Rome Times

Juventus Restructures Squad and Wages to Maximise Champions League Revenue

Juventus has overhauled its playing squad and wage structure during the final days of the transfer window as the Turin club seeks to strengthen its position and maximise revenues from the expanded UEFA Champions League format.

Pope Francis Warns Global Institutions Over Inequality and Regional Conflicts

Pope Francis has urged international financial institutions and European policymakers to reconsider economic priorities, warning that widening inequality and continuing regional conflicts threaten the stability of modern democracies.

Italian Luxury Brands Shift Investment Toward India, Southeast Asia and the Middle East

Luxury companies in Lombardy and Tuscany are redirecting marketing and retail investment toward emerging Asian and Middle Eastern markets as demand from Chinese luxury consumers moderates.

Italian Banks Increase Artificial Intelligence Investment to Counter Cyber Threats

The Bank of Italy and major financial institutions are increasing spending on artificial intelligence systems as they seek to strengthen banking infrastructure against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks targeting European financial ...

Helicopter Crash in Piedmont Kills Two and Cuts Power to Alpine Communities

Two people have died after a light helicopter struck cable-car power lines and crashed in the Antrona Valley, prompting an aviation investigation and temporarily disrupting electricity supplies to surrounding communities.

Italy Celebrates 90th Birthday of Songwriter Mogol

Italian political, cultural and entertainment figures have celebrated the 90th birthday of Giulio Rapetti Mogol, whose songwriting career and reported global sales of 500 million records have made him a major figure in Italy’s cultural h...

Mediterranean Migrant Arrivals Rise 2 Percent as Italy Expands Maritime Surveillance

Italy has recorded a 2 percent increase in maritime migrant arrivals during the first eight months of the year, prompting the Interior Ministry to deploy 16 naval vessels and five aircraft to monitor smuggling routes in the Central Medit...

Italy Wins EU Fiscal Flexibility for Heat Pumps and Next-Generation Nuclear Investment

Italian ministers have secured European Union fiscal exemptions allowing targeted state support for domestic heat-pump manufacturing and initial investment in next-generation nuclear technology.

Italian Regulator Orders Meta and LinkedIn to Compensate Publisher GEDI for News Content

Italy’s communications regulator AGCOM has ordered Meta and LinkedIn to provide fair remuneration to publishing group GEDI, in a landmark dispute over how digital platforms compensate news organisations for the use of journalistic content.

Confcommercio Says Essential Household Costs Consume More Than 40 Percent of Italian Spending

Italy’s national retail association says energy, housing and utility costs now account for nearly 42 percent of household spending, leaving less money for discretionary purchases and putting further pressure on retailers and hospitality ...

Italy Withdraws From October European Military Exercises Supporting Ukraine

Italy’s Defence Ministry says Italian forces will not participate in upcoming European coalition exercises supporting Ukraine, marking a change in Rome’s planned military involvement in the conflict.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio Resigns From EssilorLuxottica Board

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio has stepped down from the board of EssilorLuxottica as the Milan-based eyewear group undertakes a broader governance overhaul aimed at streamlining its corporate structure.

OECD Raises Italy’s Growth Forecast to 0.5 Percent

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has upgraded its forecast for Italian gross domestic product growth to 0.5 percent, citing resilience in industry and continued expansion in services despite weakness elsewhere i...

Lombardy Healthcare System Carries Out Italy’s First Publicly Supported Assisted Suicide

Lombardy’s public healthcare system has facilitated the first medically assisted suicide in Italy, following a Constitutional Court ruling that is expected to intensify the country’s legal and political debate over end-of-life care.

Italy Plans €700 Million Public Housing Fund as Rental Costs Rise

State investment agency Invitalia is preparing a €700 million public housing tender for September as the government seeks to expand affordable housing supply in areas including Rome and Veneto.

Meloni Marks Amatrice Earthquake Anniversary With New Infrastructure Programme

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says the government has paid €8 billion to private citizens affected by the 2016 earthquake and is preparing 3,600 public infrastructure projects to support reconstruction across central Italy.

Italy Moves to Ease Diplomatic Tensions With Trump Administration

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has stressed the strength of Italy’s alliance with the United States as Rome works to contain tensions following a public dispute between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Donald Trump.

Italy Approves Emergency Measures to Keep Ex-Ilva Taranto Steelworks Operating

The Council of Ministers has approved a decree guaranteeing continued operations at the Taranto steelworks, seeking to protect thousands of jobs in southern Italy and preserve domestic capacity in a strategically important industrial sup...

Monte dei Paschi Advances €34 Billion Bid for Banco BPM and Banca Generali

State-backed Monte dei Paschi di Siena is pursuing a €34 billion consolidation strategy involving Banco BPM and Banca Generali, intensifying the competition for scale across Italy’s banking sector.

Italy Extends Diesel Tax Relief to Shield Households and Supply Chains From High Fuel Costs

The government has secured €130 million in emergency funding from major domestic energy companies to extend fuel-tax reductions into early September as diesel prices remain above €2 a litre, easing pressure on transport operators and low...

Italy Seeks €8 Billion in EU Defence Funding to Accelerate Military Investment

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has formally requested €8 billion from the European Union’s Security Action for Europe fund to modernise Italy’s military capabilities and defence infrastructure amid growing geopolitical tensions.

TSA Unveils Major Airport-Security Overhaul as It Drops Gold+ Privatization Plan

The new Horizon 25 strategy will expand existing private-screening partnerships, upgrade TSA PreCheck, speed the introduction of new checkpoint technology and strengthen defenses against drones.

TikTok Agrees to $400 Million Privacy Settlement as Italian Scrutiny Grows

TikTok has agreed to a $400 million settlement over children's privacy violations, adding to pressure on Italian regulators to strengthen data protection and age-verification requirements for digital platforms.

Giuseppe Conte Challenges Democratic Party's Direction as Centre-Left Tensions Grow

Five Star Movement leader and former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has criticized the Democratic Party's emphasis on progressive cultural issues, exposing further differences within Italy's centre-left opposition ahead of regional electi...

Italian Political Strategist Massimiliano Cencelli Dies at the Center of Institutional Legacy

Massimiliano Cencelli, the Christian Democrat strategist associated with the political manual that became synonymous with the allocation of government appointments, has died, prompting renewed reflection on Italy's political history.

Stellantis Production in Italy Rises Nearly 14% Despite European Auto Slowdown

Stellantis vehicle production in Italy increased by nearly 14% in the first half of the year, according to industrial trade unions, providing support for Italian manufacturing despite a significant decline at the Cassino plant.

Italy Reviews Digital Regulation After Meta's $18 Billion Addiction Settlement

Italian digital regulators are examining possible new rules for social media platforms following Meta's $18 billion settlement over alleged addiction-related harms to minors, with greater scrutiny of algorithmic exposure and age verifica...

Five-Year-Old Girl in Critical Condition After Fall From Treviso Apartment

A five-year-old girl is in critical condition after falling from a fifth-floor apartment in Treviso, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances and safety conditions surrounding the incident.

Rescue Worker Dies Saving Tourist From Strong Currents Off Ligurian Coast

A rescue operator died in Andora, Liguria, while saving a tourist from dangerous coastal currents, prompting mourning and renewed discussion over safety measures and resources for Italian lifeguards.

Southern Italy Placed Under Red Heat Alerts as Extreme Temperatures Persist

Civil protection authorities have issued maximum heat warnings for Palermo and large parts of southern Italy as prolonged high temperatures threaten vulnerable residents and put additional pressure on agriculture.

Italy Tightens Highway Rules on Foreign-Registered Vehicles

The Italian government has introduced stricter traffic rules targeting foreign-registered vehicles used by residents to avoid domestic vehicle taxes and insurance requirements.

Italy Allocates €50 Million for Youth Facilities in Small Municipalities

Family Minister Eugenia Roccella has announced a €50 million fund for educational and recreational facilities for children in Italian municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents.

Eight Injured After Driver Rams Pedestrians in Modena City Centre

Police arrested a university graduate after a vehicle was deliberately driven into pedestrians in Modena, injuring eight people, including two critically, with authorities opening counter-terrorism and mental health investigations.

Italian Education Minister Proposes Tighter School Security After Teacher Stabbing

The education minister is considering stronger security measures after a 13-year-old student critically injured a 57-year-old teacher near Bergamo, including potential restrictions on weapons in schools.

Bank of Italy Governor Panetta Draws Political Criticism Over Economic Assessment

Bank of Italy Governor Fabio Panetta has faced political criticism after remarks on Italy's economic trajectory were interpreted by opposition leaders as criticism of the government's approach, particularly on technological innovation an...

Italy Forecasts Record 97 Million August Overnight Stays Despite Rising Prices

Italian tourism analysts expect 97 million overnight stays in August, with domestic and international visitors absorbing more than €500 million in additional hospitality costs linked to inflation.

Italy Rejects French Proposal for Military Training Coalition for Ukrainian Forces

Italy's Defense Ministry says Rome will not participate in military exercises proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron for Ukrainian forces, maintaining its cautious position on direct military involvement in the conflict.

Meloni Warns UK Conservative Leadership Candidate Against Alliance With Farage

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reportedly cautioned Conservative leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch against forming an alliance with Nigel Farage during a meeting in Rome, highlighting differences over the direction of European conservatism.

Diphtheria Death in Palermo Prompts Calls to Delay Sicilian School Reopening

The death of a five-year-old girl from diphtheria in Palermo has prompted a public health investigation, while infectious disease specialists are urging authorities to postpone the reopening of schools because of low vaccination coverage...

Flooding at Milan Malpensa Disrupts International Flights After Torrential Rain

Heavy rainfall flooded baggage and ticketing areas at Milan Malpensa Airport, causing flight cancellations and diversions while raising concerns about the resilience of airport drainage infrastructure.

Lombardy Facilitates First Legal Assisted Suicide Under Constitutional Court Framework

Lombardy's public health system has facilitated its first case of medically assisted suicide, marking a significant implementation of the Italian Constitutional Court's directives on end-of-life care and patient autonomy.

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio Resigns From EssilorLuxottica Roles Over Governance Dispute

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio has resigned from all executive positions at EssilorLuxottica, citing disagreement with the company's management strategy and what he described as a departure from his family's historical vision.

Intesa Sanpaolo Raises Concerns With Consob Over Monte dei Paschi Operations

Intesa Sanpaolo has submitted formal observations to Italy's market regulator Consob concerning financial operations and market transparency at Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, increasing scrutiny of the banking sector.

Italy Seeks EU Exclusion of €9 Billion in Defence Spending From Deficit Calculations

The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance is asking European authorities to exclude nearly €9 billion in military investment from national deficit calculations, citing the financial pressure created by defence commitments under current...

Italian Coalition Divides Over Proposed €4.4 Billion Bank Windfall Levy

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has opposed broad new taxes on banks' extra profits, while coalition allies are pushing for financial institutions to contribute as much as €4.4 billion to the national budget.