Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accused her one-time close ally Donald Trump of fabricating a story about her on Friday, after the ​U.S. president told an Italian TV channel that she had "begged" him to take a photo with her at a G7 summit. Meloni said she was "astonished" by ‌his comments, which were "completely made up". She also chided him for acting with far greater deference to the enemies of the West than he does towards old, established allies. Their pointed exchange marks a significant deterioration in ties, coming just days after signs emerged at the G7 summit that the two right-wing leaders had steadied a relationship strained by tensions over the conflict in the Middle East. Underscoring how much Trump's ​comments have angered Meloni's government, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani pulled out of a visit to the U.S. next week. A U.S.-Italy business conference scheduled for ​Monday in Miami was also called off after Tajani cancelled his visit, the Italian embassy said. The U.S. State Department did not ⁠respond when asked about Tajani's cancelled trip. "I FELT SORRY FOR HER" Video from the event in France showed Meloni and Trump deep in conversation, sitting side-by-side on a small sofa, ​but the U.S. leader suggested he had merely been indulging her. "She's probably happy I talked to her. I didn't have to talk to her," Trump was quoted as saying ​by La7 TV channel in a brief interview, after he himself asked the journalist about Italy's prime minister. "She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn't have taken it, but I felt sorry for her," Trump said, according to La7's translation. A European diplomatic source said Meloni was one of the most forceful voices at the G7, ​openly challenging Trump on several points. The source said she firmly defended Europe’s stance, telling Trump he should stop saying he had been abandoned by Western allies, stressing ​that they had been supportive. MELONI HITS BACK IN SHARPLY WORDED STATEMENT Meloni responded swiftly to the president's comments. "Donald Trump's statements are completely made up. I am frankly astonished. I don't know why the ‌president of ⁠the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time, moreover," she said in a video posted on social media. "I can only say it is disappointing that he does not show the same determination with the enemies of the West and of the United States, whose leaders he instead treats with far greater indulgence," she said, adding: "There is one thing he should remember: neither I nor Italy ever beg." In an interview with NBC News on Friday, Trump continued his criticism of Meloni. "She was ​a big fan," Trump was quoted as saying ​by the network. "But I don't want ⁠her as a fan because she was not there - along with the NATO group - having to do with the strait." NATO allies including Italy angered Trump by refusing to be drawn into the war on Iran or help secure the Strait of Hormuz. TOP MELONI OFFICIAL ​SAYS TRUMP IS DESTROYING HISTORIC TIES One of Meloni's closest political allies, who usually shuns the media spotlight, struck out at Trump ​using a tone that ⁠would have been unthinkable beforehand. "It is unclear whether out of intent or ineptitude (Trump) is wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe," Giovanbattista Fazzolari, undersecretary to the prime minister’s office, said in a statement. "With his inappropriate outbursts, he has managed no easy feat, to make the United States unpopular across the entire European continent, damaging not only Europe but ⁠above all the ​United States," he added. Meloni was once a vocal supporter of Trump and was the only European leader ​to attend his inauguration in 2025. However, she criticised him this year for lashing out at Pope Leo over his condemnation of the Iran conflict. That in turn prompted a blunt rebuke from the U.S. president, who ​accused her of lacking courage. Source: Reuters

Italy's Meloni says Trump 'totally invented' story that she begged him for photo

U.S. President Donald Trump's personal envoy and Iran's foreign minister were headed to Switzerland for talks, Axios said, although deadly strikes by Israel in Lebanon on Saturday could test a new ceasefire key to ​ending the Iran war. The talks, led by Steve Witkoff and Abbas Araqchi mark an effort to turn this week's interim 14-point pact into a lasting regional ‌deal to end the war that the United States and Israel launched on February 28. But just hours after a ceasefire took effect in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, Israeli air strikes and drone attacks killed at least five people in the south on Saturday, Lebanese state media said. A halt to the fighting in Lebanon is a condition for starting 60 days of U.S.-Iranian talks to resolve ​disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and other thorny issues needed to forge a more durable deal critical to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and stabilising global oil ​supplies. WITKOFF-ARAQCHI TALKS ARRANGED AFTER VANCE PULLS OUT The Lebanon ceasefire took effect around 4 p.m. (1300 GMT) on Friday in Lebanon after an exchange ⁠of fire, a senior U.S. official said. Two sources from Hezbollah and a senior Israeli official confirmed the ceasefire. But Israeli warplanes and drones launched a series of strikes across ​the Nabatieh area overnight and into Saturday morning, destroying residential buildings, while Israeli artillery shelled Nabatieh and its outskirts before dawn, Lebanese state news agency NNA said. Israel did not immediately comment ​on the NNA report. Witkoff is heading to Switzerland to join Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, who is already there, while Araqchi would travel there on Saturday, Axios said. The White House did not respond to questions about Witkoff's travel. Iran has not confirmed Araqchi's plans. Vice President JD Vance cancelled plans on Thursday to travel to the Swiss mountaintop resort of Buergenstock as preparations for technical talks were well advanced, amid ​rising tension between Israel and Hezbollah. Switzerland stood ready to facilitate the U.S.-Iran talks and preparatory work continued, the Swiss foreign ministry said.Wednesday's interim deal requires the United States, Iran and ​their allies to declare an immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Israel, left out of the talks, says it is not party to the deal. LEBANON KEY TO ‌DURABLE U.S.-IRAN ⁠PEACE DEAL Araqchi, in a telephone call with his Pakistani counterpart on Friday, said the United States would be responsible for any violation of its commitments under the deal, including ending the fighting in Lebanon, his ministry said. Lebanon was sucked into the regional war when Hezbollah opened fire at Israel on March 2, prompting it to launch an offensive against the group and invade the south of the country. Before Saturday's attacks, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed holding Israel-Lebanon negotiations in Washington from Tuesday to Thursday, ​the State Department said. The Lebanese presidency said ​a comprehensive ceasefire was a fundamental pillar ⁠of these talks. The Iran war has killed at least 7,000 people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon. It has pushed up energy prices, stoking inflation worldwide. Brent crude fell about 8% this week, and oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz picked up after the signing ​of the interim deal. The strait carried nearly a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before Iran blockaded it ​during the war. The body ⁠Iran set up to manage the strait said on Friday it would waive planned fees during the interim deal's negotiation period. The interim deal foresees relief for Iran from economic sanctions, the unfreezing of assets worth tens of billions of dollars and immediate U.S. waivers for its exports of oil. It also provides for a $300-billion reconstruction fund for Iran and other financial incentives. Trump again defended the ⁠deal after ​criticism in Washington, including some from Republican allies in Congress who question whether he conceded too much to ​end a war unpopular with most Americans ahead of midterm elections in November. "The War has diminished Iran!" Trump wrote on social media on Friday, adding, "We didn’t meet out of desperation, Iran did. They are FINISHED! We’ll play ​out the 60 days. They get no money, not 10 cents!" Source: Reuters

US, Iran envoys head for talks, Israeli strikes continue after ceasefire

Passenger train services on the Upcountry line between Nanu Oya and Badulla resumed today (20) after a seven-month suspension. Services had been halted due to landslide damage near Parakumpura on the Ambewela–Nanu Oya section. The ‘Podi Menike’ resumed operations from Nanu Oya after restoration work by railway authorities, with assistance from the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO). Officials said full Colombo–Badulla train operations are expected to resume later this year.

‘Podi Menike’ resumes Nanu Oya–Badulla service after 7 months

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been offered a royal residence to stay in during their visit to the UK with their children next month. Prince Harry and Meghan will be accompanied by Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five for the family's first trip to the country in four years. BBC News understands that the family has been offered accommodation on a royal estate but have not yet responded to the invitation. On previous visits, Prince Harry has declined the offer to stay at Buckingham Palace due to security concerns over using such a high profile, visible building. It is not clear which royal residence has been made available to the family this time round. Prince Harry had already committed to a series of events in the UK next month to mark a year to go to the Invictus Games for injured military personnel. The Games will be hosted in Birmingham next July. In a BBC News interview last year, Prince Harry spoke of his desire for a "reconciliation" with the Royal Family. The last time the King saw his grandchildren in person was during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. During a visit to the UK in September last year, Prince Harry met his father at Clarence House, which was their first face to face meeting since February 2024. While the security arrangements around the family visit remain unclear, it is understood that no extra security provision has been offered by Buckingham Palace. Any additional security provision will be a matter for the Home Office. Buckingham Palace will not comment on the possibility of the King meeting his son, daughter in law and grandchildren, describing it as a private family matter. Source: BBC

Harry and Meghan offered royal accommodation during UK visit

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky has been stripped of Poland's highest state honour, the Order of the White Eagle, over Kyiv's decision to name a military unit after controversial World War Two fighters. Polish President Karol Nawrocki branded Ukraine's decision late last month to name the unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) "outrageous", "incomprehensible" and "deeply disappointing". Nawrocki stressed the diplomatic row would not impact Poland's support for Ukraine against Russia. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha denounced Warsaw's move, calling it a "strategic mistake" and "disrespectful". Many in Ukraine regard the UPA, which existed in the 1940s and 1950s, as heroes who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Soviet Red Army as well as Nazi Germany and Polish authorities. So for Ukrainians the title "Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army" is a major honour. Poland, however, accuses the UPA of carrying out a genocide of ethnic Poles in Volhynia (now Volyn in Ukraine) in 1943-45. "For the overwhelming majority of Polish society, the UPA remains, above all, a formation responsible for the brutal crimes committed against citizens of the Republic of Poland during World War II," Nawrocki said in a video released on the president's official website. "That is why the Ukrainian authorities' decision to glorify the UPA is not only outrageous, it is also incomprehensible and deeply disappointing," he said. "It hurts not only our historical memory. It also undermines the trust built up over the years and in recent months," he added. The Polish president pointed to the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees welcomed into the country following the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. "Poles opened their borders, their homes, and their hearts to millions of Ukrainians," he said. He went on to say: "Ukraine's path toward European structures also requires a willingness to honestly confront the difficult chapters of its own history. "A united Europe was built on the rejection of totalitarianism and the cult of violence. These principles must apply to everyone. For those who do not understand this, there can be no place in the European Union, and Poland will certainly not allow it." Ukraine has ambitions to become an EU member state and attended the first phase of membership negotiations this week in Luxembourg. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has attempted to dampen growing diplomatic tensions between Kyiv and Warsaw. Taking to social media on Friday, the former president of the European Council said the feud "delights" Russia's Vladimir Putin and called on Zelensky and Nawrocki to "calm emotions, not to stoke tensions". For Ukraine, the UPA is a symbol of resistance and struggle for independence, even though Warsaw says about 100,000 ethnic Poles were killed in the Volhynia massacres. The group's red and black flag is often used by Ukrainian troops on the front line today. That's why Zelensky said he would use the UPA's name for a military unit, "with the aim of restoring the historical traditions of the national army". The Polish Order of the White Eagle was bestowed on Zelensky in 2023 by then-President Andrzej Duda. Zelensky himself has not directly commented on the row. But Sybiha called it "a strategic mistake by the President of Poland, from which only Moscow benefits". He said as a result of the announcement, he would be returning an award he received from Poland in 2022. "No president of another country will dictate our history to us," he said.

Zelensky stripped of highest Polish honour over WW2 name of army unit

President Donald Trump has unveiled a new Boeing 747-8 jet for Air Force One that the Qatari government donated last year as an "unconditional" gift to the US. The US military has finished modifications to the luxury jumbo jet, which has been valued at an estimated $400m (£300m). "This plane was transformed into a flying White House at a level of luxury that nobody's ever seen before," Trump said in a speech at Joint Base Andrews on Friday. The US Air Force said in a press release that the jet will begin initial commissioning flights - a "final exam" to test out the aircraft's modifications - before it will be used to transport the president. Modifications to the jet included upgrades in security, mission communications, logistics support, and advanced technology, the Air Force said. Any potential threats from the previously owned aircraft have been "neutralised", it added. The interiors of the aircraft have been minimally changed, and the exterior has received a fresh red, white, blue and gold paint job. In May 2025, the Qatari royal family donated the luxury Boeing 747-8 to the US Department of Defense to be used as part of a fleet of planes dubbed Air Force One, which provides air transport for the president. When news of the gift of the plane was revealed last year, it sparked backlash from both sides of the aisle, including from some Trump allies. Critics argued that accepting such a high-value donation posed a conflict of interest and may be unconstitutional. While federal law indicates that US officials can only accept gifts under $480, the White House has insisted that accepting the aircraft is legal, and pledged that it will be donated to Trump's presidential library once he leaves office. "The workmanship of this plane is when you see it, you won't believe it," Trump said in his speech. "Actually, the quality of woods, the quality of the materials, the quality of the engines - these engines are the finest, they're the best in the world, nothing like it." "It's really an honour," the president added. "And I want to thank the Emir of Qatar." Prior to the addition of the Qatari jet, the Air Force One fleet included two 747-200B jets that have been in use since 1990. One of those older models appears to have now been phased out, according to White House communications director Steven Cheung. "'Well done, good and faithful servant'", Cheung wrote on X, alongside a photo of the older plane. "The Last Ride," he added. The Air Force said the new jet will be used by the president on an interim basis until Boeing delivers its two long-promised VC-25B jets, which are meant for longer-term Air Force One use but have faced significant production delays. Source: BBC

Trump unveils Qatari luxury jet for Air Force One fleet

Australia will do all it can to curb any spread of H5N1 bird flu, Prime Minister Anthony ​Albanese said on Saturday, as the first mainland infection was confirmed ‌in a seabird a day after being detected in a remote southwestern region. Until now, Australia has been the only continent without a confirmed mainland case, although the ​virus was detected in late 2025 on the sub-Antarctic territory of ​Heard Island, about 4,100 km (2,550 miles) from continental Australia. “This ⁠is concerning,” Albanese told reporters in Sydney, adding that his centre-left government ​would do “whatever we can to restrict any spread”. Testing had confirmed the bird, ​found sick near Esperance, a town about 570 km (350 miles) southeast of Perth, the capital of Western Australia, had the deadly strain, the government said. Human infections of ​the virus remain rare, although the highly pathogenic avian influenza has ​led to the culling of hundreds of millions of birds in the past few ‌years, ⁠disrupting food supplies and driving up prices. The virus had yet to show up in Australia’s poultry or agriculture, however, said Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, though a giant petrel, another sick bird found in the same area, ​also tested positive. “There’s ​no evidence of ⁠any mass mortalities and there’s no evidence that it’s in our poultry or agriculture system at this ​stage,” she added in televised remarks from the capital, ​Canberra. In its ⁠efforts to tackle bird flu, Australia has tightened biosecurity measures at farms, testing shore birds for disease, vaccinating vulnerable species and war-gaming response plans. On ⁠Friday, authorities ​had said the migratory brown skua, found ​in Western Australia’s Cape Le Grand National Park, tested positive for the disease and they were ​awaiting confirmation. Source: Reuters

Australia vows to rein in any H5N1 birdflu after confirming first case

At ​least five people were killed ‌in Israeli air strikes and drone attacks in southern Lebanon on Saturday, ​Lebanese state media reported, just ​hours after a ceasefire between ⁠Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah ​group took effect. State news agency NNA ​said Israeli warplanes and drones carried out a series of strikes across the ​Nabatieh area overnight and into ​Saturday morning, destroying residential buildings and homes, while ‌Israeli ⁠artillery shelled Nabatieh and its outskirts before dawn. Israel and Hezbollah agreed to the ceasefire on Friday ​following an ​escalation ⁠in hostilities in Lebanon, according to a U.S. ​official. A senior Israeli official and ​two ⁠Hezbollah sources confirmed the agreement to Reuters. The U.S. official said ⁠the ​truce was to ​begin at 4 p.m. (1300 GMT) on Friday. Source: Reuters

At least five killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon despite ceasefire

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon on ​Friday after an escalation in fighting there jeopardised the chances of an interim agreement on ending the war in Iran turning into a lasting Middle East peace deal. U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, ‌Steve Witkoff, is traveling to Switzerland for the first round of talks with Iran on a potential nuclear deal, Axios reported on Friday, citing a U.S. official. The development comes a day after Vice President JD Vance canceled plans to attend the talks, which were called off amid the renewed fighting in Lebanon. That escalation has raised fresh uncertainty over the fate of negotiations critical to reopening the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping. Trump told NBC News he had spoken with Israel and asked it to agree to the ceasefire. “You just gotta ​calm down sometimes and use your head,” Trump was quoted as saying by an NBC reporter on X, who added that the president had declined to specify whether he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin ​Netanyahu directly. A senior U.S. official said the ceasefire came into effect around 4 p.m. Lebanon time (1300 GMT) following an exchange of fire, adding that negotiators for the U.S. ⁠and Qataris had worked out the agreement with help from Iran. Two sources from Iran-aligned Hezbollah and a senior Israeli official confirmed the ceasefire to Reuters. “If Hezbollah does not attack us, then for us it is not a time of ​war,” the Israeli official said, adding that Israel would keep its forces in southern Lebanon, where it has occupied an area along Israel’s northern border. Two Lebanese security sources said Israel had carried out a dozen airstrikes in the first ​hour of the ceasefire but none were recorded after 5 p.m. Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes after midnight into Friday had killed 47 people and wounded 97, while the Israeli military said four soldiers had been killed in an incident in Lebanon, without giving further details. The conflict in Lebanon could weigh on negotiations because ending fighting there is a condition for the broader U.S.-Iran accord. TOUGH ISSUES STILL UNRESOLVED A memorandum of understanding signed this week by the Iranian and U.S. presidents left discussion of Iran’s nuclear programme and other tough issues until later, giving ​the sides 60 days to reach a lasting agreement or extend the interim deal. Preparations for technical talks to start in the Swiss mountaintop resort of Buergenstock were far advanced when the White House said on Thursday that Vance would ​not attend. The Swiss foreign ministry said the talks had been postponed and that Switzerland remained ready to facilitate them and the relevant preparatory work was continuing. The broad interim deal requires the United States, Iran and their allies to declare an immediate and permanent ‌termination of military ⁠operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon. Israel, left out of the talks, says it is not party to the deal. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, in a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart on Friday, said the U.S. would be responsible for any violation of its commitments under the deal, including ending the fighting in Lebanon, his ministry said. NEW ROUND OF ISRAEL-LEBANON TALKS DISCUSSED Lebanon was sucked into the regional war when Hezbollah opened fire at Israel on March 2, prompting Israel to launch an offensive against the group and invade the south of the country. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the latest Israeli attacks but said the escalation would not hinder efforts to reach a comprehensive ceasefire. The U.S. State Department said Secretary ​of State Marco Rubio spoke to Aoun and reiterated ​the need to disarm Hezbollah while reaffirming U.S. support ⁠for a “fully sovereign” Lebanese state. It said they also discussed holding a next round of Israel-Lebanon negotiations in Washington from June 23-25. The Lebanese presidency said a comprehensive ceasefire was a fundamental pillar for these talks. TRUMP DEFENDS INTERIM DEAL The Iran war, which began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli air attacks on Iran, has killed at least 7,000 ​people, mostly in Iran and Lebanon. It also pushed up energy prices, stoking inflation worldwide. Brent crude ticked higher on Friday, but stayed set for a weekly fall of around ​8% after the Lebanon ceasefire, and ⁠oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz picked up after the signing of this week’s deal. The strait carried nearly a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before it was blockaded by Iran during the war. The body set up by Iran to manage the strait said on Friday it would waive planned fees during the interim deal’s negotiation period. The MoU foresees relief for Iran from economic sanctions, the unfreezing of assets worth tens of billions of dollars and immediate U.S. waivers ⁠for its exports ​of oil. It also provides for a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran and other financial incentives. Trump again defended the deal after criticism in ​Washington, including from some of his Republican allies in Congress who question whether he conceded too much to end a war unpopular with most Americans ahead of midterm elections in November. “The War has diminished Iran!” he wrote in social media posts on Friday, adding: “We didn’t meet out of ​desperation, Iran did. They are FINISHED! We’ll play out the 60 days. They get no money, not ten cents!” Source: Reuters

Italy's Meloni says Trump 'totally invented' story that she ...

US, Iran envoys head for talks, Israeli strikes continue after ceasefi ...

US, Iran envoys head for talks ...

‘Podi Menike’ resumes Nanu Oya–Badulla service after 7 months

‘Podi Menike’ resumes Nanu Oya ...

Harry and Meghan offered royal accommodation during UK visit

Harry and Meghan offered royal ...

Zelensky stripped of highest Polish honour over WW2 name of army unit

Zelensky stripped of highest P ...

Trump unveils Qatari luxury jet for Air Force One fleet

Trump unveils Qatari luxury je ...

Australia vows to rein in any H5N1 birdflu after confirming first case

Australia vows to rein in any ...

At least five killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon despite cease ...

At least five killed in Israel ...

With Lebanon ceasefire set, Trump envoy heads to Switzerland for U.S.- ...

With Lebanon ceasefire set, Tr ...

US, Iran envoys head for talks, Israeli strikes continue after ceasefi ...

US, Iran envoys head for talks ...

‘Podi Menike’ resumes Nanu Oya–Badulla service after 7 months

‘Podi Menike’ resumes Nanu Oya ...

Harry and Meghan offered royal accommodation during UK visit

Harry and Meghan offered royal ...

Zelensky stripped of highest Polish honour over WW2 name of army unit

Zelensky stripped of highest P ...

Trump unveils Qatari luxury jet for Air Force One fleet

Trump unveils Qatari luxury je ...

Australia vows to rein in any H5N1 birdflu after confirming first case

Australia vows to rein in any ...

At least five killed in Israeli strikes on south Lebanon despite cease ...

At least five killed in Israel ...

With Lebanon ceasefire set, Trump envoy heads to Switzerland for U.S.- ...

With Lebanon ceasefire set, Tr ...

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US, Iran envoys head for talks, Israeli strikes continue after ceasefi ...

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Harry and Meghan offered royal accommodation during UK visit

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Zelensky stripped of highest Polish honour over WW2 name of army unit

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Trump unveils Qatari luxury jet for Air Force One fleet

Trump unveils Qatari luxury je ...

Australia vows to rein in any H5N1 birdflu after confirming first case

Australia vows to rein in any ...