Rome Times

Pope Leo XIV Highlights Vatican's Expanding Digital Outreach

Pope Leo XIV addressed the Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus by video, underscoring the Vatican's continued efforts to strengthen its global communications and engagement through digital platforms.

More Italian Companies Adopt Gender Equality Certification

Federmanager reported growing corporate uptake of Italy's gender equality certification, with businesses seeking governance benefits and stronger positions in public procurement despite women remaining underrepresented in senior leadership.

Italian Fashion Artisans Target Middle East and Asia With Export Roadshow

Confartigianato Imprese launched an international exhibition programme spanning Milan, Dubai and Hong Kong to connect Italian artisan fashion producers with high-end buyers in overseas markets.

Bank of Italy Moves Central Credit Register Fully Onto Digital Identity Platform

The Bank of Italy will end certified email requests for access to the Central Credit Register, requiring individuals and businesses to use the national digital identity system as part of a broader administrative modernization effort.

Ferrari Confirms Its Combustion Engines Are Compatible With Carbon-Neutral Biofuels

Chief Executive Benedetto Vigna said Ferrari has successfully tested carbon-neutral biofuels across its internal combustion engine range without requiring performance modifications, supporting compliance with future European environmenta...

Italian Tourism Industry Expects Record August Despite Heatwave

Hospitality associations forecast a record ninety-seven million overnight stays in August, although extreme temperatures and higher fuel prices are shifting more visitors from historic cities toward Alpine and lakeside destinations.

Natural Gas Prices Climb as Winter Supply Concerns Return

European benchmark natural gas futures rose above fifty-three euros per megawatt-hour, raising concerns over energy costs for Italy's manufacturing sector as markets monitor fuel supplies ahead of winter.

Government Accelerates Reform of Italy's Port Authorities

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport expanded work on a nationwide overhaul of port governance aimed at reducing bureaucracy and attracting new investment to strengthen Italy's position in Mediterranean shipping.

Italy Implements European Union Artificial Intelligence Rules With Mandatory Healthcare Training

The government approved two decrees implementing the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act, designating national regulators and requiring healthcare professionals to receive compulsory training on the use of artificial intelligence ...

Italy Launches Consortium to Develop Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Enel, Leonardo and Ansaldo Nucleare have formed a strategic partnership to develop small modular nuclear reactors, marking a significant shift in Italy's energy policy with government backing for future industrial energy security.

Italy Tightens Border Policy Amid Migration Dispute With Spain

The Meloni government suspended Schengen border protocols with Spain and renewed support for offshore migrant processing after Italy, Greece and Malta criticized the European Commission's latest migration framework for Mediterranean fron...

Italian Parliament Backs Confidence Vote on Justice and Migration Reforms

The Chamber of Deputies approved a confidence motion with one hundred ninety-one votes, allowing the government to advance judicial reforms while aligning Italy's migration procedures with the European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Italy Seeks Greater European Union Budget Flexibility for Defence and Energy Spending

Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said Italy will ask the European Commission to exclude up to zero point six percent of gross domestic product in energy investment and cap defence spending exemptions at zero point nine percent under ...

Meloni Government Extends Diesel Tax Relief to Cushion Fuel Price Pressures

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's cabinet approved emergency legislation extending a seventeen-cent reduction in diesel excise duties through late August to ease rising transport costs and limit inflationary pressure on businesses and hous...

UniCredit Wins Initial German Approval to Increase Commerzbank Stake

Germany's BaFin has granted UniCredit preliminary approval to raise its holding in Commerzbank, leaving the European Central Bank with sixty days to decide on Chief Executive Andrea Orcel's cross-border banking expansion strategy.

Intesa Sanpaolo Pushes Ahead With €35 Billion Bid for Monte dei Paschi

Italy's largest bank is advancing its proposed acquisition of state-rescued Monte dei Paschi di Siena, with plans to divest hundreds of overlapping branches and the historic MPS brand to address competition and regulatory requirements.

Italian Ministry of Health Issues Nationwide Red Heat Alert as Extreme Weather Disrupts Northern Italy

Italy's Health Ministry placed all twenty-seven monitored cities under its highest "red alert" for extreme heat for the first time in 2026, while violent overnight storms triggered a major mudslide in South Tyrol that isolated Valle Auri...

Spain Seeks Mainland Transfers for 1,100 Children Stranded in Ceuta

The unaccompanied minors remain in the Spanish enclave after a deadly mass crossing from Morocco, overwhelming a child-protection system built for only 29 places.

Waste Workers Recover One Million Euro Winning Lottery Ticket in Southern Italy

Sanitation workers in Bitonto recovered a winning lottery ticket worth 1 million euros after it was accidentally discarded, drawing widespread attention across Italy.

Italian Financial Markets Gain Support From Expectations of Stable Interest Rates

Markets in Milan remained firm as expectations grew that the European Central Bank would keep interest rates unchanged, supporting investment in Italy's industrial and financial sectors.

Bologna Marks Anniversary of 1980 Train Station Bombing

Thousands gathered in Bologna to commemorate the 85 victims of the 1980 train station bombing, as public debate over the legacy of the Years of Lead continued.

Lake Garda Tourism Remains Strong Through Peak Summer Season

Hospitality businesses around Lake Garda reported robust domestic and international bookings for August, highlighting the continued resilience of one of Italy's leading tourism destinations.

Italy Mourns Seven Nationals Killed in Peru Sightseeing Plane Crash

The Foreign Ministry is coordinating with authorities in Peru to repatriate the remains of seven Italian tourists who died in an aircraft accident over the Nazca Lines.

Italian Government Expects Smooth Progress Toward Judicial Reform Referendum

Political observers see limited risk to the governing coalition as it prepares for a constitutional referendum next spring on separating judicial career paths, a central element of its reform agenda.

Italian Consumer Confidence Improves as Inflation Pressures Ease

July surveys showed a modest recovery in consumer and business sentiment, suggesting households and companies are gradually adapting to lower inflation and a more stable economic environment.

Alpine Glaciers Retreat Rapidly as Northern Italy Endures Prolonged Heatwave

Italian climatologists said persistent high temperatures are accelerating glacier loss across the Alps, with long-term implications for water resources and mountain environments.

Mediterranean Heat Drives Record Sea Temperatures and Algae Blooms Off Italy

Environmental monitoring agencies warned that unusually warm Mediterranean waters are accelerating algae blooms and disrupting marine ecosystems, raising concerns for coastal tourism and fisheries.

Six Killed in Bus and Motorhome Collision in Central Italy

Emergency services responded to a major crash between Terni and Rieti after a head-on collision involving a tour bus and a motorhome killed six people and injured 34 others.

Zee Entertainment Secures Five-Year Serie A and Coppa Italia Broadcast Rights in India

Indian media group Zee Entertainment acquired exclusive five-year broadcasting rights for Serie A and the Coppa Italia, expanding the international reach of Italian football across the Indian market.

Pope Leo XIV Confirms November Visit to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru

The Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV will undertake an 11-day pastoral and diplomatic visit to South America, highlighting renewed engagement with Catholic communities across the region.

Italian Households Increase Savings Despite Rising Real Incomes

Cooling inflation and stronger wages have stabilised household incomes, but consumers are saving more of their earnings as geopolitical uncertainty and energy market volatility continue to weigh on confidence.

Italian Exports Outside the European Union Ease Amid Weak Global Demand

Preliminary trade figures showed a modest decline in exports to markets outside the European Union as manufacturers navigated softer overseas demand and volatile energy and raw material costs.

Italian Productivity Remains Under Pressure Despite Record Low Unemployment

Italy's unemployment rate fell to 5.7 percent, but economists cautioned that stronger employment in lower-productivity sectors is weighing on broader economic efficiency.

Italian Employment Reaches Record High as Skills Shortages Persist

Employment increased by 131,000, led by the services and construction sectors, although business groups warned that technical skills shortages continue to leave many vacancies unfilled.

Italy Faces Delays in Delivering Final Phase of European Union Recovery Programme

Analysts warned that parts of Italy's infrastructure and digital investment programme could be delayed later into the year as administrative and implementation challenges continue to affect the rollout of European Union recovery funding.

Italy Seeks Faster Exit From European Union Deficit Procedure Despite Debt Pressures

The government is preparing a tighter fiscal budget aimed at ending the European Union's excessive deficit procedure, while investors continue to monitor high public debt levels and rising interest costs.

Italy Allocates 100 Million Euros for Campi Flegrei Earthquake Recovery

The government released 100 million euros in reconstruction funding for Pozzuoli and nearby communities after a magnitude 4.7 earthquake damaged buildings and displaced hundreds of residents in the Campi Flegrei volcanic area.

Extreme Heatwave Places Twenty-Three Italian Cities Under Highest Alert

Civil protection authorities expanded emergency measures as temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius across much of Italy, increasing risks to public health, agriculture and Alpine glaciers.

Italian Navy Boards Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker in Mediterranean Sanctions Enforcement

An Italian Navy vessel intercepted and boarded a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker near Pantelleria, marking Italy's most assertive action so far against suspected sanctions evasion in the central Mediterranean.

Italy Pushes European Union to Back New Offshore Migration Repatriation Hubs

Following the latest migration surge into Spain's Ceuta enclave, Rome intensified efforts to secure European Union approval for repatriation centres in Uganda and Montenegro, building on its existing facilities in Albania.

Italy Approves Defence Overhaul to Strengthen Cyber and Intelligence Capabilities

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has approved a broad defence reform package that reorganises military intelligence, strengthens cyber defence and accelerates technological innovation in support of European security objectives.

Italian Economy Expands One Percent in Second Quarter as Growth Outpaces Broader European Averages

Preliminary data from the National Institute of Statistics showed Italy's economy grew one percent year on year in the second quarter, prompting an upward revision to this year's growth outlook as services and manufacturing remained resi...