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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

Charity founder Peri Cochin speaks on the phone with the raffle winner in Paris, France, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

Art

Stunned Frenchman wins US$1 million Picasso with US$117 raffle ticket

Sales engineer Ari Hodara wondered if it was a hoax when he got a call after the draw at Christie’s auction house in Paris.

2 hours ago

Fashion

Designer Filippo Sorcinelli on dressing the last three popes – interview

3 hours ago

Donald Trump

Trump turns on Italy’s Meloni, says he is ‘shocked’ by her

5 hours ago

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong school hits back at filmmaker in row over Italian festival screening

Supervisor of Ying Wa Girls’ School says principal did not lie in negotiations over showing To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self at coming festival.

13 Apr 2026 - 6:29PM

The documentary, commissioned by the school, tracks the lives of six students over the course of a decade from 2011. Photo: Jelly Tse

Japan

‘Not a reliable ally’: Japan eyes Nato as Trump erodes faith in US guarantees

Tokyo and the transatlantic security alliance have a shared problem: what happens if the US walks away?

13 Apr 2026 - 9:16AM

Hong Kong society

Controversial Hong Kong documentary pulled from Italian film festival

Distributor Golden Scene says To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self will not feature at Far East Film Festival in Udine.

12 Apr 2026 - 8:10PM

Hong Kong society

Filmmaker accuses school of ‘blatantly lying’ in row over documentary screening

Mabel Cheung says she’s shocked after Ying Wa Girls’ School said it had not authorised festival screening of her film To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self.

10 Apr 2026 - 5:08PM

Acclaimed filmmaker Mabel Cheung has slammed Ying Wa Girls’ School over the documentary’s screening in Italy. Photo: Sam Tsang

Cartier

The Cartier Women’s Initiative just celebrated 20 years

Amal Clooney spoke on the opening panel to urge action on women’s rights, while female entrepreneurs among the 2026 fellows shared their experiences and advice.

8 Apr 2026 - 3:16PM

History

Mussolini’s summer villa on Italian coast to be a cultural space

Italian seaside town pays US$1.3 million to prevent property from becoming a site for far-right sympathisers.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:39AM

US, Israel war on Iran

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

Washington is providing a real-time laboratory of modern warfare and Beijing is paying close attention to the lessons.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:10AMvideocam

Middle East

Abducted US journalist released by Iraqi armed group, Rubio says

Iran-backed militia frees Shelly Kittleson with a warning that the move ‘will not be repeated’.

8 Apr 2026 - 10:25AM

Shelly Kittleson in a video released April 7 by a social media outlet close to Kataib Hezbollah. Photo: Reuters

Nato

Opinion | In denying Trump airspace, Europe has drawn a line for Nato

Growing European defiance to US demands raises a critical question: is Nato a club of equals or a mechanism for enforcing one nation’s agenda?

7 Apr 2026 - 8:07PMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Student in contentious Hong Kong documentary hits out at Italian screening plan

Ah Ling, who featured in award-winning To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self, says no one consulted her about screening at film festival.

4 Apr 2026 - 11:57PM

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Ease the burden’: 5 EU nations urge tax on energy firms’ profits

As fuel prices spike, finance ministers from Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Austria ‘stand united’ and call for action.

4 Apr 2026 - 7:10PMvideocam

A pump jack and drilling rig in Texas. File photo: Reuters

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

‘I carry all of this suffering in my prayer,’ the pontiff said before he set out for the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross.

4 Apr 2026 - 1:24PM

Pope Leo holds a wooden cross as he leads the Via Crucis procession at the Coliseum in Rome on Good Friday. Photo: dpa

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong documentary pulled from cinemas 3 years ago to be screened in Italy

To My Nineteen-year-old Self will be shown at Far East Film Festival after withdrawal in 2023 over lack of consent from interviewees.

3 Apr 2026 - 7:10PM

Sexual harassment and assault

Italy arrests German-Indian ‘guru’ on child abuse allegations

The two children did not attend school and had to stand guard around the house where they lived at night.

2 Apr 2026 - 9:12PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Controlled escalation? Trump hails ‘victories’ in Iran but vows more strikes

US president tells anxious Americans that the conflict’s core objectives are ‘nearing completion’ but fails to lay out a clear timeline to end the war.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:31PMvideocam

President Donald Trump speaks about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Washington. Photo: AP

Japan

Why Japan’s advanced fighter project may get Canadian tailwinds

With Ottawa’s interest in the stealth fighter, Tokyo hopes the multinational project for its air force’s modernisation can regain momentum.

2 Apr 2026 - 8:04AM

China-EU relations

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

31 Mar 2026 - 6:03AMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Meet F1 driver Kimi Antonelli, who just won the Japanese ⁠Grand Prix in Suzuka

The 19-year-old won his first Grand Prix race earlier this month in Shanghai, and followed it up immediately with a second win in Japan.

30 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM

Kimi Antonelli rocking a new look for the Grand Prix in Japan. Photo: @kimi.antonelli/Instagram

Tourism

Where is The Last Supper housed? The convent where Dominican friars still live

Da Vinci’s painting resides in Milan’s Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Dominican friars continue to live, pray and serve the community.

30 Mar 2026 - 3:15PM

Visitors admire Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper at the convent next to the sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in Milan, Italy, in 2024. Photo: AP

Israel

European countries appeal to Israel to abandon plans to revive death penalty

Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy and the UK expressed concern about the bill which opponents say would target only Palestinians.

30 Mar 2026 - 6:55AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Jerusalem police stop Catholic leaders from celebrating Palm Sunday mass

Police said the Church of the Holy Sepulchre had been notified that no mass could take place on Palm Sunday because of safety considerations.

30 Mar 2026 - 2:06AMvideocam

China shipbuilding

China’s high-end yacht owners say industry growth stifled by structural gaps

Shipowners say billionaire Richard Liu’s new venture to make yacht ownership more affordable will need to surmount significant challenges.

29 Mar 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Art

A riot of colourful artworks in Padua defines Italy’s Painted City

The World Heritage site’s colourful attractions include one of the earliest depictions of a kiss in Western painting.

29 Mar 2026 - 6:00AM

Meeting at the Golden Gate (circa 1305),
by Giotto, in Padua’s Scrovegni Chapel. Photo: Getty Images

Crime

400,000 KitKat bars stolen, as thieves ‘make a break’ with 12 tonne shipment

The heist could cause a shortage of the chocolate snacks in Europe right before Easter, Nestlé warns.

29 Mar 2026 - 3:12AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

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Italy

Stunned Frenchman wins US$1 million Picasso with US$117 raffle ticket

Sales engineer Ari Hodara wondered if it was a hoax when he got a call after the draw at Christie’s auction house in Paris.

Designer Filippo Sorcinelli on dressing the last three popes – interview

Trump turns on Italy’s Meloni, says he is ‘shocked’ by her

Hong Kong school hits back at filmmaker in row over Italian festival screening

Supervisor of Ying Wa Girls’ School says principal did not lie in negotiations over showing To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self at coming festival.

‘Not a reliable ally’: Japan eyes Nato as Trump erodes faith in US guarantees

Tokyo and the transatlantic security alliance have a shared problem: what happens if the US walks away?

Controversial Hong Kong documentary pulled from Italian film festival

Distributor Golden Scene says To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self will not feature at Far East Film Festival in Udine.

Filmmaker accuses school of ‘blatantly lying’ in row over documentary screening

Mabel Cheung says she’s shocked after Ying Wa Girls’ School said it had not authorised festival screening of her film To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self.

The Cartier Women’s Initiative just celebrated 20 years

Amal Clooney spoke on the opening panel to urge action on women’s rights, while female entrepreneurs among the 2026 fellows shared their experiences and advice.

Mussolini’s summer villa on Italian coast to be a cultural space

Italian seaside town pays US$1.3 million to prevent property from becoming a site for far-right sympathisers.

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

Washington is providing a real-time laboratory of modern warfare and Beijing is paying close attention to the lessons.

Abducted US journalist released by Iraqi armed group, Rubio says

Iran-backed militia frees Shelly Kittleson with a warning that the move ‘will not be repeated’.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | In denying Trump airspace, Europe has drawn a line for Nato

Growing European defiance to US demands raises a critical question: is Nato a club of equals or a mechanism for enforcing one nation’s agenda?

Student in contentious Hong Kong documentary hits out at Italian screening plan

Ah Ling, who featured in award-winning To My Nineteen-Year-Old Self, says no one consulted her about screening at film festival.

‘Ease the burden’: 5 EU nations urge tax on energy firms’ profits

As fuel prices spike, finance ministers from Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Austria ‘stand united’ and call for action.

Pope Leo carries cross for full Good Friday procession

‘I carry all of this suffering in my prayer,’ the pontiff said before he set out for the 14 stations of the Way of the Cross.

Hong Kong documentary pulled from cinemas 3 years ago to be screened in Italy

To My Nineteen-year-old Self will be shown at Far East Film Festival after withdrawal in 2023 over lack of consent from interviewees.

Italy arrests German-Indian ‘guru’ on child abuse allegations

The two children did not attend school and had to stand guard around the house where they lived at night.

Controlled escalation? Trump hails ‘victories’ in Iran but vows more strikes

US president tells anxious Americans that the conflict’s core objectives are ‘nearing completion’ but fails to lay out a clear timeline to end the war.

Why Japan’s advanced fighter project may get Canadian tailwinds

With Ottawa’s interest in the stealth fighter, Tokyo hopes the multinational project for its air force’s modernisation can regain momentum.

Europe’s crisis tourism: how the Iran war swallowed the EU’s geopolitical agenda

From trade with China to the Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock, Brussels’ agenda has been repeatedly knocked off course.

Meet F1 driver Kimi Antonelli, who just won the Japanese ⁠Grand Prix in Suzuka

The 19-year-old won his first Grand Prix race earlier this month in Shanghai, and followed it up immediately with a second win in Japan.

Where is The Last Supper housed? The convent where Dominican friars still live

Da Vinci’s painting resides in Milan’s Santa Maria delle Grazie, where Dominican friars continue to live, pray and serve the community.

European countries appeal to Israel to abandon plans to revive death penalty

Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy and the UK expressed concern about the bill which opponents say would target only Palestinians.

Jerusalem police stop Catholic leaders from celebrating Palm Sunday mass

Police said the Church of the Holy Sepulchre had been notified that no mass could take place on Palm Sunday because of safety considerations.

China’s high-end yacht owners say industry growth stifled by structural gaps

Shipowners say billionaire Richard Liu’s new venture to make yacht ownership more affordable will need to surmount significant challenges.

A riot of colourful artworks in Padua defines Italy’s Painted City

The World Heritage site’s colourful attractions include one of the earliest depictions of a kiss in Western painting.

400,000 KitKat bars stolen, as thieves ‘make a break’ with 12 tonne shipment

The heist could cause a shortage of the chocolate snacks in Europe right before Easter, Nestlé warns.

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

Opinion | In denying Trump airspace, Europe has drawn a line for Nato