Italy

15 Aug 2019; MEMO: Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Thursday that six EU countries had agreed to take in some 150 migrants from a rescue ship that Italy had blocked from docking, resolving the latest standoff over immigration to Europe across the Mediterranean, Reuters reports.

15 August 2019; DW: Germany and five other countries agreed to take in some 150 migrants who have been stranded on a rescue ship off Italy. The country's far-right interior minister refused to allow them to disembark for two weeks.

The latest standoff over immigration in the Mediterranean appeared to be resolved on Thursday after six European Union countries agreed to take in asylum-seekers who are stuck on a rescue vessel off Italy.

ROME/MADRID, Aug 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An administrative court in Rome ruled that a Spanish rescue ship carrying around 150 migrants should be allowed to enter Italian territorial waters in defiance of a ban imposed by Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.

Salvini, leader of the far-right League party, quickly responded that he would not allow the ship entry regardless of the ruling, setting up another high-profile conflict over the issue of immigration which has proved his biggest vote-winner.

14 August 2019; DW: Italy's League party, led by Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, had called on the Senate to discuss a no-confidence vote. Salvini is keen on forcing new elections, where his party could capitalize on soaring popularity.

The Italian Senate has decided Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte should address the upper house over the crisis next week, postponing a further debate on an ongoing government crisis.

12 August 2019; DW: The leader of Italy's far-right League, Matteo Salvini, has been met with defiance over his plans to hold a no-confidence vote. Salvini could become Italy's leader if the snap elections he wants are held in October.

11 Aug 2019; MEMO: Pope Francis urged governments around the world on Sunday to protect civilians caught in armed conflicts and spare places of humanitarian importance like hospitals and schools, Reuters reports.

In conflicts from Syria to Libya, refugees, migrants and civilians are often bearing the brunt of suffering.

MILAN (AP) — Italy faced a government crisis Thursday after Interior Minister Matteo Salvini of the right-wing League party called for a new election, saying his party’s coalition with the populist 5-Star Movement had collapsed over policy differences.

Premier Giuseppe Conte said he would convene Parliament, as requested by Salvini to seek a confidence vote, but showed his anger over what he called Salvini’s move to “abruptly interrupt the actions of the government.” He urged Salvini to explain himself to voters.

08 August 2019; DW: Citizens of Rome took to social media to accuse the city of having the wrong priorities. "The Eternal City" has been dealing with the damage, litter, and congestion caused by overtourism for years.

The Italian capital has been grappling with the increasingly devastating effects of overtourism for years, but locals say a new push to enforce a ban on sitting on the famous Spanish Steps is "foolishness" and a waste of resources.

03 August 2019; DW: The Bangladeshi community in Italy is the second largest in Europe. However, many women are still struggling to acclimatize, not least because of their husbands. Michele Bertelli reports from Rome.

As soon as the sun fades behind the concrete blocks surrounding Malatesta Square, groups of women dressed in colorful shalwar trousers emerge, seeking some relief from the warm Italian summer.

03 August 2019; DW: The incoming head of the European Commission said "effective and humane" measures are needed to solve the thorny issue of migration. Italy in particular has been calling for the EU's asylum rules to be changed.

Ursula von der Leyen, the next leader of the European Commission, called for a new EU migration deal on Friday during a visit to Rome.