Cecilia Sala discusses her time in Iran prison

Cecilia Sala discusses her time in Iran prison

Italian reporter Cecilia Sala described her conditions while being held at Iran’s Evin prison, including being blindfolded during hours of interrogations, left in a cell with bloodstains on the walls, and interrogated by a guard with “flawless English” who knew Italy well, during an interview with the New York Times in Rome on Saturday. … Read more

Italy’s Meloni to attend Trump inauguration – POLITICO

Italy’s Meloni to attend Trump inauguration – POLITICO

Instead, he has invited many of the foreign leaders he’s spoken to by phone or welcomed in person at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, such as Argentinian President Javier Milei — who will also be in attendance — and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Xi is sending Vice President Han Zheng in his stead. Prominent representatives of … Read more

Italy’s Meloni defends Musk and Trump in rare press conference — 5 takeaways – POLITICO

Italy’s Meloni defends Musk and Trump in rare press conference — 5 takeaways – POLITICO

Trump has his reasons Meloni, who is gaining a reputation as Europe’s future bridge to Donald Trump, came to the president-elect’s defense after he floated his designs on Greenland, Canada and the Panama Canal. Meloni brushed off the threat of a U.S. invasion, claiming that when Trump does something, it’s “for a reason.” Instead, Meloni … Read more

French far right’s Zemmour scores surprise invite to Trump inauguration – POLITICO

French far right’s Zemmour scores surprise invite to Trump inauguration – POLITICO

It’s unclear to what part of the inauguration Zemmour and Knafo were invited or who exactly reached out to them. POLITICO has contacted the Trump transition team for comment. While it would appear at first glance that Trump and Le Pen were made from the same political mold, fusing old-fashioned protectionism with an anti-immigration, populist … Read more

Italy’s Meloni makes surprise visit to Trump in Florida – POLITICO

Italy’s Meloni makes surprise visit to Trump in Florida – POLITICO

Observers expected Meloni and Trump to talk about Ukraine, potential U.S. tariffs on European companies and the Middle East. Meloni is above all keen to find a quick solution to the detention of an Italian journalist in Iran. The journalist, Cecilia Sala, was arrested in Tehran after Italian police detained an Iranian wanted by the … Read more

Always look on the bright side of life — why 2025 might be better – POLITICO

Always look on the bright side of life — why 2025 might be better – POLITICO

OK, Europe will have to endure again presidential histrionics and needling all-caps tweets, along with threats to withdraw from NATO and impose tariffs, but doesn’t that present an opportunity? Might now European leaders screw up their courage and loosen the apron strings? For years they’ve waffled on about strategic autonomy and sharing the burden more … Read more

Germany’s Olaf Scholz blasts back at Elon Musk in New Year’s address – POLITICO

Germany’s Olaf Scholz blasts back at Elon Musk in New Year’s address – POLITICO

The endorsement sparked a firestorm in Germany, with the government and politicians across the spectrum accusing Musk of attempting to influence the outcome of the February election. “Musk is strengthening those who are weakening Europe,” Germany’s vice chancellor and economy minister, Robert Habeck, also said in his New Year’s address. Musk has launched a series … Read more

2024 by the numbers ― from victims of war to a warming planet – POLITICO

2024 by the numbers ― from victims of war to a warming planet – POLITICO

At the other end of Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine continues. Ukrainians chalked up some successes in 2024, becoming a dominant force in the Black Sea despite the country’s tiny navy, and mounting a counteroffensive into Russia’s Kursk region in August. But they are ending this year on the back foot, having lost many of … Read more

Elon Musk trying to influence upcoming German election, Berlin says – POLITICO

Elon Musk trying to influence upcoming German election, Berlin says – POLITICO

The warning comes a day after the Tesla CEO doubled down on his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in an opinion piece in the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. He argued that the AfD was the “last spark of hope” for the country. While the conservative Christian Democratic Union is leading the … Read more

Meloni’s 2025 budget appeases Brussels but raises specter of austerity  – POLITICO

Meloni’s 2025 budget appeases Brussels but raises specter of austerity  – POLITICO

And yet, some argued that the government still found enough money to satisfy less urgent — and more political — priorities. Along with the tax cuts and parental subsidies, a proposed windfall tax on banks was watered down to avoid irking the pro-business flank of the ruling coalition. The mooted imposition of a larger tax … Read more