Rome Times

Jasmine Paolini Exits US Open After Straight-Sets Defeat to Sorana Cirstea

Italian tennis player Jasmine Paolini was eliminated from the US Open by Sorana Cirstea in straight sets, bringing her latest Grand Slam campaign in New York to an end.

Como Reaches Top of Serie A Table After 4-1 Victory Over Genoa

Newly promoted Como temporarily moved into first place in Serie A after a 4-1 win over Genoa, continuing the Lombardy club’s resurgence under international ownership.

Venice Film Festival Highlights Italy’s Growing Appeal for International Productions

International film executives attending the closing stages of the Venice Film Festival praised Italy’s production tax incentives for attracting more overseas film and television projects.

Fabio Mussi, Former Italian University Minister, Dies

Former university minister Fabio Mussi, a veteran figure of the Italian left who served in Romano Prodi’s government, has died, prompting condolences from across the country’s political spectrum.

Italian Scientists Join International Study Mapping More Than 1,000 Genetic Variants

Researchers from Italian universities contributed to an international genomic study identifying more than 1,000 DNA variants associated with human traits, opening further avenues for research in personalised medicine and psychiatric trea...

Italian Export Credit Agency Sees New Business Opportunities Across Mediterranean

Italy’s state-backed export credit agency is encouraging infrastructure and energy companies to pursue development projects and nearshoring opportunities in North Africa and the Levant despite heightened geopolitical risks.

Italian Luxury Fashion Margins Narrow as Global Consumer Spending Weakens

Milan analysts report softer spending among aspirational luxury consumers is squeezing industry margins, although leading Italian fashion houses continue to retain market share through high-end customers and exclusive retail expansion.

Italian Farmers Warn Heat and Drought Have Cut Grape and Olive Yields

Agricultural producers across southern Italy and the major islands reported lower grape and olive harvests after prolonged drought and extreme summer heat, putting pressure on margins in the wine and olive-oil industries.

Barilla Acquires US Macaroni Brand Goodles to Expand North American Business

Parma-based Barilla has acquired fast-growing American food company Goodles, broadening its product portfolio and strengthening its presence in the North American consumer market.

Intesa Sanpaolo Buys Back More Than €154 Million of Shares

Italy’s largest bank purchased more than €154 million of its own shares in late August as part of its buyback programme, extending shareholder returns amid continued profitability in the domestic banking sector.

European Audit Warns Defence Procurement Goals Are Off Track, Raising Concerns for Italian Industry

The European Court of Auditors said the European Union is unlikely to meet its defence procurement integration goals by the end of the decade, creating uncertainty for Italian aerospace and defence companies seeking access to centralised...

Italy Streamlines Permits for New Solar and Wind Projects

The Environment Ministry introduced faster approval procedures for renewable-energy projects as the government seeks to expand domestic solar and wind capacity, reduce reliance on imported natural gas and lower industrial energy costs.

Italian Auto Suppliers Brace for Impact of Potential Volkswagen Job Cuts

Automotive suppliers in northern Italy are assessing possible fallout after Volkswagen signalled potential plant closures and up to 50,000 job cuts globally, adding to concerns over weakness across Europe’s vehicle manufacturing industry.

Stellantis Names Arnaud Belloni Chief Executive of Fiat, Lancia and Abarth

Stellantis appointed Arnaud Belloni to lead Fiat, Lancia and Abarth as part of a wider European management reshuffle focused on strengthening the Italian brands and expanding their electric-vehicle presence.

Italy and Vatican Step Up Diplomacy for Middle East Humanitarian Corridors

The Italian Foreign Ministry and the Holy See are coordinating diplomatic efforts aimed at securing humanitarian access and civilian protection as conflict across the Middle East deepens.

Bank of Italy Warns Weak Global Manufacturing Is Pressuring Northern Industrial Regions

Bank of Italy economists said subdued international demand and trade tensions are weighing on export-oriented manufacturers in Lombardy and Veneto, adding to uncertainty over the country’s economic growth outlook.

Italy Urges EU to Accelerate Innovation Funding to Compete With US and China

Italian representatives in Brussels are pressing the European Commission to speed up industrial and technology funding, warning that domestic manufacturing and semiconductor industries risk losing competitiveness without stronger Europea...

Italian Transport Unions Announce Nationwide Rail, Maritime and Bus Strikes for September

Independent unions have called 24-hour walkouts across Italy’s railways, maritime services and urban bus networks later this month, threatening widespread disruption for commuters and late-summer travellers.

Stellantis Explores Huawei and JAC Partnerships to Revive Maserati

Stellantis is in advanced talks with Huawei and JAC Group over potential technology, platform-sharing and manufacturing partnerships for Maserati as it seeks to strengthen the luxury brand and safeguard production in Modena and Cassino.

Italy’s Centre-Right Coalition Agrees Plan for Majority Bonus in Electoral Reform

Brothers of Italy, the League and Forza Italia have reached agreement on proposed electoral changes that would award additional parliamentary seats to the winning coalition in an effort to produce more stable governing majorities.

Giorgia Meloni’s Government Becomes Italy’s Longest-Serving Since World War Two

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition has passed a postwar longevity milestone as the government prepares an autumn legislative and economic agenda to be presented at a political festival in Puglia.

Juventus Midfielder Khéphren Thuram Undergoes Surgery After Serious Injury

Juventus has confirmed that French midfielder Khéphren Thuram underwent successful surgery following a serious injury, forcing the club to adjust its plans during the early stages of the Serie A season.

Venice Film Festival Boosts Italy’s Film and Creative Industries

The Venice International Film Festival is drawing international audiences and industry figures while providing a major platform for Italian cinema and the country’s broader audiovisual production sector.

Ferrari Draws Huge Milan Crowd Ahead of Italian Grand Prix at Monza

Tens of thousands of fans gathered in Milan’s Piazza del Duomo to welcome Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton ahead of the Formula One Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Italy Launches Digital Identity Overhaul for Public Services

Italy’s government has begun upgrading its national digital identity system to simplify access to public services, reduce administrative burdens for businesses and align domestic platforms with European Union digital standards.

Italian Venture Capital Funding Rises as Investors Target Aerospace and Climate Technology

Venture capital investment in Italy has increased, with domestic and international investors directing more funding toward startups in aerospace engineering, climate technology and advanced robotics.

Italy Reports Record Late-Summer International Tourism Spending

Italy’s tourism board reported record foreign visitor spending during the late-summer season, led by strong demand for luxury travel in Rome, Venice, the Amalfi Coast and Sardinia.

Italian Luxury Manufacturers Hold Production Steady Despite Weaker Chinese Demand

Luxury manufacturing districts in Tuscany and Veneto are maintaining output as leading brands target wealthy consumers in North America and the Middle East to offset softer spending in China.

Femicide Near Florence Renews Calls for Stronger Italian Gender-Violence Measures

The killing of a woman allegedly thrown from a motorway viaduct by her former partner near Florence has triggered national outrage and demands for stronger prevention policies and funding for anti-violence services.

Italian Prosecutors Summon RAI Journalists Over Zimbabwe Investigation

Judicial authorities have called journalists from RAI’s investigative programme Report for hearings over coverage of business dealings in Zimbabwe, prompting renewed debate about press freedom and the independence of the state broadcaster.

Italy Faces 37°C Heat Before Forecast Shift to Heavy Atlantic Storms

Italian weather authorities are maintaining extreme-heat warnings as temperatures approach 37°C, while civil protection agencies prepare for heavy storms expected to follow the North African high-pressure system.

Italian Wine Producers Bring Harvests Forward as Heat and Drought Disrupt Growing Cycles

Wine producers in Piedmont, Tuscany and Veneto are accelerating grape harvests as prolonged heat and drought threaten production volumes and increase pressure on one of Italy’s major agricultural export industries.

Italian Manufacturing Regions Warn Skilled Labour Shortages Threaten Export Competitiveness

Industrial groups in Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy are calling for targeted skilled migration and expanded vocational training as shortages of specialised technicians put pressure on engineering and manufacturing businesses.

Italy’s TIM Completes Operational Separation Following Sale of Landline Network

Telecom Italia is completing the separation of its services business from its former fixed-line network following a state-backed transaction intended to reduce debt and modernise national telecommunications infrastructure.

Italian Banks Post Strong Profits on Interest Income and Wealth Management Growth

Major lenders including Intesa Sanpaolo and UniCredit continue to report robust profitability, supported by interest-rate conditions and strong results from corporate advisory and private wealth management businesses.

Italy Advances High-Speed Rail Expansion Between South and Industrial North

Italy has completed a major tendering phase for high-speed rail expansion connecting southern regions with the industrial north, using European Union recovery funding to modernise national transport infrastructure.

Eni Expands Mediterranean Gas Production as Italy Reduces Reliance on Russian Energy

Italian energy group Eni is advancing offshore natural gas projects in the Mediterranean as Italy seeks to strengthen energy security and expand its role as a European gas transit hub.

Technology Groups Plan More Than €1 Billion in AI and Data Centre Investment in Northern Italy

Major international technology companies are negotiating investments exceeding €1 billion in cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure across Lombardy and Piedmont.

Italy Extends Diesel Tax Relief as Fuel Costs Pressure Households and Logistics Firms

Italy’s Economy Ministry has prolonged temporary reductions in diesel excise taxes as rising energy costs increase transport expenses and add pressure to household budgets and industrial supply chains.

Italy’s Meloni Coalition Considers Unified May Election Schedule

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her coalition partners are considering holding multiple regional and municipal elections on a single day in May in an effort to increase turnout and demonstrate political stability.

Italy Presses Stellantis for Guarantees on Domestic Vehicle Production

The Italian government is seeking firm commitments from Stellantis to maintain and modernise domestic factories as the shift toward electric vehicles puts pressure on traditional automotive manufacturing and supply chains.

Italy Investigates General Roberto Vannacci Over Political Activities and Alleged Russia Links

Military prosecutors have opened an inquiry into General Roberto Vannacci and active-duty personnel involved in his Futuro Nazionale political movement, increasing scrutiny of his political role and alleged past ties to Moscow.

Italy’s Public Healthcare Spending Falls to Lowest Share Among G7 Countries

Italy’s public health expenditure has declined to 6.2% of gross domestic product, the lowest level among G7 economies, with the GIMBE foundation estimating an annual funding gap of about €36 billion.

Italy and Spain Clash Over Mediterranean Migration Policy and Ceuta Crisis

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have publicly disagreed over the handling of the Ceuta migration crisis, exposing wider European divisions over border security and relations with North Africa.