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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

Food and Drinks

Hong Kong’s pizza scene heats up with 2 new world-class pizzerias

Two of the world’s best pizza restaurants are opening Hong Kong branches, heating up competition in the city’s already bustling pizza scene.

4 Jun 2026 - 6:15PM

China’s aircraft carriers

Why do China and other powers still want aircraft carriers?

2 Jun 2026 - 12:00PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong leader’s visit set to unlock Kazakh flights, with incentives eyed

2 Jun 2026 - 9:45AM

Japan

Is UK a ‘reliable partner’? Fighter jet delays test Japan’s patience

Tokyo is concerned as its ageing fighters need to be replaced and the project lacks a clear development plan and schedule, analysts say.

2 Jun 2026 - 4:42PM

The Global Combat Air Programme booth seen at the DSEI Japan 2025, a biennial, large-scale defence and security exhibition held in Japan. Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

My Life

How wartime Hong Kong became a passion for historian and author Tony Banham

Born in a British WWII hut, Tony Banham’s journey spans aviation, computing and historical research, leading to acclaimed works on his adopted hometown’s tumultuous past.

1 Jun 2026 - 8:00AM

Art

French museum reports theft of banana from multimillion-dollar artwork

Pompidou-Metz museum contacts police after a guard notices Maurizio Cattelan’s iconic duct-taped centrepiece has vanished.

1 Jun 2026 - 1:34PM

Music

Italy bans Kanye West concert over security concerns

Authorities scrap festival performance following pressure from local Jewish groups over rapper’s controversial history.

1 Jun 2026 - 9:58AM

Kanye West after arriving at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in 2025. Photo: AFP

International Property

Spain’s property market sees boost as Hongkongers, others, depart UK and Canada

As the cost of living rises, some Hongkongers living in the United Kingdom and Canada are set to move to Spain under the NLV scheme.

31 May 2026 - 9:30AM

Singapore

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

1 Jun 2026 - 9:40AM

China-EU relations

Brussels agrees on tougher China trade policy, as Beijing vows retaliation

Trade chief details why bloc needs to take stronger steps to defend itself from what is described as a new ‘China shock’ to its industries.

30 May 2026 - 1:06AMvideocam

European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic is expected to ramp up safeguard measures in sectors that are under severe pressure from Chinese overcapacity. Photo: Reuters

European Union

EU’s 6 biggest economies agree on capital markets supervision

It is part ‌of a bid to boost EU’s competitiveness as it struggles with weak growth and fierce competition from the US and China.

29 May 2026 - 10:18PMvideocam

European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels. The ⁠other 21 EU member states still need to agree to the proposals. Photo: AP

Art

Milan restores bull mosaic’s bits worn down by an unusual tradition

Craftsman rebuilds animal’s cratered anatomy after visitors wear down the 19th century floor with their heels.

29 May 2026 - 10:45AM

China-EU relations

EU heavyweights back industrial accelerator as China shock fears grow

Highlighting urgency, bloc’s major members offer qualified support of legislative proposal that has deepened tensions with Beijing.

28 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Europe plans tougher response to China Shock 2.0

EU officials will discuss new trade protection measures at a meeting on Friday as the continent’s companies contend with a deluge of Chinese imports.

28 May 2026 - 5:00PM

Cars made by Chinese automaker BYD on display at a show in Munich, Germany. Photo: Xinhua

China-EU relations

European leaders get ready to ‘act now’ amid rising fears of ‘China shock 2.0’

Ahead of a key debate on Friday, most commissioners said to support a more robust stance and broader use of safeguard measures.

28 May 2026 - 1:00PM

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is among those in support of a stronger trade and industrial policy. Photo: EPA

Luxury Spend It

The fountain pen’s unlikely second act, from status symbol to self-care tool

In an era of touchscreens and ballpoints, the fountain pen – used by the likes of Winston Churchill and Sean Connery – is quietly booming thanks to journaling and Gen Z fans.

27 May 2026 - 6:00AM

Extreme weather

Exceptionally early heatwave shatters records and brings deaths in Europe

Several drownings were reported in Britain and France as people tried to cool down.

27 May 2026 - 2:29AM

Science

How Lionel Messi’s favourite drink is sparking a major health craze in China

Ancient South American fusion may reduce risks of Parkinson’s and is enjoyed by top footballers, but the indigenous drink should be shared.

26 May 2026 - 5:26PMvideocam

The yerba mate plant is native to the Paraguay and Parana river basins in South America. Photo: Getty Images

Extreme weather

‘Heat dome’ over Europe scorches UK, France, Italy and Spain

The continent is baking under unseasonal heat that is shattering spring temperature records.

26 May 2026 - 11:58AM

Tourism

Checklist tourism trends as travellers go for selfies over ‘real stories’

From Paris to Turkey, tourists blitzing through sites for social media snaps are causing crowding and concerns that they’re missing the point.

26 May 2026 - 7:37AM

European Union

Pope calls for ‘disarming’ of AI, technology should be ‘human friendly’

Pope Leo called for the ‘disarming’ of artificial intelligence, and warned of ‘new forms of slavery’ behind its rise.

25 May 2026 - 6:31PMvideocam

Pope Leo XIV attends the presentation of his first Encyclical Letter ‘Magnifica Humanitas’, focused on the rise of artificial intelligence, in The Vatican on Monday. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Major EU countries push for tougher China policy ahead of Brussels debate

Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Lithuania call for more aggressive response to ‘systemic and structural industrial overcapacity’.

25 May 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

France’s position is well-known, with President Emmanuel Macron on Friday calling for a European “Section 301 tool”. Photo: Reuters

New Openings

Hong Kong’s hottest new openings, from Manteigaria to Avalon

Discover Hong Kong’s latest dining gems: Vincenzo Capuano’s award-winning pizzas, Manteigaria’s authentic Portuguese egg tarts, Parkside@Nina CWB’s international fusion dishes and Avalon’s all-day comfort classics.

25 May 2026 - 8:00AM

European Union

‘The blind few’: Pope urges end to pollution, decries profits earned

The world should ‘reject temptations of power and enrichment linked to practices that pollute the land, water, air, and social coexistence’.

23 May 2026 - 6:08PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel deports hundreds of Gaza flotilla activists as arrivals recount abuse

Detainees land in Turkey as their treatment in Israeli custody draws an international outcry.

22 May 2026 - 5:18PMvideocam

Activists disembark from a plane upon arrival at Istanbul Airport. Photo: Reuters

Cathay Pacific

Singapore Airlines faces narrow window to gain market share from Gulf rivals

SIA can capture more Asia-Europe traffic due to its strong oil hedging strategy and balance sheet, and the Iran war’s impact, analysts say.

22 May 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Singapore Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Changi Airport in Singapore. SIA says it will increase services to several European cities including Manchester, Milan and Munich. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war

‘Welcome to Israel’: videos of bound Gaza flotilla activists trigger furore

Netanyahu scolds Israel’s security minister for releasing footage taunting hundreds of detained civilians as international backlash grows.

21 May 2026 - 12:45PM

European Union

EU picks tungsten, rare earths, gallium for first critical mineral stockpile

The move marks one of the bloc’s most concrete steps to reduce reliance on China for elements vital to defence and tech.

20 May 2026 - 5:29PM

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