Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday her government had suspended a defence cooperation deal with Israel, reflecting frayed ties between previously close allies as the conflicts in the Middle East continue. Meloni’s right-wing government has been one of Israel’s closest friends in Europe, but in recent weeks it has criticised its attacks on Lebanon, which have killed hundreds and injured thousands. Source link
The move comes amid rising tensions between Italy and Israel, after Israel Defense Forces fired warning shots at an Italian peacekeeping convoy outside Beirut, Lebanon on April 8. No troops were injured, but the Italian response was swift: Meloni called the attack “completely unacceptable,” while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani summoned the Israeli ambassador to Rome for a third time since 2024. The Italian government has been largely supportive of Israel over its war in Gaza and does not recognize Palestinian statehood. But the war in Iran forced the Italian leader to reposition herself. Meloni condemned Israel for preventing Catholic leaders from celebrating a private Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday, calling it “an offense to religious freedom.” And in a speech to parliament last week, she slammed Israel for its conduct in Lebanon. Source link
In an interview with TG1, Meloni said she had chosen to travel to the Gulf “as a gesture of solidarity” with regional allies. But she admitted the trip also had the pragmatic goal of securing Rome’s access to the region’s oil. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which some 20 percent of the oil and natural gas that powers the global economy runs, is having a major impact on Italy. The Arab Gulf states supply the country with around 15 percent of the oil it consumes, and as prices have steadily risen during the last month Meloni’s government has allocated nearly €900 million to slash fuel taxes. The regional visit reflects Rome’s unwillingness to wait for Brussels to come up with a response to the bloc-wide energy crisis. Meloni on Friday said she would move independently to “to guarantee Italy has access to the energy supply it needs.” Source link
By Angelo Amante and Crispian Balmer ROME, April 3 (Reuters) – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni flew to Saudi Arabia on Friday for a previously unannounced trip that will also include meetings in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, a government official said. Meloni travelled to Jeddah for the first visit by a European Union leader to Saudi Arabia since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran in February and was due to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later in the day, the official said. The same source, who asked not to be named, said the two-day visit was mainly aimed at showing support for Gulf partners facing Iranian attacks and protecting Italy’s own energy supplies, as the government grapples with rising fuel prices. The official said Italy would confirm the intention of its majors – including energy giant Eni – to keep investing in the Gulf. Italy is already supplying Gulf partners with defensive weapons against Iranian retaliatory attacks and is open to assessing further requests should they be made, the official …
MILAN (AP) — Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso left his role by mutual consent on Friday, three days after the national team failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup. The Italian soccer federation announced the news in a statement thanking Gattuso “for the dedication and passion” during his nine months in charge. Italy’s chances of reaching this year’s tournament in North America ended on Tuesday after a penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualifying playoff. “With pain in my heart, not having achieved the goal we had set ourselves, I consider my experience on the national team bench to be over,” Gattuso said. The defeat to Bosnia added more misery for four-time champion Italy after being eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively, in the qualifying playoffs for the last two World Cups. Gattuso took over from the fired Luciano Spalletti in June with the squad already in crisis mode following a defeat at Norway in its opening qualifier. Spalletti had also overseen a disappointing European Championship campaign in 2024, when …
Impromptu alliances Campaigning against Meloni’s judicial reforms was an easy rallying point for the opposition, as they could all pile on the prime minister for attacking independent state institutions. In Rome’s Piazza Barberini on Monday night, opposition leaders and activists from several centrist and leftist parties gathered to celebrate a result few had considered likely just weeks earlier. Supporters waved party flags and chanted as leaders from across the political spectrum shared a stage in a rare display of unity. But the fraternity shown on the piazza masked deeper divisions: The coalition that came together to defeat Meloni in the referendum remains far from agreeing on a common national program, or a shared candidate for prime minister. The on-again-off-again grouping often diverges sharply on issues such as military spending and support for Ukraine, as well as economic policy, with a significant gap between the radical populist left and the more centrist Democratic Party. Schlein argued on Wednesday that the opposition must focus on concrete proposals. “We can’t just be against the government, we have to …
Italy’s hardline conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, faces a pivotal political test in a two-day referendum on judicial reform that started on Sunday, a vote that has transformed into a broader judgment on her leadership at home and abroad. Originally presented as a technical overhaul of the justice system, the reform has sharpened political divisions and unified the centre‑left opposition, turning the referendum into a symbolic showdown on Meloni’s strength one year ahead of national elections. Recent polls show the race remains too close to call, with the “No” camp gaining late momentum in a polarised climate where turnout may prove decisive. After five hours of voting on the first day, according to Italy’s interior ministry, turnout reached almost 15 percent of eligible voters. That is the highest turnout for any two-day referendum in the past 23 years. Lorenzo Pregliasco, political analyst and polling expert at YouTrend, said a rejection of the reform would carry significant political weight. “A possible ‘No’ victory would send a political signal, weakening Meloni’s aura of invincibility, while pushing the centre-left …
Italy’s culture minister has called for the resignation of the government’s representative on the board of the Venice Biennale, as a growing political dispute continues to eruope over Russia‘s plans to reopen its pavilion at the 2026 exhibition in May. In a statement this week, culture minister Alessandro Giuli said he had lost confidence in Tamara Gregoretti, who has served on the Biennale’s board since March 2024, accusing her of failing to alert the ministry to the possibility that Russia would participate. According to the ministry, Gregoretti “did not deem it necessary to announce the possible presence of the Russian Federation at the next Biennale,” despite the international sensitivity of the issue. Related Articles The controversy stems from last week’s announcement that Russia plans to reopen its national pavilion for the first time since 2019. The presentation, titled The Tree Is Rooted in the Sky, is being organized by curator Anastasia Karneeva and will feature more than 30 artists. La Biennale di Venezia defended the decision when it unveiled its list of participating artists, saying the institution rejects “any …
ROME — It was a spotlight moment for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to defend her warm ties to President Donald Trump. On the floor of the Italian Senate, she listened to an opposition lawmaker challenge her links to an American leader who, in his words, had brought “destruction” to the Middle East, aligned with the Russians, and sought the unraveling of Europe and NATO. Source link
Sign up to IndyEat’s free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free Gennaro Contaldo might have dedicated his life to Italian food, but admits he “didn’t know” just how much variety there is in his country’s cuisine. “It’s incredible – I didn’t know myself,” says Contaldo, who grew up on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, before moving to the UK more than 50 years ago. Contaldo – known for his numerous TV appearances alongside his protege, Jamie Oliver – cites with glee the fact there are “about 600 [known] shapes of pasta” and “God knows how many other thousands”. “Each family makes their own versions, their own way,” he adds. Contaldo explores the varied nature of his home country’s cuisine in his latest cookbook, Hidden Italy, which is divided into four geographical parts: central Italy, the islands, the north and the south. Ultimately, he wanted to show people that Italian food “is not just carbonara, Bolognese, cacio e pepe”. …
