Rome Times

AI-Generated Grant Applications Overwhelm Italian Non-Profit Funding Bodies

Italian foundations and third-sector organizations report a surge in polished but generic grant applications produced with artificial intelligence, forcing funders to reconsider how community projects are assessed.

Prosecutors Expand Investigation Into Alleged Pressure Campaign Targeting Lazio President Claudio Lotito

Rome prosecutors widened a probe into allegations that financial and media figures coordinated efforts to pressure Lazio President Claudio Lotito into selling the Serie A club.

Italian Students Outperform International Average in Reading Proficiency

Italian teenagers scored above the global average in reading comprehension, with Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara linking the results to changes in teaching methods and growing use of artificial intelligence in classrooms.

Milan and Brescia Recruit Tunisian Bus Drivers to Address Labor Shortages

Public transport operators in northern Italy are recruiting qualified drivers from Tunisia as municipalities struggle to fill vacancies in essential transit services.

Russian Ambassador Praises Salvini Meeting With Italian Businesses Active in Russia

Russian Ambassador Alexei Paramonov welcomed Matteo Salvini’s Milan meeting with Italian companies operating in Russia, describing it as a return to greater realism and pragmatism in relations with Moscow.

Assault on Jewish Community Leader in Milan Prompts Political Condemnation

A 60-year-old rabbi was severely beaten by three assailants in central Milan, prompting a police response and condemnation from political figures over antisemitic violence.

Police Search Offices of More Than 20 Doctors in Migrant Detention-Center Investigation

Italian police searched medical professionals as part of an investigation into certificates allegedly used to prevent migrants from being transferred to repatriation centers, intensifying debate over medical practice and immigration enfo...

Eni Buys €74 Million of Shares as €1.5 Billion Repurchase Program Advances

Italian energy group Eni purchased another €74 million of its own shares over five days as it continues a broader €1.5 billion capital-return program.

Ferrari Starts €250 Million Share Buyback After Completing Previous €200 Million Tranche

Ferrari has launched a new €250 million share repurchase program after completing a €200 million tranche across the Milan and New York exchanges.

Monte dei Paschi and Iveco Deal Talks Advance as Italian Markets Rally

Negotiations are progressing around the privatization of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena and the restructuring of commercial-vehicle maker Iveco, supporting confidence in Italy’s financial and industrial sectors.

Italy’s Supreme Court Launches Generative AI Pilot to Tackle Judicial Backlog

The Court of Cassation has begun testing generative artificial intelligence to analyze pending appeals as it seeks to reduce longstanding delays in the Italian judicial system.

Revolut Data Breach Traced to Compromised Italian Government Certified Email Account

Cybercriminals obtained sensitive financial information involving nearly 700 Italian Revolut customers after compromising a certified email account belonging to the Reggio Calabria prefecture.

Italian Government Opens Door to Public Stake in Taranto’s Former Ilva Steel Complex

The government said it could take a public equity stake in the former Ilva steelworks if industrial partners present a credible restructuring plan, as thousands of supply-chain jobs remain at risk.

Italian Cybersecurity Startup Exein Raises $270 Million to Develop AI-Era Defenses

Rome-based Exein secured a $270 million funding round to develop cybersecurity technology aimed at protecting critical digital infrastructure from emerging artificial-intelligence-related threats.

Italian Fighter Jet Shoots Down Suspected Drone Over Lithuania During NATO Mission

An Italian military aircraft deployed on NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission intercepted and destroyed an unidentified drone over Lithuania, underscoring Italy’s operational role on the alliance’s eastern flank.

Italy Extends Border Checks on Arrivals From Spain and Considers Joint Patrols With Slovenia

Italy extended controls on travelers arriving from Spain for another 15 days over security concerns, while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani proposed replacing checks at the Slovenian border with closer joint police cooperation.

Rising Fuel Prices Trigger Transport Strikes and Supply Disruptions Across Italy

Italian transport unions and consumer groups have launched localized protests as diesel and petrol prices rise sharply, increasing pressure on logistics costs and inflation.

Italian Senate Approves Electoral Reform With New Majority Bonuses and Representation Thresholds

Italy’s Senate approved an overhaul of the electoral system that changes majority bonuses and representation thresholds as parliament moves toward new rules for the next national election.

Rome Prosecutors Investigate Lazio President Claudio Lotito Over Market Manipulation Allegations

Italian prosecutors opened an investigation involving Lazio president Claudio Lotito and banking figures over allegations of market manipulation and dissemination of false information affecting the football club’s listed shares.

Revolut Data Attack Exposes Information From Nearly 700 Italian Customers

A targeted cyberattack using compromised Italian certified email accounts exposed sensitive personal information belonging to nearly 700 Revolut customers in Italy.

Italy Renews Call for International Rules Governing Artificial Intelligence

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her government are pressing for stronger international AI standards, citing concerns about employment, privacy and technological sovereignty.

Italy Pursues Migration Agreements as Border Tensions With Spain Continue

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has held talks with Portuguese and European counterparts on repatriation agreements while Italy and Spain maintain temporary border controls linked to migration concerns.

Emma Bonino, Former Italian Foreign Minister and Civil Rights Campaigner, Dies

Emma Bonino, a prominent figure in Italian Radical politics who served as foreign minister and campaigned for civil rights over several decades, has died.

Italian Government Prepares 65% Ecobonus for Energy-Efficient Home Renovations

Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti is preparing a fiscal package that would restore a 65% renovation incentive linked to household income, with a focus on younger and middle-income families.

Italy Weighs Further Fuel-Tax Relief as Global Oil Prices Rise

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is considering another reduction in diesel excise duties and possible vehicle-tax discounts as households face renewed pressure from higher energy prices.

Italy Issues Severe Weather Alerts as Storms and Hail Sweep Across Country

Italy’s Civil Protection authorities issued widespread alerts as thunderstorms, strong winds and damaging hail moved from northern regions toward central and southern Italy.

Catania Airport Halts Flights After Mount Etna Eruption Sends Ash Into Airspace

Catania International Airport suspended arrivals and departures and diverted flights to Palermo after volcanic ash from Mount Etna affected visibility and runway operations.

Italian Senate Approves Electoral Reform Bill Ahead of Final Lower-House Vote

Italy’s Senate approved the electoral reform known as the Stabilicum, including a preference-voting mechanism, sending the legislation back to the Chamber of Deputies for another vote.

Italian Security Adviser Unharmed After Russian Drone Strike Near Polish Border

An Italian diplomatic delegation including the national security adviser escaped harm when a Russian drone struck a train close to the Polish-Ukrainian border.

Italian NATO Fighter Shoots Down Suspected Military Drone Over Lithuania

An Italian fighter operating under NATO’s Baltic air mission destroyed a suspected military drone over Lithuania, adding to security concerns along the alliance’s eastern flank.

Pope Leo XIV Restores Cardinal Pay and Raises Salaries by 10%

Pope Leo XIV ended pandemic-era Vatican salary restrictions for cardinals and authorised a 10% increase, reversing years of wage restraint within the Holy See.

Italian Teenagers Score Above International Average in Reading Despite Absenteeism Concerns

International testing showed Italian teenagers performing above the global average in reading and ahead of peers in France and Germany, even as education authorities contend with high levels of school absenteeism.

Severe Storms End Northern Italy Heatwave and Raise Local Flooding Risks

Thunderstorms and heavy rain swept across Trentino and other parts of northern Italy, ending a prolonged spell of extreme heat while prompting yellow weather alerts and concern over localized flooding.

Regional Gaps Continue to Limit Access to Pharmacological Abortion in Italy

Healthcare advocates and labour groups say uneven regional implementation and administrative delays continue to restrict access to legally available pharmacological abortion services outside traditional hospital settings.

Italian Government Signals Caution on Pension Changes as Budget Talks Continue

Italy’s government is taking a cautious approach to pension reform during budget negotiations, with the retirement threshold expected to remain at 64 under the existing mixed contributory framework.

Italian Property Managers Push Back Against Tighter European Short-Term Rental Rules

Proposed European Union rules for short-term rentals in areas facing housing pressure have drawn opposition from Italian property managers and accommodation-platform operators concerned about the effect on tourism businesses.

Italian Prosecutors Complete Probe Into Illegal Access to Mattarella and Meloni Bank Records

Prosecutors concluded an investigation into a former bank employee accused of improperly accessing financial records belonging to President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, drawing attention to security controls aroun...

Milan Startup NiuLinx Begins Autonomous Driving Trials Using Electric Fiat Vehicles

NiuLinx has started open-road testing of self-driving technology in Milan using modified electric Fiat vehicles after raising €38 million to develop its autonomous mobility platform.

Italy Weighs Higher Flat-Tax Threshold and Salary Incentives for Younger Workers

Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti is preparing budget proposals that could raise the flat-tax threshold to €100,000 and introduce preferential tax measures aimed at increasing net pay for younger employees.

European Parliament Backs Italy’s Carlo Comporti to Lead European Markets Regulator

The European Parliament approved Italian regulator Carlo Comporti as the next president of the European Securities and Markets Authority, with the appointment awaiting formal completion by the European Union Council.

Rome Cybersecurity Firm Exein Reaches $1.7 Billion Valuation After $270 Million Funding Round

Italian cybersecurity company Exein raised $270 million in Series C financing led by United States investors, valuing the company at $1.7 billion as it expands security software for robotics, autonomous vehicles and physical artificial i...

Italy Considers Public Stake in Taranto Steelworks as Industrial Crisis Deepens

The Italian government has signalled willingness to take an equity stake in the Taranto steel plant, formerly known as Ilva, as authorities seek a solution for the strategically important facility and thousands of supplier jobs remain at...