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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

Fashion

Stars of fashion and film bid farewell to haute couture ‘emperor’ Valentino

Mourners included Vogue’s Anna Wintour, actresses Anne Hathaway and Elizabeth Hurley and designers Donatella Versace and Tom Ford.

24 Jan 2026 - 1:50AM

Indonesia

Indonesia’s defence deal with Bosnia signals Asian middle power’s clout

23 Jan 2026 - 6:40PM

Fame and celebrity

Meet Costa D’Angelo, who plays Alex, the heartthrob drug dealer in Tell Me Lies

22 Jan 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Timepieces

LVMH Watch Week 2026: the best new releases from the conglomerate’s brands

Milan became the centre of the horology world this week – read on to discover the newest models from Zenith, Daniel Roth, Gérald Genta, L’Epee 1839 and more.

22 Jan 2026 - 3:47PM

Daniel Roth’s Extra Plat Rose Gold Skeleton. Photo: Handout

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Duel in Davos: Macron’s ‘Top Gun’ shades charm internet, get mocked by Trump

The French leader’s US$770 sunglasses, which he wore as he criticised the US president, have sparked a flood of social media memes.

22 Jan 2026 - 2:26AM

TV shows and streaming video

Meet Stefania Spampinato, who’s stealing hearts as Bella in Landman

She had a career in dance and choreography, working on The X Factor and The Voice UK, and played Dr Carina DeLuca on Grey’s Anatomy.

20 Jan 2026 - 4:24PM

Archaeology and palaeontology

Italy uncovers ancient basilica designed by the ‘father of architecture’ Vitruvius

Mayor calls archeological find in the central Italian city of Fano the ‘discovery of the century’.

20 Jan 2026 - 1:11PM

Excavations in Piazza Andrea Costa from which large columns emerged, remains believed of the Basilica of Vitruvius, in Fano, Italy on Monday. Photo: EPA / Regione Marche Press Office Handout

Obituaries

Valentino, fashion designer to the jet set, stars and royalty, dead at 93

Adored by movie stars and first ladies alike, the Italian designer was a master of high glamour and timeless elegance.

20 Jan 2026 - 11:31AM

Greenland

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

Bloc has been reluctant to act on his various punitive moves, but many now believe that a threshold has been crossed, analysts say.

20 Jan 2026 - 3:32PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Top Ukrainian negotiator says talks with US to continue in Davos

Negotiators move from Florida to Switzerland for talks as Ukrainians reel from Russian attacks that have damaged energy infrastructure.

19 Jan 2026 - 11:29AM

People enter a tent provided by emergency services for Kyiv residents whose homes have been left without heating during sub-zero temperatures. Photo: Reuters

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

Naoto Fukasawa gives a talk at B&B Italia, Colourliving, in Hong Kong, in November 2025. Photo: Handout

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

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

The Night Market in Nha Trang, Vietnam, a popular destination for the growing number of mainland Chinese tourists visiting the city. Photo: Roy Issa

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

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Italy

Stars of fashion and film bid farewell to haute couture ‘emperor’ Valentino

Mourners included Vogue’s Anna Wintour, actresses Anne Hathaway and Elizabeth Hurley and designers Donatella Versace and Tom Ford.

Indonesia’s defence deal with Bosnia signals Asian middle power’s clout

Meet Costa D’Angelo, who plays Alex, the heartthrob drug dealer in Tell Me Lies

LVMH Watch Week 2026: the best new releases from the conglomerate’s brands

Milan became the centre of the horology world this week – read on to discover the newest models from Zenith, Daniel Roth, Gérald Genta, L’Epee 1839 and more.

Duel in Davos: Macron’s ‘Top Gun’ shades charm internet, get mocked by Trump

The French leader’s US$770 sunglasses, which he wore as he criticised the US president, have sparked a flood of social media memes.

Meet Stefania Spampinato, who’s stealing hearts as Bella in Landman

She had a career in dance and choreography, working on The X Factor and The Voice UK, and played Dr Carina DeLuca on Grey’s Anatomy.

Italy uncovers ancient basilica designed by the ‘father of architecture’ Vitruvius

Mayor calls archeological find in the central Italian city of Fano the ‘discovery of the century’.

Valentino, fashion designer to the jet set, stars and royalty, dead at 93

Adored by movie stars and first ladies alike, the Italian designer was a master of high glamour and timeless elegance.

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

Bloc has been reluctant to act on his various punitive moves, but many now believe that a threshold has been crossed, analysts say.

Top Ukrainian negotiator says talks with US to continue in Davos

Negotiators move from Florida to Switzerland for talks as Ukrainians reel from Russian attacks that have damaged energy infrastructure.

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.

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