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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

Valentino at the end of his spring/summer 2006 Haute Couture show in Paris. The Italian designer died on Monday at the age of 93. Photo: AFP

Obituaries

Valentino, fashion designer to the stars, dies aged 93 in Rome

The couturier was adored by royals, first ladies and film stars including Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Sarah Jessica Parker.

3 hours ago

Greenland

Punch back or punching bag? EU weighs response to Trump Greenland tariff threat

6 hours agovideocam

Ukraine war

Top Ukrainian negotiator says talks with US to continue in Davos

19 Jan 2026 - 11:29AM

Greenland

Europe prepares retaliation over Trump’s Greenland ultimatum

Eight European countries consider US$108 billion retaliation and ‘anti-coercion’ tools after Trump vows tariffs on Europe over Arctic island.

19 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

Danish soldiers after disembarking at the harbour in Nuuk, Greenland on Sunday. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via Reuters

Donald Trump

A ‘Trump UN’ with US$1 billion entry? Nations cautious on Board of Peace plan

US president invites 60 nations to join his ‘Board of Peace’, with permanent membership available for states that pay US$1 billion.

19 Jan 2026 - 1:11PM

Timepieces

Horology’s most storied addresses: watch museums, workshops and archives

These locales, from museums to brands’ own premises, are hallowed grounds for watch fans, giving them insights and a peek into timekeeping history.

19 Jan 2026 - 10:16AM

Food and Drinks

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

Now sous chef at Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred Belon, the 30-year-old Indonesian-Canadian once wanted to be an engineer.

19 Jan 2026 - 11:13AM

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

Architecture and design

A conversation with design visionary Naoto Fukasawa

The legendary product designer gave an exclusive interview to Style on the sidelines of Hong Kong’s BODW In the City, an extension of Business of Design Week.

17 Jan 2026 - 12:08PM

Tourism

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

The House of the Griffins and its frescoes can now be explored via an onsite virtual tour into otherwise off-limits underground areas.

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

Delegates look at the GCAP sixth-generation fighter jet concept design at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. Photo: AFP

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

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

A Bulgari B.zero1 ring and pendant, photographed in front of the Colosseum in Rome that first inspired the collection. Photo: Handout

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

Italian company Minotti has been in the furniture design business since 1948. Photo: Handout

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

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

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

Danish troops train with Swedish, Norwegian, German and French peers in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, in September 2025. Photo: Retuers

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

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

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

Travelers disembark a Eurostar train at Gare du Nord after a power supply incident in part of the Channel Tunnel disrupted train and shuttle traffic on Tuesday in Paris. Photo: AP

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

George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney pose for photographers at the London screening of “The Boys In The Boat” in December 2023,. Photo: AP

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

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

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Italy

Valentino, fashion designer to the stars, dies aged 93 in Rome

The couturier was adored by royals, first ladies and film stars including Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Punch back or punching bag? EU weighs response to Trump Greenland tariff threat

Top Ukrainian negotiator says talks with US to continue in Davos

Europe prepares retaliation over Trump’s Greenland ultimatum

Eight European countries consider US$108 billion retaliation and ‘anti-coercion’ tools after Trump vows tariffs on Europe over Arctic island.

A ‘Trump UN’ with US$1 billion entry? Nations cautious on Board of Peace plan

US president invites 60 nations to join his ‘Board of Peace’, with permanent membership available for states that pay US$1 billion.

Horology’s most storied addresses: watch museums, workshops and archives

These locales, from museums to brands’ own premises, are hallowed grounds for watch fans, giving them insights and a peek into timekeeping history.

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

Now sous chef at Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred Belon, the 30-year-old Indonesian-Canadian once wanted to be an engineer.

A conversation with design visionary Naoto Fukasawa

The legendary product designer gave an exclusive interview to Style on the sidelines of Hong Kong’s BODW In the City, an extension of Business of Design Week.

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

The House of the Griffins and its frescoes can now be explored via an onsite virtual tour into otherwise off-limits underground areas.

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.

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