Nicholas Whithorn
@nickwhithorn.bsky.social
Legal Translator and University Lecturer based in Messina. Sicily, mafia, Italian justice system.
Mafia Chronicles: nicholaswhithorn.substack.com
Mafia Chronicles: nicholaswhithorn.substack.com
I currently feel stuck in a 1990s time warp at the University of Messina. Same scandals, same surnames. At least nobody has been killed this time around.
December 5, 2025 at 10:13 AM
I currently feel stuck in a 1990s time warp at the University of Messina. Same scandals, same surnames. At least nobody has been killed this time around.
Reposted by Nicholas Whithorn
Sicilian Regional government launches scheme whereby foreign citizens or Italian citizens resident abroad who transfer their residence to Sicily & buy a property will enjoy 50% deduction on their income tax. This increases to 60% if the residence is in a municipality with fewer than 5k residents.
Meno tasse per chi sposta la residenza in Sicilia: così la Regione cerca di attrarre “cervelli” nell'Isola
In commissione bilancio approvati diversi emendamenti, tra cui uno che prevede incentivi per stimolare il rientro dei laureati fuggiti all’estero, implementare il lavoro agile e agevolare il sistema i...
www.lasicilia.it
December 4, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Sicilian Regional government launches scheme whereby foreign citizens or Italian citizens resident abroad who transfer their residence to Sicily & buy a property will enjoy 50% deduction on their income tax. This increases to 60% if the residence is in a municipality with fewer than 5k residents.
Reposted by Nicholas Whithorn
Prosecutors in Milan request documentation from fashion houses Dolce&Gabbana, Versace, Prada, Gucci, Missoni, Ferragamo, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Pinko, Coccinelle, Adidas, Alexander McQueen Italia & Off-White Operating, as part of an investigation into labour exploitation.
Inchieste sul caporalato, pm chiede atti a 13 marchi di moda - Notizie - Ansa.it
Proseguono indagini Procura Milano, si indaga su altri 'big' (ANSA)
www.ansa.it
December 4, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Prosecutors in Milan request documentation from fashion houses Dolce&Gabbana, Versace, Prada, Gucci, Missoni, Ferragamo, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Pinko, Coccinelle, Adidas, Alexander McQueen Italia & Off-White Operating, as part of an investigation into labour exploitation.
Salvini tweeting on 4 December 2016: "Long live Trump, long live Putin, long live Le Pen and long live Lega!"
December 4, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Salvini tweeting on 4 December 2016: "Long live Trump, long live Putin, long live Le Pen and long live Lega!"
Sicilian Regional government launches scheme whereby foreign citizens or Italian citizens resident abroad who transfer their residence to Sicily & buy a property will enjoy 50% deduction on their income tax. This increases to 60% if the residence is in a municipality with fewer than 5k residents.
Meno tasse per chi sposta la residenza in Sicilia: così la Regione cerca di attrarre “cervelli” nell'Isola
In commissione bilancio approvati diversi emendamenti, tra cui uno che prevede incentivi per stimolare il rientro dei laureati fuggiti all’estero, implementare il lavoro agile e agevolare il sistema i...
www.lasicilia.it
December 4, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Sicilian Regional government launches scheme whereby foreign citizens or Italian citizens resident abroad who transfer their residence to Sicily & buy a property will enjoy 50% deduction on their income tax. This increases to 60% if the residence is in a municipality with fewer than 5k residents.
Prosecutors in Milan request documentation from fashion houses Dolce&Gabbana, Versace, Prada, Gucci, Missoni, Ferragamo, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Pinko, Coccinelle, Adidas, Alexander McQueen Italia & Off-White Operating, as part of an investigation into labour exploitation.
Inchieste sul caporalato, pm chiede atti a 13 marchi di moda - Notizie - Ansa.it
Proseguono indagini Procura Milano, si indaga su altri 'big' (ANSA)
www.ansa.it
December 4, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Prosecutors in Milan request documentation from fashion houses Dolce&Gabbana, Versace, Prada, Gucci, Missoni, Ferragamo, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Pinko, Coccinelle, Adidas, Alexander McQueen Italia & Off-White Operating, as part of an investigation into labour exploitation.
The NGO vessel Louise Michel, financed by artist Banksy, comes under fire from the Libyan "Coast Guard". The Libyan boat involved was donated by Italy and built using EU funds.
«I libici ci hanno sparato», il racconto shock dell'equipaggio della Louise Michel
La denuncia della Ong finanziata da Banksy, poi il gommone vuoto alla deriva. La motovedetta è quella donata dagli italiani
www.lasicilia.it
December 3, 2025 at 10:50 PM
The NGO vessel Louise Michel, financed by artist Banksy, comes under fire from the Libyan "Coast Guard". The Libyan boat involved was donated by Italy and built using EU funds.
Reposted by Nicholas Whithorn
Sicilian politicians currently on trial or under investigation:
Totò Cuffaro (DC)
Gaetano Galvagno (FdI)
Luca Sammartino (Lega)
Elvira Amata (FdI)
Roberto Di Mauro (MpA)
Giuseppe Castiglione (MpA)
Salvo Geraci (Lega)
Carmelo Pace (DC)
Saverio Romano (NM)
Gaspare Vitrano (FI)
Gianfranco Miccichè (FI)
Totò Cuffaro (DC)
Gaetano Galvagno (FdI)
Luca Sammartino (Lega)
Elvira Amata (FdI)
Roberto Di Mauro (MpA)
Giuseppe Castiglione (MpA)
Salvo Geraci (Lega)
Carmelo Pace (DC)
Saverio Romano (NM)
Gaspare Vitrano (FI)
Gianfranco Miccichè (FI)
December 3, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Sicilian politicians currently on trial or under investigation:
Totò Cuffaro (DC)
Gaetano Galvagno (FdI)
Luca Sammartino (Lega)
Elvira Amata (FdI)
Roberto Di Mauro (MpA)
Giuseppe Castiglione (MpA)
Salvo Geraci (Lega)
Carmelo Pace (DC)
Saverio Romano (NM)
Gaspare Vitrano (FI)
Gianfranco Miccichè (FI)
Totò Cuffaro (DC)
Gaetano Galvagno (FdI)
Luca Sammartino (Lega)
Elvira Amata (FdI)
Roberto Di Mauro (MpA)
Giuseppe Castiglione (MpA)
Salvo Geraci (Lega)
Carmelo Pace (DC)
Saverio Romano (NM)
Gaspare Vitrano (FI)
Gianfranco Miccichè (FI)
Sicilian politicians currently on trial or under investigation:
Totò Cuffaro (DC)
Gaetano Galvagno (FdI)
Luca Sammartino (Lega)
Elvira Amata (FdI)
Roberto Di Mauro (MpA)
Giuseppe Castiglione (MpA)
Salvo Geraci (Lega)
Carmelo Pace (DC)
Saverio Romano (NM)
Gaspare Vitrano (FI)
Gianfranco Miccichè (FI)
Totò Cuffaro (DC)
Gaetano Galvagno (FdI)
Luca Sammartino (Lega)
Elvira Amata (FdI)
Roberto Di Mauro (MpA)
Giuseppe Castiglione (MpA)
Salvo Geraci (Lega)
Carmelo Pace (DC)
Saverio Romano (NM)
Gaspare Vitrano (FI)
Gianfranco Miccichè (FI)
December 3, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Sicilian politicians currently on trial or under investigation:
Totò Cuffaro (DC)
Gaetano Galvagno (FdI)
Luca Sammartino (Lega)
Elvira Amata (FdI)
Roberto Di Mauro (MpA)
Giuseppe Castiglione (MpA)
Salvo Geraci (Lega)
Carmelo Pace (DC)
Saverio Romano (NM)
Gaspare Vitrano (FI)
Gianfranco Miccichè (FI)
Totò Cuffaro (DC)
Gaetano Galvagno (FdI)
Luca Sammartino (Lega)
Elvira Amata (FdI)
Roberto Di Mauro (MpA)
Giuseppe Castiglione (MpA)
Salvo Geraci (Lega)
Carmelo Pace (DC)
Saverio Romano (NM)
Gaspare Vitrano (FI)
Gianfranco Miccichè (FI)
Reposted by Nicholas Whithorn
A Preliminary Investigation Judge in Palermo has ordered house arrest for former Governor of Sicily Totò Cuffaro, accused with 17 others of conspiracy to commit procurement fraud and corruption. Cuffaro has previously served a 7-year prison sentence for aiding and abetting mafiosi.
Scandalo sugli appalti della sanità e corruzione, arresti domiciliari per Totò Cuffaro: richiesta rigettata per Pace e Romano
Indagine su Salvatore Cuffaro: arresti domiciliari per tre indagati, obblighi e interdizioni per manager accusati di ingerenze nelle nomine e di corruzione negli appalti sanitari
www.lasicilia.it
December 3, 2025 at 9:59 AM
A Preliminary Investigation Judge in Palermo has ordered house arrest for former Governor of Sicily Totò Cuffaro, accused with 17 others of conspiracy to commit procurement fraud and corruption. Cuffaro has previously served a 7-year prison sentence for aiding and abetting mafiosi.
Preliminary Investigation Judge applies ban on residing in towns of Trapani & Milazzo for 7 Directors of Sicilian company operating hydrofoils & catamarans, accused of fraud, corruption & embezzlement for hiding safety defects to avoid losing a lucrative contract with Sicilian Regional government.
Sequestro da 184 milioni alla Liberty Lines: gip di Trapani firma sette misure per truffa, corruzione e frode
I vertici della società di navigazione colpiti da misure cautelari con divieto di dimora a Trapani e Milazzo. La società è commissariata
www.lasicilia.it
December 3, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Preliminary Investigation Judge applies ban on residing in towns of Trapani & Milazzo for 7 Directors of Sicilian company operating hydrofoils & catamarans, accused of fraud, corruption & embezzlement for hiding safety defects to avoid losing a lucrative contract with Sicilian Regional government.
A Preliminary Investigation Judge in Palermo has ordered house arrest for former Governor of Sicily Totò Cuffaro, accused with 17 others of conspiracy to commit procurement fraud and corruption. Cuffaro has previously served a 7-year prison sentence for aiding and abetting mafiosi.
Scandalo sugli appalti della sanità e corruzione, arresti domiciliari per Totò Cuffaro: richiesta rigettata per Pace e Romano
Indagine su Salvatore Cuffaro: arresti domiciliari per tre indagati, obblighi e interdizioni per manager accusati di ingerenze nelle nomine e di corruzione negli appalti sanitari
www.lasicilia.it
December 3, 2025 at 9:59 AM
A Preliminary Investigation Judge in Palermo has ordered house arrest for former Governor of Sicily Totò Cuffaro, accused with 17 others of conspiracy to commit procurement fraud and corruption. Cuffaro has previously served a 7-year prison sentence for aiding and abetting mafiosi.
Salvini & partner buy 28-room villa in Rome for €1.35m, little more than half market price for such properties in the area. It previously belonged to family of an associate of Berlusconi's lawyer convicted of corruption. Sale was overseen by same notary who dealt with Messina Strait bridge project.
La villa di Salvini, il rogito firmato dal notaio del Ponte
Nella dimora da 674 metri quadri in una zona vip di Roma è stata spostata anche la sede legale della ditta di Francesca Verdini, la società di produzione Casa Rossa
www.editorialedomani.it
December 2, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Salvini & partner buy 28-room villa in Rome for €1.35m, little more than half market price for such properties in the area. It previously belonged to family of an associate of Berlusconi's lawyer convicted of corruption. Sale was overseen by same notary who dealt with Messina Strait bridge project.
Reposted by Nicholas Whithorn
The founding of a new Sicilian low-cost airline "Etna Sky" has been announced by a former Fratelli d'Italia Member of Parliament. The intention is to launch flights by next summer.
Nasce una nuova compagnia aerea low cost siciliana. L'annuncio di un deputato catanese: «Primo volo entro l'estate»
La società sarebbe già stata fondata e c'è anche il nome. Ma la cordata di imprenditori coinvolti rimane al momento riservata
www.lasicilia.it
December 2, 2025 at 7:10 PM
The founding of a new Sicilian low-cost airline "Etna Sky" has been announced by a former Fratelli d'Italia Member of Parliament. The intention is to launch flights by next summer.
One day he'll die in his seat and they'll just carry on without noticing it.
Trump dozes while Marco Rubio speaks to him directly next to him. Just insane optics.
December 2, 2025 at 7:13 PM
One day he'll die in his seat and they'll just carry on without noticing it.
The founding of a new Sicilian low-cost airline "Etna Sky" has been announced by a former Fratelli d'Italia Member of Parliament. The intention is to launch flights by next summer.
Nasce una nuova compagnia aerea low cost siciliana. L'annuncio di un deputato catanese: «Primo volo entro l'estate»
La società sarebbe già stata fondata e c'è anche il nome. Ma la cordata di imprenditori coinvolti rimane al momento riservata
www.lasicilia.it
December 2, 2025 at 7:10 PM
The founding of a new Sicilian low-cost airline "Etna Sky" has been announced by a former Fratelli d'Italia Member of Parliament. The intention is to launch flights by next summer.
Reposted by Nicholas Whithorn
Italian government to revise Messina Strait bridge project to overcome Court of Auditors' objections and gain approval. But there is one objection they refuse to face up to: the need for new tender process under EU law. It could mean years of delay but without it the whole exercise seems pointless.
Governo al lavoro sul Ponte sullo Stretto per rilanciare l'opera: riunione tra tecnici per rispondere alla Corte dei Conti
A Palazzo Chigi si è tenuta una riunione tecnica con la presenza del sottosegretario alla Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, Alfredo Mantovano, il Dipe e tecnici del Mef, Affari europei, Mit e Mas...
gazzettadelsud.it
December 2, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Italian government to revise Messina Strait bridge project to overcome Court of Auditors' objections and gain approval. But there is one objection they refuse to face up to: the need for new tender process under EU law. It could mean years of delay but without it the whole exercise seems pointless.
Italian government to revise Messina Strait bridge project to overcome Court of Auditors' objections and gain approval. But there is one objection they refuse to face up to: the need for new tender process under EU law. It could mean years of delay but without it the whole exercise seems pointless.
Governo al lavoro sul Ponte sullo Stretto per rilanciare l'opera: riunione tra tecnici per rispondere alla Corte dei Conti
A Palazzo Chigi si è tenuta una riunione tecnica con la presenza del sottosegretario alla Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, Alfredo Mantovano, il Dipe e tecnici del Mef, Affari europei, Mit e Mas...
gazzettadelsud.it
December 2, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Italian government to revise Messina Strait bridge project to overcome Court of Auditors' objections and gain approval. But there is one objection they refuse to face up to: the need for new tender process under EU law. It could mean years of delay but without it the whole exercise seems pointless.
This is ridiculous. Flying from northern to southern Italy is cheaper if you make a stopover abroad, especially in peak periods such as Christmas.
Il paradosso dei voli verso il Sud Italia: a Natale per i fuori sede conviene far scalo all’estero
Le tariffe aeree e ferroviarie penalizzano chi sceglie i collegamenti diretti, chi deve tornare a casa costretto a scegliere tra tempo e portafoglio
www.repubblica.it
December 2, 2025 at 9:23 AM
This is ridiculous. Flying from northern to southern Italy is cheaper if you make a stopover abroad, especially in peak periods such as Christmas.
Reposted by Nicholas Whithorn
Almost every day now right-wing newspapers in Italy publish stories that give Meloni, Salvini and the rest an excuse to attack the judiciary. It's going to be a long few months leading up to the referendum on Meloni's justice reform in the spring.
November 30, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Almost every day now right-wing newspapers in Italy publish stories that give Meloni, Salvini and the rest an excuse to attack the judiciary. It's going to be a long few months leading up to the referendum on Meloni's justice reform in the spring.
Almost every day now right-wing newspapers in Italy publish stories that give Meloni, Salvini and the rest an excuse to attack the judiciary. It's going to be a long few months leading up to the referendum on Meloni's justice reform in the spring.
November 30, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Almost every day now right-wing newspapers in Italy publish stories that give Meloni, Salvini and the rest an excuse to attack the judiciary. It's going to be a long few months leading up to the referendum on Meloni's justice reform in the spring.
Of the three major stumbling blocks in the Messina Strait bridge project cited by the Court of Auditors, I think the most problematic one is the tendering process. Salvini rushed to say it will not need to be reopened when it clearly will as the cost has risen by over 50% since the original tender.
Italian Court of Auditors publishes motivations for not authorising Messina Strait bridge project. The Court says the project violates EU Directives on conservation of natural habitats & on public tenders, and lacks evidence on financial sustainability. So, Salvini made a dog's breakfast of it.
Ponte sullo Stretto, i motivi del «no» della Corte dei Conti: «Viola la norma europea habitat»
I magistrati contabili contestano anche le modifiche contrattuali. E resta centrale il nodo del piano tariffario
www.lasicilia.it
November 30, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Of the three major stumbling blocks in the Messina Strait bridge project cited by the Court of Auditors, I think the most problematic one is the tendering process. Salvini rushed to say it will not need to be reopened when it clearly will as the cost has risen by over 50% since the original tender.
Reposted by Nicholas Whithorn
EU Migration Commissioner says despite "alleged" human rights abuses in Libya, EU has "no alternative" to sending funds there. Read: paying militias to imprison, torture & rape migrants, put them into unsafe boats, then send the Libyan "Coast Guard" to shoot at them, kidnap them and ... repeat.
November 30, 2025 at 1:04 PM
EU Migration Commissioner says despite "alleged" human rights abuses in Libya, EU has "no alternative" to sending funds there. Read: paying militias to imprison, torture & rape migrants, put them into unsafe boats, then send the Libyan "Coast Guard" to shoot at them, kidnap them and ... repeat.
Every time I see this guy he seems to have had a smirk surgically attached to his face.
Kevin Hassett: "Turkey prices were down 19 cents. I bought two different ones because some other show was criticizing me because I said, 'Oh, generic turkeys are pretty good.' So I made two this time and I didn't really notice the difference, so buy the cheaper turkey next year, folks."
November 30, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Every time I see this guy he seems to have had a smirk surgically attached to his face.
EU Migration Commissioner says despite "alleged" human rights abuses in Libya, EU has "no alternative" to sending funds there. Read: paying militias to imprison, torture & rape migrants, put them into unsafe boats, then send the Libyan "Coast Guard" to shoot at them, kidnap them and ... repeat.
November 30, 2025 at 1:04 PM
EU Migration Commissioner says despite "alleged" human rights abuses in Libya, EU has "no alternative" to sending funds there. Read: paying militias to imprison, torture & rape migrants, put them into unsafe boats, then send the Libyan "Coast Guard" to shoot at them, kidnap them and ... repeat.