Italy first country to win Unesco recognition for national cuisine

A Ryanair flight from Italy to London Stansted experienced a serious incident when a passenger suffering a mental health episode attempted to open an emergency exit door during descent. The situation escalated as another passenger shouted that it was not a terrorist act but a mental health crisis, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. The author, a thriller writer, intervened to prevent a potential disaster.

European leaders from the 'Coalition of the Willing' are set to hold a videoconference on Thursday to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine, with President Zelensky participating. This meeting comes as European nations face challenges in compensating for reduced U.S. aid, leading to a decline in overall support for Ukraine in 2025. While France, Germany, and the UK have increased their contributions, Italy and Spain have reduced or halted their aid.

Italy has made history by becoming the first country to have its culinary traditions recognized by UNESCO, officially inscribing Italian cooking on the intangible cultural heritage list during the UN cultural body's assembly in Delhi. This recognition highlights the global significance of Italy's rich culinary heritage.

European nations are facing significant challenges in filling the gap left by the cessation of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, with a notable decline in overall support expected in 2025. While countries like France, Germany, and the UK have increased their contributions, Italy and Spain have reduced or halted their aid efforts. The European Commission is exploring the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, but this plan is encountering resistance, particularly from Belgium.

Italian cooking has been awarded Unesco cultural heritage status, marking a significant milestone as Italy becomes the first country to receive such recognition for its national cuisine. This announcement was made during the UN cultural body's assembly in Delhi, highlighting the importance of culinary traditions in cultural identity.

The UK has aligned with several hardline European governments in advocating for the constraining of human rights laws, aiming to facilitate Rwanda-style migration agreements and increase the deportation of foreign criminals. This unofficial statement has been signed by 27 of the 46 Council of Europe members, including Hungary and Italy, and seeks to redefine what constitutes 'inhuman and degrading treatment'.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any proposals to cede land in ongoing peace negotiations, emphasizing Ukraine's sovereignty during meetings with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and Pope Leo. This stance comes amid rising pressure from the United States to accept a revised peace plan that aligns with Russian interests.