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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 visitor looks at the “Comedian” artwork by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan at the Centre Pompidou-Metz in Metz in May last year. On Sunday, 2025. (Photo by Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION - TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTION

Art

French museum reports theft of banana from multimillion-dollar artwork

In 2024 Chinese-born crypto founder Justin Sun paid US$6.2 million for an iteration of the artwork then ate the fruit on camera in Hong Kong.

6 minutes ago

Music

Italy bans Kanye West concert over security concerns

1 hour ago

International Property

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

31 May 2026 - 9:30AM

Singapore

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

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

31 May 2026 - 5:01PM

Singapore’s Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing (centre) with representatives from 16 partner countries during the launch of the Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday. Photo: Singapore’s Ministry of Defence

China-EU relations

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

Trade chief details why bloc needs to take stronger steps to defend itself from what is described as a new ‘China shock’ to its industries.

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

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

Restorer Gianluca Galli works on the mosaic of the bull. Photo: AFP

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

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

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is among those in support of a stronger trade and industrial policy. Photo: EPA

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

Omas Bologna Galassia Argento. Photo: Handout

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

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

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

People refill their water bottles from a fountain in Green Park, London on Monday. Photo: Reuters

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

Tourists in Paris pose for a selfie with the Eiffel Tower in the background. From France to Aruba, more tourists are treating historical sites as merely boxes to tick off a list and reducing them to social media backdrops. Photo: AP

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

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

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

World-champion pizzaiolo Vincenzo Capuano brings his signature Nuvola dough to Wan Chai, featuring cloud-like crusts sliced with golden scissors. Photo: courtesy Vincenzo Capuano

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

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

Singapore Airlines planes sit on the tarmac at Changi Airport in Singapore. SIA says it will increase services to several European cities including Manchester, Milan and Munich. Photo: Reuters

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

A screengrab of a video posted by Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir shows detained activists from the Gaza-bound flotilla. Photo: @itamarbengvir via X

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

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

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

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre, left) is welcomed by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (centre, right) in Abu Dhabi on Friday. Photo: UAE Presidential Court/Reuters

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

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

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