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India Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Italians head to polls as citizenship, labour referendums face low turnout
Italians vote over two days starting Sunday on referendums that would make it easier for children born in Italy to foreigners to obtain citizenship, and on providing more job protection. But apparently low public awareness risks rendering the votes invalid if turnout is not high for the change in the citizenship law say it will help second-generation Italians born in the country to non- European Union parents better integrate into a culture they already see as singer Ghali, who was born in Milan to Tunisian parents, urged people to vote in an online post, noting that the referendum risks failure if at least 50% plus one of eligible voters don't turn out. Data from Italy's Interior Ministry published at 1700 GMT showed that national turnout stood at 15.9%, almost half of the 30.3 % registered at the same time of the day in the latest comparable referendum held in 2011. The polling stations close on Monday at 1300 GMT.'I was born here, I always lived here, but I only received citizenship at the age of 18,'' Ghali said, urging a yes vote to reduce the residency requirement from 10 to five new rules, if passed, could affect about 2.5 million foreign nationals who still struggle to be recognised as measures were proposed by Italy's main union and left-wing opposition parties. Premier Giorgia Meloni has said she would show up at the polls but not cast a ballot — an action widely criticised by the left as antidemocratic, since it will not help reach the necessary threshold to make the vote valid.'While some members of her ruling coalition have openly called for abstention, Meloni has opted for a more subtle approach,' said analyst Wolfango Piccoli of the Teneo consultancy based in London. 'It's yet another example of her trademark fence-sitting.''RIGHTS AT STAKESupporters say this reform would bring Italy's citizenship law in line with many other European countries, promoting greater social integration for long-term residents. It would also allow faster access to civil and political rights, such as the right to vote, eligibility for public employment and freedom of movement within the EU.'The real drama is that neither people who will vote 'yes' nor those who intend to vote 'no' or abstain have an idea of what (an) ordeal children born from foreigners have to face in this country to obtain a residence permit,' said Selam Tesfaye, an activist and campaigner with the Milan-based human rights group 'Il Cantiere.'advertisement'Foreigners are also victims of blackmail, as they can't speak up against poor working conditions, exploitation and discrimination, due to the precariousness of the permit of stay,' she and opposition parties also denounced the lack of public debate on the measures, accusing the governing center-right coalition of trying to dampen interest in sensitive issues that directly impact immigrants and May, Italy's AGCOM communications authority lodged a complaint against RAI state television and other broadcasters for a lack of adequate and balanced coverage.'This referendum is really about dignity and the right to belong, which is key for many people who were born here and spent most of their adult life contributing to Italian society. For them, a lack of citizenship is like an invisible wall,' said Michelle Ngonmo, a cultural entrepreneur and advocate for diversity in the fashion industry, who has lived most of her life in Italy after moving as a child from Cameroon.'You are good enough to work and pay taxes, but not to be fully recognised as Italian. This becomes a handicap for young generations, particularly in the creative field, creating frustration, exclusion and a big waste of potential,' she four other referendums aim to roll back labour reforms, making it harder to fire some workers and increase compensation for those laid off by small businesses, reversing a previous law passed by a centre-left government a decade ago. One of the questions on the ballot also addresses the urgent issue of security at work, restoring joint liability to both contractors and subcontractors for workplace EXPECTED TO ABSTAIN FROM VOTINGOpinion polls published in mid-May showed that only 46% of Italians were aware of the issues driving the referendums. Turnout projections were even weaker for a vote scheduled for the first weekend of Italy's school holidays, at around 35% of around 50 million electors, well below the required quorum.'Many believe that the referendum institution should be reviewed in light of the high levels of abstention (that) emerged in recent elections and the turnout threshold should be lowered," said Lorenzo Pregliasco, political analyst and pollster at analysts note, however, that the centre-left opposition could claim a victory even if the referendum fails on condition that the turnout surpasses the 12.3 million voters who backed the winning centre-right coalition in the 2022 general election.
Economic Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Gold prices bounce back from one-week low on dip buying
FUNDAMENTALS Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel Gold rose on Thursday as investors bought the dip after prices hit one-week lows in the previous session on U.S. President Donald Trump 's reassurance about not firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and his remarks on China trade talks * Spot gold rose 1.1% to $3,324.27 an ounce, as of 0020 GMT.* Bullion slipped below $3,300 an ounce level on Wednesday to hit its lowest level since April 16. U.S. gold futures gained 1.3% to $3,335.60.* U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that high tariffs between the U.S. and China are not sustainable, as Trump's administration signalled openness to de-escalating a trade war between the world's two largest economies that has raised fears of recession.* Trump is planning to spare carmakers from some tariffs following intense lobbying by industry executives over recent weeks, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing a couple of people familiar with the matter.* Gold, which is traditionally seen as a hedge against economic and political uncertainty and often thrives in a low-interest rate environment, hit a record high of $3,500.05 on Tuesday.* The dollar index fell 0.1% against its peers, making greenback-priced bullion cheaper for overseas buyers.* Elsewhere, the world's biggest gold miner Newmont beat Wall Street estimates for its first-quarter profit on Wednesday, as a rally in bullion prices helped offset the impact of lower production. Spot silver rose 0.3% to $33.65 an ounce, platinum was steady at $972.44 and palladium lost 0.8% to $ (GMT) 0500 Japan Chain Store Sales YY Mar 0800 Germany Ifo Business Climate, Curr Conditions, Expectations New Apr 1000 UK CBI Business Optimism Q2 1230 US Durable Goods Mar 1230 US Initial Jobless Clm 19 Apr, w/e 1400 US Existing Home Sales Mar 1430 US EIA-Nat Gas Chg Bcf, Nat Gas-EIA Implied Flow 18 Apr.
BBC News
12-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Tynemouth rescuers say 'people in crisis' behind record call-outs
People "in crisis" were the driving force behind a rescue charity's record number of call-outs so far this Volunteer Life Brigade said it had attended 42 incidents since and captain Peter Lilley said it had been a "rather intense period", adding: "Unfortunately calls to people in crisis are the driver behind our surge this year".The voluntary organisation recorded that 27 of the 42 calls (68%) were linked to people in crisis. In 2024, it was 55 of the 145 calls (38%). Mr Lilley said it generally received more calls for people in crisis during autumn and said the percentage would drop in the spring and summer months but it was "still a notable factor at the moment". If you have been affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available via BBC Action Line The organisation has 17 volunteers on its rescue team and is co-ordinated by HM also included a rope rescue of a critically ill man from a fishing boat and several calls on the River Lilley said 16 of those it had attended occurred during unsociable hours between 22:00 and 07:00 GMT."This is really notable because these calls are always harder on the team, and also their families and loved ones who are such an important part in enabling them to volunteer," he said. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
National News
03-04-2025
- Business
- National News
EU to target US online services after Trump tariffs: France
NNA - The European Union is "ready for a trade war" with the United States and plans to "attack online services" in response to Donald Trump's new tariffs, the French government spokeswoman said Thursday. "We are pretty sure that we are indeed going to see an adverse effect on production," Sophie Primas told broadcaster RTL, expressing particular concern about the "strong" impact on wine and spirits. "We have a whole range of tools and we are ready for this trade war," she added. "Then we will look at how we can support our production industries." Trump "thinks he is the master of the world", Primas added. "It is an imperialist stance that we had somewhat forgotten about, but which is returning with great force and great determination." On Wednesday, US President Trump unveiled stinging tariffs on major trade partners including China and the European Union on what he called "Liberation Day". Primas said the EU was preparing a two-stage response, with "an initial response", to be put in place around mid-April, concerning aluminium and steel. Then the EU will target "all products and services", with the measures probably ready at the end of April, she said, adding this was still being discussed. "But we are also going to attack services. For example, online services, which are not taxed today but could be," Primas said. The EU's response could also concern "access to our procurement contracts", she said. President Emmanuel Macron will meet Thursday with representatives of French sectors "impacted by the tariff measures" announced by Trump, his office said. The meeting is set to take place at 1400 GMT.—AFP
BBC News
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Heckling at Paul Chowdhry comedy gig in Southend ends in scuffle
Police said they were making inquiries after reports that a fight broke out and a man was assaulted at the end of a comedy boiled over on Saturday after the routine by stand-up comic Paul Chowdhry at the Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff-on-Sea, management said a "small number of customers expressed their frustration" towards another customer who had been heckling the act throughout the officers attended and they said no serious injuries were reported. Chowdhry recorded footage on his phone while he was being heckled on stage - and also filmed some of the disruption in the crowd afterwards - before later sharing it on his social media a statement he said: "We live in a time when some people feel entitled to disrupt live performances, affecting the experience for everyone else."Let me be absolutely clear: I do not condone violence in any form."Live entertainment should be a space where people come together to enjoy and engage - not to create conflict."Hopefully, nothing like this happens at the O2 Arena in London this Thursday - it's a little trickier managing 10,000 people."During the heckling, the comedian playfully swore at his tormentor and shouted "I'm gonna take a picture and make sure you're never gonna get back in." A spokesperson from Trafalgar Entertainment, operator of the Cliffs Pavilion, said: "A small number of customers expressed their frustration towards another customer who had been heckling the act throughout the evening. "A physical altercation broke out. Our team responded swiftly to defuse the situation."We take the safety of our audiences, staff and performers very seriously and condemn acts of violence and discrimination in the strongest possible terms."Staff appeared to physically restrain a man in the audience while he continued to shout. A spokesperson from Essex Police said it was called to the venue at about 21:35 GMT."It was reported a fight had broken out and a man was assaulted," they said."No serious injuries were reported, officers attended and inquiries are ongoing." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
