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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

A pump jack and drilling rig in Texas. File photo: Reuters

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Ease the burden’: 5 EU finance ministers urge tax on energy firms’ profits

As fuel prices spike, ministers from Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Austria send joint letter to EU Commission.

5 minutes agovideocam

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

5 hours ago

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

The two children did not attend school and had to stand guard around the house where they lived at night.

2 Apr 2026 - 9:12PMvideocam

The man is said to have led a community of 15 people, including two children, who lived in a forest near Cefalu on Sicily’s northern coast. Photo: TNS

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

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

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’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a session of the Israeli parliament (Knesset) in Jerusalem. On Monday, the Knesset will meet to discuss a bill seeking to revive the death penalty for people convicted of acts of terrorism. Photo: AFP

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

The stolen truck of KitKats had left central Italy and was making its way to Poland, with a plan to distribute the bars in countries along the way. Photo illustration: AFP

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

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

Art March brings Asia’s largest contemporary art fairs, Art Basel and Art Central, to Hong Kong with events across the city. Photo: Elson Li

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

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

Rome’s hidden Santa Maria Sopra Minerva cloister is steeped in papal history and Renaissance art. Photo: AP

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

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

Migrants from Syria and Libya call for help as they are assisted by Spanish NGO Open Arms south of the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2022. Photo: AP

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

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

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Italy

‘Ease the burden’: 5 EU finance ministers urge tax on energy firms’ profits

As fuel prices spike, ministers from Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Austria send joint letter to EU Commission.

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

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

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

The two children did not attend school and had to stand guard around the house where they lived at night.

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.

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