Concert by Putin ally Valery Gergiev cancelled in Italy

The organisers of a music festival in Italy have cancelled a concert featuring Russian conductor Valery Gergiev after days of criticism from Kremlin critics and human rights campaigners. Gergiev, an ally of President Putin, was due to lead an Italian orchestra and soloists from St Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre in a performance at a former royal palace near Naples later this month. The 72 year old has been barred…