Italian Deputy PM Salvini Acquitted of Charges Over Migrant Ship Blockade

Matteo Salvini, the deputy prime minister of Italy and leader of the far-right League party, has been acquitted of charges of kidnapping and dereliction of duty. The case stems from an incident in 2019 when he refused to allow a Spanish migrant rescue ship to dock in an Italian port while he was serving as interior minister. The court dropped all charges against him, although it's worth noting that Italian verdicts are not considered final until all appeals are exhausted. This decision comes after 25 standoffs between rescue vessels and Italian authorities during Salvini's time as interior minister.