Rome Times

Italy Strengthens Cybersecurity Defences Across Ports and Airports Amid Rising Digital Threats

National cybersecurity agencies have deployed enhanced threat-detection systems across key maritime and aviation infrastructure in response to increased risks of state-linked cyberattacks targeting logistics networks.

Italy Expands AI and Robotics Investment Incentives to Boost Industrial Productivity

The Italian government announced new measures to accelerate adoption of artificial intelligence and robotics across manufacturing and aerospace sectors following momentum from the VivaTech technology summit.

Jannik Sinner Advances With Straight-Sets Win as Italian Tennis Continues Strong Run

World number one Jannik Sinner continued his dominant form with a straight-sets victory over Cameron Norrie, reinforcing Italy’s growing prominence in global tennis and international sporting markets.

Italy Records 6,000 Mediterranean Migrant Arrivals Amid Ongoing Summer Sea Crossings

Italian authorities and UN agencies reported around 6,000 migrant arrivals across the Mediterranean during the summer period, with most arrivals originating from Bangladesh, Somalia, and Pakistan.

Vatican Begins Restoration of Raphael Loggia as Pope Leo XIV Addresses Global Health Forum

The Vatican has launched restoration work on the Raphael Loggia in the Apostolic Palace, coinciding with Pope Leo XIV’s remarks at a Caritas Internationalis health conference in Castel Gandolfo.

Qatari Royal Family Acquires Former Berlusconi Sardinia Estate Villa Certosa

The Villa Certosa estate in Sardinia, once the summer residence of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, has been sold to a member of the Qatari royal family in a high-value luxury property transaction.

Eni and Azule Energy Approve Offshore Oil Development Project in Angola

Italian energy group Eni and Azule Energy have reached a final investment decision on a new offshore development in Angola, aimed at strengthening long-term hydrocarbon supply ties with European markets.

Italy Pursues Compensation Claim Over Death of Researcher Giulio Regeni in Egypt

Rome has formally requested civil damages in connection with the killing of Italian academic Giulio Regeni, reinforcing its legal efforts in a case being heard against Egyptian officials in absentia.

Italy and France Hold Business Forum in Le Cannet to Expand Industrial and Energy Cooperation

Senior ministers and more than 200 business leaders met in France for the Italy–France Business Forum, focusing on semiconductors, energy supply chains, and strengthening European industrial competitiveness.

Ferrari Appoints BMW Italy Executive Massimiliano Di Silvestre as Chief Marketing Officer

Ferrari named Massimiliano Di Silvestre as its new chief marketing and commercial officer, replacing long-serving executive Enrico Galliera, as the luxury carmaker adjusts its global commercial strategy.

Heatwave Forces Health Alerts Across 16 Italian Cities as Extreme Temperatures Disrupt Tourism

Italy’s health ministry placed 16 cities on red alert as record heatwaves strained infrastructure, including a suspension of ticket sales at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery following air conditioning failures.

Stellantis Shares Fall in Milan as Chinese EV Competition Pressures European Auto Market

Stellantis experienced stock volatility after data showed slowing EU vehicle registration growth, with the group losing market share amid increasing competition from lower-priced Chinese electric vehicles.

European Commission Projects Italy Growth at 0.5% as Weak Demand and External Pressures Persist

The European Commission expects Italy’s economy to expand modestly in 2026, with public investment under the National Recovery Plan offsetting weaker trade conditions and subdued consumer purchasing power.

Eni Launches High-Performance Supercomputer to Rank Among World’s Most Powerful Corporate Systems

Italian energy group Eni has activated a supercomputer with more than 861 petaflops of computing power, placing it among the world’s top systems and expanding its use of advanced modelling in energy transition planning.

Milan Prosecutor Recovers Over €1 Billion in Tax Revenue and Regularises 60,000 Workers in Labour Crackdown

A long-running investigation led by Milan prosecutor Paolo Storari has uncovered extensive irregularities across logistics, construction, and fashion sectors, leading to major tax recoveries and the formalisation of tens of thousands of ...

Italy Seeks Compensation in Egypt Case Over Killing of Student Giulio Regeni

The Italian government has formally requested €2 million in damages linked to the death of researcher Giulio Regeni, intensifying its legal pursuit of accountability in proceedings against Egyptian security officials being tried in absen...

Italy Suspends Defence Cooperation Frameworks With Israel Amid Escalating Middle East Conflict

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the suspension of automatic renewal mechanisms in military cooperation agreements with Israel, citing worsening regional conditions and rising civilian casualties in the Middle East.

Italy Denies NATO Claim on Air Base Role in Iran Conflict as Rome-Washington Tensions Flare

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government rejected comments by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggesting US combat aircraft launched from Italian territory, insisting only authorised technical and logistical support flights were invo...

Nationwide Airport Ground Handling Strike Threatens Severe Disruption Across Italy’s Major Aviation Hubs

Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Venice, and Naples airports are preparing for widespread disruption after a 24-hour strike by ground staff, with the walkout expected to override standard minimum service guarantees and affect internationa...

Italian Police Arrest Seven Suspects in Alleged High-Speed Rail Sabotage Plot Ahead of Milano-Cortina Olympics

Italian counterterrorism police detained seven individuals accused of links to an anarchist militant network allegedly behind attacks targeting the Rome–Florence high-speed rail line, in what authorities say was aimed at disrupting prepa...

Italian Parliament Debates Fuel Prices as Consumers Demand Action on Energy Costs

Consumer groups urged the government to intervene against energy companies over rising fuel prices, echoing broader international pressure to address windfall profits in the sector and ease costs for households.

Italian Constitutional Court Delays Energy Regulation Case Amid Ongoing Legal Uncertainty

The Constitutional Court postponed its ruling on the powers of Italy’s energy regulator and antitrust authority, extending uncertainty for utility companies facing disputes over alleged market manipulation and financial penalties.

Ariston Completes Riello Acquisition to Strengthen European Heating and Heat Pump Market Position

Ariston Group finalised its acquisition of Riello, a deal welcomed by unions as a safeguard for Italian manufacturing jobs and a move to reinforce the company’s position in Europe’s energy-efficient heating and climate systems sector.

Milan Shares Close Lower as European Economic Uncertainty Weighs on Investor Sentiment

The FTSE Mib fell 0.7% to 51,638 points as markets reacted to ongoing uncertainty over European Central Bank policy and geopolitical risks, outweighing modest improvements in industrial confidence across parts of the eurozone.

Italian Court of Auditors Says Salaried Workers Carry 82 Percent of Income Tax Burden

A report by the Corte dei Conti found that employees and pensioners bear the vast majority of Italy’s income tax load, reigniting debate over tax evasion, uneven contributions from self-employed workers, and broader fiscal reform needs.

Italian Unions and Opposition Pressure Government Over Stellantis Termoli Battery Gigafactory

Trade unions and opposition lawmakers urged Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government to secure binding commitments from Stellantis on the Termoli battery plant, warning that delays in electric vehicle production could undermine Italy’s...

Italy Awards €770 Million Contract for Elmed Power Cable Linking Italy and Tunisia

Italian grid operator Terna and Tunisia’s STEG selected Hitachi Energy to build high-voltage conversion stations for the Elmed submarine cable, a key step toward the first direct electricity interconnection between Europe and North Afric...

Italian Government Rejects NATO Claim of US Combat Flights Launching From Italian Military Bases During Iran Strikes

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Defence Minister Guido Crosetto denied NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s assertion that 500 US aircraft used Italian territory for kinetic operations against Iran, saying Italy only authorised technica...

Climate Data Shows Mediterranean Heatwaves Becoming Longer and More Severe

Italian climate researchers report that extreme heat events across the Mediterranean are becoming more frequent and prolonged, with rising temperatures posing increasing risks to agriculture, infrastructure and public health.

Italy Launches Nine Billion Euro Bond Auction to Manage Rising Debt Pressures

The Italian Treasury has initiated a major bond issuance of up to nine billion euros as it works to refinance sovereign debt amid higher interest rates and tighter European fiscal constraints. The move reflects ongoing pressure on public...

Bank of Italy Highlights Deep Regional Economic Gaps Between North and South

The Bank of Italy’s latest regional report underscores persistent economic disparities, showing significant differences in employment stability, credit access and industrial output between northern regions and central-southern areas such...

Bologna Prepares Major AI and Technology Summit to Attract Global Investors

The city of Bologna is preparing to host a large international technology and artificial intelligence summit, bringing together startups, investors and software developers. The event is expected to highlight Italy’s growing role in Europ...

Italy Releases Activists Detained in Libya After Diplomatic Negotiations

Two Italian activists detained in Libya for a month have returned to Rome following their release and repatriation on a diplomatic flight. The case had drawn attention from civil society groups and prompted sustained consular engagement.

Italian Non-Ferrous Metals Industry Warns of Energy and Raw Material Supply Risks

Italy’s non-ferrous metals association has raised concerns over energy costs and raw material shortages, warning that copper and aluminium supply vulnerabilities could undermine Europe’s competitiveness. The sector is critical to data ce...

Ferrari Hosts Global Supplier Summit in Maranello to Reinforce Quality Standards

Ferrari has convened hundreds of international suppliers at its Maranello headquarters to align on production quality and innovation standards. The meeting comes as high-end automotive manufacturers adapt to technological change and evol...

Lombardy Allocates €54 Million Tourism Plan Ahead of Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics

The Lombardy regional government has approved a tourism and infrastructure strategy worth more than 54 million euros in European funds, designed to unlock over 300 million euros in investment ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. O...

Rome Bond Auction Raises Up to Nine Billion Euros as Treasury Refinances Sovereign Debt

Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance has launched a large sovereign bond issuance targeting up to nine billion euros. The operation comes as the government continues to navigate higher borrowing costs within the constraints of Europea...

Italy Launches Multi-Billion Euro Pharmaceutical Strategy to Strengthen Industrial Sovereignty

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has outlined a national plan to reinforce Italy’s pharmaceutical sector, describing it as a strategic industry for healthcare resilience and export competitiveness. The initiative includes regulatory reforms...

Stellantis Chief Executive Rules Out Italian Plant Closures in Industrial Relaunch Plan

Stellantis chief executive Antonio Filosa has sought to reassure Italian workers, saying the company’s updated strategy does not include closures of domestic plants. The remarks come amid investor volatility and continued pressure on Eur...

Milan Stock Exchange Falls as AI Investment Concerns Weigh on Banking and Tech Shares

Shares in Italian banking and technology companies declined in Milan as global markets reacted to rising concerns over the cost and profitability of large-scale artificial intelligence investments. The selloff mirrored broader internatio...

Italy Revises 2025 Growth Forecast to 0.6 Percent as Domestic Demand Supports Economy

Economists and Intesa Sanpaolo have revised Italy’s GDP growth forecast to 0.6 percent for the year, citing weak industrial conditions offset by steady household consumption and investment. Analysts say the economy remains fragile but ha...

Rome Prosecutors Seek Convictions of Four Egyptian Intelligence Officers in Giulio Regeni Case

Prosecutors in Rome have formally requested convictions for four Egyptian intelligence officers accused in the torture and murder of Italian researcher Giulio Regeni. The case, which has strained Italy–Egypt relations for years, remains ...

Italian Government Authorises Heatwave Work Suspensions With Wage Protection for Affected Workers

The Council of Ministers has approved emergency measures allowing companies to suspend or reduce operations during extreme heat, with affected workers eligible for temporary wage support. The decision aims to reduce heat-related workplac...

Italy Expands Heat Emergency Measures as Red Alerts Cover Rome, Milan and 14 Other Cities

The Italian Ministry of Health has issued maximum red alerts for 16 major cities, including Rome, Milan and Florence, as an intense heatwave pushes hospitals, power grids and emergency services under severe strain. Authorities warn that ...

Italian Government Reaffirms Strong US Alliance as Transatlantic Tensions Rise Over Security and Middle East Policy

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has moved to reassure allies that Italy’s relationship with the United States remains solid despite renewed political friction and controversial remarks from Donald Trump. Rome also confirmed continued coope...