After talks with the leaders of Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Greece and Cyprus in the resort of Porticcio outside the local capital Ajaccio, Macron adopted a slightly milder tone, saying the leaders wanted to reengage in a dialogue with Turkey „in good faith“.
Archiv: Italy
Foreign minister to tour Beirut aid efforts on first overseas trip since COVID
Champagne is also scheduled to visit Switzerland, Italy and Britain during his overseas trip for meetings with UN officials and several of his European counterparts.
Erdoğan, Fayez Sarraj hold meeting in Istanbul
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Saturday received Libya’s Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj at Istanbul’s Vahdettin Palace.
Erdoğan and Sarraj came together in a closed-door meeting
Italy arrests Siemens, Alstom executives over Milan subway deals
Turkey says will work with Italy for Libya peace, excoriates EU
Mevlut Cavusoglu made the comments during a joint news conference with his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio. Italy and Turkey support the U.N.-backed government that is based in Tripoli against the rival forces under the command of Khalifa Hifter, who is supported by France, Russia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and other key Arab countries.
UPDATE: Study Finds Just 1.8% of US Population is in Nursing Homes But Tallied Over 42% of All US COVID-19 Deaths — or Over 40,000 Deaths!
(26.05.2020)
At least 4,900 seniors have died in New York State nursing homes from the coronavirus so far this year.
Around 20 percent of all New York state deaths were in nursing homes.
Italy Says 96% of Virus Fatalities Suffered From Other Illnesses
Nearly half of new cases in May were registered at nursing homes.
The most recent ISS weekly study, based on a sample of about 10% of fatalities until May 21, also showed that just 124 victims, or 4.1% of the total, had no previous pathology. Almost 60% of victims suffered from at least three prior illnesses and about a fifth had two conditions.
Immunity Certificates: If We Must Have Them, We Must Do It Right
(20.04.2020)
Credential Use:
1. When the individual attempts to gain access to, for instance, a place of work, the business will verify1.the validity of the credential, then make a determination to grant or deny access. This verification does not require contacting the issuer of the credential.
2. As part of the process of determining whether to grant or deny access, the verifier can compare the cryptographically verified photo against the individual through manual means or through automated facial recognition.
Phase 2: 3,691 cited for breaking rules on first day
Some 96 shopowners were fined and 23 shops closed down, it said. Some 98 people were cited for false declarations and 11 for breaking quarantine.
1.5 million Israelis using voluntary coronavirus monitoring app
(01.04.2020)
Around 1.5 million Israelis have downloaded a mobile app in the past week that alerts users who have crossed paths with a coronavirus patient, according to the Health Ministry, helping to improve tracking of the pandemic.T he app “HaMagen” – Hebrew for The Shield – is sparking interest from abroad with approaches from Germany, Italy, Britain, Australia and Chile so far, ministry deputy director general Morris Dorfman said Wednesday.
Italy Says App Tracing Contacts of People Infected With COVID-19 Will Be Anonymous
Premier Giuseppe Conte’s Cabinet, at a meeting that ended early Thursday, approved a law, in the form of the decree, that guarantees that those who decide not to use the app won’t suffer limits on their movement or other rights.
Italy’s Veneto Defies Government, Lifts Coronavirus Curbs Early
The northern region of Veneto, one of Italy’s early coronavirus hotspots, broke ranks with the national government on Monday and announced it would lift some lockdown restrictions a week ahead of schedule.
Live updates: U.S. sees signs of ‘quarantine fatigue’; Italy to ease West’s longest coronavirus lockdown
As world leaders grapple with perilous questions on lifting coronavirus restrictions, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte looks to ease the West’s longest lockdown and gradually reopen Italy’s economy starting next week.
In the United States, Americans are showing signs of “quarantine fatigue.” The White House is reviewing expanded guidance on reopening society as more states prepare to relax restrictions, but social distancing could continue through the summer.
WHO and UN launch drive to accelerate vaccine development
As the deaths caused by the coronavirus passed 190,000 at the global level and the number of cases crossed the 2.7 million threshold (Johns Hopkins University data updated Friday), a „historic collaboration“ was launched to accelerate the arrival of a vaccine.
Secretary-General’s remarks at the launch of the Statement of Commitment and Call for Support for the Global Collaboration to Accelerate the Development, Production and Equitable Access to New COVID-19 Tools [as delivered]
This launch brings together world leaders, the private sector, scientific and humanitarian actors and other partners to promote health, keep the world safe and advance the public good.
Human health is the quintessential global public good.
And today, we face a global public enemy like no other.
$8-billion effort aims to speed development of coronavirus vaccines and treatments
Friday’s launch event was co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates.
Leaders from South Africa, Rwanda, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Finland and Costa Rica joined the call to pledge their commitment to work with and support the ACT Accelerator.
Representatives from the United States and China were noticeably absent.
Global collaboration to accelerate new COVID-19 health technologies
The launch of the new collaboration is being co-hosted by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The virtual event will include senior United Nations, government and public health and industry leaders from around the world.
World leaders call for global collaboration in COVID-19 fight
World leaders have joined the World Health Organisation in calling for global collaboration to accelerate the development and equitable access to new COVID-19 tools, including vaccines.
The Florence Declaration: The Creation of a “NATO-Exit” International Front
The 25th of April is an important date in Italy’s history. It commemorates the 75th anniversary of Liberation, which is also the Anniversary of the Resistance.
Last year we met in Florence on the 7th of April, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the founding of NATO.
The theme of our conference last year was NATO EXIT.
The event was organized by Italy’s Comitato No Guerra, No NATO, in collaboration with the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG). The Florence Declaration was drafted by Italy’s Comitato and the CRG.
On April 25, 2020, Commemorating the Liberation of Italy. We express our solidarity with the people of Italy. At the same time we express our concern regarding the US military bases established in Italy immediately established after World WarII.
We must reflect on our history. Was it a Liberation or an Occupation?
The European Union is militarized. The Pentagon is actively involved under banner of NATO in both Western and Eastern Europe.
Italy: COVID-19 Plunged One Million People Into Poverty
Coldiretti explained, adding that „the number of Italians who need food aid to survive reached 3.7 million people.“
Italy Is Discovering that European Solidarity Doesn’t Exist
(10.04.2020)
Thursday’s Eurogroup agreement promised Italy loans to deal with the health care costs of coronavirus — but refused to help it stave off economic catastrophe. EU leaders have once again put neoliberal dogmas above the welfare of ordinary citizens — further undermining Italians’ once-dogged pro-Europeanism.
Italian MEP sheds light on Germany’s ‚diabolical EU plan‘ to push its interests forward
(12.04.2020)
„It has been like this for years.“
The Italian politician added: „What Germany is doing is disgusting and I believe that the EU will look very different when this virus is over.
„The UK could have not made a better decision in leaving this bloc.“
Coronavirus: Italy activates satellite to monitor nation amid lockdown
The announcement was made by European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic.
The civil protection will use Copernicus to make sure people are not gathering outside.
Intensive care patients down for 6th day
The number of coronavirus patients in intensive care units in Italy dropped for the sixth straight day on Thursday, the civil protection department. There are 3,605 such patients in Italy, 88 fewer than Wednesday, it said.
EU project in ‘mortal danger’ if Italy and Spain are abandoned
(29.03.2020)
Conte said anybody who thinks they can force Italy to accept disciplinary terms as a condition for loans – a sort of „Troika“ regime – have gravely misjudged the mood of his nation. Italy will not take the money. “We will do it alone,” he said.
The message is that if there is no EU solidarity when it matters, then it no longer makes sense for Italy to accept EU surveillance and constraints, or for Italy to forgo use of its own sovereign policy instruments in self-defence.
„When Italy invoked the EU’s formal disaster procedure with desperate calls for protective gear and ventilators, no country responded. Germany and France instead imposed export bans. The EU’s single market did not exist when push came to shove.“
(30.03.2020)
Ahead of the #Eurogroup, Italian Minister of EU Affairs @amendolaenzo repeats Italy’s NO to the ESM.
Italy irked after EU rejects coronabonds: ‚They want us to get in debt so they can punish us‘ – Patuanelli
(27.03.2020)
Italy was irked after an EU summit rejected the idea of ‚coronabonds‘ to fund measures to offset the economic impact of the coronavirus
„A response to the corona crisis in Europe based on solidarity“
Article by Heiko Maas, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Olaf Scholz, Federal Minister of Finance, on the corona crisis in Europe. Published April 6th, 2020, in different language versions in Les Echos (France), La Stampa (Italy), El País (Spain), Público (Portugal) and Ta Nea (Greece).
NY Daily Deaths Drop, Italy Lowest Since March 19: Virus Update
New York State’s daily deaths fell for the first time, but Governor Andrew Cuomo said it’s too soon to draw conclusions. Italy reported its fewest fatalities in a single day since March 19.
The U.K. faces a tighter lockdown if needed to halt the spread after cases rose to more than 47,000 and fatalities approached 5,000. Spain’s deaths from the virus fell for a third straight day.
Lockdown end remains April 13 clarifies Borrelli
The current scheduled end for Italy’s coronavirus lockdown remains April 13, emergency commissioner Angelo Borrelli clarified Friday, denying he had said Italy would still be in lockdown on May Day.
Coronavirus: Salvini defends Orban taking new powers
Nationalist opposition League leader Matteo Salvini said, amid criticism of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban getting full powers Monday, that it had been a democratic choice by the Hungarian parliament.
‚Every Single Individual Must Stay Home‘: Italy’s Coronavirus Surge Strains Hospitals
(19.03.2020)
Some question why Italy was caught off guard when the virus outbreak was revealed on Feb. 21.
Remuzzi says he is now hearing information about it from general practitioners. „They remember having seen very strange pneumonia, very severe, particularly in old people in December and even November,“ he says. „This means that the virus was circulating, at least in [the northern region of] Lombardy and before we were aware of this outbreak occurring in China.“
Coronavirus: Govt ups sanctions for breaking lockdown
The measures are expected to include 4,000 euro fines and the confiscation of motor vehicles, sources said.
OK to drones to monitor movements
Several local police offices had asked ENAC to waive restrictions on the drones‘ use.
NATO receives first AGS mobile exploitation station
„Radar images will be acquired by the RQ-4D Phoenix remotely piloted aircraft and received via a direct or satellite broadband connection. In addition, data from all interoperable command, control, ISR systems operated by NATO and its member states can be received and evaluated
“The way in which we code deaths in [Italy] is very generous in the sense that all the people who die in hospitals with the coronavirus are deemed to be dying of the coronavirus.”
(20.03.2020)
Why have so many coronavirus patients died in Italy?
(20.03.2020)
“The way in which we code deaths in our country is very generous in the sense that all the people who die in hospitals with the coronavirus are deemed to be dying of the coronavirus.
“On re-evaluation by the National Institute of Health, only 12 per cent of death certificates have shown a direct causality from coronavirus, while 88 per cent of patients who have died have at least one pre-morbidity – many had two or three,” he says.
Coronavirus death toll in Italy’s Lombardy jumps some 380 in a day -source
The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in the northern Italian region of Lombardy, which has borne the brunt of a nationwide contagion, has risen by around 380 in a day to some 2,550, a source said on Friday.
If confirmed, it would be the highest daily increase since the outbreak emerged a month ago.
99% of Those Who Died From Virus Had Other Illness, Italy Says
More than 99% of Italy’s coronavirus fatalities were people who suffered from previous medical conditions, according to a study by the country’s national health authority.
After deaths from the virus reached more than 2,500, with a 150% increase in the past week, health authorities have been combing through data to provide clues to help combat the spread of the disease.
Investigating the impact of influenza on excess mortality in all ages in Italy during recent seasons (2013/14–2016/17 seasons)
(November 2019)
In the winter seasons from 2013/14 to 2016/17, an estimated average of 5,290,000 ILI cases occurred in Italy, corresponding to an incidence of 9%.
More than 68,000 deaths attributable to flu epidemics were estimated in the study period.
Italy showed a higher influenza attributable excess mortality compared to other European countries. especially in the elderly.
Coronavirus live updates: Californians ordered to stay home; Italy surpasses China’s death toll; US death toll tops 200
The global death toll passed 10,000; there were nearly 245,000 confirmed cases. In the U.S., deaths jumped to 205 across 25 states – including the first reported fatalities in Maryland, Mississippi and Oklahoma.
Coronavirus: Switzerland Expands Entry Restrictions and Border Control
As of March 19, there are more than 28,000 active cases of COVID-19 in Italy, out of 35,000 overall infections.
Italy and UK rely on help from Cuba, China, Venezuela to fight coronavirus – as US steps up brutal sanctions
Italy requested doctors from China, Cuba, and Venezuela to contain the coronavirus, while Cuba rescued a ship of British citizens. Meanwhile, US sanctions worsen the toll of the Covid-19 crisis in Iran and Venezuela.
Just read that Chinese medical team sent to Italy to fight Covid-19 comprises mostly experienced doctors from Sichuan. Sichuan folks still remember how Italy rescue team during the devastating 2008 Wenchuan earthquake saved many lives. The world needs more help with each other
(13.03.2020)
Coronavirus: Deaths in Italy up to 2,503, 26,602 infected
Emergency Commissioner and Civil Protection Chief Angelo Borrelli said Tuesday that 2,503 people have now died with the coronavirus in Italy, 345 more than Monday. That was down slightly on the daily rise of 349 on Monday, which, in turn, was slight lower than Sunday’s figure for fatalities. The number of new cases of COVID-19 grew again, however, after a small deceleration on Monday.
Xi says China to send more medical experts to Italy
China will send more medical experts to Italy and do its best to provide medical supplies and other assistance, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a phone conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday evening.
Coronavirus: Deaths in Italy up by 349 to 2,158
There have now been over 2,000 coronavirus victims in Italy, 2,158, a rise of 349 on Sunday, Emergency Commissioner and Civil Protection Chief Angelo Borrelli said Monday.
The previous day’s rise was 368.
Coronavirus: deaths in Italy up to 1,441
The number of people to have died in Italy after contracting the coronavirus is up to 1,441 people, a rise of 175 in a single day, Emergency Commissioner and Civil Protection Chief Angelo Borrelli said Saturday. Borrelli said there were 2,795 new cases in 24 hours, while 2,000 people have recovered from COVID-19 here.
WHO chief: Europe now center of virus pandemic
The head of the World Health Organization says Europe, not China, is now the epicenter of the world’s coronavirus pandemic.
Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva that “more cases are now being reported every day than were reported in China at the height of its epidemic.”
Coronavirus: Italian strain isolated at Sacco hospital
(27.02.2020)
The team includes researchers Alessia Loi, Annalisa Bergna and Arianna Gabrieli, all three on short term contracts, together with their Polish colleague Maciej Tarkowski and Professor Gianguglielmo Zehender.
Galli said they had worked non stop since Sunday.
Italy’s virus is a different strain from Wuhan’s
(28.02.2020)
„A group of researchers from Milan’s University Hospital was able to identify the strain of the Italian virus. The researchers state that when compared to what was known about the Chinese virus, a mutation has occured and this discovery will allow to reach(?) the genetic code of the virus, its specific characteristics in order to find out the time and spread speed of the virus. This should be an important first step to develop specific treatment for the infected. The scientific community has already communicated this discovery to Brussels [to the European Union headquarters] and even President Materelli has already congratulated the researchers (…)“
MILAN/SEOUL (Reuters) – In Italy, millions are locked down and more than 1,000 people have died from the coronavirus. In South Korea, hit by the disease at about the same time, only a few thousand are quarantined and 67 people have died.
Turkish navy’s star frigate joins NATO drill
The Dynamic Manta 2020 drill – an annual advanced anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare exercise – kicked off on Feb. 24 off Italy’s Sicily Island and will continue through March 6.
Italian Navy Frigate Conducts Military Exercises With Cyprus off Larnaca
According to a press release issued by the Italian Embassy in Nicosia, the frigate is conducting patrolling operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, for presence and surveillance activities, in compliance with international law and to safeguard national interests.
Italy alarmed after Egyptian studying in Bologna arrested in Cairo
Italy called on Egypt to release the researcher based at Bologna University, saying it had reason to believe the security forces had tortured him.
Italy’s center-left seen beating League in key regional vote: exit poll
An exit poll for state television RAI said the PD incumbent was seen taking between 47.0%-51.0% of the vote, while the rightist candidate looked on course to take 44.0%-48.0%.
Italy dismisses Turkish claims on joint exploitation of Libyan resources
Italy on Tuesday dismissed Turkish claims that the country is allegedly negotiating with Ankara the terms for the exploitation of Libya’s oil resources, describing them as “unfounded.”
Conte ’satisfied‘ after Berlin Conference on Libya
Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte, speaking in Berlin on Sunday together with Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio following the four-hour Berlin Conference on Libya, said he was „satisfied because we have made progress“.
EU HR Borrell meets Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, France, Italy and United Kingdom: roundtable
Josep BORRELL, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, meets with Heiko MAAS, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany; Jean-Yves LE DRIAN, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France; Luigi DI MAIO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy; Dominic RAAB, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and First Secretary of State of the United Kingdom, on 7 January 2020, in Brussels.
Foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany and Italy are meeting to discuss Iran and Libya. Journalist Lucy Hough reports from Brussels
The Persian Gulf Is About to Become Dangerously Crowded
(12.12.2019)
France and Qatar signed an agreement allowing France to deploy and station military forces within Qatar.
The Netherlands said on November 25 that it would join Denmark and France in the European naval mission, reported the NLTimes. The Netherlands said it would deploy a navy ship to the Persian Gulf for six months but said it would play an “observing” role. Belgium, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden are also expected to join the European coalition, the Tehran Times reported.
Turkey renews military pledge to Libya as threat of Mediterranean war grows
Ankara ready to defend government in Tripoli in latest policy to inflame tensions with US, EU, Greece and Middle East countries
WAR IN SYRIA: Spain helping US identify European jihadists in Syria
(04.03.2019)
Spanish agents in Syria are cooperating with Operation Gallant Phoenix, a U.S.-led effort to identify fighters from Western nations who have joined Islamic State (ISIS) and Al Qaeda-affiliated groups in the region, counter-terrorism sources told EL PAÍS.
NZ confirms ongoing part in Operation Gallant Phoenix
(10.06.2019)
“New Zealand began participating in Operation Gallant Phoenix in late 2014 in support of our efforts to uncover information relating to the location of a New Zealander taken hostage by ISIS,” Jacinda Ardern said.
#Breaking #Israel is taking part in a multi-national #intelligence force: Operation Gallant Phoenix, based in the #Jordan capital, alongside Arab powers #SaudiArabia #Egypt and #UAE in order to quash #ISIS #Daesh working alongside #US #UK #France #Italy
(10.06.2019)
Nukes in Turkey will be on minds in London NATO summit: The Economist
Italy and Turkey host between 60 and 70 bombs each, but “the bombs that most worry American officials are stored in vaults at İncirlik air base” in the southern Turkish province of Adana, The Economist said.
Environmental concerns ground plan to double size of Italy’s largest airport
Citing the ecological fragility of the area, Italy’s Ministry for Environment, land and Sea rejected a plan that would have dramatically increased the size of Rome’s main airport.
French frigate in Cyprus’ EEZ, naval exercise underway (Update 2)
“I am not suggesting that we should go to war […]. I am just saying that Europe must show somehow that it cannot tolerate this behavior, that there are certain red lines. The frigates, sent by France and Italy to block 7, is a first step. We must wait and see what kind of deterrence this move will have,” he said.
Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi said on Thursday his company would not drill off Cyprus if it meant having to deal with warships.
Italy’s 5-Star Backs Local Pact with Center-Left PD
By joining forces in Umbria, traditionally a PD stronghold, 5-Star and the PD hope to halt a long streak of victories by the center-right, which has triumphed in seven regional ballots since the national election in March 2018.
Success at the Oct. 27 Umbria vote would probably pave the way for similar alliances in the next few months in the regions of Emilia-Romagna in the industrial north, and Calabria in the poorer south.
Saudi troops return home as Eager Lion military exercise concludes in Jordan
Personnel from the Saudi army, navy, air force and air defense partook in activities, alongside members of the security forces of the US, UK, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Japan, South Korea, Jordan and Egypt.
Crunch time for govt talks: Mattarella to end 2nd round of consultations with M5S 19:00 Wed
On Tuesday Mattarella will phone his predecessor Giorgio Napolitano, then will receive Senate Speaker Elisabetta Casellati at 16:00, and House Speaker Roberto Fico at 17:00.
Meetings with the parties will follow, first with the smaller ones on Tuesday and following with the larger ones on Wednesday like Brothers of Italy (FdI), Forza Italia (FI), the League and the Democratic Party (PD), before lastly the M5S.
EU leaders try to ‚intimidate‘ Boris Johnson with their body language at the G7… but ’naughty schoolboy‘ PM is having none of it
– World leaders are signalling power, authority and control at the crucial G7 summit, body language expert said
– Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron and Donald Tusk sought presented an air of ‚intimidation‘, Judi James said
– The body language expert told MailOnline Britain’s representative Boris Johnson had an ‚air of happy oblivion‘
– She said: ‚With his hands clasped behind his back and a big, irreverent grin on his face he looks like the eternal naughty schoolboy who is having fun rather than wilting under the gaze of the others‘
UK commanders join Israel’s largest-ever naval exercise
(16.08.2019)
The exercise included ten navies, mainly from Nato. In addition to Israeli missile-boats, there were ships from the United States, Greece and France. Britain’s Royal Navy — along with representatives of Canada, Germany, Italy, Cyprus and Chile — was involved at a headquarters level, with observers and experts taking part in the planning of missions.
Conte to quit, Salvini unrepentant
He said he would hand in his resignation to Mattarella, who would „guide the country in a delicate passage“.
Salvini ‚unreliable‘ says M5S
The next formal step in the government crisis is Premier Giuseppe Conte’s address to the Senate Tuesday, after which he may go to President Sergio Mattarella and resign rather than facing a League no confidence motion, which may not now be filed. Meanwhile two-time former centre-left premier Romano Prodi, a PD grandee, called for a „long-lasting coalition government“ possibly also including Silvio Berlusconi’s centre-right Forza Italia (FI) party.
No M5S deal with Renzi and Boschi: Enough of fake news from League say Fraccaro, Bonafede
The M5S’s minister for relations with parliament, Riccardo Fraccaro, described the notion as „the fake news of the summer which the League is spreading after bringing the government down.
„I want to say this clearly, we will not do deals with Renzi and Boschi“. The M5S’s justice minister, Alfonso Bonafede, was just as emphatic.
„The M5S will never sit down with Renzi and/or Boschi“, he said.
USS Porter departs the Black Sea
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) began its southbound transit from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, Aug. 18, 2019, after a scheduled port visit to Golcuk, Turkey, and conducting maritime security operations in the region.
Italy Faces Its Moment of Truth on the Euro
Most important, the League leader will have to decide where he really stands on fundamental questions that he has dodged so far – from Italy’s economic policy to its place in the euro zone and the European Union. Before now he could blame his weak coalition partner, the Five Star leader Luigi Di Maio, or his technocratic finance minister Giovanni Tria for any difficulties. The easy ride is over.
Scandals Aren’t Enough to Stop Salvini
It’s an index of the Left’s impotence that its main hope of stopping Matteo Salvini today lies in some sort of institutional “fix” to prevent early elections.
Not decided if we’ll run alone-Salvini
Interior Minster Matteo Salvini said Friday that he has not decided whether his League party will run alone or allied with other groups in eventual early elections. „Nothing has been decided about whether we’ll run alone,“ he said.
Italy Senate to decide on Monday when to hold no-confidence vote in government
The heads of political groups in Italy’s Senate will meet on Monday to set a date to hold a no-confidence vote in the government, the upper house press office said in a statement on Friday.
Over one million Italians lost jobs during crisis
The number of unemployed in Italy jumped by more than one million people between the start of the global economic crisis in 2008 and 2012, the national statistical agency Istat said Thursday.
Italian economy minister hails ‚historic‘ banking deal
A proposed new agreement on dealing with failing banks, hammered out in a lengthy meeting of finance ministers, was headed for a summit of European leaders on Thursday. Described as an „historic achievement“ by Italian Economy Minister Fabrizio Saccomanni, the single-resolution mechanism (SRM) agency is designed to prevent failures like the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008. Ban
Italy government: Salvini calls for snap election
In last year’s election, Five Star won twice as many votes as The League, but polls suggest the proportions have been reversed.
Turkey hosts international „Anatolian Eagle“ air drills
The training program between June 17 and June 28 is carried out with the participation of Turkey, Italy, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar and the United States, while Azerbaijan attends as an observer.
Rightwinger probed over Bologna bombing: terrorist attack killed 85 people in 1980
A face on a frame from an amateur Super 8 film shot by a German tourist on the morning of the attack shows a „marked resemblance“ to Bellini, ANSA sources said in March Monday.
On the basis of this evidence Bologna prosecutors requested …
Ally of Major Jewish Group Joins Far-right European Bloc
The Jewish lobby group for the EU has yet to distance itself from the Danish party which recently aligned itself with far-right parties including those of Marine Le Pen, Matteo Salvini and the AfD.
A key institute run by the American Jewish Committee, one of the largest Jewish advocacy organizations in the world, continues to maintain ties with the leader of a Danish party that recently joined a new European-wide far-right alliance.
Airstrikes hit Tripoli as Haftar steps up assault on Libyan capital
Residents had reported drone strikes in recent days, but there has been no confirmation and explosions heard in the city centre this time were louder than in previous days.
Residents counted several missile strikes, one of which apparently hit a military camp of forces loyal to the UN-recognised government in the Sabaa district in the south of the capital – scene of the heaviest fighting between the rival forces.
Le Pen drops ‘Frexit’ in favour of an ‘EU of the far-right’
Marine Le Pen has asserted that neither she nor her party want France’s withdrawal from the eurozone.
Speaking at a gathering of her supporters on Saturday ahead of the European elections, the National Rally (RN) leader said that her platform would now “look to change the EU from within”.
Saudi Arabia Promised Support to Libyan Warlord in Push to Seize Tripoli
The offer came during a visit to Saudi Arabia that was just one of several meetings Mr. Haftar had with foreign dignitaries in the weeks and days before he began the military campaign on April 4.
Britain is heading for a long extension after no member state argued to veto a Brexit delay, sources say.
A small number of EU member states argued for an extension to June 30, but most argued for much longer: to December 2019, or even March 2020
World leaders congratulate Israel’s Netanyahu on likely re-election
Far-right Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini congratulated the incumbent premier, bidding „good job to my friend Bibi Netanyahu and a hug to the people of Israel.“
European far-right parties unite into new alliance ahead of EU elections
The group includes Mr Salvini’s League, as well as France’s far-right National Rally (formerly National Front), Austria’s Freedom Party and the Netherland’s Party for Freedom. Those parties have long sat together in the European Parliament.
But Mr Salvini was also joined on Monday by the far-right Alternative for Germany’s co-leader Joerg Meuthen, Olli Kotro of the Eurosceptic populist Finns party, and Anders Vistisen of the right-wing, populist Danish People’s Party.
How the West’s silence emboldened Libya’s Haftar
The 75-year-old Haftar, who has switched sides and loyalties in the course of a military career spanning half-a-century, has portrayed himself as the only man who can bring stability to Libya and crush the Islamists in the North African nation.
It’s a pitch that has won Haftar audiences with leaders in Paris, Rome, Moscow, Cairo, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. But analysts warn that the self-aggrandising military man is unlikely or unable to deliver on both fronts.
Europeans furious at EU’s Brexit handling: Shock poll shows citizens turn back on Brussels
An average of just 38 percent of those asked by Pew Research Center approve of how the EU has dealt with Britain’s departure from the bloc. The Netherlands and Germany had the highest approval ratings but they were still only at 52 percent and 51 percent respectively. Italy and Hungary had the joint lowest at 31 percent, with Greece close behind at 32 percent in the poll published yesterday.
Italy PM Conte seeks to reassure EU, U.S. over China deals
Conte told parliament that a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed with President Xi Jinping hooking Italy up to China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative “do not remotely put into doubt our euro-Atlantic alliance”.
Italy to BLOCK Brexit delay: Salvini plans eurosceptic favour to Farage, warns Merkel ally
(18.3.2019) The German says the “strongman of the Italian government” is preparing to veto an Article 50 extension as a consensus fails to emerge for the delay on the Continent.
There are “very different views” amongst EU member states, Mr Brok concluded.
Mr Salvini is Italy’s deputy prime minister and will be represented at this week’s European Council summit by prime minister Giuseppe Conte.
‘I’m Not a Fascist’: E.U. Leader Apologizes for Comments on Mussolini’s Legacy
(14.3.2019)
His apology followed a radio interview on Wednesday in which he appeared to offer a positive slant on Mussolini’s dictatorship.
“I’m not a fascist, I was never a fascist, and I don’t share his political convictions,” Mr. Tajani told Radio 24, an Italian broadcaster. “But we have to be honest: Mussolini built roads, bridges, buildings, sports facilities; he has developed many parts of our Italy.”
Italy Should Back Brexit Delay if Requested: Foreign Minister
ROME — Italy should support a delay to Britain’s exit from the European Union if London makes such a request, Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero said on Thursday.