VATICAN CITY – According to new estimates, the The Holy See’s deficit is expected to rocket up to 145 per cent in 2020, in the context of the coronavirus epidemic causing economic slowdown and with a significant reduction in contributions to be expected from the Italian government and the Vatican bank (IOR), reports Il Messaggero. The Vatican on average already brings in approximately 270 million euros while its expenditure amounts to 320 million euros.

MOGADISHU — Kidnapped Italian aid worker Silvia Romano, 25, has been released, officials said Saturday. She was abducted in Kenya in a shopping center and taken away on a motorbike by presumed Islamist terrorists in November 2018. The Italian External Information and Security Agency (Aise) conducted an operation which led to the release of the young volunteer, in collaboration of the Turkish and Somali services, which led to her being released 30km from Mogadishu, reports La Stampa. It is not known if a ransom was paid.

MILAN – Pictures taken of people without masks and ignoring social distancing norms at a Milanese nightlife hotspot has sparked anger online as the hashtag #Navigli trended on Twitter slamming their 'aperitivo attitude'. The Mayor of Milan, Bepe Sala, has said that the pictures were shameful and that the 1 per cent of people had put everybody else at risk. He gave an ultimatum, stating that he would close the road if nothing changes, through a Facebook video message.

 TRIPOLI – Smoke billowed and fire raged late on Wednesday evening, after blasts at the Air Force Academy airport in the city of Misurata, Libya, located significantly close to the compound of the Italian military hospital, report Il Messaggero. Local media have been reporting conflicting narratives, with those close to General Khalifa Haftar speaking of a raid on an ammunition and weapons depot, while state media report that the blasts were a possible arson attack.