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.
