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Meloni Slams Trump for ‘Totally Invented’ G7 Photo Claim as Diplomatic Rift Deepens

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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has fiercely accused U.S. President Donald Trump of fabricating a story after he claimed she “begged” him for a photograph at the recent G7 summit in France. Trump told Italy’s La7 TV channel that Meloni desperately wanted a picture with him and that he only complied because he “felt sorry for her.” Meloni expressed her astonishment at the remarks, stating they were “completely made up” and firmly declaring that neither she nor Italy ever begs. She further chided the U.S. President for showing “far greater indulgence” toward the enemies of the West than toward long-standing international allies.

The public verbal dispute has triggered an immediate and severe diplomatic backlash from Rome, signaling a sharp deterioration in ties between the two right-wing leaders. Underscoring the Italian government’s fury, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the immediate cancellation of his scheduled official visit to the United States next week, labeling Trump’s comments “serious and offensive” to the entire nation of Italy. This abrupt fallout comes just days after the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, where video footage of the two leaders conversing cordially on a sofa suggested they had stabilized a relationship previously strained by disagreements over the ongoing conflict with Iran.

The rhetoric from Meloni’s inner circle has reached unprecedented levels of hostility for the usually close allies. Giovanbattista Fazzolari, undersecretary to the prime minister’s office, released a scathing statement accusing Trump of “wrecking the historic relations between the United States and Europe” through either intent or ineptitude. The current hostility marks a dramatic shift for Meloni, who was notably the only European leader to attend Trump’s inauguration in 2025, but whose relationship with the administration has crumbled following public disagreements over the papacy and the geopolitical handling of the West Asia conflict.

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Lee, Trump Discuss Korea Peace at G7 Summit

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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said he made significant progress on discussions about peace on the Korean Peninsula during a lengthy conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit in France. Lee described their 90-minute dinner discussion as productive, focusing on regional security and South Korea-U.S. relations.

Following the talks, Trump gifted Lee the pen he had used to sign documents at the summit, a gesture Lee said mirrored an earlier meeting where Trump received one of his pens. Trump also repeatedly suggested a future golf outing with Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung, with the South Korean leader joking that he may now need to prepare for the game.

The two leaders also discussed cooperation in areas such as shipbuilding and reaffirmed the importance of trilateral collaboration between South Korea, the United States, and Japan. During the summit, Lee urged Trump to take a leading role in pursuing a peaceful resolution to tensions with North Korea, while Trump reportedly praised Lee as a “strong leader.”

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G7 Summit in France: European Leaders Challenge Trump on Interim Iran Deal and Ukraine Strategy

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At the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, European leaders are preparing to confront U.S. President Donald Trump over his preliminary peace deal with Iran and his current strategy regarding the war in Ukraine. While Trump arrived buoyed by an interim agreement aimed at ending the broader Middle East conflict—with a formal signing targeted for Friday—European allies fear the deal is superficial. They warn that a weak agreement risks entrenching Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and France, Britain, and Germany are pushing for a direct role in the upcoming 60-day negotiation window to ensure a more robust framework than what an inexperienced U.S. team might secure.

Concurrently, the summit serves as a critical battleground for reshaping the Russia-Ukraine diplomatic narrative. European diplomats are attempting to convince Trump that past U.S. peace proposals have leaned too heavily in Moscow’s favor. Leaders like European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Ukraine has strengthened its domestic military production and successfully struck strategic targets deep inside Russia, arguing that Vladimir Putin’s war economy is highly strained under sanctions. European nations want to signal an openness to talks with Putin, but insist that stricter sanctions and increased military support for Kyiv must remain on the table to show that Moscow is the party blocking peace.

The security of global energy supplies is also a dominant focus of the summit’s agenda, particularly regarding the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that European leaders, alongside representatives from the UAE, Qatar, and Egypt, will discuss a potential Franco-British-led maritime mission and alternative energy routes to bypass the volatile waterway. While Trump confidently stated that the strait would be “completely open” by Friday, European policymakers remain cautious, balancing their immediate energy security anxieties against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s concerns that the Middle East crisis is dangerously diverting American attention and resources away from the four-year war in Europe.

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French Wine Exporters Sound the Alarm Over Trump’s Latest 100% Tariff Threat

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French wine and spirits exporters expressed deep concern on Monday following U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose 100% tariffs on all French wines and champagnes. The Federation of Wine and Spirits Exporters (FEVS) stated that the escalating friction is incredibly damaging for a highly export-dependent sector that finds itself trapped in a political dispute entirely beyond its control. The trade group has urgently called for “responsible behavior” and the restoration of constructive transatlantic trade ties to protect businesses in both economies.

The punitive measures are being brandished as a direct retaliatory strike against Paris’s domestic fiscal policies. President Trump warned that the United States would have no choice but to implement the sweeping duties unless France completely scraps its 3% digital services tax, which targets major American technology conglomerates. This ultimatum is part of an ongoing effort to pressure European governments out of imposing specialized levies on digital revenues generated within their borders.

This development marks yet another volatile chapter in a series of recurring economic disputes between Washington and Brussels. President Trump has previously threatened even higher penalties, including a 200% tariff on European Union alcohol imports during separate trade disputes in both early 2026 and early 2025. With the U.S. remaining a critical market for premium French agricultural goods, local producers fear that a prolonged standoff will severely damage their global competitive edge.

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G7 Summit Focuses on Iran and Ukraine as France Seeks Unity with Trump

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France is preparing to host the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains from June 15–17, with the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine expected to dominate discussions. French President Emmanuel Macron has crafted a carefully balanced agenda aimed at maintaining unity among G7 leaders and avoiding tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. Leaders from Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Egypt, have also been invited due to their involvement in regional security and mediation efforts.

A key focus will be the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire and ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East. Diplomats believe the atmosphere of the summit could depend heavily on whether Washington secures progress with Tehran before the meeting. At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to push for stronger Western support as negotiations with Russia remain stalled and Ukraine intensifies drone attacks on Russian military and energy targets.

Beyond security concerns, G7 leaders will discuss economic challenges such as critical mineral supply chains, global trade imbalances, and reducing dependence on China. France has also encouraged broader discussions involving countries such as India, Brazil, Kenya, and South Korea. Rather than issuing a broad final communiqué, the summit is expected to produce targeted agreements on issues including critical minerals, migration, and international security cooperation.

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Kremlin Says No Putin-Trump Call Planned as Ukraine Mediation Remains on Hold

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The Kremlin said there are currently no plans for a phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that while direct mediation efforts on the Ukraine conflict remain paused, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner continue to maintain communication with both Moscow and Kyiv.

According to Peskov, discussions between Russia and American negotiators are ongoing through existing channels, although no dates have been set for a possible visit by Witkoff and Kushner to Russia. Their earlier mediation efforts had stalled in February amid broader geopolitical tensions linked to military action against Iran.

The comments came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described a recent conversation with Witkoff and Kushner as positive and expressed optimism about renewed peace efforts. Peskov also dismissed the prospect of European mediation, arguing that European leaders are more focused on supporting the continuation of the conflict rather than advancing peace negotiations.

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Russia and China Criticize U.S. ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Shield Plan

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Russia and China have jointly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump over plans for the proposed “Golden Dome” missile-defense system, warning that it threatens global strategic stability. The statement came during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. The project aims to expand missile interception capabilities through ground-based systems and space-based defense technologies designed to detect and potentially destroy incoming missile threats.

Moscow and Beijing argued that the proposed shield undermines the balance between offensive and defensive nuclear systems, which they say is essential for maintaining global security. The two countries also criticized Washington for allowing the 2010 New START nuclear arms treaty to expire without negotiating a replacement. Russia backed China’s stance against joining future U.S.-Russia nuclear arms control talks, while both nations accused the U.S. of pursuing destabilizing military strategies.

The joint statement also warned against the deployment of intermediate-range missiles and the use of preventive missile strikes aimed at disabling enemy forces before conflict begins. Adding to tensions, Russia released footage of military exercises involving the movement and deployment of nuclear warheads for Iskander-M missile systems across Russia and Belarus. The developments highlight growing geopolitical strains between major global powers over missile defense and nuclear security.

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Pope Leo to Visit UNESCO in France Amid Budget Struggles After U.S. Exit

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Pope Leo XIV will travel to France from September 25 to 28, with a key stop planned at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris. The visit comes as UNESCO faces financial pressure following the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the agency, resulting in a significant budget shortfall.

The Vatican said the pope is also expected to visit the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, which reopened in 2024 after restoration work following the devastating 2019 fire. Pope Leo may also meet French President Emmanuel Macron and could address the French parliament during the trip. The detailed itinerary will be announced later.

The France visit will be Pope Leo’s fourth international trip of the year and comes amid growing global attention on his leadership style and political comments, including criticism of the Iran conflict that reportedly angered Trump. The pope, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, is the first American-born pope and also has French ancestry through immigrant roots in the United States.

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Canada Strengthens Arctic Defense Ties With Nordic Nations Amid Trump Pressure

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Canada is expanding its Arctic defense cooperation with Nordic countries as concerns grow over regional security and comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about Greenland and Canada. Canadian officials and Nordic allies are increasing military coordination, intelligence sharing and Arctic preparedness amid rising tensions linked to Russia and growing Chinese activity in the region.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has strengthened partnerships with Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on the United States for Arctic security. In March, Canada and the Nordic nations agreed to deepen cooperation in defense production, military procurement and cybersecurity. Discussions are also underway to help Greenland develop a local force modeled after Canada’s Rangers.

The renewed focus on Arctic alliances comes as climate change makes the region more accessible and strategically important. Experts say Russia maintains the strongest military presence in the Arctic, while China is increasing its involvement through partnerships and infrastructure projects. Despite Canada’s push for stronger Nordic ties, analysts note that cooperation with the United States through NORAD remains essential for large-scale Arctic defense operations.

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Germany’s Merz Says He Would Not Advise His Children to Live in the US

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would currently discourage his children from studying or working in the United States, pointing to what he described as a worsening social climate and shrinking opportunities even for highly educated professionals. Speaking at a Catholic convention in Wuerzburg, Merz said Germany now offers stronger prospects for young people.

His remarks come amid growing tensions between the United States and its European allies under President Donald Trump. Disagreements over trade, the wars in Ukraine and Iran, and NATO relations have strained ties between Washington and Berlin. Merz recently criticized the United States over the Iran conflict, while Washington responded with plans for partial troop withdrawals from Germany and increased tariffs on European Union car imports.

Although Merz described himself as a longtime admirer of America, he admitted that his opinion was changing. He said many highly educated Americans are struggling to find jobs and suggested the country’s environment has shifted rapidly. Trump has also criticized Germany under Merz, saying the chancellor should focus on fixing his own country before commenting on the United States.

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