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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

A still from Mabel Cheung documentary “To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self”, which followed six girls over a decade. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong society

Student in contentious Hong Kong documentary hits out at Italian screening plan

Ah Ling, who featured in award-winning To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self, says no one consulted her about screening at film festival.

4 Apr 2026 - 11:57PM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Ease the burden’: 5 EU nations urge tax on energy firms’ profits

4 Apr 2026 - 7:10PMvideocam

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

4 Apr 2026 - 1:24PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong documentary pulled from cinemas 3 years ago to be screened in Italy

To My Nineteen-year-old Self will be shown at Far East Film Festival after withdrawal in 2023 over lack of consent from interviewees.

3 Apr 2026 - 7:10PM

A still from Mabel Cheung’s documentary To My Nineteen-year-old Self. Photo: Golden Scene

Sexual harassment and assault

Italy arrests German-Indian ‘guru’ on child abuse allegations

The two children did not attend school and had to stand guard around the house where they lived at night.

2 Apr 2026 - 9:12PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Controlled escalation? Trump hails ‘victories’ in Iran but vows more strikes

US president tells anxious Americans that the conflict’s core objectives are ‘nearing completion’ but fails to lay out a clear timeline to end the war.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:31PMvideocam

Japan

Why Japan’s advanced fighter project may get Canadian tailwinds

With Ottawa’s interest in the stealth fighter, Tokyo hopes the multinational project for its air force’s modernisation can regain momentum.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:04AM

A concept design of the Global Combat Air Programme sixth-generation fighter jet displayed at the 2024 Farnborough International Air Show. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:03AMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Meet F1 driver Kimi Antonelli, who just won the Japanese ⁠Grand Prix in Suzuka

The 19-year-old won his first Grand Prix race earlier this month in Shanghai, and followed it up immediately with a second win in Japan.

30 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

Tourism

Where is The Last Supper housed? The convent where Dominican friars still live

Da Vinci’s painting resides in Milan’s Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Dominican friars continue to live, pray and serve the community.

30 Mar 2026 - 3:15PM

Visitors admire Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper at the convent next to the sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in Milan, Italy, in 2024. Photo: AP

Israel

European countries appeal to Israel to abandon plans to revive death penalty

Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy and the UK expressed concern about the bill which opponents say would target only Palestinians.

30 Mar 2026 - 6:55AMvideocam

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a session of the Israeli parliament (Knesset) in Jerusalem. On Monday, the Knesset will meet to discuss a bill seeking to revive the death penalty for people convicted of acts of terrorism. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Jerusalem police stop Catholic leaders from celebrating Palm Sunday mass

Police said the Church of the Holy Sepulchre had been notified that no mass could take place on Palm Sunday because of safety considerations.

30 Mar 2026 - 2:06AMvideocam

China shipbuilding

China’s high-end yacht owners say industry growth stifled by structural gaps

Shipowners say billionaire Richard Liu’s new venture to make yacht ownership more affordable will need to surmount significant challenges.

29 Mar 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Art

A riot of colourful artworks in Padua defines Italy’s Painted City

The World Heritage site’s colourful attractions include one of the earliest depictions of a kiss in Western painting.

29 Mar 2026 - 6:00AM

Meeting at the Golden Gate (circa 1305),
by Giotto, in Padua’s Scrovegni Chapel. Photo: Getty Images

Crime

400,000 KitKat bars stolen, as thieves ‘make a break’ with 12 tonne shipment

The heist could cause a shortage of the chocolate snacks in Europe right before Easter, Nestlé warns.

29 Mar 2026 - 3:12AMvideocam

The stolen truck of KitKats had left central Italy and was making its way to Poland, with a plan to distribute the bars in countries along the way. Photo illustration: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Visiting galleries may keep artworks in Hong Kong for months due to shipping chaos

Gallerists taking part in Art Central say getting pieces to city was hard enough and they may park them here temporarily while weighing options.

24 Mar 2026 - 6:37PM

Giorgia Meloni

Italian voters reject judicial reform in setback for Meloni

Italy’s prime minister concedes defeat in a referendum on her judicial reform plan, which was seen as a test of her leadership.

24 Mar 2026 - 1:11PM

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni casting her ballot. Photo: Francesco Fotia/AGF via ZUMA Press/dpa

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s Art March celebrations press on amid Middle East conflict disruptions

Flight cancellations via the region leave art fair participants juggling logistics, though organisers say impact remains limited.

23 Mar 2026 - 3:08PM

Style Edit

Style Edit: Valentino returns to Rome for Alessandro Michele’s FW 2026 show

The glamorous front row at the show in Palazzo Barberini included Gwyneth Paltrow, Colman Domingo, Lily Allen, Tyla and Thai star Jeff Satur.

24 Mar 2026 - 11:50AM

Indonesia

Opinion | Indonesia’s new aircraft carrier is more vanity project than war machine

The jet-less carrier might buy Jakarta a seat at the elite table, but it offers no advantage in modern naval warfare.

22 Mar 2026 - 10:00AM

The Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi pictured in 2016. Photo: AFP

Tourism

‘Most beautiful’ cloister in Rome hides a dramatic and dark past

Two popes were elected, and Galileo interrogated by the Roman Inquisition, behind the walls of this Roman cloister, steps from the Pantheon.

21 Mar 2026 - 5:15PM

Rome’s hidden Santa Maria Sopra Minerva cloister is steeped in papal history and Renaissance art. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump calls Nato ‘cowards’ over lack of support in Iran war, sends more troops

Iran is threatening tourist sites worldwide, renewing fears that Tehran could resort to militant attacks beyond the Middle East.

21 Mar 2026 - 12:55AMvideocam

Malaysia

Some tourists in Malaysia make most of ‘extended’ holiday amid flight mess

Stranded European visitors in Malaysia navigate visa extensions and rebooking woes as the conflict shows no sign of easing.

20 Mar 2026 - 12:36PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

Governments are racing to respond, as oil and gas prices raise fears of a further spike in living costs.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

A man refuels his car in a petrol station in Villeneuve d’Ascq, north France, on March 11. Photo: Xinhua

European Union

Hundreds die crossing Mediterranean as 2026 already smashes records

At least 655 migrants died or went missing in January and February taking one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

19 Mar 2026 - 3:07PM

Migrants from Syria and Libya call for help as they are assisted by Spanish NGO Open Arms south of the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2022. Photo: AP

Hong Kong tourism

Hong Kong Tourism Board to woo overnight big spenders, diversify visitor mix

Board executive director Anthony Lau says 75 per cent of its resources will go towards overseas markets.

18 Mar 2026 - 9:44PM

Style Edit

Style Edit: Anteprima unveiled nostalgic artistry during Milan Fashion Week

The Milan-based label’s fall/winter 2026 collection explored time and memory.

12 Mar 2026 - 3:26PM

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Italy

Student in contentious Hong Kong documentary hits out at Italian screening plan

Ah Ling, who featured in award-winning To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self, says no one consulted her about screening at film festival.

‘Ease the burden’: 5 EU nations urge tax on energy firms’ profits

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

Hong Kong documentary pulled from cinemas 3 years ago to be screened in Italy

To My Nineteen-year-old Self will be shown at Far East Film Festival after withdrawal in 2023 over lack of consent from interviewees.

Italy arrests German-Indian ‘guru’ on child abuse allegations

The two children did not attend school and had to stand guard around the house where they lived at night.

Controlled escalation? Trump hails ‘victories’ in Iran but vows more strikes

US president tells anxious Americans that the conflict’s core objectives are ‘nearing completion’ but fails to lay out a clear timeline to end the war.

Why Japan’s advanced fighter project may get Canadian tailwinds

With Ottawa’s interest in the stealth fighter, Tokyo hopes the multinational project for its air force’s modernisation can regain momentum.

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

Meet F1 driver Kimi Antonelli, who just won the Japanese ⁠Grand Prix in Suzuka

The 19-year-old won his first Grand Prix race earlier this month in Shanghai, and followed it up immediately with a second win in Japan.

Where is The Last Supper housed? The convent where Dominican friars still live

Da Vinci’s painting resides in Milan’s Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Dominican friars continue to live, pray and serve the community.

European countries appeal to Israel to abandon plans to revive death penalty

Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy and the UK expressed concern about the bill which opponents say would target only Palestinians.

Jerusalem police stop Catholic leaders from celebrating Palm Sunday mass

Police said the Church of the Holy Sepulchre had been notified that no mass could take place on Palm Sunday because of safety considerations.

China’s high-end yacht owners say industry growth stifled by structural gaps

Shipowners say billionaire Richard Liu’s new venture to make yacht ownership more affordable will need to surmount significant challenges.

A riot of colourful artworks in Padua defines Italy’s Painted City

The World Heritage site’s colourful attractions include one of the earliest depictions of a kiss in Western painting.

400,000 KitKat bars stolen, as thieves ‘make a break’ with 12 tonne shipment

The heist could cause a shortage of the chocolate snacks in Europe right before Easter, Nestlé warns.

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

Visiting galleries may keep artworks in Hong Kong for months due to shipping chaos

Gallerists taking part in Art Central say getting pieces to city was hard enough and they may park them here temporarily while weighing options.

Italian voters reject judicial reform in setback for Meloni

Italy’s prime minister concedes defeat in a referendum on her judicial reform plan, which was seen as a test of her leadership.

Hong Kong’s Art March celebrations press on amid Middle East conflict disruptions

Flight cancellations via the region leave art fair participants juggling logistics, though organisers say impact remains limited.

Style Edit: Valentino returns to Rome for Alessandro Michele’s FW 2026 show

The glamorous front row at the show in Palazzo Barberini included Gwyneth Paltrow, Colman Domingo, Lily Allen, Tyla and Thai star Jeff Satur.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Indonesia’s new aircraft carrier is more vanity project than war machine

The jet-less carrier might buy Jakarta a seat at the elite table, but it offers no advantage in modern naval warfare.

‘Most beautiful’ cloister in Rome hides a dramatic and dark past

Two popes were elected, and Galileo interrogated by the Roman Inquisition, behind the walls of this Roman cloister, steps from the Pantheon.

Trump calls Nato ‘cowards’ over lack of support in Iran war, sends more troops

Iran is threatening tourist sites worldwide, renewing fears that Tehran could resort to militant attacks beyond the Middle East.

Some tourists in Malaysia make most of ‘extended’ holiday amid flight mess

Stranded European visitors in Malaysia navigate visa extensions and rebooking woes as the conflict shows no sign of easing.

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

Governments are racing to respond, as oil and gas prices raise fears of a further spike in living costs.

Hundreds die crossing Mediterranean as 2026 already smashes records

At least 655 migrants died or went missing in January and February taking one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

Hong Kong Tourism Board to woo overnight big spenders, diversify visitor mix

Board executive director Anthony Lau says 75 per cent of its resources will go towards overseas markets.

Style Edit: Anteprima unveiled nostalgic artistry during Milan Fashion Week

The Milan-based label’s fall/winter 2026 collection explored time and memory.

Opinion | Indonesia’s new aircraft carrier is more vanity project than war machine