Rome Times

Italy Launches New Cultural Initiatives Celebrating Historic Emigration to the United States

A public arts project and cultural exchange programme unveiled in Rome will commemorate southern Italian migration to America and promote contemporary economic and diplomatic ties between Italy and the United States.

Italian Diaspora Lawmakers Push for Digital Voting and Expanded Consular Services

Members of parliament representing Italians abroad have called for modernised voting procedures and greater funding for consular networks serving citizens overseas.

Environmental Awards Recognise Italian Towns for Sustainable Tourism Leadership

Legambiente and the Touring Club Italiano honoured 30 coastal and lakeside municipalities for protecting biodiversity, maintaining water quality, and promoting sustainable urban development.

Historic Mille Miglia Race Returns to Brescia Celebrating Italian Motoring Heritage

More than 400 classic vehicles have set off on the forty-fourth historical reenactment of the iconic endurance race, a major event for premium tourism and automotive culture.

Rome Summer Fest Opens New Season and Reinforces Capital's Cultural Appeal

The annual concert programme at the Auditorium Parco della Musica has begun, drawing international visitors and strengthening Rome's position as a leading European destination for performing arts.

Italy Rebukes FIFA President Over Remarks About World Cup Absence

Sports Minister Andrea Abodi and the Italian Football Federation criticised Gianni Infantino after comments referencing Italy's failure to qualify for the expanded North American tournament sparked domestic anger.

Pope Leo XIV Returns to Rome on Spanish Royal Aircraft After Flight Failure

King Felipe VI of Spain provided his personal jet to return Pope Leo XIV to the Vatican after a mechanical problem grounded the pontiff's planned flight from the Canary Islands.

Italian Parliament Advances Public Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency Reforms

The Senate is progressing legislation to modernise public buildings and municipal lighting systems, aiming to lower energy costs and support national decarbonisation efforts.

Italy Accelerates Drought and Flood Protection Measures Ahead of Peak Summer

Environmental authorities are releasing funds to reinforce riverbanks, improve irrigation systems, and safeguard water supplies following months of extreme weather volatility.

Severe Hailstorms Devastate Crops and Vineyards in Northern Italy

Agricultural groups declared a state of emergency in parts of Veneto after violent storms destroyed high-value crops and vineyards ahead of an expected heatwave.

Heatwave Prompts Health Alerts Across Central and Southern Italy

Civil protection authorities and weather agencies have activated emergency measures as a North African high-pressure system pushes temperatures significantly above seasonal norms.

Italy Expects Record June Tourism Despite Rising Travel Costs

Industry association Assoturismo forecasts more than 27 million domestic and international tourist stays during the opening weeks of the summer season, underscoring strong demand for Italian destinations.

European Carmakers Unite to Defend Manufacturing Against Global Competitive Pressures

Stellantis, Renault and Volkswagen have launched a joint strategy aimed at protecting Europe's automotive production base from aggressive overseas competition and the costs of decarbonisation policies.

Stellantis Strengthens Italian Sales as Leapmotor Emerges as an Electric Vehicle Leader

Stellantis reported a 52 percent surge in private-market sales in Italy during May, driven by strong demand for Leapmotor electric vehicles and the enduring popularity of the Fiat Pandina.

Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics Drive Major Investment Across Northern Italy

Economic studies project that the upcoming Winter Games will attract more than 66 million international arrivals and spur billions of euros in transport, hospitality, and sports infrastructure spending.

Italy and Norway Deepen Energy and Industrial Cooperation Through New Bilateral Agreements

Rome and Oslo have agreed to strengthen cooperation on natural gas supplies, offshore wind projects, and advanced maritime technologies to support energy security and industrial investment.

European Investment Bank Backs Major Increase in Defence and Security Financing

Italian representatives supported a new mandate that will direct five percent of the European Investment Bank's portfolio toward military mobility, dual-use technologies, and defence infrastructure by 2026.

Italy Tightens Strategic Investment Controls as Foreign Acquisitions Slow Sharply

Corporate advisers and financial analysts say the government's expanded screening powers over strategic investments have increased uncertainty and dampened cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

Middle East Tensions Threaten to Push Up Energy Costs for Italian Industry

Italian manufacturing groups warn that prolonged instability in the Middle East could further raise energy prices and erode the competitiveness of the country's industrial exporters.

Italy Weighs Competing Bids for Monte dei Paschi as State Exit Plan Enters Critical Phase

Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said the government will remain neutral while evaluating competing takeover proposals for Monte dei Paschi, balancing financial stability with plans to reduce the state's remaining stake in the lender.

Bank of Italy Cuts 2027 Growth Forecast and Warns Energy Prices Will Keep Inflation Elevated

The Bank of Italy raised its inflation forecast to 3.1 percent for this year, citing geopolitical tensions, higher commodity costs, and weak household spending as continuing drags on the economy.

Italian Football Clubs Expand Global Pre-Season Tours to Increase Revenue

Leading Serie A teams have announced extensive summer tours in North America and Asia as they seek to grow international audiences and strengthen commercial and broadcasting income.

The Vatican Expands Diplomatic Efforts Amid Global Conflicts and Humanitarian Emergencies

The Holy See has intensified quiet diplomatic initiatives, dispatching senior cardinals to support civilians and protect cultural heritage sites in areas affected by international conflict.

Corriere della Sera Marks 150 Years as One of Italy's Leading National Newspapers

The Italian daily has launched cultural events and public exhibitions in Milan to celebrate its 150th anniversary and its longstanding influence on national political, economic and cultural life.

Italian Venture Capital Investment Reaches Record Levels on Green Technology Growth

Regulators said early-stage investment in Italian technology firms has reached historic highs, with funding concentrated in Milan and Turin and directed toward sustainable mobility, renewable energy storage and industrial automation.

Milan Attracts Strong Sovereign Wealth and Private Equity Interest in Commercial Property

Property consultancies reported rising investment in prime office and retail assets in Milan, reflecting sustained institutional confidence in the city's economic prospects.

Italy Launches Major Healthcare Digitalisation and Hospital Modernisation Programme

The Ministry of Health and regional governments have unveiled a multi-billion-euro initiative using European recovery funds to expand telemedicine services and integrate artificial intelligence diagnostics into the public healthcare system.

Italian Luxury Brands Increase Domestic Production to Strengthen Supply Chains

Major fashion houses in Milan are accelerating the return of manufacturing to Italian artisan districts to improve supply chain resilience and meet growing demand for products made in Italy.

Italian Ports Report Rising Cargo Traffic Despite Red Sea Shipping Disruptions

The ports of Genoa and Trieste recorded stronger container volumes as rerouted trade flows highlighted the strategic importance of Italy's modernised maritime infrastructure.

Italian Prosecutors Open Inquiry Into Israeli Minister Over Gaza Aid Flotilla Interception

Authorities in Rome have launched an investigation into Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after comments he made about Italian and European activists detained when their vessels were intercepted while attempting to reach...

Thousands Demonstrate in Rome Against Proposed Immigration and Security Measures

Around 5,000 protesters gathered in the Italian capital to oppose the government's stricter immigration and domestic security policies, prompting an increased police presence around key institutions.

Eni Expands Share Buyback Programme Following Strong Financial Performance

Italian energy major Eni acquired more than four million shares worth nearly €100 million on the Euronext Milan exchange, underscoring market confidence as the company navigates the Mediterranean energy transition.

UniCredit Accelerates Artificial Intelligence and Wealth Management Expansion Across Europe

The Milan-based bank announced new investments in artificial intelligence and cross-border wealth management as it seeks to strengthen its position in Europe's consolidating financial services industry.

Ferrari and Samsung Explore Collaboration on Artificial Intelligence and Next-Generation Automotive Technologies

Executives from Ferrari and Samsung outlined expanding cooperation in advanced digital technologies during a business forum in Rome, highlighting efforts to modernise Italy's luxury manufacturing sector.

Italian Hospitality Industry Forecasts Record Summer Revenue From Luxury Tourism

Tourism authorities expect unprecedented spending across destinations including Rome, Florence, Venice and the Amalfi Coast as rising demand from affluent North American and Asian travellers boosts the luxury segment.

Italy Advances Digital Infrastructure Expansion After Telecom Italia Network Spin-Off

The operator created following Telecom Italia's fixed-line network divestment has accelerated fibre deployment in underserved southern regions, supporting Italy's digital competitiveness and European Union modernisation goals.

Italian Businesses Call for More Skilled Migration to Address Industrial Labour Shortages

Confindustria and other business groups have urged the government to increase specialised work visa quotas, warning that shortages of engineers and technical workers risk undermining Italy's manufacturing recovery.

Southern Italy Introduces Emergency Drought Measures to Protect Agricultural Production

Authorities in Sicily and Puglia have implemented water restrictions and emergency irrigation funding to protect olive oil and wine sectors from severe seasonal drought conditions across the Mediterranean region.

Italy's Largest Lender Intesa Sanpaolo Expands Financing Activities and Approves New Equity Incentive Plans

Intesa Sanpaolo said its Corporate and Investment Banking division participated in more than €170 billion of European financing transactions while approving long-term equity incentives aimed at retaining senior executives and employees.

Leonardo Wins New European Defence Contracts as Rearmament Drives Demand

Italian aerospace and defence group Leonardo secured fresh procurement agreements for advanced avionics and helicopter systems as European governments accelerate efforts to modernise military capabilities.

European Prosecutors Launch Raids in Italy Over Suspected Misuse of EU Recovery Funds

Carabinieri units carried out searches and seizures in Cassino after the European Public Prosecutor's Office identified an alleged scheme involving the substitution of industrial waste for high-quality soil in a recovery-funded infrastru...

Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics Projects Accelerate With Emergency Government Funding

Italian authorities have fast-tracked infrastructure works across Lombardy and Veneto, injecting additional public funds to complete transport links and sporting venues ahead of the upcoming Winter Olympics.

Stellantis Faces Government Pressure to Safeguard Italian Manufacturing and Employment

Italy's Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy has intensified talks with Stellantis, seeking firm commitments on domestic production volumes, employment protection and increased electric vehicle output at key plants including Mirafio...

Italy Strengthens Energy Ties With North Africa to Secure Long-Term Gas Supplies

The Italian government dispatched senior envoys to North Africa to pursue expanded natural gas contracts and joint investments in renewable hydrogen pipelines, reinforcing Italy's role as an energy link between Africa and the European Un...