Italian politician, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs since 2022
EU foreign ministers have requested discussion of suspending the 1995 EU‑Israel Association Agreement after Spain, Ireland and Slovenia have formally asked for the issue to be placed on the agenda. Member states remain divided: Germany and Italy are opposing suspension while France, Belgium and others are pushing targeted measures, and public pressure has surged following Israel's policies in Gaza, the West Bank and a new death‑penalty law.
Pope Leo has pushed back after President Trump accused him of endorsing Irans nuclear armament, saying the Church has opposed nuclear weapons for years and asking worshippers to pray for governments to abandon violence. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has met and pledged to improve VaticanUS relations while stressing dialogue on Middle East and hemisphere issues.
The Vatican has hosted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome for talks with Pope Leo XIV and senior officials, as tensions with Washington persist after Trump’s criticism of the pontiff. The discussions cover topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere and broader world issues, with potential efforts to thaw relations between the US, the Vatican, and Italy.
President Trump has been informally polling aides and guests about whether Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio should lead the Republican ticket in 2028 and has repeatedly mused that a Vance–Rubio ticket would be a "dream team." Both officials have been taking higher-profile roles: Vance is expanding his foreign policy and Midwest campaigning, while Rubio is engaging in diplomacy and public briefings.
A group of five Italian divers has perished during a deep-water cave dive in Vaavu Atoll, Maldives. One diver has been recovered; weather and depth pose ongoing risks as authorities coordinate with Italy to support families and repatriation.
Five Italian divers have died during a deep-water cave dive in Vaavu Atoll, Maldives. A sixth diver died during the rescue, and a Finnish team has joined Maldivian authorities to recover remaining bodies. Investigations are examining whether the dive exceeded depth limits and permits.
Israel has intercepted the Global Sumud flotilla in international waters and detained about 430 activists. National security minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir has posted footage showing bound activists kneeling while he taunts them; the video has provoked condemnation from multiple governments, Israeli ministers and rights groups, and rapid deportations of the detainees.
Italian Slow Food founder Carlo Petrini has died at 76 in Bra, Piedmont, after a battle with prostate cancer. Petrini led Slow Food from 1989 to 2022 and helped launch Terra Madre and the University of Gastronomic Sciences. The movement now operates in more than 160 countries.
Russia has been applying economic and diplomatic pressure on Armenia ahead of its 7 June 2026 parliamentary election, banning or restricting imports, recalling its ambassador and warning Armenia against pursuing EU membership. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is framing the vote as a choice between peace with Azerbaijan and a return to war while deepening ties with the EU and US.
Italian prosecutors have opened an investigation into National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir on suspicion of torture and kidnapping after he posted a video mocking bound flotilla activists detained by Israeli forces on May 18. France and other European states have opened or signalled probes, banned Ben‑Gvir and are weighing EU sanctions.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has called President Donald Trump’s claim that she “begged” for a G7 photo “completely made up.” Foreign minister Antonio Tajani has cancelled a planned US visit and senior Italian ministers have denounced the remarks, deepening a rift that has been growing since April over the Iran war and other disputes.
A public row has erupted between U.S. President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after Trump said she "begged" him for a photo at the G7 summit; Meloni has denied the claim and defended Italy's sovereignty over base access. Italy's foreign minister has cancelled a planned U.S. visit and both leaders are trading posts on social media.
President Donald Trump has publicly taunted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over a G7 photo, posting a meme that said "Restraining order needed" and repeating that she "begged" for a picture. European leaders have rallied to Meloni, and Washington is reviewing U.S. force posture in Europe after allies refused base access for strikes on Iran.