Rome Times

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has praised teenage swimmer Sara Curtis after her world-record performance, highlighting her achievement as an example of Italian sporting excellence.

Homophobic Assault in Sardinia Prompts Calls for Stronger Hate-Crime Protections

Authorities have condemned an attack involving 30 people against a young gay man in Sardinia, renewing national discussion over stronger legislation addressing hate crimes.

Femicide in Venice Province Renews Italian Debate Over Violence Against Women

The killing of a woman by her former partner in Camponogara has prompted renewed calls for stronger preventive measures against domestic and gender-based violence in Italy.

Ferrari Plans Engine Upgrade and Michael Schumacher Tribute for Monza

Ferrari will introduce an engine upgrade at its home Formula One race while Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will wear special race suits featuring seven stars in tribute to seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.

Venice Film Festival Completes Final Preparations on the Lido

Organisers have completed logistical and security preparations for the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, which is expected to generate significant demand across Venice’s luxury hospitality and maritime transport sectors.

Ten Million Italians Choose September Holidays to Escape Heat and High Prices

Italian tourism associations estimate that 10 million people will take holidays in September instead of August, reflecting growing demand for cooler temperatures and less expensive accommodation.

Milan Hotel Prices Jump 70% Ahead of Italian Grand Prix

Hotel rates across Milan have risen by 70% as international visitors and corporate sponsors arrive for the Monza Formula One weekend, with many four- and five-star properties near the circuit effectively sold out.

Rai Replaces Report Host Sigfrido Ranucci, Sparking Debate Over Editorial Independence

Italian state broadcaster Rai has announced the removal of journalist Sigfrido Ranucci as host of investigative programme Report, prompting renewed debate over political influence and editorial independence at the public broadcaster.

Italy Prepares for 25 Million Vehicles in Peak Summer Return Weekend

Road operator ANAS has suspended more than 1,000 construction sites and activated maximum monitoring measures as an estimated 25 million vehicles travel home from summer holiday destinations during Italy’s busiest traffic weekend.

Monza Formula One Grand Prix Expected to Generate €343 Million for Lombardy

The upcoming Italian Grand Prix is projected to generate more than €340 million for the regional economy as an estimated 380,000 spectators head to Monza and demand for premium hospitality rises sharply.

Stellantis Reopens Mirafiori Factory but Halts Production at Melfi

Stellantis has resumed operations at its Mirafiori manufacturing plant in Turin after a month-long shutdown while announcing a complete production halt at Melfi, reflecting continuing pressure on Italy’s automotive industry.

Former Ukrainian Technology Minister Mykhailo Fedorov Joins Italian Defence Ministry as Innovation Adviser

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has appointed former Ukrainian technology minister Mykhailo Fedorov as a special adviser on military innovation as Italy seeks to expand the use of drones and artificial intelligence in defence.

Italian Consumer and Business Confidence Rises for Third Consecutive Month

ISTAT says consumer and business confidence strengthened again in August, supporting forecasts for 0.9% annual economic growth despite a broader slowdown across the eurozone.

Wildfires Force Evacuations in Sardinia as Temperatures Approach 46 Degrees

Italian authorities evacuated residents in Arzana as wildfires spread through Sardinia’s Ogliastra region during a severe late-summer heatwave that pushed local temperatures close to 46 degrees Celsius.

Tornado Strikes Cremona, Injuring 43 and Damaging Historic Cathedral

A powerful storm and tornado swept through Cremona in northern Italy, injuring 43 people, disrupting transport and causing partial structural damage at the city’s historic cathedral.

Italy Cuts EU Defence Loan Request to €8 Billion

Italy has requested €8 billion from the European Union’s SAFE defence programme for equipment including Panther tanks and Lynx armoured vehicles, scaling back an earlier plan to seek €15 billion amid coalition disagreements over spending...

Italian Parliament Rejects Key Electoral Reform Provision in Blow to Meloni Coalition

Parliament unexpectedly defeated a central part of Giorgia Meloni’s proposed electoral overhaul in a secret ballot, exposing divisions within the governing coalition ahead of Italy’s 2027 general election.

Italy Races to Finalise EU Commissioner Nomination Ahead of August 30 Deadline

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held urgent talks with Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini as Italy sought to finalise its European Commission candidate and secure a senior economic portfolio in negotiations with Commission President Ursu...

Partial Lunar Eclipse Covers 96% of Moon Over Italy

People across Italy observed a highly visible partial lunar eclipse in which Earth's shadow covered 96% of the lunar surface, drawing widespread public interest in the astronomical event.

Milan Groups Expand Aid for Homeless Residents During Summer Heat

Volunteer organizations and municipal welfare services have carried out food distribution and relief programs across Milan to support vulnerable residents during the peak summer holiday period.

Euregio Awards Name 12 Finalists for Alpine Business and Research Honors

The Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino Euroregion has selected 12 finalists for its annual awards in Alpbach, recognizing businesses and research institutions supporting cross-border economic and scientific cooperation.

Simona Quadarella Wins Fourth European Championship Gold

Italian swimmer Simona Quadarella claimed her fourth European Championship gold medal with victory in the 1,500-meter freestyle, adding another major title to her endurance swimming record.

Martin Scorsese Named Honorary President of Italy's David di Donatello Film Awards

The Italian Academy of Cinema has appointed American filmmaker Martin Scorsese honorary president of the David di Donatello awards, strengthening the ceremony's international ties with the film industry.

Il Sole 24 Ore Launches Mediterranean-Focused Editorial and Analysis Platform

Italian financial publishing group Il Sole 24 Ore has launched a platform dedicated to the Mediterranean region as Italy places greater emphasis on economic and diplomatic engagement with North Africa and the Middle East.

Rome's Nighttime Colosseum Tours Sell Out Through End of Summer

Evening tours of the Colosseum and other ancient sites in Rome are sold out through the end of the summer season, reflecting strong international demand for nighttime access to the capital's cultural landmarks.

Taranto Steps Up Infrastructure Work Ahead of 2026 Mediterranean Games

The southern Italian city is accelerating urban redevelopment and construction of sporting venues ahead of the Mediterranean Games, with authorities seeking longer-term economic benefits for the wider Apulia region.

Futuro Nazionale Gains in Italian Polls as Major Political Leaders Slip

New polling shows Roberto Vannacci's right-wing Futuro Nazionale gaining support while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and opposition leader Elly Schlein record modest declines in public approval.

Italy's Il Sole 24 Ore and Employers Federation Launch Digital Export Platform

Il Sole 24 Ore and Italy's national employers federation have introduced a corporate database and analytical platform designed to help Italian manufacturers identify new opportunities in international export markets.

Italian Tourist Destinations Tighten Rules on Short-Term Rentals and Visitor Behaviour

Authorities in destinations including Cortina d'Ampezzo and Sorrento are cracking down on unregistered holiday rentals, unauthorized camping and tourist misconduct as they seek to protect housing markets and manage heavy visitor demand.

United and Delta Expand Competition for Italy's Regional Aviation Market

United Airlines is expanding direct services to Sicily and Sardinia as competition with Delta intensifies for growing North American premium travel demand to Italian destinations.

Italy Projects 10% Decline in National Crime Rate

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi says overall crime and femicides are projected to decline substantially by the end of the year, citing national security data showing improved domestic crime trends.

Italy Investigates Fatal Diphtheria Case in Palermo

Health authorities in Sicily have launched contact tracing and vaccination checks following an unusual death from diphtheria in Palermo, raising local concerns over pediatric immunization coverage.

Italy Marks 10 Years Since Amatrice Earthquake With Reconstruction Still Incomplete

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni led commemorations for the devastating central Italian earthquake as authorities acknowledged that more than 8,000 families remain in temporary accommodation awaiting reconstruction.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio Steps Down From EssilorLuxottica Roles

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio has resigned from executive positions at EssilorLuxottica as a prolonged family succession dispute reaches a turning point and the Del Vecchio family's Delfin holding company prepares for a broader restructuring.

Italian Political Debate Intensifies Over Possible Windfall Profit Tax

Opposition leader Elly Schlein has called for higher taxes on corporate windfall profits to fund public services, while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is reported to be considering a special levy amid pressure from European Union fiscal c...

Italy and Germany Face Renewed Tensions Over Migration and Border Controls

Rome is tightening border enforcement and deploying additional police to manage denied airport entries, renewing disagreements with Germany over responsibility for processing and distributing irregular migrants arriving at Europe's exter...

Italy Extends Diesel Subsidies as Brenner Highway Fuel Prices Top €3 a Litre

Rome has extended national fuel rebates through September after diesel prices exceeded €3 per litre along the Brenner Highway, with future relief expected to be restricted to lower-income households.

Italy Faces Tornado Emergency in Lombardy as Sicily and Sardinia Approach 46°C

Civil protection authorities declared an emergency in Lombardy after a destructive tornado struck the Varese area, while severe heat warnings were issued for Sicily and Sardinia as temperatures approached 46 degrees Celsius.

Italian Business and Consumer Confidence Rises in August

Italy's national statistics institute reported unexpected gains in both business and consumer confidence, indicating resilient sentiment despite high energy costs and geopolitical instability in the Middle East.

Italy Weighs Tax Cuts and Pension Changes Ahead of National Budget

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition is considering tax relief on 13th-month salary payments for middle-income workers, while the Lega party is pressing for changes to the pension system as budget negotiations intensify.

Italian Fighter Jets Shoot Down Drone That Entered Latvian Airspace

Italian Air Force pilots operating under NATO's Baltic air policing mission intercepted and destroyed an unidentified drone after it crossed into Latvian territory amid heightened tensions with Russia.