases jump over 200; President Moon Jae-in calls for 'thorough investigation'</a>

Closed for business

At Codogno's centre, only a bakery and a pharmacy were open, while other shops posted signs saying they were closed due to a local ordinance.&nbsp;

At the civic hospital, there was very little movement early &nbsp;Saturday other than nurses and other workers finishing their night shifts.&nbsp;

Those who have tested positive for the virus in Codogno include the 38-year-old man's wife, who is eight months pregnant, and another man. Three others in the town have tested positive to a first novel coronavirus test and are awaiting their definitive results.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-envoy-sparks-row-on-twitter-after-he-threatens-to-eradicate-a-user-just-like-coronavirus-282093">Chinese envoy sparks row on Twitter after he threatens to 'eradicate' a user just like coronavirus</a>

Since December, COVID-19 has killed more than 2,200 people in China, the epidemic's epicentre.

Elsewhere in the world, it has killed over a dozen people and spread across some 27 countries and territories. Last Sunday, an 80-year-old Chinese tourist died from the new coronavirus in France.

In the areas in northern Italy, over 50,000 people have been asked to stay at home while all public activities such as carnival celebrations, church masses and sporting events have been banned for up to a week.

Codogno Mayor Francesco Passerini said locals were "extremely worried" about the spread of the deadly disease.

Streets were deserted and residents warned to keep out of an emergency room on Saturday in an Italian town placed under lockdown as a second death from coronavirus sparked fears throughout the region.

Streets were deserted and residents warned to keep out of an emergency room on Saturday in an Italian town placed under lockdown as a second death from coronavirus sparked fears throughout the region. "No entry" read the sign on the emergency room in the small town of Codogno with a population of 15,000 where three people have already tested positive for the virus, including one 38-year old man now on life support. On Saturday, Italian news agency ANSA reported a second death from the virus in the Lombardy region, where Codogno is located. It came one day after the death of a 78-year-old retired bricklayer from the Padua area in the nearby Veneto region, who was the first local person in Europe to die from the coronavirus. Also read: WHO steps up battle against deadly coronavirus, appoints six special envoys × ANSA reported that the new victim was a woman. No further information was immediately available. Italy's health minister said that the man who died on Friday, Adriano Trevisan, had been admitted to hospital 10 days earlier for an unrelated health issue. He was one of two people in the Veneto region with the virus, where another confirmed case overnight in a 53-year old man brought that number to three, president of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia told Rai24 news. In Lombardy, 16 other people were discovered to have caught the virus and the region took immediate measures to isolate affected areas. It was not immediately clear whether the victim on Saturday was part of that group or a new case. In Rome, three people are being treated in isolation for the virus. Also read: South Korea - Coronavirus cases jump over 200; President Moon Jae-in calls for 'thorough investigation' Closed for business At Codogno's centre, only a bakery and a pharmacy were open, while other shops posted signs saying they were closed due to a local ordinance. At the civic hospital, there was very little movement early Saturday other than nurses and other workers finishing their night shifts. Those who have tested positive for the virus in Codogno include the 38-year-old man's wife, who is eight months pregnant, and another man. Three others in the town have tested positive to a first novel coronavirus test and are awaiting their definitive results. Also read: Chinese envoy sparks row on Twitter after he threatens to 'eradicate' a user just like coronavirus Since December, COVID-19 has killed more than 2,200 people in China, the epidemic's epicentre. Elsewhere in the world, it has killed over a dozen people and spread across some 27 countries and territories. Last Sunday, an 80-year-old Chinese tourist died from the new coronavirus in France. In the areas in northern Italy, over 50,000 people have been asked to stay at home while all public activities such as carnival celebrations, church masses and sporting events have been banned for up to a week. Codogno Mayor Francesco Passerini said locals were "extremely worried" about the spread of the deadly disease.

Second coronavirus death sparks fears, lockdown in Italian towns

Italian far-right leader and former interior minister Matteo Salvini will face trial after Senators voted on Wednesday to strip him of the parliamentary protection.

A court in Sicily had earlier said Salvini faces trial for illegally detaining migrants at sea last July.&nbsp;

However, ministers cannot be tried in Italy while in office unless their parliamentary immunity is removed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-a-new-migrant-standoff-italys-salvini-blocks-two-ngo-boats-242803">In a new migrant standoff, Italy's Salvini blocks two NGO boats</a>

The Senate voted 152-76 in favour of removing the legal protection given to Salvini.&nbsp;

If found guilty, the head of the anti-immigrant League party can be sentenced to imprisonment upto 15 years.&nbsp;

"I have defended Italy. I have full and total faith in the justice system," Salvini said after the vote.

The former deputy premier also said that he is proud of what he has done, adding he would take similar action if he got back into power.

Salvini refused to let 116 rescued migrants leave the Gregoretti coast guard boat.&nbsp;

Salvini stressed the decision had the backing of the government and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

Italian far-right leader and former interior minister Matteo Salvini will face trial after Senators voted on Wednesday to strip him of the parliamentary protection.

Italian far-right leader and former interior minister Matteo Salvini will face trial after Senators voted on Wednesday to strip him of the parliamentary protection. A court in Sicily had earlier said Salvini faces trial for illegally detaining migrants at sea last July. However, ministers cannot be tried in Italy while in office unless their parliamentary immunity is removed. Also read: In a new migrant standoff, Italy's Salvini blocks two NGO boats The Senate voted 152-76 in favour of removing the legal protection given to Salvini. If found guilty, the head of the anti-immigrant League party can be sentenced to imprisonment upto 15 years. "I have defended Italy. I have full and total faith in the justice system," Salvini said after the vote. The former deputy premier also said that he is proud of what he has done, adding he would take similar action if he got back into power. Salvini refused to let 116 rescued migrants leave the Gregoretti coast guard boat. Salvini stressed the decision had the backing of the government and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

Italy's ex-minister Salvini to face trial in migrant detention case

An <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-refusal-to-withdraw-troops-from-iraq-is-a-breach-of-international-law-279238">Iraqi </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-the-kurdish-conflict-in-turkey-is-so-intractable-257232">Kurdish </a>Islamist suspected of plotting attacks in Europe and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/mike-pompeo-attempts-us-reset-in-the-middle-east-191020">Middle East</a> will be extradited from Norway to Italy, the Justice Ministry in Oslo said on Wednesday.

Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad, better known as Mullah Krekar, a former leader of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-bans-al-qaida-affiliate-ansar-al-islam-13068">Ansar al-Islam</a> militant group, won refugee status together with his family in Norway in the early 1990s.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-bans-al-qaida-affiliate-ansar-al-islam-13068">Bangladesh bans al Qaida affiliate Ansar Al Islam</a>

In 2015, Italian authorities said that at least 15 suspected members of a militant group including Krekar had been arrested in six European countries on suspicion of planning attacks.

Krekar failed to avert extradition in the Norwegian courts, and the Justice Ministry on Wednesday gave its approval.

An appeal to the full cabinet is possible, but on past evidence is unlikely to succeed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/want-friendship-partnership-with-india-norway-pm-erna-solberg-188952">Want friendship and partnership with India: Norway PM Erna Solberg</a>

Krekar has been arrested several times during his years in Norway, once for threats against Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/want-friendship-partnership-with-india-norway-pm-erna-solberg-188952">Erna Solberg</a>.

Though deemed a threat to Norway's national security, Krekar was not deported back to Iraq because authorities there could not vouch for his safety.

At the time of his arrest in 2015, Krekar had already served an 18-month sentence for making death threats against a Kurdish man and giving an interview in which he encouraged other people to commit criminal acts.

Krekar's publicly appointed lawyer has said he will ask the European Court of Human Rights to intervene in the case.

An Iraqi Kurdish Islamist suspected of plotting attacks in Europe and the Middle East will be extradited from Norway to Italy, the Justice Ministry in Oslo said on Wednesday.

An Iraqi Kurdish Islamist suspected of plotting attacks in Europe and the Middle East will be extradited from Norway to Italy, the Justice Ministry in Oslo said on Wednesday. Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad, better known as Mullah Krekar, a former leader of the Ansar al-Islam militant group, won refugee status together with his family in Norway in the early 1990s. Also read: Bangladesh bans al Qaida affiliate Ansar Al Islam In 2015, Italian authorities said that at least 15 suspected members of a militant group including Krekar had been arrested in six European countries on suspicion of planning attacks. Krekar failed to avert extradition in the Norwegian courts, and the Justice Ministry on Wednesday gave its approval. An appeal to the full cabinet is possible, but on past evidence is unlikely to succeed. Also read: Want friendship and partnership with India: Norway PM Erna Solberg Krekar has been arrested several times during his years in Norway, once for threats against Prime Minister Erna Solberg. Though deemed a threat to Norway's national security, Krekar was not deported back to Iraq because authorities there could not vouch for his safety. At the time of his arrest in 2015, Krekar had already served an 18-month sentence for making death threats against a Kurdish man and giving an interview in which he encouraged other people to commit criminal acts. Krekar's publicly appointed lawyer has said he will ask the European Court of Human Rights to intervene in the case.

Islamist militant Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad to be extradited from Norway to Italy

For over a decade, 90-year-old Dino Impagliazzo known fondly as Rome's "chef of the poor" has spent his weekends collecting the waste food to cook up warm meals that he dishes out to the homeless living outside the Vatican colonnades.

Meet Rome’s 90-year-old ‘chef of the poor’

Pejo 3000 ski resort in Trentino has become Italy's first ski area to ban single-use plastic items.

Ski resort becomes first in Italy to ban plastic

An Italian cruise ship carrying 6000 passengers has been docked, as tests are being carried out on two Chinese nationals who have been suspected of being positive of Coronavirus.

Coronavirus Suspect: Ship carrying 6,000 passengers docked

Italian resort Rimini on Monday marked 100 years since the birth of director Federico Fellini, whose visual dreamscapes revolutionised cinema in a career spanning almost half a century.

Dozens of events are being held around the world and in Italy this year to remember Fellini, considered one of the most influential filmmakers of all time. 
 
The winner of a record four best foreign language film Oscars, he is famed for films set in Rome such as 'La Dolce Vita' (1960), and most of his films were shot in Cinecitta's Studio 5 outside the capital. 
 
But he set his 1973 masterpiece 'Amarcord', a semi-autobiographical comedy about an adolescent boy growing up in 1930s fascist Italy, in the Adriatic resort of Rimini where he was born on January 20, 1920. 
 
The city is marking the centenary with a special exhibition and is due to open a museum dedicated to Fellini, who died in 1993, by the end of the year. 
 
On Monday the city will cut a giant cake in his honour on the main piazza. 
 
"Rimini is everywhere in Fellini's cinema, the countryside in his films is Rimini's countryside, the sea in all Fellini's films is Rimini's sea," said Marco Leonetti of the Rimini Cinematheque which helped put on the exhibition. 
 
The show includes some of the more spectacular costumes from his films, as well as frequently erotic extracts from the sketchbooks of his dreams he created for his psychotherapist over a 30-year period. 
 
- 'Magical and lyrical' - 
 
Originally an artist and caricaturist, Fellini paid to watch films as a child at Rimini's Fulgor cinema by drawing caricatures, and his films remain caricatures of society. 
 
"If you take Fellini's films, like 'Amarcord', 'La Dolce Vita', 'I Vitelloni', when you watch them all, it's as if you're flicking through a history book, you travel through the history of our country, the history of Italy, from the 1930s to the 1980s," Leonetti told AFP. 
 
Fellini was initially appreciated more abroad than in Italy, where he frequently scandalised the conservative society of the 1950s. 
His films embodied a sense of irony, the ability to invent, and a sense of beauty, said Leonetti. 
 
"These are the three qualities of his art, qualities which also created 'made in Italy', and that's why Fellini, besides having told the story of our country the best, is also the person who best represents it," he said. 
 
Fellini has inspired generations of directors since, including Britain's Peter Greenaway and Spain's Pedro Almodovar. 
 
US director David Lynch, who shares the same birthday as Fellini, in 1997 declared his love for the "maestro from Rimini".

"There's something about his films... They're so magical and lyrical and surprising and inventive. The guy was unique. If you took his films away, there would be a giant chunk of cinema missing," Lynch told filmmaker Chris Rodley. 
 
Fellini played "a shameless game of reflections and autobiographical projections" with his actors, the exhibition said.&nbsp; 
 
The exhibition "Fellini 100. Immortal genius" ends in March but will then travel to Rome and on to cities including Los Angeles, Moscow and Berlin.

Italian resort Rimini on Monday marked 100 years since the birth of director Federico Fellini, whose visual dreamscapes revolutionised cinema in a career spanning almost half a century.

Italian resort Rimini on Monday marked 100 years since the birth of director Federico Fellini, whose visual dreamscapes revolutionised cinema in a career spanning almost half a century. Dozens of events are being held around the world and in Italy this year to remember Fellini, considered one of the most influential filmmakers of all time. The winner of a record four best foreign language film Oscars, he is famed for films set in Rome such as 'La Dolce Vita' (1960), and most of his films were shot in Cinecitta's Studio 5 outside the capital. But he set his 1973 masterpiece 'Amarcord', a semi-autobiographical comedy about an adolescent boy growing up in 1930s fascist Italy, in the Adriatic resort of Rimini where he was born on January 20, 1920. The city is marking the centenary with a special exhibition and is due to open a museum dedicated to Fellini, who died in 1993, by the end of the year. On Monday the city will cut a giant cake in his honour on the main piazza. "Rimini is everywhere in Fellini's cinema, the countryside in his films is Rimini's countryside, the sea in all Fellini's films is Rimini's sea," said Marco Leonetti of the Rimini Cinematheque which helped put on the exhibition. The show includes some of the more spectacular costumes from his films, as well as frequently erotic extracts from the sketchbooks of his dreams he created for his psychotherapist over a 30-year period. - 'Magical and lyrical' - Originally an artist and caricaturist, Fellini paid to watch films as a child at Rimini's Fulgor cinema by drawing caricatures, and his films remain caricatures of society. "If you take Fellini's films, like 'Amarcord', 'La Dolce Vita', 'I Vitelloni', when you watch them all, it's as if you're flicking through a history book, you travel through the history of our country, the history of Italy, from the 1930s to the 1980s," Leonetti told AFP. Fellini was initially appreciated more abroad than in Italy, where he frequently scandalised the conservative society of the 1950s. His films embodied a sense of irony, the ability to invent, and a sense of beauty, said Leonetti. "These are the three qualities of his art, qualities which also created 'made in Italy', and that's why Fellini, besides having told the story of our country the best, is also the person who best represents it," he said. Fellini has inspired generations of directors since, including Britain's Peter Greenaway and Spain's Pedro Almodovar. US director David Lynch, who shares the same birthday as Fellini, in 1997 declared his love for the "maestro from Rimini". "There's something about his films... They're so magical and lyrical and surprising and inventive. The guy was unique. If you took his films away, there would be a giant chunk of cinema missing," Lynch told filmmaker Chris Rodley. Fellini played "a shameless game of reflections and autobiographical projections" with his actors, the exhibition said. The exhibition "Fellini 100. Immortal genius" ends in March but will then travel to Rome and on to cities including Los Angeles, Moscow and Berlin.

Federico Fellini's birthplace Rimini marks centenary of maestro's birth

"They'll have to find a very large courtroom, for it will be a trial <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-a-new-migrant-standoff-italys-salvini-blocks-two-ngo-boats-242803">against the Italian people</a>," Salvini, head of the far-right League party, said on Facebook Sunday.

An Italian Senate committee was set to vote Monday on whether former interior minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/interior-minister-matteo-salvini-pulls-support-for-italian-coalition-calls-for-snap-polls-241630">Matteo Salvini</a> should stand trial for allegedly illegally detaining migrants at sea last year.

A tribunal has recommended Salvini stand trial for blocking migrants on a coastguard boat last July. Under Italian law, ministers cannot be tried for actions taken in office unless a parliamentary committee gives the go-ahead.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/italy-rocked-by-anti-salvini-protest-268379">Italy rocked by anti-Salvini protest&nbsp;</a>

Should the committee vote in favour, the trial would proceed and Salvini faces up to 15 years in jail if found guilty. Should it rule against, parliament will be called to give its opinion in a vote likely to be held in February, Italian media said. Salvini had refused to allow 131 rescued migrants off the Gregoretti&nbsp;coastguard boat until a deal was reached with other European states to host them.

<img alt="Salvini" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2dba476b-c4ad-4104-ac4e-efe65a9ee475" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-01-20T191146.491.jpg" /> 
[ Matteo Salvini (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

A Catania court accused him of an "abuse of power" in blocking those saved on board from July 27 to July 31. Salvini insists that was not an individual decision, but one backed by the government and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

Prosecutors in Sicily opened a probe into conditions on board the boat, where migrants shared one toilet between them. This is the second time the League leader has risked trial over detaining migrants.

Last year a court ruled that he should be tried for preventing 177 migrants from disembarking the Diciotti coastguard ship, but Italy's senate voted to defend his parliamentary immunity.

Salvini called on League senators Sunday to vote in favour of the trial, "so we can clear this up once and for all".

His opponents have accused him of using the incident to win support ahead of a key regional election by portraying himself as a man hounded by the government and law courts merely for doing his job.

The then-interior minister's "closed ports" policy, aimed at stopping migrant arrivals from war-torn Libya, saw his popularity numbers shoot up.&nbsp;Italy has long complained it has been abandoned by Europe to deal with migrant arrivals alone.

"If I have to go to jail for defending an idea, I'll go with my head held high," Salvini told a rally in the region of Emilia Romagna. The region, a traditional stronghold of the left, goes to the ballots on Sunday, pitting the ruling coalition parties -- the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) -- against the League.

Salvini's anti-immigrant party has a strong lead in national polls and is betting on a victory in Emilia Romagna being damaging enough to collapse the government and spark elections. 
&nbsp;

"They'll have to find a very large courtroom, for it will be a trial against the Italian people," Salvini, head of the far-right League party, said on Facebook Sunday.

"They'll have to find a very large courtroom, for it will be a trial against the Italian people," Salvini, head of the far-right League party, said on Facebook Sunday. An Italian Senate committee was set to vote Monday on whether former interior minister Matteo Salvini should stand trial for allegedly illegally detaining migrants at sea last year. A tribunal has recommended Salvini stand trial for blocking migrants on a coastguard boat last July. Under Italian law, ministers cannot be tried for actions taken in office unless a parliamentary committee gives the go-ahead. Also Read: Italy rocked by anti-Salvini protest Should the committee vote in favour, the trial would proceed and Salvini faces up to 15 years in jail if found guilty. Should it rule against, parliament will be called to give its opinion in a vote likely to be held in February, Italian media said. Salvini had refused to allow 131 rescued migrants off the Gregoretti coastguard boat until a deal was reached with other European states to host them. [ Matteo Salvini (Courtesy: Reuters) ] A Catania court accused him of an "abuse of power" in blocking those saved on board from July 27 to July 31. Salvini insists that was not an individual decision, but one backed by the government and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. Prosecutors in Sicily opened a probe into conditions on board the boat, where migrants shared one toilet between them. This is the second time the League leader has risked trial over detaining migrants. Last year a court ruled that he should be tried for preventing 177 migrants from disembarking the Diciotti coastguard ship, but Italy's senate voted to defend his parliamentary immunity. Salvini called on League senators Sunday to vote in favour of the trial, "so we can clear this up once and for all". His opponents have accused him of using the incident to win support ahead of a key regional election by portraying himself as a man hounded by the government and law courts merely for doing his job. The then-interior minister's "closed ports" policy, aimed at stopping migrant arrivals from war-torn Libya, saw his popularity numbers shoot up. Italy has long complained it has been abandoned by Europe to deal with migrant arrivals alone. "If I have to go to jail for defending an idea, I'll go with my head held high," Salvini told a rally in the region of Emilia Romagna. The region, a traditional stronghold of the left, goes to the ballots on Sunday, pitting the ruling coalition parties -- the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) -- against the League. Salvini's anti-immigrant party has a strong lead in national polls and is betting on a victory in Emilia Romagna being damaging enough to collapse the government and spark elections.

Italy committee to vote on Salvini migrant trial

Serie A club&nbsp;Lazio&nbsp;have been fined 20,000 euros ($22,238) after their fans were found to have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lazio-vow-to-identify-take-action-against-fans-over-racist-chants-254644">racially insulted</a> Brescia forward Mario Balotelli during Sunday's match in the latest incident of racism which has plagued Italian football.

Serie A's disciplinary tribunal said in a statement that further investigations were taking place to identify exactly where among the visiting&nbsp;Lazio&nbsp;fans the chanting came from and that&nbsp;Lazio&nbsp;had been asked to help the police identify those responsible.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/soccer-football-lazio-beat-juventus-again-to-win-italian-supercup-269651">Lazio</a>&nbsp;won 2-1 after Balotelli, who has been subjected to discrimination throughout his career, had opened the scoring for hosts Brescia.

The Serie A statement said that fans "sang a chorus of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-chelseas-antonio-rudiger-wants-swift-action-against-alleged-racist-abusers-269639">racial discrimination</a> against a player of the opposing team in the 21st and 29th minutes of the first half" as well as other insults.

It said the referee interrupted the match after half an hour and an announcement was made asking for the chanting to stop.

Balotelli, who was seen complaining to the referee about the chanting during the match, said "shame on you" in an Instagram message to the&nbsp;Lazio&nbsp;fans after the game.&nbsp;Lazio&nbsp;disassociated itself from the fans abusing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/soccer-bahrains-baqer-gets-10-game-ban-for-racist-gesture-269939">Balotelli</a>.

The tribunal also handed a two-match suspension to Sassuolo substitute Domenico Berardi after he was sent off at the end of his team's controversial 2-1 defeat at Genoa. Sassuolo complained that the move which led to Genoa's winning goal began with a foul on Berardi.

The tribunal said that Berardi "vehemently confronted an assistant, addressing severely disrespectful expressions to the match officials" in the tunnel after the match.

SPAL were fined 10,000 euros after some fruit peel was thown from the crowd and "hit the referee without causing any injury" during their match at home to Verona.

Serie A club Lazio have been fined 20,000 euros ($22,238) after their fans were found to have racially insulted Brescia forward Mario Balotelli during Sunday's match in the latest incident of racism which has plagued Italian football.

Serie A club Lazio have been fined 20,000 euros ($22,238) after their fans were found to have racially insulted Brescia forward Mario Balotelli during Sunday's match in the latest incident of racism which has plagued Italian football. Serie A's disciplinary tribunal said in a statement that further investigations were taking place to identify exactly where among the visiting Lazio fans the chanting came from and that Lazio had been asked to help the police identify those responsible. Lazio won 2-1 after Balotelli, who has been subjected to discrimination throughout his career, had opened the scoring for hosts Brescia. The Serie A statement said that fans "sang a chorus of racial discrimination against a player of the opposing team in the 21st and 29th minutes of the first half" as well as other insults. It said the referee interrupted the match after half an hour and an announcement was made asking for the chanting to stop. Balotelli, who was seen complaining to the referee about the chanting during the match, said "shame on you" in an Instagram message to the Lazio fans after the game. Lazio disassociated itself from the fans abusing Balotelli. The tribunal also handed a two-match suspension to Sassuolo substitute Domenico Berardi after he was sent off at the end of his team's controversial 2-1 defeat at Genoa. Sassuolo complained that the move which led to Genoa's winning goal began with a foul on Berardi. The tribunal said that Berardi "vehemently confronted an assistant, addressing severely disrespectful expressions to the match officials" in the tunnel after the match. SPAL were fined 10,000 euros after some fruit peel was thown from the crowd and "hit the referee without causing any injury" during their match at home to Verona.

Serie A: Lazio fined after fans racially insult Balotelli

The foreign ministers of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-kingdoms-most-prolific-rapist-convicted-of-150-offences-272720">Britain</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-government-seeks-to-end-unrest-by-resuming-pension-talks-272609">France</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/six-germans-killed-as-car-hits-pedestrians-in-northern-italy-272318">Germany and Italy</a> along with the EU diplomatic chief will hold talks in Brussels Tuesday on the Iran and Libya crises, officials told sources.

The British foreign ministry said the talks would cover the fallout from the US killing of a top Iranian general as well as Tehran's latest step back from the 2015 nuclear deal.

The situation in Libya, where strongman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-30-people-killed-in-libya-military-academy-attack-in-tripoli-272302">Khalifa Haftar</a>'s forces have seized the coastal city of Sirte, is also the agenda.

The emergency meeting comes as the EU scrambles for ways to contain the growing tensions in two major flashpoints on its periphery, as Iran threatens revenge for the death of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/assassination-of-qasim-soleimani-what-we-know-so-far-272653">Qasem Soleimani</a> in a US drone strike in Baghdad on Friday.

British foreign minister Dominic Raab will hold a one-on-one meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, who has warned Iran against retaliating over Soleimani's death, before joining the German and Italian ministers for talks on Libya.

"The foreign secretary is travelling to Brussels today for talks with his European counterparts on the situation in the Middle East following the death of Soleimani and on the escalating conflict in Libya," the British foreign ministry said.

<a>Watch</a>: East Libya to cut ties with Turkey

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"The E3 will then meet to discuss the tensions between the US and Iran with all three pushing for de-escalation," it added, referring to Britain, France and Germany as the three European signatories of the Iran nuclear deal.&nbsp;

"The talks will also cover the nuclear deal following Iran’s latest announcement on Sunday that it is withdrawing from further commitments in the deal."

Timings for the meetings have not yet been announced.

&nbsp;

Targeted killing

European powers on Monday criticised Iran's latest announcement that it was cutting its commitments under the nuclear deal, which has been steadily unravelling since US President Donald Trump withdrew and reimposed sanctions in May 2018.

But the possible repercussions from Friday's targeted killing of Soleimani - the key player in Iran's network of alliances and proxy groups around the Middle East - will be a more pressing concern.

The US operation took Washington's allies by surprise, and NATO held an urgent meeting of its ruling council on Monday to hear from American officials and discuss the future of the alliance's training mission in Iraq.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke to Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi on Tuesday to say the alliance remains committed to the fight against the Islamic State group (IS) and would resume training activities - suspended after Soleimani's death - as soon as security improves.

In Libya, Haftar's capture of Sirte raised tensions as Turkey said it was deploying troops to the country to protect the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

Watch: Turkish parliament passes Libya deployment bill

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The oil-rich North African country has been plunged into chaos since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned Monday that more intense fighting could soon break out around Tripoli and called for a political solution to the crisis.

The new European Commission has vowed to take on a more "geopolitical" role but the EU often finds itself hamstrung on foreign policy by internal differences and it took three days for President Ursula von der Leyen to issue a statement on Soleimani's killing.&nbsp;

The foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany and Italy along with the EU diplomatic chief will hold talks in Brussels Tuesday on the Iran and Libya crises, officials told sources.

The foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany and Italy along with the EU diplomatic chief will hold talks in Brussels Tuesday on the Iran and Libya crises, officials told sources. The British foreign ministry said the talks would cover the fallout from the US killing of a top Iranian general as well as Tehran's latest step back from the 2015 nuclear deal. The situation in Libya, where strongman Khalifa Haftar's forces have seized the coastal city of Sirte, is also the agenda. The emergency meeting comes as the EU scrambles for ways to contain the growing tensions in two major flashpoints on its periphery, as Iran threatens revenge for the death of Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike in Baghdad on Friday. British foreign minister Dominic Raab will hold a one-on-one meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, who has warned Iran against retaliating over Soleimani's death, before joining the German and Italian ministers for talks on Libya. "The foreign secretary is travelling to Brussels today for talks with his European counterparts on the situation in the Middle East following the death of Soleimani and on the escalating conflict in Libya," the British foreign ministry said. Watch: East Libya to cut ties with Turkey × "The E3 will then meet to discuss the tensions between the US and Iran with all three pushing for de-escalation," it added, referring to Britain, France and Germany as the three European signatories of the Iran nuclear deal. "The talks will also cover the nuclear deal following Iran’s latest announcement on Sunday that it is withdrawing from further commitments in the deal." Timings for the meetings have not yet been announced. Targeted killing European powers on Monday criticised Iran's latest announcement that it was cutting its commitments under the nuclear deal, which has been steadily unravelling since US President Donald Trump withdrew and reimposed sanctions in May 2018. But the possible repercussions from Friday's targeted killing of Soleimani - the key player in Iran's network of alliances and proxy groups around the Middle East - will be a more pressing concern. The US operation took Washington's allies by surprise, and NATO held an urgent meeting of its ruling council on Monday to hear from American officials and discuss the future of the alliance's training mission in Iraq. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke to Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi on Tuesday to say the alliance remains committed to the fight against the Islamic State group (IS) and would resume training activities - suspended after Soleimani's death - as soon as security improves. In Libya, Haftar's capture of Sirte raised tensions as Turkey said it was deploying troops to the country to protect the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA). Watch: Turkish parliament passes Libya deployment bill × The oil-rich North African country has been plunged into chaos since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned Monday that more intense fighting could soon break out around Tripoli and called for a political solution to the crisis. The new European Commission has vowed to take on a more "geopolitical" role but the EU often finds itself hamstrung on foreign policy by internal differences and it took three days for President Ursula von der Leyen to issue a statement on Soleimani's killing.

UK, French, German, Italian FMs meeting on Iran, Libya

Inter Milan forward <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/romelu-lukaku-sends-inter-top-after-racist-abuse-at-cagliari-247095">Romelu Lukaku</a> scored twice, the first from a run which started inside his own half, to lead his side to an entertaining 3-1 win at Napoli which kept them top of Serie A on Monday.

Lautaro Martinez was also on target as Inter claimed their first away win against Napoli since 1997.

Inter lead the standings on goal difference from Juventus, who beat Cagliari 4-0 earlier on Monday, with both teams on 45 points. The head-to-head record will be used once the two sides have met twice.

Napoli, on the other hand, suffered their second defeat in three games since Gennaro Gattuso replaced <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/napoli-sack-coach-ancelotti-after-reaching-champions-league-last-16-267631">Carlo Ancelotti</a> as coach and stayed eighth with 24 points despite showing flashes of their old style.

"This win is worth a lot," said Inter coach Antonio Conte. "It's never easy to win at Napoli for anyone. We faced the match with great personality and this will give us more self-confidence and belief. We need to carry on like this."

Napoli also had chances before Lukaku put Inter ahead after 13 minutes. The Belgian, who now has 14 league goals this term, intercepted a pass just inside his own half, charged forward and scored with a shot which went in off the post.

His second in the 33rd minute came with a helping hand from Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, who seemed to have Lukaku's shot covered but allowed it to slip through his legs into the net.

It was tough luck on Meret who had previously produced two good saves to keep Inter down to one goal.

Napoli kept plugging away and Arkadiusz Milik tapped in Jose Callejon's low cross to pull one back in the 39th minute. The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-putin-has-lied-about-poland-on-numerous-occasions-pm-mateusz-morawiecki-271197">Pole</a> should then have equalised when he had a free header just before halftime but directed his effort well wide of the goal.

Napoli continued to press after the break but, despite some flowing moves, they failed to find the final pass and Inter went further ahead just after the hour.

Matias Vecino floated over a cross from the right which Napoli defender Kostas Manolas managed to intercept but, in doing so, laid the ball off for Martinez to score his ninth league goal of the season.

"We made decisive mistakes in all three of the goals we conceded," said Gattuso. "However, we showed we can play football and we need to continue doing that. We have to improve in various areas of the pitch."

Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku scored twice, the first from a run which started inside his own half, to lead his side to an entertaining 3-1 win at Napoli which kept them top of Serie A on Monday.

Inter Milan forward Romelu Lukaku scored twice, the first from a run which started inside his own half, to lead his side to an entertaining 3-1 win at Napoli which kept them top of Serie A on Monday. Lautaro Martinez was also on target as Inter claimed their first away win against Napoli since 1997. Inter lead the standings on goal difference from Juventus, who beat Cagliari 4-0 earlier on Monday, with both teams on 45 points. The head-to-head record will be used once the two sides have met twice. Napoli, on the other hand, suffered their second defeat in three games since Gennaro Gattuso replaced Carlo Ancelotti as coach and stayed eighth with 24 points despite showing flashes of their old style. "This win is worth a lot," said Inter coach Antonio Conte. "It's never easy to win at Napoli for anyone. We faced the match with great personality and this will give us more self-confidence and belief. We need to carry on like this." Napoli also had chances before Lukaku put Inter ahead after 13 minutes. The Belgian, who now has 14 league goals this term, intercepted a pass just inside his own half, charged forward and scored with a shot which went in off the post. His second in the 33rd minute came with a helping hand from Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, who seemed to have Lukaku's shot covered but allowed it to slip through his legs into the net. It was tough luck on Meret who had previously produced two good saves to keep Inter down to one goal. Napoli kept plugging away and Arkadiusz Milik tapped in Jose Callejon's low cross to pull one back in the 39th minute. The Pole should then have equalised when he had a free header just before halftime but directed his effort well wide of the goal. Napoli continued to press after the break but, despite some flowing moves, they failed to find the final pass and Inter went further ahead just after the hour. Matias Vecino floated over a cross from the right which Napoli defender Kostas Manolas managed to intercept but, in doing so, laid the ball off for Martinez to score his ninth league goal of the season. "We made decisive mistakes in all three of the goals we conceded," said Gattuso. "However, we showed we can play football and we need to continue doing that. We have to improve in various areas of the pitch."

Serie A: Lukaku double gives Inter impressive win at Napoli

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ibrahimovic-statue-vandalised-again-272452">Zlatan Ibrahimovic</a>'s return failed to inspire <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-ibrahimovic-set-for-ac-milan-return-reports-270530">AC Milan</a> as the fallen giants of Italian&nbsp;soccer&nbsp;were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Sampdoria in Serie A on Monday, failing to score for the third league game in a row.

The 38-year-old Swede, who helped Milan win their last major title - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/five-players-to-watch-in-serie-a-245166">Serie A</a> in 2011 - before leaving the following year, was brought on to a rousing reception from the San Siro crowd in the 55th minute.

But Milan could still not find a way past their opponents, who are hovering just above the relegation zone, and the match ended amid the familiar sound of jeers from their supporters.

Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-atalanta-fight-back-to-draw-with-manchester-city-260410">Atalanta</a>, who handed Milan a 5-0 thrashing in their previous game, repeated the scoreline at home to Parma as they closed the gap on fourth-placed AS Roma to one point.

Milan were left 12th in the Serie A standings, below Verona on goal difference.

"We played nearly all of the match in their half of the pitch but we lacked quality and, without that, it's difficult to win," said Milan coach <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/five-talking-points-in-european-football-this-weekend-257356#pioli-sees-positives-for-milan-257352">Stefano Pioli</a>. "We kept getting into their penalty area but didn't make the right choices."

He said that Ibrahimovic, who has signed a six-month contract, made a positive impact.

"He brought character but the team are not used to having someone with that physical presence in the area and did not provide enough crosses."

It could have been worse for Milan as 16th-placed Sampdoria missed several good chances in the second half.

Manolo Gabbiadini was denied by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma following a mistake by Ismael Bennacer and had an even better chance after pouncing on a poor Davide Calabria pass, but fired over the top of the goal.

"It was almost a perfect performance, we were just missing a goal," said Sampdoria coach Claudio Ranieri. "The team expressed themselves well, I am satisfied."

Atalanta had no such scoring trouble as they took their tally to 48 goals in 18 games - exactly three times Milan's total.

Alejandro Gomez fired them ahead with a long-range effort, Remo Freuler completed a one-two with Gomez for the second and a half-volley from Robin Gosens made it 3-0 before halftime.

Josip Ilicic volleyed the fourth on the hour and weaved his way through the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/flying-cristiano-ronaldo-fires-juventus-top-as-buffon-equals-maldinis-serie-a-record-269078">Parma</a> defence to complete the rout 11 minutes later.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's return failed to inspire AC Milan as the fallen giants of Italian soccer were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Sampdoria in Serie A on Monday, failing to score for the third league game in a row.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's return failed to inspire AC Milan as the fallen giants of Italian soccer were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Sampdoria in Serie A on Monday, failing to score for the third league game in a row. The 38-year-old Swede, who helped Milan win their last major title - Serie A in 2011 - before leaving the following year, was brought on to a rousing reception from the San Siro crowd in the 55th minute. But Milan could still not find a way past their opponents, who are hovering just above the relegation zone, and the match ended amid the familiar sound of jeers from their supporters. Meanwhile, Atalanta, who handed Milan a 5-0 thrashing in their previous game, repeated the scoreline at home to Parma as they closed the gap on fourth-placed AS Roma to one point. Milan were left 12th in the Serie A standings, below Verona on goal difference. "We played nearly all of the match in their half of the pitch but we lacked quality and, without that, it's difficult to win," said Milan coach Stefano Pioli. "We kept getting into their penalty area but didn't make the right choices." He said that Ibrahimovic, who has signed a six-month contract, made a positive impact. "He brought character but the team are not used to having someone with that physical presence in the area and did not provide enough crosses." It could have been worse for Milan as 16th-placed Sampdoria missed several good chances in the second half. Manolo Gabbiadini was denied by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma following a mistake by Ismael Bennacer and had an even better chance after pouncing on a poor Davide Calabria pass, but fired over the top of the goal. "It was almost a perfect performance, we were just missing a goal," said Sampdoria coach Claudio Ranieri. "The team expressed themselves well, I am satisfied." Atalanta had no such scoring trouble as they took their tally to 48 goals in 18 games - exactly three times Milan's total. Alejandro Gomez fired them ahead with a long-range effort, Remo Freuler completed a one-two with Gomez for the second and a half-volley from Robin Gosens made it 3-0 before halftime. Josip Ilicic volleyed the fourth on the hour and weaved his way through the Parma defence to complete the rout 11 minutes later.

AC Milan's old canon Ibrahimovic leaves match untouched

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/flying-cristiano-ronaldo-fires-juventus-top-as-buffon-equals-maldinis-serie-a-record-269078">Cristiano&nbsp;Ronaldo</a>&nbsp;scored a second-half hat-trick to lead Serie A champions <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-mandzukic-joins-qatars-al-duhail-from-juventus-270107">Juventus</a> to a 4-0 win at home against Cagliari on Monday, taking his tally to eight goals in his last five league games.

The Portuguese pounced on a mistake in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/romelu-lukaku-sends-inter-top-after-racist-abuse-at-cagliari-247095">Cagliari</a> defence to break the deadlock four minutes after halftime before adding the second from a penalty as he scored for the fifth league game in the row.

After setting up <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-cristiano-ronaldo-and-higuain-on-target-as-juventus-beat-leverkusen-2-0-267848">Gonzalo Higuain</a> for the third in the 81st minute, he completed the rout by finishing off a counter-attack one minute later.

The win left Juventus top of Serie A with 45 points from 18 games, at least until Inter Milan, who are three points behind, visit Napoli in the evening match.

Ronaldo, who completed the 36th league hat-trick of his career, two more than Lionel Messi, took his tally this season to 15 goals, including 13 in Serie A.

Sixth-placed Cagliari defended stubbornly in the first half, restricting Juventus to one real chance when defender Merih Demiral's header thumped against the crossbar from a corner.

But it began to unravel for the Sardinians when Ragnar Klavan's pass across the face of the Cagliari area was intercepted by&nbsp;Ronaldo&nbsp;who glided past goalkeeper Robin Olsen and scored into the empty net.

Giovanni Simeone headed against the crossbar for Cagliari but they were undone by more careless defending when Marko Rog tripped Paulo Dybala as he weaved his way into the area and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-rashford-can-be-as-good-as-cristiano-ronaldo-says-solskjaer-267421">Ronaldo</a>&nbsp;sent Olsen the wrong way from the spot.

With nine minutes left,&nbsp;Ronaldo&nbsp;sent substitute Higuain free down the left and the Argentine cut inside before scoring with a deflected shot.

One minute later, Douglas Costa burst forward and slipped the ball to an unmarked&nbsp;Ronaldo&nbsp;who placed his shot between Olsen and the near post.

Cagliari then hit the woodwork for a second time as Joao Pedro struck the post.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a second-half hat-trick to lead Serie A champions Juventus to a 4-0 win at home against Cagliari on Monday, taking his tally to eight goals in his last five league games.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a second-half hat-trick to lead Serie A champions Juventus to a 4-0 win at home against Cagliari on Monday, taking his tally to eight goals in his last five league games. The Portuguese pounced on a mistake in the Cagliari defence to break the deadlock four minutes after halftime before adding the second from a penalty as he scored for the fifth league game in the row. After setting up Gonzalo Higuain for the third in the 81st minute, he completed the rout by finishing off a counter-attack one minute later. The win left Juventus top of Serie A with 45 points from 18 games, at least until Inter Milan, who are three points behind, visit Napoli in the evening match. Ronaldo, who completed the 36th league hat-trick of his career, two more than Lionel Messi, took his tally this season to 15 goals, including 13 in Serie A. Sixth-placed Cagliari defended stubbornly in the first half, restricting Juventus to one real chance when defender Merih Demiral's header thumped against the crossbar from a corner. But it began to unravel for the Sardinians when Ragnar Klavan's pass across the face of the Cagliari area was intercepted by Ronaldo who glided past goalkeeper Robin Olsen and scored into the empty net. Giovanni Simeone headed against the crossbar for Cagliari but they were undone by more careless defending when Marko Rog tripped Paulo Dybala as he weaved his way into the area and Ronaldo sent Olsen the wrong way from the spot. With nine minutes left, Ronaldo sent substitute Higuain free down the left and the Argentine cut inside before scoring with a deflected shot. One minute later, Douglas Costa burst forward and slipped the ball to an unmarked Ronaldo who placed his shot between Olsen and the near post. Cagliari then hit the woodwork for a second time as Joao Pedro struck the post.

Serie A: Ronaldo hat-trick gives Juventus three points

A car driven by a suspected drunk driver ploughed into pedestrians in a village in the Italian Alps, killing six German tourists and injuring 11 other people, emergency services said.

The accident happened at around 1:15 am (0015 GMT) in the village of Lutago near the Austrian border in South Tyrol province, which is popular with skiers.

A group of German tourists had left their bus after spending the evening at a nightclub when the car slammed into them at high-speed. Some of those hits were propelled dozens of metres.

Six Germans were killed, a fire service official in Lutago told media. Eleven other people were injured, including two who appeared to be from the South Tyrol region.

Two who were in a very serious condition were flown by helicopter to a hospital in Innsbruck in Austria. The nine others were taken to regional hospitals.

According to Rainews24, the driver was a 28-year-old man who lived locally and who "may have had a high level of alcohol in his blood".

He was arrested and put in hospital under police guard.

Some 160 emergency workers were at the scene, and a field hospital was set up by the roadside to provide first aid.

"A terrible scene, people on the ground, cries and pain, a tragedy,&nbsp;we don't have the words," a hotel receptionist told the Corriere Della Sera newspaper.

"We have asked several times for radar on this road as drivers speed up as soon as they leave Lutago, and here, one kilometre from the centre, they go at 100 kilometres an hour."

"The New Year has begun with a tragedy," South Tyrol governor Arno Kompatscher told reporters.

South Tyrol is a largely German-speaking province with a high degree of autonomy.

The German foreign ministry in Berlin said its consulate in Milan was "in close touch with the Italian authorities who are proceeding with the identification of the victims, assisting those who have been affected."

Lutago, located at an altitude of 970 metres (3,200 feet) in the picturesque Aurina valley, is popular with tourists who use the ski slopes of Klausberg&nbsp;and&nbsp;Speikboden.

The village of about 800 residents is the location for a popular Italian television series "A un Passo del Ciel" ("One step from heaven").

Last week, three Germans - a woman and two girls, one of them aged seven - were killed in an avalanche in South Tyrol.

A car driven by a suspected drunk driver ploughed into pedestrians in a village in the Italian Alps, killing six German tourists and injuring 11 other people, emergency services said.

A car driven by a suspected drunk driver ploughed into pedestrians in a village in the Italian Alps, killing six German tourists and injuring 11 other people, emergency services said. The accident happened at around 1:15 am (0015 GMT) in the village of Lutago near the Austrian border in South Tyrol province, which is popular with skiers. A group of German tourists had left their bus after spending the evening at a nightclub when the car slammed into them at high-speed. Some of those hits were propelled dozens of metres. Six Germans were killed, a fire service official in Lutago told media. Eleven other people were injured, including two who appeared to be from the South Tyrol region. Two who were in a very serious condition were flown by helicopter to a hospital in Innsbruck in Austria. The nine others were taken to regional hospitals. According to Rainews24, the driver was a 28-year-old man who lived locally and who "may have had a high level of alcohol in his blood". He was arrested and put in hospital under police guard. Some 160 emergency workers were at the scene, and a field hospital was set up by the roadside to provide first aid. "A terrible scene, people on the ground, cries and pain, a tragedy, we don't have the words," a hotel receptionist told the Corriere Della Sera newspaper. "We have asked several times for radar on this road as drivers speed up as soon as they leave Lutago, and here, one kilometre from the centre, they go at 100 kilometres an hour." "The New Year has begun with a tragedy," South Tyrol governor Arno Kompatscher told reporters. South Tyrol is a largely German-speaking province with a high degree of autonomy. The German foreign ministry in Berlin said its consulate in Milan was "in close touch with the Italian authorities who are proceeding with the identification of the victims, assisting those who have been affected." Lutago, located at an altitude of 970 metres (3,200 feet) in the picturesque Aurina valley, is popular with tourists who use the ski slopes of Klausberg and Speikboden. The village of about 800 residents is the location for a popular Italian television series "A un Passo del Ciel" ("One step from heaven"). Last week, three Germans - a woman and two girls, one of them aged seven - were killed in an avalanche in South Tyrol.

Six Germans killed as car hits pedestrians in Northern Italy

Pope Francis on Tuesday made headlines when he was caught on camera pulling away from a woman who was part of a crowd at St Peter's Square.&nbsp;

While walking through St Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Pope met and greeted people and pilgrims on the sideways when he was abruptly pulled by a woman.

In the video, the woman could be seen making the sign of the cross as the Pope approached. She abruptly grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her, causing him pain.&nbsp;

A visibly disgruntled Pope slapped the woman's hand to free himself from her grasp and pulled away while exhibiting pain and annoyance.&nbsp;

The incident took place when Pope Francis was out to meet and greet people at a New Year's Eve gathering at&nbsp;St Peter's Square.&nbsp;

Last year, a video featuring Pope Francis went viral wherein he was seen repeatedly withdrawing his right hand to avoid it being kissed by a long line of people.

The incident dates back to the pontiff’s visit to a Catholic shrine in Loreto last year.

The footage went viral and the pope’s refusal quickly entered what is known as the Catholic cultural wars between conservatives and progressives.

The Vatican did not clarify why was the pontiff not keen on having devotees kiss the silver ring on his right hand. It seemed the people did not know the correct protocol.&nbsp;

“It’s high time kissing bishops’ rings disappears altogether. It’s just ridiculous and has nothing to do with tradition. It’s an import from monarchies. Much of the pomp around bishops should be ditched,” Tweeted Jesuit priest Russell Pollitt.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

Pope Francis on Tuesday made headlines when he was caught on camera pulling away from a woman who was part of a crowd at St Peter's Square. While walking through St Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Pope met and greeted people and pilgrims on the sideways when he was abruptly pulled by a woman.

Pope Francis on Tuesday made headlines when he was caught on camera pulling away from a woman who was part of a crowd at St Peter's Square. While walking through St Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Pope met and greeted people and pilgrims on the sideways when he was abruptly pulled by a woman. In the video, the woman could be seen making the sign of the cross as the Pope approached. She abruptly grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her, causing him pain. A visibly disgruntled Pope slapped the woman's hand to free himself from her grasp and pulled away while exhibiting pain and annoyance. The incident took place when Pope Francis was out to meet and greet people at a New Year's Eve gathering at St Peter's Square. Last year, a video featuring Pope Francis went viral wherein he was seen repeatedly withdrawing his right hand to avoid it being kissed by a long line of people. The incident dates back to the pontiff’s visit to a Catholic shrine in Loreto last year. The footage went viral and the pope’s refusal quickly entered what is known as the Catholic cultural wars between conservatives and progressives. The Vatican did not clarify why was the pontiff not keen on having devotees kiss the silver ring on his right hand. It seemed the people did not know the correct protocol. “It’s high time kissing bishops’ rings disappears altogether. It’s just ridiculous and has nothing to do with tradition. It’s an import from monarchies. Much of the pomp around bishops should be ditched,” Tweeted Jesuit priest Russell Pollitt. (With inputs from Reuters)

Watch: Furious Pope Francis frees himself from woman's grasp after being pulled abruptly

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte named two new ministers on Saturday to replace his education minister who resigned this week and outlined an ambitious agenda for next year including reform of the justice system and state bureaucracy.

In a three-hour year-end news conference, Conte accused right-wing opposition leader Matteo Salvini of "insidious" political behaviour and appealed for unity from the fractious coalition backing his own government.

"Politics doesn't need conflicts. Polemics and marking out our differences don't help us," Conte said in reference to the frequent bickering between the 5-Star Movement, the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and smaller centrist and leftist parties.

Filling the gap left after Education Minister Lorenzo Fioramonti from the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement quit on Wednesday complaining of insufficient funding, Conte said he was dividing the ministry into two.

He named Lucia Azzolina, also from 5-Star and previously Fioramonti's junior minister, as the new minister for schools, and named a non-party technocrat Gaetano Manfredi, the rector of Naples University, as minister for universities and research.

Three 5-Star senators quit this month to join Salvini's League party and some politicians say other lawmakers from the increasingly divided movement are ready to join a new parliamentary group led by Fioramonti but loyal to Conte.

The prime minister said if any such moves were afoot he disapproved of them and had nothing to do with them.

"I don't want parliamentarians using my name to form a new group that would only make the government less stable," he said.

Conte, an unaffiliated technocrat, was originally close to 5-Star but has received growing praise from the PD since the government was formed in September, and he is now sometimes tipped as a future centre-left leader.

Conte said he would meet with the ruling parties in January to detail priorities for 2020, promising an overhaul of the state bureaucracy that was sure to meet with opposition but would make the system more efficient.

"A lot of people won't be happy," he said. "When you tell a public department to do in 30 days what it has been doing in 60 this creates resistance."

Among the government's first hurdles is a justice system reform, which sees Conte in the difficult role of arbiter between 5-Star and the PD.

A reform championed by 5-Star to relax time limits on the prosecution of crimes is due to kick in from January, but it is opposed by the PD which says defendants would face years of legal uncertainty while their trials continue interminably.

Conte said the dispute would be resolved thanks to new rules to be unveiled soon that would streamline the justice system and "ensure trials are completed within a reasonable time."

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte named two new ministers on Saturday to replace his education minister who resigned this week and outlined an ambitious agenda for next year including reform of the justice system and state bureaucracy.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte named two new ministers on Saturday to replace his education minister who resigned this week and outlined an ambitious agenda for next year including reform of the justice system and state bureaucracy. In a three-hour year-end news conference, Conte accused right-wing opposition leader Matteo Salvini of "insidious" political behaviour and appealed for unity from the fractious coalition backing his own government. "Politics doesn't need conflicts. Polemics and marking out our differences don't help us," Conte said in reference to the frequent bickering between the 5-Star Movement, the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and smaller centrist and leftist parties. Filling the gap left after Education Minister Lorenzo Fioramonti from the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement quit on Wednesday complaining of insufficient funding, Conte said he was dividing the ministry into two. He named Lucia Azzolina, also from 5-Star and previously Fioramonti's junior minister, as the new minister for schools, and named a non-party technocrat Gaetano Manfredi, the rector of Naples University, as minister for universities and research. Three 5-Star senators quit this month to join Salvini's League party and some politicians say other lawmakers from the increasingly divided movement are ready to join a new parliamentary group led by Fioramonti but loyal to Conte. The prime minister said if any such moves were afoot he disapproved of them and had nothing to do with them. "I don't want parliamentarians using my name to form a new group that would only make the government less stable," he said. Conte, an unaffiliated technocrat, was originally close to 5-Star but has received growing praise from the PD since the government was formed in September, and he is now sometimes tipped as a future centre-left leader. Conte said he would meet with the ruling parties in January to detail priorities for 2020, promising an overhaul of the state bureaucracy that was sure to meet with opposition but would make the system more efficient. "A lot of people won't be happy," he said. "When you tell a public department to do in 30 days what it has been doing in 60 this creates resistance." Among the government's first hurdles is a justice system reform, which sees Conte in the difficult role of arbiter between 5-Star and the PD. A reform championed by 5-Star to relax time limits on the prosecution of crimes is due to kick in from January, but it is opposed by the PD which says defendants would face years of legal uncertainty while their trials continue interminably. Conte said the dispute would be resolved thanks to new rules to be unveiled soon that would streamline the justice system and "ensure trials are completed within a reasonable time."

Italian PM Conte names new ministers, sets policy agenda for 2020

Swedish football god&nbsp;Zlatan&nbsp;Ibrahimovic&nbsp;has reached agreement to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/see-you-soon-in-italy-ibrahimovic-fuels-talk-of-serie-a-return-266184">join AC Milan</a> on an initial six-month contract, according to multiple reports in Italy on Thursday.

Ibrahimovic&nbsp;has accepted Milan's proposal and is ready to sign a deal to return to the former European giants within the next two days, Gazzetta Dello Sport and Sky Sports Italia reported.&nbsp;

Ibrahimovic&nbsp;will reportedly sign a six-month contract worth about three million euros ($3.3 million) with a renewal option for another year, linked to certain conditions such as goals and appearances.

The 38-year-old striker confirmed his departure from Los Angeles Galaxy last month following the club's elimination from the Major League Soccer playoffs.

The Swede should be available to coach Stefano Pioli as early as December 30, the date of the resumption of training at Milanello.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-ac-milan-offer-ibrahimovic-six-month-deal-reports-263650">AC Milan</a> are reeling after a 5-0 thrashing against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-atalanta-fight-back-to-draw-with-manchester-city-260410">Atalanta</a> last weekend, their worst defeat in 21 years, and are struggling 11th in the Serie A table.

The team's first game after the winter break will be at home against Sampdoria on January 6.

It is hoped that&nbsp;Ibrahimovic&nbsp;will bring some leadership and a winning mentality to the locker room.

Milan club manager Zvonimir Boban, a former midfield great with the club, slammed "an embarrassing performance" against Atalanta.&nbsp;

"We will have to wake up and react. It will not be a good Christmas," said the Croatian.

Ibrahimovic&nbsp;played for two seasons between 2010 and 2012 with AC Milan, helping them to their last <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/five-players-to-watch-in-serie-a-245166">Serie A</a> title, and scoring 42 goals in 61 league appearances.

He also won three league titles with Inter Milan, and two with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-mandzukic-joins-qatars-al-duhail-from-juventus-270107">Juventus</a>, which were both revoked following the 'Calciopoli' match-fixing scandal.

Swedish football god Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reached agreement to join AC Milan on an initial six-month contract, according to multiple reports in Italy on Thursday.

Swedish football god Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reached agreement to join AC Milan on an initial six-month contract, according to multiple reports in Italy on Thursday. Ibrahimovic has accepted Milan's proposal and is ready to sign a deal to return to the former European giants within the next two days, Gazzetta Dello Sport and Sky Sports Italia reported. Ibrahimovic will reportedly sign a six-month contract worth about three million euros ($3.3 million) with a renewal option for another year, linked to certain conditions such as goals and appearances. The 38-year-old striker confirmed his departure from Los Angeles Galaxy last month following the club's elimination from the Major League Soccer playoffs. The Swede should be available to coach Stefano Pioli as early as December 30, the date of the resumption of training at Milanello. AC Milan are reeling after a 5-0 thrashing against Atalanta last weekend, their worst defeat in 21 years, and are struggling 11th in the Serie A table. The team's first game after the winter break will be at home against Sampdoria on January 6. It is hoped that Ibrahimovic will bring some leadership and a winning mentality to the locker room. Milan club manager Zvonimir Boban, a former midfield great with the club, slammed "an embarrassing performance" against Atalanta. "We will have to wake up and react. It will not be a good Christmas," said the Croatian. Ibrahimovic played for two seasons between 2010 and 2012 with AC Milan, helping them to their last Serie A title, and scoring 42 goals in 61 league appearances. He also won three league titles with Inter Milan, and two with Juventus, which were both revoked following the 'Calciopoli' match-fixing scandal.

Football: Ibrahimovic set for AC Milan return - Reports

Some 162 migrants rescued off the Libyan coast have disembarked in the southern Italian port of Taranto, the NGO SOS Mediterranee said Tuesday.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/italian-authorities-have-agreed-to-grant-the-open-arms-ship-264436">migrants</a>, including 50 minors and five pregnant women, "were rescued by the SOS Mediterranee Search and Rescue team in two critical rescues in international waters off the coast of Libya on Friday, December 20th," said the NGO, which charters the Ocean Viking rescue ship along with medical charity Doctors Without Borders.

The first operation involved a rubber dinghy that had deflated and was carrying 112 "terrified" people on board, it said.

Fifty others were plucked from a wooden boat shortly before midnight the same day "in dangerous meteorological and maritime conditions," the NGO added.

The 50 could not be transported to Malta due to adverse weather conditions.

Italian authorities then gave permission for all the rescued migrants to land in Taranto and the operation was carried out on Monday, SOS Mediterranee said.

It described both rescue operations as "extremely difficult."

"As the weather was rapidly and severely deteriorating, both cases would almost certainly have resulted in tragedies if help had arrived only a little later,"&nbsp;said Nicola Stalla, the NGO's search and rescue coordinator onboard the Ocean Viking.

Italy renewed a widely criticised 2017 agreement in October&nbsp;with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malta-has-deal-with-libya-coastguard-over-migrant-interceptions-report-261202">Libyan coastguard</a> to block migrants from trying to leave for Europe.

Rights groups say <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-150-people-feared-dead-in-shipwreck-off-libya-unhcr-238504">Libya</a> routinely picks up migrants in the Mediterranean and brings them back to overcrowded detention centers, where many have been victims of abuse and forced labour.

Libya, wracked by conflict since the 2011 uprising against Moamer Kadhafi, has become a major transit route for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere hoping to reach Europe.

Some 162 migrants rescued off the Libyan coast have disembarked in the southern Italian port of Taranto, the NGO SOS Mediterranee said Tuesday. The migrants, including 50 minors and five pregnant women, "were rescued by the SOS Mediterranee Search and Rescue team in two critical rescues in international waters off the coast of Libya on Friday, December 20th," said the NGO, which charters the Ocean Viking rescue ship along with medical charity Doctors Without Borders.

Some 162 migrants rescued off the Libyan coast have disembarked in the southern Italian port of Taranto, the NGO SOS Mediterranee said Tuesday. The migrants, including 50 minors and five pregnant women, "were rescued by the SOS Mediterranee Search and Rescue team in two critical rescues in international waters off the coast of Libya on Friday, December 20th," said the NGO, which charters the Ocean Viking rescue ship along with medical charity Doctors Without Borders. The first operation involved a rubber dinghy that had deflated and was carrying 112 "terrified" people on board, it said. Fifty others were plucked from a wooden boat shortly before midnight the same day "in dangerous meteorological and maritime conditions," the NGO added. The 50 could not be transported to Malta due to adverse weather conditions. Italian authorities then gave permission for all the rescued migrants to land in Taranto and the operation was carried out on Monday, SOS Mediterranee said. It described both rescue operations as "extremely difficult." "As the weather was rapidly and severely deteriorating, both cases would almost certainly have resulted in tragedies if help had arrived only a little later," said Nicola Stalla, the NGO's search and rescue coordinator onboard the Ocean Viking. Italy renewed a widely criticised 2017 agreement in October with the Libyan coastguard to block migrants from trying to leave for Europe. Rights groups say Libya routinely picks up migrants in the Mediterranean and brings them back to overcrowded detention centers, where many have been victims of abuse and forced labour. Libya, wracked by conflict since the 2011 uprising against Moamer Kadhafi, has become a major transit route for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere hoping to reach Europe.

Italy rescued 162 migrants from the Libyan coast: Sources

Police have&nbsp;arrested&nbsp;334&nbsp;people&nbsp;in one of the largest anti-mob&nbsp;operations ever seen in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/italy-ready-to-take-18-stake-in-ilva-steel-plant-266996">Italy</a>, highlighting the growing reach of the 'Ndrangheta mafia, prosecutors said on Thursday.

The 'Ndrangheta is based in the southern region of Calabria, the toe of Italy's boot, and has surpassed Sicily's&nbsp;more&nbsp;famous Cosa Nostra to become the most powerful mafia group in the country - and one of the largest criminal gangs in the world.

Police said they seized hundreds of suspects in early morning&nbsp;swoops around the country, with some arrests also carried out in Germany, Switzerland and Bulgaria.

Amongst the possible charges facing those detained were mafia conspiracy, murder, extortion, loan sharking, corporate fraud and money laundering.

"Politicians were involved, as well as lawyers, accountants, public officials, court clerks. All&nbsp;people&nbsp;who had jobs and did not need to put themselves at the service of the 'Ndrangheta," said prosecutor Nicola Gratteri, who led the investigation.

"The&nbsp;mobsters are not in a position to carry out sophisticated money laundering. To do that they need professionals," he added.

Gratteri said it was the largest haul of suspected&nbsp;mobsters in Italy since a massive anti-mafia&nbsp;swoop&nbsp;in Sicily in 1984 which led to the so-called Palermo maxi-trial when&nbsp;more&nbsp;than&nbsp;450 members of Cosa Nostra were tried.

The Palermo trial marked a turning point in the battle against the Sicilian crime gang, and their influence has waned dramatically over the past three decades, allowing 'Ndrangheta to surge to prominence.

Italian&nbsp;investigators say the group, which is made up of dozens of smaller clans that all answer nominally to senior leaders in Calabria, is now Europe's top cocaine broker.

Amongst those&nbsp;arrested&nbsp;on Thursday was a former lawmaker from Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia (Go Italy!) party, the centre-left mayor of a Calabrian coastal town and a senior official in the Carabinieri police.

"This has inflicted a very hard blow on the 'Ndrangheta," said Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese.

Investigators say that while the 'Ndrangheta is still centred on Calabria, one of the poorest regions in Europe, it has successfully managed to infiltrate the wealthy north.

The head of the Valle D'Aosta region, which borders France and Switzerland, resigned last week after being placed under investigation for alleged vote-rigging linked to 'Ndrangheta at 2018 local elections. He has denied the accusation.

Police have arrested 334 people in one of the largest anti-mob operations ever seen in Italy, highlighting the growing reach of the 'Ndrangheta mafia, prosecutors said on Thursday.

Police have arrested 334 people in one of the largest anti-mob operations ever seen in Italy, highlighting the growing reach of the 'Ndrangheta mafia, prosecutors said on Thursday. The 'Ndrangheta is based in the southern region of Calabria, the toe of Italy's boot, and has surpassed Sicily's more famous Cosa Nostra to become the most powerful mafia group in the country - and one of the largest criminal gangs in the world. Police said they seized hundreds of suspects in early morning swoops around the country, with some arrests also carried out in Germany, Switzerland and Bulgaria. Amongst the possible charges facing those detained were mafia conspiracy, murder, extortion, loan sharking, corporate fraud and money laundering. "Politicians were involved, as well as lawyers, accountants, public officials, court clerks. All people who had jobs and did not need to put themselves at the service of the 'Ndrangheta," said prosecutor Nicola Gratteri, who led the investigation. "The mobsters are not in a position to carry out sophisticated money laundering. To do that they need professionals," he added. Gratteri said it was the largest haul of suspected mobsters in Italy since a massive anti-mafia swoop in Sicily in 1984 which led to the so-called Palermo maxi-trial when more than 450 members of Cosa Nostra were tried. The Palermo trial marked a turning point in the battle against the Sicilian crime gang, and their influence has waned dramatically over the past three decades, allowing 'Ndrangheta to surge to prominence. Italian investigators say the group, which is made up of dozens of smaller clans that all answer nominally to senior leaders in Calabria, is now Europe's top cocaine broker. Amongst those arrested on Thursday was a former lawmaker from Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia (Go Italy!) party, the centre-left mayor of a Calabrian coastal town and a senior official in the Carabinieri police. "This has inflicted a very hard blow on the 'Ndrangheta," said Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese. Investigators say that while the 'Ndrangheta is still centred on Calabria, one of the poorest regions in Europe, it has successfully managed to infiltrate the wealthy north. The head of the Valle D'Aosta region, which borders France and Switzerland, resigned last week after being placed under investigation for alleged vote-rigging linked to 'Ndrangheta at 2018 local elections. He has denied the accusation.

More than 300 people arrested in huge Italian mob swoop

Around 54,000 people were evacuated from the southern Italian city of Brindisi on Sunday as experts worked to defuse a World War Two bomb, authorities said.

Corriere della Sera daily said the operation was the biggest peacetime evacuation in Italy, with more than 60% of the city's residents forced to vacate a "red zone" in a radius of 1,617 metres from where the bomb was found.

The British bomb, believed to have been dropped on the city in 1941, is 1 metre long and contains 40 kgs of dynamite, authorities said. It was found by chance last month during refurbishment works at a cinema theatre.

The city's airport, train station, two hospitals and prison were shut down and evacuated as part of the operation, which authorities expect to be completed around lunchtime. 
&nbsp;

Around 54,000 people were evacuated from the southern Italian city of Brindisi on Sunday as experts worked to defuse a World War Two bomb, authorities said. Corriere della Sera daily said the operation was the biggest peacetime evacuation in Italy, with more than 60% of the city's residents forced to vacate a "red zone" in a radius of 1,617 metres from where the bomb was found.

Around 54,000 people were evacuated from the southern Italian city of Brindisi on Sunday as experts worked to defuse a World War Two bomb, authorities said. Corriere della Sera daily said the operation was the biggest peacetime evacuation in Italy, with more than 60% of the city's residents forced to vacate a "red zone" in a radius of 1,617 metres from where the bomb was found. The British bomb, believed to have been dropped on the city in 1941, is 1 metre long and contains 40 kgs of dynamite, authorities said. It was found by chance last month during refurbishment works at a cinema theatre. The city's airport, train station, two hospitals and prison were shut down and evacuated as part of the operation, which authorities expect to be completed around lunchtime.

Italian city evacuates 54,000 people to defuse World War II bomb

The lights on what the Guinness Book of Records dubs the world's largest Christmas tree were turned on in Gubbio on Saturday evening.

Lights on world's 'largest' Xmas tree switched on

The Italian state is ready to take an 18 per cent&nbsp;stake in the troubled Ilva steel plant in southern Italy through a public agency, newspaper Il Messaggero reported on Sunday, citing a draft proposal to save the factory.

Industry ministry officials will present the plan on Monday to steel firm ArcelorMittal, the daily said, in an attempt to convince it to scrap its threat to walk away from a 2018 deal to buy the plant in the city of Taranto.

The industry minister was not immediately available to comment on the report.

The factory directly employs around 8,200 workers in one of Italy's least prosperous areas.

Under the terms of an 8-page plan, the state will propose taking an 18 per cent&nbsp;stake either through state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) or Invitalia, a state-owned investment agency, the daily said.

The government will also offer to reinstate a legal shield against prosecution for ArcelorMittal while it carries out a clean-up plan for the heavily polluting plant, the report said.

The withdrawal of this legal protection was one reason given by ArcelorMittal for pulling out of the purchase agreement.

In return, Rome will ask ArcelorMittal to drastically reduce the number of lay-offs it has said are necessary at the plant, from 4,700 to no more than 1,000, the newspaper said.

Industry Minister Stefano Patuanelli told parliament last month that Invitalia could take a stake in Ilva, without going into details.

The Italian state is ready to take an 18 per cent stake in the troubled Ilva steel plant in southern Italy through a public agency, newspaper Il Messaggero reported on Sunday, citing a draft proposal to save the factory.

The Italian state is ready to take an 18 per cent stake in the troubled Ilva steel plant in southern Italy through a public agency, newspaper Il Messaggero reported on Sunday, citing a draft proposal to save the factory. Industry ministry officials will present the plan on Monday to steel firm ArcelorMittal, the daily said, in an attempt to convince it to scrap its threat to walk away from a 2018 deal to buy the plant in the city of Taranto. The industry minister was not immediately available to comment on the report. The factory directly employs around 8,200 workers in one of Italy's least prosperous areas. Under the terms of an 8-page plan, the state will propose taking an 18 per cent stake either through state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) or Invitalia, a state-owned investment agency, the daily said. The government will also offer to reinstate a legal shield against prosecution for ArcelorMittal while it carries out a clean-up plan for the heavily polluting plant, the report said. The withdrawal of this legal protection was one reason given by ArcelorMittal for pulling out of the purchase agreement. In return, Rome will ask ArcelorMittal to drastically reduce the number of lay-offs it has said are necessary at the plant, from 4,700 to no more than 1,000, the newspaper said. Industry Minister Stefano Patuanelli told parliament last month that Invitalia could take a stake in Ilva, without going into details.

Italy ready to take 18% stake in Ilva steel plant

Italy's biggest bank, UniCredit, announced on Tuesday to cut 8,000 jobs by closing 500 branches across Europe by 2023.

This means 9 per cent of its workforce.

The decision came as part of the four-year strategic plan of the bank to cut cost due to slow economic growth and negative interest rates.

"The layoffs in Italian banks may promote the upgrade of the industry's division of labor so as to meet customers' demands for better services. The reduction will also probably help introduce younger employees to the industry, but we have not yet seen the effectiveness of the change of personnel," said Marcello Messori, director of the European Political Economy School of Luiss University in Rome.

Figures from the Autonomous Federation of Italian Bank Workers (AFBI) show the nine major banking groups, including UniCredit,decided to cut 34,914 employees starting from 2012 and they have up to the present cut 16,434, about 47 per cent of the figure planned.

Statistics show that banks in the whole world will cut 70,000 employees within this year and over 80 per cent come from Europe, where bank employees are sure to have a harsh winter.

Italy's biggest bank, UniCredit, announced on Tuesday to cut 8,000 jobs by closing 500 branches across Europe by 2023. This means 9 per cent of its workforce. The decision came as part of the four-year strategic plan of the bank to cut cost due to slow economic growth and negative interest rates.

Italy's biggest bank, UniCredit, announced on Tuesday to cut 8,000 jobs by closing 500 branches across Europe by 2023. This means 9 per cent of its workforce. The decision came as part of the four-year strategic plan of the bank to cut cost due to slow economic growth and negative interest rates. "The layoffs in Italian banks may promote the upgrade of the industry's division of labor so as to meet customers' demands for better services. The reduction will also probably help introduce younger employees to the industry, but we have not yet seen the effectiveness of the change of personnel," said Marcello Messori, director of the European Political Economy School of Luiss University in Rome. Figures from the Autonomous Federation of Italian Bank Workers (AFBI) show the nine major banking groups, including UniCredit,decided to cut 34,914 employees starting from 2012 and they have up to the present cut 16,434, about 47 per cent of the figure planned. Statistics show that banks in the whole world will cut 70,000 employees within this year and over 80 per cent come from Europe, where bank employees are sure to have a harsh winter.

Italy's biggest bank UniCredit to cut 8,000 jobs

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