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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

Pope Leo during his visit to Acerra, Italy, on Saturday. He has been speaking out more forcefully in recent weeks and will issue a major document, relating to AI, on Monday. Photo: AP

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’.

2 hours ago

Israel-Gaza war

Israel deports hundreds of Gaza flotilla activists as arrivals recount abuse

22 May 2026 - 5:18PMvideocam

Cathay Pacific

Singapore Airlines faces narrow window to gain market share from Gulf rivals

22 May 2026 - 10:04AMvideocam

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

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

Brunello Cucinelli has launched its high summer 2026 capsule collection, Mediterranea. Photo: Handout

Giorgia Meloni

Meloni meets victims of Italy car-ramming attack

Italy’s prime minister rushes to Modena following a horrific vehicle assault that left several people seriously injured.

18 May 2026 - 11:22AM

The car that crashed into pedestrians. Photo: Reuters

France

‘It’s nasty’: Swatch-Audemars Piguet watch hype ignites global shopping chaos

From New York to Milan, buyers push and shove each other to get their hands on the ‘Royal Pop’ timepieces.

19 May 2026 - 5:13PMvideocam

Crime

8 injured as man rams car into crowd in Italy’s Modena

The fleeing driver was stopped by some pedestrians, one of whom he attacked with a knife, before being arrested.

17 May 2026 - 4:06AM

Maldives

Maldivian military diver dies in search of bodies of 4 Italian divers

The group of Italian divers is believed to have died while exploring a cave at a depth of about 50 metres (160 feet) in Vaavu Atoll despite the Maldives’ 30-metre diving limit.

16 May 2026 - 11:24PM

Rescue divers preparing to search for the four missing Italian divers near Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, on Saturday. Photo: AP

Electric & new energy vehicles

Peugeot, Jeep take on Chinese rivals with new models using local EV tech

Peugeot and Jeep are following in the footsteps of Hyundai Motor’s Ioniq to regain lost ground in mainland China.

15 May 2026 - 10:20PM

A Peugeot concept car on display at the Auto China show in Beijing, April 24, 2026. Photo: Reuters

Maldives

Search for missing Italian divers continues in Maldives cave

Italy says five of its citizens have drowned, including a marine biology professor, her daughter and two young researchers.

15 May 2026 - 8:28PM

The Philippines

Western powers ramp up support for Philippines’ Luzon economic hub

Eight more countries will invest in the project as they accelerate regional trade diversification in sectors ranging from AI to energy.

15 May 2026 - 7:07PMvideocam

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers hunt for idled plants in Europe as they expand global influence

BYD, the world’s largest electric car maker, says it is in talks with Stellantis about using European marques’ idled assembly facilities.

15 May 2026 - 5:50PMvideocam

A BYD Sealion 7 on display at the Baltic Motor Show in Riga, Latvia, on April 24. Photo: EPA

Japan

Why Japan’s ruling party is pushing for 5% military spending

The ruling party is expected to debate raising outlays to as much as 5 per cent of GDP, in line with that of many Nato members.

15 May 2026 - 4:46PMvideocam

Style Edit

Style Edit: Emmanuel Perrin, Panerai CEO, on its watches’ maritime heritage

The brand has long worked with the Italian Navy – resulting in ‘big, tough, functional watches’ that appeal to Sylvester Stallone and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

14 May 2026 - 12:24PM

Food and Drinks

Dish in Focus: Pasta mista at Dieci

At Dieci, chef Paolo Olivieri turns a peasant dish from Italy into an elevated favourite, mixing fusilli, casarecce, broken spaghetti and more.

14 May 2026 - 12:00PM

Pasta mista at Hong Kong’s Dieci restaurant is an elevated take on an Italian peasant dish. Photo: Handout

United States

FBI Director Kash Patel denies drinking allegations in testy Senate hearing

Patel clashes with Democrats over leadership allegations and ‘party’ trips while touting major crime-fighting wins.

13 May 2026 - 2:57PM

FBI Director Kash Patel at Tuesday’s Senate hearing. Photo: dpa

US-China relations

Opinion | China shouldn’t view a tired US as signifying a Europe ready to pivot

As fractures within the US’ network of alliances deepen, China’s strategic window opens a little wider, with some key caveats.

10 May 2026 - 8:30PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran responds to US proposal, as Qatari tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz

The response, sent via Pakistan, focuses on ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon, and on the safety of shipping in the waterway.

11 May 2026 - 12:19AMvideocam

Art

5 exhibitions across the globe celebrating women who shaped art and culture

From Björk’s grief-tinged ‘Echolalia’ to Marina Abramović making history in Venice, these shows shine a light on women who shaped contemporary culture.

9 May 2026 - 8:00AM

Museums around the world are spotlighting women who – like Frida Kahlo – have influenced contemporary culture. Photo: Nickolas Muray Collection of Mexican Art

US, Israel war on Iran

New Israel-Lebanon talks to try to curb Hezbollah influence in region: Rubio

Marco Rubio says Washington is also awaiting Iran’s response to a new US proposal to end the conflict in the region.

9 May 2026 - 4:56AM

First responders arrive at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the southern Lebanese village of Habbouch on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Pope Leo XIV

Rubio meets Pope Leo at Vatican to defuse tensions with Trump

The meeting comes amid the US president’s repeated attacks on the pontiff over the Iran war and nuclear weapons.

7 May 2026 - 10:04PMvideocam

Religion

Pope to inaugurate Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia in June trip to Spain

He will also visit a migrant reception centre in the Canary Islands.

6 May 2026 - 11:02PM

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Italy

‘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’.

Israel deports hundreds of Gaza flotilla activists as arrivals recount abuse

Singapore Airlines faces narrow window to gain market share from Gulf rivals

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Meloni meets victims of Italy car-ramming attack

Italy’s prime minister rushes to Modena following a horrific vehicle assault that left several people seriously injured.

‘It’s nasty’: Swatch-Audemars Piguet watch hype ignites global shopping chaos

From New York to Milan, buyers push and shove each other to get their hands on the ‘Royal Pop’ timepieces.

8 injured as man rams car into crowd in Italy’s Modena

The fleeing driver was stopped by some pedestrians, one of whom he attacked with a knife, before being arrested.

Maldivian military diver dies in search of bodies of 4 Italian divers

The group of Italian divers is believed to have died while exploring a cave at a depth of about 50 metres (160 feet) in Vaavu Atoll despite the Maldives’ 30-metre diving limit.

Peugeot, Jeep take on Chinese rivals with new models using local EV tech

Peugeot and Jeep are following in the footsteps of Hyundai Motor’s Ioniq to regain lost ground in mainland China.

Search for missing Italian divers continues in Maldives cave

Italy says five of its citizens have drowned, including a marine biology professor, her daughter and two young researchers.

Western powers ramp up support for Philippines’ Luzon economic hub

Eight more countries will invest in the project as they accelerate regional trade diversification in sectors ranging from AI to energy.

Chinese EV makers hunt for idled plants in Europe as they expand global influence

BYD, the world’s largest electric car maker, says it is in talks with Stellantis about using European marques’ idled assembly facilities.

Why Japan’s ruling party is pushing for 5% military spending

The ruling party is expected to debate raising outlays to as much as 5 per cent of GDP, in line with that of many Nato members.

Style Edit: Emmanuel Perrin, Panerai CEO, on its watches’ maritime heritage

The brand has long worked with the Italian Navy – resulting in ‘big, tough, functional watches’ that appeal to Sylvester Stallone and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

Dish in Focus: Pasta mista at Dieci

At Dieci, chef Paolo Olivieri turns a peasant dish from Italy into an elevated favourite, mixing fusilli, casarecce, broken spaghetti and more.

FBI Director Kash Patel denies drinking allegations in testy Senate hearing

Patel clashes with Democrats over leadership allegations and ‘party’ trips while touting major crime-fighting wins.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | China shouldn’t view a tired US as signifying a Europe ready to pivot

As fractures within the US’ network of alliances deepen, China’s strategic window opens a little wider, with some key caveats.

Iran responds to US proposal, as Qatari tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz

The response, sent via Pakistan, focuses on ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon, and on the safety of shipping in the waterway.

5 exhibitions across the globe celebrating women who shaped art and culture

From Björk’s grief-tinged ‘Echolalia’ to Marina Abramović making history in Venice, these shows shine a light on women who shaped contemporary culture.

New Israel-Lebanon talks to try to curb Hezbollah influence in region: Rubio

Marco Rubio says Washington is also awaiting Iran’s response to a new US proposal to end the conflict in the region.

Rubio meets Pope Leo at Vatican to defuse tensions with Trump

The meeting comes amid the US president’s repeated attacks on the pontiff over the Iran war and nuclear weapons.

Pope to inaugurate Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia in June trip to Spain

He will also visit a migrant reception centre in the Canary Islands.

Opinion | China shouldn’t view a tired US as signifying a Europe ready to pivot