Europe

ROME (AP) — Giorgia Meloni on Friday formed Italy’s new ruling coalition, assembling the country’s first far-right-led government since the end of World War II and becoming the first woman to obtain the premiership.

A presidential palace official announced that Meloni and her Cabinet would be sworn in on Saturday. Meloni’s Brothers of Italy, a party with neo-fascist roots, was the top vote-getter in Italy’s national election last month.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian forces bombarded Russian positions in the occupied and illegally annexed southern Kherson region, targeting resupply routes across a major river while inching closer Friday to a full assault on one of the first urban areas Russia captured after invading the country.

Russian-installed officials were reported desperately trying to turn the city of Kherson, a prime objective for both sides because of its key industries and major river and sea port, into a fortress while attempting to evacuate tens of thousands of residents.

LONDON (AP) — Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson -- ousted by ethics scandals just three months ago -- jockeyed to make a comeback Friday as one of several contenders seeking to replace Liz Truss, whose rapid downfall threw the country’s leadership into disarray at a time of severe economic challenges.

The governing Conservative Party has ordered a lightning-fast race that aims to finalize nominations Monday and install a new prime minister within a week.

21 October 2022; MEMO: The UK, on Thursday, announced new sanctions on Iranian individuals and businesses "responsible for supplying Russia with kamikaze drones used to bombard Ukraine", Anadolu News Agency reports.

Russia is using the drones "to attack both civilian targets and critical infrastructure in Kyiv and across Ukraine, with the intention of cutting off Ukrainian people from energy, heating and water," a statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said.

20 October 2022; MEMO: French President, Emmanuel Macron, has toured the Grand Mosque of Paris yesterday to mark 100 years of its founding.

Macron was greeted by the Mosque's rector, Chems-Eddine Hafiz, before inspecting an exhibition about the mosque's history. Hafiz was awarded with the insignia of the Legion of Honour by Macron, France's highest civilian honour.

CHISINAU, October 20. /TASS/: Moldova has paid for the current gas supplies to Gazprom, Vadim Cheban chairman of the board of the Moldovagaz gas distribution company announced on Thursday.

"With the assistance of the government of the republic of Moldova, JSC Moldovagaz transferred $53.5 million to PJSC Gazprom for September natural gas supplies. The company also transferred $27.4 million to the supplier as an advance payment in the amount of 50% of the total payment for supplies in October," Cheban wrote in his Telegram channel.

BRUSSELS, October 20. /TASS/: The European Union (EU) has introduced sanctions against the Iranian drone producer Shahed Aviation Industries and three generals from the country, according to the Council Implementing Regulation posted in the Official Journal of the EU on Thursday.

KIEV, October 20. /TASS/: President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky has introduced a decision of the country’s national security and defense council to blacklist prominent Russian businessmen, according to the text of a document posted on Thursday on the presidential website.

BERLIN, October 20. /TASS/: A political decision to cap energy prices is always fraught with risks and can lead to a reduction in gas supplies to Europe, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said speaking in the Bundestag on Thursday.

"We are considering the proposals of the European Commission very carefully. A politically set price cap always carries the risk that producers will sell their gas somewhere else, and we, Europeans, will end up not with more gas, but with less gas," he warned.

MOSCOW, October 20. /TASS/: US statements about their willingness to resume talks with Russia on an agreement to replace the New START were not backed up by any communication between the two sides and are intended to stir up propaganda, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing Thursday.