Italy makes constitution greener, environmentalists call for action

Italian politicians and activists praised a new law building protection of the environment into the constitution, but said action needed to be taken to ensure that the country benefited. Italy is famed for its natural beauty but environmentalists say it does too little to protect jewels such as the Venice Lagoon or thousands of kilometres

In democracy’s birthplace, pope warns of populist threats

Pope Francis warned Saturday that the “easy answers” of populism and authoritarianism are threatening democracy in Europe and called for fresh dedication to promoting the common good. Arriving in Greece, the birthplace of democracy, Francis used a speech to Greek political and cultural leaders to warn Europe at large about the threats facing the continent.

The Netherlands and Australia find the omicron variant as curbs spread

The Netherlands confirmed 13 cases of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus on Sunday and Australia found two as the countries half a world apart became the latest to detect it in travelers arriving from southern Africa. A raft of curbs being imposed by nations around the world as they scramble to slow the

Mass protests against lockdowns and vaccines in Prague, Rome, Amsterdam

Thousands of protesters gathered in Vienna on Saturday after the Austrian government announced a nationwide lockdown to contain the quickly rising coronavirus infections in the country. The far-right opposition Freedom Party was among those who have called for the protest and vowed to combat the new restrictions. Demonstrations against virus measures also took place in

Reporters attacked by Bolsonaro’s security agents in Rome

Jair Bolsonaro’s bodyguards attacked reporters who were covering the president as he walked the streets of Rome talking to his supporters. The reporters said they will file a police complaint. Brazilian reporters were allegedly attacked by Jair Bolsonaro’s security detail while they were covering the president’s trip to Rome for the G20 summit, according to

G20 summit in Rome focuses on climate change, coronavirus – DW News

The G20 summit is underway in Rome as leaders from the world’s major industrialized nations meet. Outgoing German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is among the dignitaries who are in the Italian capital for the two-day gathering. Among the topics being discussed is the coronavirus pandemic – with emergency workers invited to join the leaders for a

Tens of thousands demonstrate in Rome against neo-fascists

Tens of thousands of union members and other Italians gathered in Rome to stand up against rising fascism Saturday, a week after right-wing extremists forced their way into the headquarters of Italy’s most powerful labor confederation while protesting a COVID-19 certification requirement for workplaces. The head of the CGIL union confederation, Maurizio Landini, led the

Pressure mounts in Italy to dissolve neo-fascist group after riots

Italy’s government was under growing pressure on Monday to dissolve the Forza Nuova neo-fascist group involved in violent weekend protests against a government drive to make the COVID-19 “Green Pass” mandatory for all workers. Since its foundation in 1997, Forza Nuova has repeatedly been accused of using violence against immigrants and police. Along with the

Italian police arrest far-right party leaders after anti-vax riot

Italian police said on Sunday they had arrested 12 people including the leaders of the extreme right-wing party Forza Nuova, after clashes in Rome a day earlier over a government drive to make the COVID-19 “Green Pass” mandatory for all workers. Thousands of people took to the streets of the Italian capital on Saturday to oppose

Granddaughter of Mussolini wins seat in Rome municipal vote

Rachele Mussolini said she wanted nothing to do with the “burden” of her surname. The far-right politician insisted her success was because of her hard work, not her family history. Rachele Mussolini, the 47-year-old granddaughter of Italy’s fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, has garnered enough votes in Rome’s municipal election for a second term as a city councilor.  With