Allan Kaval

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Aid flotilla for Gaza revives Genoa's activist past

Dockworkers from the port of the Ligurian capital – known for the major protests against the G8 summit in 2001 – are at the forefront of the 'Global Sumud Flotilla,' a grassroots initiative hoping to break the blockade on the Palestinian enclave and deliver humanitarian aid.

Published on September 6, 2025, at 6:28 am (Paris), updated on September 6, 2025, at 10:20 am Allan Kaval

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Italy retorts after 'fiscal dumping' remarks by French MP Bayrou revive tensions

The French prime minister's comments regarding Italian tax policy for the ultra-wealthy sparked outrage in Italy on Sunday, including from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who emphasized the stability of her government.

Published on September 2, 2025, at 12:55 pm (Paris) Allan Kaval

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Outrage in Italy over online spread of degrading images of women

Hundreds of women – including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein, and several artists – have fallen victim to obscene photomontages and doctored photos.

Published on September 1, 2025, at 10:02 am (Paris) Allan Kaval

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Libyan coast guards fire on Ocean Viking in international waters

The humanitarian vessel operated by the NGO SOS Méditerranée came under automatic gunfire from two masked Libyan coast guards for about 20 minutes on Sunday, August 24.

Published on August 27, 2025, at 1:42 am (Paris), updated on August 27, 2025, at 2:44 pm Allan Kaval

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Contested Sicily-Calabria bridge embodies contradictions of Giorgia Meloni's Italy

A government project to build a road and rail bridge linking Sicily to Calabria on mainland Italy has sparked concerns, hopes, desires and heated protests.

Published on August 26, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Allan Kaval

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Italy's Salvini renews attacks on Macron

Two days after the French Foreign Ministry summoned Italy's ambassador, the Italian deputy prime minister doubled down on his criticism of the French president, portraying him as a warmonger over the Ukrainian issue.

Published on August 25, 2025, at 11:18 am (Paris), updated on August 25, 2025, at 11:19 am Allan Kaval

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Paris summons Italian ambassador after Salvini criticizes Macron

Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy prime minister and an ally of the Kremlin, made remarks about President Emmanuel Macron deemed offensive by France regarding the possible deployment of European troops to Ukraine.

Published on August 23, 2025, at 3:15 pm (Paris), updated on August 24, 2025, at 2:36 pm Allan Kaval

In Depth Subscribers only

France faces prospect of paying higher borrowing costs than Italy

Rome has significantly reduced its public deficit over the past three years, while Paris has allowed its own to spiral. In the eyes of investors, Italy is now as credible as France, despite a heavier debt burden. On the markets, the gap in interest rates between the two countries has nearly vanished.

Published on August 19, 2025, at 5:00 pm (Paris) Denis Cosnard Allan Kaval

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Venice locals protest Jeff Bezos's three-day wedding extravaganza

Residents of La Serenissima have formed a group to oppose the wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sanchez, who have planned a ceremony set to take place between Thursday and Saturday.

Published on June 23, 2025, at 7:00 pm (Paris), updated on June 25, 2025, at 2:55 pm Allan Kaval

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In Italy, opposition-driven referendums on naturalization and labor rights fail

Just over 30% of voters went to the polls on Sunday and Monday, falling short of the 50% turnout threshold required for the vote to be considered valid.

Published on June 10, 2025, at 4:27 pm (Paris) Allan Kaval

Investigation Subscribers only

Sergio Mattarella, president of the Italian Republic, the last of the democrats

This discreet 83 year old never intended to enter politics, but his brother's assassination by the Mafia pushed him into public service. A republican steeped in Christian values and a staunch defender of the Constitution, Mattarella has served as president of the Italian Republic since 2015, commanding a legitimacy that even the right-wing government doesn't contest.

Published on June 8, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on June 8, 2025, at 8:45 am Allan Kaval

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Macron attempts to ease tensions with Meloni in Rome

The French president traveled to Rome on Tuesday to meet with the Italian prime minister in an effort to ease bilateral relations, which have been rocky since Donald Trump took office and strained by differences over the war in Ukraine.

Published on June 4, 2025, at 2:56 pm (Paris) Philippe Ricard Allan Kaval

In Depth Subscribers only

The French far right's Giorgia Meloni problem

Is the Italian prime minister a 'reasonable' role model, as Jordan Bardella believes? His mentor, Marine Le Pen, isn't so sure – exposing a crack in their duo.

Published on May 30, 2025, at 8:00 pm (Paris) Clément Guillou Allan Kaval

Letter from... Subscribers only

In Italy, the populist stunts of a Neapolitan TikTok star

Influencer Rita De Crescenzo has established herself as a spokesperson for the working-class neighborhoods of the southern city of Naples. Using insults and threats, she is now considering entering politics.

Published on May 23, 2025, at 2:11 am (Paris), updated on May 23, 2025, at 11:17 am Allan Kaval

Background Subscribers only

Italy turns its back on its pioneers' legacy in founding the EU

Italy, a key player in the creation of the European Union, born from the rejection of nationalism after World War II, has gradually turned away from federalism. Today, the shift has led the Meloni government to deny the legacy of Spinelli and De Gasperi, Italian fathers of modern Europe.

Published on May 13, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Allan Kaval

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For Italians, conclave marks last hope for a pope from their country

As the Italian – and more broadly, Western – clergy loses influence within the Vatican, Italians hope that one of their three cardinals will succeed Pope Francis.

Published on May 3, 2025, at 11:30 pm (Paris), updated on May 4, 2025, at 8:03 am Sarah Belouezzane Allan Kaval

Conversation Subscribers only

Founder of Sant'Egidio community fears next pope could undo Francis's legacy

Close to Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the founder of the Catholic movement Sant'Egidio, Andrea Riccardi, expresses his 'pessimism' about the future of the Argentine pontiff's legacy.

Published on May 3, 2025, at 4:30 am (Paris), updated on May 3, 2025, at 8:31 am Allan Kaval Sarah Belouezzane

In Depth Subscribers only

In Rome, rumors swirl of plot by Macron to influence choice of next pope

Some Italian media suspect the French president of maneuvering alongside the Catholic movement Sant'Egidio, which was close to the late pope, to push their candidates onto the Chair of Saint Peter.

Published on May 2, 2025, at 11:54 am (Paris) Allan Kaval

Long Read Subscribers only

With Starlink, Musk extends his grip on the world – and space

Bolstered by its technological superiority, the billionaire's company has become indispensable, particularly for Ukraine. Donald Trump's close associate now holds unprecedented levers of influence, raising questions of a conflict of interest as China seeks to catch up.

Published on April 27, 2025, at 6:49 pm (Paris) Francesca Fattori, Ghazal Golshiri, Cécile Hennion, Thomas d’Istria, Allan Kaval, Olivier Pinaud, Alexandre Piquard, Harold Thibault, Elise Vincent, Eric Dedier, Xemartin Laborde and Audrey Lagadec

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'The Church is us': Hundreds of thousands attend pope's funeral at the Vatican

Pope Francis was laid to rest in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on Saturday after a funeral mass at St. Peter's Square. The ceremony was attended by dozens of monarchs and heads of state, along with an immense crowd of faithful, paying tribute to a pope who was close to the people.

Published on April 27, 2025, at 10:34 am (Paris) Allan Kaval Sarah Belouezzane Benoît Vitkine

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To Italians, Pope Francis was a 'pope of the poor' and a paradoxical ally of progressives

Close to the most poorest and to migrants, Pope Francis reconciled a segment of the Italian left with the papacy, while others criticized him for his lack of courage on the issue of sexual violence.

Published on April 23, 2025, at 7:00 pm (Paris) Allan Kaval

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Rome's farewell to Pope Francis, between the faithful's grief and Vatican protocol

Following the announcement of Pope Francis's death on Monday morning, the bells of Saint Peter's Basilica tolled and the Vatican's yellow and white flags were lowered to half-mast, following a perfectly codified ceremonial. Later, masses were celebrated throughout Rome, culminating in the first public prayer at Saint Peter's Square at 7:30 pm, attended by thousands of faithful.

Published on April 22, 2025, at 4:54 am (Paris), updated on April 22, 2025, at 10:18 am Allan Kaval Benoît Vitkine

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Rome exhibition on futurism exalts the Italian national narrative

The far-right government of Giorgia Meloni wants to rehabilitate this movement, which celebrated speed, power, industrial movement and found affinities with fascism.

Published on April 20, 2025, at 9:30 am (Paris), updated on April 21, 2025, at 5:45 pm Allan Kaval

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Meloni struggles to influence Trump's trade policy

The Italian leader, who was in Washington on Thursday, had hoped to leverage her ideological similarities with the American president to make progress on a potential trade agreement between the US and the EU. Donald Trump made no commitments.

Published on April 18, 2025, at 11:06 am (Paris) Allan Kaval Ivanne Trippenbach

Round-up Subscribers only

How European countries plan to fund defense efforts

Some governments have already chosen which resources to mobilize to increase their military budget, while others are still deliberating.

Published on April 14, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Elsa Conesa, Jean-Baptiste Chastand, Cécile Ducourtieux, Anne-Françoise Hivert, Allan Kaval and Jean-Pierre Stroobants

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Romans fear the 'Disneyfication' of the Eternal City

In this year of the Catholic Jubilee, some locals are sounding the alarm about the risks of overtourism. But Rome is planning to continue its development, which is bringing a financial windfall that is more necessary than ever.

Published on April 6, 2025, at 4:00 am (Paris) Allan Kaval

In Depth Subscribers only

In Italy, Giorgia Meloni imposes her security law by decree

The Italian prime minister has enacted legislation that includes protection for law enforcement in cases of accusations of police violence. Some of the most controversial articles were removed under the influence of the Italian president, Sergio Mattarella.

Published on April 6, 2025, at 1:32 am (Paris), updated on April 6, 2025, at 8:52 am Allan Kaval

News Subscribers only

Italy's pacifist ideals go against Europe's desire to rearm

'Europeans, war and peace (2/7).' Italy's historical links to both Catholicism and Communism mean the vast majority of Italians are opposed to rearmament in their country and Europe in general.

Published on March 27, 2025, at 4:00 am (Paris) Allan Kaval

Letter from... Subscribers only

In Italy, 'Il Foglio' newspaper provocatively launches a supplement entirely made by AI

With no more human names or bylines, the Milanese daily is giving its readers a supplement of 20 articles written by ChatGPT Pro.

Published on March 26, 2025, at 4:29 am (Paris), updated on March 26, 2025, at 10:18 am Allan Kaval

News Subscribers only

Italy's Meloni, caught between the EU and the US, benefits from divisions in the opposition

The Italian prime minister is moderately supportive of Ukraine and European rearmament plans while also expressing her support for the Trump administration. In her own country, she must contend with a pacifist movement cutting across different parties, including her own coalition.

Published on March 21, 2025, at 3:09 am (Paris), updated on March 21, 2025, at 8:48 am Allan Kaval

Long Read Subscribers only

Trump's tariff threats paralyze European companies

With threats of 25% tariffs on the European Union, geopolitical upheavals and the 'law of the strongest' in business, companies are reeling from the Trump shock. In response, they are freezing their projects, trying to negotiate exemptions and preparing to raise their prices.

Published on March 10, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on March 10, 2025, at 9:53 am Eric Albert, Cécile Boutelet, Sophie Fay, Anne-Françoise Hivert, Allan Kaval and Sandrine Morel

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Meloni's government targets press and tightens grip on public broadcasting

Italy's government ministries and departments are stepping up complaints against the work of journalists. In the 2024 Reporters Without Borders freedom of the press index, the country dropped five places to 46th.

Published on February 24, 2025, at 2:24 am (Paris), updated on February 24, 2025, at 7:44 am Allan Kaval

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War in Ukraine: Europeans, marginalized by Trump and Putin, are divided over sending troops

Emmanuel Macron brought together eight European leaders and the heads of NATO and EU bodies in a mini-summit at the Elysée on Monday, less than a week after Washington and Moscow agreed to begin 'immediate' negotiations to end the conflict.

Published on February 18, 2025, at 10:54 am (Paris), updated on February 18, 2025, at 1:41 pm Philippe Ricard Elise Vincent Allan Kaval

News analysis Subscribers only

Meloni consolidates popularity by disrupting Italian democracy

The Italian leader could once have been described as 'against the system' – like the Brexiteers or the Trump of 2016. Today she is the system, and Italy's republican institutions are mere obstacles to be overcome.

Published on February 17, 2025, at 8:34 pm (Paris) Allan Kaval

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Italy's possible alignment with Trump over Ukraine

Giorgia Meloni is less critical of the American initiative than Paris, Berlin and Brussels.

Published on February 15, 2025, at 3:16 am (Paris), updated on February 17, 2025, at 9:25 am Allan Kaval

Letter from... Subscribers only

An AI scam targeting a cabinet minister heats up Italy's political climate

Artificial intelligence has helped fraudsters replicate the voice of the Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto to fleece money from several prominent figures.

Published on February 14, 2025, at 3:03 am (Paris), updated on February 14, 2025, at 8:47 am Allan Kaval

Conversation Subscribers only

Roberto Saviano, outspoken opponent of organized crime and Meloni: 'There is definitely a mafia mentality in Italy'

Forced to live under police protection, the writer has become one of the main intellectual opponents of the Italian prime minister and her far-right government.

Published on February 12, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris) Allan Kaval

Feature Subscribers only

In the first Italian town hit by Covid five years ago, a lasting trauma and an entire generation lost

On February 21, 2020, Codogno, the small Lombardy town of 15,000 inhabitants and nine neighboring municipalities, suddenly became Europe's first region to go into lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Published on February 10, 2025, at 4:00 am (Paris) Allan Kaval

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In Madrid, Europe's far right looks to Trump as a role model

Patriots for Europe, the far-right group created in July in the European Parliament, held its first summit in the Spanish capital on Saturday. From Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, all see Trump as a harbinger of future victories for their camp.

Published on February 9, 2025, at 12:13 pm (Paris) Sandrine Morel Allan Kaval

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La Scala, the theater of Italy's passions

Dominique Meyer, the French director of Milan's opera, is due to step down in early March. He will be replaced by an Italian, as has been the case in many of the country's cultural institutions since Giorgia Meloni's far right came to power. In addition to being a national symbol, this temple of opera has always been a place of intrigue and scandal.

Published on February 6, 2025, at 5:00 am (Paris), updated on September 2, 2025, at 10:44 am Aureliano Tonet Allan Kaval

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