live U.S. military intercepts at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters - Thursday, 23 April
The U.S. military is redirecting at least three Iranian-flagged tankers after intercepting them in Asian w...
Italy will participate as an observer in the White House initiative of 'Board of Peace,' Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed on Sunday (15 February).
Speaking in an interview with Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Meloni said Italy had received an invitation to attend in observer status and would respond positively.
“We were invited as an observer country, and in our view, it is a good solution regarding the problem of the war in the Middle East,” she said.
She noted that constitutional constraints prevent Italy from formally joining the body but stressed that Rome still supports the initiative, describing the Middle East as “a priority,” demonstrated by Italy’s ongoing diplomatic engagement in the region.
Meloni added that the level of Italian representation has not yet been finalised, as invitations were only recently extended to European partners.
She indicated that other European countries, particularly Mediterranean states and those geographically close to the region, could also take part in a similar observer role.
Her remarks came amid consultations with European leaders, besides contacts with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who was attending meetings with EU partners focused on Gaza.
On 22 January, representatives of 19 countries signed the Charter of the Board of Peace on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The Board of Peace was established within the framework of efforts toward a peaceful settlement in the Gaza Strip, and seeks peacemaking around the world. Washington has said additional states have since joined the initiative.
Its first meeting is scheduled for 19 Febuary in Washington, DC, at the leaders' level.
Italian media reported that Tajani could ultimately represent Rome at the Washington meeting, though no final decision has been announced.
Addressing broader transatlantic relations, Meloni emphasised the importance of cooperation between Europe and the U.S., describing the current phase as “very complex” but arguing that both sides should work to strengthen what unites them rather than divisions.
The architect of the modern K-pop boom, Bang Si-hyuk, is facing arrest by South Korean police over claims he illegally gained millions in an investor fraud scheme.
Pakistan is confident it can bring Iran to talks with the United States, a senior official said, citing “positive signals” from Tehran, as JD Vance is reportedly set to visit Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks, according to Axios.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards targeted three vessels, seizing two of them for alleged maritime violations and transferring them to Iranian shores, as U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is extending its ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a proposal.
A gunman who killed seven people in a mass shooting in Kyiv on Saturday (18 April) had quarrelled with his neighbour before he opened fire on passersby, public broadcaster Suspilne cited Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko as saying on Tuesday.
Jars of baby food deliberately tampered with rat poison and discovered in Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia were part of an attempted extortion plot targeting manufacturer HiPP, German police said on Monday.
A Lebanese journalist has been killed and another wounded following Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials and local media.
Türkiye is making efforts to revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and bring together the leaders of the warring sides, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in a meeting in Ankara, the Turkish presidency said on Wednesday.
Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said on 22 April that oil transit from Kazakhstan to Germany via Russia could drop to zero in May, citing unofficial information and pointing to possible technical constraints on the Russian side.
Georgia’s relationship with Europe is facing one of its most serious tests in years, as two major international reports warn of democratic backsliding and growing human rights concerns.
A senior European Parliament figure has criticised remarks by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggesting Turkish influence could threaten Europe.
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