Italian Parliament Passes Law Limiting Wiretap Duration

On Wednesday evening, the Italian Chamber of Deputies approved a law limiting wiretap durations in criminal investigations to a maximum of 45 days. This new rule, added to Article 267 of the Italian Penal Code, states that wiretaps cannot exceed 45 days, unless extended by the judge for specific reasons. The law does not apply to organized crime or terrorism investigations, where the previous rules still apply, allowing for extensions of 20 days. The law was supported by the right-wing majority but criticized by the opposition, including former National Anti-Mafia Prosecutor Cafiero De Raho, who called it a “shield for criminals” and argued it impedes investigations. The measure, previously approved by the Senate, will take effect once signed by the President of the Republic.

Ukraine Open to Halting Energy Infrastructure Attacks as Peace Talks Progress

Ukraine is willing to suspend attacks on Russian energy infrastructure as part of temporary ceasefire negotiations with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced after a phone call with US President Donald Trump. This follows a similar proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who offered to cease attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure if Ukraine did the same with Russia’s. Zelensky expressed support for this move, seeing it as a potential first step toward ending the war. While the US and Ukraine have discussed a broader 30-day ceasefire proposal, Trump and Zelensky’s call highlighted the critical issue of energy infrastructure, with further talks scheduled in Saudi Arabia. Despite ongoing Russian success on the battlefield, the ceasefire idea is seen as beneficial for Ukraine, particularly as Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power plants cause significant civilian disruption.

Mother and Father of Saman Abbas Speak Out in Court Amid Ongoing Murder Trial

In a dramatic court hearing, Nazia Shaheen, the mother of 18-year-old Saman Abbas, who was killed in Novellara in 2021, described the final moments before her daughter disappeared, claiming she did not witness any aggression. Shaheen, who is facing a life sentence for the murder, denied any involvement in her daughter’s death and insisted she would have stopped any attack if she had witnessed it. She also refuted claims that the family had planned the murder and expressed her grief over her daughter’s loss, stating, “I feel dead inside.” In the same hearing, Saman’s father, Shabbar Abbas, also denied involvement in the crime, claiming the family was unaware of the situation until after the incident occurred. The couple both implicated Saman’s uncle, Danish Hasnain, and her cousins in the crime. The trial continues as the family’s conflicting statements raise questions about who was responsible for Saman’s tragic death.

Five-Year-Old Stella Forced into Foster Care Amid Family Conflict and Alleged Abuse

On a spring morning, a tense and emotional scene unfolded in the Monteverde district of Rome. Stella, a five-year-old girl, was forcibly taken from her home despite her distress and pleas to stay with her mother. Stella had previously been subjected to anxiety and trauma related to her father’s alleged abuse, and had even depicted the violence in drawings. The court decision to place her in foster care, deemed necessary for her “best interest,” was based on a controversial psychological evaluation that downplayed the possibility of abuse. Despite her mother’s claims of a loving and protective home, the court favored the idea of separating Stella from her family, citing “parental alienation” rather than acknowledging the abuse. This case has sparked public outrage, with local residents, journalists, and politicians demanding further investigation into the handling of the case, particularly as Stella suffers from a rare genetic disorder. The decision has raised questions about child protection procedures and the weight of psychological evaluations in cases of potential abuse.

Roberto Benigni Returns to Rai 1 with “Il Sogno”, Celebrating European Unity and Aspirations

After a decade, Roberto Benigni returned to Rai 1 with his show Il Sogno, where he shared his vision of Europe, life, dreams, and aspirations. The Oscar-winning actor opened with greetings to Mattarella and Pope Francis, wishing the latter a speedy recovery. Benigni humorously addressed a previous comment about Giorgia Meloni, joking about her denying rumors about him and Elon Musk. As the political debate around the Manifesto of Ventotene continued, Benigni cited the document as a cornerstone of Europe’s future, praising its authors—Altiero Spinelli, Ernesto Rossi, and Eugenio Colorni—as visionaries. Emphasizing his belief in European unity, he declared, “I am an extreme European,” describing the EU as “the greatest institution in the last 5,000 years,” founded on the principle of peace. Benigni celebrated Europe’s contributions to humanity, including the invention of logic, democracy, and art, reaffirming the EU as a unique, peaceful, and transformative project.

The post The new rules for wiretapping in Italy and the other news of today appeared first on Good Morning Italy.

Country Partner of the event, the Italian Pavilion stands out within this Winter Edition of the Fancy Food Show 2025 in Las Vegas, representing Made in Italy with a rich variety of agrifood excellence. Among institutions, historic companies and emerging brands, the audience was able to discover the secrets of a gastronomic culture that is increasingly aiming to conquer the world. TheNewyorker met Giuseppe Berretta, representative of Frantoio Berretta, a leading Sicilian company in the production of extra virgin olive oil. During the interview, Berretta shared his passion for his work, the importance of quality and the impact of Made in Italy on foreign markets, revealing the details of an oil capable of telling a story of tradition, health and innovation.

We are in the heart of the Italy Pavilion, country partner of the Fancy Food Show 2025. How is this experience in Las Vegas going?

I must say, very well! You have already introduced me, I am Giuseppe Berretta and I represent our family business, Frantoio Berretta. It is a pleasure to be here. This is our first experience on an international stage like the U.S., and we are experiencing it very positively-a wonderful discovery.

You produce and export oil and olives. What is the uniqueness of Italian oil, and Sicilian oil in particular?

In recent years the Sicily brand has grown a lot, as has Italian oil in general. Our Sicilian oil stands out for some unique characteristics, such as intense fruitiness, high presence of polyphenols and rich aromas. On the palate, it can be recognized by its bitterness and spiciness, elements that tell the story of our land.

Olive oil is considered a symbol of Italian cuisine, which is a candidate for UNESCO intangible heritage status. How important is this ingredient for health?

Oil is now recognized worldwide as synonymous with wellness. Polyphenols, for example, are antioxidants that help the body by improving the health of the arteries and veins. We focus a lot on this aspect, communicating the benefits of eating well and consuming quality oil.

You also organize tasting courses. How do they take place?

Yes, in our building, awarded as one of the most beautiful in Italy, we organize courses called “panel tests.” Participants, often foreigners, start with an hour of training to learn how to distinguish a quality oil. This takes place in our restaurant Wurmè, where we offer tastings paired with Sicilian excellence.

How do course participants respond?

Many people, especially Americans, write to us after staying with us, telling us that their approach to buying oil has changed. They now look for oils with high polyphenols, a proper balance between bitterness and spiciness, and no defects such as bad odors.

What is the first characteristic to evaluate in an oil? The color?

No, the smell. Color may be attractive, but quality can be recognized by smell and taste, which should be faultless.

You are already present in many foreign markets. What are the main ones?

We have a strong presence in Switzerland, Germany, Norway, and 90 percent of our organic production goes abroad. Our strength is that 90 percent of the oil we bottle comes from our own land, about 500 hectares, which we are continuing to expand.

From field to bottle, do you take care of every stage of production?

Absolutely. We grow the olives on our land and mill them at the right time, ensuring that each stage of processing meets our quality standards.

Many thanks to the Italian Trade Agency, the Specialty Food Association and Universal Marketing for hosting us at this prestigious event.

The article Fancy Food Show 2025: Francesco Beretta and Italian EVO oil, candidate for UNESCO heritage site comes from TheNewyorkese.

The post Fancy Food Show 2025: Giuseppe Berretta and Italian EVO oil, a candidate for UNESCO heritage status appeared first on Good Morning Italy.

The Italian Pavilion stands out for this winter edition of the Fancy Food Show 2025, in Las Vegas. This is an extraordinary opportunity to discover the stories, flavors and culture that make Italian food and wine a heritage appreciated all over the world. We had the opportunity to interview Giacomino Drago, representing Sicily: the Drago brothers have become an institution in California, having opened several successful restaurants since the 1980s. We talked with him about the story behind the Drago name, how Italian cuisine has changed in America and what makes it special even today.

We talk about the strength of Italian cuisine, the beauty of Italian identity: an Italy that conquers the world.

It is a pleasure to be here at Fancy Food in Las Vegas, representing Italy and, in particular, Sicily. This event unites us even more, and it is wonderful to see producers coming from all over Italy with new products to discover and introduce into our kitchens. When you are here at Fancy Food, you hear the stories and culture of the companies, you feel the love and passion they put into their work. This enriches the way we create our dishes, making us even more connected to our work.

How did the Drago brothers’ adventure in California and Los Angeles begin? And how has the perception of Italian cuisine in the United States changed from 20 years ago?

It all started in 1978, when the oldest brother, Celestino, came to Los Angeles to work as a chef at Café Roma. From there he started inviting us brothers, creating a team. At that time, Celestino could not find all the ingredients that we have here at Fancy Food today. Gradually we have grown: in addition to Celestino, Calogero, Tanino, Carolina and the whole family have arrived. Today, in Los Angeles, we run nine restaurants, a bakery, make bread for other places, and organize events.

For someone who dreams of coming to America and opening a restaurant, what advice would you give as a representative of Italian cuisine?

Be yourself, never forget the history of Italian cuisine, and work hard. Consistency and continuity are key, and over time you can achieve great results.

One thing that is striking about your way of catering is the welcome. It’s not just about the ingredients or the flavors, but also the sharing of emotions and stories. Is this what makes Italian cuisine special?

Yes, for us, restaurants are like a home. We welcome our guests as if they were at home, we make them feel good, and we share our history and culture with them. When we put food on the table, we start to share so many stories and emotions, and this is what makes Italian cuisine unique.

Many thanks to the Italian Trade Agency, the Specialty Food Association and Universal Marketing for hosting us at this prestigious event.

The article Fancy Food Show 2025: Giacomino Drago and the success of Italian cuisine in the US comes from TheNewyorker.

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