Rome Times

Female Directors Take Leading Honours at Venice Film Festival

The Venice Film Festival awarded several of its leading prizes to female filmmakers, with prominent works exploring themes including memory, identity and international conflict.

President Mattarella Calls for Agricultural and Environmental Action at Terra Madre

President Sergio Mattarella warned of the consequences of environmental degradation during the Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin, highlighting biodiversity and sustainable food production.

Italy Braces for Unseasonable Early-October Heat After Weeks of Storms

Meteorologists forecast an unusually warm spell across Italy in early October, creating sharp temperature swings that could complicate agricultural harvests and public health conditions after recent flooding.

Fiera del Levante Concludes in Bari After More Than 3,000 Participants

The annual Fiera del Levante trade exhibition ended in Puglia after drawing more than 3,000 participants across 150 business and institutional events focused on southern Italy’s economy and industry.

Siena Prosecutors Recreate David Rossi’s Fatal Fall in Renewed Monte dei Paschi Investigation

Judicial authorities conducted a new forensic simulation of the fall that killed former Monte dei Paschi communications director David Rossi as investigators continue examining disputed circumstances surrounding his death.

Grand Hotel di Riccione Sells at Auction for €29.3 Million

The historic Grand Hotel di Riccione was sold for €29.3 million after an auction attracted 16 competing bids, highlighting investor demand for premium Italian hospitality assets.

Enel and Eni Plenitude Launch Major Discounts in Italy’s Retail Energy Market

Enel and Eni Plenitude announced consumer electricity and gas offers featuring discounts of between 30% and 50% from next year as competition intensifies in Italy’s liberalised energy market.

Italy Plays Down Reports of Potential Russian Drone Threats

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto urged restraint after reports raised the possibility of Russian drone operations targeting infrastructure in Italy and other European countries.

Colosseum Archaeological Park Closes After Serious Workplace Accident

Authorities closed the Colosseum and surrounding archaeological park following a serious accident involving maintenance workers, triggering an investigation into workplace safety procedures at the landmark site.

Mount Etna Ash Forces Temporary Suspension of Flights at Catania Airport

Catania Airport suspended incoming and outgoing flights after volcanic ash from Mount Etna affected runways, disrupting tourism and commercial transport across eastern Sicily.

Meloni Signals Government Support for Italian Fashion Industry During Milan Fashion Week

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended events surrounding Milan Fashion Week as her government underscored the economic importance of Italy’s fashion and luxury industries.

Center-Right Wins Reggio Calabria By-Election as Turnout Falls to 22.3%

Center-right candidate Fabio Roscioli won the Reggio Calabria-Locri parliamentary by-election with 51.02% of the vote, while turnout dropped to 22.34%.

Italian Unions Plan Nationwide October Strikes Across Transport, Education and Aviation

Trade unions announced a wave of industrial action for October spanning railways, schools and aviation as workers challenge the government’s economic and wage policies.

OECD Raises Italy’s Economic Growth Outlook

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development upgraded its forecast for Italian economic growth, pointing to resilience in manufacturing and exports even as household purchasing power remains under pressure.

Italy Delays Euro 5 Diesel Restrictions in Northern Regions Until 2027

An emergency measure postponed planned restrictions on Euro 5 diesel vehicles, with Lombardy delaying implementation until October 2027 while authorities develop alternative measures to meet air-quality requirements.

Italy Proposes Wider 33% Income Tax Bracket for Middle-Income Earners

Deputy Economy Minister Maurizio Leo proposed extending the 33% income tax bracket to earnings of up to €60,000, a change the government says could deliver annual savings of as much as €1,000 for some middle-income taxpayers.

Italy Approves 30% Classroom Cap and Ban on Burqas and Niqabs in Schools

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet approved a decree introducing a 30% cap affecting certain foreign pupils in classrooms and banning full-face coverings including burqas and niqabs in schools, with fines of up to €1,000 for violati...

Italian Court Convicts Three Egyptian Agents Over Kidnapping of Giulio Regeni

A Rome court sentenced three Egyptian intelligence officers to 10 years in prison for the 2016 kidnapping of Italian researcher Giulio Regeni, while dropping murder charges against the three and acquitting a fourth defendant.

Italy Moves Toward Naval Protection for Commercial Shipping Through Bab al-Mandeb

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy is prepared to act independently of European Union decision-making to protect Italian commercial vessels through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, with any deployment to be coordinated with the governme...

Italian Antitrust Authority Opens Investigation Into Intesa Sanpaolo Bid for Monte dei Paschi

Italy’s competition regulator opened an investigation into Intesa Sanpaolo’s proposed takeover of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena to assess potential market concentration as the transaction moves forward following shareholder approval.

Italy’s Senate Approves Framework Paving Way for Return to Nuclear Power

Italy’s Senate gave final approval to legislation establishing a framework for next-generation nuclear energy, reversing decades of policy and opening the way for technologies such as small modular reactors, although the law does not its...

Moldovan Rapper Deported from Milan Following Highway Blockade

Italian law enforcement has formally deported Moldovan rapper Bratan after he led a large convoy of scooters to illegally blockade a regional highway to film a music video.

Low Voter Turnout Marks Supplementary Elections in Reggio Calabria

Center-right candidate Fabio Roscioli won the parliamentary supplementary elections in Regregio Calabria, though the mandate was weakened by an unprecedented voter turnout of only 15 percent.

Workplace Accident Leads to Temporary Closure of the Colosseum

The Colosseum in Rome has been closed to tourists following a severe workplace accident involving maintenance staff, prompting new debates regarding safety standards at historical sites.

Railways Transport Thousands of Children for Papal Audience

The national operator Ferrovie dello Stato coordinated 18 high-speed trains to transport over 7,000 children from across Italy to the Vatican for a private audience with the Pope.

Luna Rossa Sailing Victories Spark Celebrations in Naples

The Italian Luna Rossa sailing syndicate has triggered widespread celebrations along the Naples waterfront following a series of international victories, boosting hopes for the America Cup.

BEX Space Economy Conference Opens in Rimini

The Rimini Expo Centre has launched the first international conference dedicated to the space economy, aiming to integrate advanced aerospace technology with Italy's traditional manufacturing sectors.

Unseasonable Heatwave Expected to Extend Southern Italy Tourism Season

Meteorological agencies are forecasting an intense anti-cyclone that will bring temperatures up to 31 degrees across the Italian peninsula, potentially extending the summer tourism season in coastal regions.

Catania Airport Reopens Following Mount Etna Volcanic Eruption

Aviation authorities have successfully reopened Catania International Airport in Sicily after a massive ash cloud from Mount Etna forced a three-day shutdown of the regional transport hub.

Italian Corporate Revenues Show Growth Following Period of Stagnation

A financial report from Mediobanca indicates that revenues for major Italian corporations are growing steadily, driven by resilient manufacturing exports and a stabilizing luxury market.

Genoa International Boat Show Reveals Split in Maritime Market

The conclusion of the Genoa International Boat Show highlighted a fragmented market, where demand for large luxury superyachts is surging while manufacturers of medium and small vessels face declining domestic sales.

Venice Authorities Debate Increasing Tourist Entry Fee to 30 Euros

Municipal authorities in Venice are considering raising the daily tourist entry fee to 30 euros in an attempt to manage the high volume of day-trippers visiting the lagoon city.

Italian Hospitality Sector Faces Crisis as Bars and Cafes Close Rapidly

The business association Confesercenti reports that eleven bars and cafes are closing permanently every day across Italy, with Rome experiencing the most significant losses in the sector.

Sicilian Trucking Groups Announce Road Blockades Over Fuel Tax Reductions

Commercial trucking and agricultural associations in Sicily have planned a multi-day transport blockade for October to protest government cuts to diesel excise tax discounts that are impacting logistics margins.

Eni Implements National Price Cap on Petrol and Diesel

Energy company Eni has introduced a nationwide price cap of 1.99 euros for petrol and 2.19 euros for diesel, leading competitor IP to announce similar discounts to assist Italian motorists.

Stellantis Extends Production Shutdown at Mirafiori Plant

The automaker Stellantis has extended the production stoppage at its Turin-based Mirafiori plant to eight days, citing an engine shortage for the Fiat 500, though trade unions suggest the move follows falling international demand.

Major Transport Strikes Threaten Italian Rail and Aviation Networks in October

National transport unions have announced a coordinated wave of strikes throughout October, which are expected to cause severe disruptions to the national railway system, public schools, and easyJet flight operations.

Unioncamere Warns of Critical AI Investment Gap in Italian Industry

The Italian Union of Chambers of Commerce has issued a warning that only 22 percent of domestic enterprises plan to invest in Artificial Intelligence by the end of the decade, a trend that could threaten national industrial competitiveness.

Court of Auditors Gains Expanded Powers to Monitor EU Recovery Funds

The Italian parliament has approved legislation granting the central Court of Auditors in Rome expanded oversight and jurisdictional powers to monitor the distribution of billions of euros in European pandemic recovery funds.

Mediobanca Calls Shareholders to Vote on Monte dei Paschi di Siena Merger

The board of Mediobanca has summoned a historic shareholders' assembly for late October to vote on a massive merger with Banca Monte dei Pasxi di Siena, following approval from the European Central Bank.

Parliamentary Demands Grow for Investigation Into Russian Drone Threats

Opposition lawmakers from the Democratic Party are calling on the government to address Spanish intelligence reports suggesting the Russian Federation may be preparing sea-based drone attacks against infrastructure in Italy, France, and ...

Italian Government Finalises Budget Strategy Amid Upgraded Growth Forecasts

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti are completing a new public finance document following a Fitch Ratings upgrade to Italy's economic growth forecast to one percent, aiming to keep the deficit below th...

Meloni Administration Becomes Italy's Longest-Serving Postwar Government

The coalition government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has officially become the longest-serving administration in the history of the Italian Republic, maintaining political stability despite ongoing debates over economic stagnation.

Italy's National Debt Surpasses 3.2 Trillion Euros

New macroeconomic analysis shows Italian public debt has climbed above 3.2 trillion euros, reaching 135 percent of gross domestic product and sparking urgent concerns regarding the sustainability of national welfare spending.