Rome Times

€223 Million SuperEnalotto Jackpot Won in Lombardy

A single ticket purchased in Lombardy’s Brianza region won a €223 million SuperEnalotto jackpot, becoming a major subject of national and regional public attention.

Nationwide Rail Strike Disrupts Intercity, Regional and High-Speed Travel Across Italy

Drivers, conductors and operational staff across the Ferrovie dello Stato network launched a 24-hour strike over working conditions and public transport funding, causing widespread disruption to passengers and logistics.

Italy’s €13 Billion Strait of Messina Bridge Wins Conditional Technical Approval

Italy’s engineering council approved the planned bridge linking Sicily and Calabria but imposed more than 100 binding technical and seismic conditions that could delay preparatory construction.

Turin Auto Supply Chain Faces Severe Bottlenecks as Teksid Capacity Tightens

Production constraints at Teksid’s Carmagnola plant have disrupted supplies of key engine components, affecting Piedmont subcontractors and contributing to halted Stellantis assembly lines.

Stellantis Halts Fiat 500 Hybrid Production at Mirafiori for Six More Days

Stellantis announced another six days of production stoppages at its Mirafiori plant in Turin because of shortages from local suppliers, prompting union warnings over jobs and the future of the region’s automotive industry.

Meloni Forecasts 1% Italian Growth as Energy Costs and EU Fund Delays Persist

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy’s economy is on course to expand by 1% this year, while acknowledging continued pressure from high energy costs and slow deployment of European recovery funds.

UniCredit Board Approves Capital Increase to Support Commerzbank Takeover Offer

UniCredit’s board approved a dedicated capital increase to finance a voluntary exchange offer for remaining Commerzbank shares, advancing the Milan-based lender’s expansion into Germany.

AC Milan and Lazio Draw 2-2 in Early Serie A Meeting

AC Milan and Lazio played out a 2-2 draw at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, leaving both clubs searching for greater consistency as they try to close the gap on the early Serie A leaders.

Italy Prepares for Crucial Nations League Match Against Belgium

Italy’s national football team is preparing for a key UEFA Nations League group match against Belgium as coach Luciano Spalletti seeks to rebuild momentum and improve the team’s position in the competition.

Italian Sustainable Investor Etica Sgr Opposes Deep-Sea Mining

Etica Sgr launched a campaign urging Italian financial institutions to withhold funding from deep-sea mining projects because of the potential damage to marine biodiversity.

West Nile Death Casts Shadow Over Venice Film Festival Closing

The death of a 37-year-old artisan from West Nile virus shortly before her documentary was due to premiere prompted renewed health warnings in Veneto as the Venice International Film Festival concluded.

European Officials Push Italy for Tougher Rules on Short-Term Rentals

European Union officials and Italian municipal leaders are calling for tighter oversight of short-term tourist rentals, arguing that platforms such as Airbnb are worsening housing shortages and hollowing out historic city centers.

Rome Residents Protest Illegal Property Occupations Across Several Neighborhoods

Hundreds of residents demonstrated in parts of Rome to demand stronger action from municipal authorities and law enforcement against illegal property occupations.

Chinese Electric Vehicle Brands Expand Visibility at Turin Auto Show

The Turin Auto Show returned as an open-air exhibition with a strong presence from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers seeking a larger share of Italy’s market as consumers consider lower-cost zero-emission models.

Barilla Acquires US Food Brand Goodles to Expand North American Business

Italian food group Barilla acquired American macaroni-and-cheese brand Goodles as it seeks to diversify its portfolio and strengthen its position in the North American retail market.

Italy Plans Inflation-Linked Increase in Universal Child Allowance

The National Institute for Social Security said the universal allowance for dependent children will rise in line with inflation next year, offering additional support to families facing higher living costs.

Italian Unions Reject Proposal for Early Retirement With 10% Pension Cut

The Italian General Confederation of Labour rejected a League proposal allowing retirement at age 64 in exchange for a 10% reduction in benefits, setting up further negotiations ahead of the national budget.

Milan Courthouse Ceiling Collapse Suspends Major Hydra Mafia Trial

A ceiling collapse in a high-security Milan courtroom after heavy rainfall forced the suspension of the Hydra organized-crime trial and renewed concerns over maintenance at critical public buildings.

Severe Flooding and Landslides Damage Infrastructure Across Central and Northern Italy

Emergency teams were deployed across Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Tuscany and Marche after torrential rain triggered flooding, landslides and infrastructure damage across several regions.

Italy’s Employment Rate Rises Above 63% to Record High

Italy added 155,000 jobs in the second quarter, lifting the national employment rate above 63% to a record level despite weaker industrial conditions and broader uncertainty across Europe.

Italian Gas Tariffs for Vulnerable Households Rise Nearly 7%

Italy’s energy regulator said natural gas prices for consumers in the protected vulnerable market will rise by almost 7% this month as tighter wholesale supplies and geopolitical tensions push costs higher.

Italy Extends Fuel Tax Relief as Petrol and Diesel Prices Rise Above €2.10 a Litre

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed an extension of excise-duty relief on petrol and diesel as domestic fuel prices climb above €2.10 a litre amid worsening energy-market disruption linked to the Middle East.

Meloni Says Monte dei Paschi Is Ready for Private-Sector Consolidation

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the government has no direct role in the future of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, describing the restructured lender as attractive to private investors and potential merger partners.

Stellantis Weighs €1 Billion France Investment and Chinese Partnership for Maserati

Stellantis is considering more than €1 billion in new investment in France while exploring a long-term Maserati partnership with Huawei and JAC Group, fueling concerns over the future of the automaker’s Italian manufacturing operations.

Italy Advances Plan to Admit 500,000 Foreign Workers Between 2026 and 2028

The Italian government is moving ahead with a multi-year immigration framework that would legally admit 500,000 foreign workers through 2028 as agriculture, tourism and manufacturing struggle with persistent labor shortages.

Italian Government Halts More Than 2,500 Layoffs Across Ex Ilva Supply Chain

The Italian government brokered an agreement suspending the dismissal of more than 2,500 contractors at the troubled Taranto steelworks, temporarily averting a major industrial and employment crisis in southern Italy.

Francesco Guccini Estate Dispute Draws National Attention to Songwriter’s Legacy

The disclosure of a second will leaving Francesco Guccini’s estate to his widow has sparked renewed public discussion of the celebrated Italian songwriter’s cultural and literary legacy.

Death of Denise Cosco Renews Debate Over Protection for Anti-Mafia Witnesses

The death of Denise Cosco, daughter of murdered informant Lea Garofalo, has prompted renewed discussion in Italy over the personal costs faced by state witnesses and the effectiveness of protection programs against the ’Ndrangheta.

South Tyrol School Results Renew Debate Over Italy’s Regional Education Divide

Standardized assessments showing students in South Tyrol outperforming peers in southern Italy have revived debate over education funding and regional inequalities in the national school system.

Calabria Records Italy’s Fastest Tourism Growth After Infrastructure Investment

Calabria posted tourist arrival growth of more than 10%, the strongest performance among Italian regions, following investment in transport links and international marketing.

Northern Italian Lakes and Spa Towns Lead Tourism Revenue Growth

Lake Garda, Lake Como and northern thermal destinations are recording some of Italy’s strongest occupancy rates as travelers increasingly favor cooler inland locations over traditional coastal resorts.

Italian Centre-Right Pushes Back Against EU Short-Term Rental Restrictions

European proposals to restrict short-term tourist rentals in tight housing markets are facing resistance from Italy’s centre-right parties, which argue that tougher rules could damage local hospitality businesses.

Rome Confirms First Locally Acquired Chikungunya Case of 2026

Health authorities in Rome have introduced mosquito-control measures and heightened monitoring after confirming the city’s first locally transmitted chikungunya infection of the 2026 season.

Stellantis Faces Union Pressure Over Italian Production and Electric-Vehicle Transition

Italian metalworker unions are pressing Stellantis to protect domestic production and employment as the automaker shifts historic assembly plants toward electric vehicle manufacturing.

Italy’s Tourism Sector Outperforms Spain and France on Summer Occupancy

Italy’s Tourism Ministry said national accommodation occupancy exceeded 51% during the summer season, supported by strong international flight bookings and visitor demand.

Italy Weighs €1,000 Newborn Bonus and Young-Worker Tax Breaks

The government is negotiating a €1,000 payment for each newborn and a flat-tax measure for young workers as part of its coming budget, seeking to address Italy’s severe decline in births.

Italian Defence and Aerospace Exports Rise as European Military Spending Increases

Italian defence contractors and aerospace companies are reporting stronger international order books as European Union and NATO governments increase military procurement amid persistent geopolitical tensions.

Eni Expands Mediterranean Energy Projects to Strengthen Italy’s Gas Supply

State-backed energy company Eni is advancing hydrocarbon developments and liquefied natural gas partnerships across North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean as Italy seeks more diversified industrial gas supplies.