Rome, Italy | AFP | The small town of Pontida in northern Italy has sparked outrage by offering free parking permits to pregnant women and young mothers — but only if they are married or an EU citizen. The policy, introduced at the start of September, stipulated that free permits would …
Read More »Italian doctors baffled after malaria kills four-year old
Rome, Italy | AFP | A four-year old girl has died of malaria after apparently contracting the disease in northern Italy in a case that has perplexed the medical world, doctors said Tuesday. “I’ve never seen a case like it, it’s a mystery. It shouldn’t have been possible for her …
Read More »New dimension to Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ and story behind it
Venice, Italy | AFP | Director John Landis says his new 3D version of “Thriller” gives Michael Jackson fans chance to see the groundbreaking video how the late king of pop would have wanted them to. “Michael and I always intended it to be seen in a cinema,” Landis told reporters …
Read More »Annette Bening says women progressing in film biz
Venice, Italy | AFP | US actress Annette Bening said Wednesday she believes women are making progress in the movie industry, despite only one female-directed film making it into the competition selection at Venice, where she is chairing the awards jury. “There is sexism of course, no question. But I think …
Read More »Italy applauds Libya’s decision on migrant ‘search and rescue’ zone
Rome, Italy | AFP | The Italian government on Sunday welcomed Libya’s decision to bar foreign vessels from a stretch of water off its coast, a move that has prompted almost all international charities to halt migrant search and rescue operations in the area. The comments from Italian Foreign Minister Angelino …
Read More »Qatar announces 5 bn euro order for warships from Italy
Doha, Qatar | AFP | Qatar announced on Wednesday a five-billion-euro order for seven warships from Italy in the midst of a nearly two-month diplomatic crisis with neighbouring Saudi Arabia and its allies. “We have signed a contract on behalf of the Qatari navy to acquire seven warships from Italy for …
Read More »1,200 Fiat 500s mass for iconic car’s 60th birthday
Garlenda, Italy | AFP | More than 1,200 Fiat 500s from across Europe revved into the Italian foothills on Saturday to mark the 60th birthday of the iconic little car. The Italian classic took its first spin on July 4, 1957. Eighteen years later, more than 4.2 million had rolled …
Read More »LIVE: Ronaldo strikes 2nd as Real Madrid go 3-1 up in final
⚽ ? ? LIVE: Isco gets Madrid nod in Champions League final 82′: Real Madrid 3 Juventus 1 Ronaldo opened the scoring early in Saturday’s Champions League final against Juventus at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, but the Italians responded with a brilliant goal by Mario Mandzukic soon after. The second half has started, it …
Read More »Win it for me, Pirlo tells Juve
Rome, Italy | AFP | Juventus and Italy legend Andrea Pirlo has told his former team-mates to win Saturday’s Champions League final for him. “Here we are: Juve-Real in the Champions League final. I say ‘we’ because even if this time I will not be on the pitch, I will …
Read More »Italian giants Eni to build oil refinery in Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Italian oil group Eni’s Nigerian subsidiary Agip is planning a 150,000-barrel per day refinery as part of efforts to reduce imports, junior oil minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu said. Kachikwu met representatives from Eni and said agreement had been reached to build the facility in the …
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