Italian authorities arrested 57-year-old Sister Anna Donelli, a nun accused of colluding with the powerful 'Ndrangheta mafia.
Italian authorities have arrested 57-year-old Sister Anna Donelli, a nun known for her prison work and community service, as part of a significant operation targeting the powerful ‘Ndrangheta mafia. The arrest, alongside 24 others, took place in Brescia.
Donelli, who volunteered in Milan’s San Vittore prison, is accused of acting as a liaison between imprisoned mafia members and the outside network. Her alleged involvement shocked many, especially as she had recently received a civic award for her contributions to Milan's underserved areas.
It uncovered an array of crimes attributed to the mafia group, including vote buying, money laundering, drug trafficking, and issuing fraudulent invoices. Assets valued at €1.8 million, including properties and financial holdings, were seized during the operation.
The ‘Ndrangheta, originally from Calabria, has evolved into Italy’s most dominant mafia organization, with global influence extending into white-collar crimes and politics. Two local politicians were also detained during the raid, adding to the growing public outrage over the group’s infiltration into civic institutions.
Sister Donelli’s role is particularly controversial due to her position as a spiritual advisor to inmates and her access to critical prison communications. Prosecutors allege she transmitted messages that enabled the mafia to sustain operations even while key members were behind bars.
Donelli, now under house arrest, has yet to comment on the charges, and her lawyer remains unavailable for public statements.
This investigation highlights the enduring challenge posed by the ‘Ndrangheta’s influence in Italy and beyond. As legal proceedings continue, the case underscores the complexity of dismantling one of the world's most resilient criminal networks.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for February 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Australia has accused China of failing to provide sufficient notice ahead of a live-fire naval drill between Australia and New Zealand, forcing airlines to alter flight paths. Defence Minister Richard Marles described the lack of communication as “disconcerting” for commercial aviation.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kenyan President William Ruto have called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid escalating violence. Their appeal follows the capture of key cities by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group.
U.S. negotiators have reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet system as part of pressure to secure a critical minerals deal. The discussions come amid growing tensions between Kyiv and Washington over repayment for wartime aid.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that Kyiv and Washington are working on an economic deal, but tensions remain over U.S. demands and Ukraine’s exclusion from U.S.-Russia peace talks.
BERLIN, Feb 22 (Reuters) - NATO is planning to build a pipeline system from Germany to Poland and the Czech Republic to ensure a rapid supply of jet fuel for fighter aircraft in the event of a war with Russia, weekly German magazine Der Spiegel reported.
Menlo Park, CA, February 17, 2025 – Newly unsealed court documents from the case Kadrey v. Meta shed light on internal discussions among Meta employees about the use of copyrighted materials to train the company’s artificial intelligence models.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
San Francisco, February 17, 2025 – OpenAI has terminated a group of Chinese ChatGPT accounts that were reportedly used to edit and debug code for an AI-powered social media surveillance tool.
‘We are already negotiating to work together in space, we can collaborate in this sphere also," Russian leader says
A tragic crowd crush at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night left 18 dead and 10 injured as thousands of people, many heading to the Kumbh Mela festival, attempted to board delayed trains. The incident highlights the ongoing risks of overcrowding at public transportation hubs in India.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
Berlin, February 21, 2025 – German citizens will head to the polls on Sunday, February 23, for a snap general election after the coalition government collapsed late last year.
BERLIN, Feb 22 (Reuters) - NATO is planning to build a pipeline system from Germany to Poland and the Czech Republic to ensure a rapid supply of jet fuel for fighter aircraft in the event of a war with Russia, weekly German magazine Der Spiegel reported.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
A second meeting between representatives of Russia and the United States is planned for the next two weeks, the RIA state news agency reported on Saturday, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
Washington, D.C., February 21, 2025 – U.S. negotiators have reportedly raised the possibility of cutting Ukraine’s access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service unless Kyiv reaches an agreement to grant the United States greater access to its critical minerals.
Hamas has begun releasing hostages from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, as Israel confirmed that a body handed over earlier was that of hostage Shiri Bibas.
BERLIN, Feb 22 (Reuters) - NATO is planning to build a pipeline system from Germany to Poland and the Czech Republic to ensure a rapid supply of jet fuel for fighter aircraft in the event of a war with Russia, weekly German magazine Der Spiegel reported.
Menlo Park, CA, February 17, 2025 – Newly unsealed court documents from the case Kadrey v. Meta shed light on internal discussions among Meta employees about the use of copyrighted materials to train the company’s artificial intelligence models.
California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last month's devastating wildfires, the Washington Post reported on Friday citing a letter.
San Francisco, February 17, 2025 – OpenAI has terminated a group of Chinese ChatGPT accounts that were reportedly used to edit and debug code for an AI-powered social media surveillance tool.
‘We are already negotiating to work together in space, we can collaborate in this sphere also," Russian leader says
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment