TOPIC

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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

On AliExpress, Alibaba’s international retail site, this month’s debut of air conditioners in Germany saw local warehouse inventory for a Midea model completely wiped out by Thursday. Photo: Shutterstock

E-commerce

China’s cooling, e-commerce giants see sales surge as Europe heat sizzles

Alibaba notes surge in retail and business-to-business orders, Midea reports sharp revenue rise, and Gree sales get bump in major European markets.

29 Jun 2026 - 10:09PMvideocam

Luxury travel

Hotel boutiques are now destinations, not afterthoughts

29 Jun 2026 - 6:00PM

China's military weapons

How is China shaping up in the global competition to sell air defence weapons?

28 Jun 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

China exports

As Europe sizzles amid extreme heat, the hunt for China’s aircon remains elusive

While Europe sweats its way through torturous temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius, China cannot get ACs transported over fast enough.

28 Jun 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

People swim in the Canal Saint-Martin on Friday after public swimming was permitted in certain areas due to high temperatures amid a heatwave in Paris. Photo: Reuters

Luxury travel

Escape to meaning: choosing a travel retreat based on your interests

Japan’s Shishi-Iwa House and Four Seasons Resorts in Lanai, Hawaii, offer programmes inspired by their surroundings, while agencies run Mallorca-based retreats for women entrepreneurs and more.

28 Jun 2026 - 6:00AM

Americas and the Caribbean

US, Mexico Catholic bishops call for humane treatment of migrants

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in a statement opposed ‘the vilification of immigrants’ in the US under President Donald Trump.

27 Jun 2026 - 10:59PM

Artist's Studio

From Chow Tai Fook’s diamond necklace to Venice’s Santa Maria della Pietà – Wallace Chan’s sculptural leap

High jewellery made his name, but fine art is what stokes Wallace Chan’s passion today. The designer-cum-sculptor talks about expanding his practice, the story behind his pieces and proving his critics wrong at 70.

27 Jun 2026 - 8:00AM

Wallace Chan, a jewellery designer-turned-sculptor, in his studio. Photo: courtesy Wallace Chan

Britain

‘New normal’: European hospitals overwhelmed by heatwave

Extreme London heat led to the highest ever number of life-threatening emergency calls in a day. French hospitals were also inundated.

26 Jun 2026 - 9:41PMvideocam

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.

26 Jun 2026 - 4:33PMvideocam

Electric & new energy vehicles

Banking on it: Chinese EVs expand their global footprint

With a boost in global exports offsetting domestic dips, banks forecast significant growth in overseas markets – especially western Europe.

26 Jun 2026 - 6:08PM

Chinese-made MG Cyberster electric vehicles wait to be loaded onto a ship for export at a car yard in Yantai, China's eastern Shandong province on Thursday. Photo: AFP

China trade

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

As wars and tariffs disrupt trade, experts at China International Supply Chain Expo focus on potential of frontier technologies.

26 Jun 2026 - 10:00AM

The Hainan province pavilion in the healthy life exhibition area at this week’s China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

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

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

The temperature in Rennes, western France, on Monday. Photo: AP

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

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

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways passenger jets at Tokyo International Airport in Haneda. Photo: AFP

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