EU Leaders Weigh Increased Defense Spending Amid U.S. Pressure
At an informal European Council meeting in Brussels on February 3, EU leaders discussed the urgent need for national governments to boost their defense budgets, driven by U.S. President Trump’s recent decision to sharply cut military aid to Ukraine and his call for NATO members to reach 5% of GDP in defense spending—a target currently unmet even by the U.S. Most EU countries agree on increasing defense investments, yet no concrete plan exists regarding funding sources or armament procurement, with proposals ranging from reallocating national budgets to issuing common debt similar to the Next Generation EU fund. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called for a defense fund of at least €100 billion, a view supported by Baltic states but met with caution by Germany. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Council President Antonio Costa have suggested a minimum target of 3% of GDP, leaving the final decision to member states as negotiations continue toward actionable outcomes by the end of June, coinciding with the NATO summit and an official European Council session.
Carabinieri Arrest 25 in Giugliano Over Political-Mafia Vote Trading
In Giugliano—a town of nearly 125,000 on Naples’ northwestern outskirts—Carabinieri executed a precautionary custody order from a Naples preliminary investigations judge against 25 individuals (20 detained and 5 under house arrest) on charges including political-mafia vote trading, mafia association, extortion, attempted extortion, usury, fraudulent transfer of funds, and corruption. The arrests are part of a judicial inquiry into the activities of the Mallardo Camorra clan, accused of trying to influence the 2020 municipal elections; among those detained is former mayor Antonio Poziello, who led the town from 2015 to 2020 before losing the runoff to Democratic Party candidate Nicola Pirozzi.
Enrollment for “Liceo del Made in Italy” Falls Short in Trentino
In Trentino, high school enrollment closed on January 31—well before the national deadline of February 10—with initial data showing that student numbers were insufficient to form even one class for the new “Liceo del Made in Italy” program. This curriculum, a variant of the Human Sciences high school with an economic-social option, was launched in 2023 to enhance knowledge of traditional Italian products through specialized courses in legal and economic sciences, art history, and design history. Despite vigorous promotion by the government, led by Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara and the locally governed League administration—which tailored the program to Trentino’s agricultural and tourism context—interest among students and families remains low, echoing a broader national trend and casting doubts on the program’s future viability.
Română Woman Dies After Fatal Fall in Turin Apartment
At around 11:30 AM yesterday, 51-year-old Romanian Claudia Udrescu was fatally injured in her Turin home in the San Paolo district while cleaning. She lost her balance while adjusting a curtain on a ladder, fell from the window, and struck her head against a balcony railing before plummeting to her death. Her partner, who was in another room, heard the crash and immediately called emergency services, but she was already dead upon their arrival. Police have since conducted a thorough investigation to verify the circumstances as described by her partner.
AC/DC to Rock Imola in Historic Return on Power Up Tour
After a 10-year hiatus at the same venue, AC/DC will perform at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola on July 20, marking the only Italian date on the European leg of their ‘Power Up Tour,’ named after their 2020 album. Imola Mayor Marco Panieri expressed excitement, calling the event “extraordinary news” that will recapture the magic of past performances, especially as it coincides with the closing week of the Giro d’Italia Women and follows a Max Pezzali concert. Tickets, available exclusively through Ticketone starting Friday at 11 AM, will be sold as named tickets (maximum of four per account) with one permitted name change from June 20; children up to six enter free, while those aged seven and above require a full ticket. Accreditation for disabled guests is managed by the charity Mani Amiche, and fans can stay updated via the free ‘Barley Arts x AC/DC’ app.
