Rome Times

Italian Football Great Sandro Mazzola Dies at 83

Sandro Mazzola, the former Inter Milan forward who represented Italy at three World Cups and became one of the defining players of the club’s 1960s era, has died aged 83.

Meloni Government Becomes Longest-Serving Administration in Italian Republic’s History

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government surpassed the previous 1,412-day record held by Silvio Berlusconi’s second cabinet, becoming Italy’s longest-serving government since the republic was established.

Italian Eurofighters Scramble After Russian Jets Violate Lithuanian Airspace

Two Italian Air Force Eurofighters deployed on NATO’s eastern flank scrambled from Šiauliai after two Russian military aircraft entered Lithuanian airspace.

Houthi Drone Attack Damages Italian Eurofighter at Saudi Air Base

An Italian Eurofighter stationed at a Saudi Arabian air base was damaged in a drone attack attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement, with no Italian military personnel reported injured.

Intesa Sanpaolo Launches €30.6 Billion Bid for Monte dei Paschi di Siena

Intesa Sanpaolo has launched an unsolicited €30.6 billion takeover offer for Monte dei Paschi di Siena, proposing a combination that would manage about €2 trillion in client assets and include the transfer of hundreds of branches to Unipol.

Vatican Faces Continued Scrutiny Over Judicial and Financial Transparency

The Vatican judicial system remains under public scrutiny over its handling of institutional misconduct cases and continuing efforts to improve financial transparency and administrative accountability.

Meloni Attends Beretta’s 500th Anniversary Celebrations

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended events marking 500 years of firearms manufacturer Beretta, highlighting the company’s longstanding role in Italian industry and defence manufacturing.

Rome School Stabbing Intensifies Debate Over Juvenile Violence

A stabbing involving a 13-year-old student and a teacher at a school in Rome has prompted Italy’s Education Ministry to consider additional security funding for urban schools.

Italy Records 47 Million Tourist Arrivals in Second Quarter

Italian tourism recorded 47 million arrivals during the second quarter, with a 4.6% increase in international visitors helping drive activity across hotels and short-term accommodation.

Italian Family Emerges as Preferred Buyer for Olive Oil Producer Deoleo

Italy’s Coricelli family has emerged as the preferred bidder for Deoleo in a proposed €500 million acquisition, with the source notes indicating Spanish authorities are expected to approve the cross-border deal.

Milan Markets Turn Volatile as Banks and Government Bonds Face Pressure

Italy’s financial markets have come under pressure amid wider European uncertainty, with banking shares weakening as investors reassess fiscal conditions and the outlook for European Central Bank interest rates.

Italian Unions Threaten Nationwide Mobilisation Over Pension and Budget Policy

Major trade unions are preparing possible national protests over the government’s coming budget, criticising proposed pension restraints and calling for greater public-sector investment and a lower retirement age.

Italian Opposition Criticises Government’s Expansion of Gas and Fossil-Fuel Infrastructure

Opposition leader Elly Schlein and environmental groups are challenging the Meloni government’s energy policy and calling for greater investment in renewables instead of expanded natural-gas and drilling infrastructure.

Meloni Calls for Unified European Diplomatic Envoy on Ukraine

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed appointing a single European representative to coordinate diplomacy and support related to the war in Ukraine, seeking more streamlined communication among allied governments.

Italy Considers Broader Car-Tax Abolition From 2027

The government is considering a phased removal of the vehicle-ownership tax as part of efforts to ease household costs, though the proposal has prompted questions over how lost revenues would be replaced.

Italian Auto Industry Presses EU to Delay Combustion-Engine Phase-Out

Automotive industry groups are lobbying European policymakers for more time to adapt to the planned phase-out of internal-combustion engines, warning of risks to Italy’s specialised vehicle-component supply chain.

Italian Shipowners Warn Red Sea Disruptions Threaten 40% of Global Trade Flows

Industry association Assarmatori says continued insecurity around the Red Sea and Suez Canal is disrupting Mediterranean supply chains and placing a substantial share of Italy’s international commerce at risk.

Italy’s Steel Industry Consortium Submits Plan for Former Ilva Plants

A consortium of Italian industrial companies has proposed acquiring and modernising the former Ilva steelworks in Genoa and Taranto, seeking to preserve manufacturing capacity and thousands of jobs.

Italian Parliament Advances Security Measures With Tougher Penalties for Public-Order Offences

Italy’s governing coalition is advancing legislation that increases penalties linked to protests, blockades and property damage, drawing criticism from civil-liberties groups and trade unions.

Italy’s Recovery-Fund Telecom Projects Face Greater EU Scrutiny

The European Commission is reviewing Italian post-pandemic recovery spending as concerns grow over potential delays to 5G and high-speed broadband projects intended to modernise the country’s digital infrastructure.

Stellantis Plans Further Production Halts at Turin’s Mirafiori Plant

Stellantis has scheduled additional production suspensions at its Mirafiori factory in Turin as weaker European vehicle demand intensifies concerns among trade unions about the future of Italy’s automotive manufacturing base.

Italy Prepares €18 Billion Budget as Government Seeks Contribution From Banks and Insurers

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti are preparing an €18 billion budget while negotiating with financial institutions over a proposed €4.5 billion contribution and seeking to avoid unsettling markets.

Milan Prosecutors Seek Fast-Track Trial in Case Involving Death of Police Officer

Prosecutors have requested an expedited trial for a 26-year-old suspect accused of causing the death of a municipal police officer during a high-speed pursuit in June.

Amplifon Calls Extraordinary Shareholder Meeting as It Integrates New International Assets

Hearing-care group Amplifon has convened an extraordinary shareholder meeting linked to the integration of recently acquired international assets as the Milan-based company continues its global expansion.

Marmolada Glacier Loses Nine Hectares of Surface Area in a Year

Environmental monitoring agencies say the Marmolada glacier in the Dolomites has lost nine hectares over the past 12 months, adding to concerns about Alpine water resources and the future of winter tourism.

Confindustria Proposes High-Tech Development Plan for Naples and Campania

Italy’s main industrial federation has outlined a strategy to expand advanced manufacturing and digital investment around Naples, seeking to attract foreign capital and strengthen the economic base of southern Italy.

Bocconi Sets €200 Million Fundraising Goal for Research, Students and Academic Development

Milan’s Bocconi University aims to raise €200 million by 2030 for student support, research and institutional development, with its fundraising campaign already surpassing €110 million.

Meloni Says She Will Examine Schlein’s Climate and Energy Proposals

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she will review proposals from Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein on accelerating Italy’s energy transition, creating an unusual opening for dialogue between the government and opposition on climate p...