Rome Times

Inter Milan and AS Roma Take Early Lead in Serie A

Inter Milan and AS Roma secured important weekend victories to move to the front of the Serie A standings as attention turns toward an upcoming Juventus-AC Milan fixture.

Vatican Academy Urges Governments to Prioritise Palliative Care Over Military Spending

The Pontifical Academy for Life has called on governments to direct more public funding toward healthcare and palliative care rather than weapons programmes, entering Italy’s debate over defence and hospital spending.

Italian Teachers Protest Pay and School Infrastructure as Classes Resume

Education unions are staging protests as millions of students return to school, demanding higher teacher salaries and greater government investment in public education infrastructure.

Consob Approves Several Major Corporate Deals on Milan Stock Exchange

Italy’s securities regulator has cleared several high-profile corporate consolidation transactions as authorities seek to reduce regulatory obstacles and attract more foreign investment.

Barilla Acquires US Macaroni and Cheese Brand Goodles

Italian food group Barilla has bought fast-growing American brand Goodles as the Parma-based company seeks to broaden its North American portfolio and reach younger consumers.

Italy Considers Tighter Rules on Short-Term Rentals in Major Tourist Cities

Parliament is reviewing measures to curb the spread of tourist apartments in historic centres including Florence and Rome as policymakers seek to balance tourism income with housing affordability.

Italy Employment Holds Above 63% as Demographers Warn of Long-Term Population Decline

Italy’s employment rate remained above 63% in July, while demographic projections warned that the country could lose more than 13 million residents by 2080 without significant intervention.

Italian Gas Bills for Vulnerable Households Rise Nearly 7% in August

Energy regulator Arera says natural gas costs for vulnerable households increased by almost 7% because of wholesale market movements, adding pressure on consumers ahead of the winter heating season.

Italy Evacuates Five Activists From West Bank Village Amid Settler Clashes

The Italian Foreign Ministry has helped evacuate five nationals from the Palestinian village of Qusra amid escalating clashes with Israeli settlers and called for an immediate reduction in violence.

RAI Investigative Journalist Sigfrido Ranucci Alleges Political Censorship

Report presenter Sigfrido Ranucci has accused government-aligned executives at Italy’s public broadcaster RAI of trying to remove him, intensifying debate over press freedom and political influence at the network.

Foreign Investors Increase Purchases of Italian Government Bonds

International institutional demand for Italian multi-year government debt has risen, indicating continued investor confidence in the country’s fiscal outlook ahead of difficult budget negotiations.

Italy Nears Decision on Sale of Banca Popolare di Bari

State-owned Mediocredito Centrale is evaluating competing bids for rescued lender Banca Popolare di Bari as the government moves toward completing its privatisation.

Italo Plans German Rail Expansion to Challenge Deutsche Bahn

Italian private high-speed rail operator Italo plans to launch passenger services in Germany, extending its business beyond Italy and increasing competition in Europe’s largest rail market.

EssilorLuxottica Faces Leadership Dispute as Del Vecchio Heir Challenges CEO

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio has publicly criticised Chief Executive Francesco Milleri and called for a change of direction at Delfin-controlled EssilorLuxottica after steep declines in the company’s share price.

Eni Advances €3 Billion Share Buyback as Italy Pursues Privatisation

Italian energy group Eni is accelerating a €3 billion share repurchase programme intended to help the Economy Ministry reduce its stake while preserving overall state control.

Mount Etna Eruption Triggers Red Aviation Alert and Flight Disruptions at Catania

Intensifying volcanic activity at Mount Etna has prompted Italy to issue its highest aviation warning, grounding flights at Catania airport and disrupting travel across eastern Sicily.

Italian Coalition Divides Over Proposed Tax on Bank Profits

Italy’s governing parties are at odds over a proposed levy on bank profits ahead of budget negotiations, with the League backing the measure and Forza Italia opposing it.

Meloni Defends Italy’s Economic Stability and Privatisation Programme

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni used the Ambrosetti forum in Cernobbio to highlight Italy’s economic resilience and defend the government’s privatisation strategy as European manufacturing remains under pressure.

Former Ilva Steelworks Begins Layoffs of More Than 2,500 Workers

Administrators at the troubled Taranto steel plant have issued dismissal notices to more than 2,500 employees as industrial group Marcegaglia considers possible involvement in a rescue of the facility.

Tata Motors Launches Takeover Offer for Italian Truckmaker Iveco

Italian regulator Consob has approved Tata Motors’ multi-billion-euro bid for Turin-based Iveco, opening the way for a major ownership change at one of Italy’s best-known commercial vehicle manufacturers.

Intesa Sanpaolo Prepares Shareholder Vote on Monte dei Paschi Takeover

Italy’s largest bank is finalising its approach ahead of a September shareholder meeting on the proposed acquisition of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, a deal that could significantly reshape the country’s banking sector.

Napoli’s Scott McTominay to Undergo Surgery for Irregular Heartbeat

Napoli said midfielder Scott McTominay requires corrective cardiac surgery after doctors detected an irregular heartbeat, ruling the recent signing out for an unspecified period.

Inter Milan Agrees $40 Million Deal for Tottenham Defender Djed Spence

Inter Milan has signed English defender Djed Spence from Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year contract in a deal valued at about $40 million.

Pierre Gasly Takes Surprise Pole at Italian Grand Prix in Monza

Alpine driver Pierre Gasly secured pole position at Monza ahead of Ferrari and Mercedes, delivering an unexpected qualifying result at Italy’s flagship Formula One race.

Pope Leo Calls for International Financing to Rebuild Gaza

Pope Leo urged governments and international institutions to mobilise financial and logistical support for post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza, framing the rebuilding effort as a global moral responsibility.

Italian Police Recover Renaissance Paintings Worth More Than $10 Million

Specialised police units recovered four stolen Renaissance works, including paintings attributed to Antonello da Messina, after dismantling a Moldovan smuggling network linked to a major museum theft.

Venice Film Festival Drives Luxury Fashion and Hospitality Spending Across Veneto

Global brands including Gucci, Armani and Saint Laurent are using the Venice Film Festival as a major marketing platform, boosting premium hospitality and retail activity across the city and surrounding region.

Spain Extends Border Checks on Travellers Arriving From Italy

Spanish authorities will maintain passport and security controls on arrivals from Italy until late September amid continued concerns over Mediterranean migration and cross-border security.

Explosion at Munitions Factory South of Rome Triggers Major Emergency Response

A powerful blast at an explosives and munitions facility in Lazio prompted a large deployment of fire and rescue services and opened a government investigation into industrial safety standards.

Milan Stocks Slip as Investors Take Profits in Major Italian Banks

The FTSE MIB came under pressure as investors sold shares in leading lenders including UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo and BPER Banca following strong sector performance.

Rome Military Prosecutors Investigate Roberto Vannacci Over Alleged Fascist Party Reconstitution

Military magistrates in Rome have opened an investigation into retired general and European Parliament member Roberto Vannacci over allegations that his political activity may violate constitutional restrictions on re-establishing the Fa...

Italian Foreign Minister Warns of Russian Disinformation Targeting National Institutions

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said intelligence services are monitoring Russian digital interference and disinformation efforts aimed at influencing public opinion and destabilising Italy’s political environment.

Italy Becomes Europe’s Most Booked Summer Destination as Regional Tourism Expands

Italy recorded the highest online travel agency saturation rate in Europe at 51.2%, with strong international demand for destinations including Calabria, Umbria and the northern lakes.

Wildfires Near Lake Garda Force Evacuation of at Least 200 Residents and Tourists

Severe heat and dry conditions have fueled fires around Lake Garda, prompting large-scale emergency deployments and the evacuation of at least 200 people from the major northern Italian tourism area.

Drought Deepens Across Northern Italy and Threatens Po Valley Agriculture

Persistently low river levels are threatening late-season agricultural output in the Po Valley, increasing pressure on one of Italy’s most important farming and food-export regions.

Extreme September Heatwave Pushes Temperatures Far Above Normal Across Italy

An African anticyclone is driving temperatures as much as eight degrees Celsius above seasonal averages in cities including Milan and Rome, increasing electricity demand and raising the risk of record September heat.

Stellantis to Temporarily Halt Production at Turin’s Mirafiori Plant

Stellantis told labour unions it will suspend assembly at its Mirafiori factory because of shortages of specialised engine components, renewing concerns over automotive supply-chain resilience in Italy.

Mount Etna Eruption Forces Shutdown of Catania Airport and Disrupts Hundreds of Flights

A major eruption from Mount Etna sent volcanic ash across eastern Sicily, forcing authorities to close Catania Airport and disrupting travel for thousands of passengers.

European Commission Forecasts Italian Growth of 0.5% This Year and 0.6% Next Year

The European Commission expects Italy’s economy to expand modestly over the next two years, with investment linked to the national recovery and resilience programme providing a key source of support.

Italy’s Economy Minister Reassures Markets Over Sovereign Debt Refinancing

Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said Italy remains fully capable of refinancing its large public debt burden, pushing back against concerns over the country’s longer-term fiscal outlook.

Italy’s Private Banking Assets Projected to Reach €1.49 Trillion

Assets managed by Italian private banks are expected to rise 5.2% this year to €1.49 trillion as wealthy entrepreneurs and family offices move more capital into sophisticated wealth-management structures.

Italy Sends Largest-Ever Parliamentary Delegation to Taiwan for Semiconductor Talks

A cross-party group of Italian lawmakers has arrived in Taipei for talks with technology companies and officials as Rome seeks to strengthen access to critical semiconductor supply chains.

Stellantis Italian Production Rises 13.7% on Strong Hybrid Vehicle Demand

Stellantis increased vehicle output at its Italian plants by 13.7% in the first half, producing more than 250,000 units as demand for models including the Jeep Compass and Fiat 500 hybrid supported domestic manufacturing.

Italy Reports 0.2% Second-Quarter Growth as Employment Rises by More Than 300,000

Italy’s statistics institute confirmed that gross domestic product expanded by 0.2% in the second quarter, supported by more than 300,000 additional permanent jobs over the past year.

Meloni Government Becomes Longest-Serving Continuous Administration in Italian Republic

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition has surpassed 1,413 consecutive days in office, setting a postwar longevity record that the government is using to underline political and fiscal stability.