Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Rome on Thursday in preparation for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague later this month, where defence spending will be a key focus.
According to Meloni’s office, the leaders engaged in an in-depth discussion on collective security spending and the development of a more innovative and competitive defense industry in cooperation with the European Union.
During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and emphasized the Atlantic Alliance’s vital role as a pillar of collective defence, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive approach to Euro-Atlantic security.
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the NATO summit in June, where his calls for European allies to increase defence budgets will dominate the agenda.
Trump has long criticized NATO members for not contributing their fair share to security costs. This summit will mark his first meeting with the alliance since returning to power.
Italy currently ranks among NATO members with the lowest defence spending, allocating less than 1.5% of its GDP to defence in 2024, well below the alliance’s 2% target.
Rome has pledged to meet the 2% target this year, while Rutte has proposed a split target of 3.5% for core defence capabilities and an additional 1.5% for related areas like cybersecurity and infrastructure.
Israel’s strikes on Iran sparked global alarm, with leaders divided between calls for restraint and sharp condemnation. As tensions rise, the UN and regional powers urge urgent de-escalation to prevent wider conflict.
Pope Leo has called on the leaders of Iran and Israel to show restraint and choose dialogue over conflict, urging them to act with “responsibility and reason” amid growing fears of escalation following recent airstrikes.
Azerbaijan has enabled the safe evacuation of foreign nationals, including Russian artists and filmmakers, from Iran amid the unfolding crisis.
Tensions between Iran and Israel reached a critical point as both nations clashed at an emergency UN Security Council meeting, following a sweeping Israeli strike on Iranian targets that Tehran condemned as state terrorism and a deliberate attempt to sabotage nuclear diplomacy.
Israel’s strike on a Tehran housing complex killed around 60 people, including 20 children, according to Iranian state media. Though aimed at Iran’s nuclear programme, the scale and messaging suggest a deeper goal: regime change.
Pope Leo has called on the leaders of Iran and Israel to show restraint and choose dialogue over conflict, urging them to act with “responsibility and reason” amid growing fears of escalation following recent airstrikes.
Azerbaijan has enabled the safe evacuation of foreign nationals, including Russian artists and filmmakers, from Iran amid the unfolding crisis.
Israel’s strikes on Iran sparked global alarm, with leaders divided between calls for restraint and sharp condemnation. As tensions rise, the UN and regional powers urge urgent de-escalation to prevent wider conflict.
Israel’s strike on a Tehran housing complex killed around 60 people, including 20 children, according to Iranian state media. Though aimed at Iran’s nuclear programme, the scale and messaging suggest a deeper goal: regime change.
Kazakhstan has selected Russia’s Rosatom to lead the construction of its first nuclear power plant, edging out bids from China, France, and South Korea, in a move that deepens energy ties with Moscow despite public unease over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is in critical condition after being shot three times — including twice in the head — during a campaign event in Bogotá.
A 30-year-old woman was shot by police in Munich on Saturday evening after stabbing two people at Theresienwiese, a central park best known for hosting Oktoberfest.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Pope Leo has called on the leaders of Iran and Israel to show restraint and choose dialogue over conflict, urging them to act with “responsibility and reason” amid growing fears of escalation following recent airstrikes.
Azerbaijan has enabled the safe evacuation of foreign nationals, including Russian artists and filmmakers, from Iran amid the unfolding crisis.
Israel’s strikes on Iran sparked global alarm, with leaders divided between calls for restraint and sharp condemnation. As tensions rise, the UN and regional powers urge urgent de-escalation to prevent wider conflict.
Israel’s strike on a Tehran housing complex killed around 60 people, including 20 children, according to Iranian state media. Though aimed at Iran’s nuclear programme, the scale and messaging suggest a deeper goal: regime change.
Iran confirmed limited damage to its Fordow nuclear facility following recent attacks, assuring that critical equipment had been relocated in advance and there are no contamination risks.
Pope Leo has called on the leaders of Iran and Israel to show restraint and choose dialogue over conflict, urging them to act with “responsibility and reason” amid growing fears of escalation following recent airstrikes.
Azerbaijan has enabled the safe evacuation of foreign nationals, including Russian artists and filmmakers, from Iran amid the unfolding crisis.
Israel’s strikes on Iran sparked global alarm, with leaders divided between calls for restraint and sharp condemnation. As tensions rise, the UN and regional powers urge urgent de-escalation to prevent wider conflict.
Israel’s strike on a Tehran housing complex killed around 60 people, including 20 children, according to Iranian state media. Though aimed at Iran’s nuclear programme, the scale and messaging suggest a deeper goal: regime change.
Kazakhstan has selected Russia’s Rosatom to lead the construction of its first nuclear power plant, edging out bids from China, France, and South Korea, in a move that deepens energy ties with Moscow despite public unease over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
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