Two public officials in northern Italy have been suspended and a mayor placed under investigation for their role in selling false passports to Brazilian clients, national media reported over the weekend.

A return to historic rice varieties and encouraging wildlife diversity has helped one farmer in northern Italy combat a decline in production as weather gets ever more extreme.

Italy backs ICC against US sanctions, Giro di Lombardia cyclists stage protest over safety, and more news on Monday.

Ireland, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, suggested Saturday slashing the bloc's next proposed budget by 140 billion euros ($155 billion), in a quest to bridge deep divisions and reach a deal by the end of the year.

From an air travel strike to the first look at the budget, here's what to expect in Italy this week.