TOPIC

/ location

Italy

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Italy. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Rome

Head of State

President Sergio Mattarella

Head of Government

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

last updated:

29 November, 2024

Pope Francis

On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis appeals for courage to better the world

The pontiff opened the Catholic Holy Year, which happens only every 25 years and is expected to bring 32 million tourists to Rome.

25 Dec 2024 - 4:24AM

China-EU relations

How friendly will Europe’s right wing be to Trump on China? It’s complicated

24 Dec 2024 - 11:45PMvideocam

Tourism

Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds

23 Dec 2024 - 12:08PM

Pope Francis

Pope Francis tells Vatican staff off for gossiping in annual Christmas message

Francis’ message this year revisited a theme he has often warned about: gossiping and speaking ill of people behind their backs.

21 Dec 2024 - 11:10PMvideocam

Pope Francis’ Christmas message this year revisited a theme he has often warned about: gossiping and speaking ill of people behind their backs. Photo: dpa

Europe’s refugee crisis

Italian deputy PM Salvini acquitted of migrant kidnapping charges

The right-wing leader had blocked a boat carrying over 100 asylum seekers from docking as part of a policy to curb irregular arrivals.

21 Dec 2024 - 5:25AM

CK Hutchison

CK Hutchison’s Wind Tre unit faces Italian tax probe in €3.4 billion asset sale

The alleged evaded taxes would amount to about €132 million for 2022 on the sale of mobile phone towers, according to a document.

20 Dec 2024 - 11:59AM

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks end week lower as traders look for catalysts

Tencent advances 2.7 per cent on move to introduce a gifting tool on its WeChat platform; chipmaker SMIC jumps 8.2 per cent.

20 Dec 2024 - 5:24PM

Women walk past by a display showing the Shanghai stock market index outside a brokerage in Beijing. Photo: AP Photo

Wellness

Are blue zones a scam?

The secret to longevity seems to be bad data and record-keeping, finds a new study.

16 Dec 2024 - 6:15PM

Japan

Japan, UK, Italy to develop next-generation fighter jet

The aircraft is due to enter service in 2035 and is expected to be in service until 2070.

13 Dec 2024 - 10:33PMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Is Ferrari producer Andrea Iervolino having a fling with Jessica Alba?

The Ferrari, Merchant of Venice and Tell It Like a Woman producer fell in love with film as a teen, but it’s his alleged romances with Hollywood actresses that have the rumour mills turning.

13 Dec 2024 - 7:00PM

Film producer Andrea Iervolino has been linked to both Jessica Alba, left, and Selena Gomez, right. Photos: @andreaiervolinoproducer/Instagram, AFP, AP

Europe’s refugee crisis

How shipwreck girl, 11, was found after floating alone in sea for days

Rescue boat captain said it was an ‘incredible coincidence’ crew heard the girl calling out from Mediterranean waters.

13 Dec 2024 - 11:30AM

A volunteer assists the girl, the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Photo: Compass Collective via Reuters

Art

Milan woos art lovers by adding modern art museum to ‘little Louvre’

City to sell itself as destination for art lovers with belated addition of modern art museum to Pinacoteca di Brera, da Vinci’s Last Supper.

11 Dec 2024 - 4:15PM

Auctions

Rare Roman coin sells for US$2.09 million at Geneva auction

Historic item was minted in 43-42 BC and features a portrait of Brutus, the assassin of Julius Caesar. It was originally priced at US$843,000.

10 Dec 2024 - 4:49AM

Fashion

He dresses popes, priests, new cardinals and has seen their tastes change

In Rome, Raniero Mancinelli has sewn robes for popes and priests, including new cardinals, for 62 years. He’s seen clerical fashion evolve.

9 Dec 2024 - 6:36PM

One of the last ecclesiastical tailors in Rome, Raniero Mancinelli has made cassocks, collars and robes for generations of clergymen, including three popes and some of the new cardinals Pope Francis will appoint on December 7, 2024. Photo: AFP

Food and Drinks

Why prickly pear is a crop with potential in a warming world

In arid southern Italy, where drought, disease and global warming ravage olive trees, a start-up is growing prickly pear, a food and biofuel.

5 Dec 2024 - 5:15PM

A worker picks prickly pears in Egypt. Photo: Reuters

Wellness

69 and 70, they’re poster boys for cycling’s health benefits

Doctors told Jimmy Poon he was disabled. Then he got on his bike. Patrick Ho is alive today because he began feeling breathless while riding.

1 Dec 2024 - 9:36AMvideocam

Blinken urges G7 countries to maintain unity in face of China risks

US secretary of state cites Beijing’s economic policies, human rights record and support for Russia in the war against Ukraine.

27 Nov 2024 - 6:47AMvideocam

Ukraine war

US shuts Kyiv embassy over ‘potential significant air attack’

The Italian and Greek embassies said they had also closed their doors after the unusual US warning, while the French embassy remained open.

20 Nov 2024 - 8:51PM

Art

Yoshitaka Amano exhibition celebrates Japanese artist’s 50-year career

Amano, whose portfolio includes the Vampire Hunter D novel series and Final Fantasy video games, is holding his first major European show.

14 Nov 2024 - 6:08PM

Donald Trump

Italian president tells Elon Musk to quit meddling in Italy’s domestic politics

The highly unusual statement from the Italian head of state came against growing tension between the ruling coalition and the judiciary.

14 Nov 2024 - 12:13AMvideocam

Architecture and design

This coffee shop brings retro Milan to modern Hong Kong

After falling in love with Milanese coffee on a trip to Italy, this entrepreneur enlisted designer JJ Acuna to bring the Italian city’s vibe to Hong Kong.

19 Nov 2024 - 3:49PM

Coffeelin in LHT Tower, Central, Hong Kong designed by JJ Acuna of Bespoke Studio. Photo: Steven Ko

Food and Drinks

Nearly 1kg Alba white truffle sells for US$154,000 to Hong Kong bidder

The truffle, sold at the 25th World Alba White Truffle Auction, was part of a single lot that included an Italy trip and meal in Hong Kong.

11 Nov 2024 - 7:04PM

The nearly 908g Alba white truffle that was sold as part of a single-lot package for US$154,000 to a Hong Kong bidder at the 2024 World Alba White Truffle Auction, on November 10. Photo: Castellana

China-EU relations

Chinese leader gives moon dust to Italian President

The lunar samples, collected by the Chang’e-5 probe, follow similar gifts to the French and Russian presidents.

9 Nov 2024 - 7:00PMvideocam

Heidi Klum

Recap | Want to bump into Beyoncé, Beckham, William and Kate, Rihanna or Clooney? Celebrity vacation spots revealed!

Discover the top holiday destinations in Europe, Asia and around the world where Hollywood A-listers, superstar singers and all the top celebrities like to take their vacations.

7 Nov 2024 - 6:00PM

Retailing

Bulgari banks on Chinese consumers to fuel luxury growth as economy improves

The Italian fashion brand in the LVMH stable bets on a recovery in the next two years with a plan to open more mainland stores.

7 Nov 2024 - 2:19PMvideocam

Bulgari goods on display at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai. Photo: LVMH

US presidential election 2024

EU has wish list for Trump, but support for tough China agenda will be expected

In Brussels, there is an expectation that the US election result could usher in a shifting balance of power in Europe.

7 Nov 2024 - 8:47AMvideocam

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban meets Donald Trump at Trump’s home in Florida on July 11. Photo: X via Reuters

Food and agriculture

Global food companies target worldly Chinese consumers, CIIE attendees say

CIIE participants say Chinese consumers want high-quality milk and additive-free food products.

6 Nov 2024 - 9:00PM

China-Africa relations

As Chinese official visits, Kenya says deal to fund and build highway is close

Kenyan President Ruto says talks are at a late stage for China to finance and build highway through Rift Valley and possible SGR extension.

5 Nov 2024 - 6:00PMvideocam

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