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Italy

The latest breaking news and stories on Italy, a country in southern Europe known as a parliamentary republic, and the world’s eighth largest economy. Also covering Italy’s relationship with China and Europe, plus commentary and updates on Italy’s economy, politics, society and social issues.

Capital

Rome

Head of State

President Sergio Mattarella

Head of Government

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

Pope Leo holds a wooden cross as he leads the Via Crucis procession at the Coliseum in Rome on Good Friday. Photo: dpa

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

‘I carry all of this suffering in my prayer,’ the pontiff said before he set out for the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross.

4 Apr 2026 - 4:50AM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong documentary pulled from cinemas 3 years ago to be screened in Italy

3 Apr 2026 - 7:10PM

Sexual harassment and assault

Italy arrests German-Indian ‘guru’ on child abuse allegations

2 Apr 2026 - 9:12PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Controlled escalation? Trump hails ‘victories’ in Iran but vows more strikes

US president tells anxious Americans that the conflict’s core objectives are ‘nearing completion’ but fails to lay out a clear timeline to end the war.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:31PMvideocam

President Donald Trump speaks about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Washington. Photo: AP

Japan

Why Japan’s advanced fighter project may get Canadian tailwinds

With Ottawa’s interest in the stealth fighter, Tokyo hopes the multinational project for its air force’s modernisation can regain momentum.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:04AM

China-EU relations

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:03AMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Meet F1 driver Kimi Antonelli, who just won the Japanese ⁠Grand Prix in Suzuka

The 19-year-old won his first Grand Prix race earlier this month in Shanghai, and followed it up immediately with a second win in Japan.

30 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

Kimi Antonelli rocking a new look for the Grand Prix in Japan. Photo: @kimi.antonelli/Instagram

Tourism

Where is The Last Supper housed? The convent where Dominican friars still live

Da Vinci’s painting resides in Milan’s Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Dominican friars continue to live, pray and serve the community.

30 Mar 2026 - 3:15PM

Israel

European countries appeal to Israel to abandon plans to revive death penalty

Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy and the UK expressed concern about the bill which opponents say would target only Palestinians.

30 Mar 2026 - 6:55AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Jerusalem police stop Catholic leaders from celebrating Palm Sunday mass

Police said the Church of the Holy Sepulchre had been notified that no mass could take place on Palm Sunday because of safety considerations.

30 Mar 2026 - 2:06AMvideocam

Issa Kassissieh, a Palestinian Christian, holds a cross and a palm frond while standing at the doors of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after finding them locked on Palm Sunday. Photo: Reuters

China shipbuilding

China’s high-end yacht owners say industry growth stifled by structural gaps

Shipowners say billionaire Richard Liu’s new venture to make yacht ownership more affordable will need to surmount significant challenges.

29 Mar 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Art

A riot of colourful artworks in Padua defines Italy’s Painted City

The World Heritage site’s colourful attractions include one of the earliest depictions of a kiss in Western painting.

29 Mar 2026 - 6:00AM

Crime

400,000 KitKat bars stolen, as thieves ‘make a break’ with 12 tonne shipment

The heist could cause a shortage of the chocolate snacks in Europe right before Easter, Nestlé warns.

29 Mar 2026 - 3:12AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Oil exploration investments across Africa declined after many Western oil majors retreated from long-term fossil investments, according to the African Petroleum Producers Organization. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Visiting galleries may keep artworks in Hong Kong for months due to shipping chaos

Gallerists taking part in Art Central say getting pieces to city was hard enough and they may park them here temporarily while weighing options.

24 Mar 2026 - 6:37PM

Manila’s Art for Space booth at this year’s Art Central. Photo: Eugene Lee

Giorgia Meloni

Italian voters reject judicial reform in setback for Meloni

Italy’s prime minister concedes defeat in a referendum on her judicial reform plan, which was seen as a test of her leadership.

24 Mar 2026 - 1:11PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Art March celebrations press on amid Middle East conflict disruptions

Flight cancellations via the region leave art fair participants juggling logistics, though organisers say impact remains limited.

23 Mar 2026 - 3:08PM

Style Edit

Style Edit: Valentino returns to Rome for Alessandro Michele’s FW 2026 show

The glamorous front row at the show in Palazzo Barberini included Gwyneth Paltrow, Colman Domingo, Lily Allen, Tyla and Thai star Jeff Satur.

24 Mar 2026 - 11:50AM

Creative director Alessandro Michele opted for a return to roots for Valentino’s fall/winter 2026 ready-to-wear collection, Interferenze. Photos: Handout

Indonesia

Opinion | Indonesia’s new aircraft carrier is more vanity project than war machine

The jet-less carrier might buy Jakarta a seat at the elite table, but it offers no advantage in modern naval warfare.

22 Mar 2026 - 10:00AM

Tourism

‘Most beautiful’ cloister in Rome hides a dramatic and dark past

Two popes were elected, and Galileo interrogated by the Roman Inquisition, behind the walls of this Roman cloister, steps from the Pantheon.

21 Mar 2026 - 5:15PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump calls Nato ‘cowards’ over lack of support in Iran war, sends more troops

Iran is threatening tourist sites worldwide, renewing fears that Tehran could resort to militant attacks beyond the Middle East.

21 Mar 2026 - 12:55AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump complained Nato countries did not ‌want to join the fight against Iran, yet still complain about high oil prices. Photo: AFP

Malaysia

Some tourists in Malaysia make most of ‘extended’ holiday amid flight mess

Stranded European visitors in Malaysia navigate visa extensions and rebooking woes as the conflict shows no sign of easing.

20 Mar 2026 - 12:36PMvideocam

An Instagrammable spot in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Facebook/malaysia.travel.my

US, Israel war on Iran

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

Governments are racing to respond, as oil and gas prices raise fears of a further spike in living costs.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

European Union

Hundreds die crossing Mediterranean as 2026 already smashes records

At least 655 migrants died or went missing in January and February taking one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

19 Mar 2026 - 3:07PM

Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong Tourism Board to woo overnight big spenders, diversify visitor mix

Board executive director Anthony Lau says 75 per cent of its resources will go towards overseas markets.

18 Mar 2026 - 9:44PM

Hong Kong will bring down the curtain on the two-decade-old “A Symphony of Lights”. Photo: Sam Tsang

Style Edit

Style Edit: Anteprima unveiled nostalgic artistry during Milan Fashion Week

The Milan-based label’s fall/winter 2026 collection explored time and memory.

12 Mar 2026 - 3:26PM

Anteprima leaned into nostalgia and modern artistry for its fall/winter 2026 collections at Milan Fashion Week. Photos: Getty Images

Ukraine war

Ukraine protests Russia’s participation in Venice Biennale

Organisers have said Russia could participate for the first time since launching its all-out invasion in 2022.

9 Mar 2026 - 12:58PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Macron to visit Cyprus, French warships deployed as war in Middle East rages

The president’s visit will demonstrate France’s solidarity with Cyprus following Iranian strikes and underscore the importance of maritime security in the region.

9 Mar 2026 - 8:14PMvideocam

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Italy

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

‘I carry all of this suffering in my prayer,’ the pontiff said before he set out for the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross.

Hong Kong documentary pulled from cinemas 3 years ago to be screened in Italy

Italy arrests German-Indian ‘guru’ on child abuse allegations

Controlled escalation? Trump hails ‘victories’ in Iran but vows more strikes

US president tells anxious Americans that the conflict’s core objectives are ‘nearing completion’ but fails to lay out a clear timeline to end the war.

Why Japan’s advanced fighter project may get Canadian tailwinds

With Ottawa’s interest in the stealth fighter, Tokyo hopes the multinational project for its air force’s modernisation can regain momentum.

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

Meet F1 driver Kimi Antonelli, who just won the Japanese ⁠Grand Prix in Suzuka

The 19-year-old won his first Grand Prix race earlier this month in Shanghai, and followed it up immediately with a second win in Japan.

Where is The Last Supper housed? The convent where Dominican friars still live

Da Vinci’s painting resides in Milan’s Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Dominican friars continue to live, pray and serve the community.

European countries appeal to Israel to abandon plans to revive death penalty

Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy and the UK expressed concern about the bill which opponents say would target only Palestinians.

Jerusalem police stop Catholic leaders from celebrating Palm Sunday mass

Police said the Church of the Holy Sepulchre had been notified that no mass could take place on Palm Sunday because of safety considerations.

China’s high-end yacht owners say industry growth stifled by structural gaps

Shipowners say billionaire Richard Liu’s new venture to make yacht ownership more affordable will need to surmount significant challenges.

A riot of colourful artworks in Padua defines Italy’s Painted City

The World Heritage site’s colourful attractions include one of the earliest depictions of a kiss in Western painting.

400,000 KitKat bars stolen, as thieves ‘make a break’ with 12 tonne shipment

The heist could cause a shortage of the chocolate snacks in Europe right before Easter, Nestlé warns.

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

Visiting galleries may keep artworks in Hong Kong for months due to shipping chaos

Gallerists taking part in Art Central say getting pieces to city was hard enough and they may park them here temporarily while weighing options.

Italian voters reject judicial reform in setback for Meloni

Italy’s prime minister concedes defeat in a referendum on her judicial reform plan, which was seen as a test of her leadership.

Hong Kong’s Art March celebrations press on amid Middle East conflict disruptions

Flight cancellations via the region leave art fair participants juggling logistics, though organisers say impact remains limited.

Style Edit: Valentino returns to Rome for Alessandro Michele’s FW 2026 show

The glamorous front row at the show in Palazzo Barberini included Gwyneth Paltrow, Colman Domingo, Lily Allen, Tyla and Thai star Jeff Satur.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Indonesia’s new aircraft carrier is more vanity project than war machine

The jet-less carrier might buy Jakarta a seat at the elite table, but it offers no advantage in modern naval warfare.

‘Most beautiful’ cloister in Rome hides a dramatic and dark past

Two popes were elected, and Galileo interrogated by the Roman Inquisition, behind the walls of this Roman cloister, steps from the Pantheon.

Trump calls Nato ‘cowards’ over lack of support in Iran war, sends more troops

Iran is threatening tourist sites worldwide, renewing fears that Tehran could resort to militant attacks beyond the Middle East.

Some tourists in Malaysia make most of ‘extended’ holiday amid flight mess

Stranded European visitors in Malaysia navigate visa extensions and rebooking woes as the conflict shows no sign of easing.

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

Governments are racing to respond, as oil and gas prices raise fears of a further spike in living costs.

Hundreds die crossing Mediterranean as 2026 already smashes records

At least 655 migrants died or went missing in January and February taking one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

Hong Kong Tourism Board to woo overnight big spenders, diversify visitor mix

Board executive director Anthony Lau says 75 per cent of its resources will go towards overseas markets.

Style Edit: Anteprima unveiled nostalgic artistry during Milan Fashion Week

The Milan-based label’s fall/winter 2026 collection explored time and memory.

Ukraine protests Russia’s participation in Venice Biennale

Organisers have said Russia could participate for the first time since launching its all-out invasion in 2022.

Macron to visit Cyprus, French warships deployed as war in Middle East rages

The president’s visit will demonstrate France’s solidarity with Cyprus following Iranian strikes and underscore the importance of maritime security in the region.

Opinion | Indonesia’s new aircraft carrier is more vanity project than war machine