About: Italy
Italy, Greece PMs join influx of visitors to Libya in transition
The prime ministers of Italy and Greece on Tuesday (6 April) joined a growing number of foreign leaders visiting Libya as it seeks to emerge from a decade of post-revolution chaos under a UN-sponsored peace process. Italy’s Mario Draghi, whose...
Italy expels Russians after spies ‘caught red-handed’
Italy expelled two Russian officials on Wednesday (31 March) after an Italian navy captain was allegedly caught red-handed selling secret documents to a Russian military officer.
‘Club Med’ countries show united front on migration
Southern EU countries sometimes called ‘Club Med’ of MED5 on Saturday (20 March) showed a united front at a meeting in Athens, urging solidarity from other EU states in sharing the migration burden.
EU countries resume AstraZeneca jabs after ‘safe’ verdict
Leading EU countries said Thursday (18 March) they would resume AstraZeneca vaccinations after the European medical regulator said the jab is "safe and effective" and not associated with a higher blood clot risk after days of commotion around the shot.
Australia urges EU to send 1 million COVID vaccines for Papua New Guinea
Australia said it will ask the European Union to release 1 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to help Papua New Guinea (PNG) battle a dangerous outbreak that authorities fear could spread to other parts of the region.
Unthinkable? EU considers getting a vaccine boost from Russia’s Sputnik
Publicly, the European Union has dismissed Russia’s global coronavirus vaccine supply campaign as a propaganda stunt by an undesirable regime. But behind the scenes, the bloc is turning to Moscow’s Sputnik V shot, EU diplomatic and official sources told Reuters.
Problems pile up on AstraZeneca as Irish, Dutch halt shots
Ireland and the Netherlands on Sunday (14 March) became the latest countries to suspend their rollouts of the AstraZeneca vaccine over concerns about post-jab blood clots despite the firm insisting there was no risk.
Ex-PM Letta volunteers to lead Italy’s Democratic Party
Former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta on Friday (12 March) announced his candidacy as leader of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD), the second biggest party in Mario Draghi's new national unity government.
Spain’s Zendal interested in producing Sputnik V vaccine, government says
Spanish biopharmaceutical group Zendal wrote to Spain's industry minister declaring its interest in producing Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in the country, an industry ministry spokeswoman said on Wednesday (10 March).
Russia’s Sputnik V could be made in Europe for first time after Italy deal signed
Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 could be produced in Europe for the first time after a commercial deal to produce it in Italy was signed by the Moscow-based RDIF sovereign wealth fund and Swiss-based pharmaceutical company Adienne.
Italian government faces criticism for hiring McKinsey over EU funds
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi's government is facing criticism for hiring consulting giant McKinsey to help it rewrite plans for spending the European Union funds aimed at rebuilding the economy.
Australia asks European Commission to review Italy’s vaccine block
Australia has asked the European Commission to review a decision by Italy to block a shipment of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, while stressing on Friday (5 March) the missing doses would not affect the rollout of Australia's inoculation programme.
Italy postpones mayoral and regional votes due to COVID-19
Italian municipal and regional elections originally planned for late spring will be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the government said on Thursday (4 March), amid signs of a surge in cases due to new variants.
Mafia eye health, recovery projects in virus-hit Italy
In coronavirus-hit Italy, mafia groups are eyeing the health sector and EU-funded infrastructure projects as their next big money spinners, police warned in a report Wednesday (24 February).
Italy’s ‘Super Mario’ Draghi wins parliament backing for new government
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Thursday (18 February) secured final parliamentary approval for his government of national unity, allowing him to focus on his country's unprecedented health and economic crisis.
Italy’s new PM Draghi promises sweeping reforms, urges national unity
Prime Minister Mario Draghi called on Italians on Wednesday (17 February) to pull together to help rebuild the country following the coronavirus pandemic and promised his new government would introduce sweeping reforms to revitalise the battered economy. In his maiden...
Thumbs up on new Italian government led by ‘Super Mario’ Draghi
Germany and financial circles expressed optimism at the taking over of the helm in Italy by Mario Draghi, a former head of the European Central Bank, nicknamed as ‘Super Mario’ by some media for his ability to navigate treacherous waters.
Former European bank chief Draghi set to lead crisis-hit Italy
Italy's president is expected Wednesday (3 February) to ask former head of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi to take over as prime minister following the collapse of the coalition government in the coronavirus-ravaged country.
Italy’s ruling parties inch towards new government deal
The squabbling parties in Italy's outgoing coalition will hold further detailed talks on forming a new government on Monday (1 February), a senior lawmaker brokering the negotiations said.
What’s next for Italy after PM Conte’s resignation?
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has resigned Tuesday (26 January) in the hope of forming a new government after weeks of turmoil in his ruling coalition, leaving Italy rudderless as it battles the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
Italy PM set to quit and seek new government as pandemic rages
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is expected to quit on Tuesday (26 January) and try to form a new coalition government to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 85,000 people in Italy and crippled the economy.
Italy sends warning letter to Pfizer over COVID vaccine delays
The Italian government on Monday (25 January) sent a letter of formal notice to Pfizer calling on the drug company to respect its contractual commitments over its COVID-19 vaccine deliveries, the government special commissioner said.
Italy says delays in vaccine supplies unacceptable
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte lashed out at suppliers of COVID-19 vaccines on Saturday (23 January), saying delays in deliveries amounted to a serious breach of contractual obligations.