Latest news with #Fascism
Euronews
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Video. Italy marks Republic Day with military parade in Rome
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Senate Speaker Ignazio La Russa, and President Sergio Mattarella attended the parade, applauding the participants as they made their way along Via dei Fori Imperiali. The day, known as Festa della Repubblica, commemorates the 1946 referendum in which Italians voted to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic, following the collapse of Fascism. The celebrations concluded with a flypast by the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force's aerobatic team, which released trails of green, white and red smoke over the Colosseum.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mubi Buys Joe Wright's ‘Mussolini: Son of the Century' in Multi-Territory Deal With Fremantle
Mubi has acquired the Joe Wright-directed drama series 'Mussolini: Son of the Century' for North America, Latin America, Belgium, Luxembourg, Turkey, India and New Zealand in a multi-territory deal with Fremantle. Based on Italian author Antonio Scurati's bestselling novel 'M' which traces the birth of Fascism in Italy, the eight-part series reconstructs Mussolini's ascent with an innovative approach. Luca Marinelli ('The Eight Mountains,' 'Martin Eden') plays the despotic leader during the period between 1919, when he founded the fascist party in Italy, and 1925 when – having gained power with the 1922 March on Rome – Mussolini made an infamous speech in the Italian Chamber of Deputies declaring himself a dictator. More from Variety Hannah Einbinder, Gillian Anderson to Lead Slasher 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma' From 'I Saw the TV Glow' Director and Mubi Mubi Signs Major Three-Year Co-Production, Financing and Distribution Pact With Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli's Our Films (EXCLUSIVE) Martin Short to Host 'Match Game' Revival on ABC 'Mussolini: Son of the Century' launched last year from the Venice Film Festival where Wright called the show a 'howl against the current rise of the Far-Right.' It subsequently played to positive notice on Sky in Italy and the U.K. 'This series was a chance to explore how charisma and chaos can coexist in a single man—and how that dangerous combination can reshape a nation,' Wright said in a statement. 'Luca Marinelli brings Mussolini's volatility and magnetism to terrifying life,' he added, further noting that Mubi 'is the perfect home for the series—a platform that embraces daring, intelligent storytelling and treats its audience as collaborators in the experience.' Commented Christian Vesper, Fremantle's CEO global drama and film: 'It was really important to us that we found the right partner to help us expand the reach of 'Mussolini: Son of the Century' and I've no doubt that's exactly what we've got in Mubi. I can't think of a better pair of hands to nurture and celebrate this extraordinary series and help us tell this important story.' Mubi founder and CEO Efe Cakarel said: 'Fearless storytelling has always been at the heart of Mubi and no one embodies it more vividly than Joe Wright. With Mussolini: Son of the Century he transforms history into pulse-quickening drama—elevated by Luca Marinelli's searing performance—and proves how the screen can both unsettle and enlighten. We're honored to bring this extraordinary series to audiences around the world.' The acquisition adds to Mubi's growing focus on presenting series alongside films on the streaming platform, the company noted. Previous exclusive series on Mubi include Wiliam Kentridge's 'Self Portrait as a Coffee Pot' and Lars von Trier's 'The Kingdom' Trilogy. 'Mussolini: Son of the Century' is produced by Sky Studios and Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment Pictures, a Fremantle company, in co-production with Pathé, in association with Small Forward Productions, in collaboration with Fremantle, Cinecittà S.p.A., and Sky. Fremantle is handling global sales. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Times of Oman
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Bangladesh Awami League rejects interim government's decision to ban activities of the party
Dhaka: Bangladesh Awami League, headed by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, rejected the interim government's decision to ban the activities of the party. Awami League will conduct its activities, the party said in a statement late on Saturday. "The people of Bangladesh are shocked and outraged by the illegal and unconstitutional occupying fascist Yunus government's announcement to ban the activities of the Awami League", the statement said. "We reject this decision of the fascist dictator Yunus government with hatred and strongly condemn and protest against it", the statement said. "At the same time, we express firm commitment that the Bangladesh Awami League will continue to conduct its activities properly, ignoring this decision of the fascist Yunus government", the statement said. Earlier, the cabinet of the Bangladesh interim government, headed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, took a decision to ban all activities of the Awami League, including cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act. "Today will be marked as a black day in the history of Bangladesh. The activities of the Awami League, the party under whose leadership Bangladesh was established as an independent and sovereign state, have been banned in the independent country by the undemocratic fascist Yunus government, which has no mandate from the people", said the statement posted on Awami League's Facebook page. "This proves that the fascist Yunus government wants to turn the soil of Bangladesh into a fertile ground for anti-independence evil forces and extremist groups", it added. "Banning the activities of the Awami League on Bengali soil means banishing the spirit, ideals, and fundamentals of the Liberation War and giving vent to the naked aggression of the anti-liberationists". "Bangladesh Awami League is the oldest and most traditional political organization in this territory, with 75 years of history, and an institution trusted by the masses. Bangladesh Awami League has played a leading role in all the great achievements of the Bengali nation, including the establishment of the demand for language and independence", the statement said. Bangladesh's interim government on Saturday took the decision to ban the activities of the Awami League, the oldest political party in the country. The press release further clarified that the decision was made to safeguard national security and sovereignty. "The Advisory Council meeting discussed the need to protect the country's security and sovereignty, the security of the leaders and activists of the July Movement, and the protection of the plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal until the trial of the Bangladesh Awami League and its leaders is completed A decision has been taken to ban all activities of the Awami League, including in cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act," the statement said. Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in a mass uprising on August 5 last year. She is currently in exile. After Sheikh Hasina's fall, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus. Almost all Awami League leaders and workers are currently in hiding. Although the party's veteran leader, former President of Bangladesh, Abdul Hamid, is under the radar, he flew to Bangkok with his wife and brother-in-law early Thursday morning.
Local Italy
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Local Italy
Music, parades and picnics: How Italy celebrates Labour Day on May 1st
A public holiday Labour Day has been recognised as a public holiday in Italy since shortly after the fall of Fascism in the mid-1940s – more on that below. The fact that Labour Day falls on a Thursday this year means many Italians will take the opportunity to fare il ponte and give themselves a long weekend break by taking the Friday off as well. Parades and protests For many in Italy, Labour Day isn't just a day off work but also a day of action, with unions and other organisations organising rallies and marches to campaign for workers' rights and other social issues. Most Italian towns and cities hold some kind of march or parade, with trade unions CGIL, CISL and UIL focusing on worker safety and job security this year. USI-CIT has called an all-day strike that may effect the healthcare and education sectors - though since May 1st is a public holiday anyway in Italy, it's unlikely to cause much additional disruption. A tradition borrowed from the US Though May 1st is Italy's Labour Day (as it is for a long list of other countries, including France, Spain and Germany), this day of action actually has its origins in a huge strike in Chicago in 1886. On May 1st, 35,000 workers walked out of their jobs, joined by tens of thousands more in the next couple days, leading a national movement for an eight-hour work day. The idea of introducing an international workers' day made its way to Europe, and Labour Day was first celebrated in Italy in 1891 – but the holiday was suppressed under Fascism, and only became an official public holiday again in 1946. Music concerts Some Italian cities celebrate May 1st with live open-air music concerts. The biggest of these is the C oncertone or 'big concert' held every May 1st in Rome's Piazza San Giovanni in Luterano (though last year it briefly relocated to the Circo Massimo venue). The event – the largest free live music concert in Europe – features performances from some of Italy's most popular singers. This year's lineup is set to feature Achille Lauro, Elodie, Ghali and Giorgia, among some 50 performers. The city of Taranto, in the southern Italian region of Puglia, hosts the free concert Uno Maggio Taranto, featuring musical acts interspersed with speeches from guests and activists. When the weather is sunny, public holidays in Italy are often observed with a gita fuori porta, or 'trip outside the city gates', and Labour Day is no exception. Italians living in towns and cities take advantage of the day off to take a day trip somewhere in nature, be that the seaside, countryside or the mountains. It might involve a stroll or even a short hike, but food is always key, whether it's lunch at a trattoria or a barbecue at a picnic spot. Classic dishes As is always the case on Italian holidays, food comes front and centre, and different parts of the country have their own favourite May Day dishes. In Rome and the surrounding region of Lazio, green fava beans are eaten raw, straight from the pod, along with pecorino cheese and usually some locally produced vino sfuso (cask wine) – a tradition that dates back to ancient Roman times. In the mountainous central Italian region of Abruzzo, virtù teramane, a thick stew made using leftover legumes, pasta and fresh vegetables is widely consumed. And on the island of Sardinia, pilgrims make their way to the shrine of San Francesco di Lula, in the Nuoro province, where they're served s u filindeu or 'God's threads' soup – a kind of minestrone made with very fine strands of pasta in a mutton broth. Calendimaggio and the 'Songs of May' Italy's May folk traditions and spring rites celebrating renewal and rebirth, known as Calendimaggio, date back to the ancient pagan festival of Floralia, in honour of Flora – the Roman goddess of flowers and fertility. In the Middle Ages, young men would go into the woods on the night of April 30th and pick flowering branches to place outside the doors of young girls as a courtship ritual. Towns and villages would celebrate with music, parades, games and banquets. Maggianti or maggerini singers would go door to door playing instruments and singing folk songs about spring, receiving meats, sweets and wine in return. Today, towns in parts of central and northern Italy - in particular, mountain villages around the Tuscan city of Pistoia - continue the tradition of Cantamaggio folk singing. Terni, in the central region of Umbria, stages a Carnival-style float parade on the evening of April 30th, while Assisi, also in Umbria, puts on a whole month of Calendimaggio celebrations.
Gulf Today
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Even the day before death Pope urged end to Gaza war
Western secular leaders and religious patriarchs and prelates attended Pope Francis' globally televised Vatican state funeral in Rome on Saturday. He would have preferred a quiet blessing as he was entombed at the 4th century Basilica de Santi Maria Maggiore where seven other popes have been laid to rest rather than at St. Peter's. Pomp and circumstance did not suit Pope Francis, the first to assume the name of 12-13th century St. Francis of Assisi, who is known for his mission to the poor, love of animals, and advocacy of the environment. Although born, raised, and ordained as priest and bishop in Argentina, he was an Italian Pope, steeped in the culture of the country his parents left to escape Benito Mussolini's Fascism. Francis was the first Jesuit Pope. In 2016, he was the first Pope to meet at the Vatican with Cairo's Al-Azhar's Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb, who heads the world's leading institution of Sunni learning. This encounter ushered in deepening cooperation between the two men who sought to repair relations between the world's 1.4 billion Catholics and 2 billion Muslims. In 2017, Pope Francis attended the international peace conference held in Cairo by al-Azhar and subsequently signed a document on human fraternity. Relations had soured during the papacy of Francis' controversial anti-Muslim predecessor Benedict XVI, who was the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415 It was fitting that the most moving Middle Eastern tribute to Pope Francis came from Imam Tayeb who called him 'a dear friend [who] dedicated his life to serving humanity, advocating for the oppressed, refugees, and the marginalised, and promoting dialogue and understanding among religions and cultures.' After being elected to the papacy, Francis travelled to the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Palestine, and Israel. His mission was to promote peacemaking, restore ties with Muslims, and encourage local Christians to remain in their homelands despite political turmoil, war, and discrimination. His first regional visit in May 2014 was a pilgrimage to Jordan, Palestine, and Israel, the land where Christianity was born. During this visit Francis repeatedly made statements backing Palestinian self-determination, referred to the state of Palestine, met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, prayed at Israel's West Bank separation wall to show disapproval, and called for resumption of negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel. The Pope visited Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre to pray with the Orthodox Church leader Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. Their encounter took place on the 50th anniversary of a meeting between their predecessors that ended a 900-year rift between the Western and Eastern churches. In 2015, the Vatican signed a treaty formally recognising the state of Palestine. While in Israel, he visited the Holocaust Memorial and in meetings with Israeli President Shimon Perez and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Francis urged them to resume talks with Abbas. Francis' efforts were sharply criticised by right-wing Israelis and Vatican properties were vandalised. Following his death, Israel cancelled social media posts of condolences. During his visit to Turkey that November, Pope Francis prayed alongside Istanbul's chief cleric Rahmi Yaran in the 17th century Blue Mosque. This was meant to counter centuries old antipathy caused by the Vatican-driven Catholic Crusades aimed at wresting the Levant holy lands from Muslims. In early 2019, Francis was the first Pope to visit the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Peninsula when he attended a conference on 'global fraternity' which brought together imams, priests of multiple Christian denominations, rabbis, Hindu priests and other clerics. The high point of the gathering was Francis' meeting with his friend Tayeb. Before leaving Abu Dhabi, Francis celebrated the first ever papal mass held in the Emirates and the Peninsula. He returned that December to attend the conference on combatting climate change, another cause he adopted like his namesake. In March 2021, Pope Francis paid the first ever visit to Iraq which he hailed as the Cradle of Civilisation. He began in Baghdad before travelling to Ur (the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham), Mosul, Najaf, Qaraqosh, and Erbil where he held discussions with Kurdish leaders. In Najaf, Francis met Shia Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani and issued a joint statement condemning religious extremism. Before he went to Mosul, a plot was discovered to assassinate Francis and its perpetrators were killed. Once Donald Trump returned to the White House, Pope Francis condemned his policy of deporting migrants and asylum seekers. In a letter he wrote to US bishops, he said, 'The act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defencelessness.' After Israel mounted its Gaza war in October 2023, Pope Francis spoke every evening with priest Gabriel Romanelli of the Holy Family Catholic church in the Strip. Francis also met with families of Palestinians and Israeli captives caught up in the Gaza war. In September 2024, Pope Francis called Israel's war in Gaza 'disproportionate' and 'immoral.' In November, he said, 'We should investigate carefully to determine whether it fits into the technical definition [of genocide] formulated by jurists and international bodies.' It is bitterly ironic that Donald Trump and Joe Biden should attend Francis' funeral as they provided Israel with the 900-kilogramme bombs and other weapons to wage their deadly and destructive war on Gaza which has killed more than 51,000 Palestinians. While sick and suffering, Pope Francis stood on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica on Easter Sunday, while a colleague read his final statement calling for an end to the 'terrible conflict' in Gaza that causes 'death and destruction' and a 'dramatic and deplorable humanitarian situation.' He urged the release of hostages and aid for 'starving' Palestinians who want nothing but a peaceful future. Early the next morning, Francis died of a stroke and heart failure.
