Italy’s 5-Stars in chaos as Di Maio splits, forms new group
June 22, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — Italy’s political landscape shifted Wednesday after Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio formalized his departure from the 5-Star Movement, splitting with the party he helped found over its Ukraine policy and other differences.
Italy seizes $156 million in oligarch wealth, pressing Putin
March 5, 2022 GMTMILAN (AP) — European governments are moving against Russian oligarchs to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to back down on his war in Ukraine, seizing superyachts and other luxury properties from billionaires on sanctions lists.
Afghan translator safe in Italy, worries for family he left
August 31, 2021 GMTAVEZZANO, Italy (AP) — A 39-year-old man who served as a translator for the Italian military and embassy in Afghanistan says he is relieved to be safe in Italy but worries about his wife and four young children back in Kabul.
G-20 talks in Italy yield pledge to fight hunger in Africa
June 29, 2021 GMTMATERA, Italy (AP) — A meeting of foreign and development ministers from the Group of 20 nations Tuesday ended with agreement to boost efforts to fight growing hunger in the world, worsened by the pandemic, especially in Africa, as well as climate change effects.
US warns that Islamic State extremists still a world threat
June 28, 2021 GMTROME (AP) — As the U.S. works on its military withdrawal from Afghanistan, members of the global coalition fighting the Islamic State group met Monday to chart future steps against the extremist group.
Libyan official says EU help needed to tackle migrant route
May 28, 2021 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Securing Libya's southern borders is a priority for the country's transitional government as it aims to stem the flow of illegal migrants setting off from its shores, Libya’s interim foreign minister said Friday.
Italy orders 2 Russian Embassy officials expelled for spying
March 31, 2021 GMTROME (AP) — Italy ordered two Russian Embassy officials expelled Wednesday and arrested an Italian Navy captain on spying charges after police caught the officer allegedly giving classified documents to one of the Russians in exchange for money...
EU top diplomats in Libya to support interim authorities
March 25, 2021 GMTCAIRO (AP) — The foreign ministers of France, Italy and Germany met with Libyan officials Thursday to show support for the country's newly elected transitional authorities, who are expected to lead the war-stricken country through general elections by the end of 2021...
Italian minister meets Libya’s new Tripoli government
March 21, 2021 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Italy’s top diplomat on Sunday became the most senior western official to travel to Libya after an interim government took power in the North African County...
Italy rejects two-state deal for ethnically divided Cyprus
March 9, 2021 GMTNICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Italy strongly disapproves of any deal to reunify ethnically divided Cyprus that doesn’t conform to an already agreed-upon federal framework that’s spelled out in United Nations resolutions, the Italian foreign minister said on Tuesday...
Italy: 18 fishermen seized by Libya in fishing dispute freed
December 17, 2020 GMTROME (AP) — Eighteen Italian fisherman, who were seized in September by Libyan authorities in a fishing dispute have been freed, the Italian government announced Thursday...
Italy, Germany, US seek Libya cease-fire after Egypt threat
June 23, 2020 GMTROME (AP) — Italy, Germany and the United States pushed Monday for a cease-fire and de-escalation of tensions in Libya following a warning by Egypt that it would intervene militarily if Turkish-backed forces attack the strategic city of Sirte...
Italian woman returns home after 18-month African kidnapping
May 10, 2020 GMTROME (AP) — Wearing a surgical mask, disposable gloves and booties to guard against COVID-19, a young Italian woman returned to her homeland Sunday after 18 months as a hostage in eastern Africa...
Italy blasts virus panic as it eyes new testing criteria
February 27, 2020 GMTROME (AP) — With tourism tanking and panic rising, Italy tried to control the coronavirus in the realm of public perception Thursday as its outbreak grew to 650 cases and other countries took measures to limit travel to and from affected Italian regions...
The Latest: Pompeo confirms he was on call over Ukraine
October 2, 2019 GMTROME (AP) — The Latest on the U.S. Secretary of State's visit to Italy and the Vatican (all times local):...
Italy edges closer to an election, perhaps in late October
August 9, 2019 GMTROME (AP) — Italy on Friday edged closer to holding an election as early as this fall that could move the country further to the right, with anti-migrant Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini already unofficially campaigning for the premiership and declaring it makes "no sense" to keep alive the feuding populist coalition government...
France recalls ambassador to Italy after yellow vest meeting
February 7, 2019 GMTPARIS (AP) — France recalled its ambassador to Italy on Thursday amid rising tensions after Italy's deputy prime minister met with French anti-government protesters and Italian leaders made critical public comments about French President Emmanuel Macron's government...
Italy approves final budget draft yet vows dialogue with EU
October 20, 2018 GMTROME (AP) — Italy's government vowed Saturday to engage in constructive talks with the European Union as it still gave final approval to a rule-busting budget and brushed off a ratings downgrade triggered by its higher-than-expected deficit targets...
Italy’s anti-migrant minister steals partner party’s show
July 8, 2018 GMTROME (AP) — He skipped a Cabinet meeting to attend a horse race and took a dip in a Tuscan villa's swimming pool to show he didn't fear the Mafia...
Who’s in charge in Italy? New leader faces test at summit
June 8, 2018 GMTMILAN (AP) — When Italy's new premier attends a summit of world leaders this week, his counterparts may wonder whether they are speaking with the person truly in charge...
Populists take power in Italy, with euro-skeptic agenda
June 1, 2018 GMTROME (AP) — Populists took power in Italy for the first time Friday with the swearing-in of a new government fusing in a coalition a political movement that delights in pillorying the establishment and a party whose anti-migrant, euro-skeptic politics have seen it soar in popularity...
Italy gets western Europe’s 1st populist govt on second try
May 31, 2018 GMTMILAN (AP) — Italy's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and the right-wing League succeeded Thursday in forming western Europe's first populist government, which will be headed by a political novice whose first try was rejected four days earlier as too risky for the Italian economy...
Power eludes Italy’s populists, angry over president’s veto
May 27, 2018 GMTROME (AP) — Italy's president on Sunday vetoed a euro-skeptic choice for economy minister, foiling a bid by populists to form Italy's next government and increasing the prospects of a quick return to the polls, 12 weeks after national elections produced a political impasse.