Rome Times

Serie A Secures New International Broadcasting Agreements

Italy's top football league finalized international media rights deals that are expected to strengthen club finances and improve the league's competitiveness in the global sports market.

Italian Luxury Brands Outperform Mid-Market Labels in Global Demand

Leading luxury fashion houses reported resilient performance in high-end product lines across Asian and North American markets, while mid-tier brands continued to face weaker consumer demand.

Italy's Summer Retail Sales Begin Under Pressure From Cautious Consumer Spending

Retailers launched the nationwide summer discount season with subdued expectations as consumer groups warned that elevated living costs and high borrowing rates continue to weigh on household spending.

European Regulators Move Closer to Approving Lufthansa's Acquisition of ITA Airways

Industry analysts expect the European Commission to approve Lufthansa's takeover of ITA Airways after negotiations over airport slot concessions, bringing the airline's long-running ownership process closer to completion.

Enel Green Power Expands Renewable Energy Projects in Sicily and Sardinia

Enel Green Power commissioned new large-scale solar and wind facilities on Italy's southern islands, supporting national decarbonization goals and strengthening domestic renewable energy capacity.

Pompeii Excavations Uncover Exceptionally Preserved Ancient Frescoes

Archaeologists revealed newly discovered frescoes in a previously unexplored residential area of Pompeii, offering fresh insights into Roman society and adding to the site's global historical significance.

Italy Introduces Emergency Measures to Address Healthcare Staff Shortages

The Health Ministry authorized the recruitment of foreign-trained medical professionals and extended clinic operating hours in southern regions to ease persistent shortages of healthcare workers.

Anti-Mafia Raids Target 'Ndrangheta Financial Networks Across Northern Italy

Italian prosecutors carried out coordinated operations in Milan and Bologna, arresting suspects accused of laundering criminal proceeds through logistics and construction businesses linked to the 'Ndrangheta.

Government Presses Ahead With Strait of Messina Bridge Despite New Challenges

Transport Minister Matteo Salvini reaffirmed the government's commitment to the Strait of Messina bridge project despite renewed legal objections from environmental groups and continued European Union scrutiny over funding.

Lombardy Launches Artificial Intelligence Innovation District Near Milan

The Lombardy regional government and leading universities announced a new artificial intelligence research and commercialization campus designed to strengthen innovation and retain highly skilled technology talent.

Italy Accelerates High-Speed Rail Link Between Naples and Bari

Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane reported significant progress on the Naples-Bari high-speed railway, a flagship infrastructure project aimed at improving logistics and narrowing the economic gap between northern and southern Italy.

Italy's Premium Food Exports Reach New Highs on Global Demand

Coldiretti reported double-digit export growth for protected Italian products including wine, cheese and olive oil, driven by strong demand in North American and Asian markets.

Italy Expects Record Summer Tourism Revenue on Strong North American Demand

The National Tourism Board forecasts record international visitor spending this summer, with destinations including the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany and Venice expected to benefit despite growing concerns about overtourism.

UniCredit Beats Profit Expectations and Expands Share Buyback Programme

UniCredit reported stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings, supported by healthy interest margins and disciplined cost control, prompting the bank to increase shareholder returns through an expanded buyback programme.

Leonardo Wins European Defence Contract for Electronic Warfare and Drone Systems

Italian defence group Leonardo secured a major contract to supply electronic warfare equipment and reconnaissance drones to several NATO members, reflecting continued growth in European defence spending.

Eni and Snam Complete Major Gas Infrastructure Expansion

Eni and Snam announced the launch of expanded liquefied natural gas regasification capacity and strengthened pipeline connections with North Africa, advancing Italy's strategy to reduce dependence on Russian energy supplies.

Stellantis Expands Investment to Transform Turin Plant Into Electric Vehicle Hub

Stellantis confirmed new investment to modernize its historic Mirafiori complex for electric vehicle production and battery recycling, supporting Italy's automotive transition while addressing concerns over domestic manufacturing jobs.

Italy Sends Firefighting Aircraft to Portugal and France as Wildfires Intensify

Italy deployed Canadair aircraft and emergency crews under the European Civil Protection Mechanism to help battle major wildfires in Portugal and southern France, reinforcing its role in the European Union's disaster response network.

Italy Declares Emergency in Veneto as Drought and Unusual Alpine Snowfall Hit Northern Regions

The Veneto regional government declared a state of emergency over severe drought and saltwater intrusion, while rare July snowfall at the Stelvio Pass and damaging hailstorms underscored increasingly volatile weather conditions across no...

Italy Reports 52% Drop in Irregular Migrant Arrivals from Libya

Interior Ministry figures show maritime arrivals from Libya fell to about 12,000 during the first half of 2026, reflecting the impact of bilateral migration agreements while authorities continue to warn of persistent instability across N...

Italy Secures New European Union Recovery Funds After Meeting Reform Targets

The European Commission approved the release of another tranche of post-pandemic recovery funding after Italy demonstrated progress on public administration digitization and judicial reform, keeping major infrastructure projects on sched...

Diplomatic Rift Deepens as Italy Rejects US Pressure Ahead of NATO Summit

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni rebuffed criticism from US President Donald Trump and cancelled a planned visit to Washington by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, highlighting growing tensions over Italy's refusal to fully support US milita...

New Pompeii Frescoes Reveal More of Ancient Roman Life

Archaeologists at Pompeii have uncovered exceptionally well-preserved frescoes in a previously unexplored residential area, offering new insights into Roman domestic art and craftsmanship before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Florence and Venice Tighten Measures to Manage Overtourism

Authorities in Florence and Venice have introduced stricter crowd management policies, including expanded ticketing systems and tighter controls on short-term holiday rentals, to reduce pressure on historic city centres.

Milan Innovation District Expands Artificial Intelligence Research Hub

A consortium of venture capital investors and universities has launched a major investment programme to develop a dedicated artificial intelligence campus in Milan, aiming to strengthen Italy's technology sector and retain skilled talent.

Italian Luxury Groups Strengthen Control of Artisan Supply Chains

Leading fashion companies are acquiring specialist workshops across Tuscany and Lombardy to secure high-quality manufacturing capacity and reinforce the global reputation of the Made in Italy brand.

Italian Machinery Exports Reach Record Levels in Emerging Markets

Italy's machine tool and robotics manufacturers reported record export sales as companies expanded into fast-growing markets across Asia and the Middle East to offset weaker demand in Europe.

Extreme Weather Threatens Italian Wine and Agricultural Exports

Agricultural association Coldiretti says hailstorms in the north and drought in the south are putting the upcoming grape harvest at risk and disrupting exports of premium Italian wines.

Italian Retailers Launch Summer Sales to Boost Consumer Spending

Retailers across Italy have begun nationwide seasonal discounts to encourage household spending amid persistent inflation, while luxury brands continue to benefit from strong demand from international visitors.

Italy Races to Complete Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics Infrastructure

Organizers of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are accelerating construction of sporting venues and transport links, assuring the International Olympic Committee that delayed projects will be completed on schedule.

Health Ministry Launches Emergency Measures to Address Medical Staff Shortages

Health Minister Orazio Schillaci has announced additional funding and faster recruitment to ease shortages of doctors and nurses that continue to strain public hospitals, particularly in southern Italy.

Extreme Weather Brings Alpine Snow After Intense Heatwave

Meteorological authorities issued fresh weather warnings after unusual July snowfall affected parts of the Alps shortly after extreme heat swept much of Italy, disrupting transport in mountain regions.

Italy Expands High-Speed Rail Link Between Naples and Bari

Ferrovie dello Stato has reached a key construction milestone on the Naples-Bari high-speed railway, a project intended to improve transport links and support economic development across southern Italy.

Italian Parliament Renews Debate on Judicial Reform

The governing coalition has introduced revised proposals to reshape the judicial system by separating the career paths of judges and prosecutors after a similar reform effort failed in a recent referendum.

Italy Accelerates Circular Economy Strategy With Focus on AI and Recycling

Government ministers and industry leaders have outlined plans to expand artificial intelligence in waste management and strengthen recycling capacity as Italy seeks greater independence in critical raw materials.

UniCredit and Intesa Sanpaolo Post Strong First-Half Results

Italy's largest banks reported robust earnings supported by favourable interest margins, strengthening the country's financial sector despite wider concerns over European growth and sovereign debt.

Italy Warns Aging Population Is Deepening Labour Shortages

New projections from the national statistics institute show declining birth rates and a shrinking workforce are intensifying staffing shortages across manufacturing and healthcare, increasing pressure for family support measures and targ...

Lampedusa Faces Renewed Migrant Arrivals as Italy Calls for Greater EU Support

Italian authorities are managing a fresh increase in migrant boat arrivals from North Africa, accelerating transfers from Lampedusa to the mainland while urging the European Union to share responsibility for reception and processing.

Italy Pushes Ahead With Strait of Messina Bridge Approval Process

Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini has advanced the next phase of engineering and environmental reviews for the proposed bridge linking Sicily with mainland Italy despite continued opposition from environmental groups.

Leonardo Wins New International Defence Contracts

State-backed defence group Leonardo has secured new overseas orders for radar systems and military helicopters, reinforcing Italy's role as a supplier to European and allied defence programmes.

Eni Expands Eastern Mediterranean Gas Exploration to Strengthen Energy Security

Italian energy company Eni has secured new offshore exploration licences in the Eastern Mediterranean as part of Italy's strategy to diversify gas supplies and reduce dependence on Russian energy.

Stellantis and Italian Unions Hold Critical Talks Over Factory Production and Jobs

Stellantis and metalworker unions are negotiating production plans for plants in Turin and Melfi as the Italian government seeks firm commitments to protect domestic employment during the shift toward electric vehicle manufacturing.

Mount Etna Eruption Disrupts Flights at Catania During Peak Summer Travel Season

Volcanic activity at Mount Etna forced temporary operational suspensions at Catania Fontanarossa Airport after ash clouds and lava flows affected eastern Sicily, disrupting aviation and tourism at one of the busiest times of the year.

Veneto Declares State of Emergency as Severe Drought Threatens Farms and Water Supplies

Authorities in the Veneto region have introduced emergency measures, including agricultural support and water restrictions, as prolonged rainfall shortages and saltwater intrusion in the Po River delta threaten crops and regional water s...

European Commission Approves New Recovery Fund Payment for Italy

The European Commission has authorized the latest tranche of Italy's post-pandemic recovery funding after assessing progress on digital infrastructure and public administration reforms, while urging faster implementation of delayed regio...