🔟 TOP NEWS OF THE DAY – 12/11/2025

1️⃣ Clash in Parliament over sex education as Minister Valditara lashes out, then leaves Chamber: “You exploit femicides”

During debate on amendments to the informed consent bill, Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara rejected opposition claims that the measure would block sex and relationship education or undermine efforts against gender violence. Shouting erupted after Valditara accused opponents of “exploiting” femicides; the presiding chair repeatedly threatened to suspend the sitting as PD and AVS deputies demanded the minister be formally called to order.

Source: La Repubblica

2️⃣ Bosnian ex-spy: SISMI knew about Italian “weekend snipers” in besieged Sarajevo

Sarajevo, after a 17-page memo by writer Ezio Gavazzeni cited a Bosnian intelligence source who says SISMI was warned in late 1993 that foreigners—including Italians—were taken to hills around the city to shoot civilians, blending in with aid convoys from Milan and departing via Trieste. The source claims Serbian state security enabled the trips, complete with a grim “price list,” while suspects reportedly include men from Turin, Milan (a private cosmetic clinic owner), and Trieste. The Carabinieri ROS are set to hear witnesses, prosecutors have acquired ICTY records, and the ex-agent says a document should show Italian services uncovered the Trieste launch base and halted the operation in early 1994.

Source: Open

3️⃣ Man pours gasoline on ex-wife and tries to set her on fire: arrested; he had tracked her by GPS

A 46-year-old man in the Milan area was jailed on charges of aggravated abuse and assault after allegedly dousing his estranged wife with gasoline outside her workplace on November 5; she escaped by locking herself in her car and calling emergency services. The suspect later presented himself to Carabinieri, handing over an igniter, phone, bottles of fuel and a GPS device he said he installed on her car; a judge cited an escalating pattern of violence that endangered the victim’s life.

Source: Il Fatto Quotidiano

4️⃣ Italy will remain bridge between EU and Africa as Mattei Plan becomes European strategy

Speaking at a European Parliament event hosted by the ECR group, Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, highlighted that investing in Africa’s development means securing Europe’s future. She cited Enrico Mattei’s legacy as inspiration and announced that the initiative now involves 14 African countries, with over €1 billion in Italian funds and coordination with the EU’s Global Gateway. The prime minister added that the upcoming EU–AU summit in Angola will strengthen the Mattei Plan’s role as a shared European strategy for partnership and growth.

Source: ANSA

5️⃣ Italy to continue contributing to international missions, says President Mattarella

Marking the Day of Remembrance for fallen military and civilian personnel in peace missions, President Sergio Mattarella affirmed that Italy will keep contributing with determination to international operations in crisis areas through both military and civilian efforts. He emphasized that this commitment reflects the values enshrined in the Italian Constitution and the deep sense of humanity that defines the nation. Mattarella expressed gratitude to those serving abroad and honoured the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the common good.

Source: ANSA

6️⃣ Parents describe “pain that never heals” as trial opens for Samson

Court proceedings began for Mark Antony Samson, who confessed to killing his ex-girlfriend Ilaria Sula last March by stabbing her three times and leaving her body in a suitcase at Capranica Prenestina, Rome. Prosecutors, led by Giuseppe Cascini, have secured an immediate trial, charging Samson with voluntary homicide aggravated by premeditation, trivial motives, his relationship with the victim, and concealment of the body. In court, Ilaria Sula’s parents, brother, and friends wore shirts with her photo and the words “Giustizia per Ilaria”. Her parents described their grief as a “pain that never heals” and emphasized they care nothing about Samson personally, while their lawyer called confronting him an extremely difficult moment.

Source: Il Messagero

7️⃣ Investigation opens into disappearance of former postman

Authorities in Gorizia, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, have launched inquiries after the 2019 disappearance of former Trieste postman Vito Mezzalira, treating the case as one of voluntary homicide. Prosecutors are investigating ex postino scomparso under charges of voluntary homicide, concealment of a body, and aggravated fraud. Three people are listed as suspects: his partner Mariuccia Orlando, her son Andrea Piscanec, and her brother Moreno Redivo. Technical inspections were carried out at Mezzalira’s former residence on November 6–7, marking a key development in the investigation.

Source: ANSA

8️⃣ Rome: 12-year-old girl attacked by 11 peers outside school; teachers convene as neighborhood speaks out

In Castelverde, on Rome’s outskirts, a 12-year-old was shoved and dragged to the ground a few meters from her school before classmates intervened; some assailants—boys and girls her age and slightly older—allegedly filmed the assault. The institute has summoned the 11 families and convened staff to decide disciplinary steps and bolster anti-bullying and cyberbullying programs, while the local neighborhood committee publicly denounced the “baby gang” on social media despite some parents urging the post be removed.

Source: Open

9️⃣ Brain drain from southern Italy costs over €4 billion

A new Censis–Confcooperative report reveals that around 134,000 students leave southern regions each year to study in central and northern universities, causing significant economic losses. The study, titled “Sud, la grande fuga,” estimates €157 million lost from southern institutions, while higher tuition fees in the north (€2,066 versus €1,173 in the south) generated €277 million in revenue. In addition, 23,000 southern graduates moved north for work in 2022, and another 13,000 left Italy in 2024 — a total of 36,000 young professionals contributing to the brain drain from the south, which costs the country over €4 billion annually.

Source: ANSA

🔟 Davis Cup: Musetti increasingly doubtful; Volandri says he has “yes” from Sonego and Darderi

After eight relentless weeks chasing ATP Finals qualification—and with a decisive clash vs Carlos Alcaraz imminent—Lorenzo Musetti will decide with captain Filippo Volandri only after Turin whether to play the Davis Cup. Fatigue from six matches in seven days (including a three-hour final vs Djokovic in Athens), travel, and the imminent birth of his second child are being weighed; Italy’s lineup is changeable until Monday. Volandri, who has already called up Cobolli, Berrettini, Bolelli and Vavassori, said he also has Sonego and Darderi available and stressed respect for Jannik Sinner’s choice to rest: “We’ll talk with Lorenzo at the end of the Finals and, as always, find a shared decision.”

Source: La Gazzetta dello Sport