Rome Times

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.

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...

Italy Adds 155,000 Jobs in Second Quarter as Labour Market Remains Resilient

Official figures showed employment increasing by 155,000 people in the second quarter, providing support to the Italian economy as it navigates broader European and energy-related pressures.

Italian Exports Rise 4.5% in First Half as Manufacturing Regions Support Trade

Italian exports increased by 4.5% in the first half of the year, with manufacturing activity in Lombardy and Tuscany helping sustain the country’s performance in international markets.

Italian Inflation Accelerates to 3.3% as Energy Costs Rise

Italy’s annual inflation rate climbed to 3.3% in August from 2.9% in July, driven largely by higher regulated and non-regulated energy prices and adding pressure to household purchasing power.

Italian Fighter Jets Shoot Down Drone After Lithuanian Airspace Violation

Italian NATO aircraft intercepted and destroyed an unidentified drone after it entered Lithuanian airspace during Defence Minister Guido Crosetto’s visit to the region, underscoring heightened security tensions on NATO’s eastern flank.

Meloni Backs Next European Union Budget but Rejects New EU Taxes

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told European Council President António Costa that Italy is prepared to support funding for the European Union’s next long-term budget while opposing new European taxes and pressing for tighter external bord...

Italian Senate Approves Electoral Reform, Sending Bill Back to Lower House

Italy’s Senate approved the governing coalition’s electoral reform, replacing the current mixed system with a predominantly proportional model and a majority bonus for qualifying coalitions; the bill now returns to the Chamber of Deputies.

George Clooney Receives Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at Venice Film Festival

The Venice Film Festival honored actor and producer George Clooney with its Golden Lion for lifetime achievement during the event's closing ceremonies.

Italy Begins Nighttime Closures on A1 Motorway for Structural Maintenance

Autostrade per l'Italia introduced coordinated overnight closures between Florence, Rome and Naples to carry out safety work while limiting disruption to freight traffic on the country's main north-south motorway.

Meloni Dismisses Coalition Tensions Over Roberto Vannacci

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni played down internal coalition disputes involving military figure and European Parliament member Roberto Vannacci, maintaining that the controversy does not threaten the government's stability.

Italy Allocates €50 Million to Support Children in Small Rural Towns

The government launched a €50 million fund for educational and recreational services in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents as part of efforts to address rural depopulation.

Italy Tightens Rules on Foreign-Plated Vehicles Used to Avoid Domestic Taxes

The Transport Ministry introduced stronger enforcement against residents registering vehicles abroad to avoid Italian road taxes and insurance costs, with luxury cars among the main targets.

Barilla Expands in United States With Acquisition of Premium Pasta Brand Goodles

Parma-based Barilla completed the acquisition of U.S. pasta company Goodles as the Italian food group continues expanding its presence in the North American market.

Azimut Annual Net Inflows Top €10 Billion as Wealth Management Demand Remains Strong

Italian asset manager Azimut reported nearly €1 billion of net inflows in August, taking annual inflows above €10 billion and highlighting continued demand for investment and advisory products.

Milan Markets Face Pressure From Middle East Energy Infrastructure Attacks

Italian equities came under moderate pressure after suspected drone strikes disrupted Middle Eastern oil infrastructure, renewing concern over the exposure of Italy's manufacturing sector to energy and supply-chain shocks.

EU Presses Italy for Tighter Oversight of Short-Term Rentals in Major Tourist Cities

European regulators are urging stronger controls on digital accommodation platforms as tourism-driven short-term rentals put additional pressure on housing availability in Florence, Venice and Rome.

Italian Household Savings in Current Accounts Reach €900 Billion

Financial authorities estimate that about €900 billion of household wealth remains in low- or zero-yield current accounts, leaving savings exposed to inflation while limiting the flow of domestic capital into investment.

Intesa Sanpaolo Plans 13,000 New Hires by 2029 in Major Workforce Overhaul

Italy's largest commercial bank outlined a generational renewal plan centered on 13,000 hires, digital transformation, wealth management expansion and wider use of artificial intelligence across its operations.

Italy's Employment Rate Hits Record 63.1% After 246,000 Jobs Added

ISTAT reported that Italy added 246,000 jobs in the second quarter, lifting the national employment rate to a record 63.1% despite continued weakness in European industrial activity.

Meloni Defends Expanded Drilling and Nuclear Reviews in Push for Italian Energy Autonomy

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended measures to accelerate hydrocarbon concessions and assess nuclear energy options, arguing that reducing Italy's external energy dependence is a national priority.

Stellantis Halts Production at Cassino Plant as Unions Demand Government Action

Stellantis announced further production stoppages at its Piedimonte San Germano facility, prompting unions to call for intervention to protect jobs and Italy's automotive supply chain.

Italy Seeks Halt to Layoffs Affecting More Than 2,000 Workers Around Ex Ilva Steelworks

The Italian government called for the suspension of dismissal plans affecting contractors at Acciaierie d'Italia's Taranto operations as protests intensified around the country's largest steel complex.

Monte dei Paschi Defends €30 Billion Dual Bid for Banco BPM and Banca Generali

Chief Executive Luigi Lovaglio defended Monte dei Paschi di Siena's proposed takeover strategy involving Banco BPM and Banca Generali, arguing that the transactions would strengthen the historic bank's position in wealth management and c...

Tata Motors Wins Regulatory Approval for Takeover of Italy's Iveco

Italian market regulator Consob approved Tata Motors' public offer for Turin-based truck and bus manufacturer Iveco, clearing an important hurdle in the multibillion-euro change of ownership.

Poste Italiane Raises Telecom Italia Stake Above 66% as Delisting Plan Advances

State-controlled Poste Italiane increased its holding in Telecom Italia beyond 66% following a public purchase offer and is targeting a 90% stake that would allow the telecom group to be delisted from the Milan stock exchange.

Milan Fashion Week Prepares More Than 60 Shows for Spring-Summer 2027 Season

Italy’s fashion industry is preparing more than 60 runway shows in Milan as international buyers and media gather amid shifting global demand for luxury and premium apparel.

Emma Bonino Remains Hospitalized in Rome After Medical Emergency

Former Italian foreign minister Emma Bonino, 78, remains under intensive medical observation at Santo Spirito Hospital after a sudden medical emergency that prompted messages of support from across the political spectrum.

Opposition Leader Elly Schlein Calls for Snap Italian Election

Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein demanded an early national election while attacking the Meloni government over economic policy, healthcare funding and proposed constitutional reforms.

Northern Italy Reports Tourism Surge After Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics

Regional authorities in the Dolomites and Alps reported sustained growth in international tourism following the Milano-Cortina Winter Games, alongside major state-funded upgrades to rail and road infrastructure.

Italian Tourism Reports More Than 6% Rise in Foreign Arrivals During Record Summer

Italy’s Tourism Ministry reported foreign visitor arrivals increased by more than 6% during the summer, with hospitality occupancy exceeding levels recorded by Mediterranean rivals Spain and France.

Ferrari Advances €3.5 Billion Share Buyback With Purchases in Milan and New York

Ferrari completed additional share purchases on Euronext Milan and the New York Stock Exchange as the luxury carmaker continues its €3.5 billion buyback program.

Italian Homeowners Face 100-Day Deadline to Complete Superbonus Documentation

Property owners and construction companies have 100 days to finalize documentation for the Superbonus renovation program as the Economy Ministry moves to close a scheme that placed heavy costs on the public finances.

Italy Expands Joint Crackdown on Migrant Worker Exploitation

The National Labour Inspectorate and International Organization for Migration signed a new protocol to deploy multilingual mediators and specialist inspectors against exploitation in the agriculture and logistics sectors.

Prysmian Expands Southern Italy Production for Global AI Data Centre Demand

Milan-based cable manufacturer Prysmian is increasing output at plants in Naples and Palermo to supply fibre-optic and high-voltage cables used in rapidly expanding artificial intelligence data centres.

Eni Opens Supercomputing Capacity to Italian AI Startups and Researchers

Energy group Eni is giving Italian technology companies, research institutions and corporate partners access to its supercomputing infrastructure to support artificial intelligence development and advanced industrial applications.

UniCredit Seeks Technology Partner for European Cryptocurrency Brokerage Launch

UniCredit is evaluating institutional technology providers for digital-asset infrastructure as the Milan-based lender prepares cryptocurrency custody and brokerage services across four European markets in 2026.

Milan Stocks Fall 1.7% as Technology Selloff and Oil Volatility Hit Markets

Italy’s FTSE MIB index closed down 1.7% as weakness in global technology shares and volatile crude oil markets drove selling in Italian equities.