Latest news with #GiorgiaMeloni
Reuters
2 minutes ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Two dead, several injured in raid on Catholic church in Gaza
GAZA CITY, July 17 (Reuters) - Two women were killed and several people were injured following a strike which hit the Catholic parish in the Gaza Strip, doctors at the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City said on Thursday. The strike damaged the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic Church inside the Palestinian enclave. The Vatican did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Israeli Defense Forces said it was looking into the matter. Italy's ANSA news agency said six people were seriously injured, while parish priest Father Gabriele Romanelli, who used to regularly update the late Pope Francis about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, suffered light leg injuries. "Israeli raids on Gaza have also hit the Holy Family Church," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in a statement. "The attacks against the civilian population that Israel has been carrying out for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude," she added.
Euronews
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Fact check: Has Italy just passed an anti-LGBT surrogacy law?
Several social media posts shared over recent weeks — some racking up millions of views and thousands of likes and shares — allege that Italy has just introduced a law aimed at banning same-sex couples from having children via surrogacy. Many of the posts contain words such as "Breaking" and a siren emoji to suggest that the measure has just been introduced, while others invite social media users to share whether they support it, prompting a slew of anti-LGBT responses. The posts typically share generic, stock photos of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and some sort of LGBT rainbow flag with a red cross or "banned" sign. However, none of the posts provide any extra information or links to articles or government announcements, which is our first clue that all is not as it seems. Italy has effectively banned LGBT people from having children through surrogacy, but not so recently: back in October, the country criminalised citizens who go abroad to have children via surrogacy. Critics argued this was discriminatory to same-sex couples as it shut down one of the last viable paths for them to become parents. The measure extended a surrogacy ban that had already been in place in Italy since 2004. This prohibited the practice on Italian soil and introduced jail sentences of up to two years and fines of up to €1 million for any Italian seeking surrogacy in countries such as the United States or Canada, where it's legal. The ban and its extension apply equally to both heterosexual and same-sex couples, so it is incorrect to call it a ban on LGBT surrogacy specifically. However, critics argue it is discriminatory in practice as it disproportionately targets LGBT couples, who can't get married or adopt children either. Italy's adoption law typically only allows married couples to adopt, and as the country only allows same-sex couples to enter into civil partnerships, they are excluded by default. Nevertheless, Italy's Constitutional Court ruled in May that two women can register as parents on a child's birth certificate, affirming that parental rights can't be limited to the biological mother. The court ruled that it was unconstitutional for city registrars to deprive children born to same-sex parents of recognition by both the biological mother and the woman who consented to the medically assisted pregnancy of her partner and assumed parental responsibilities. LGBT advocates celebrated the ruling as a step in the right direction. But ultimately, it didn't change the surrogacy laws, with strong restrictions still in place, and naturally, it does not cover male same-sex couples. Italy is one of the only European Union countries that bans surrogacy abroad, but many others ban the practice at home, including France, Germany and Spain. Conversely, there are provisions for it in the likes of Portugal, Greece and Belgium.
Euractiv
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Euractiv
Meloni to reach 1,000 days in power as approval dips
Meloni to reach 1,000 days in power as approval dips ROME - Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition will reach 1,000 days in office on Friday, making it one of the five longest-serving governments in Italy's post-war history, as well as a rare example of political stability in the country. Though no Italian government has completed a full five-year term with the same coalition since World War II, Meloni appears on course to break that trend. But signs of fatigue are setting in. Just 34% of Italians have a positive view of the government's performance, according to a new YouTrend poll, down three points from last month. Negative views have climbed to 62%, with Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini ranking as the least popular cabinet minister. Public opinion on the government's policies is also divided. The crackdown on femicide is the most widely supported measure overall, with 38% in favour. Among right-wing voters, however, the most popular policies include abolishing the basic income scheme (51%), introducing stricter immigration laws (41%), and enforcing tougher rules on protests and occupations (35%). The proposed bridge linking Sicily to the mainland is the least popular policy overall. Still, Meloni's Brothers of Italy continues to lead the polls with almost 30%, ahead of the centre-left Democratic Party (22%) and the populist Five Star Movement (12%). (Alessia Peretti)
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
I burnt my house down and was left homeless as a child, says Italian PM Giorgia Meloni
Being abandoned by her father 'spurred her on to succeed in male-dominated fields' ©UK Independent Today at 00:30 Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni has revealed she accidentally burnt her house down as a child and was left homeless. Ms Meloni (48) recalled building a makeshift fort with her older sister and lighting a candle inside it before a blaze destroyed her home.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Italian PM Meloni warns against ‘trade war within the West'
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy will do its part as the EU holds off on responding in hopes of reaching a deal with the US. (EPA Images pic) ROME : Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned Sunday against the perception of a 'trade war within the West', following US President Donald Trump's announcements of 30% tariffs on EU products. 'A trade war within the West would weaken us all in the face of the global challenges we are confronting together,' Meloni said in a statement released by her office. 'Europe has the economic and financial strength to assert its position and reach a fair and sensible agreement,' she said. 'Italy will do its part. As always,' she added, as the EU holds off on a response in the hopes of reaching an agreement. Trump announced Saturday that products imported into the US from the European Union and Mexico would be subject to 30% tariffs starting Aug 1. Since then, Italian opposition parties have criticised Meloni and her far-right party Brothers of Italy, while opposition Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte accusing her of 'bowing her head' to Washington's threats. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that Brussels would not retaliate against US tariffs on steel and aluminium for now, hoping to secure a deal to avoid broader 30% levy on all its exported products.
