Rome Times

Joe Biden’s Cancer Has Spread Beyond His Bones, Hunter Biden Says

Rai and Mediaset Accelerate Digital Shift as Streaming Takes Larger Share of Italian TV Market

Italy’s traditional broadcasters are expanding digital strategies as international streaming platforms account for twenty percent of television revenues and global technology companies capture an increasing share of digital advertising.

Southern Italy High-Speed Rail Projects Advance With European Recovery Funding

Construction milestones have been reached on high-speed rail corridors linking Naples with Bari and Sicily, with billions of euros from the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery fund supporting efforts to improve connections between no...

Italian Luxury Groups Bring More Suppliers In-House to Protect Made in Italy Production

Major fashion houses are acquiring domestic suppliers and artisanal workshops in Tuscany and Veneto to secure production capacity and preserve the authenticity of the Made in Italy label for international customers.

Italian Beach Destinations Introduce Visitor Limits to Tackle Summer Overtourism

Municipalities and regional authorities in Sardinia, Tuscany and along the Amalfi Coast are imposing visitor caps, advance reservations and new fines as they seek to manage heavy international tourism and protect vulnerable coastal areas.

Italian Unions Step Up Pressure on Government Over Wages and Temporary Contracts

Trade unions are intensifying criticism of the government over falling real wages and the spread of short-term employment contracts, raising the prospect of industrial action across transport and public services in the autumn.

Genoa and Trieste Ports See Volatile Cargo Flows as Red Sea Disruptions Persist

Italian ports in Genoa and Trieste are reporting fluctuating container traffic as shipping companies continue rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid attacks in the Red Sea.

Italy’s Privacy Watchdog Scrutinizes Media Deals With Artificial Intelligence Firms

Italy’s data protection authority has warned major media companies over data-sharing agreements with artificial intelligence developers, increasing scrutiny of privacy and copyright compliance in the expanding use of AI.

Campania Deploys Emergency Housing After Magnitude Four Point Seven Earthquake

Hundreds of residents remain evacuated in Campania after a magnitude four point seven earthquake caused infrastructure damage and dozens of injuries, prompting Italy’s civil protection authorities to provide emergency housing.

Rome Airport Cancels Anti-Drone Security Contract With Israeli Defense Company Rafael

Rome Fiumicino Airport has cancelled a contract with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to operate an anti-drone security system, reflecting growing domestic sensitivity over international defense procurement.

Italy Faces Agricultural Pressure as Heat and Drought Threaten Parmigiano Reggiano Production

Extreme summer temperatures across central and northern Italy are placing heavy stress on dairy cattle and crops, threatening production of Parmigiano Reggiano and prompting farmers to call for urgent action on water management.

Italian Luxury Groups Maintain Strong Growth as Global Demand Holds Up

Ferrari and other major Italian luxury manufacturers continue to report strong revenue and profit performance, showing resilience in high-end exports despite changing consumer confidence in Asian markets.

Eni Expands Renewable Investment and North African Gas Supplies

Italian energy group Eni is increasing investment in domestic offshore wind while securing additional natural gas supplies from North Africa as Rome seeks to reduce the Italian energy system’s dependence on Russian hydrocarbons.

UniCredit and Intesa Sanpaolo Post Strong Profits as High Rates Support Italian Banks

Italy’s two leading banks reported exceptional quarterly earnings, benefiting from elevated interest margins and strong wealth management businesses while strengthening capital positions and increasing payouts to investors.

Stellantis Reshapes Italian Production as Electric Vehicle Demand Weakens

Stellantis is adjusting production schedules at major Italian plants in Turin and southern regions as the automaker balances pressure from Rome to protect domestic jobs with weaker European demand for electric vehicles.

Meloni Orders Investigation After Death in Police Custody Sparks Bologna Protests

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has pledged a full investigation into the death of Abderrahim Fakir while he was being restrained by police, after violent protests in Bologna injured dozens of officers and reignited debate over police acco...

Former Autostrade Chief Sentenced to Twelve Years Over Morandi Bridge Collapse

An Italian court has sentenced former Autostrade per l’Italia chief executive Giovanni Castellucci to twelve years in prison over his role in the two thousand and eighteen collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, closing a major judicial...

Italy Steps Up Middle East Diplomacy as Lebanon Tensions Escalate

The Italian government is hosting high-level diplomatic talks aimed at reducing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, where Italy maintains a significant peacekeeping presence.

Italian Navy Intercepts Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker in Mediterranean

An Italian Navy vessel boarded and inspected an oil tanker west of Pantelleria that Rome identified as part of Russia’s shadow fleet, in one of Italy’s most assertive maritime actions against suspected sanctions evasion.

Italy Makes Protection of Energy Infrastructure a Core National Security Priority

Italy’s parliamentary intelligence committee has identified the protection of gas networks, electricity grids and strategic energy supply chains as a central national security objective, reflecting growing concern over the resilience of ...

Italy Upgrades Economic Growth Outlook as Services and Domestic Demand Remain Resilient

Italy’s Parliamentary Budget Office expects the economy to grow zero point nine percent this year, with resilient household spending and strong services activity offsetting manufacturing weakness affecting major European economies.

Italy Rejects Spain’s Ultimatum Over Schengen Border Controls Amid Ceuta Dispute

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has refused to lift temporary border controls with Spain before August fifteenth, maintaining restrictions after the unprecedented arrival of thousands of migrants in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Cervia Assault Raises Fresh Concerns Over Summer Crime on Romagna Riviera

A serious gang assault in the Adriatic resort of Cervia has prompted local mayors and hoteliers to call for additional police resources amid concerns about violence affecting the summer tourism economy.

Italy’s Carabinieri Deploy Electric Vespas for Anti-Drug Patrols in Ischia

Carabinieri officers in Ischia are using modified electric Vespa scooters to patrol the island’s narrow streets and combat drug trafficking during the busy summer tourist season.

Italy’s National Swimming Team Finalises European Aquatics Championship Roster

The Italian Swimming Federation has confirmed its national team for the upcoming European Aquatics Championships, with domestic expectations high for a strong medal performance across the competition.

Serie A Clubs Intensify Pre-Season Preparations With Premier League Friendlies

Juventus, Milan and Roma are stepping up preparations for the new Serie A season through international friendlies against English clubs including Chelsea and Brighton, providing high-profile tests ahead of domestic competition.

Rome Wildfire Highlights Growing Fire Risk During Mediterranean Heatwave

Firefighters and emergency aircraft have been deployed to contain a major brush fire in Rome’s Massimina district, underscoring the growing wildfire risk around the capital as extreme heat and drought persist.

Italy’s Opposition Alliance Faces Internal Dispute Over Primary Election Voting Rules

Tensions are growing between the Democratic Party and Five Star Movement over how opposition primaries should be conducted, with Five Star Movement supporting online voting while the Democratic Party favours traditional in-person voting.

Italian Luxury Sector Faces Investor Scrutiny as Ferrari Stock Trading Turns Volatile

Heavy trading in August 2026 Ferrari derivatives on the Borsa Italiana reflects investor uncertainty over the Maranello automaker’s ability to preserve high profit margins as global demand for luxury vehicles slows.

Italy and Milan-Cortina Organisers Finalise High-Speed Rail Links for Winter Games

Transport authorities and Milan-Cortina organisers have finalised dedicated Frecciarossa services and Olympic shuttle connections designed to move international spectators between major Lombardy transport hubs and Alpine competition venu...

Genoa Delivery Riders Strike Over Heat Safety and Working Conditions

Hundreds of food delivery riders in Genoa have stopped work to demand financial assistance, mandatory rest periods and stronger health protections as Italy’s severe heatwave creates hazardous conditions for outdoor workers.

Italian Police Arrest Sixteen-Year-Old Suspected of Preparing to Join Islamic State

Italian anti-terrorism authorities have arrested a sixteen-year-old who was allegedly preparing to travel abroad to fight for Islamic State, prompting renewed concern among government officials over jihadist radicalisation among young pe...

Italian Justice Minister Faces Pressure Over Delmastro Chat Leak Controversy

Justice Minister Carlo Nordio is facing mounting political pressure after defending Undersecretary Andrea Delmastro over leaked messages involving Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, intensifying tensions within the governing coalition over p...

Rome Completes Piazza Pia Pedestrian Project and Major Underground Traffic Tunnel

Rome has completed the pedestrianisation of Piazza Pia and opened a major underground traffic tunnel as part of infrastructure investments linked to the Jubilee, improving the connection between Castel Sant’Angelo and Vatican City.

Meloni Drops Land-Based Gambling Reform From Current Legislative Agenda

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has removed a planned reform of land-based gambling from the government’s immediate agenda, directing the Economy Ministry to focus instead on preparations for the 2027 budget and broader tax reforms.

Rome Fiumicino Cancels Rafael Anti-Drone Defence Contract

The authority operating Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci airport has cancelled a contract with Israeli defence company Rafael for an anti-drone system intended to protect civilian airspace operations, halting plans to deploy the technology at th...

Italy Explores Rwanda Deal for Offshore Asylum Processing Centres

The Italian government is holding preliminary discussions with Rwanda over possible arrangements to process asylum seekers outside Europe, extending Rome’s effort to move parts of Mediterranean migration management beyond Italian territory.

Extreme Heat and European Drought Threaten Energy Supplies for Northern Italy’s Industrial Base

Persistent heat and drought are disrupting major European waterways and energy infrastructure, raising pressure on electricity supplies serving northern Italy’s manufacturing corridors and adding risks for heavy industrial exporters.

Italy Reports Record Summer Tourism Demand as Accommodation Occupancy Tops 51%

Italian government data shows accommodation occupancy exceeding 51% during the summer season, with strong international demand and increased airline capacity supporting tourism across Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and southern coastal regions.

Intesa Sanpaolo Raises 2026 Profit Target Above €10 Billion After Record First-Half Results

Intesa Sanpaolo reported €5.6 billion in first-half net income, its strongest quarterly performance on record, prompting Chief Executive Carlo Messina to raise the Italian bank’s full-year 2026 profit target to more than €10 billion.