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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

Burning debris during cost-of-living protests in Paris on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Protests around the world

From Paris to Tirana, why protests and riots are sweeping across Europe

Soaring rents, dilapidated schools and inflation ignite widespread clashes, fuelling political turmoil across the continent.

4 hours ago

Trip Inspiration

Six legendary libraries, where architecture and academia meet

20 Oct 2026 - 8:00AM

France

France imposes curfews in Paris and major cities after worst riots in years

20 Oct 2026 - 9:14AM

European Union

Pope Leo pledges return to duties following lung cancer surgery

The first US pope had an ‌operation on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.

18 Oct 2026 - 8:03PM

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo leaves hospital 4 days after lung cancer surgery

He will lead prayers at the Vatican for pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, his first ⁠public engagement since he went into hospital.

17 Oct 2026 - 10:55PM

US-China relations

Americans favour China more than Russia, but both near bottom of G20: Pew report

New study finds Americans have ‘very cold view’ of Russia, while their opinion of China remains more negative than positive.

17 Oct 2026 - 5:24AM

Ukraine war

From hospital, Pope Leo pushes Putin for ceasefire in contested Ukraine city

The call suggests the pontiff, who is recovering from a lung cancer operation, is still hard at work.

17 Oct 2026 - 1:47AM

Pope Leo celebrates mass at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome on Friday. Photo: Vatican Media via AP

Fashion

Meet Nina Christen, the quiet force behind your favourite designer shoes

Having co-designed Bottega’s Puddle boot and Loewe’s balloon pumps, Christen has big plans for her namesake label, now stocked at Mytheresa, Lane Crawford, Selfridges and more.

16 Oct 2026 - 8:00AM

European Union

EU leaders clash over budget as Marine Le Pen’s shadow hangs over Brussels

The summit hits an initial impasse as Germany leads fiscal hardliners against calls for fresh spending, with 2027 French election looming.

15 Oct 2026 - 6:42PM

Pope Leo XIV

Video | Prayers and well-wishes for Pope Leo after lung surgery

Vatican says the 71-year-old pontiff spent a peaceful night after a 90-minute operation to remove part of his lung was completed without complications.

15 Oct 2026 - 1:03PM

01:58

Americas and the Caribbean

Concrete, steel and razor wire: inside Latin America’s newest mega-prison

President vows Costa Rica will become a ‘global benchmark’ for prison security as 5,100-inmate facility opens to confront cartels.

15 Oct 2026 - 2:00PM

Tiered metal bunk beds with orange inmate uniforms and shoes laid out inside Costa Rica’s new 5,100-capacity mega-prison. Photo: EPA

On Our Radar

Global-hit Disgusting Food Museum challenges Hong Kong with a bold question: what do we consider edible?

Peruvian frog juice, deep-fried bull testicles and the smelliest canned food in the world – come to the Disgusting Food Museum for the controversial delicacies, stay for the reflections on what’s considered edible, what’s not and why.

15 Oct 2026 - 8:00AM

Global monetary policy

Why the IMF is worried about a global debt squeeze as bond yields climb

Higher bond yields raise debt-servicing costs and increase fiscal pressure across advanced and emerging economies, global lender says.

14 Oct 2026 - 3:48PM

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo diagnosed with cancer after surgery to remove part of his lung

Vatican says 71-year-old pontiff spent a peaceful night after 90-minute operation was completed without complications.

14 Oct 2026 - 7:29PM

A statue of Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s Gemelli hospital where Pope Leo had his surgery. Photo: EPA

My Life in Education

Hong Kong International School’s Dr Ron Roukema on the power of education

The HKIS educator reflects on a career spanning the United States, Shanghai and Paris, his Christian faith and his mission to help students thrive.

Supported by:

Hong Kong International School

Artificial intelligence

Alibaba chairman says open source AI approach could be blueprint for Europe

Tsai argues that US export controls on advanced technologies have fuelled the development of China’s AI ecosystem.

10 Oct 2026 - 1:34PM

TV shows and streaming video

Bling Empire’s Dorothy Wang is back. This time, it’s her wedding, her rules

The socialite shares how using her own production firm enabled her to control the narrative in Dorothy’s I Do, now streaming on YouTube.

10 Oct 2026 - 12:15PMvideocam

Britain

UK signals ‘openness’ to Germany joining GCAP fighter jet programme

British PM Andy Burnham is in Berlin for talks focused primarily on security, including the launch of a new partnership aimed at hybrid threats.

8 Oct 2026 - 10:40PM

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a regional growth forum in Berlin on Thursday. Photo: AP

European Union

Macroscope | French debt just one driver of fears over euro-zone’s future

China has exploited the EU’s ineffective integration while Japanese bond investors fear the financial consequences of reform failures.

8 Oct 2026 - 7:45PMvideocam

India

Workers, mostly Indian, building US consulate in Milan agree to record settlement

Potentially life-changing sums averaging US$50,400 begin under historic US$35 million labour exploitation deal.

8 Oct 2026 - 10:33AM

Style Edit

Style Edit: Hogan turns 40 with 4 cinematic stories of its icons

The Italian luxury shoemaker celebrates its legacy dating back to 1986 with short films, limited-edition Cool Blue sneakers and scholarships for students at a Rome film school.

8 Oct 2026 - 10:00AM

China's military weapons

Turkmenistan grows its arsenal of Chinese air defences as Russia’s role shrinks

Amid regional instability, Central Asian nations look beyond Moscow for arms as the war in Ukraine drains Russian stocks.

6 Oct 2026 - 2:42PMvideocam

Chinese-made FK-2000 missile-and-gun systems on display during Turkmenistan’s Independence Day parade in Ashgabat on September 27. Photo: Handout

European Union

Empty classrooms on remote Greek island signal crisis across Europe

Falling enrolment across Greece this year prompted authorities to close 75 schools.

5 Oct 2026 - 7:40PM

Food and Drinks

Unsung Eats: 5 best places to eat in Milan

Step away from the cocktail circuit this October for saffron risotto, Japanese-Italian twists, fermentation-led tasting menus and more.

3 Oct 2026 - 2:00PM

Fashion

Interview: CEO Frédéric Arnault on navigating Loro Piana’s complexities

The LVMH heir talks about the maison’s commitment to fabric development, sustainability goals, non-celebrity campaigns, and resistance to fleeting trends.

1 Oct 2026 - 8:00AM

Frédéric Arnault joined Loro Piana as its CEO in 2025. Photo: Handout

Style Edit

Style Edit: Max Mara and Sportmax’s SS27 collections for the dynamic woman

Max Mara welcomed stars like Kate Mara and Adria Arjona to its Milan Fashion Week front row, while Sportmax unveiled sheer tailoring designed for soaring heat.

29 Sep 2026 - 4:46PM

Luxury everyday wear from Max Mara (centre) and Sportmax (left and right) from the brands’ spring/summer 2027 collections shown at Milan Fashion Week. Photo: Handout

Alibaba

Alibaba deepens sports tech push with new Brooklyn Nets partnership

The Chinese tech titan becomes the NBA team’s official technology and cloud partner and jersey patch sponsor ahead of its 60th anniversary.

29 Sep 2026 - 5:53PM

Milan Fashion Week

Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo and Tod’s dazzle at Milan Fashion Week

The last few days highlighted the diversity of Italian fashion, from Ferragamo’s ‘40s revival to Tod’s elegant line-up of outerwear staples.

28 Sep 2026 - 10:57AM

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Italy

From Paris to Tirana, why protests and riots are sweeping across Europe

Soaring rents, dilapidated schools and inflation ignite widespread clashes, fuelling political turmoil across the continent.

Six legendary libraries, where architecture and academia meet

France imposes curfews in Paris and major cities after worst riots in years

Pope Leo pledges return to duties following lung cancer surgery

The first US pope had an ‌operation on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.

Pope Leo leaves hospital 4 days after lung cancer surgery

He will lead prayers at the Vatican for pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, his first ⁠public engagement since he went into hospital.

Americans favour China more than Russia, but both near bottom of G20: Pew report

New study finds Americans have ‘very cold view’ of Russia, while their opinion of China remains more negative than positive.

From hospital, Pope Leo pushes Putin for ceasefire in contested Ukraine city

The call suggests the pontiff, who is recovering from a lung cancer operation, is still hard at work.

Meet Nina Christen, the quiet force behind your favourite designer shoes

Having co-designed Bottega’s Puddle boot and Loewe’s balloon pumps, Christen has big plans for her namesake label, now stocked at Mytheresa, Lane Crawford, Selfridges and more.

EU leaders clash over budget as Marine Le Pen’s shadow hangs over Brussels

The summit hits an initial impasse as Germany leads fiscal hardliners against calls for fresh spending, with 2027 French election looming.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Prayers and well-wishes for Pope Leo after lung surgery

Vatican says the 71-year-old pontiff spent a peaceful night after a 90-minute operation to remove part of his lung was completed without complications.

Concrete, steel and razor wire: inside Latin America’s newest mega-prison

President vows Costa Rica will become a ‘global benchmark’ for prison security as 5,100-inmate facility opens to confront cartels.

Global-hit Disgusting Food Museum challenges Hong Kong with a bold question: what do we consider edible?

Peruvian frog juice, deep-fried bull testicles and the smelliest canned food in the world – come to the Disgusting Food Museum for the controversial delicacies, stay for the reflections on what’s considered edible, what’s not and why.

Why the IMF is worried about a global debt squeeze as bond yields climb

Higher bond yields raise debt-servicing costs and increase fiscal pressure across advanced and emerging economies, global lender says.

Pope Leo diagnosed with cancer after surgery to remove part of his lung

Vatican says 71-year-old pontiff spent a peaceful night after 90-minute operation was completed without complications.

.css-12ooj4n{font-family:Roboto Condensed,Roboto Condensed fallback,sans-serif;}Hong Kong International School’s Dr Ron Roukema on the power of education

The HKIS educator reflects on a career spanning the United States, Shanghai and Paris, his Christian faith and his mission to help students thrive.

Alibaba chairman says open source AI approach could be blueprint for Europe

Tsai argues that US export controls on advanced technologies have fuelled the development of China’s AI ecosystem.

Bling Empire’s Dorothy Wang is back. This time, it’s her wedding, her rules

The socialite shares how using her own production firm enabled her to control the narrative in Dorothy’s I Do, now streaming on YouTube.

UK signals ‘openness’ to Germany joining GCAP fighter jet programme

British PM Andy Burnham is in Berlin for talks focused primarily on security, including the launch of a new partnership aimed at hybrid threats.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Macroscope | French debt just one driver of fears over euro-zone’s future

China has exploited the EU’s ineffective integration while Japanese bond investors fear the financial consequences of reform failures.

Workers, mostly Indian, building US consulate in Milan agree to record settlement

Potentially life-changing sums averaging US$50,400 begin under historic US$35 million labour exploitation deal.

Style Edit: Hogan turns 40 with 4 cinematic stories of its icons

The Italian luxury shoemaker celebrates its legacy dating back to 1986 with short films, limited-edition Cool Blue sneakers and scholarships for students at a Rome film school.

Turkmenistan grows its arsenal of Chinese air defences as Russia’s role shrinks

Amid regional instability, Central Asian nations look beyond Moscow for arms as the war in Ukraine drains Russian stocks.

Empty classrooms on remote Greek island signal crisis across Europe

Falling enrolment across Greece this year prompted authorities to close 75 schools.

Unsung Eats: 5 best places to eat in Milan

Step away from the cocktail circuit this October for saffron risotto, Japanese-Italian twists, fermentation-led tasting menus and more.

Interview: CEO Frédéric Arnault on navigating Loro Piana’s complexities

The LVMH heir talks about the maison’s commitment to fabric development, sustainability goals, non-celebrity campaigns, and resistance to fleeting trends.

Style Edit: Max Mara and Sportmax’s SS27 collections for the dynamic woman

Max Mara welcomed stars like Kate Mara and Adria Arjona to its Milan Fashion Week front row, while Sportmax unveiled sheer tailoring designed for soaring heat.

Alibaba deepens sports tech push with new Brooklyn Nets partnership

The Chinese tech titan becomes the NBA team’s official technology and cloud partner and jersey patch sponsor ahead of its 60th anniversary.

Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferragamo and Tod’s dazzle at Milan Fashion Week

The last few days highlighted the diversity of Italian fashion, from Ferragamo’s ‘40s revival to Tod’s elegant line-up of outerwear staples.

Video | Prayers and well-wishes for Pope Leo after lung surgery

Hong Kong International School’s Dr Ron Roukema on the power of education

Macroscope | French debt just one driver of fears over euro-zone’s future