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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

The Dome at London’s Home House, a private members’ club that also offers accommodation. Photo: Handout

Luxury travel

Private members’ clubs are adding rooms for the most discerning travellers

Wellness and hospitality companies are also getting in on the act, from American fitness chain Equinox to Italian restaurant Cipriani.

24 Dec 2025 - 7:00AM

India

Why India to Europe trade corridor is stalling even as talks continue

21 Dec 2025 - 5:00PM

Tourism

Rome to charge tourists to get close to famed Trevi Fountain

20 Dec 2025 - 2:44AM

China-EU relations

EU facing crunch talks over Ukraine, China and its economic future

EU leaders are set to meet amid growing concern in Brussels that the bloc’s divisions will impede meaningful action across a range of issues.

18 Dec 2025 - 2:07PMvideocam

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc had to decide what option it wanted to take to ensure Ukraine received funding. Photo: dpa

European Union

EU drops 2035 combustion engine ban in victory for its carmakers

Europe pivots to bolstering its crisis-hit auto sector in a major green policy retreat.

17 Dec 2025 - 2:08PM

My Take

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

From Ukraine to the Caribbean and Middle East, we are witnessing the application of the law of the jungle by the West and its ally.

14 Dec 2025 - 10:15PM

The Philippines

Will Philippines favour Eurofighter Typhoon for its military upgrade?

The Eurofighter, which is estimated to cost US$117 million each, has drawn buying interest from Bangladesh and other countries.

13 Dec 2025 - 1:00PM

A German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet performs at an airshow in Qawra, Malta, in September. Photo: Reuters

Food and Drinks

Unesco adds Italian cuisine and its rituals to world cultural heritage list

Italy’s culinary traditions have been recognised by the United Nations’ cultural agency as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

12 Dec 2025 - 5:14AM

China-Japan relations

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.

12 Dec 2025 - 12:29AMvideocam

Style Edit

Style Edit: Bulgari’s best festive offerings, from jewellery to bags

Trust Bulgari to feature plenty of shimmer this festive season, from the B.zero1 ring to the Bulgari Aluminium chronograph watch.

8 Dec 2025 - 10:00AM

Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo watch. Photo: Handout

Brunello Cucinelli

A-listers turned out for the Brunello Cucinelli film premiere in Rome

Hollywood actors Jeff Goldblum, Jessica Chastain and Chris Pine also attended the screening, held at Rome’s legendary Cinecittà Studios.

15 Dec 2025 - 3:41PM

Brunello Cucinelli and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Thursday premiere of Brunello, Il Visionario Garbato, in Rome. Photo: WireImage

Luxury brands

Luxury brands face probe over alleged Chinese worker exploitation in Italy

The alleged sweatshop labour practices, spark a nationwide investigation into ‘Made in Italy’ ethics and supply chain transparency.

4 Dec 2025 - 8:12PM

Fashion

Prada has bought Versace, but can it make Milan rival ‘interesting again’?

After struggling in the ‘quiet luxury’ era, Versace is in for a reboot as Prada looks to cash in on its ‘untapped growth potential’.

3 Dec 2025 - 7:15PM

European Union

EU’s former top diplomat Mogherini charged in fraud investigation

Federica Mogherini was arrested in Brussels amid raids over suspected fraud related to an EU-funded training programme for junior diplomats.

3 Dec 2025 - 4:19PM

Federica Mogherini in 2019. Photo: Reuters

Art

Want a da Vinci but are short a few million? Get the digital version instead

Limited-edition, certified digital copies of Italian masterpieces sold at a fraction of the originals’ cost are boosting museums’ cash flow.

2 Dec 2025 - 7:15PM

A high-definition digital version of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Lady with Dishevelled Hair hangs at the Brera Art Gallery in Milan, Italy, on November 24, 2025. Photo: AP

Fame and celebrity

Q&A | Eugenio Franceschini on fashion and his role as Marcello on Emily in Paris

The Italian actor talks about landing the Netflix show, working with Lily Collins, and what it’s like being a ‘heartthrob’.

30 Nov 2025 - 12:00PM

Defence

Italy’s Leonardo unveils ‘Michelangelo Dome’ air defence system

The system uses predictive AI to help position assets and shorten response times against threats like hypersonic weapons and drone swarms.

28 Nov 2025 - 1:44PM

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s finance chief seeks to attract Italian company listings on HKEX

Financial Secretary Paul Chan touted bilateral trade ties and a shared passion for creativity in his speech to the Trade Development Council.

28 Nov 2025 - 6:17AM

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan, seen on Tuesday at a dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, hopes to encourage Italian firms to invest in Hong Kong. Photo: Handout

South Korea

Italian TV host apologises for ‘careless’ South Korea-Japan history remarks

Mondi pledged to study history after saying ‘you should listen to both sides’ on Japan’s colonial rule.

27 Nov 2025 - 9:03AM

Trending in China

Italian eatery owner slammed for insulting 16 Taiwan tourists for sharing 5 pizzas

An Italian chef tells media that one reason for owner’s irritation might be because it is common for customers to order one pizza per person.

26 Nov 2025 - 2:00PM

Malaysia

Letters | Academic theories deserve rigorous scrutiny, not public shaming

Readers discuss the controversy over a Malaysian academic’s hypothesis about Roman shipbuilding, the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, and cutting back Hong Kong children’s screen time.

26 Nov 2025 - 11:30AM

Dr Solehah’s theory – that Romans may have learned shipbuilding techniques from Malay seafarers – deserved rigorous academic scrutiny. Photo: YouTube/Prof Dr Solehah

Mainland China

Italian police raid Amazon sites in probe involving Chinese goods

E-commerce giant Amazon is suspected of acting as a ‘Trojan horse’ in Italy customs fraud case, court document says.

25 Nov 2025 - 1:44PM

Amazon is under investigation in Italy for alleged smuggling of Chinese goods, sparking EU-wide probes and tax evasion concerns. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Paul Chan to lead delegation to Italy to showcase tech, boost trade

Science Park to invite eight tech start-up companies to attend Trade Development Council’s symposium in Milan.

24 Nov 2025 - 12:00PM

Britain

Opinion | Self-interest is now the main driver of Britain’s Asia policy

There are a great many reasons why the UK government should pay more attention to the Asia-Pacific, but that does not mean that it will.

24 Nov 2025 - 9:21AM

European Union

Italian left gathers for anti-Meloni campaign despite rivalries

Meloni has been durable as prime minister, despite occasional clashes within her coalition on bank taxes and aid to Ukraine.

23 Nov 2025 - 4:38PM

Supporters of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) demonstrate in front of the Senate in Rome. Photo: AFP

Food and Drinks

‘Carbonara sauce’ at EU parliament causes stir with Italy

Italy’s agriculture minister has demanded an investigation after he found jars containing pancetta at a supermarket in Brussels.

22 Nov 2025 - 2:41AM

Pasta carbonara is sometimes made with pancetta, but the traditional ingredient is guanciale. Photo: Shutterstock

Switzerland

Swiss police hunt 2 men after gold heist at museum, in echoes of Louvre robbery

Police said the men had bought tickets and waited until near closing time to overpower the guard and flee with dozens of gold coins.

21 Nov 2025 - 11:39PM

Science

Lightning start: China’s Juno ‘ghost particle’ detector delivers record results

2 months of ‘unprecedented measurement precision’ by world’s largest neutrino detector raises hopes for unlocking secrets of matter.

20 Nov 2025 - 2:09PMvideocam

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Italy

Private members’ clubs are adding rooms for the most discerning travellers

Wellness and hospitality companies are also getting in on the act, from American fitness chain Equinox to Italian restaurant Cipriani.

Why India to Europe trade corridor is stalling even as talks continue

Rome to charge tourists to get close to famed Trevi Fountain

EU facing crunch talks over Ukraine, China and its economic future

EU leaders are set to meet amid growing concern in Brussels that the bloc’s divisions will impede meaningful action across a range of issues.

EU drops 2035 combustion engine ban in victory for its carmakers

Europe pivots to bolstering its crisis-hit auto sector in a major green policy retreat.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

From Ukraine to the Caribbean and Middle East, we are witnessing the application of the law of the jungle by the West and its ally.

Will Philippines favour Eurofighter Typhoon for its military upgrade?

The Eurofighter, which is estimated to cost US$117 million each, has drawn buying interest from Bangladesh and other countries.

Unesco adds Italian cuisine and its rituals to world cultural heritage list

Italy’s culinary traditions have been recognised by the United Nations’ cultural agency as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.

Style Edit: Bulgari’s best festive offerings, from jewellery to bags

Trust Bulgari to feature plenty of shimmer this festive season, from the B.zero1 ring to the Bulgari Aluminium chronograph watch.

A-listers turned out for the Brunello Cucinelli film premiere in Rome

Hollywood actors Jeff Goldblum, Jessica Chastain and Chris Pine also attended the screening, held at Rome’s legendary Cinecittà Studios.

Luxury brands face probe over alleged Chinese worker exploitation in Italy

The alleged sweatshop labour practices, spark a nationwide investigation into ‘Made in Italy’ ethics and supply chain transparency.

Prada has bought Versace, but can it make Milan rival ‘interesting again’?

After struggling in the ‘quiet luxury’ era, Versace is in for a reboot as Prada looks to cash in on its ‘untapped growth potential’.

EU’s former top diplomat Mogherini charged in fraud investigation

Federica Mogherini was arrested in Brussels amid raids over suspected fraud related to an EU-funded training programme for junior diplomats.

Want a da Vinci but are short a few million? Get the digital version instead

Limited-edition, certified digital copies of Italian masterpieces sold at a fraction of the originals’ cost are boosting museums’ cash flow.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Q&A | Eugenio Franceschini on fashion and his role as Marcello on Emily in Paris

The Italian actor talks about landing the Netflix show, working with Lily Collins, and what it’s like being a ‘heartthrob’.

Italy’s Leonardo unveils ‘Michelangelo Dome’ air defence system

The system uses predictive AI to help position assets and shorten response times against threats like hypersonic weapons and drone swarms.

Hong Kong’s finance chief seeks to attract Italian company listings on HKEX

Financial Secretary Paul Chan touted bilateral trade ties and a shared passion for creativity in his speech to the Trade Development Council.

Italian TV host apologises for ‘careless’ South Korea-Japan history remarks

Mondi pledged to study history after saying ‘you should listen to both sides’ on Japan’s colonial rule.

Italian eatery owner slammed for insulting 16 Taiwan tourists for sharing 5 pizzas

An Italian chef tells media that one reason for owner’s irritation might be because it is common for customers to order one pizza per person.

Letters | Academic theories deserve rigorous scrutiny, not public shaming

Readers discuss the controversy over a Malaysian academic’s hypothesis about Roman shipbuilding, the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, and cutting back Hong Kong children’s screen time.

Italian police raid Amazon sites in probe involving Chinese goods

E-commerce giant Amazon is suspected of acting as a ‘Trojan horse’ in Italy customs fraud case, court document says.

Hong Kong’s Paul Chan to lead delegation to Italy to showcase tech, boost trade

Science Park to invite eight tech start-up companies to attend Trade Development Council’s symposium in Milan.

Opinion | Self-interest is now the main driver of Britain’s Asia policy

There are a great many reasons why the UK government should pay more attention to the Asia-Pacific, but that does not mean that it will.

Italian left gathers for anti-Meloni campaign despite rivalries

Meloni has been durable as prime minister, despite occasional clashes within her coalition on bank taxes and aid to Ukraine.

‘Carbonara sauce’ at EU parliament causes stir with Italy

Italy’s agriculture minister has demanded an investigation after he found jars containing pancetta at a supermarket in Brussels.

Swiss police hunt 2 men after gold heist at museum, in echoes of Louvre robbery

Police said the men had bought tickets and waited until near closing time to overpower the guard and flee with dozens of gold coins.

Lightning start: China’s Juno ‘ghost particle’ detector delivers record results

2 months of ‘unprecedented measurement precision’ by world’s largest neutrino detector raises hopes for unlocking secrets of matter.

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

Q&A | Eugenio Franceschini on fashion and his role as Marcello on Emily in Paris