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New Delhi, India 
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday (Dec 18) took a defensive stance on her friendship with billionaire Elon Musk and informed Italian lawmakers it will not influence her in areas in which the latter has economic interests.
“I can be a friend of Elon Musk and at the same time the head of the first Italian government that made a new law to regulate private activity in space,’’ said Meloni, while replying to questions in a customary parliamentary discussion held before the European Union summit scheduled for this week in Brussels. 
Meloni took a jibe at her predecessors and said that previous Italian leaders “who thought they had a good relationship, even a friendship, with a foreign leader, they had to slavishly follow what the others did.”
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/elon-musk-surpasses-the-net-worth-of-bezos-and-zuckerberg-combined-785218">Elon Musk surpasses the net worth of Bezos and Zuckerberg combined</a>
She said that she shared good relationships “with many people” but “I don’t take orders from anyone and you should be happy about this."
<h2>Meloni and Musk's friendship</h2>
Meloni was frequently seen with Tesla and SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk after coming to power in 2022. 
This year, Meloni’s government approved a framework which paved the way for foreign space companies to operate in the country. It is expected that this will generate $7.7 billion in investments by 2026.
Watch: Elon Musk's Philanthropic Donations Fail to Meet Minimum Threshold
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/files/2024/12/19/1912_wion_musk_930am-1734585011-00000003.jpg&videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/1912_wion_musk_930am.mp4/index.m3u8&duration=184&tags=Elon Musk,donations,elon musk's charitable foundation" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
Amid this, the friendship between Meloni and Musk also garnered a lot of attention. Musk refuted reports of having any kind of romantic relationship with Meloni after a photo of them looking at each other went viral last September. 
The two also attended a black-tie event in New York where Meloni was presented an award by Musk.
A year ago, Musk was also seen at an event organised for the ruling party's youth members in Italy. 
(With inputs from agencies)

A picture of Musk and Meloni from an event in September went viral and left social media users speculating if the two were "dating"

 



New Delhi, India Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday (Dec 18) took a defensive stance on her friendship with billionaire Elon Musk and informed Italian lawmakers it will not influence her in areas in which the latter has economic interests. “I can be a friend of Elon Musk and at the same time the head of the first Italian government that made a new law to regulate private activity in space,’’ said Meloni, while replying to questions in a customary parliamentary discussion held before the European Union summit scheduled for this week in Brussels. Meloni took a jibe at her predecessors and said that previous Italian leaders “who thought they had a good relationship, even a friendship, with a foreign leader, they had to slavishly follow what the others did.” Also Read: Elon Musk surpasses the net worth of Bezos and Zuckerberg combined She said that she shared good relationships “with many people” but “I don’t take orders from anyone and you should be happy about this." Meloni and Musk's friendship Meloni was frequently seen with Tesla and SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk after coming to power in 2022. This year, Meloni’s government approved a framework which paved the way for foreign space companies to operate in the country. It is expected that this will generate $7.7 billion in investments by 2026. Watch: Elon Musk's Philanthropic Donations Fail to Meet Minimum Threshold Amid this, the friendship between Meloni and Musk also garnered a lot of attention. Musk refuted reports of having any kind of romantic relationship with Meloni after a photo of them looking at each other went viral last September. The two also attended a black-tie event in New York where Meloni was presented an award by Musk. A year ago, Musk was also seen at an event organised for the ruling party's youth members in Italy. (With inputs from agencies)

Italy's Giorgia Meloni speaks on her friendship with Musk, says 'Don't take orders from anyone'

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni&nbsp;on Wednesday (Dec 18) took a defensive stance on her friendship with billionaire Elon Musk and informed Italian lawmakers it will not influence her in areas in which the latter has economic interests.

“I can be a friend of Elon Musk and at the same time the head of the first Italian government that made a new law to regulate private activity in space,’’ said Meloni, while replying to questions in a customary parliamentary discussion held before the European Union summit scheduled for this week in Brussels.&nbsp;

Meloni took a jibe at her predecessors and said that previous Italian leaders “who thought they had a good relationship, even a friendship, with a foreign leader, they had to slavishly follow what the others did.”

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/elon-musk-surpasses-the-net-worth-of-bezos-and-zuckerberg-combined-785218">Elon Musk surpasses the net worth of Bezos and Zuckerberg combined</a>

She said that she shared good relationships “with many people” but “I don’t take orders from anyone and you should be happy about this."

<h2>Meloni and Musk's friendship</h2>

Meloni was frequently seen with Tesla and SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk after coming to power in 2022.&nbsp;

This year, Meloni’s government approved a framework which paved the way for foreign space companies to operate in the country. It is expected that this will generate $7.7 billion in investments by 2026.

Watch:&nbsp;Elon Musk's Philanthropic Donations Fail to Meet Minimum Threshold

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musks-philanthropic-donations-fail-to-meet-minimum-threshold-785169/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Amid this, the friendship between Meloni and Musk also garnered a lot of attention. Musk refuted reports of having any kind of romantic relationship with Meloni after a photo of them looking at each other went viral last September.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The two also attended a black-tie event in New York where Meloni was presented an award by Musk.

A year ago, Musk was also seen at an event organised for the ruling party's youth members in Italy.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday (Dec 18) took a defensive stance on her friendship with billionaire Elon Musk and informed Italian lawmakers it will not influence her in areas in which the latter has economic interests.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday (Dec 18) took a defensive stance on her friendship with billionaire Elon Musk and informed Italian lawmakers it will not influence her in areas in which the latter has economic interests. “I can be a friend of Elon Musk and at the same time the head of the first Italian government that made a new law to regulate private activity in space,’’ said Meloni, while replying to questions in a customary parliamentary discussion held before the European Union summit scheduled for this week in Brussels. Meloni took a jibe at her predecessors and said that previous Italian leaders “who thought they had a good relationship, even a friendship, with a foreign leader, they had to slavishly follow what the others did.” Also Read: Elon Musk surpasses the net worth of Bezos and Zuckerberg combined She said that she shared good relationships “with many people” but “I don’t take orders from anyone and you should be happy about this." Meloni and Musk's friendship Meloni was frequently seen with Tesla and SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk after coming to power in 2022. This year, Meloni’s government approved a framework which paved the way for foreign space companies to operate in the country. It is expected that this will generate $7.7 billion in investments by 2026. Watch: Elon Musk's Philanthropic Donations Fail to Meet Minimum Threshold Amid this, the friendship between Meloni and Musk also garnered a lot of attention. Musk refuted reports of having any kind of romantic relationship with Meloni after a photo of them looking at each other went viral last September. The two also attended a black-tie event in New York where Meloni was presented an award by Musk. A year ago, Musk was also seen at an event organised for the ruling party's youth members in Italy. (With inputs from agencies)

In a bid to perhaps outsmart the Supreme Court, BSP chief has converted her official accommodation into a memorial for late party supremo Kanshiram.&nbsp;

Instead of vacating her official residence at 13 A, Mall Avenue, Lucknow, Mayawati has reportedly gotten a signboard on the premises declaring it to be ‘Shri Kanshiram Ji Yaadgar Vishraam Sthal’.&nbsp;

Supreme Court has recently ordered former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers to vacate their official residences.

The Supreme Court had earlier this month said that former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh cannot retain government accommodation after demitting office, observing that a chief minister was at par with a common man once his or her term ends.

The court was hearing a petition filed by NGO Lok Prahari, challenging the amendments made by the erstwhile Akhilesh Yadav government to the UP Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1981.

As per the notice served by the UP Government after Supreme Court’s order, six former CMs of UP, including Mayawati and Akhilesh, will have to vacate their government bungalows by the end of this month.

Though Mayawati is set to vacate her government bungalow situated at 13A Mall Avenue and is reportedly moving to a new address 9 Mall Avenue, which happens to be bang opposite to her house. But on Monday morning one board had come up at 13A Mall Avenue which read 'Kanshiram Yaadgar Vishram Sthal'.

Six former CMs of UP, including Mayawati and Akhilesh, will have to vacate their government bungalows by the end of this month.

In a bid to perhaps outsmart the Supreme Court, BSP chief has converted her official accommodation into a memorial for late party supremo Kanshiram. Instead of vacating her official residence at 13 A, Mall Avenue, Lucknow, Mayawati has reportedly gotten a signboard on the premises declaring it to be ‘Shri Kanshiram Ji Yaadgar Vishraam Sthal’. Supreme Court has recently ordered former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers to vacate their official residences. The Supreme Court had earlier this month said that former chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh cannot retain government accommodation after demitting office, observing that a chief minister was at par with a common man once his or her term ends. The court was hearing a petition filed by NGO Lok Prahari, challenging the amendments made by the erstwhile Akhilesh Yadav government to the UP Ministers (Salaries, Allowances and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1981. As per the notice served by the UP Government after Supreme Court’s order, six former CMs of UP, including Mayawati and Akhilesh, will have to vacate their government bungalows by the end of this month. Though Mayawati is set to vacate her government bungalow situated at 13A Mall Avenue and is reportedly moving to a new address 9 Mall Avenue, which happens to be bang opposite to her house. But on Monday morning one board had come up at 13A Mall Avenue which read 'Kanshiram Yaadgar Vishram Sthal'.

Mayawati converts govt bungalow into Kanshi Ram memorial as Supreme Court orders to vacate it

Saudi Arabia has promised &quot;urgent&quot; action to resolve the plight of some 2,500 Indian workers stranded without money in the kingdom after a plunge in oil prices sparked construction layoffs. 
 
Labour minister Mufarrej al-Haqbani issued orders to allow the Indian workers &quot;to immediately transfer their kafala (sponsorship) and renew their residencies,&quot; the Okaz daily reported on today. Haqbani&#39;s orders also ease restrictions on workers leaving the kingdom, Okaz quoted ministry official Abdullah al-Alyan as saying. 
 
The kafala system, applied on foreign workers in Gulf countries, restricts most employees from moving to a new job without their boss&#39;s consent before their contracts end, leaving many trapped. It has been criticised by rights groups as a form of bonded labour or even slavery. 
 
Alyan&#39;s announcement comes as India&#39;s minister of state for foreign affairs, VK Singh, arrived in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah today, after New Delhi said it was negotiating to repatriate thousands of migrant workers who have lost their jobs and were left with no money to return home. 
 
Asian activists and officials have said that thousands of jobless Indians, Filipinos, and Pakistanis are stranded and destitute in Saudi Arabia following the construction layoffs. 
 
Some of them have been forced to beg or sift through garbage to survive after going unpaid for months, according to officials. But Alyan did not mention thousands of Saudi-based Filipino and Pakistani workers, and dismissed as &quot;rumours&quot; that around 10,000 Indian workers had been left to starve. Alyan said the &quot;immediate and urgent action&quot; was to resolve the issues of &quot;2,500 Indian workers from Saudi Oger who have faced difficulties due the delays in their salaries&quot; and cut-offs in electricity and food supplies from their camps. 
 
Sources in March told AFP that delayed receipts from the government, whose oil revenues have dropped significantly over the past two years, left employees of construction giants struggling while they wait for salaries. 
 
Saudi Oger, the once-mighty construction giant led by Lebanon&#39;s billionaire former prime minister Saad Hariri, is among the affected companies. It employs around 50,000 people of various nationalities. 
 
(AFP)

But Alyan ignored thousands of Saudi-based Filipino and Pakistani workers, and dismissed as "rumours" around 10,000 starving Indian workers

Saudi Arabia has promised "urgent" action to resolve the plight of some 2,500 Indian workers stranded without money in the kingdom after a plunge in oil prices sparked construction layoffs. Labour minister Mufarrej al-Haqbani issued orders to allow the Indian workers "to immediately transfer their kafala (sponsorship) and renew their residencies," the Okaz daily reported on today. Haqbani's orders also ease restrictions on workers leaving the kingdom, Okaz quoted ministry official Abdullah al-Alyan as saying. The kafala system, applied on foreign workers in Gulf countries, restricts most employees from moving to a new job without their boss's consent before their contracts end, leaving many trapped. It has been criticised by rights groups as a form of bonded labour or even slavery. Alyan's announcement comes as India's minister of state for foreign affairs, VK Singh, arrived in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah today, after New Delhi said it was negotiating to repatriate thousands of migrant workers who have lost their jobs and were left with no money to return home. Asian activists and officials have said that thousands of jobless Indians, Filipinos, and Pakistanis are stranded and destitute in Saudi Arabia following the construction layoffs. Some of them have been forced to beg or sift through garbage to survive after going unpaid for months, according to officials. But Alyan did not mention thousands of Saudi-based Filipino and Pakistani workers, and dismissed as "rumours" that around 10,000 Indian workers had been left to starve. Alyan said the "immediate and urgent action" was to resolve the issues of "2,500 Indian workers from Saudi Oger who have faced difficulties due the delays in their salaries" and cut-offs in electricity and food supplies from their camps. Sources in March told AFP that delayed receipts from the government, whose oil revenues have dropped significantly over the past two years, left employees of construction giants struggling while they wait for salaries. Saudi Oger, the once-mighty construction giant led by Lebanon's billionaire former prime minister Saad Hariri, is among the affected companies. It employs around 50,000 people of various nationalities. (AFP)

Saudi vows 'urgent' action for stranded Indian workers

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