Rome Times

Milan Volunteers Hold Ferragosto Watermelon Festival for Homeless Residents

Hundreds of volunteers in Milan organized a traditional Ferragosto watermelon festival for homeless and vulnerable residents, providing community support as municipal services operate at reduced levels during the national holiday.

Italian Athletes Lead European Championships Medal Table With Multiple Golds

Italy's athletics team has taken the lead in the European Championships medal standings, with Gianmarco Tamberi winning high jump gold and Nadia Battocletti taking gold in both the five thousand and ten thousand metres.

Italy's Expanded Birth and Adoption Bonus Faces Application Deadline

Italy's National Social Security Institute has reminded families of the approaching deadline to apply for an expanded birth and adoption bonus, part of the government's effort to address the country's persistent demographic decline.

Italy's Judicial Reform Enters Implementation Phase After Publication in Official Gazette

Italy's comprehensive judicial and legal profession reform has been published in the Official Gazette, beginning implementation of measures intended to shorten court proceedings and help meet European Union recovery fund commitments.

Italy's Luxury Tourism Market Shifts Toward Private Villas and Tailored Experiences

Italy's tourism industry is seeing stronger demand from wealthy international travelers for private villas and curated cultural experiences in regions including Lazio, Campania and Veneto, increasing revenues for high-end local services.

More Than Twenty-Four Million Vehicles Join Italy's Ferragosto Holiday Exodus

More than twenty-four million vehicles are taking to Italy's roads during the Ferragosto holiday period, creating exceptionally heavy traffic and putting national transport infrastructure under severe pressure.

Seismic Activity in Campi Flegrei Keeps Residents Displaced as Safety Checks Continue

Civil protection authorities continue evacuations and infrastructure inspections around Naples after a magnitude four point seven earthquake caused localized damage in the Campi Flegrei volcanic area, with transport networks and building...

Italy Rejects Break-Up of Monte dei Paschi as State Privatization Plan Continues

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena should retain its unified corporate structure and brand as the Italian Treasury gradually reduces its controlling stake in the historically state-rescued bank.

Italy Unveils National Framework for Artificial Intelligence in Universities and Public Research

University and Research Minister Anna Maria Bernini has presented new guidelines for integrating artificial intelligence research and applications across Italian universities and public research institutions to strengthen technological c...

Italy Prepares Emergency Measures to Reduce Rising Diesel and Petrol Prices

Italy's Council of Ministers is preparing an emergency decree aimed at lowering diesel and petrol prices at the pump as higher transport costs fuel pressure from households and the logistics industry during the summer travel period.

Italian Government Reports Ten Percent Fall in Crime During First Half of Year

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi reported that overall crime fell ten percent in Italy during the first half of the year, alongside a decline in gender-based violence and femicide figures.

Italian Eurofighters Shoot Down Ukrainian Drone Over Latvian Airspace

Italian Eurofighter jets on a NATO air-policing mission shot down a Ukrainian military drone after it entered Latvian airspace, underscoring Italy's role in protecting the alliance's eastern flank.

Italy Advances Legislation to Support Next-Generation Nuclear Energy

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the Italian government is preparing implementation decrees to facilitate advanced nuclear reactors, with the aim of lowering industrial energy costs and strengthening national energy security.

Ferrari Tests Biofuels as Electric Model Sells Out Initial Production Allocation

Ferrari is testing carbon-neutral biofuels as it seeks to preserve combustion-engine options while developing electric vehicles, with Chief Executive Benedetto Vigna confirming that the company's first fully electric model has already so...

Meloni Warns Superbonus Legacy Continues to Constrain Italy's Public Finances

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government says the financial cost of the Superbonus housing renovation scheme continues to weigh on public accounts, limiting room for new domestic investment and forcing greater emphasis on reducing waste.

Italy's Inflation Rises to Two Point Nine Percent as Energy Costs Increase

Italy's annual inflation rate climbed to two point nine percent in July, according to the national statistics agency, as higher unregulated energy costs offset moderating food prices and added pressure on household spending.

Italian Exports Reach Nearly Sixty Billion Euros in June on Shipbuilding and German Demand

Italy's exports rose nearly ten percent in value to almost sixty billion euros in June, driven by strong shipbuilding sales and sustained industrial demand from Germany and other northern European markets.

Enel Reports Nearly Twelve Billion Euros in First-Half Earnings as Strategy Shifts Toward Retail and Grids

Italian energy company Enel reported first-half earnings of nearly twelve billion euros as it continues moving away from volatile wholesale energy trading toward fixed-price retail contracts and investment in electricity networks.

Italy and Germany Clash Over Return of Asylum Seekers Under EU Rules

Italy's Interior Ministry has refused to accept the return of asylum seekers who arrived before mid-June under the Dublin regulation, escalating a dispute with Germany over migration controls and responsibility for asylum processing.

Salvini Pushes Five Percent Levy on Profits of Italy's Ten Largest Banks

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini plans to seek a three-year five percent contribution from Italy's ten largest banks, reopening a contentious debate over financial-sector taxation ahead of the government's autumn budget law.

Meloni Defends Italy's Economic Record as Growth Outpaces Pre-Pandemic Levels

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended her economic strategy after data showed Italy's economy grew one percent over the past year, highlighting that Italy has returned to a primary surplus despite continuing productivity weaknesses.

Italy's Public Debt Surpasses Three Trillion Two Hundred Billion Euros for First Time

Italy's public debt reached a record three trillion two hundred billion euros in June, according to the Bank of Italy, highlighting the fiscal pressure facing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government ahead of European Union budget nego...

Italian Restaurants and Hospitality Venues Take More Than One Billion Euros During Ferragosto

Italy’s restaurant and food-service sector generated more than one billion euros in a single day during the Ferragosto holiday, according to Fipe, as domestic travellers spent heavily on dining and local experiences.

Italy’s Draft Budget Includes Permanent Income Tax Cut and Gold Reserve Proposal

Preliminary budget plans reported by the Italian financial press include a permanent reduction in the second income tax bracket and a proposed constitutional provision declaring Bank of Italy gold reserves to belong exclusively to the It...

Italian Campaign Calls for Children of Gaza to Receive Nobel Peace Prize

A coalition of Italian environmentalists, journalists and civil society groups has launched a national petition calling for the children of Gaza to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Modern Virgin Mary Image on Siena Palio Banner Sparks Traditionalist Backlash

The unveiling of Siena’s official Palio banner has triggered controversy among traditionalists over the artist’s modern and androgynous depiction of the Virgin Mary on the historic horse-racing banner.

Roman Man Arrested After Allegedly Killing Mother and Hiding Her Body

Police in Rome have arrested a 51-year-old man who confessed to killing his mother and concealing her remains in a wardrobe following a dispute over money allegedly connected to his drug use.

Mont Blanc Rescue Dispute Revives Debate Over Costs for Unprepared Climbers

A rescue involving stranded climbers on Mont Blanc has reignited debate in Italy and France over whether tourists who undertake inadequately prepared mountain expeditions should be required to pay for costly helicopter evacuations.

Gorizia Recognised for Accessible Green Spaces Ahead of European Capital of Culture Role

The northeastern Italian city of Gorizia has received top national recognition for the accessibility of its urban green spaces as it prepares to share the European Capital of Culture title.

Italian Police Seize 50 Kilograms of Narcotics in Barletta Drug Bust

Police in the southern city of Barletta have arrested a suspect and seized 50 kilograms of illicit drugs concealed inside a modified vehicle as authorities intensify efforts against organised crime distribution networks.

Hydrofoil Breakdown Leaves Hundreds of Tourists Stranded on Pantelleria

A major mechanical failure on a passenger hydrofoil serving Pantelleria left hundreds of tourists stranded overnight, triggering criticism of Sicily’s maritime transport services during the peak summer season.

Matteo Salvini Visits Convicted Jeweller as Italy Debates Self-Defense Laws

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has visited jailed jeweller Mario Roggero, who was convicted of murder during a robbery, using the case to renew his call for broader legal protections for armed self-defense.

Wildfire Near Lake Como Forces Evacuations as Northern Italy Faces Extreme Heat

A fast-moving wildfire on Monte Goj in Lombardy has prompted the evacuation of dozens of residents as emergency services and aircraft battle the blaze amid prolonged heat and drought conditions.

Brescia Makes Public Transport Free for Residents Under 18

The northern Italian city of Brescia has introduced free bus and metro travel for all residents under 18, combining financial support for families with an effort to encourage more sustainable urban mobility.

Gianmarco Tamberi and Nadia Battocletti Win European Athletics Championship Gold for Italy

Gianmarco Tamberi secured his fourth European high-jump title while Nadia Battocletti won the women’s 10,000 metres, delivering two major gold medals for Italy at the European Athletics Championships.

Italian Carabinieri Recover Three Stolen Cézanne, Matisse and Renoir Paintings Worth More Than Nine Million Euros

Italy’s Carabinieri art heritage unit has recovered three paintings by Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse and Pierre-Auguste Renoir that were stolen from the Magnani-Rocca Foundation near Parma, bringing back artworks valued at more than nine m...

UN Data Highlights Italy’s Youth Brain Drain as Wages and Career Prospects Remain Weak

United Nations demographic and labour data indicate that stagnant wages and limited career opportunities continue to encourage young Italian professionals to leave the country for northern Europe, challenging more optimistic government a...

Genoa Morandi Bridge Victims’ Families Condemn Government Absence at Eighth Anniversary Memorial

Families of the victims of the 2018 Morandi Bridge collapse have criticised the absence of senior state officials at the eighth-anniversary memorial, renewing anger over what they see as a lack of institutional accountability.

Italy’s Government Faces Political Pressure Over Valter Lavitola Arrest and RAI Independence

The arrest of political intermediary Valter Lavitola over an alleged plot targeting an investigative journalist has intensified debate over press freedom, with opposition parties accusing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government of exe...

Eni Completes Nearly One Billion Euros of Share Buybacks

Italian energy company Eni has completed a major tranche of its share repurchase programme worth nearly one billion euros, returning capital to international shareholders amid continued volatility in European oil and gas markets.

Stellantis Shares Fall as Italian Auto Industry Calls for Long-Term Electric Vehicle Support

Stellantis shares declined amid broader weakness in European markets, while industry executives called on the Italian government to replace short-term vehicle discounts with longer-term incentives to accelerate fleet renewal and electric...

Italian NATO Fighters Intercept Russian Drone After Latvian Airspace Breach

Italian fighter jets deployed for NATO Baltic air policing intercepted and destroyed a Russian unmanned aircraft after it entered Latvian airspace, highlighting Italy’s role in the alliance’s eastern-flank defense.

Italy Suspends Most Highway Roadworks as 24 Million Vehicles Move for Ferragosto

State road operator Anas has suspended 83% of active construction sites to ease congestion as more than 24 million vehicles are expected to travel across Italy during the peak summer holiday period.

Mount Etna Eruption Shuts Catania Airport and Disrupts Peak-Summer Travel

Heavy volcanic ash from Mount Etna forced authorities to suspend all flights at Catania International Airport, stranding thousands of travellers in Sicily during one of the busiest weeks of the summer season.

Italy Welcomes 17.4 Million Travellers During Ferragosto Holiday, Generating 15 Billion Euros

A surge of domestic and international tourism during Italy’s peak mid-August holiday period delivered an estimated 15 billion euros in economic activity for coastal resorts, art cities and hospitality businesses despite higher transport ...