Paragon Solutions Suspends Ties with Italy Amid Spyware Scandal Involving Journalists
Israeli software company Paragon Solutions has cut ties with Italy following revelations that its spyware system, Graphite, was used to target journalists and activists, including Francesco Cancellato and Luca Casarini. The company, which supplies surveillance tools exclusively to governments, was alerted by Meta about the surveillance of around 90 individuals using WhatsApp. Paragon suspended access to its platform after learning of the potential misuse, prompting the Italian government to release a statement minimizing the issue, though Paragon officials found the explanation unconvincing. The controversy has escalated into political discussions, with opposition parties demanding urgent clarification in Parliament, while the European Commission awaits national authorities to investigate further.
Helicopter Crash in Parma, What We Know
A helicopter crash near Castelguelfo, a village in Noceto, Parma, on Wednesday evening claimed the lives of three people, including 42-year-old Lorenzo Rovagnati, CEO of the renowned Rovagnati salami company, and the two pilots, Flavio Massa, 59, and Leonardo Italiani, 30. The crash occurred in dense fog, shortly after the Agusta A109 helicopter took off from the Rovagnati family’s castle park. Investigations have been opened by the Parma Prosecutor’s Office for involuntary manslaughter, as the cause of the crash remains unclear, with potential factors including poor visibility or mechanical failure. Initial reports suggest the helicopter crashed vertically, and no fire was reported at the scene. Investigators are examining the wreckage, although there was no black box available for analysis.
Rome Authorities Take Action Against Fascist Apologists with New Ban Measures
The police commissioner of Rome has issued 16 measures against individuals found repeatedly violating laws prohibiting fascist-apologist behavior. These individuals were primarily involved in commemorations of Acca Larentia, coming from various Italian cities including Rome, Milan, Naples, Salerno, Caserta, and Avellino. Among those affected by the measures are fans of Rome’s two football clubs and the Napoli team. Three individuals face six-year bans with mandatory police check-ins, while the remaining 13 measures last one to two years. Additionally, over 200 other individuals are under investigation for crimes related to drug offenses, violence, and public disturbances, which could result in further bans. Authorities continue to target individuals linked to criminal behavior, aiming to maintain safety and legality in stadiums. Since the beginning of the season, 186 bans have been issued against football fans for inappropriate conduct, with 20 further sanctions from Roma football club.
Poltronesofà Under Investigation for Unfair Discount Practices
The Italian Antitrust Authority (AGCM) has launched an investigation into the furniture company Poltronesofà for potential unfair commercial practices. The inquiry focuses on the company’s discount policies, where advertised discounts are based on inflated prices, making the “discounted” prices appear more attractive than they actually are. The Antitrust Authority claims that promotional campaigns emphasizing limited-time offers may mislead consumers into making purchases they wouldn’t otherwise have made. This isn’t the first time Poltronesofà has faced scrutiny, as the company was fined in 2021 for misleading advertising.
Federica Brignone Wins Silver in Super-G at World Championships
Italian skier Federica Brignone claimed the silver medal in the Super-G event at the World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria. This marks her fourth medal at the World Championships and her first in Super-G, the second-fastest discipline in alpine skiing. Austrian Stephanie Venier won the gold, beating Brignone by just 0.10 seconds. Fellow Italian Sofia Goggia finished fifth, only 0.06 seconds behind third place and 0.30 seconds from the top spot. At 34, Brignone is enjoying one of the best seasons of her career, with more opportunities to win medals in upcoming downhill and giant slalom events, where she has already triumphed in the World Cup this season.
