Italy’s rape law stalls as Matteo Salvini claims it could be used for ‘vendettas’

Pope Leo has emphasized the critical role of European nations, particularly Italy, in mediating peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, amidst stalled negotiations between Russia and the US. The pontiff's remarks come as tensions escalate, with Russian President Vladimir Putin accusing Europe of obstructing peace efforts.

Italy's ruling lawmakers are proposing an amendment to declare the Bank of Italy's $300 billion gold reserves as state property, raising concerns about potential violations of EU regulations. This initiative reflects a renewed political interest in utilizing gold reserves to alleviate public debt, prompting Italy to seek guidance from the Bank of Italy and the European Central Bank (ECB), which has previously cautioned against limiting central bank autonomy over gold.

The OECD has cautioned that Chancellor Rachel Reeves' strategy of higher taxes and spending restraint will hinder consumer expenditure in the UK, despite forecasts indicating that the UK economy will grow faster than France, Germany, and Italy next year. This fiscal consolidation is expected to limit household disposable income and slow consumption.

A statue of opera legend Luciano Pavarotti has been installed knee-deep in an ice rink in Italy, prompting criticism from his widow, who described the decision as absurd. The town has also encouraged skaters to interact with the statue by high-fiving it, which has drawn further disapproval.