Italy

Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam sends Republic Day greetings to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy

Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam of the Maldives sent a message of felicitations to Antonia Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, on the occasion of Italy's Republic Day. The message notes that this year marks the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Italy. She expressed commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit.

Italy Returns Ethiopia’s Stolen First Plane After 87 Years

Former Argentine Army Officer Faces Trial in Italy for Crimes Against Humanity

A Rome judge has ordered the trial of former Argentine army officer Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Luis Malatto for the premeditated killing of eight people during Argentina's military dictatorship (1976-1983). Malatto fled Argentina in 2011 to Sicily. An extradition request was denied by Rome in 2014 due to insufficient evidence, but Italy began its own investigation in 2015. The trial is scheduled to commence on 22 April. Victims' relatives seek justice. Italy previously convicted 24 people for Operation Condor in 2019.

500-Year-Old Pressed Flowers Shed Light on Ecological Changes in Northern Italy

A collection of 5,000 pressed flowers gathered by Italian naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi 500 years ago in Bologna has become a resource for studying climate change and human impact on landscapes. The dried specimens, part of a herbarium of 15 books with up to 580 specimens each, include detailed notes on species. Modern botanists compared Aldrovandi's flora with collections by Girolamo Cocconi in 1883 and records from the Emilia-Romagna region from 1965 to 2021. The study found a 1,000% increase in non-native American flowers and a 560% increase in Italy's population, indicating profound human impact on the ecosystem. The quality of flora has decreased, especially rare species. Lead researcher Dr Fabrizio Buldrini from the University of Bologna expressed concern over the findings.

Italian Diver Unearths Roman Bronze Coins in Sardinia’s Waters

An Italian diver discovered tens of thousands of well-preserved Roman bronze coins, known as follis, from the 4th century near Arzachena, Sardinia. The find prompted Italy's Ministry of Culture to assemble a team from its art protection squad and undersea archaeology department. The coins, introduced around 294 AD, were found in a sandy area between seagrass and beach, hinting at possible nearby shipwrecks. Luigi La Rocca of Sardinia's archaeology department emphasized the find's testament to the region's submerged heritage. The discovery parallels a 2013 find in Devon, UK, where 22,888 follis were unearthed.