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Switzerland Seeks Reimbursement from Italy Over Fire Victims’ Treatment

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Switzerland has sparked diplomatic tension with Italy after announcing plans to recover medical costs for treating Italian nationals घायल in the deadly New Year’s Eve fire at the Crans-Montana ski resort, which killed 41 people. The Swiss Federal Social Insurance Office confirmed that the expenses would be billed under existing cross-border healthcare agreements.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly criticised the move, calling it “disgraceful” and stating that Italy would reject any formal request for payment. Swiss authorities clarified that the charges would not be directed at victims’ families but instead billed to the relevant foreign health insurer, which in Italy’s case would involve the government.

The dispute has further strained relations between the two countries, with Italian officials highlighting their own support during the tragedy, including medical treatment for Swiss victims and emergency rescue assistance. Switzerland is reportedly seeking over 100,000 Swiss francs for treating a small number of Italian patients, intensifying the diplomatic disagreement.

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Italy Rejects Equal Parental Leave as Fathers Challenge Norms Online

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Italy’s parliament has voted down a proposal to introduce equal parental leave for mothers and fathers, rejecting a plan that aimed to balance caregiving responsibilities. The measure, which would have provided equal, fully paid and non-transferable leave, was defeated by the ruling coalition citing financial constraints, drawing criticism from opposition leaders who called it a missed opportunity for social change.

Despite the policy setback, a growing number of Italian fathers are reshaping traditional roles through social media. Influencers like Diego Di Franco share daily caregiving routines, highlighting a more involved and equal approach to parenting. Experts say these “dad influencers” are helping shift cultural perceptions of fatherhood in a country where women still bear most childcare responsibilities.

Italy continues to face one of the widest gender employment gaps in the European Union, with many women leaving jobs after childbirth. Analysts argue that unequal parental leave policies reinforce this imbalance, affecting economic growth and demographic trends. While change at the policy level remains slow, evolving social attitudes suggest a gradual transformation in how parenting roles are shared.

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Italy Suspends Renewal of Defence Agreement with Israel Amid Rising Tensions

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Italy has decided not to renew its five-year defence cooperation agreement with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced, citing the “current situation” without providing further details. Officials said the government is still assessing what the suspension will mean in practice for military and technical cooperation between the two countries.

The move comes as diplomatic relations between Rome and Tel Aviv have recently deteriorated. Italy summoned the Israeli ambassador after Israeli forces fired warning shots near an Italian UN peacekeeping convoy in Lebanon, while Israel later summoned Italy’s ambassador following critical remarks from Italy’s foreign minister about Israeli actions in Lebanon. Italy has also faced domestic pressure, with public protests calling for restrictions on military ties with Israel.

Italy is a significant but relatively small supplier of arms to Israel compared to the United States and Germany. The decision also comes amid broader political shifts in Europe, where several countries have reconsidered defence exports to Israel during the ongoing Gaza conflict, which has caused heavy casualties and intensified international criticism.

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Meloni’s Gulf Visit Focuses on Energy Security and Regional Stability

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Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began a surprise diplomatic tour of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, marking the first visit by a European Union leader to the Gulf since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran in February. During her stop in Jeddah, Meloni is expected to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with discussions centered on regional security and strengthening ties with Gulf partners facing rising tensions and Iranian attacks.

The visit aims to reassure Gulf allies while safeguarding Italy’s energy needs as fuel prices rise and supply disruptions grow. Italy relies significantly on the region for energy, with Qatari liquefied natural gas previously covering about 10% of its gas consumption and Middle Eastern oil accounting for roughly 12% of imports. Ongoing conflict has disrupted shipments, including suspended LNG deliveries due to instability around the Strait of Hormuz and damage to part of Qatar’s export capacity.

To offset potential shortages, Italy is expanding energy partnerships beyond the Gulf. Meloni recently visited Algeria to secure additional gas supplies and plans a future trip to Azerbaijan, another key supplier. Italy also expects LNG deliveries from the United States’ Golden Pass facility starting in June, as Rome works to diversify energy sources and maintain supply stability amid escalating geopolitical uncertainty.

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Italian Voters Reject Meloni’s Judicial Reform

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Giorgia Meloni faced a major political setback after Italian voters rejected her proposed judicial reforms in a national referendum. Around 54% voted against the changes, dealing a blow to her right-wing coalition ahead of upcoming elections.

Despite the defeat, Meloni said she would not resign, acknowledging the result while expressing regret over the missed opportunity to modernize Italy’s justice system. The vote saw strong turnout, reflecting deep divisions between the government and the judiciary.

The outcome has weakened Meloni’s political momentum and boosted opposition forces, with centre-left parties now aiming to unite. Analysts suggest the referendum result may reshape the political landscape as the country heads toward future elections.

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Italy’s Meloni Criticises U.S.-Israeli Strikes on Iran

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday strongly criticised the U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran, calling them part of a dangerous global trend of unilateral interventions “outside the scope of international law.” Speaking to parliament, Meloni highlighted growing instability in the international system and compared the Middle East conflict to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, warning that such interventions could have wider destabilising effects on global security.

Meloni emphasised that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, citing the potential collapse of the international non-proliferation framework and the dramatic security risks it would pose to Italy and Europe. While most European nations have largely refrained from criticising the U.S. and Israel directly, Meloni’s remarks signal a firmer stance by Rome amid ongoing air strikes that have disrupted around one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies.

To protect strategic interests and Italian citizens in the region, Meloni noted that Italy is providing air-defense assets to Gulf allies affected by Iranian strikes. She stressed that the deployment also safeguards approximately 2,000 Italian soldiers stationed in the Gulf, reflecting Rome’s dual concern for regional security and the safety of its nationals abroad.

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Italy Misses 2025 Deficit Target, Pressure on PM Meloni

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Italy’s 2025 budget deficit came in at 3.1% of GDP, slightly above the European Union’s 3% ceiling, according to ISTAT. While lower than 2024’s 3.4%, the miss casts doubt on Rome’s plan to exit the EU’s Excessive Deficit Procedure early, which could have eased spending constraints ahead of the 2027 elections.

The eurozone’s third-largest economy grew by 0.5% in 2025, matching the government’s revised forecasts, though growth remains below 1% for the fourth consecutive year despite EU recovery funds. The 2026 deficit is targeted at 2.8%, with the government hoping for modest improvement amid lingering fiscal challenges.

Italy’s public debt also exceeded expectations, rising to 137.1% of GDP from 134.7% in 2024, above the government’s 136.2% target. With debt levels remaining the second-highest in the eurozone after Greece, the Meloni administration faces mounting pressure to control spending while promoting economic growth.

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Italy’s Bonus-Seat Reform Could Hand Meloni Strong Majority

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A proposed reform of Italy’s electoral system could significantly boost Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s chances of securing a second term, according to new studies. The ruling centre-right coalition has agreed to shift to a fully proportional voting system that includes a seat bonus for any coalition winning more than 40% of the vote. The measure, which still requires parliamentary approval, is designed to ensure governing stability but has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition.

Analysis by polling firm YouTrend suggests that under the current mixed system, neither the centre-right nor the left would likely win an outright majority, raising the prospect of a hung parliament. However, under the proposed rules, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party and its allies — the League and Forza Italia — would secure a clear majority. The winning coalition would receive a 70-seat bonus in the 400-member lower house and 35 extra seats in the 200-member Senate, capped at 60% of total seats.

The opposition Democratic Party has denounced the reform as an attempt to tilt the system in favour of the government, while Meloni’s allies argue it would prevent political gridlock after the 2027 election. A separate poll indicated the centre-right currently leads by about four percentage points, enough under the new rules to translate a narrow vote advantage into a commanding parliamentary majority.

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Macron and Meloni Clash Over Killing of French Far-Right Activist in Lyon

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French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni exchanged sharp criticism following the killing of a French far-right activist, Quentin Deranque, who died after being beaten during protests in Lyon. French prosecutors confirmed that seven people will face murder charges, including an assistant linked to the far-left party France Unbowed (LFI), while several others were arrested in connection with the incident. The case has sparked outrage in France and intensified political tensions.

Meloni described the killing as a tragedy caused by groups connected to left-wing extremism, calling it a “wound for all of Europe.” Her comments drew a strong response from Macron, who accused nationalist leaders of interfering in other countries’ internal matters. Speaking during a visit abroad, Macron directly confirmed his criticism was aimed at Meloni, underscoring ongoing ideological divisions between the two leaders on broader European political issues.

The killing has fueled political fallout within France, damaging the reputation of left-wing groups while providing an opportunity for far-right parties to highlight concerns over extremist violence. One suspect accused of helping instigate the attack has been placed in pre-trial detention, though he denies responsibility for the fatal blows. Meloni’s office later expressed surprise at Macron’s remarks, emphasizing that her comments were intended to convey sympathy and concern over the violent death.

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Rai Sport Chief Resigns After Gaffe-Plagued Olympic Commentary

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The head of Rai Sport, Paolo Petrecca, has resigned following a string of on-air mistakes during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The ceremony, watched by 9.2 million viewers on state broadcaster Rai, was meant to be a moment of national pride. Instead, Petrecca’s commentary quickly went viral for a series of high-profile blunders, prompting criticism and even a brief strike by journalists. He will step down at the end of the Games and will not cover the closing ceremony.

Petrecca, who stepped in at the last minute after another commentator was dropped, made several factual errors throughout the broadcast. He mistakenly welcomed viewers to Rome’s Stadio Olimpico instead of Milan’s San Siro and misidentified actress Matilda De Angelis as singer Mariah Carey. He also incorrectly identified Sergio Mattarella’s daughter instead of International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry, and failed to recognise Italy’s volleyball captain Simone Giannelli. Some of his remarks, including cultural stereotypes, further fuelled backlash.

Petrecca, considered close to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party, faced mounting pressure as critics accused the broadcaster of political influence undermining editorial standards. Rai journalists’ union Usigrai described the episode as damaging to the network’s credibility. He will be replaced by senior presenter Marco Lollobrigida, while the originally dropped commentator, Auro Bulbarelli, is set to return for the closing ceremony.

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