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Italy
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Italy

Italy
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
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivers closing remarks at a rally celebrating her government’s record as the longest-serving administration in Italy’s republican history, in Bari, Italy on September 4. Her Cabinet has now adopted the measures by decree. Photo: Reuters
Giorgia Meloni

Italy to ban burkas in schools, with 30% cap on pupils with poor Italian

The move comes ahead of Italy’s election next year, in which PM Meloni’s party faces pressure the even further right National Future party.

China trade

Chinese carmakers gain as high petrol prices boost European EV sales

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Milan Fashion Week

Milan Fashion Week: Max Mara and Marni’s utilitarian-strong SS27 collections

Ukraine war

Croatia clears extradition of Nord Stream blast suspect to Germany

German prosecutors have accused Ukrainian scuba diver of planting explosives on Baltic pipelines in 2022.

A gas leak at Nord Stream 2 in the Baltic Sea near the Danish island of Bornholm in 2022. Photo: Danish Defence Command via Reuters
German prosecutors have said the suspect, identified as Vladimir Z, was a scuba diver who was part ‌of a group behind the blasts. Photo: AP
Indonesia

Indonesia commissions first aircraft carrier, bolstering sea defence

Indonesia’s navy renamed the former Italian warship KRI Sriwijaya-100 at a ceremony in North Jakarta.

Energy

Italy greenlights return of nuclear power after decades-long ban

Parliament clears legal framework for next-generation reactors nearly 40 years after the Chernobyl disaster.

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Milan Fashion Week

Fendi embraces sheer party glamour while Jil Sander highlights the beauty of imperfection for SS27

Maria Grazia Chiuri’s upbeat, body-conscious runway and Simone Bellotti’s creased textures were the highlights of day two.

The Fendi spring/summer 2027 show was a celebration of the female body. Photo: AP
Tourism

Italy’s Colosseum closes after worker dies in accident

The incident comes less ‌than a year ‌after the death of a worker trapped under the rubble of a collapsed medieval tower near the Colosseum.

China-Africa relations

Djibouti base upgrade may give PLA eyes on foreign military in Middle East

Commercial imagery reveals two new communication sites built near foreign military bases in East Africa, US think tank says.

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Art

Fan Ho’s poetic photos of mid-20th century Hong Kong show in an unlikely place

An Italian palace in Turin is hosting a new exhibition of Fan’s works that capture everyday human activity in 1950s and 60s Hong Kong.

Different Directions (1958) by Fan Ho. Photo: Fan Ho Trust and Estate, courtesy of Blue Lotus Gallery
Style Edit

Style Edit: Zegna brings an Alpine-inspired retail vision to Hong Kong

Natural materials and curved interiors frame the Italian maison’s expanded menswear offering, from tailoring and leisurewear to footwear and fragrances.

Zegna has opened a new negozio, or store, inside Hong Kong’s Harbour City. Photo: Handout
Giorgia Meloni

Meloni pushes for burka ban in Italy’s schools, cap on foreign students

Italian prime minister tells party rally that foreigners must ‘respect our rules’ under proposed integration package.

ICBMs

Opinion | Why cities have the responsibility to demand nuclear disarmament

As cities are the main targets of nuclear weapons, they have a responsibility to speak out and encourage efforts to eliminate them.

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Hong Kong

As I see it | Why mainland Chinese despise the British – but Hongkongers don’t

Whereas Hong Kong people experienced a milder form of colonialism, mainland Chinese were subjected to the extremes of Western imperialism.

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Heritage statues on Shamian Island in 2010. The district in Guangzhou was once controlled by the British and the French. Photo: Edward Wong
Indonesia

Pride or practicality? Indonesia welcomes first aircraft carrier

Jakarta has approved US$450 million for the aircraft carrier programme but some lawmakers warn the final bill could be higher.

Former Italian Navy aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi docks at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta on Friday. Photo: AFP
Style Edit

Style Edit: Loro Piana’s baby cashmere and summer-to-autumn layers

Rare raw materials and exacting craftsmanship inform the maison’s approach to exceptional fibres and its fall/winter 2026-27 Back to School collection.

Japan

Video | Cruise ship arrives in Japan to house Asian Games athletes

Brought in to try and ease complaints, the ship will house about 4,000 guests during the event.

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Get to Know

Who are Baywatch star Brooks Nader’s parents, Holland and Breaux?

The Sports Illustrated model has hit back at criticism over her Sardinia family holiday, saying her financier father was ‘half-blind’ and didn’t care.

Brooks Nader has found herself in the spotlight after a family holiday in Sardinia with parents Holland and Breaux. Photos: @brooksnader; @hnader/Instagram
New Openings

Hong Kong’s hottest new openings, from Sugar Daddy’s creamy pastries to Japanese-Chiuchow fusion fare at Chiu San

Discover Hong Kong’s freshest F&B openings: Italian pastries at Sugar Daddy, Lingnan fine dining at The Canton Library, Japanese-Chiuchow fusion at Chiu San and whimsical heritage ice cream at Teemtonefai.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Furla’s fall/winter 2026 collection and new Macau boutique

Blending Italian elegance with rich seasonal hues, designs like the Ginevra, Tonie and Iride take centre stage at Furla’s store inside The Venetian Macao.

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli army chief orders legal review of award-winning Gaza war film

Israeli-made Gaza documentary makes waves after winning the Venice special jury prize.

Directors Rachel Szor and Yuval Abraham pose with the Special Jury Prize for 'NAZA' at the 83rd Venice Film Festival. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Beijing lodges diplomatic protests over Taiwan official’s visit to Italy

European Parliament official says conference attendance by Hsiao Bi-khim was kept confidential to safeguard her participation.

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Beijing has made “serious representations against Italy and the European Union” over a visit by Taiwan’s Hsiao Bi-khim to an international forum on Ventotene Island. Photo: Shutterstock
Obituaries

Emma Bonino, Italy’s activist politician, dies aged 78

Bonino was a passionate advocate for social justice and gender equality who deliberately courted controversy to advance her many causes.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

On This Day | Deanie Ip scores first best actress win for Hong Kong in Venice – SCMP archive

Ip’s portrayal of an ageing domestic servant in Ann Hui’s film won her the prestigious Volpi Cup, the first for a Hongkonger.

Israel-Gaza war

Israeli film on AI-backed Gaza killings gets 25-minute ovation

Oscar-winning directors premiere ‘NAZA’, featuring military whistle-blowers detailing automated target selection.

A Israeli missile strikes a target in Gaza City’s Al Shati refugee camp on September 9 following an evacuation warning. Photo: APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
China-Japan relations

In Focus | How Tokyo is widening regional defence ties to complicate Beijing’s Taiwan calculus

Tokyo is strengthening partnerships across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, possibly bolstering its ability to withstand a prolonged armed conflict.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Jewellery

Bulgari celebrates a love affair with colours at Shanghai exhibition

The immersive show, designed by Sanaa and Formafantasma, also features two installations by Chinese artists Liang Manqi and Zhang Ding.

New Openings

Hong Kong hottest new openings, from Italian eatery Il Presidente to Fujian cuisine hotspot Quan

Discover Hong Kong’s freshest F&B openings: divine Italian at Il Presidente, Parisian-inspired Bistrot’s Suzette, tempting Japanese treats at Truffle Donut and contemporary Chinese fare at Quan.

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