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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

Chef Ardy Ferguson (centre) and his mentor, chef Vicky Lau (right), at the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition in Milan, Italy. Photo: courtesy S.Pellegrino

Food and Drinks

In the heat of competition, this young chef kept a cool head

Now sous chef at Hong Kong’s Michelin-star Belon, the 30-year-old Indonesian-Canadian once tried to study engineering.

17 Jan 2026 - 8:00AM

Architecture and design

A conversation with design visionary Naoto Fukasawa

17 Jan 2026 - 12:08PM

Tourism

Steps from the Colosseum, virtual tour offers a peek inside ancient Roman house

16 Jan 2026 - 7:15PM

Science

Could China’s Yaogan-47 satellite have a lens as wide as the Hubble Telescope?

Chinese satellite will be used for national land surveys, urban planning, environmental management and comprehensive disaster prevention.

16 Jan 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

The Yaogan-47 satellite was launched aboard a Long March 4B carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on December 9. Photo: Xinhua

Japan

Japan’s next-generation fighter jet project gets boost as European rival stalls

Germany, France and Spain have put their project on hold, prompting speculation that some may turn to the Japan-UK-Italy programme.

16 Jan 2026 - 9:37AM

Food and Drinks

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for January 16-18

Peridot gets an Italian twist, Kinsman celebrates its 2nd anniversary with Cantonese flavours, and new bar Mius hosts Singaporean icons.

14 Jan 2026 - 5:45PM

Icons and Influencers

Q&A | High barre: a chat with dancer Roberto Bolle ahead of Caravaggio in Hong Kong

Bolle discusses how dance became his life as he prepares to bring Caravaggio to the Hong Kong Arts Festival in March.

14 Jan 2026 - 6:00AM

Roberto Bolle in Dolce & Gabbana. Photography: Federico Barbieri and Alba Quinones

Style Edit

Style Edit: Bulgari B.Zero1’s Roman architectural roots

The range has an architectural feel thanks in part to being centred on Tubogas, a solderless method of crafting ribbons of gold.

12 Jan 2026 - 11:38AM

Architecture and design

Q&A | Italian family-run furniture designer Minotti’s growth to a global brand

Third-generation steward Susanna Minotti discusses the company’s heritage, design philosophy and Hong Kong’s influence on its vision.

12 Jan 2026 - 11:41AM

Switzerland

Swiss bar owner put in pre-trial detention over deadly New Year’s Eve fire

Switzerland held a national day of mourning for the 40 people who were killed in the blaze at an Alpine resort.

10 Jan 2026 - 3:33AM

People gather in front of Le Constellation bar on Friday during the national day of mourning for the victims of the fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Photo: EPA

Artificial intelligence

DeepSeek to customise namesake chatbot for Italian users following probe

The firm agrees to a package of commitments, including tackling AI model ‘hallucination’ issues, with the Italian Competition Authority.

8 Jan 2026 - 9:00AM

The Italian Competition Authority praised DeepSeek for committing to lower the hallucination rate of its AI models through technical fixes. Photo: Shutterstock

Greenland

Use of US military to acquire Greenland ‘always an option’, White House says

Trump’s preferred option might be to buy Greenland from Denmark, but the White House says military action is being considered.

7 Jan 2026 - 5:40PM

Vietnam

Vietnam overtakes Thailand as Chinese tourists' top choice for travel

Chinese visitors to Vietnam jumped 41 per cent to 5.3 million, topping the 4.5 million to Thailand, where safety concerns reduced Chinese travellers.

5 Jan 2026 - 8:52PMvideocam

Switzerland

Swiss grieve as all 40 bar fire victims identified - many of them under 18

Hundreds march in silence to honour victims of the New Year’s Swiss bar fire who were as young as 14.

5 Jan 2026 - 1:26PM

People gather during a memorial procession in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Sunday. Photo: AP

Africa

Owner of Swiss bar where New Year fire killed 40 insists safety norms followed

‘Everything was done according to the regulations,’ Jacques Moretti, a Frenchman who manages the Le Constellation bar, told local media.

3 Jan 2026 - 5:23AMvideocam

Switzerland

Champagne sparklers blamed for Swiss inferno that killed 40 people

Witnesses saw a candle in a bottle ignite the ceiling at Le Constellation bar. Officials say the flashover trapped revellers in the basement.

3 Jan 2026 - 1:20AMvideocam

Switzerland

Swiss investigators rush to identify victims of New Year’s fire

Swiss officials say it may take days to identify victims of the Le Constellation fire, as many young revellers suffered severe burns.

2 Jan 2026 - 7:51PMvideocam

Luxury Hotels

11 exciting luxury hotel openings in 2026, from London and Florence to Kyoto

These ultra-luxe stays and unique experiences span the globe, from the US and Latin America, to Africa and the Middle East.

1 Jan 2026 - 2:00PM

In 2026, expect to find luxury hotels working harder to raise the bar and stand out in the crowd. Photo: Handout

Britain

Eurostar to resume services after Channel Tunnel power glitch sparks travel chaos

A power issue halted services between London and Europe, stranding travellers and causing disruption during the busy run-up to New Year.

31 Dec 2025 - 12:30AM

France

‘No photos of kids’: George and Amal Clooney become French citizens for privacy

Seeking a life away from Hollywood’s glare, the Clooneys and their twins leave Los Angeles for France’s privacy laws and quiet estate life.

30 Dec 2025 - 9:52PM

Israel

Italy arrests 9 suspected of funding Hamas via charities

Among those arrested was the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, who reportedly funnelled funds to Hamas’ military wing.

27 Dec 2025 - 9:21PM

Police officers inspect a charity for Palestinian civilians in Milan on Saturday. Photo: LaPresse/AP

Luxury travel

Private members’ clubs are adding rooms for the most discerning travellers

Wellness and hospitality companies are also getting in on the act, from American fitness chain Equinox to Italian restaurant Cipriani.

24 Dec 2025 - 7:00AM

The Dome at London’s Home House, a private members’ club that also offers accommodation. Photo: Handout

India

Why India to Europe trade corridor is stalling even as talks continue

A key hurdle hampering the progress of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is the lingering uncertainty over Gaza.

21 Dec 2025 - 5:00PM

Tourism

Rome to charge tourists to get close to famed Trevi Fountain

The city is seeking to raise US$7.6 million a year from visitors, who traditionally toss a coin into the water in hope of returning to Rome.

20 Dec 2025 - 2:44AM

China-EU relations

EU facing crunch talks over Ukraine, China and its economic future

EU leaders are set to meet amid growing concern in Brussels that the bloc’s divisions will impede meaningful action across a range of issues.

18 Dec 2025 - 2:07PMvideocam

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc had to decide what option it wanted to take to ensure Ukraine received funding. Photo: dpa

European Union

EU drops 2035 combustion engine ban in victory for its carmakers

Europe pivots to bolstering its crisis-hit auto sector in a major green policy retreat.

17 Dec 2025 - 2:08PM

Fumes emerge from the exhaust pipe of a car with a combustible engine in Berlin. Photo: AFP

My Take

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

From Ukraine to the Caribbean and Middle East, we are witnessing the application of the law of the jungle by the West and its ally.

14 Dec 2025 - 10:15PM

The Philippines

Will Philippines favour Eurofighter Typhoon for its military upgrade?

The Eurofighter, which is estimated to cost US$117 million each, has drawn buying interest from Bangladesh and other countries.

13 Dec 2025 - 1:00PM

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Italy

In the heat of competition, this young chef kept a cool head

Now sous chef at Hong Kong’s Michelin-star Belon, the 30-year-old Indonesian-Canadian once tried to study engineering.

A conversation with design visionary Naoto Fukasawa

Steps from the Colosseum, virtual tour offers a peek inside ancient Roman house

Could China’s Yaogan-47 satellite have a lens as wide as the Hubble Telescope?

Chinese satellite will be used for national land surveys, urban planning, environmental management and comprehensive disaster prevention.

Japan’s next-generation fighter jet project gets boost as European rival stalls

Germany, France and Spain have put their project on hold, prompting speculation that some may turn to the Japan-UK-Italy programme.

Your Hong Kong weekend drinks guide for January 16-18

Peridot gets an Italian twist, Kinsman celebrates its 2nd anniversary with Cantonese flavours, and new bar Mius hosts Singaporean icons.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Q&A | High barre: a chat with dancer Roberto Bolle ahead of Caravaggio in Hong Kong

Bolle discusses how dance became his life as he prepares to bring Caravaggio to the Hong Kong Arts Festival in March.

Style Edit: Bulgari B.Zero1’s Roman architectural roots

The range has an architectural feel thanks in part to being centred on Tubogas, a solderless method of crafting ribbons of gold.

Q&A | Italian family-run furniture designer Minotti’s growth to a global brand

Third-generation steward Susanna Minotti discusses the company’s heritage, design philosophy and Hong Kong’s influence on its vision.

Swiss bar owner put in pre-trial detention over deadly New Year’s Eve fire

Switzerland held a national day of mourning for the 40 people who were killed in the blaze at an Alpine resort.

DeepSeek to customise namesake chatbot for Italian users following probe

The firm agrees to a package of commitments, including tackling AI model ‘hallucination’ issues, with the Italian Competition Authority.

Use of US military to acquire Greenland ‘always an option’, White House says

Trump’s preferred option might be to buy Greenland from Denmark, but the White House says military action is being considered.

Vietnam overtakes Thailand as Chinese tourists' top choice for travel

Chinese visitors to Vietnam jumped 41 per cent to 5.3 million, topping the 4.5 million to Thailand, where safety concerns reduced Chinese travellers.

Swiss grieve as all 40 bar fire victims identified - many of them under 18

Hundreds march in silence to honour victims of the New Year’s Swiss bar fire who were as young as 14.

Owner of Swiss bar where New Year fire killed 40 insists safety norms followed

‘Everything was done according to the regulations,’ Jacques Moretti, a Frenchman who manages the Le Constellation bar, told local media.

Champagne sparklers blamed for Swiss inferno that killed 40 people

Witnesses saw a candle in a bottle ignite the ceiling at Le Constellation bar. Officials say the flashover trapped revellers in the basement.

Swiss investigators rush to identify victims of New Year’s fire

Swiss officials say it may take days to identify victims of the Le Constellation fire, as many young revellers suffered severe burns.

11 exciting luxury hotel openings in 2026, from London and Florence to Kyoto

These ultra-luxe stays and unique experiences span the globe, from the US and Latin America, to Africa and the Middle East.

Eurostar to resume services after Channel Tunnel power glitch sparks travel chaos

A power issue halted services between London and Europe, stranding travellers and causing disruption during the busy run-up to New Year.

‘No photos of kids’: George and Amal Clooney become French citizens for privacy

Seeking a life away from Hollywood’s glare, the Clooneys and their twins leave Los Angeles for France’s privacy laws and quiet estate life.

Italy arrests 9 suspected of funding Hamas via charities

Among those arrested was the president of the Palestinian Association in Italy, who reportedly funnelled funds to Hamas’ military wing.

Private members’ clubs are adding rooms for the most discerning travellers

Wellness and hospitality companies are also getting in on the act, from American fitness chain Equinox to Italian restaurant Cipriani.

Why India to Europe trade corridor is stalling even as talks continue

A key hurdle hampering the progress of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is the lingering uncertainty over Gaza.

Rome to charge tourists to get close to famed Trevi Fountain

The city is seeking to raise US$7.6 million a year from visitors, who traditionally toss a coin into the water in hope of returning to Rome.

EU facing crunch talks over Ukraine, China and its economic future

EU leaders are set to meet amid growing concern in Brussels that the bloc’s divisions will impede meaningful action across a range of issues.

EU drops 2035 combustion engine ban in victory for its carmakers

Europe pivots to bolstering its crisis-hit auto sector in a major green policy retreat.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

From Ukraine to the Caribbean and Middle East, we are witnessing the application of the law of the jungle by the West and its ally.

Will Philippines favour Eurofighter Typhoon for its military upgrade?

The Eurofighter, which is estimated to cost US$117 million each, has drawn buying interest from Bangladesh and other countries.

Q&A | High barre: a chat with dancer Roberto Bolle ahead of Caravaggio in Hong Kong

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel