Rome — The family of murdered Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has denounced the acquittal of businessman Yorgen Fenech, who stood trial in Valletta on charges of masterminding her 2017 car bomb killing. A jury returned a not guilty verdict on both counts by an 8-1 margin, prompting angry scenes outside the courthouse and renewed calls for accountability.
Peter srinivasan
3 Sep 2026
INSIDER NEWSDESK
Rome – IFAD President Alvaro Lario’s alleged lover evidently has not been named to take over running the UN agency’s Office of Development Effectiveness following the abrupt departure of scandal-tinged Managing Director Carola Alvarez, IFAD sources said. IFAD earlier this week said a member of its management team would take over Alvarez’s role temporarily while the troubled development bank for small farmers looks for a permanent replacement.
3 Sep 2026
KATARINA HARRISON-GAZE
ROME – On game day two of the 2026/27 Serie A season, AS Roma strengthened their position at the top of the Serie A table with a decisive 4-0 win over Lecce following on from their 4-0 win against Fiorentina.
The Giallorossi are not the only team on six points, with Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus. Atalanta and local rivals Lazio all having six points; however, the Roman side’s goal difference is eight compared to second place Inter’s four.
2 Sep 2026
INSIDER NEWSDESK
ROME –Rome – IFAD Managing Director Carola Alvarez reached a settlement with IFAD for her departure from the UN agency after an internal investigation into alleged abuse of power and authority by the Argentinian hungercrat, IFAD sources said Wednesday.
“She was asked to leave,” a well-placed source at the Rome-based agency said. “She definitely got money, the agreement was so that she wouldn’t need to be officially disciplined and fired.”
2 Sep 2026
Gianfranco Nitti
Helsinki — Climate change, sustainable tourism and the protection of Sámi culture will shape the future of Inari as Finland’s largest municipality looks towards 2030, Mayor Tommi Kasurinen has said during celebrations marking the town’s 150th anniversary.
Speaking at a public discussion in Finnish Lapland, Kasurinen outlined an ambitious strategy aimed at balancing economic growth with the preservation of one of Europe’s most fragile Arctic environments.
2 Sep 2026
Peter srinivasan
Rome — A juvenile court in L’Aquila has ordered the immediate start of daytime visits for the three children known as Italy’s “family of the woods”, with weekend overnight stays at their parents’ home due to begin in October after nearly nine months in foster care.
The ruling, issued by the Juvenile Court of L’Aquila, partially revises previous decisions and sets out a gradual reunification process for the siblings, who have been living in a residential care home in Vasto since late 2024.
1 Sep 2026
Insider reporters
ROME -- A group of five concerned members of the IFAD Executive Board have requested meetings with heads of key units at the troubled UN agency to discuss the need for more transparency and whistleblower protection, IFAD sources say. They plan to bring the matter to upcoming meetings of the Board session now under way.
The first meeting of the IFAD Executive Board started Monday but was mainly focussed on routine operational items, they said.
A key moment is expected to be a meeting on Sept. 9 of IFAD’s convenors and friends.
1 Sep 2026
INSIDER NEWSDESK
ROME -- A group of five concerned members of the IFAD Executive Board is calling for measures to restore transparency and establish a new governance structure at the UN agency that protects and supports whistleblowers and the work of units investigating corruption and serious misconduct, IFAD sources say.
31 Aug 2026
Peter srinivasan
Rome— Italy has appointed Ukrainian technology strategist Mykhailo Fedorov as a special adviser to the Ministry of Defence, marking a significant step in Rome's effort to modernise its armed forces through battlefield proven technologies developed during Ukraine's war against Russia.
31 Aug 2026