Rome Times

Mattarella Visits Monaco for Talks on Economic and Environmental Cooperation

Italian President Sergio Mattarella began a state visit to Monaco for talks with Prince Albert II focused on bilateral economic ties, Mediterranean environmental initiatives and employment rights for Italian cross-border workers.

Italy Maintains Red Sea Naval Deployment as Crosetto Plays Down Russian Threat Reports

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy was not at war and downplayed unconfirmed reports of an imminent Russian threat while defending the continued deployment of Italian naval forces to protect commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

Milan Malpensa Airport Officially Renamed After Silvio Berlusconi

Italy formally renamed Milan Malpensa Airport in honour of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi after prolonged opposition from centre-left politicians and several local authorities.

Italy Caps Share of Foreign Students in Public School Classrooms

The Italian government approved a 30% classroom cap affecting students with limited Italian proficiency, with Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara arguing that stronger language skills are necessary for integration and academic success.

Italy Delays Euro 5 Diesel Restrictions in Northern Regions

The Italian government approved a decree preventing the planned Euro 5 diesel restrictions from taking effect across the Po Valley, affecting motorists and commercial transport operators in northern Italy.

Stellantis Vehicle Production in Italy Rises 13.7% as Fiat Panda Dominates Output

Stellantis produced more than 250,000 vehicles in Italy during the first half of 2026, up 13.7%, although the Fiat Panda accounted for nearly half of domestic production.

EU Court Decision Disrupts Italy-Albania Migration Processing Plan

A European judicial decision on migrant detention has disrupted the Meloni government’s plan to process asylum seekers at Italian-run centres in Albania, forcing Rome to reassess a central element of its migration policy.

UniCredit Steps Up Commerzbank Push With Plan to Challenge Supervisory Board

UniCredit is reportedly preparing to call an extraordinary shareholder meeting in January to replace Commerzbank’s shareholder-appointed supervisory board, escalating tensions as Germany seeks guarantees over domestic jobs.

Italy Weighs Broader 33% Income Tax Bracket in Middle-Class Relief Push

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is considering extending the 33% income tax bracket to earnings of up to €60,000 as it prepares the national budget under tight fiscal constraints.

Female Directors Take Leading Honours at Venice Film Festival

The Venice Film Festival awarded several of its leading prizes to female filmmakers, with prominent works exploring themes including memory, identity and international conflict.

Italian Football Legend Sandro Mazzola Dies at 83

Former Inter Milan and Italy midfielder Sandro Mazzola died at 83, closing the career of one of the defining players of Italian football’s postwar era.

Italian Civil Rights Figure Emma Bonino Dies at 78

Former foreign minister and Radical Party leader Emma Bonino died at 78 after a political career spanning five decades and closely associated with civil liberties, European integration and women’s rights.

Italy Reaches Billie Jean King Cup Semifinals After Comeback Win Over China

Italy’s women’s tennis team defeated China 2-1, with Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani delivering the decisive doubles victory to secure a place in the Billie Jean King Cup semifinals.

Riccardo Bossi Arrested to Serve Prison Sentence for Misuse of Electoral Funds

Italian police arrested Riccardo Bossi, son of Lega Nord founder Umberto Bossi, to begin a five-year and nine-month prison sentence linked to fraudulent use of public electoral funding.

President Mattarella Calls for Agricultural and Environmental Action at Terra Madre

President Sergio Mattarella warned of the consequences of environmental degradation during the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin, highlighting biodiversity and sustainable food production.

Italy Braces for Unseasonable Early-October Heat After Weeks of Storms

Meteorologists forecast an unusually warm spell across Italy in early October, creating sharp temperature swings that could complicate agricultural harvests and public health conditions after recent flooding.

Fiera del Levante Concludes in Bari After More Than 3,000 Participants

The annual Fiera del Levante trade exhibition ended in Puglia after drawing more than 3,000 participants across 150 business and institutional events focused on southern Italy’s economy and industry.

Siena Prosecutors Recreate David Rossi’s Fatal Fall in Renewed Monte dei Paschi Investigation

Judicial authorities conducted a new forensic simulation of the fall that killed former Monte dei Paschi communications director David Rossi as investigators continue examining disputed circumstances surrounding his death.

Grand Hotel di Riccione Sells at Auction for €29.3 Million

The historic Grand Hotel di Riccione was sold for €29.3 million after an auction attracted 16 competing bids, highlighting investor demand for premium Italian hospitality assets.

Enel and Eni Plenitude Launch Major Discounts in Italy’s Retail Energy Market

Enel and Eni Plenitude announced consumer electricity and gas offers featuring discounts of between 30% and 50% from next year as competition intensifies in Italy’s liberalised energy market.

Italy Plays Down Reports of Potential Russian Drone Threats

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto urged restraint after reports raised the possibility of Russian drone operations targeting infrastructure in Italy and other European countries.

Colosseum Archaeological Park Closes After Serious Workplace Accident

Authorities closed the Colosseum and surrounding archaeological park following a serious accident involving maintenance workers, triggering an investigation into workplace safety procedures at the landmark site.

Mount Etna Ash Forces Temporary Suspension of Flights at Catania Airport

Catania Airport suspended incoming and outgoing flights after volcanic ash from Mount Etna affected runways, disrupting tourism and commercial transport across eastern Sicily.

Meloni Signals Government Support for Italian Fashion Industry During Milan Fashion Week

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended events surrounding Milan Fashion Week as her government underscored the economic importance of Italy’s fashion and luxury industries.

Center-Right Wins Reggio Calabria By-Election as Turnout Falls to 22.3%

Center-right candidate Fabio Roscioli won the Reggio Calabria-Locri parliamentary by-election with 51.02% of the vote, while turnout dropped to 22.34%.

Italian Unions Plan Nationwide October Strikes Across Transport, Education and Aviation

Trade unions announced a wave of industrial action for October spanning railways, schools and aviation as workers challenge the government’s economic and wage policies.

OECD Raises Italy’s Economic Growth Outlook

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development upgraded its forecast for Italian economic growth, pointing to resilience in manufacturing and exports even as household purchasing power remains under pressure.

Italy Delays Euro 5 Diesel Restrictions in Northern Regions Until 2027

An emergency measure postponed planned restrictions on Euro 5 diesel vehicles, with Lombardy delaying implementation until October 2027 while authorities develop alternative measures to meet air-quality requirements.

Italy Proposes Wider 33% Income Tax Bracket for Middle-Income Earners

Deputy Economy Minister Maurizio Leo proposed extending the 33% income tax bracket to earnings of up to €60,000, a change the government says could deliver annual savings of as much as €1,000 for some middle-income taxpayers.

Italy Approves 30% Classroom Cap and Ban on Burqas and Niqabs in Schools

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet approved a decree introducing a 30% cap affecting certain foreign pupils in classrooms and banning full-face coverings including burqas and niqabs in schools, with fines of up to €1,000 for violati...

Italian Court Convicts Three Egyptian Agents Over Kidnapping of Giulio Regeni

A Rome court sentenced three Egyptian intelligence officers to 10 years in prison for the 2016 kidnapping of Italian researcher Giulio Regeni, while dropping murder charges against the three and acquitting a fourth defendant.

Italy Moves Toward Naval Protection for Commercial Shipping Through Bab al-Mandeb

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy is prepared to act independently of European Union decision-making to protect Italian commercial vessels through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, with any deployment to be coordinated with the governme...

Italian Antitrust Authority Opens Investigation Into Intesa Sanpaolo Bid for Monte dei Paschi

Italy’s competition regulator opened an investigation into Intesa Sanpaolo’s proposed takeover of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena to assess potential market concentration as the transaction moves forward following shareholder approval.

Italy’s Senate Approves Framework Paving Way for Return to Nuclear Power

Italy’s Senate gave final approval to legislation establishing a framework for next-generation nuclear energy, reversing decades of policy and opening the way for technologies such as small modular reactors, although the law does not its...

Moldovan Rapper Deported from Milan Following Highway Blockade

Italian law enforcement has formally deported Moldovan rapper Bratan after he led a large convoy of scooters to illegally blockade a regional highway to film a music video.

Low Voter Turnout Marks Supplementary Elections in Reggio Calabria

Center-right candidate Fabio Roscioli won the parliamentary supplementary elections in Regregio Calabria, though the mandate was weakened by an unprecedented voter turnout of only 15 percent.

Workplace Accident Leads to Temporary Closure of the Colosseum

The Colosseum in Rome has been closed to tourists following a severe workplace accident involving maintenance staff, prompting new debates regarding safety standards at historical sites.

Railways Transport Thousands of Children for Papal Audience

The national operator Ferrovie dello Stato coordinated 18 high-speed trains to transport over 7,000 children from across Italy to the Vatican for a private audience with the Pope.

Luna Rossa Sailing Victories Spark Celebrations in Naples

The Italian Luna Rossa sailing syndicate has triggered widespread celebrations along the Naples waterfront following a series of international victories, boosting hopes for the America Cup.

BEX Space Economy Conference Opens in Rimini

The Rimini Expo Centre has launched the first international conference dedicated to the space economy, aiming to integrate advanced aerospace technology with Italy's traditional manufacturing sectors.

Unseasonable Heatwave Expected to Extend Southern Italy Tourism Season

Meteorological agencies are forecasting an intense anti-cyclone that will bring temperatures up to 31 degrees across the Italian peninsula, potentially extending the summer tourism season in coastal regions.

Catania Airport Reopens Following Mount Etna Volcanic Eruption

Aviation authorities have successfully reopened Catania International Airport in Sicily after a massive ash cloud from Mount Etna forced a three-day shutdown of the regional transport hub.