Crispian Balmer

Italy's Meloni marks three years in power, embracing stability over growth - www.reuters.com/world/italys...

In St. Peter’s Basilica.

Italian newspaper gives free rein to AI, admires its irony Artificial intelligence can write a great book review and is good at irony, but it won't replace quality journalism, said the editor of an Italian newspaper at the forefront of AI experimentation.

Italian newspaper gives free rein to AI, admires its irony - www.reuters.com/technology/a...

Melodic Italian bolsters Meloni in talks with Trump and Vance The Italian language proved a secret weapon for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as she launched a charm offensive with U.S. President Donald Trump and his deputy JD Vance in back-to-back transatlantic meetings.

Melodic Italian bolsters Meloni in talks with Trump and Vance. "That was so beautiful! What the hell did you say?" - www.reuters.com/world/melodi...

King Charles addresses the Italian parliament. Gets a standing ovation at the mention of Falcone. The emcee, who clearly wasn’t paying attention, announces the event is over when the clapping ends. Much hilarity.

Bond rout starting to sound market alarm bells U.S. Treasuries extended heavy losses on Wednesday in a sign investors are selling even their safest assets as a global market rout unleashed by U.S. tariffs takes an unnerving turn towards distress and a dash for the safety of cash.

Bond rout starting to sound market alarm bells - www.reuters.com/markets/glob...

US officials object to European push to buy weapons locally U.S. officials have told European allies they want them to keep buying American-made arms, amid recent moves by the European Union to limit U.S. manufacturers' participation in weapons tenders, five sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

So Europe should not only do more to protect itself (fair enough) but should do so with US kit… 🤨 www.reuters.com/world/us-off...

Exclusive: Italy seeks payment from Meta, X and LinkedIn in landmark tax case Italy has handed tax demands to Meta , X and LinkedIn in the last formal step in an unprecedented VAT claim against the U.S. tech giants that could have repercussions across the European Union, four sources with direct knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday.

www.reuters.com/technology/i...

Pope Francis must relearn to speak after oxygen therapy, cardinal says Pope Francis is slowly regaining his strength in hospital but must "relearn to speak" after prolonged use of high-flow oxygen therapy, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez said on Friday.

“The pope is doing very well, but high-flow oxygen dries everything out. He needs to relearn how to speak,” cardinal says. www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Italy's Meloni torn between Trump and European allegiance Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni finds herself playing a political balancing act as Europe moves to bolster its defences.

"Right now, Meloni does not have the leverage to play a mediating role with Trump” www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Milano

After days and days, the pope’s doctors finally say his prognosis is no longer ‘guarded’, meaning they think he is out of danger. However, he is set to stay in hospital for the time being.

Pope Francis faces long, fraught fight for recovery, doctors say Three weeks to the day after being admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital, Pope Francis is still struggling to shake off the double pneumonia that has battered his already fragile health.

"I've seen patients who have spent months in hospital in this sort of situation. Of course he can recover, but the chances for a negative outcome are high," www.reuters.com/business/hea...

The dangers of parking a Smart on the streets of Rome. You can wake up to find all your wheels missing.

Pope was focused on Vatican finance struggle before he was hospitalized Before he was hospitalized for double pneumonia, Pope Francis was battling firm resistance from some of his own cardinals about how to plug a widening gap in the Vatican's finances.

"If you can't pay your bills, you can't do much."
@joshmcelwee.org www.reuters.com/world/pope-w...

With pope in hospital, Vatican breaks century-old taboos to discuss his health For centuries, one of the biggest taboos at the Vatican was openly discussing the pope's health. As leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, the pope is a revered spiritual figure. Talking about his earthly health was profane.

"The Vatican has finally learned that it is better to be forthcoming than to let conspiracy theorists fill the void."

Exclusive: US could cut Ukraine's access to Starlink internet services over minerals, say sources Ukraine's access to SpaceX-owned Starlink was brought up in talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials after Ukrainian President Zelenskiy turned down an initial proposal from U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent.

I can’t see how a country like Italy could move forward with plans to buy into Starlink if Musk and Trump do this. www.reuters.com/business/us-...

Exclusive: US refusing to co-sponsor UN motion backing Ukraine ahead of war anniversary, diplomats say The U.S. is refusing to co-sponsor a draft U.N. resolution marking three years since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine that backs Kyiv's territorial integrity and condemns Russian aggression, three diplomatic sources told Reuters, in a potential stark shift by Ukraine's most powerful Western ally.

Exclusive: US refusing to co-sponsor UN motion backing Ukraine - www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Italy's Meloni takes on the judiciary, in echo of Berlusconi Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is clashing with the country's judiciary in the same way her old political ally and mentor Silvio Berlusconi used to, promising a once-in-a-lifetime overhaul of the legal system.

A very Italian way to explain why the government wants to put judges and prosecutors on different career tracks: “You would never see a soccer referee coming from the same city as one of the two teams on the field.” - www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Italy president's 'Third Reich' comments on Russia spark Rome-Moscow dispute Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accused Russia of "offending the entire Italian nation" on Friday as she stood by comments by the Italian president that compared modern-day Russia to Nazi Germany.

www.reuters.com/world/europe...

US Defense Department contract "inaccurately represented" on social media, says Thomson Reuters Thomson Reuters said on Thursday its business with the Department of Defense was "inaccurately represented," in response to accusations on social media by Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump that the company played a role in "large scale social deception" for the government.

US Defense Department contract "inaccurately represented" on social media, says Thomson Reuters - www.reuters.com/business/us-...

Trump’s aid freeze sparks mayhem around the world In Ghana and Kenya, insecticide and mosquito nets sit in warehouses because U.S. officials haven’t approved urgent anti-malaria campaigns.

Trump’s aid freeze sparks mayhem around the world - www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...

Why is Giorgia Meloni under investigation for Libyan officer's release? Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been placed under investigation over a government decision to release a Libyan police officer wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Explainer: Why Italy's PM Meloni got caught up in Libyan war crimes case - www.reuters.com/world/why-it...

Trump whisperer? Italy's Meloni navigates a high-stakes relationship He hails a fantastic woman sweeping all before her in Europe. She praises a strong and shrewd defender of the West. Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni are fast forging a new transatlantic "special relationship".

www.reuters.com/world/trump-...

Giorgia Meloni’s annual news conference takes a surreal turn as she is asked if she walks on ants. People laugh. Meloni laughs. She finally says she doesn’t, if she sees them.

Italian journalist Cecilia Sala freed in Iran and heading back home @reuters.com

The average cost of a car in Italy last year was a record €30,000 against €21k pre-COVID. The average gross salary in Italy was €33k in 2024. Add in high insurance, petrol etc and cars are really becoming a luxury item.

Time for some carols.

Into London

Mafia infiltration of soccer 'ultras' spreads in Italy An investigation by Milan prosecutors and the office of the national anti-mafia prosecutor found that ultra groups at Inter and AC Milan, two of the biggest names in Italian soccer, have allegedly become enmeshed with crime gangs.

"This is not support: it's thuggery." www.reuters.com/world/europe...