Rome Times
The Eternal Voice of Italy
Friday, Jul 31, 2026
Italiano
Italy Highlights Longevity as Communities Celebrate Centenarians
New demographic reports underscored Italy's high life expectancy as communities across the country honoured citizens and religious figures reaching 100 years of age and beyond.
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Siena Biotecnopolo Expands International Research Partnerships
The Siena Biotecnopolo Foundation has joined wider international scientific networks focused on infectious disease research and the development of advanced vaccines and medical countermeasures.
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Italy Enters Winter With Strong Natural Gas Storage Levels
Energy operators confirmed that Italy's underground gas storage facilities remain well stocked and meet European Union energy security requirements ahead of the winter heating season.
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Italy Maintains Fiscal Consolidation Despite Debt Pressures
Economic projections indicate Italy's budget deficit is expected to narrow to 2.9% of GDP, although public debt is forecast to remain under upward pressure through 2027.
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Brenner Base Tunnel Reaches Major Construction Milestone
Engineers working on the Brenner Base Tunnel successfully aligned excavation sections from Italy and Austria, marking significant progress on the strategic transalpine rail project.
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Italian Football Authorities Discuss Fixture Congestion
Sports officials and football representatives continued discussions on increasingly crowded international match schedules and their impact on domestic competitions.
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Veneto Approves Measures to Strengthen Local Economic Partnerships
The Veneto regional government adopted new administrative measures to improve public policy, encourage self-employment and expand cooperation between public and private institutions.
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SuperEnalotto Jackpot Exceeds €202 Million
Italy's SuperEnalotto jackpot has climbed above €202 million ahead of the next draw, driving heightened public interest and ticket sales nationwide.
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Leonardo DRS Acquires Software Company Raft for US$450 Million
Leonardo's US subsidiary Leonardo DRS has agreed to acquire software developer Raft for about US$450 million to strengthen artificial intelligence and open-architecture capabilities for defence systems.
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Italy Maintains Strong Position in European Summer Tourism
The Tourism Ministry said Italy remains Europe's leading summer destination, citing online accommodation occupancy rates of 51.2% and a 26% increase in international flight searches.
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Forza Italia Sets Out Tax Reform and Foreign Policy Agenda
Forza Italia outlined priorities including income tax reforms, tax relief on thirteenth-month salaries, support for a two-state solution in the Middle East and stronger judicial safeguards.
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Italian Coalition Parties Call for Temporary Schengen Suspension
The League and Forza Italia called for a temporary suspension of the Schengen free movement agreement and tougher domestic security measures in response to increased migration pressures.
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Italian Car Production Rises on Strong Stellantis Output
National industrial data showed Italian automotive production increased in the first half of 2026, led by Stellantis plants, which recorded year-on-year growth of 13.7%.
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Pilgrimage Routes Boost Italy's Slow Tourism Economy
Tourism Undersecretary Gianmarco Mazzi said more than 300,000 people travelled Italy's pilgrimage routes in 2025, generating over €216 million in direct spending and €336 million in total economic impact.
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Italian Wholesale Electricity Prices Rise in Late July
Gestore dei Mercati Energetici reported that the average electricity purchase price increased 5.4% to €169.998 per megawatt-hour, with regional price differences remaining significant.
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Italy Confirms Leadership in Mediterranean Cruise and Ferry Traffic
A new maritime tourism report showed more than 100 million passenger movements through over 500 Italian coastal municipalities in 2025, making Italy the Mediterranean's second-largest cruise market with 15 million cruise passengers.
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Bank of Italy Warns of Growing Regulatory Gap With United States
Bank of Italy General Manager Paolo Angelini said differences between European and US banking regulations are widening and warned that upcoming Basel III measures will have a greater impact on European lenders.
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Consob Nominee Plans Tighter Oversight of Banks and Energy Companies
Prospective Consob president Guido Stazi told lawmakers he intends to strengthen market supervision of listed banks and energy companies because of their systemic importance and state shareholdings.
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Meloni Condemns Threats Against Justice Minister Carlo Nordio
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed full support for Justice Minister Carlo Nordio after he received intimidation referencing the Red Brigades, describing the threats as unacceptable.
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Italy Faces Persistent Labour Shortages Despite Strong Hiring Demand
A report by CNEL and Unioncamere found Italian businesses planned nearly 2.9 million hires in the first half of 2026 but expected recruitment difficulties in 44.8% of cases because of skills shortages and labour mismatches.
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Italian Consumer Confidence Improves in July
European Commission and national data showed consumer confidence strengthened in July while sentiment in the industrial and services sectors also improved and inflation expectations eased.
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Italy Places 11 Cities Under Red Heatwave Alert
The Health Ministry issued red weather alerts for 11 cities as temperatures climbed above 40 degrees Celsius during Italy's fourth major heatwave of the summer, increasing health risks for vulnerable groups.
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European Commission Urges Italy to Sign SAFE Defence Funding Agreement
The European Commission said no further negotiations are needed over the SAFE security and defence funding framework, calling on the Italian government to proceed with the formal signing of the agreement.
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Rescue Teams Search for Missing People After Building Collapse in Messina
Emergency crews are searching for six people after a multi-storey building collapsed in the Pistunina district of Messina, where three people were injured and rescue operations remain underway.
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Leonardo Raises Full-Year Outlook After Strong First-Half Results
Leonardo reported a 74.4% rise in adjusted first-half net profit to €476 million and a 34.4% increase in EBITA to €780 million, prompting the aerospace and defence group to upgrade its full-year guidance for orders, operating cash flow a...
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Record-Low Danube Exposes Probable Mammoth Remains in Bulgaria
A resident near Ryahovo found bones on the newly exposed riverbed as a severe Central European drought disrupted shipping, tourism and energy operations.
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US Says It Has Carried Out Heavy Strikes on Iran After Attempted Attacks on Its Forces
US Central Command said dozens of Iranian targets were hit after missiles were fired towards US forces in Jordan, while Iranian media reported civilian deaths on Qeshm island.
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Italy Expands Restoration of Cultural Heritage Sites
The government approved additional funding for restoration work at museums, archaeological sites and historic landmarks in Rome, Naples, Pompeii and Florence.
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Italy Increases Funding for Artificial Intelligence Research
The Ministry of University and Research allocated new funding to establish artificial intelligence and quantum computing research centers across Italian universities.
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Italian Ports Maintain Strong Cargo Volumes Amid Shipping Changes
Ports in Genoa, Trieste and Gioia Tauro reported resilient container throughput despite shifts in Mediterranean shipping routes, reinforcing Italy's logistics role in the region.
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Italian Startups Attract More Investment in AI and Clean Technology
Industry reports showed venture capital funding continued to grow for Italian startups developing artificial intelligence, digital health and clean energy technologies.
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Venice Reviews Tourist Access Controls After Entry Fee Trial
Venice officials are assessing the results of the city's tourist entry fee system and plan to refine visitor management measures to reduce pressure on the historic lagoon.
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Italy Opens Antitrust Investigation Into Online Marketplace Pricing
The Italian Competition Authority has launched an investigation into pricing practices and consumer transparency across major e-commerce platforms operating in the country.
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Northern Italy Expands Digital Healthcare Services
Regional authorities in Lombardy and Veneto introduced upgraded electronic health record systems and expanded telemedicine services to improve access to care and reduce waiting times.
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Italian Farmers Expand Precision Irrigation to Combat Drought
Agricultural cooperatives across southern Italy and the Po Valley are investing in advanced irrigation and water-saving technologies to protect crop production during increasingly dry conditions.
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Italy Launches New Export Support for Small Businesses
The Italian Trade Agency and Confindustria introduced new financial and digital initiatives to help small and medium-sized enterprises expand into international markets.
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Rome Completes Security Planning for Jubilee Celebrations
Authorities in Rome and the Vatican finalized security, transport and crowd management plans ahead of major Jubilee events expected to attract millions of pilgrims and international visitors.
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Italy Records Record Summer Tourism Across Major Destinations
Tourism authorities reported unprecedented visitor numbers in Rome, Venice, Florence and coastal resorts, providing a strong boost to the hospitality sector while increasing focus on sustainable tourism management.
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Italy's Defense Industry Wins New International Contracts
Italian aerospace and defense companies, including Leonardo, secured new international partnerships and technology export agreements, strengthening the country's position in the global defense market.
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Italy Accelerates Renewable Energy Approvals and Grid Upgrades
The Ministry of Environment and Energy Security announced faster permitting for solar and wind projects, alongside transmission network upgrades led by grid operator Terna.
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Stellantis Expands Electric Vehicle Strategy for Italian Plants
Stellantis outlined updated production and electrification plans for its factories in Turin and Melfi, detailing future manufacturing schedules during discussions with labor unions and regional authorities.
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Italian Banks Report Strong Second-Quarter Results
Leading Italian banks posted solid quarterly earnings, supported by healthy net interest margins and continued growth in private banking and wealth management.
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Andrea Pirlo Withdraws From Italy Coaching Race
Former Italy international Andrea Pirlo has stepped out of contention for the national team's head coaching role following political scrutiny surrounding a commercial sponsorship, complicating efforts to appoint a new manager.
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Italy Considers Fuel Tax Relief as Energy Prices Rise
The government is evaluating temporary fuel excise reductions and other measures to cushion motorists and freight operators from higher energy costs linked to international geopolitical tensions.
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Italy Seeks EU Fiscal Flexibility for Strategic Investment
Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti is set to brief Parliament on European Union fiscal rules and plans to secure additional budget room for infrastructure, environmental and strategic investment projects.
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Bank of Italy Sees Economy Supported by Exports and Tourism
The Bank of Italy and the Ministry of Economy said the country's economy continues to expand steadily, supported by resilient manufacturing exports and strong international tourism.
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Italy Weighs €14 Billion Energy Security and Defense Package Ahead of 2027 Election
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government is preparing a package worth about €14 billion to strengthen energy security and defense, with Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti seeking greater budget flexibility under European Union fiscal...
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Over 24 Hours in the Air: Qantas Airbus Completes Record-Breaking Test Flight
A modified Airbus A350-1000ULR traveled over 23,000 kilometers from Melbourne to Toulouse, drawing millions of real-time viewers.
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The Eternal Voice of Italy
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Italy Highlights Longevity as Communities Celebrate Centenarians
Siena Biotecnopolo Expands International Research Partnerships
Italy Enters Winter With Strong Natural Gas Storage Levels
Italy Maintains Fiscal Consolidation Despite Debt Pressures
Brenner Base Tunnel Reaches Major Construction Milestone
Italian Football Authorities Discuss Fixture Congestion
Veneto Approves Measures to Strengthen Local Economic Partnerships
SuperEnalotto Jackpot Exceeds €202 Million
Leonardo DRS Acquires Software Company Raft for US$450 Million
Italy Maintains Strong Position in European Summer Tourism
Forza Italia Sets Out Tax Reform and Foreign Policy Agenda
Italian Coalition Parties Call for Temporary Schengen Suspension
Italian Car Production Rises on Strong Stellantis Output
Pilgrimage Routes Boost Italy's Slow Tourism Economy
Italian Wholesale Electricity Prices Rise in Late July
Italy Confirms Leadership in Mediterranean Cruise and Ferry Traffic
Bank of Italy Warns of Growing Regulatory Gap With United States
Consob Nominee Plans Tighter Oversight of Banks and Energy Companies
Meloni Condemns Threats Against Justice Minister Carlo Nordio
Italy Faces Persistent Labour Shortages Despite Strong Hiring Demand
Italian Consumer Confidence Improves in July
Italy Places 11 Cities Under Red Heatwave Alert
European Commission Urges Italy to Sign SAFE Defence Funding Agreement
Rescue Teams Search for Missing People After Building Collapse in Messina
Leonardo Raises Full-Year Outlook After Strong First-Half Results
Record-Low Danube Exposes Probable Mammoth Remains in Bulgaria
US Says It Has Carried Out Heavy Strikes on Iran After Attempted Attacks on Its Forces
Italy Expands Restoration of Cultural Heritage Sites
Italy Increases Funding for Artificial Intelligence Research
Italian Ports Maintain Strong Cargo Volumes Amid Shipping Changes
Italian Startups Attract More Investment in AI and Clean Technology
Venice Reviews Tourist Access Controls After Entry Fee Trial
Italy Opens Antitrust Investigation Into Online Marketplace Pricing
Northern Italy Expands Digital Healthcare Services
Italian Farmers Expand Precision Irrigation to Combat Drought
Italy Launches New Export Support for Small Businesses
Rome Completes Security Planning for Jubilee Celebrations
Italy Records Record Summer Tourism Across Major Destinations
Italy's Defense Industry Wins New International Contracts
Italy Accelerates Renewable Energy Approvals and Grid Upgrades
Stellantis Expands Electric Vehicle Strategy for Italian Plants
Italian Banks Report Strong Second-Quarter Results
Andrea Pirlo Withdraws From Italy Coaching Race
Italy Considers Fuel Tax Relief as Energy Prices Rise
Italy Seeks EU Fiscal Flexibility for Strategic Investment
Bank of Italy Sees Economy Supported by Exports and Tourism
Italy Weighs €14 Billion Energy Security and Defense Package Ahead of 2027 Election
Over 24 Hours in the Air: Qantas Airbus Completes Record-Breaking Test Flight
Italy Issues Heatwave Alerts Across Central and Southern Regions
Italy Maintains Search and Rescue Operations in the Central Mediterranean
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