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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

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.

18 minutes ago

Electric & new energy vehicles

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

15 May 2026 - 10:20PM

Maldives

Search for missing Italian divers continues in Maldives cave

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

Containers at the Manila North Harbour Port in Manila, Philippines. Development of the Luzon Economic Corridor will involve eight more countries. Photo: AP

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

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

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

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

An Iranian walks past an anti-US and Israel mural in a street in Tehran on Friday. Photo: EPA

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

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

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

Pope Leo (centre) meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican on Thursday. Photo: EPA/Vatican Media

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

Pope Leo waves during his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Donald Trump

‘He’s endangering a lot of Catholics’: Trump takes another shot at pope

US president’s latest criticism threatens to derail Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s high-stakes mission to Rome.

6 May 2026 - 6:17PMvideocam

Giorgia Meloni

Italy PM Meloni warns over AI deepfakes after false photos of her circulate

The prime minister posted an example of a fake image appearing to show her sitting on her bed in her underwear.

6 May 2026 - 1:03PM

Germany

Germany jails mother for locking up daughter for 7 years

The girl, who is now 11 years old, was locked up for about seven years before being freed in September 2022.

5 May 2026 - 4:47AMvideocam

The courthouse in North Rhine-Westphalia, Siegen where the verdict is announced in the trial against the mother who kept her child hidden and completely cut off from the outside world for seven years. Photo: dpa

Aviation accidents

United Airlines jet hits light pole, truck while landing at US airport

FAA and airline are investigating after flight from Italy strikes a pole on the New Jersey Turnpike, damages delivery truck.

4 May 2026 - 2:07PM

Style Edit

Style Edit: Bulgari updates its Octo Finissimo and Serpenti models for 2026

At Watches and Wonders, Bulgari introduced smaller Octo Finissimos and a limited edition of the Octo Finissimo Ultra Tourbillon Platinum, among other stand-outs.

4 May 2026 - 10:48AM

Marco Rubio

Rubio to visit Rome, meet Pope Leo who has clashed with Trump

US secretary of state also seeks a meeting with Italy’s Meloni, whom Trump has also turned against.

4 May 2026 - 8:49PMvideocam

Pope Leo has emerged as an outspoken critic of the US-Israeli led war with Iran, among other issues. Photo: TNS

China-EU relations

How can China best profit from Trump’s latest rift with traditional US allies?

The US president’s decision to pull troops out of Germany and threats to do the same to Spain and Italy are the latest rift within Nato.

3 May 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

Germany has the largest US troop presence in Europe. Photo: Handout

Israel-Gaza war

Gaza flotilla activists detained by Israel face ‘extreme brutality’

Two foreign activists from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla intercepted near Greece were brought to Israel for interrogation, and appeared in court on Sunday.

3 May 2026 - 4:34PMvideocam

Trip Inspiration

Discover Europe with flexible, affordable first-class Eurail adventures

Breakfast in Spain, lunch in France and dinner in Italy – with plenty of sightseeing from a comfortable seat in between. The joys of flexible, first-class train travel can be yours for the price of a Eurail pass.

3 May 2026 - 8:00AM

Icons and Influencers

Style according to … J.J. Martin, founder of Milan-based La DoubleJ

The high-vibration, maximalist designer on channelled wisdom, goddess energy, and building a colourful life with intention.

2 May 2026 - 7:00AM

J.J. Martin founded LaDoubleJ, a fashion and lifestyle label known for its bold prints, colourful aesthetic and “good vibes”. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong Football Festival

Editorial | Hot summer of football festival fever ahead for Hong Kong

The return of star-studded matches featuring top European clubs heralds a second straight summer of football enthusiasm for local fans.

2 May 2026 - 6:45AM

Footballers (from left) Shaun Wright-Phillips, Christian Vieri, Roberto Di Matteo and Edgar Davids attend the launch of the 2026 Hong Kong Football Festival on April 21. Photo: Elson Li

Defence

Will Japan’s new arms export rules spark a high-end defence boom?

Updated regulations give Tokyo greater scope to sell lethal weapons overseas, prompting rebuke from China, but the industry still faces hurdles.

1 May 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Iran

Iran ‘dying to make a deal’, US war costs soar: here’s what happened overnight

US President Donald Trump says only a few people know the status of talks with Tehran as war enters its third month.

1 May 2026 - 8:40AMvideocam

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