New Year celebrations: fireworks confiscated across Italy
Zeta Italy News New Year upcoming celebrations pushed authorities to launch large-scale raids across several Italian regions to curb the illegal fireworks market. In Naples, financial police seized over three tons of illegal pyrotechnic materials and arrested four individuals. In Rome, targeted inspections have been intensified to combat the illicit possession, manufacturing, and trafficking of fireworks.
Mattarella’s speech to reflect on challenges of 2024
The New Year’s Eve address by President Sergio Mattarella is expected at 8:30 PM, broadcasted on all channels. This will be Mattarella’s tenth New Year’s speech. The president is expected to address issues faced by the country during 2024. Topics such as peace, employment, and femicides will likely be at the center of his remarks.
Concerts in Rome to celebrate the New Year’s Eve
Italian pop stars Tony Effe, Mahmood, and Mara Sattei were invited to the annual free public concert. However, Effe was excluded following controversy over lyrics in his songs deemed misogynistic. In solidarity, Mahmood and Sattei withdrew. Effe will hold a sold-out, low-cost concert, while the public event now features Gabry Ponte, Pfm, L’Orchestraccia, Orchestra Popolare La Notte della Taranta, and Culture Club with Boy George.
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala still imprisoned in Iran
“Cecilia Sala is an innocent journalist taken hostage by the Islamic Republic to be exchanged for people close to the regime,” said Shirin Ebadi, 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner to Il Corriere della Sera. There are theories that Sala could be used as a bargaining chip in an exchange for Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, arrested on December 16 in Milan at the request of the U.S. for allegedly transferring sensitive information.
Supreme Court suspends migrant detention measures pending EU court ruling
The judges of the First Civil Section of the Supreme Court have lifted their deliberation reserve. This follows the December 4 hearing on appeals filed by the government against the initial rejection of migrant detentions in Albania. The Court of Cassation has “suspended all measures” pending a ruling from the European Court of Justice on the definition of “safe countries,” contested by the Italian government.
One victim in overnight fire in Northern Italy
A 25-year-old woman died in Turin, in a fire which broke out in a ground-floor apartment. The girl’s father, the building’s caretaker, and her mother were injured. The entire building was deemed uninhabitable and evacuated. Firefighters and police responded shortly after the alarm. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Initial reports suggest it may have been triggered by a short circuit.
Son arrested for double homicide in Cagliari
A major development occurred overnight between December 30 and 31 in the investigation into the deaths of Luigi Gulisano and Marisa Dessì. The married couple was found dead in their home in Cagliari, Sardinia, on December 5. Carabinieri arrested their 44-year-old son, Claudio Gulisano, on charges of double homicide. Toxicology tests confirmed the poisoning theory that investigators had been exploring.
Hacker attack on InfoCert: millions of personal data on the dark web
The company InfoCert, which provides the SPID digital identity service required to access public administration services, has been targeted in a cyberattack. Approximately 5.5 million pieces of data were stolen that were reportedly sold for $1,500. The company has stated that investigations are underway but assured that no access credentials have been compromised.
Italy advances in the Tennis United Cup in Australia
Jasmine Paolini delivered a commanding 6-0, 6-2 victory over France’s Chloe Paquet, securing Italy’s spot in the quarterfinals of the United Cup. Flavio Cobolli put Italy ahead 1-0 with a 3-6, 7-6(10-8), 6-2 win over the French tennis player Ugo Humbert. Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori defeated the French couple Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Elixane Lechemia 6-3, 7-6(7-3) in mixed doubles.
Sergio Conceiçao is the new Milan coach
“I am proud of this adventure, but the emotion is temporary because we need to work,” said the coach. A new era begins for Milan with Portuguese football manager Sergio Conceição. He has signed a contract until June 30, 2026, with an option for Milan to terminate it at the end of the season.
