Judge considers where critically ill baby should receive ‘end of life’ care
The Independent
23-11-07 12:41
A High Court judge is considering where eight-month-old Indi Gregory should be when specialists withdraw the critically ill baby's treatment. Options include a hospital, a hospice, and Indi’s home. Indi’s parents want her to be given end of life care at home. Specialists treating the baby at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham can lawfully limit treatment, according to a previous ruling. Indi's parents have failed to persuade judges that treatment should continue.
The parents of a critically ill baby with mitochondrial disease are awaiting a High Court judge's ruling on where she should be when specialists withdraw treatment. Indi Gregory's parents prefer for the treatment to be withdrawn at home, but specialists at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre argue that a hospital or hospice would be a more appropriate setting. The court was told that the judge aims to hand down his formal judgement on Wednesday. The parents have failed to persuade appeals courts to overturn the decision to withdraw treatment. The Italian government granted Indi Italian citizenship on Monday and Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital in Rome offered to provide treatment.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz agrees ‘historic’ stricter migration policy
Guardian
23-11-07 17:24
Germany has agreed on stricter measures to deal with a large number of migrants arriving in the country. The measures include speeding up asylum procedures, restricting social benefits for migrants, and providing more federal funding for local communities. However, NGOs have criticised Italy’s plans to create centres in Albania to accommodate asylum seekers. The International Rescue Committee called the agreement a “further blow” to EU solidarity, while Médecins Sans Frontières said it represented “a new attack on the right to asylum”. Between January and September this year, asylum applications in Germany rose by 73% compared to the same period last year.
As war frustrations rise, stalemate tests Zelensky and top general Zaluzhny
Washington Post
23-11-08 06:49
Ukraine's President Zelensky has called for an end to political infighting among senior leaders. This comes after he publicly disagreed with the commander of Ukraine's armed forces over whether the war had reached a stalemate. Zelensky, however, dismissed the possibility of holding a presidential election in the spring, explaining that holding a fair election was almost impossible due to the number of displaced people and the thousands of soldiers fighting on the front. The political fractures have further darkened a national mood that was already sombre over a series of brutal missile strikes by Russia and other military setbacks. Some analysts have rejected the idea that there is any real division between Zelensky and the commander of the armed forces, asserting that both are trying to send the same message to Western governments. However, Zelensky's government is finding it increasingly difficult to convince even close allies of just how much more weaponry, money and other resources are needed to push Russian forces back.
Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt are increasing their pleas to the US to pressure Israel for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The countries argue that the failure to do so risks sabotaging the security of the entire Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls for a temporary ceasefire, insisting that the military campaign must destroy Hamas. Arab officials and scholars argue that this goal is not only impossible but counterproductive, as it would likely generate even more violence. Arab officials will gather in Riyadh this weekend for a summit where the conflict will be a top priority for discussion. Meanwhile, dire conditions continue for civilians in Gaza. The Israeli military has stated that it has reached "the heart of Gaza City." The White House has said that a reoccupation of Gaza by Israel would not be "the right thing to do."
Giorgia Meloni defied doubters to survive a year in Italy, now it gets harder
Japan Times
23-11-09 08:28
Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, is known for following her gut instincts, trusting very few people, and making decisions on her own. She recently split with her long-time partner, who had become a political liability for her, and warned those who hoped to weaken her through her personal life. Meloni's authenticity and determination have helped her rise to power, becoming the first female prime minister in Italy's history. Despite doubts about her ability to last in the position, Meloni is accustomed to being underestimated.
After leaks of audio and video tapes revealing Andrea Giambruno, the father of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's young daughter, making lewd threesome and foursome jokes and apparent propositions to female colleagues, the public discourse in Italy has taken for granted the normality of sexism and harassment in the workplace. 85% of female journalists in Italy reported being subjected to some form of harassment during their careers. Italy has the lowest employment rate for women in the European Union or among the Group of 7 major economies, with just over 50% of women participating in the workforce. A Bank of Italy study found that if just 10% more women worked in Italy, the country’s GDP could grow by another 10%.
Albania’s deal with Italy on migrants has been welcomed by many. But others are confused and angry
Associated Press
23-11-09 15:59
Albania has reached an agreement with Italy to jointly process some asylum applications of migrants arriving by sea. The deal stipulates that Albania will temporarily house thousands of migrants while their requests for asylum in Italy are reviewed. If their refugee status is denied, Albania will be responsible for deporting them. The agreement has been criticised by rights organisations, but ordinary Albanians have mixed opinions. Some see it as a way to repay Italy for welcoming Albanians fleeing poverty after the fall of communism, while others are confused and even angry about the surprise announcement. Under the deal, Italy will handle the disembarkation and identification procedures of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean Sea, while Albania will provide two facilities for processing in the port of Shengjin. The deal has raised concerns about the impact on Albania’s tourism industry, as the country has become a major tourist destination this year. The agreement must be approved by parliament before it takes effect, and it has generated significant opposition.
Giorgia Meloni’s “mother of all reforms” is a power grab
Economist
23-11-09 14:01
Italy's populist-conservative coalition, led by Giorgia Meloni, is proposing a constitutional reform that would alter the country's constitution, introduce a new electoral law and allow for the direct election of the prime minister. The proposal aims to provide Italy with political stability and make the country's political system more democratic. However, critics argue that the direct election of prime ministers is a bad idea and has a poor record elsewhere. The proposal is likely to be put to a referendum, despite opposition from other political parties.
The parents of a critically ill baby, Indi Gregory, who suffers from mitochondrial disease, will appeal over where her life-support can be removed. Medics at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) have said they can do no more for her. A judge ruled on Wednesday that withdrawing treatment at home would be "too dangerous," and Indi's life-support was due to be removed at the QMC. However, the family's lawyers lodged an appeal and the deadline was extended. The Court of Appeal hearing will take place remotely on Friday.
Illegal migration is pushing Europe to the brink – and it isn’t racist to say so
Telegraph
23-11-10 18:00
The UK Supreme Court is set to rule on whether the government’s plan to deport migrants to Rwanda is lawful. The Home Office has challenged a Court of Appeal ruling that declared the arrangement unlawful. If the Home Office wins, the first deportation flights to Rwanda could begin as early as the new year. The Rwanda scheme has caused controversy, with dissenting voices claiming that the policy is inhumane. However, European governments are increasingly adopting similar measures. Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, has signed a deal to process asylum applications in Albania, while Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced a clampdown on illegal immigration. Germany has proposed reducing asylum claim processing times and has suggested setting up asylum processing centres outside of the EU. Austria is consulting with the UK on how to establish a similar scheme, while France is pursuing a crackdown on immigration. This trend is partly due to the rise of right-wing parties. Mass migration poses significant challenges to housing, public services, and infrastructure, and threatens national and cultural identity.
Cracks between Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine’s military as Russia conflict hits stalemate
Telegraph
23-11-11 13:37
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly expressed his anger and frustration over the country's stalled offensive against Russia. The conflict, which began in February 2021, is viewed as having reached a stalemate, leading to calls for peace talks with Moscow. Zelensky has called for an end to political infighting and reprimanded General Valery Zaluzhny, who described the situation as a stalemate. Ukrainian officials fear that this perception could lead Western allies to push for peace talks that would require Ukraine to surrender territory. The Ukrainian president is also concerned that international attention will shift away from the country, particularly due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas.
‘Grotesque aspects that make our country hard to understand’: Italy is the land that #MeToo forgot
The Sydney Morning Herald
23-11-11 18:47
The recent scandal surrounding Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's former partner has highlighted the issue of workplace harassment in Italy. Meloni, who is Italy's first female prime minister, broke up with Andrea Giambruno after audio and video recordings were leaked showing him making lewd jokes and propositions to female colleagues. While the focus has been on Meloni's response to the scandal, little attention has been paid to Giambruno's behaviour, which many have seen as part of a culture of sexism and harassment that is commonplace in Italy. Workplace harassment is the norm for many women in the country, with a recent survey finding that 85% of female journalists have been harassed during their careers. Women's lack of participation in the workforce is a drag on the economy and contributes to the country's low birthrate. The employment rate for women in Italy is the lowest in the European Union. Italy's Catholic culture and philosophy have played a role in inhibiting women's independence and progress in the country, according to some experts. In the 1970s, Italy made some progress in advancing women's rights as divorce and abortion were legalised and pay became somewhat more equal. However, the country still has a long way to go, with women not being well represented in top positions in business and politics.
Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, will open a new exhibition on author JRR Tolkien at Rome's National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art. The exhibition is being funded by Italy's culture ministry and was announced as a "gift" to Meloni by the culture minister. In her autobiography, Meloni described Tolkien's fantasy epic as a "sacred" text. Critics argue that the exhibition allows Meloni to present her ideology of an existential struggle between tradition and modernity in socially acceptable terms. The exhibition will showcase manuscripts, letters, memorabilia, and artworks inspired by Tolkien's literary vision.
Italy govt clashes with unions over planned strike, mulls curbs
Reuters
23-11-14 10:39
The Italian government and two of the country's largest trade unions are in dispute over a strike planned for Friday against Rome's 2024 budget. The CGIL and UIL unions called the strike in various sectors, including public transport, despite a request from the country's strike watchdog to limit it to part of the day to reduce disruption. The unions argue that the watchdog is questioning workers' right to strike. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini stated that while he would not cancel the strike, he would enforce limits on its duration. Opposition parties have sided with the unions and criticised the budget.
Central banks will have to slash rates as the world’s fiscal bubble bursts
Telegraph
23-11-15 09:00
The world economy has been supported by a series of bubbles for the past 25 years, but as these bubbles burst, the underlying weakness of growth will be revealed, warns Ambrose Evans-Pritchard in The Telegraph. He argues that the global economic recovery is being propped up by the fiscal boom, but once this bubble bursts, it will have a contractionary effect on the global economy. Central banks will be forced to slash interest rates and potentially revert to emergency quantitative easing to prevent a deflationary bust. However, Evans-Pritchard suggests that central banks are being misled about the “natural” rate of interest, known as R*, and that they are in danger of overtightening. He argues that the natural rate is determined by whether private credit aggregates are rising or falling, and warns that they have been falling at alarming rates across the West. Once fiscal worries force countries to tackle their budget deficits, the neutral rate will plummet, Evans-Pritchard predicts. He concludes that the world economy is ill-prepared for this scenario.
Europe's far right joins rallying cry against antisemitism, unsettling some Jews
Reuters
23-11-15 13:17
Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Rassemblement National party, joined over 100,000 people marching against antisemitism in Paris on Sunday. The event is seen as a significant moment for the party, with the leader seeking to normalise its image and win greater respectability. Le Pen has distanced herself from the inflammatory rhetoric of her father, who was convicted of inciting racial hatred. Analysts suggest that the strategy is part of a shift by far-right politicians across Europe to bolster their anti-migration agenda while combating accusations of racism.
Russia-Ukraine war: Breakthrough for Kyiv but troops face ‘hell fire’
The Independent
23-11-15 17:02
Ukrainian forces have gained a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region, a significant step in Kyiv's counteroffensive against Russia. The river has been a key battleground in the conflict, with Russia initially crossing from the eastern bank to seize Kherson city before retreating back across the river. However, Russia has maintained a troop presence on the eastern bank, limiting Ukraine's progress. Russian military officials claim that Ukrainian forces crossing onto the eastern bank are now being subjected to intense attacks. A Russian-installed official stated that Ukrainian soldiers in the area have an average life expectancy of two days due to the heavy bombardment they are facing. The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has continued to escalate, with both sides regularly exchanging fire and casualties mounting. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has warned Ukrainians to prepare for a "winter onslaught" from Russia. Meanwhile, the European Commission has submitted a proposal for a 12th sanctions package against Russia, aiming to sanction over 120 additional individuals and entities for their role in undermining Ukraine's sovereignty.
Europe’s far-right joins rallying cry against antisemitism, unsettling some Jews
South China Morning Post
23-11-15 16:00
Marine Le Pen, leader of France's far-right Rassemblement National (National Rally) party, has taken part in a march against antisemitism, alongside over 100,000 others in Paris. The move is seen as a sign that Le Pen's strategy to normalise the party's image is working, helping to bolster its anti-migration agenda and rebut racist accusations. Le Pen has distanced herself from the inflammatory rhetoric of her father, Jean-Marie, who was convicted of inciting racial hatred for Holocaust denial. Analysts suggest that Le Pen's strategy is succeeding in shifting public discourse and perceptions.
I used to dress up as a hobbit, confesses Georgia Meloni
Telegraph
23-11-15 20:59
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has attended an exhibition on JRR Tolkien, who she has credited with helping to form her political identity. Ms Meloni has previously dressed as a hobbit and said she related to Sam Gamgee, a character who was a lowly gardener before embarking on adventures. There is disagreement over the political affiliation of Tolkien, with some on the political right claiming his works represent a defence of national and Christian identity. However, others have said the author is apolitical and his works have been admired by those on both the left and right.
