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Italy Advances Tougher Measures on Migrant Arrivals

ILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends a bilateral meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance (not pictured), during his visit to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 6, 2026.  Italy’s government has approved a new migration bill that would grant authorities the power to impose temporary naval blockades during periods of intense pressure on the country’s borders. The proposal, backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is designed to curb irregular sea crossings by restricting access to Italian territorial waters. The draft law would allow officials to bar vessels from entering for up to 30 days, with the option to extend the measure to six months if national security or public order is deemed at risk. The plan also strengthens border surveillance, increases penalties for human smuggling, and expands the list of offenses that can lead to deportation. Supporters argue the move is necessary to manage migration flows more effectively, whi...

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South Korea’s Hanwha Oceans Dangles Major Industrial Perks in Bid for Canada’s Submarine Deal

 A model of a Hanwha KSS-III submarine at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries annual defence industry trade show, CANSEC, in Ottawa in May.


South Korea’s Hanwha Oceans is ramping up its campaign to secure the multibillion-dollar contract to build the Royal Canadian Navy’s next fleet of submarines, offering a package that extends far beyond naval hardware.

As one of two finalists in the competition, Hanwha is proposing a suite of industrial and technological partnerships that could see Canadian investment in lithium-ion battery production, liquefied natural gas, aerospace, steel, critical minerals, and sustainable energy. The company has also pledged to construct submarine sustainment facilities on both coasts and explore domestic manufacturing of tanks, rockets, and howitzers.

Hanwha’s pitch emphasizes “friend-shoring” — citing its recent armoured vehicle plant in Australia — and promises that the entire life cycle of the submarines, from maintenance to support, would be handled in Canada by Canadians for decades.

Canadian defence officials, including Deputy Minister Stefanie Beck, recently toured Hanwha’s Geoje shipyard to inspect the KSS-III lithium-ion powered submarine, already in service with the South Korean navy. Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit the facility next month, following his tour of a rival German shipyard in August.

The winner of the contract, expected to be announced next year, will replace Canada’s aging Victoria-class submarines, with the first new vessel slated for delivery by 2035. Hanwha insists it can deliver faster — and with broader economic benefits — than its competition.

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