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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

Fashion

Italian police raid luxury brands over exploitation of Chinese workers

Earlier operations have revealed numerous cases of poor work conditions in the supply chains for the country’s leading fashion houses.

17 Jul 2026 - 5:08AM

Crime

Ex-Italian highway chief jailed for 12 years over Genoa bridge disaster

16 Jul 2026 - 9:47PM

Food and Drinks

How 3 Hong Kong chefs reimagine classic beef dishes

16 Jul 2026 - 3:11PM

South China Sea

Opinion | Path to South China Sea stability doesn’t run through US, UK or the EU

The statement by 14 countries is a geopolitical exercise, amplifying the flawed 2016 Hague arbitral ruling to try to drive a wedge between China and its neighbours.

16 Jul 2026 - 10:55AMvideocam

The China Coast Guard vessel Dong’an patrolling in the South China Sea on June 22. Photo: Xinhua

Style Edit

Style Edit: The legacy behind Buccellati’s handcrafted jewellery – interview

The Swiss executive tells Style about the maison’s new Venetian-inspired Serenissima collection and its devotion to artisanal excellence.

16 Jul 2026 - 10:37AM

E-commerce

Shein executive chairman to step down as IPO nears completion, sources say

The departure of Chinese-American billionaire Donald Tang raises the question of whether founder Sky Xu will now step into the spotlight.

14 Jul 2026 - 2:32AMvideocam

Ukraine war

Ukraine allies meet in Paris to boost air defence, pressure Russia to end war

The 37-member Coalition of the Willing aims to develop ‘purely defensive’ anti-ballistic capabilities in Europe.

14 Jul 2026 - 3:40AMvideocam

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky upon arrival for a summit of the Coalition of the Willing at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris on Monday. Photo: AFP

Wimbledon

Sinner beats Zverev to retain Wimbledon title after marathon battle

The win placed Italy’s Sinner in rare company as the 10th man in ‌the professional era to successfully defend the title.

13 Jul 2026 - 3:39AM

My Take

My Take | How China’s rare missile test sparked hysterical hypocrisy

Western pundits were quick to denounce Beijing. But far more frequent US launches rate barely a mention.

13 Jul 2026 - 9:01AM

Electric & new energy vehicles

BYD showcases charging technology in 15,000km journey from Rome to Hong Kong

Chinese electric vehicle maker says journey was inspired by travels of Marco Polo more than 750 years ago.

11 Jul 2026 - 5:00PM

The fleet of BYD Denza Z9GT cars travelling from Rome to Hong Kong in Istanbul on June 23. Photo: Handout

Belt and Road Initiative

Exclusive | Hong Kong and Shenzhen perfect end points for modern Silk Road: top economist

Economist Jeffrey Sachs, who is retracing Marco Polo’s journey to China, described the cities as the ‘world’s greatest innovation cluster’.

10 Jul 2026 - 10:13PM

Jeffrey Sachs pictured in Rome with Stella Li, executive vice-president of BYD, which provided him with an electric car. Photo: BYD

United States

USDA lowers reported beef export sales by 90% amid growing doubts over data

The original report was widely dismissed as inaccurate, amid concerns over the agency’s big staff cuts under the Trump administration.

10 Jul 2026 - 4:45AM

Food and Drinks

Why Hong Kong’s Ninetta serves homely Italian fare. Just like how nonna made it

Chef Marco Xodo’s Ninetta brings home-style Italian dining to Hong Kong, blending fine dining quality with casual, family-style portions.

8 Jul 2026 - 3:15PM

Style Edit

Style Edit: Pomellato’s Stile Libero collection flaunts Milanese elegance

The Italian brand’s latest high jewellery collection celebrates Milan’s goldsmithing artistry through tactile designs and a rainbow of coloured gems.

8 Jul 2026 - 10:00AM

The making of the Byzantine necklace from Pomellato’s Stile Libero high jewellery collection. Photo: Handout

United States

Trump still ‘disappointed’ with Nato, says US should control Greenland at summit

US president says he has ‘very good relationship’ with ‘loyal’ Turkey and is weighing up selling F-35 fighter jets to them.

8 Jul 2026 - 4:01AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the start of the Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday. Photo: AP

US-EU relations

US at 250: has Europe learned to survive Trump’s America?

The transatlantic alliance has become unpredictable and even hostile, and many are wondering how much road it has left to run.

7 Jul 2026 - 12:35AMvideocam

Extreme weather

‘Help us’: wildfires ravage France, Spain, Portugal forests as mercury soars

The early fires have already devastated an area twice as big as Manhattan across the three nations. Blazes have also hit Greece.

5 Jul 2026 - 7:29PMvideocam

European Union

Italian rice crops suffer in drought, worst European heatwave ever

Italian rice farmers are despondent over the lack of spring rain, while rivers from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea are in ‘critical situation’ because of drought.

4 Jul 2026 - 8:11PM

Farmer Sharon Angoli, 22, inspects rice plants struggling to grow in a paddy field overrun by weeds during a drought in Torre Beretti, near Pavia, Italy, on Friday. Photo: AFP

Catholic Church

Pope visits Africa-Europe crossing as anti-migrant policies rise in US, EU

The Catholic Church’s first US pope has clashed with the administration of President Donald Trump over its treatment of migrants.

4 Jul 2026 - 5:04PM

US-China relations

Which Trump will show up at Nato summit? Odds are it will be the fuming one

US president’s impatience and distrust of multilateral groupings has Nato’s 31 other members walking on eggshells before next week’s key meeting.

6 Jul 2026 - 11:02PMvideocam

China-Japan relations

China’s pressure campaign tests Trump’s commitment to Japan

Tokyo expected stronger US support after Beijing retaliated over Taiwan comments, but analysts say Washington has held back.

2 Jul 2026 - 4:07PMvideocam

Rising tensions between China and Japan have raised fresh questions about US support for its treaty ally. Photo: Shutterstock

JD.com

JD.com’s bid for Europe’s Ceconomy clears German hurdle but EU subsidy probe looms

Other member states have also put the deal under scrutiny, including an ongoing foreign investment clearance process in Austria and Spain.

30 Jun 2026 - 5:41PM

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

Why top hotels like Rosewood, Aman, Upper House and Il Pellicano have taken their lobby boutiques upmarket – plus 5 to visit on your next trip.

30 Jun 2026 - 5:54PM

China's military weapons

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

After Paris arms fair, analysts expect Chinese systems to do well in the Global South but question their entry into Europe.

28 Jun 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Eurosam’s SAMP/T NG on display at the Eurosatory defence fair in Paris. Photo: Seong Hyeon Choi

China exports

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

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

2 Jul 2026 - 6:55PMvideocam

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