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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

People cool down near water misters in Cologne, Germany, on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Singapore

Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew seen as cool guy amid Europe’s deadly heatwave

In the midst of record-breaking temperatures, social media users are praising the late statesman’s foresight in embracing air conditioning.

6 minutes agovideocam

Electric & new energy vehicles

Banking on it: Chinese EVs expand their global footprint

2 hours ago

China trade

At Chinese supply chain expo, executives look to tech as geopolitical insulation

26 Jun 2026 - 10:00AM

Icons and Influencers

Style according to … Marie-Louise Sciò, CEO of Pellicano Hotels Group

The woman behind some of Italy’s most glamorous hotels reveals what to do in Rome, her love of Katharine Hepburn, and her dream to ride horses in Mongolia.

26 Jun 2026 - 6:00AM

Marie-Louise Sciò at Hotel Il Pellicano. Photo: Stephen Ringer

Extreme weather

‘Health impacts likely’ as Europe bakes in early heatwave

France hits record-breaking June heat as soaring temperatures put the UK and other nations under red alert. Tens of millions are affected.

24 Jun 2026 - 9:28PMvideocam

Extreme weather

Heatwave hits Europe: 40 drown in France trying to cool down in ‘climate chaos’

Europe swelters through record-high temperatures with governments having to take measures to try to reduce the impact.

23 Jun 2026 - 9:25PMvideocam

Pope Leo XIV

Pope exalts first US saint as a model for Christians for her care of migrants

Mother Frances Cabrini, patron saint of migrants, is known for caring for Italian immigrants in the US at the turn of the last century.

22 Jun 2026 - 1:29AM

Pope Leo takes part in Eucharistic adoration in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Italy, the birthplace of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Giorgia Meloni

Italy’s Meloni let Trump’s jibes slide for so long. Now, she’s hitting back

The Italian PM signals a ‘clean break’ by saying the US president lies and panders to enemies while turning on his friends.

21 Jun 2026 - 10:02AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump escalates clash with Italy’s Meloni over G7 photo claim

The clash has opened an unusually personal rift between Trump and one of Europe’s most prominent right-wing leaders.

21 Jun 2026 - 10:02AM

Architecture and design

The tea towel’s luxe transformation, from kitchen staple to Burberry styles

From hand-printed Italian linens to Hong Kong keepsakes, the dishcloth has transcended its humble origins to become a genuine design object.

20 Jun 2026 - 6:00AM

Donald Trump

Italian minister cancels US trip after Trump mocks Meloni

Trump said the Italian prime minister ‘wanted a picture with me so badly’ at the G7 summit and he agreed because he ‘felt sorry for her’.

19 Jun 2026 - 8:14PM

US President Donald Trump (left) speaks to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the G7 summit on Wednesday. Photo: Italian Prime Ministry/Reuters

Food and Drinks

Mouthing Off | Pizza pilgrimage to Naples reveals surprising insights into land of ‘best’ pizza

In the Italian birthplace of pizza, people’s attitudes on how the popular dish should be eaten are quite simple: they just don’t really care.

18 Jun 2026 - 4:15PM

Japan

Japan seeks Boeing alliance to rival China in aviation race

After the 1 trillion yen SpaceJet flop, Japan is pinning its hopes on an aerospace comeback to bridge the technology gap with China.

18 Jun 2026 - 9:18AM

China-EU relations

EU hits ‘make-or-break moment’ as divided leaders confront ‘China shock 2.0’

EU member states poised to confront internal divisions and launch aggressive trade defences against systemic threat posed by Beijing.

18 Jun 2026 - 10:17AMvideocam

Russia

Over 1,100 foreigners granted ‘anti-woke’ Russian visas last year

Germans, French and Americans top the list of recipients, according to Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

17 Jun 2026 - 5:46PM

People take in the sights outside the Kremlin in downtown Moscow on June 5. Photo: EPA

Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong food guide for Father’s Day weekend, June 19-21

Fill the upcoming long weekend with Jija’s afternoon tea, a four-hands steak dinner at Carna by Dario Cecchini, and a Father’s Day brunch at LPM.

17 Jun 2026 - 12:29PM

Cigarettes, football and Greenland: G7 hot mics reveal world leaders’ banter

Unfiltered audio captures off-the-cuff conversations at the G7 summit in France.

17 Jun 2026 - 12:54PM

Fashion

Max Mara’s cruise 2027 show in Shanghai’s Long Museum

Attended by celebrities including Michelle Yeoh, Eileen Gu, Katie Holmes and Maude Apatow, the runway show celebrated timeless style with modern sensibilities.

17 Jun 2026 - 5:19PM

The Max Mara cruise 2027 show took place at the Long Museum in Shanghai. Photo: Getty Images

Japan

Why Japan is trying to get in on Europe’s flagship drone programme

Analysts say Japan can bring precision manufacturing to the European project aimed at building a home-grown alternative to US-made drones.

16 Jun 2026 - 5:20PMvideocam

Architecture and design

Meet the Hong Kong designers turning trash into treasure

From spent coffee grounds to salvaged wood and abandoned gear destined for landfill, a new generation of Hong Kong designers is finding beauty, and purpose, in what we discard.

16 Jun 2026 - 8:00AM

Japan

Japan, Italy to boost tech, critical minerals cooperation

The nations seek closer ties, particularly on supply chains amid concerns about over-reliance on China for critical minerals.

16 Jun 2026 - 1:30AM

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) shakes hands with her Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni at a welcoming ceremony in Rome on Monday. Photo: Kyodo

Fashion

Gildo Zegna on the past and future of his family’s menswear label – interview

His priorities now include growing markets like the US and Middle East, and promoting deeper engagement through initiatives like the roving private members’ club Villa Zegna.

17 Jun 2026 - 2:45PM

From left: Angelo Zegna, Gildo Zegna, Gianluca Tagliabue and Edoardo Zegna. Photo: Handout

US, Israel war on Iran

The US and Iran have signed a ‘great deal’. So what happens now?

Memorandum of understanding expected to open pathway for talks on most contentious issues, including nuclear programme and sanctions.

15 Jun 2026 - 3:50PMvideocam

Trip Inspiration

From Double Haven to Phuket, Nirup Island to Amalfi – where should you take your yacht?

Discover dream yachting destinations – from Hong Kong’s serene Double Haven and Phuket’s island-hopping paradise to Sardinia’s crystal waters and Nirup Island’s luxury marina escape.

15 Jun 2026 - 8:00AM

European Union

Italian former general starts far-right party in attack on PM Meloni, EU

Roberto ‘Il Generale’ Vannacci’s fast-rising far-right party poses a threat to the stability of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s centre-right government.

14 Jun 2026 - 10:33PM

Former Italian general Roberto Vannacci delivers his speech at the end of the national assembly of his far-right Futuro Nazionale party, in Rome, Italy, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Spain

Pope Leo’s plane grounded, so Spain’s king gives him a ride

The pontiff flew back to Rome on the monarch’s private jet after the papal aircraft’s engine failed to start.

13 Jun 2026 - 3:49AM

Pope Leo boards a plane at Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna Airport, Canary Islands, Spain, on Friday. Photo: Vatican Media via Reuters

Nasa

Nasa chief defends choice of all-male Artemis III crew

Critics fear the agency is following Trump’s order to eliminate diversity and inclusion efforts despite its vow to put a woman on the moon.

11 Jun 2026 - 2:17AM

Space

Nasa reveals Artemis III astronauts in next step towards moon landing

The crew will orbit Earth while practising docking their Orion capsule with two lunar landers.

10 Jun 2026 - 2:16PM

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Italy

Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew seen as cool guy amid Europe’s deadly heatwave

In the midst of record-breaking temperatures, social media users are praising the late statesman’s foresight in embracing air conditioning.

Banking on it: Chinese EVs expand their global footprint

At Chinese supply chain expo, executives look to tech as geopolitical insulation

Style according to … Marie-Louise Sciò, CEO of Pellicano Hotels Group

The woman behind some of Italy’s most glamorous hotels reveals what to do in Rome, her love of Katharine Hepburn, and her dream to ride horses in Mongolia.

‘Health impacts likely’ as Europe bakes in early heatwave

France hits record-breaking June heat as soaring temperatures put the UK and other nations under red alert. Tens of millions are affected.

Heatwave hits Europe: 40 drown in France trying to cool down in ‘climate chaos’

Europe swelters through record-high temperatures with governments having to take measures to try to reduce the impact.

Pope exalts first US saint as a model for Christians for her care of migrants

Mother Frances Cabrini, patron saint of migrants, is known for caring for Italian immigrants in the US at the turn of the last century.

Italy’s Meloni let Trump’s jibes slide for so long. Now, she’s hitting back

The Italian PM signals a ‘clean break’ by saying the US president lies and panders to enemies while turning on his friends.

Trump escalates clash with Italy’s Meloni over G7 photo claim

The clash has opened an unusually personal rift between Trump and one of Europe’s most prominent right-wing leaders.

The tea towel’s luxe transformation, from kitchen staple to Burberry styles

From hand-printed Italian linens to Hong Kong keepsakes, the dishcloth has transcended its humble origins to become a genuine design object.

Italian minister cancels US trip after Trump mocks Meloni

Trump said the Italian prime minister ‘wanted a picture with me so badly’ at the G7 summit and he agreed because he ‘felt sorry for her’.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Mouthing Off | Pizza pilgrimage to Naples reveals surprising insights into land of ‘best’ pizza

In the Italian birthplace of pizza, people’s attitudes on how the popular dish should be eaten are quite simple: they just don’t really care.

Japan seeks Boeing alliance to rival China in aviation race

After the 1 trillion yen SpaceJet flop, Japan is pinning its hopes on an aerospace comeback to bridge the technology gap with China.

EU hits ‘make-or-break moment’ as divided leaders confront ‘China shock 2.0’

EU member states poised to confront internal divisions and launch aggressive trade defences against systemic threat posed by Beijing.

Over 1,100 foreigners granted ‘anti-woke’ Russian visas last year

Germans, French and Americans top the list of recipients, according to Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

Your Hong Kong food guide for Father’s Day weekend, June 19-21

Fill the upcoming long weekend with Jija’s afternoon tea, a four-hands steak dinner at Carna by Dario Cecchini, and a Father’s Day brunch at LPM.

Cigarettes, football and Greenland: G7 hot mics reveal world leaders’ banter

Unfiltered audio captures off-the-cuff conversations at the G7 summit in France.

Max Mara’s cruise 2027 show in Shanghai’s Long Museum

Attended by celebrities including Michelle Yeoh, Eileen Gu, Katie Holmes and Maude Apatow, the runway show celebrated timeless style with modern sensibilities.

Why Japan is trying to get in on Europe’s flagship drone programme

Analysts say Japan can bring precision manufacturing to the European project aimed at building a home-grown alternative to US-made drones.

Meet the Hong Kong designers turning trash into treasure

From spent coffee grounds to salvaged wood and abandoned gear destined for landfill, a new generation of Hong Kong designers is finding beauty, and purpose, in what we discard.

Japan, Italy to boost tech, critical minerals cooperation

The nations seek closer ties, particularly on supply chains amid concerns about over-reliance on China for critical minerals.

Gildo Zegna on the past and future of his family’s menswear label – interview

His priorities now include growing markets like the US and Middle East, and promoting deeper engagement through initiatives like the roving private members’ club Villa Zegna.

The US and Iran have signed a ‘great deal’. So what happens now?

Memorandum of understanding expected to open pathway for talks on most contentious issues, including nuclear programme and sanctions.

From Double Haven to Phuket, Nirup Island to Amalfi – where should you take your yacht?

Discover dream yachting destinations – from Hong Kong’s serene Double Haven and Phuket’s island-hopping paradise to Sardinia’s crystal waters and Nirup Island’s luxury marina escape.

Italian former general starts far-right party in attack on PM Meloni, EU

Roberto ‘Il Generale’ Vannacci’s fast-rising far-right party poses a threat to the stability of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s centre-right government.

Pope Leo’s plane grounded, so Spain’s king gives him a ride

The pontiff flew back to Rome on the monarch’s private jet after the papal aircraft’s engine failed to start.

Nasa chief defends choice of all-male Artemis III crew

Critics fear the agency is following Trump’s order to eliminate diversity and inclusion efforts despite its vow to put a woman on the moon.

Nasa reveals Artemis III astronauts in next step towards moon landing

The crew will orbit Earth while practising docking their Orion capsule with two lunar landers.

Mouthing Off | Pizza pilgrimage to Naples reveals surprising insights into land of ‘best’ pizza