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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

Hongkonger Eddie Chan has made an initial deposit for this €500,000 apartment in Cullera in Spain’s Valencia. Photo: Handout

International Property

Spain’s property market sees boost as Hongkongers, others, depart UK and Canada

As the cost of living rises, some Hongkongers living in the United Kingdom and Canada are set to move to Spain under the NLV scheme.

6 hours ago

Singapore

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

30 May 2026 - 6:16PM

China-EU relations

Brussels agrees on tougher China trade policy, as Beijing vows retaliation

30 May 2026 - 1:06AMvideocam

European Union

EU’s 6 biggest economies agree on capital markets supervision

It is part ‌of a bid to boost EU’s competitiveness as it struggles with weak growth and fierce competition from the US and China.

29 May 2026 - 10:18PMvideocam

European Union flags flap in the wind outside EU headquarters in Brussels. The ⁠other 21 EU member states still need to agree to the proposals. Photo: AP

Art

Milan restores bull mosaic’s bits worn down by an unusual tradition

Craftsman rebuilds animal’s cratered anatomy after visitors wear down the 19th century floor with their heels.

29 May 2026 - 10:45AM

China-EU relations

EU heavyweights back industrial accelerator as China shock fears grow

Highlighting urgency, bloc’s major members offer qualified support of legislative proposal that has deepened tensions with Beijing.

28 May 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Europe plans tougher response to China Shock 2.0

EU officials will discuss new trade protection measures at a meeting on Friday as the continent’s companies contend with a deluge of Chinese imports.

28 May 2026 - 5:00PM

Cars made by Chinese automaker BYD on display at a show in Munich, Germany. Photo: Xinhua

China-EU relations

European leaders get ready to ‘act now’ amid rising fears of ‘China shock 2.0’

Ahead of a key debate on Friday, most commissioners said to support a more robust stance and broader use of safeguard measures.

28 May 2026 - 1:00PM

Luxury Spend It

The fountain pen’s unlikely second act, from status symbol to self-care tool

In an era of touchscreens and ballpoints, the fountain pen – used by the likes of Winston Churchill and Sean Connery – is quietly booming thanks to journaling and Gen Z fans.

27 May 2026 - 6:00AM

Extreme weather

Exceptionally early heatwave shatters records and brings deaths in Europe

Several drownings were reported in Britain and France as people tried to cool down.

27 May 2026 - 2:29AM

A pharmacy thermometer sign reading 38 degrees Celsius in Lyon on Tuesday, as a heatwave hits France. Photo: AFP

Science

How Lionel Messi’s favourite drink is sparking a major health craze in China

Ancient South American fusion may reduce risks of Parkinson’s and is enjoyed by top footballers, but the indigenous drink should be shared.

26 May 2026 - 5:26PMvideocam

The yerba mate plant is native to the Paraguay and Parana river basins in South America. Photo: Getty Images

Extreme weather

‘Heat dome’ over Europe scorches UK, France, Italy and Spain

The continent is baking under unseasonal heat that is shattering spring temperature records.

26 May 2026 - 11:58AM

Tourism

Checklist tourism trends as travellers go for selfies over ‘real stories’

From Paris to Turkey, tourists blitzing through sites for social media snaps are causing crowding and concerns that they’re missing the point.

26 May 2026 - 7:37AM

European Union

Pope calls for ‘disarming’ of AI, technology should be ‘human friendly’

Pope Leo called for the ‘disarming’ of artificial intelligence, and warned of ‘new forms of slavery’ behind its rise.

25 May 2026 - 6:31PMvideocam

Pope Leo XIV attends the presentation of his first Encyclical Letter ‘Magnifica Humanitas’, focused on the rise of artificial intelligence, in The Vatican on Monday. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Major EU countries push for tougher China policy ahead of Brussels debate

Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Lithuania call for more aggressive response to ‘systemic and structural industrial overcapacity’.

25 May 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

France’s position is well-known, with President Emmanuel Macron on Friday calling for a European “Section 301 tool”. Photo: Reuters

New Openings

Hong Kong’s hottest new openings, from Manteigaria to Avalon

Discover Hong Kong’s latest dining gems: Vincenzo Capuano’s award-winning pizzas, Manteigaria’s authentic Portuguese egg tarts, Parkside@Nina CWB’s international fusion dishes and Avalon’s all-day comfort classics.

25 May 2026 - 8:00AM

European Union

‘The blind few’: Pope urges end to pollution, decries profits earned

The world should ‘reject temptations of power and enrichment linked to practices that pollute the land, water, air, and social coexistence’.

23 May 2026 - 6:08PM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel deports hundreds of Gaza flotilla activists as arrivals recount abuse

Detainees land in Turkey as their treatment in Israeli custody draws an international outcry.

22 May 2026 - 5:18PMvideocam

Activists disembark from a plane upon arrival at Istanbul Airport. Photo: Reuters

Cathay Pacific

Singapore Airlines faces narrow window to gain market share from Gulf rivals

SIA can capture more Asia-Europe traffic due to its strong oil hedging strategy and balance sheet, and the Iran war’s impact, analysts say.

22 May 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

‘Welcome to Israel’: videos of bound Gaza flotilla activists trigger furore

Netanyahu scolds Israel’s security minister for releasing footage taunting hundreds of detained civilians as international backlash grows.

21 May 2026 - 12:45PM

European Union

EU picks tungsten, rare earths, gallium for first critical mineral stockpile

The move marks one of the bloc’s most concrete steps to reduce reliance on China for elements vital to defence and tech.

20 May 2026 - 5:29PM

Labourers work at a tungsten mining factory at Zhongshan, China. Photo: Reuters

Art

How Asian artists at the 2026 Venice Biennale are making their voices heard

Using everything from baby dolls to tapestries, Asian artists’ perspectives are strongly reflected in a number of memorable exhibitions.

21 May 2026 - 10:21AM

Japanese-American artist Ei Arakawa-Nash holds two of the 208 baby dolls that are part of their exhibition “Grass Babies, Moon Babies” at the 2026 Venice Biennale’s Japan Pavilion. Photo: Uli Holz

Maldives

Bodies of 2 Italian divers recovered from ‘well inside’ Maldives underwater cave

The bodies of all four missing divers were found ‘pretty much together’ deep inside the third segment of an underwater cave.

19 May 2026 - 5:46PM

India

India links up with UAE, Europe on Modi’s grand tour

Seizing on the UAE’s Opec exit and a new EU trade pact, India’s PM looks to lock-in long-term energy supply and economic dividends.

18 May 2026 - 6:21PM

Art

Once an Indonesian guerrilla fighter, she’s now a ‘quantum ghost’ in Venice

Len Karamoy, a leader of an Indonesian rebel movement, is the focus of Natasha Tontey’s video installation at the 2026 Venice Biennale.

18 May 2026 - 4:15PM

A scene from Natasha Tontey’s “The Phantom Combatants and the Metabolism of Disobedient Organs” (2026) multi-panel video installation at the Ateneo Veneto cultural institute in Venice, Italy, for the Venice Biennale. Photo: Jacopo La Forgia

Style Edit

Style Edit: Brunello Cucinelli’s Mediterranea high summer capsule collection

Shell motifs, Zabaione Yellow and broderie anglaise define a sun-drenched women’s and men’s collection for high summer 2026.

18 May 2026 - 10:06AM

Brunello Cucinelli has launched its high summer 2026 capsule collection, Mediterranea. Photo: Handout

Giorgia Meloni

Meloni meets victims of Italy car-ramming attack

Italy’s prime minister rushes to Modena following a horrific vehicle assault that left several people seriously injured.

18 May 2026 - 11:22AM

France

‘It’s nasty’: Swatch-Audemars Piguet watch hype ignites global shopping chaos

From New York to Milan, buyers push and shove each other to get their hands on the ‘Royal Pop’ timepieces.

19 May 2026 - 5:13PMvideocam

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