Four migrant workers were burned alive on Monday at a gas station in Calabria, southern Italy. Surveillance footage captured two individuals pouring petrol into a car, locking the doors, and setting it on fire. One person managed to escape and later spoke to Italian media about the attack, which has shocked the country.

The survivor, 35-year-old Mohammad Taj Alamayar from Afghanistan, said he and four others from Afghanistan and Pakistan worked in the region picking strawberries. He claimed the violence erupted after they asked their employers about unpaid wages. Alamayar alleged that the attackers were Pakistani drug traffickers linked to Italian organized crime groups.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the killings in a social media post on Wednesday, stating that the government would not back down in the face of violence and that all responsible must be brought to justice.

A video showing Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir mocking activists aboard the ‘Global Sumud Flotilla’ carrying aid to Gaza has triggered global outrage and strained Italy-Israel relations. Within hours of the video’s release on social media, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the behavior as unacceptable and demanded an apology, marking a sharp shift from her earlier stance toward the flotilla.

Analysts cited in the report describe the incident as a dramatic turning point in bilateral ties. Once one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe, Italy under Meloni had previously shown little sympathy for pro-Palestinian activists. However, recent Israeli actions, including the seizure of flotilla ships in international waters and incidents involving Christian clergy in Jerusalem, have fueled anger among Italians. Political analysts link the shift to domestic Catholic sentiment, economic concerns over the Iran-Israel war, and declining support for pro-Israel policies among younger voters.

In recent months, Italy has suspended defense cooperation with Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador multiple times, and pushed for EU sanctions on extremist Israeli figures. Experts note that while ties have weakened, Rome has not yet pursued a full diplomatic break, suggesting the rift may be temporary.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a warm welcome from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon his arrival in Rome on Tuesday. The two leaders began Modi’s visit with a dinner and later toured the historic Colosseum, where they discussed bilateral relations and other key issues. Their cordial interaction quickly drew attention online after Meloni shared a photo of the meeting on X, captioned with a friendly greeting and the flags of both nations.

The image, showing the illuminated Colosseum in the background, went viral across social media, garnering millions of views, thousands of likes, and numerous comments. Many users remarked on the leaders’ friendly chemistry, with some making humorous comparisons to popular culture. Meloni stated that discussions would continue to strengthen India-Italy relations, while Modi also posted photos expressing optimism about deepening friendship between the two countries.

The viral exchange has become a focal point of both diplomatic and social media conversations, reflecting growing public interest in the evolving partnership between India and Italy.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Rome this week in an effort to ease tensions with both the Italian government and the Vatican. According to reports, Rubio will be in the Italian capital on Thursday and Friday, where he is expected to meet Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Rubio has also requested a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, though that request has not yet been approved.

Relations between Washington, Rome, and the Vatican have deteriorated since US President Donald Trump launched an unprecedented verbal attack on Pope Leo following the Pope’s condemnation of US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Meloni criticized Trump’s remarks, prompting further criticism from Trump, who also threatened to withdraw US troops from Italy for not supporting the Iran offensive.

Reports indicate that Rubio’s visit aims to “warm up” the strained diplomatic ties. The Pentagon has already announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany, and Trump has hinted at similar moves in Italy and Spain.

Inter Milan secured the Italian Serie A championship with three matches left in the season after defeating Parma 2-0 at San Siro. The victory confirmed Inter’s 21st league title, as they needed only one point following Napoli’s goalless draw in the previous round. Marcus Thuram opened the scoring just before halftime, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan doubled the lead in the 80th minute. Returning from injury, Lautaro Martínez assisted the second goal, marking his comeback.

This is Inter’s second league title in three years, placing them second in the all-time Serie A winners list behind Juventus, who have 36 titles. The win also helped the club recover from the disappointment of their Champions League exit earlier in the season.

Inter now has the chance to complete a domestic double, as they are set to face Lazio in the Coppa Italia final on May 13. The club last achieved both league and cup victories in the same season in 2011.

A Bangladeshi man allegedly killed his younger brother in Lecce, Italy, following a long-standing family dispute. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The accused, Humayun Fakir, reportedly attacked his brother Nayon Fakir with a sharp weapon, causing his death on the spot. Both brothers were originally from Sonarang in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj district, Bangladesh.

After the killing, Humayun Fakir contacted his family in Bangladesh through a video call, showing them the bloodied body of his brother and admitting to the crime. Family members broke down in tears upon witnessing the scene. Italian police later arrived at the location and arrested the accused, according to reports.

News of the murder quickly spread to the Tongibari area, casting a shadow of grief and fear among local residents.

Italy has suspended its defence agreement with Israel, which covers the exchange of military equipment and technology research, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Tuesday in Verona. The decision halts the automatic renewal of the pact, which was approved by Israel in 2006 and renewed every five years. The agreement includes cooperation in defence industries, military training, research and development, and information technology.

The move comes as relations between Italy and Israel have become strained following recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Although Meloni’s right-wing government has been one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe, it has recently voiced criticism of Israeli military actions. Tensions escalated after Italy accused Israeli forces of firing warning shots at a convoy of Italian peacekeepers in Lebanon, prompting Rome to summon Israel’s ambassador in protest.

In response, Israel summoned Italy’s ambassador after Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned what he called “unacceptable attacks” on Lebanese civilians. Tajani, who visited Beirut for talks with Lebanese leaders, expressed solidarity with Lebanon following the incidents.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that her government has decided not to renew its defense agreement with Israel, which is typically renewed every five years. She said the decision was made due to the current situation, though she did not specify what circumstances she was referring to. The announcement was reported by Al Jazeera.

Relations between Rome and Tel Aviv have recently deteriorated. Last week, Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, damaging a vehicle but causing no injuries. Following the incident, Italy summoned Israel’s ambassador in Rome. In response, Israel summoned the Italian ambassador after Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanese civilians and urged avoiding another escalation like Gaza.

Several European countries have already limited or suspended arms exports to Israel. Italian opposition parties had long demanded similar action, while protests in Italy have criticized the government’s stance on Gaza and its refusal to recognize Palestine. According to SIPRI, Italy ranks third among Israel’s arms suppliers, though its share of Israeli imports from 2021 to 2025 is only 1.3 percent.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the suspension of Italy’s existing defense agreement with Israel. She made the declaration on Tuesday, April 14, in Verona during a discussion with journalists, describing it as a significant decision in light of current developments.

Meloni expressed concern over the tense situation in the Middle East and emphasized the urgent need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. She stated that keeping this maritime route operational is essential for international navigation and security. The suspension of the defense pact is being viewed as a signal of shifting dynamics in regional politics.

The decision underscores Italy’s cautious stance amid growing instability in the region and highlights its focus on maintaining global maritime security interests.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for his recent verbal attack on Pope Leo XIV. The incident occurred on Sunday night after the Pope criticized Trump’s foreign and immigration policies, prompting the American leader to respond angrily. The exchange has sparked widespread outrage across Italy.

Meloni, who is known as a close political ally of Trump, described his comments about the Pope as unacceptable. She stated that as the head of the Catholic Church, it is natural for the Pope to speak for peace and condemn war. Her public rebuke marks a rare instance of disagreement between the two leaders.

Observers noted that Meloni was the only European leader to attend Trump’s 2025 inauguration, making her criticism particularly significant in the context of their previously close relationship.

Italy’s football leadership has entered turmoil after the national team failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. Two days after the elimination, Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina announced his resignation, reversing his earlier refusal to step down. Soon after, Gianluigi Buffon, head of Italy’s football delegation and legendary goalkeeper, also resigned, releasing an emotional statement describing his decision as deeply heartfelt. The wave of resignations continued as head coach Gennaro Gattuso left his position as well.

The resignations follow Italy’s penalty shootout loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which ended their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Gravina had led the federation since 2018, during which Italy also missed the 2022 World Cup. Italian media reported that discussions have begun over four potential replacements for Gattuso: Roberto Mancini, Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri, and Pep Guardiola. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mancini is currently the frontrunner, having guided Italy to the Euro 2020 title.

The series of resignations marks another chapter of instability for Italian football, which continues to face intense criticism following repeated qualification failures.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor through the Strait of Hormuz to transport fertilizer and other essential goods. The appeal was made via video during a meeting on Iran organized under British coordination, according to reports from Rome. Tajani emphasized that ensuring the movement of fertilizer and humanitarian supplies through the strait is crucial.

The statement noted that Tajani, along with the Dutch minister and the UAE deputy minister, stressed the need to work with the United Nations to establish the corridor as soon as possible. They highlighted the importance of maintaining the flow of fertilizer and other goods to prevent a new food crisis in African countries.

The proposal reflects growing concern about supply disruptions affecting food security in Africa, with Italy urging swift international cooperation to safeguard essential trade routes.

Italy has refused a US request to use a key military base in Sicily for operations in the Middle East. According to a Reuters report published on Tuesday, the Italian government declined to allow US military aircraft to operate from the Sigonella airbase in eastern Sicily. The report noted that several US bombers had planned to land there before heading to the Middle East, though the exact timing of the plan was not specified.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that the denial came because the United States had not formally sought permission or informed Italy’s military leadership. Under existing agreements, such authorization is mandatory for the use of US military installations in Italy. The right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that any similar requests in the future would require parliamentary approval before being granted.

The decision underscores Italy’s insistence on procedural compliance and parliamentary oversight in foreign military cooperation involving its territory.

A two-day referendum on judicial reform began in Italy on Sunday, marking a crucial political test for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. She has endorsed the proposed changes, arguing they will make the judicial system more independent and efficient. The government’s plan includes separating the roles of judges and prosecutors and revising oversight mechanisms through constitutional amendments.

According to AFP, the referendum is not only part of the reform process but also a measure of Meloni’s leadership and popularity ahead of upcoming elections. Meloni stated in a video message that the reform would modernize the judiciary, ensure merit-based advancement, and strengthen accountability while keeping it free from political influence. Critics, however, argue that the proposal could undermine judicial independence.

Opinion polls show the “yes” and “no” camps are nearly tied, leaving the outcome uncertain. A defeat would be a political setback for Meloni, though she has said she does not plan to resign regardless of the result. Voting is set to conclude Monday at 14:00 GMT, with preliminary results expected the same day.

Italy’s Foreign Ministry has denied that any discussions are taking place with Iran regarding the safe passage of Italian ships or oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. A ministry source told Reuters on March 13, 2026, that a report published by the Financial Times on this matter was inaccurate.

According to the source, Italian leaders are engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing overall military tensions in the region. However, the source emphasized that there are no secret negotiations intended to secure the safety of specific commercial vessels at the expense of others.

The clarification comes amid heightened regional sensitivities around maritime security and follows recent international attention to the strategic waterway’s stability.