Latest News Roundup in Italy – Fresh Updates on Friday

🇮🇹 Yo, Peeps! I'm Your Daily Guide to Italy's Happenings 🇮🇹Hey there and welcome to today's update on all things Italy!

*Italy's Senate slams brakes on citizenship by descent 🎢*Italy's Senate got serious last week, taking a big step towards tightening the reins on those applying for Italian citizenship by descent. This move marks the latest development in a rushed government clampdown aimed at curbing what they perceive as misuse of Italian citizenship laws and easing the strain on consulates and courts.

The new legislation significantly tightens the rules on claiming citizenship by descent, targeting anyone with Italian ancestors further removed. Prior to this change, applicants could prove their eligibility with an Italian ancestor alive after March 17th, 1861. But now, it's only those with at least one parent or grandparent born in Italy who will qualify.

This fresh regulation went into effect immediately back in March, bypassing a regular parliament vote thanks to an urgent decree. With both houses of parliament having 60 days to approve such decrees, the legislation is anticipated to pass without a hitch in the lower house.

💨*British mogul Mike Lynch's superyacht: a sunken horror story 🌊*We've got news on the ill-fated superyacht belonging to the late British tech billionaire Mike Lynch. The sleek 56-meter vessel, dubbed "unsinkable" by Italian luxury boatmaker Perini Navi, was hit by winds of over 117 km/h on August 19th while moored off Porticello, east of Palermo. This severe gust forced the yacht onto its side before it sank roughly 18 minutes later, claiming the lives of Lynch, his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, and five others.

Fifteen individuals, including Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares, were rescued from the disaster. A preliminary report by the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has revealed that the raised keel proved vulnerable to winds of such strength. Investigators added that there may have been other unknown weak points, but the crew and owner were unaware due to these factors not being included in the onboard stability information book.

👣*Suspected priest under house arrest for child pornography possession 🚨*In sadder news, an Italian priest has been placed under house arrest last week due to an ongoing police investigation concerning the possession of child pornography. His lawyer confirmed the arrest, stating that the priest stands accused of owning sexual images of minors.

The diocese of Brescia, where the priest was serving, has temporarily suspended him and will launch a canonical inquiry at an appropriate time. Officials stressed that no minors from the parish community were involved and that no impropriety occurred regarding the individuals under the priest's spiritual care.

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The Italian government is tightening the rules on claiming citizenship by descent, targeting those with ancestors further removed, as a part of its efforts to curb misuse of Italian citizenship laws.
A superyacht owned by the late British tech billionaire Mike Lynch, deemed "unsinkable" by Italian luxury boatmaker Perini Navi, sank off Porticello, east of Palermo, claiming the lives of Lynch, his daughter, and five others due to raised keel vulnerability.
An Italian priest has been placed under house arrest due to an ongoing police investigation for the possession of child pornography, with authorities stressing no minors from the parish community were involved.
A diocese in Italy will launch a canonical inquiry at an appropriate time, temporarily suspending the priest accused of owning sexual images of minors, while his lawyer maintains his innocence.
In Italy, contemporary events cover a wide range, from political changes and general news to crime and justice stories – all topics worth discussing and sharing your thoughts on.