Rome Times

UK Drought Cuts Harvests and Raises Food-Security Fears

Record July dryness, repeated heatwaves and water restrictions are reducing crop yields across England and Wales, while farmers warn of mounting pressure on domestic food production.

Bank of Italy Study Identifies Currency Conversion as Main Cost of Cross-Border Remittances

Research by the Bank of Italy finds that currency conversion markups remain the main cost barrier for international remittances, while blockchain transfer fees account for less than half a percent of total remittance costs.

Drought and Extreme Heat Threaten Northern Italy’s Agricultural Production

Farmers in Lombardy and Piedmont are facing severe water shortages as prolonged drought accelerates grape ripening and contributes to a ten percent decline in milk production, adding to financial pressure on the region’s agricultural sec...

Italian Retail and Food Sales Decline as Inflation Pressures Consumers

Italy’s national statistics institute reported a zero point one percent monthly decline in retail sales, with food purchases falling sharply as inflation approaching three percent continues to squeeze household purchasing power.

Italy Expects Record 97 Million Tourist Overnight Stays in August

Italian tourism groups expect visitors to generate ninety-seven million overnight stays this month, including fifty-two million from domestic travellers and forty-four million from international visitors, although extreme heat is shiftin...

Italy’s Economic Growth Forecast Raised to 0.9 Percent for the Year

Italy’s Parliamentary Budget Office has raised its forecast for annual economic growth to zero point nine percent, citing stronger-than-expected resilience during the first half of the year despite continued international trade uncertainty.

Italy Places All 27 Major Cities Under Maximum Heat Alert

Italian health authorities have issued the highest heat warning for all twenty-seven monitored cities, from Trieste to Palermo, as temperatures approach forty degrees Celsius and place additional pressure on emergency services.

Meloni Government Rejects Spanish Demands Over Temporary Border Controls

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has rejected foreign demands over its border policy, saying temporary checks on arrivals from Spain will remain until at least mid-August to address migration and terrorism risks.

Spain Introduces Border Checks on Travellers From Italy Amid Schengen Dispute

Spain has introduced random identity checks at airports and ports for travellers arriving from Italy, escalating a dispute after Rome rejected Madrid’s demand to reverse its suspension of Schengen free movement linked to the Ceuta migrat...

European Commission Approves Italy’s Revised Recovery and Resilience Plan

The European Commission has approved Italy’s proposed changes to its post-pandemic recovery plan, clearing a key procedural step toward unlocking the final twenty-eight point four billion euros in funding for infrastructure and other dom...

Bank of Italy Says Stablecoins Remain Less Efficient Than Traditional Payment Systems

A new Bank of Italy report concluded that stablecoins are currently less efficient and carry greater risks than established interbank payment systems, reinforcing the central bank's cautious approach to digital finance.

Italy Approves New Artificial Intelligence Framework for Universities and Research

University and Research Minister Anna Maria Bernini presented new rules to standardize the use, funding and governance of artificial intelligence across Italy's higher education and public research institutions.

Italy and Spain Face Diplomatic Friction Over Mediterranean Migration Policy

Rome and Madrid exchanged criticism over border controls and migrant repatriation funding following the recent surge of crossings into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, exposing continuing divisions over European migration policy.

Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Invests More Than Twenty Billion Euros in Italy's Economy

State investment bank Cassa Depositi e Prestiti said it deployed more than twenty billion euros during the first half of the year to finance infrastructure, business expansion and public administration projects aimed at supporting econom...

Italy Extends Diesel Fuel Tax Relief Through Late August

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government approved an extension of reduced diesel excise taxes, maintaining a seventeen-cent-per-liter cut to help ease transport costs and limit pressure on consumers and logistics companies.

Italy Places Twenty-Seven Cities Under Maximum Heat Alert

Health and civil protection authorities issued the highest heat warnings for twenty-seven major cities as extreme temperatures increased pressure on healthcare services, disrupted outdoor work and raised concerns over water supplies.

Italy's Economy Expands in the Second Quarter Despite Manufacturing Weakness

Official data from Istat showed Italy's gross domestic product grew by zero point two percent in the second quarter, with gains in services and construction offsetting ongoing weakness in manufacturing and exports.

Intesa Sanpaolo Raises Full-Year Outlook After Strong First-Half Results

Italy's largest retail bank reported first-half net profit of five billion five hundred million euros and lifted its annual guidance to more than ten billion euros, supported by resilient lending margins and strong wealth management income.

Eni Reports First-Half Profit of Three Point Six Billion Euros

Italian energy group Eni posted first-half net profit of three billion six hundred million euros, supported by strong operations and continued diversification of gas supplies across North Africa and the Mediterranean as Europe reduces re...

European Regulators Approve UniCredit to Increase Its Commerzbank Stake Beyond Thirty Percent

German financial regulators approved UniCredit's request to raise its holding above the thirty percent threshold in Commerzbank, marking a significant step in European banking consolidation and expanding the Italian lender's presence in ...

Pope Leo XIV Highlights Vatican's Expanding Digital Outreach

Pope Leo XIV addressed the Supreme Convention of the Knights of Columbus by video, underscoring the Vatican's continued efforts to strengthen its global communications and engagement through digital platforms.

More Italian Companies Adopt Gender Equality Certification

Federmanager reported growing corporate uptake of Italy's gender equality certification, with businesses seeking governance benefits and stronger positions in public procurement despite women remaining underrepresented in senior leadership.

Italian Fashion Artisans Target Middle East and Asia With Export Roadshow

Confartigianato Imprese launched an international exhibition programme spanning Milan, Dubai and Hong Kong to connect Italian artisan fashion producers with high-end buyers in overseas markets.

Bank of Italy Moves Central Credit Register Fully Onto Digital Identity Platform

The Bank of Italy will end certified email requests for access to the Central Credit Register, requiring individuals and businesses to use the national digital identity system as part of a broader administrative modernization effort.

Italian Households Increase Borrowing as Living Costs Remain Elevated

Experian data showed mortgage applications rose nine percent year on year in July, while demand for short-term consumer credit jumped twenty-nine percent as households continued to navigate higher living costs.

Italy Expands Digital Highway Tolling Network

Highway operators are accelerating the rollout of frictionless electronic tolling systems to reduce congestion, cut vehicle emissions and modernize the country's road transport infrastructure.

Venice Reports Fewer Peak Crowding Days After Tourist Entry Fee

Officials said Venice's daily visitor access charge has reduced the number of days reaching critical overcrowding levels, offering an early example of how pricing measures may help manage overtourism.

Veneto Recruits South American Nurses to Ease Healthcare Workforce Shortages

Authorities in Veneto are expanding recruitment efforts in Brazil and Argentina to address persistent shortages of qualified nurses as demographic pressures continue to strain Italy's public health system.

Lazio Launches €115 Million Aerospace and Defence Investment Programme

The Lazio regional government unveiled a major investment package to expand aerospace, satellite and defence manufacturing around Rome as Italy seeks to strengthen its role in the European defence supply chain.

Funding Gap Emerges for Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics Infrastructure

Investigative reports indicate local and regional authorities face a funding shortfall of around one billion euros for infrastructure linked to the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, prompting calls for additional national financial support.