Italy

Migrants wearing face masks to curb the spread of COVID-19 sit at a pier as Italian police officers stand by.

Some migrants crossing the Mediterranean say they prefer death to being returned

Migration

At least five migrants have drowned off the coast of Libya, including a woman and child. The journey to a better life is often harrowing.
Some migrants crossing the Mediterranean say they prefer death to being returned

People walk near the former street sign for ''Via dell'Amba Aradam''

Italians divided over whether Black man’s beating death was motivated by racism

Venice’s Grand Canal was for centuries a thoroughfare for the global shipping trade on the ancient Silk Road.

Italy is caught in the middle of the EU’s tussle with its ‘systemic rival,’ China

On China's New Silk Road
A man with a mask walks in a flooded street during a period of seasonal high water

Venice floods: Historical myths may attract the aid the city needs

Climate Change
Carola Rackete speaks to reporters on her ship

German captain becomes anti-populist heroine in Italy migrant standoff

Refugees
Young man crawls through fence with bicycle

Italy’s mafia gets richer as ‘security decree’ strips migrant rights

With no rights to speak of, undocumented migrants and refugees in Italy are vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous “padroni” and criminal gangs, including the mafia, who controls Italy’s agricultural sector.

Carlo Cottarelli arrives for a meeting with the Italian President Sergio Mattarella walk next to each other

Has the Italian establishment gone too far in its bid to stop the populists from taking Rome?

Global Politics

After weeks of negotiations, an agreement had been signed by Five Star Movement and the hard-right party Lega. Then, at the last moment, Italian President Sergio Mattarella — who holds a largely ceremonial role as head of state — torpedoed the deal.

Kurt Goes to Venice

Arts, Culture & Media

Kurt Andersen takes us along on a recent family vacation to the international art pavilions at the Venice Biennale.

La Musica Della Mafia

Arts, Culture & Media

The songs in this collection of traditional Italian folk music were all written by, for, and about the Mafia, and provide a tantalizing oral history of Italy’s mythic criminal universe.

La Musica Della Mafia

Arts, Culture & Media

The songs in this collection of traditional Italian folk music were all written by, for and about the Mafia, and provide a tantalizing oral history of Italy’s mythic criminal universe. Produced by David Krasnow.