The Bangladesh mission in Rome recently made a presentation at the Liceo Galileo Galilei School at Macomer in Italy's Sardinia as a part of the First Step (Meet the School) of Embassy Adoption Programme. Thanking the Bangladesh embassy for introducing the country to the Italian students, Giancarlo Dionisi, prefect of Macomer, and Antonio Onorato Succu, mayor of Macomer, said the initiative would help create greater understanding and bondage between the two friendly countries. The embassy has been participating in the Diplomacy Education Programme coordinated by Global Action, Italy, since 2021. But this is the first time the mission joined it in person at the adopted school outside Rome. At the programme, Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy Shameem Ahsan briefed the young learners about the country, its history, Liberation War, culture, economy and achievements. The programme is a part of the Bangladesh embassy's ongoing public diplomacy drive to project and brand the country positively to the wider audience in Italy. Read more: Dhaka, Rome eye stronger economic partnership

Heavy rainfall triggered a massive landslide early Saturday on the southern Italian resort island of Ischia that destroyed buildings and swept parked cars into the sea, leaving at least one person dead and up to 12 missing. The body of a woman was pulled from the mud, the Naples prefect Claudio Palomba, told a news conference. With raining continuing to fall, rescuers were working gingerly with small bulldozers to pick through some six to seven meters (yards) of mud and detritus in the search for possible victims. Reinforcements arrived by ferry, including teams of sniffer dogs to help the search efforts. The force of the mud sliding down the mountainside just before dawn was strong enough to send cars and buses onto beaches and into the sea at the port of Casamicciola, on the north end of the island, which lies off Naples. Read more: 252 dead as Indonesia earthquake topples homes, buildings, roads The island received 126 millimeters (nearly five inches) of rain in six hours, the heaviest rainfall in 20 years, according to officials. Streets were impassable and mayors on the island urged people to stay home. At least 100 people were reported stranded without electricity and water, and about 70 were housed in a community gymnasium. There was early confusion over the death toll. Vice Premier Matteo Salvini initially said eight people were confirmed dead, followed by the interior minister saying that no deaths were confirmed, while 10 to 12 were missing. Read more: At least 31 dead in south Philippines floods, landslides “The situation is very complicated and very serious because probably some of those people are under the mud,” Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi told RAI state TV from an emergency command center in Rome. ANSA reported that at least 10 buildings collapsed. One family with a newborn that was previously reported missing was located and was receiving medical care, according to the Naples prefect. Video from the island showed small bulldozers clearing roads, while residents used hoses to try to get mud out of their homes. One man, identified as Benjamin Iacono, told Sky TG24 that mud overwhelmed three adjacent shops that he owns, completely wiping out his inventory. He estimated damage at 100,000 euros to 150,000 euros ($104,000 to $156,000) Firefighters and the Coast Guard were conducting search and rescues, initially hampered by strong winds that prevented helicopters and boats from reaching the island. The densely populated mountainous island is a popular tourist destination for both its beaches and spas. A 4.0-magnitude quake on the island in 2017 killed two people, causing significant damage to the towns of Casamicciola and neighboring Lacco Ameno.

Walton Hi-Tech Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Golam Murshed has visited the production plant of renowned European electronics brand ACC in Italy. "The dismantling of the ACC's compressor production plant and the process of bringing all the machinery from there to Bangladesh is going on in full swing. More than 100 Bangladeshi engineers and technicians are now in Italy to get the work done," Murshed said. Read: Walton launches 6 new models of All-in-One PCs Walton recently acquired the rights of ACC, Zanussi Elettromeccanica (ZEM) and Verdichter (VOE) along with their trademarks in 57 countries, intellectual properties (patents, design and software licences) and a fully automated inverter and non-inverter compatible compressor plant, according to a media statement.

Speakers at a discussion have laid emphasis on working closely to promote bilateral economic and commercial relations between Bangladesh and Italy acknowledging huge and untapped potentials between the two countries. The Embassy of Bangladesh in Rome organised the discussion titled “Mapping Exercise: Bangladesh-Italy Trade and Investment Opportunities” at a local hotel in Rome recently as a part of the first “Economic Diplomacy Week” initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A good number of Italian business leaders spoke and shared their perspectives while expressing their readiness to work closely to explore the opportunities. Also read: New Chancery building of Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon inaugurated Bangladesh-Italy bilateral trade volume stands at around US$ 2.2 billion while Italy is the 6th largest export destination of Bangladesh, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome. Secretary (West) at Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury identified economic emancipation of the common people as the core objective of the War of Liberation of Bangladesh and underscored strengthening economic and trade relations between the two friendly countries. Gianpaolo Neri, Head of South Asia Desk, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy highly lauded the development journey of Bangladesh. He expressed all-out support from the Italian government to forge strong economic and commercial links between the two countries. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Md. Sirazul Islam emphasized on launching of a Business Council. Appreciating the huge interest shown by Italian and Bangladeshi stakeholders at the maiden initiative of the Embassy, aimed at attracting foreign investment and promoting bilateral trade, Bangladesh ambassador to Italy, Montenegro and Serbia Md. Shameem Ahsan underscored the importance of exploring the huge untapped potentials to inject dynamism in the existing cordial bilateral relations. Also read: Sudhakar Dalela likely to be next Indian envoy to Bangladesh Citing the on-going celebration of the golden jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries, he urged the Italian investors and business leaders to invest in Bangladesh in a big way. The ambassador paid deep tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who dreamt of “Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal)”. He mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is carrying the mantle of Bangabandhu to materialize his dream. The ambassador shared the happy moment of the opening of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge by the Prime Minister which was fully funded by the resources of the country. Textile, apparel, leather, renewable energy, agriculture and food processing, food retailing and bakery, ICT, ceramics, light engineering, jute and jute products, solar modules, blue economy, robotics for automotive sectors, healthcare equipment and technology were identified, among others, potential sectors of collaboration. Concerned Directors General at the MoFA, Presidents of FBCCI, BGMEA, BASIS, LFMEAB and Apex Footwear and representatives from Walton, E-CAB joined the interactive session from Bangladesh side while Trade Commissioner at the Italian Embassy in New Delhi, CEOs and representatives of top Italian trade bodies spoke. Acknowledging untapped huge potentials, they shared their perspectives with specific recommendations so that Bangladesh-Italy relations assume economic significance.

Italy is keen to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Bangladesh. Such interest of the European country was expressed when its ambassador to Bangladesh Enrico Nunziata met State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid at his office at the ministry on Thursday. The Italian Envoy informed the state minister that its state coordinated energy company Eni SPA is interested to supply the LNG and also wants to work with Bangladesh to contribute in the field of sustainable energy, gas exploration, LNG and traditional refinery development, wind, hydrogen and new technology invention. Also read: Global oil, LNG price hike impact Bangladesh: Momen He also presented the current state of Italian companies’ operations in energy and technology sectors in Bangladesh. The Italian envoy discussed different issues including decarbonsation, bio refining, development of renewable energy, hydrocarbon production. Appreciating the Italian interest, Nasrul Hamid said the European company will be welcomed in Bangladesh. He said the business model through which the Italian company wants to supply the LNG should be discussed at the expert level. “Bangladesh and Italy can exchange their experiences in oil and gas exploration and also in the development of hydrogen fuel,” he said. Also read: Bangladesh purchases LNG, fertiliser at lower rates as prices fall in global market Both the nations would be benefited if such experiences are exchanged at the officials’ level under a certain framework, he added. Senior Vice president of the International Affairs Analysis and Business Support Department of Eni SPA Marco Piredda, Vice President of the Business Development Department Mauro Rinaudo, were among others present in the meeting.

Energized at Wembley by Lionel Messi's assists, Argentina's players threw their superstar teammate in the air after he inspired them to a second title in a year. National team success is finally coming for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, late in his trophy-filled club career. Argentina collected the first Finalissima trophy on Wednesday by beating Italy 3-0 in a meeting of the South American and European champions, with Messi having helped Argentina win the Copa America last July for his first major title with the national team. Also read: Bale bids farewell to Madrid, says he fulfilled his dream And judging by the two assists on his record-extending 161st Argentina appearance, there is no sign of the 34-year-old Messi slowing down with the chance to win a first World Cup title later this year. “What we experienced here was beautiful,” Messi said. "We knew it was going to be a nice game and a nice setting in which to be champions.” The opener was created by Messi’s solo brilliance taking him past Giovanni Di Lorenzo and the Argentina captain squared for Lautaro Martínez to slot past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 28th minute. Martínez turned creator in first-half stoppage time by threading a pass through for Ángel Di María to chip Donnarumma, having got past Giorgio Chiellini. The 37-year-old Italy captain came off at halftime of his 117th and final international appearance. The win was wrapped up in the fourth minute of stoppage time with Messi gaining possession on the halfway line and rampaging to the edge of the penalty area where he evaded Di Lorenzo's challenge to set up the substitute Paulo Dybala to strike low into the net. It sealed a second trophy success at Wembley for Messi after the 2011 Champions League win with Barcelona over Manchester United. As they celebrated on the Wembley field, the Argentines threw Messi in the the air before catching him. Also read:Pogba leaving Unite for free after joining for record fee It was a painful return for the Italians to Wembley Stadium where they won Euro 2020 last year and as they face up to a second successive failure to qualify for the World Cup. Argentina will head to Qatar in November with another trophy — one created as part of a UEFA-CONMEBOL partnership that challenges the global supremacy of FIFA. The choice of London as the location for the game was vindicated by more than 87,000 packing into Wembley, with UEFA picking the stadium despite the unrest at the Euro 2020 final caused by England fans.

An imported high-speed patrol boat for Chattogram port’s internal communication has arrived from Italy MV Songa Cheeta, the container ship carrying the boat, was berthed at the CCT jetty of the port on Sunday, said the port authority. It arrived at outer anchorage on Saturday completing a 26-day journey starting from Italy’s Salerno port on April 18. The speed boat bought from Italy has cost the port authority Tk 22 crore. It will be used for fast movement of port pilots from Patenga to Matarbari deep sea port and to avoid unexpected accidents at outer anchorage. Also read: First container ship leaves for Italy from Ctg port with RMG goods The boat with 16.5 meters length and 1.2 meters depth was made at FB Design yard in Italy. The boat has modern navigational equipment, satellite radar, satellite compass, two engines, three generators and other necessary instruments. The boat can carry 16 passengers at a time and will be able to turn on its own if it capsizes due to catastrophic weather, said the authority. Also read: Crew of sunken ship stranded in Kolkata for 5 weeks; out of money, may stop getting food Md Omar Faruq, Secretary of Chattogram port authority said, “The boat can be unloaded after 300 containers. A total of 10 staff, officials of the port’s shipping department are being trained to operate the boat.” “The boat will be sent for trial operation after unloading and clearance from customs. After trial it will be kept at the service jetty of berth-1,” he said.

For travelers heading to Europe, summer vacations just got a whole lot easier. Italy and Greece relaxed some COVID-19 restrictions on Sunday before Europe's peak summer tourist season, in a sign that life was increasingly returning to normal. Greece’s civil aviation authority announced that it was lifting all COVID-19 rules for international and domestic flights except for the wearing of face masks during flights and at airports. Previously, air travelers were required to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or a recent recovery from the disease. Under a decree passed by Italy's health ministry, the country did away with the health pass that had been required to enter restaurants, cinemas, gyms and other venues. The green pass, which showed proof of vaccination, recovery from the virus or a recent negative test, is still required to access hospitals and nursing homes. Also read: Australia welcomes back tourists with toy koalas, Tim Tams Some indoor mask mandates also ended, including inside supermarkets, workplaces and stores. Masks are still required on public transport, in cinemas and in all health care and eldercare facilities. As of Sunday, visitors to Italy also no longer have to fill out the EU passenger locator form, a complicated online ordeal required at airport check-in. “It was needed,” said Claudio Civitelli, a Rome resident who was having his morning coffee at a bar near the Trevi Fountain. Until Sunday, patrons had to wear a mask to enter bars and restaurants, though they could remove them to eat and drink. “We have waited more than two years.” At a nearby table, Andrea Bichler, an Italian tourist from Trentino Alto-Adige, sat with similarly maskless friends. Also read: India opens to vaccinated foreign tourists after 18 months “It’s much better,” Bichler said. “Let’s say it’s a return to life, a free life.” Public health officials say masks still remain highly recommended for all indoor activities, and private companies can still require them. Even with the restrictions increasingly going by the wayside, public health officials urged prudence and stressed that the pandemic was still not over. Italy is reporting 699 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and is recording more than 100 deaths per day, with a total confirmed death toll at 163,500. But hospital capacity remains stable and under the critical threshold. Given the virus is still circulating, "we should keep up the vaccine campaign, including boosters, and keep up behavior inspired by prudence: wearing masks indoors or in crowded places or wherever there's a risk of contagion,” said Dr. Giovanni Rezza, in charge of prevention at the health ministry. Italy was the epicenter of Europe's outbreak when it recorded the first locally transmitted case on Feb. 21, 2020. The government imposed one of the harshest lockdowns and production shutdowns in the West during the first wave of the virus, and maintained more stringent restrictions than many of its neighbors in subsequent waves.

Bangladesh’s first-ever direct export of readymade garments by sea  started on Monday with MV Songa Cheeta leaving Chattogram port for Italy. The ship left the port at around 3 pm for Ravenna port in Italy carrying 950 TEUs (Twenty Equipment Unit) in 493 boxes. On Saturday, the ship anchored at NCT04 jetty of the port carrying the empty containers. Port chairman, Rear Admiral M Shahjahan inaugurated the direct ship operation on Bangladesh-Italy route on Monday at NCT jetty of the port. Also read: Don’t get trapped by traffickers, warns Embassy after deaths in Italy Terming it as a ground breaking turn of Bangladesh economy he said ships on this route will be prioritized for facilitating with berthing, key gantry crane allotment and other amenities. Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the EU to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley, Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Enrico Nunziata, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan were present at the inauguration They hailed the direct shipment as a new milestone for Bangladesh in international sea trade. “Now it will mostly take 15 days to send goods to European ports which used to take one and a half months before. It will decrease the carrying cost by 45 to 50 per cent, “said Md Omar Faruque, a Chattogram port official. BGMEA leaders and concerned shipping agents said until now the RMG goods for export were sent to Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysian ports in containers on feeder ships from Chattogram port. From there the containers are carried by larger ships bound for European and US ports, they said.    Also read: Increased capacity of Ctg Port to cut cost of doing business: FBCCI According to them if direct container ship operation on Chattogram-Italy route remains uninterrupted Bangladesh will be ahead of Vietnam in RMG export as it will save lead time and fare. On December 23, the first trial ship operation to Bangladesh from Italy began by bringing empty containers.

Sofia Goggia is back on snow and preparing to fly to China to defend her Olympic downhill title two weeks after crashing and injuring her left knee and leg. Goggia posted a video on Facebook showing herself wearing Italy’s Olympic team jacket and says, “today I got back on skis and it was great.” She adds, “So much work over these two weeks, so many injuries to cure, so much effort … but so much desire to make it.” Also read: Emboldened China opens Olympics, with lockdown and boycotts Goggia sprained her left knee, partially tore a cruciate ligament and has a “minor fracture” of the fibula bone in her leg. She also had some tendon damage after the crash in a World Cup super-G in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Goggia has won the last eight World Cup downhills that she completed. The Italian says that she’s “always been able to focus on the goal and I never considered it lost.” She adds that she’ll fly to China “soon” and that once there she’ll “put everything together turn after turn like always.” Also read: More world leaders wish Beijing Winter Olympics, Paralympics complete success Goggia could race the super-G next Friday. The women’s downhill is scheduled for Feb. 15.