Meloni met the Qatari leader to discuss the energy crisis due to the ongoing United States and Israeli war on Iran, emphasizing Italy's readiness to contribute to the rehabilitation of Qatari energy infrastructure.
Very rare to see this level of tailoring nowadays, even on the wealthy. Even when not attending major sporting events, the king's collars always hug his neck, his lapels are always well-proportioned, the lines of his coat always flow into his trousers, and his four-in-hand always has just the right asymmetry.
The Slovenian parliamentary elections is an important race that will determine whether the small EU nation of 2 million people maintains its liberal course or whether illiberal right-wing populists like Hungary's Viktor Orban and Slovakia's Robert Fico will get added support within the bloc.
While the previous law required most newly installed heating systems to use at least 65% renewable energy, often with a heat pump, the reformed legislation will allow households to keep using oil and gas. It also removes a mandate for expert consultation when installing a new heating system.
"Perhaps we didn't make it clear quickly enough after the change of government that we couldn't accomplish this enormous reform effort overnight," Merz told them, adding: "I accept this criticism." But, in a speech that fired up delegates in the southern city of Stuttgart, he vowed "to motivate us to peak performance" rather than "be dragged down by pessimism, fatalism and intellectual laziness".
"Bound by responsibility" is the motto of the upcoming Christian Democratic Union (CDU) federal party conference in Stuttgart, set to take place February 20 and 21. It is the first large meeting of the conservative party since its leader Friedrich Merzbecame German chancellor in May 2025 and the Union parties of the CDU and their Bavarian counterparts the Christian Social Union (CSU) once again led Germany's federal government.
Italy has increased its demands around safeguards in the Mercosur trade deal, even as EU officials insist the long-delayed agreement is edging closer to completion, a development that has sharpened tensions within the Irish Government ahead of a major farmer-led protest planned for Saturday. Rome is now seeking to lower the trigger point for suspending Mercosur imports to 5pc, down from the 8pc threshold currently proposed, Italy's stance on the deal is said to be decisive ahead of a crucial EU vote expected on Friday.
Macron responded angrily on Thursday as he spoke with reporters on a trip to India, saying that everyone should stay in their own lane. I'm always struck by how people who are nationalists, who don't want to be bothered in their own country, are always the first ones to comment on what's happening in other countries, he said. Asked if his remarks referred to Meloni, Macron replied: You got that right.
Host Dana Bash asked how Trump's comments were received by European leaders. Negatively, hugely negatively, Robertson told her. He pointed to Trump chiding Macron for wearing Top Gun-style sunglasses to cover up a burst blood vessel in his right eye. Trump joked they were beautiful and asked, What the hell happened? The light ribbing came after Macron poked fun at Trump's claim that he has ended eight wars during his speech on Tuesday.