Rome Times

Pope Francis praised societies with a tradition of welcoming migrants, in remarks widely interpreted by political observers as a response to increasingly restrictive immigration debates across Europe.

Italian Ornamental Plant Exporters Expand Presence in the United Kingdom

Italian horticultural producers launched new promotional campaigns in the United Kingdom to build on rising demand for premium ornamental plants and strengthen export growth.

Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce Expands Trade Initiatives Across Southeast Asia

The Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce announced broader trade initiatives aimed at increasing exports of Italian fashion, food, wine, and industrial technology to fast-growing Southeast Asian markets.

Italy's Cruise Industry Expects Record Passenger Volumes Under Stricter Environmental Rules

Italian ports expect to handle more than thirty-seven million cruise passenger movements this year while adapting to tighter environmental regulations and local restrictions on large vessels in sensitive coastal areas.

Italian Banks Continue Strong Profit Growth

Major Italian lenders reported sustained profitability, benefiting from higher European Central Bank interest rates while maintaining historically low levels of non-performing loans.

Rome Renewable Energy Summit Focuses on Solar and Battery Investment

Policymakers, energy companies, and investors gathered in Rome to discuss financing for large-scale solar power and battery storage projects needed to support Italy's decarbonisation goals.

Italian Employers Call for Higher Skilled Migration Quotas

Business federation Confindustria urged the government to expand legal migration quotas for highly skilled workers, warning that shortages in engineering, construction, and healthcare are limiting economic growth.

Italian Manufacturers Prepare for Plastic Tax to Take Effect

Italy's long-delayed tax on virgin plastic packaging is scheduled to enter into force this month, encouraging manufacturers to accelerate investment in recycling technologies and circular economy initiatives.

Markets Watch Italy's Rising Target Two Balance and Sovereign Bond Spreads

Italy's Target Two liabilities within the Eurosystem have climbed back to around six hundred forty billion euros, drawing renewed attention from investors monitoring capital flows and the gap between Italian and German government bond yi...

Veneto Declares State of Emergency as Drought Threatens Agriculture

Authorities in the Veneto region declared a state of emergency after prolonged dry conditions and saltwater intrusion into the Po River delta endangered agricultural production and freshwater resources.

Italy Accelerates Mediterranean Energy Projects to Strengthen Supply Security

Energy companies Eni and Snam continue expanding liquefied natural gas infrastructure and pipeline links with North Africa as Italy works to reinforce long-term energy security and diversify supplies.

Italy Advances High-Speed Rail Projects Linking the South to Northern Economic Hubs

State railway operator Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane reported further progress on high-speed rail lines connecting Naples, Bari, and Sicily with northern Italy, with the projects supported by European Union recovery funding.

Italy Forecasts Record Summer Tourism Despite Overtourism Challenges

Italian tourism authorities expect more than one hundred seventy million visitors during July and August, boosting the economy while prompting local governments to introduce additional crowd-management measures in the country's busiest d...

Severe Heatwave Prompts Maximum Health Alerts Across Much of Italy

Italy's health ministry issued its highest heat warnings for cities including Rome and Florence as temperatures climbed above forty degrees Celsius, placing growing pressure on hospitals, electricity networks, and public health services.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Reaffirms Support for Ukraine's Energy Infrastructure

During NATO summit meetings, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed Italy's continued financial and technical support for rebuilding Ukraine's energy network and providing advanced air-defence systems.

Italy Seeks Greater European Union Fiscal Flexibility to Protect Investment Plans

The Italian government is negotiating with the European Commission for more flexibility under the European Union's fiscal rules, arguing that tighter deficit targets could undermine major post-pandemic infrastructure projects.

Italy Expels Two Russian Embassy Officials After Espionage Investigation

Italy ordered the expulsion of two Russian military attachés after investigators arrested two former Italian security officers accused of selling classified military information to Moscow, marking a significant escalation in diplomatic t...

The AI Invoice Shock: Layoffs Didn't Save Managers Money — They Cost Them More

The AI Invoice Shock: Layoffs Didn't Save Managers Money — They Cost Them More

THEY THOUGHT Al WAS FREE LABOR. THEN THE BILL CAME: A new global survey suggests many corporate executives who expected artificial intelligence to reduce costs are instead facing soaring computing bills and unpredictable usage-based pric...

Concern: Sexually Transmitted Bacterium Among Men Develops Antibiotic Resistance

A new UK study found that sexually transmitted strains of Shigella spread more than twice as fast as other strains and show substantially higher antibiotic resistance, prompting calls for updated clinical guidance and targeted prevention...

Passenger Partially Pulled Out of Ryanair Jet After Cabin Window Fails Mid-Flight

A Ryanair Boeing 737-800 returned safely to Thessaloniki after a cabin window became dislodged during climb, causing rapid decompression and injuring a passenger seated beside the damaged window.

Italy Works to Stabilise Relations with the United States After NATO Dispute

Italian diplomats are seeking to ease tensions with Washington after sharp exchanges over NATO spending and trade during the alliance's summit, as both sides work to preserve broader transatlantic cooperation.

Lawyers for Former Intelligence Officer Dispute Treason Allegations

Defence lawyers for one of the arrested former intelligence officers argued that documents allegedly shared with Russian military attachés were publicly available and did not contain classified state secrets.

Avio Identified as Key Target in Russian Corporate Espionage Case

Investigators said advanced propulsion technology developed by Italian aerospace company Avio was among the principal objectives of the alleged Russian espionage network, underscoring the strategic importance of Italy's defence industry.

Italian Prosecutors Reveal Twelve-Year Russian Espionage Operation

Prosecutors said former intelligence officers allegedly exposed the identities of Italian counterintelligence personnel and transferred information to Russian military contacts over more than a decade, deepening concerns about the scale ...

Coalition Advances Tougher Immigration and Citizenship Measures

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party proposed faster deportations for convicted non-European Union nationals, while Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini's Lega continued pushing stricter citizenship rules as competitio...

Luxury Retail and Hospitality Enjoy Strong Summer Demand Across Italy

Tourism spending in Milan, Rome, and Florence continues to exceed expectations, supporting luxury retail and hospitality businesses despite persistent summer heat across much of the country.

Rome Selected to Host International Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Summit

Italy's capital will host a major global conference dedicated to artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics, bringing together academic and industry leaders to discuss applications in healthcare, cybersecurity, and smart cit...

University of Perugia to Host Major European Artificial Intelligence Conference

Leading researchers from across Europe will gather in Perugia for the Italian Association for Artificial Intelligence's annual conference, focusing on large language models, robotics, and the governance of artificial intelligence.

Rome Hosts Global Conference on Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Agriculture

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization brought together technology and agricultural experts in Rome to promote the use of artificial intelligence, drones, and advanced analytics to strengthen food security and climate resil...

Italian Manufacturing Exports Continue to Outperform Broader European Industry

Italy's industrial exporters maintained solid momentum despite weaker European manufacturing activity and logistical disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East, supporting overall economic performance.

Ferrari Accelerates Three Point Five Billion Euro Share Buyback Programme

Ferrari continued executing share repurchases on the Milan and New York stock exchanges, advancing its three point five billion euro buyback programme and reflecting the financial strength of Italy's luxury automotive sector.

Eni Expands Lithium and Graphite Investments to Strengthen Industrial Supply Chains

Eni is increasing international investments in lithium and graphite projects to support Italy's automotive and technology industries as the government places greater emphasis on securing critical mineral supplies.

Stellantis Temporarily Halts Production at Mirafiori Plant

Despite higher national output, Stellantis plans temporary production stoppages at its Mirafiori factory in Turin because of engine supply shortages and weaker demand for the Fiat 500 in Europe.

Stellantis Increases Italian Vehicle Production on Strong Hybrid Demand

Stellantis increased vehicle production in Italy by thirteen point seven percent in the first half of the year to more than two hundred and fifty thousand units, supported by robust demand for the Jeep Compass and Fiat 500 hybrid models.

European Central Bank Outlook Points to Prolonged High Interest Rates

Forecasts from the European Central Bank and Bloomberg Economics suggest elevated interest rates could persist until at least 2028, increasing financing costs for Italian manufacturers and small businesses.

European Gas Prices Rise as Middle East Disruptions Increase Pressure on Italian Industry

European natural gas prices climbed to a four-week high amid concerns over Middle East shipping disruptions, adding to cost pressures for Italy's energy-intensive manufacturing sectors, including steel, ceramics, and glass.

Italy and Germany Press European Union for Growth-Focused Economic Reforms

Italian and German finance ministers jointly urged the European Commission to reform fiscal and capital market rules, arguing that stronger growth policies are needed to improve Europe's competitiveness against the United States and Asia.

Italy Records Highest Employment Rate on Record Despite Slowing Economic Outlook

Italy's national statistics agency Istat reported a record employment rate of sixty-three point one percent, highlighting continued labour market resilience even as international institutions downgrade the country's broader economic outl...

International Monetary Fund Cuts Italy's Growth Forecast Amid Rising Debt Concerns

The International Monetary Fund lowered Italy's economic growth forecast to zero point five percent for next year and warned the country's sovereign debt trajectory could surpass that of Greece by 2029 if current trends continue.

Italy Reaffirms Military Support for Ukraine at NATO Summit

Meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed Italy's commitment to supplying air defence systems to Ukraine as Defence Minister Guido Crosetto continued assessments for future militar...

Italy and France Develop Framework for Future Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon

Italian officials said Rome is working with France and Turkey on a potential international stabilisation force for Lebanon following post-conflict discussions involving Israeli and Lebanese representatives, reflecting renewed diplomatic ...