France's Le Pen calls for Euroskeptics to unite

National Front leader says anti-EU forces fight for democracy

(ANSA) - Paris, March 24 - Marine Le Pen, leader of the right-wing National Front in France, told ANSA Monday that she is calling on all Euroskeptics to unite against European Union forces, particularly in the May election campaign for the European Parliament. She spoke after her party did better than expected in French local elections one day earlier." I call on all the Eurosceptic forces in Europe to form an alliance in defense of national States, the return of democracy, the sovereignty of peoples and national identities," she said in an interview.

At the same time, the head of Italy's right-wing Northern League said that he was confident pro-European forces are running scared of the Euroskeptics. "The dinosaurs and Euro-bureaucrats are afraid! A wind of freedom is blowing from France," said Matteo Salvini, referring to Le Pen's party victory on the weekend.

"(European Parliament elections) will be a nightmare for Merkel, Napolitano, and every fan of the euro. A different Europe is possible," said Salvini in a statement on Facebook. With anti-austerity rancor running high across Europe, parties such as the Northern League and the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement founded by comedian Beppe Grillo are expected to do well at European elections on May 25. Le Pen told ANSA that Grillo does not like her, even though their political parties share many beliefs including opposition to the single currency, the euro.

But, she added, a key difference is that unlike the National Front, Grillo spends his energy criticizing without "assuming responsibility" for proposing a better political course. "Frankly, I do not understand the hate Grillo has for me," she said.

Sport: Fencer Granbassi says she will retire

'Too many injuries' to continue, says Olympic medalist

(ANSA) - Rome, March 24 - Olympian and world champion fencer Margherita Granbassi said Monday that she is retiring from the sport due to injury. Granbassi, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games as well as three world champion titles and two European championships, said she has suffered "too many injures" to continue.

"I am sick of accidents," she said after injuring her knee in competition in Turin last Friday. Granbassi, 34, won the gold medal at the foil 2006 World Fencing Championships and later in the tournament also won a silver in the team's foil event. In 2008, she won the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics.

League slams president for 'shameful' pro-EU speech

'Dinosaurs like Merkel afraid of European elections'

Rome, March 24 - The head of the right-wing Northern League said President Giorgio Napolitano's speech marking a 1944 Nazi massacre in Rome Monday was "shameful" for using the occasion to criticize Euroskepticism.

"The dinosaurs and Euro-bureaucrats are afraid! A wind of freedom is blowing from France," said Matteo Salvini, referring to France's far-right National Front party making significant gains in local elections over the weekend. "(European Parliament elections) will be a nightmare for Merkel, Napolitano, and every fan of the euro. A different Europe is possible," said Salvini in statement on Facebook. With anti-austerity rancor running high across Europe, parties such as a the Northern League and the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement are expected to do well at European elections on May 25. President Giorgio Napolitano was speaking at the Fosse Ardeatine, the site of the massacre, when he said that "various parties are trying to discredit and attack" institutions such as the European Union, which contribute to peace and unity". Meanwhile, opponents of the EU are rallying and these should be countered, said Napolitano. "We must remember...that we cannot play with these opponents who tend to discredit our heritage of the struggle for freedom," he added.

Napolitano spoke during a ceremony to commemorate the March 1944 massacre of 335 men and boys at Rome's Fosse Ardeatine, a network of caves on the southern edge of the city. Nazi soldiers carried out the murders in a reprisal for a partisan attack that killed 33 German soldiers. In retaliation, for every one German killed, the army seized 10 Italians including civilians as well as numerous political prisoners and Jews who were in custody, plus another five more were also executed. 

Renzi proposes Florence as host city of G8 in 2017

'Renaissance city embodies rebirth' says former mayor

(ANSA) - Rome, March 24 - Premier Matteo Renzi said Monday that he has proposed his hometown of Florence play host to the summit of leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized countries in 2017. Florence, as a symbol of Renaissance and rebirth, would be a fitting host city, the city's outgoing mayor said in a letter officially marking his handover of the local government to new leadership after being sworn in as premier last month. Renzi was in The Hague Monday before a major global summit on nuclear security with heads of the Group of Seven industrialized economies for two days of meetings that will also include intense discussions on Ukraine and Russia's role in the crisis there. Russia's membership in the G8 was suspended last week over its annexation of Crimea. The G7 meetings include leaders from the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. 

Pope says human dignity important at every stage of life

Francis speaks to health-care workers of 'fragility' of humans

(ANSA) - Vatican City, March 24 - Human dignity is important and must be protected at every stage of life, Pope Francis said Monday during a meeting with health-care professionals.

"At any stage and condition, we must recognize the dignity and value of each human being, from conception to death," the pope said during the opening of a health conference.

It is important, he added, to recognize that "the experience of fraternal sharing with those suffering opens us to the true beauty of human life, including its fragility".

Relations between Italy, Japan 'crucial' says Renzi

Countries must work together on economic growth, says Abe

(ANSA) - The Hague, March 24 - The relationship between Italy and Japan is "crucial and important", Premier Matteo Renzi said Monday before a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The two countries must work together to contribute to economic growth, added the Japanese leader. "Italy and Japan can together contribute to economic growth," said Abe, who added that the world is watching the actions of Renzi's government closely.

The two leaders are meeting before a major global summit on nuclear security with heads of the Group of Seven industrialized economies for two days of meetings that will also include intense discussions on Ukraine and Russia's role in the crisis there.

The G7 meetings in The Hague, including the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, will provide Renzi an opportunity for bilateral meetings with both Japan and Canada.

Japanese PM says Italian economy 'dependent' on Renzi

World community watching new premier carefully, says Japan

(ANSA) - The Hague, March 24 - The Italian economy "is dependent" on the actions of Premier Matteo Renzi's government, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Monday before a summit between the two leaders. The world will be watching Italian developments closely, Abe added.

The two men are meeting before a major global summit on nuclear security that will bring together leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized economies for two days of meetings that will also include intense discussions on Ukraine and Russia's role in the crisis there.

The G7 meetings in The Hague, including the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, will provide Renzi an opportunity for bilateral meetings with both Japan and Canada.