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The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Alleged Italian phone hacking involves political gossip website, sources say
Italian investigative journalist Ciro Pellegrino shows his phone screen displaying a threat notification from Apple warning of a mercenary spyware attack, in Naples, Italy, June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli/File Photo ROME (Reuters) -Italian prosecutors are looking into the alleged hacking of seven phones, including that of the head of political gossip website Dagospia, sources said, as part of a surveillance scandal involving the technology of spyware company Paragon. The probe follows reports on the alleged spying on two investigative journalists, which have triggered opposition protests and the termination of contracts between Italy and U.S.-owned Paragon. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration has denied involvement in illicit activities. Prosecutors in Rome and Naples are investigating the crime of unauthorized access into the phones, sources with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday, adding that Dagospia founder Roberto D'Agostino was among seven journalists and activists who were allegedly spied on. D'Agostino, whose website Dagospia produces salacious gossip with political behind-the-scenes stories and is a daily must-read for many Italian reporters, was not immediately available for comment. Dagospia, however, reported on the news involving its founder, republishing reports about the investigations from other media outlets under the headline: "Dagospia ends up being spied upon! The illegal wiretaps scandal gets bigger." As part of their investigation, prosecutors are also looking into the alleged hacking of the phones of investigative reporters, Ciro Pellegrino and Francesco Cancellato, both from the Fanpage website, the sources said. Italy's domestic and foreign intelligence agencies activated contracts with Paragon in 2023 and 2024, respectively, and used it on a limited number of people with permission from a prosecutor, a report by the parliamentary committee on security, COPASIR, said. The foreign intelligence agencies used the spyware to search for fugitives, to counter illegal immigration, alleged terrorism, organised crime, fuel smuggling and for counter-espionage and internal security activities, COPASIR said. The committee said it found no evidence that Italian intelligence services used Paragon spyware on Cancellato. Separately, internet watchdog group Citizen Lab said it found evidence of spying on Pellegrino's phone. Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, leader of a small opposition party, called for clarity on Thursday over the hacking case, adding that one does not spy on journalists in democracies. (Reporting by Paolo Chiriatti, Giuseppe Fonte and Alvise ArmelliniEditing by Bernadette Baum)
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Alleged Italian phone hacking involves political gossip website, sources say
Italian investigative journalist Ciro Pellegrino shows his phone screen displaying a threat notification from Apple warning of a mercenary spyware attack, in Naples, Italy, June 11, 2025. REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli/File Photo ROME - Italian prosecutors are looking into the alleged hacking of seven phones, including that of the head of political gossip website Dagospia, sources said, as part of a surveillance scandal involving the technology of spyware company Paragon. The probe follows reports on the alleged spying on two investigative journalists, which have triggered opposition protests and the termination of contracts between Italy and U.S.-owned Paragon. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration has denied involvement in illicit activities. Prosecutors in Rome and Naples are investigating the crime of unauthorized access into the phones, sources with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday, adding that Dagospia founder Roberto D'Agostino was among seven journalists and activists who were allegedly spied on. D'Agostino, whose website Dagospia produces salacious gossip with political behind-the-scenes stories and is a daily must-read for many Italian reporters, was not immediately available for comment. Dagospia, however, reported on the news involving its founder, republishing reports about the investigations from other media outlets under the headline: "Dagospia ends up being spied upon! The illegal wiretaps scandal gets bigger." As part of their investigation, prosecutors are also looking into the alleged hacking of the phones of investigative reporters, Ciro Pellegrino and Francesco Cancellato, both from the Fanpage website, the sources said. Italy's domestic and foreign intelligence agencies activated contracts with Paragon in 2023 and 2024, respectively, and used it on a limited number of people with permission from a prosecutor, a report by the parliamentary committee on security, COPASIR, said. The foreign intelligence agencies used the spyware to search for fugitives, to counter illegal immigration, alleged terrorism, organised crime, fuel smuggling and for counter-espionage and internal security activities, COPASIR said. The committee said it found no evidence that Italian intelligence services used Paragon spyware on Cancellato. Separately, internet watchdog group Citizen Lab said it found evidence of spying on Pellegrino's phone. Former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, leader of a small opposition party, called for clarity on Thursday over the hacking case, adding that one does not spy on journalists in democracies. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Euphoric Napoli fans flood streets for champions tour by land and sea
Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v Cagliari - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - May 24, 2025 Napoli's Nikita Contini celebrates with the trophy and fans after winning Serie A REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli NAPLES, Italy (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of Napoli fans gathered in the city on Monday to celebrate the club's second Serie A championship in three years, with the streets turning into a sea of the team's blue colours during an open-top bus parade. Naples erupted with joy on Friday evening as Napoli sealed the Scudetto with a 2-0 home win over Cagliari, turning the city upside down in a blaze of fireworks, flares and unfiltered euphoria as celebrations lit up the night sky. The party rolled on into Monday as a ship carrying the team and the trophy docked at the port of Naples, where two open-top buses awaited to take the champions on a triumphant drive through the city before returning to the ship to continue the celebrations into the night. After winning the title two years ago, the club were not able to have an open bus parade but a million people are expected on the streets this time. For Napoli's top scorer in Serie A, Romelu Lukaku, the celebration turned emotional as he marked his second Scudetto — having lifted the trophy with Inter Milan in 2021. "Too much emotion, we did a great job and I'm happy for all these people, as well as for us, the team, the club and the coach. We never gave up and we deserved this success," the Belgian striker told Rai from the bus. Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka also relished the atmosphere. "I'm very happy to be able to celebrate with these fans, for me they are as spectacular as the city and the team. This is Naples," he said. (Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk, editing by Ed Osmond)
Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Euphoric Napoli fans flood streets for champions tour by land and sea
Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v Cagliari - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - May 24, 2025 Napoli's Juan Jesus celebrates with the trophy and fan after winning Serie A REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v Cagliari - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - May 24, 2025 Napoli's Nikita Contini celebrates with the trophy and fans after winning Serie A REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli NAPLES, Italy - Hundreds of thousands of Napoli fans gathered in the city on Monday to celebrate the club's second Serie A championship in three years, with the streets turning into a sea of the team's blue colours during an open-top bus parade. Naples erupted with joy on Friday evening as Napoli sealed the Scudetto with a 2-0 home win over Cagliari, turning the city upside down in a blaze of fireworks, flares and unfiltered euphoria as celebrations lit up the night sky. The party rolled on into Monday as a ship carrying the team and the trophy docked at the port of Naples, where two open-top buses awaited to take the champions on a triumphant drive through the city before returning to the ship to continue the celebrations into the night. After winning the title two years ago, the club were not able to have an open bus parade but a million people are expected on the streets this time. For Napoli's top scorer in Serie A, Romelu Lukaku, the celebration turned emotional as he marked his second Scudetto — having lifted the trophy with Inter Milan in 2021. "Too much emotion, we did a great job and I'm happy for all these people, as well as for us, the team, the club and the coach. We never gave up and we deserved this success," the Belgian striker told Rai from the bus. Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka also relished the atmosphere. "I'm very happy to be able to celebrate with these fans, for me they are as spectacular as the city and the team. This is Naples," he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Factbox-Soccer-List of Serie A champions
Soccer Football - Serie A - Napoli v Cagliari - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - May 23, 2025 Napoli fans let off flares in the stands as they celebrates their second goal scored by Romelu Lukaku as Cagliari players look dejected REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli
