Rome Times

Stellantis Opens Turin Heritage Hub for International Concours d’Elegance

Stellantis has opened its Turin Heritage Hub to the Festival Car International Concours d’Elegance, showcasing classic Alfa Romeo and Lancia models as part of an exhibition celebrating Italian automotive design.

Italy Publishes Regional School Start Dates Amid Infrastructure and Staffing Concerns

The Education Ministry has released staggered start dates for the new academic year as local authorities continue to raise concerns over school infrastructure funding and teacher staffing.

Alessandro Di Battista Declines State-Funded Repatriation Flight After Stroke in Cuba

Former Five Star Movement figure Alessandro Di Battista declined an offer of a government-funded medical flight home after suffering a stroke in Havana, prompting debate in Italy over the use of public resources for political figures.

Swiss Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal Shooting of 22-Year-Old Italian Woman

Swiss authorities have arrested a 43-year-old suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Italian woman near a music festival following cooperation with Italian police and diplomatic officials.

GEDI Digital Names Veronica Diquattro CEO to Lead Digital Overhaul

GEDI Digital, parent of La Repubblica, has appointed former Spotify and Google executive Veronica Diquattro as chief executive to oversee an editorial and digital restructuring of the Italian media group.

Italy Closely Monitors Ceuta Clashes Amid Wider Mediterranean Migration Tensions

Italian security and diplomatic authorities are monitoring violence and police gunfire at Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta as Rome continues to push for tighter enforcement of Europe’s external borders.

Italian Companies Accelerate Pay Transparency Measures Ahead of EU Requirements

Large Italian employers are expanding pay-transparency policies as they prepare to comply with new European Union labor rules and compete for skilled workers.

Italian Mid-Sized Companies Turn to M&A as Family Businesses Face Succession Challenges

Milan financial advisers are reporting increased mergers and acquisitions involving traditional family-owned companies as businesses use buyouts and technology investment to navigate generational change.

Italy Promotes 65% Tax Deduction to Encourage Startup and SME Investment

The Economy and Finance Ministry is promoting a new 65% tax deduction intended to simplify equity investment in Italian startups and innovative small businesses through streamlined bank transfers.

European Markets Absorb €40 Billion in New Technology Company Debt

Major international technology companies have issued €40 billion of bonds in European markets, drawing attention from Italian financial analysts as issuers take advantage of shifting interest-rate expectations and strong regional liquidity.

Italy Debates Channeling Worker Severance Pay Into Domestic Pension Funds

Italian policymakers and financial institutions are considering measures to redirect billions of euros in mandatory employee severance payments into pension funds, with the aim of increasing capital available for domestic investment.

Italian Grocery Costs Rise 29.5% Over Five Years

Official data show the cost of a typical basket of groceries in Italy has increased 29.5% over five years, continuing to squeeze household consumption despite a broader slowdown in inflation.

Meloni Coalition Divides Over Proposed Runoff Election Reform

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s proposal for a runoff voting system has drawn opposition from the League, exposing divisions within Italy’s governing coalition over electoral strategy and efforts to limit the rise of controversial candid...

Tornado Strikes Cremona, Injuring About 40 and Damaging Cathedral

Emergency crews were deployed across Lombardy after a tornado hit Cremona, injuring around 40 people, damaging the city’s historic cathedral and disrupting local transport and commercial activity.

Sardinia Battles Severe Wildfires as Temperatures Approach 46 Degrees Celsius

Italian civil protection authorities deployed aerial firefighting units across Sardinia after temperatures neared 46 degrees Celsius in Jerzu, damaging agricultural areas and triggering emergency health measures.

Italy Faces Population Decline of More Than 13 Million by 2080

New demographic projections show Italy’s population shrinking by more than 13 million by 2080, intensifying concerns over future labor shortages, productivity and the sustainability of the pension system.

Italian Markets Turn Volatile as U.S.-Iran Tensions Threaten Energy Supplies

Italian government bonds and energy shares have faced heightened volatility after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, raising concerns over further disruption to European and Mediterranean energy supplies.

Italy Extends Schengen Border Controls With Spain for Another 15 Days

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has extended temporary border controls with Spain for 15 days, prompting reciprocal measures from Madrid as tensions rise over the handling of Mediterranean migration.

OECD Cuts Italy’s 2026 Growth Forecast to 0.4% as Energy Prices Rise

The OECD has lowered Italy’s economic growth forecast to 0.4% this year, warning that higher energy costs linked to Middle East instability will weigh on household spending and industrial investment.

Veneto Promotes Prosecco Hills for Autumn Wine Tourism

Tourism authorities in Veneto have launched international campaigns promoting the UNESCO-listed Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene ahead of the autumn grape harvest.

Milan Expands Autumn Contemporary Art Program

Milan institutions including Fondazione Prada and Sforza Castle are extending September exhibitions and international contemporary art programming as the city strengthens its appeal to cultural tourists and creative industries.

Rome Prepares September Festival Calendar to Support International Tourism

Rome is preparing to host the Romaeuropa Festival, Vinòforum and the Roma Bar Show during September as tourism officials seek to attract higher-spending international cultural and hospitality visitors.

Climber Dies in Dolomites as Authorities Renew Alpine Safety Warnings

Mountain rescue teams recovered the body of a climber on Piz da Peres in South Tyrol, prompting authorities to renew warnings over the risks of demanding expeditions in the Italian Dolomites.

Inter Milan and Juventus Open Serie A Season With Strong Victories

Inter Milan and Juventus have recorded commanding early-season wins in Serie A, boosting attention and commercial momentum around Italy’s top football competition.

Ferrari Unveils Michael Schumacher Tribute Livery Ahead of Italian Grand Prix

Scuderia Ferrari has introduced a special Formula One livery and merchandise collection marking 30 years since Michael Schumacher joined the team, ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Air Campania Rolls Out Digital Ticketing and Revised Routes Across Southern Italy

Regional transport operator Air Campania is introducing smart-card subscriptions and route changes across Naples, Avellino and Benevento as part of a wider modernization of public transport services.

RAI Investigative Program Faces Internal Dispute Over Editorial Independence

An internal conflict within RAI’s investigative program Report has drawn national scrutiny over alleged politicization at the state broadcaster and renewed concerns about editorial independence.

Former Culture Minister Dario Franceschini Discloses Parkinson’s Diagnosis

Democratic Party Senator and former Culture Minister Dario Franceschini has revealed that he has been living with Parkinson’s disease for six years, prompting expressions of support across Italy’s political parties.

Italy Expects 10 Million Domestic Travelers in September

About 10 million Italians are expected to take domestic holidays during September, supporting late-summer tourism revenue in coastal destinations, luxury hotels and historic cities.

Lombardy Suspends Regional E-Vai Electric Car-Sharing Service

FNM Group’s E-Vai electric car-sharing network suspended operations across Lombardy from Sept. 1, highlighting operational and financial challenges facing regional sustainable transport services.

Italian Banks Assess Corporate Credit Risks as Borrowing Costs Stay Elevated

Financial regulators and lenders are examining the ability of Italian small and medium-sized companies to withstand prolonged high borrowing costs amid concern that tighter European monetary conditions could increase corporate defaults.

Bank of Italy Questions Cost Advantage of Stablecoin Remittances

A Bank of Italy study found that stablecoin transfers on major international routes are often more expensive and complex than conventional remittance services, challenging claims that crypto-based payments consistently reduce transaction...

Enel Shares Gain 44% This Year on Renewable Energy Expansion

Shares in Italian utility Enel have risen 44% since the start of the year as investors back the company’s expansion in renewable generation and regulated electricity networks.

UniCredit Shares Hold Near Highs as Return on Equity Tops 16%

UniCredit shares remained around the mid-€80 range in Milan as investors continued to support the bank’s multi-year restructuring, which has lifted return on equity above 16%.

Italian and Swiss Authorities Investigate Fatal Shooting at Aarau Music Festival

Italian judicial and consular officials are working with Swiss authorities after a 22-year-old Italian woman was killed in a shooting at an electronic music festival in Aarau, with counter-terrorism protocols activated during the investi...

Sardinia Issues Maximum Heat Alerts as Temperatures Approach 46°C

Civil protection authorities in Sardinia activated emergency measures as temperatures near Jerzu approached 46 degrees Celsius, worsening drought conditions and increasing wildfire risks across the island.

EU Suspends Brazilian Meat Imports Over Health Concerns

The European Commission has suspended imports of Brazilian meat and animal products pending compliance with veterinary and sanitary requirements, a decision supported by Italian authorities that could affect domestic food-processing supp...

Italy Extends Diesel Tax Relief as Global Oil Prices Rise

The Italian government has prolonged a reduction in diesel excise duties into early September to limit the impact of higher crude prices on households, agriculture and commercial transport.

Stellantis Reshuffles European Leadership and Cuts Production Shifts in Southern Italy

Stellantis has reorganized its European executive team while reducing September production shifts at its Melfi plant, reflecting mounting competitive pressure during the transition to electric vehicles.

Meloni Government Nears Post-War Longevity Record as Reform Criticism Persists

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition is set to become Italy’s longest-lasting government since the Second World War on Sept. 4, marking an unusual period of political stability despite criticism over stalled institutional and admini...

Italy’s Economy Grows 0.2% in Second Quarter

Italy’s economy expanded 0.2% in the second quarter and 1.0% from a year earlier, supported by services and tourism despite continued weakness in European industry.

Italy Monitors US-Iran Escalation Over Risks to Energy Security and Mediterranean Shipping

Italian foreign affairs and defense officials are monitoring military confrontations involving US forces and Iranian proxies near the Strait of Hormuz, assessing potential threats to shipping routes and national energy supplies.

Italy Extends Schengen Border Controls With Spain Amid Migration Pressures

Italy has extended the suspension of reciprocal Schengen border arrangements with Spain for another 15 days as authorities respond to rising irregular migration through North African enclaves.