Germany pledges almost $3bn in new military aid to Ukraine New military aid includes 30 Leopard 1 A5 tanks, 20 Marder armoured personnel carriers, and 200 reconnaissance drones. Al Jazeera · May 14, 2023
Ukrainian President Zelensky’s five-word greeting for Pope Francis Ukrainian president is told Rome behind him ‘as long as necessary’, amid reports of Russian air losses The Independent UK · May 13, 2023
Volodymyr Zelensky meets Pope Francis, as Italy pledges full support against Russia Rome tells Ukrainian president country is behind him for ‘as long as necessary’ The Independent UK · May 13, 2023
Zelensky meets Italy’s PM before talks with Pope Francis in Rome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Rome for talks with Italian leaders and Pope Francis on Saturday. Evening Standard · May 13, 2023
‘Moving forward’: Ukraine claims gains on Bakhmut front Russia acknowledged its forces had fallen back north of the ruined eastern city after months of relentless fighting. Al Jazeera · May 13, 2023
Napoleon’s words come back to haunt us as a prison barge for our times sails in What ‘frightful miseries’ will await the 500 asylum seekers who are being housed in the Bibby Stockholm prison ship? The Guardian - UK · May 13, 2023
President Zelenskyy meets with the pope at the Vatican The Ukrainian president held talks in Rome, where he received pledges of both open-ended military and financial support as well as stronger backing for Ukraine's aim to join the European Union. WEKU · May 13, 2023
Zelenskyy to meet with Pope Francis at Vatican in Rome visit The Vatican says that Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy will meet with Pope Francis during a trip to Rome The Independent UK · May 13, 2023
Zelenskiy asks pope to back Kyiv peace plan, help return children Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked Pope Francis on Saturday to back Kyiv's peace plan, and the pope indicated the Vatican would help in the repatriation of Ukrainian children taken by Russians. Reuters · May 13, 2023
Rights watchdog denounces Italy immigration law as 'inhumane' A new Italian law that narrows asylum rights in an effort to dissuade migrants from heading to Italy is repressive and inhumane, a leading rights watchdog said on Friday. Reuters · May 12, 2023
Pope joins Meloni in urging Italians to have more kids, not pets Pope Francis has joined Italy’s conservative premier in encouraging Italians to have more children after Italy registered a record low birth rate last year The Independent UK · May 12, 2023
Pope says only rich can afford to have children in Italy Starting a family in Italy is becoming a "titanic effort" that only the rich can afford, Pope Francis said on Friday, warning that "savage" free-market conditions were preventing the young from having children. Reuters · May 12, 2023
A sword bearer, Frankie at Eurovision, and some noisy old frogs – take the Thursday quiz Fourteen questions on general knowledge and topical trivia, plus a few jokes every Thursday. How will you fare? The Guardian - UK · May 11, 2023
Italian PM Meloni: No decision yet on quitting China deal The Italian government has not yet taken a decision on whether to leave the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) deal with China and is reviewing its options, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday. Reuters · May 10, 2023
Reuters · May 9, 2023 Meloni opens talks on constitutional reform, long a mirage in Italy Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday began meetings with opposition parties to discuss her plans to reform the constitution and end chronic political instability in the euro zone's third largest nation.
Reuters · May 7, 2023 Italy calls for clearer apology from France over migration 'insult' Italy remains dissatisfied with the apologies offered by Paris after a French minister accused Rome of mishandling the influx of migrants, Italy's foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Sunday.
The Independent UK · May 6, 2023 Hospitalized Berlusconi makes first public statements Former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has made his first public statements since being hospitalized a month ago, delivering a video address from a Milan hospital to his Forza Italia political party
Radio France Internationale · May 5, 2023 French government plays down Italy migration row after cancelled visit The French government sought to play down a fresh row with Italy over migration on Friday, saying Paris was not looking to "ostracise" its EU partner and its prime minister, Giorgia Meloni.
Reuters · May 5, 2023 Italy wants French apology over migration 'insults' France must apologise to end a dispute over over what Rome considers insulting remarks, including some over its handling of immigration, Italy's foreign minister said on Friday, while also signalling the spat might be short-lived.
The Guardian - UK · May 4, 2023 Italian foreign minister calls off Paris visit over ‘insults’ from France Move comes after French interior minister accuses Italy’s PM of lying to voters over migration
The Guardian - UK · May 4, 2023 Pro-Putin businessman emerges as pick to chair Italy’s biggest energy firm Fears appointing Paolo Scaroni as Enel CEO would undermine US and EU attempts to curb Russian influence
The Independent UK · May 4, 2023 Italian minister scraps trip over French official's remarks Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has abruptly canceled a trip to Paris over remarks by the French interior minister criticizing the Italian premier’s migration policy
Reuters · May 4, 2023 Italian foreign minister calls off Paris trip after French 'insults' Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called off a trip to Paris on Thursday, saying the French interior minister had offended Italy and its Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with unacceptable "insults".
Reuters · May 4, 2023 Italy unlikely to renew China deal, but needs time, official says Italy is highly unlikely to renew its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) deal with China, which expires early next year, but needs time to discuss the issue with Beijing, a senior government official said.
Al Jazeera · May 3, 2023 Tunisia’s choice: Migration and realpolitik in the Mediterranean Tunisia’s relationship with Europe remains firm as the EU courts Tunis’s help in stopping migration.