Rome Times

Naples Hosts America’s Cup Preliminary Racing as City Invests in Waterfront Infrastructure

Naples has opened preliminary America’s Cup racing events as authorities use the international sailing competition to support tourism and longer-term redevelopment of coastal infrastructure.

Milan-Based Techshop Raises €43 Million for Artificial Intelligence Venture Fund

Techshop has completed a €43 million first close for a venture fund targeting early-stage Italian enterprise software and specialised artificial intelligence companies, with backing from CDP Venture Capital.

Italian Family Offices Increase Direct Investment in Domestic Technology Startups

Four major Italian family offices have joined forces to finance a domestic legal technology company, reflecting growing interest among wealthy industrial families in direct startup investment.

Ferrari Signs Multi-Year Global Partnership With Rakuten From 2027

Ferrari has reached a multi-year sponsorship and technology agreement with Japanese e-commerce group Rakuten beginning in 2027, extending the automaker’s digital and commercial presence in Asian markets.

Independent Italian Luxury Brands Show Greater Resilience During Sector Slowdown

Market analysts say independent Italian luxury houses focused on ultra-wealthy customers are holding up better than larger conglomerates exposed to weakening aspirational consumer demand.

Italy Pushes International Framework Linking Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Energy

Undersecretary Alessio Butti is promoting closer international cooperation on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum technology and energy infrastructure as Italy seeks a larger role in technology governance.

Italy Launches Central Asia Business Platform Focused on Energy and Critical Minerals

Italian officials are expanding economic engagement with Central Asia through a business framework focused on energy, infrastructure, connectivity, critical raw materials and new trade corridors linking Europe and Asia.

Eni and Fincantieri Sign Deal to Commercialise Clean Sea Underwater Robots

Eni and Fincantieri have agreed to commercialise the Clean Sea underwater robotic system internationally, targeting subsea infrastructure monitoring and maritime applications.

Italy Launches €1,000 Food Support Card for More Than 1.1 Million Families

The government is relaunching the Carta Dedicata a Te program, providing eligible low-income households with €1,000 in food assistance across two instalments under a program backed by more than €1 billion for 2026 and 2027.

Fincantieri Order Backlog Reaches €74 Billion as Defence Business Expands

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has built a record €74 billion workload across commercial and military vessels as defence orders grow and the company reduces its debt burden.

Meloni Proposes Burqa Ban and Limits on Foreign Students in Italian Schools

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed banning burqas and niqabs in schools and limiting the concentration of foreign students in classrooms, while President Sergio Mattarella has separately stressed the role of schools in integratio...

Italy and United States Sign Critical Minerals Supply Chain Agreement

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed an agreement in New York establishing a bilateral working group on critical minerals, with cooperation covering supply security, processing, recyclin...

Italy Adjusts Gulf Military Deployments as Houthi Attacks Raise Security Risks

Italian authorities are repositioning personnel and military assets in parts of the Gulf as security risks increase, while maintaining operations intended to protect commercial navigation around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.

Italy’s 2025 Budget Deficit Confirmed at 3.1% of GDP, Keeping EU Procedure in Place

Italy’s statistical agency confirmed the 2025 budget deficit at 3.1% of gross domestic product, leaving the country above the European Union’s 3% threshold and limiting the government’s room for near-term fiscal relief.

Rainbow Group Names Nicola Maccanico Chief Executive of Colorado Film

Italian entertainment group Rainbow has appointed former Cinecittà executive Nicola Maccanico to lead Colorado Film as the company seeks to expand its film and television production business.

Veneto Firm Secures Fire-Safety Certification for Industrial Rooftop Solar System

A Veneto engineering company has obtained an advanced fire classification for a complete rooftop photovoltaic system, potentially easing a regulatory obstacle for solar installations at industrial sites.

Corporate Analysis Finds Italian Executive Leadership Remains Male-Dominated Despite Board Quotas

A review of Italian corporate governance suggests gender quotas have increased women’s representation on boards while chief executive and senior decision-making roles remain disproportionately held by men.

Italian Exhibition Groups Report Strong Growth as Demand for Live Business Events Holds Up

Fiera Milano and Italian Exhibition Group are benefiting from resilient demand for trade fairs and corporate events, supporting revenue growth and investor interest despite the expansion of digital business formats.

Diesel Spill Pollutes Naviglio Grande and Reaches Milan’s Darsena

A major hydrocarbon spill has contaminated roughly 28 kilometres of the Naviglio Grande, damaging aquatic ecosystems and reaching Milan’s Darsena as authorities work to contain the pollution.

Borsa Italiana Expands Direct Retail Access to Euronext Growth Milan IPOs

Borsa Italiana’s direct-distribution system is allowing individual investors to participate in selected initial public offerings, including recent listings by Giunti Psychometrics and Nabla.

Azimut Moves to Take Full Control of U.S. Asset Manager Kennedy Capital

Italian investment group Azimut has agreed to acquire the remaining 49% of Kennedy Capital Management, taking its ownership to 100% and deepening its presence in the U.S. investment market.

BPER Banca Raises €500 Million With Green Bond as Investor Demand Tops €1.9 Billion

BPER Banca has placed a €500 million senior green bond with international institutional investors, attracting orders of more than €1.9 billion and securing the lowest spread on a senior issue in the bank’s history.

Iccrea Acquires 15% of Equita in Strategic Italian Banking Partnership

Iccrea Banca has acquired a 15% stake in investment bank Equita as the two groups expand cooperation in corporate finance, capital markets, asset management and services for Italy’s cooperative banking network.

Italian Police Investigate Bullet and Threatening Letter Sent to Education Minister Valditara

Authorities are investigating an anonymous letter containing a bullet and threats addressed to Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara, prompting heightened security concerns around the minister.

Italy Scales Back Diesel Excise-Duty Relief as Fuel Support Is Phased Down

The government has reduced the diesel tax discount to 12.2 cents per litre through September 25 before cutting it again to 6.1 cents, increasing pressure on transport and logistics operators facing elevated fuel costs.

Stellantis Reshuffles Fiat Leadership as Mirafiori Faces Production Disruptions

Stellantis has appointed Arnaud Belloni to lead Fiat, Abarth and Lancia as its Mirafiori plant in Turin continues to face production interruptions on the Fiat 500 line.

Meloni Proposes Cap on Foreign Students in Italian Classrooms

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has proposed limiting the share of foreign students in individual classrooms as part of a broader school integration package, prompting criticism from opposition politicians and education officials.

Italian Government Prepares Worker Support Measures for Former Ilva Steelworks

The government is preparing temporary protections for workers linked to the troubled Taranto steel plant as negotiations continue over employment safeguards and the future of the strategic industrial site.

Italian Senate Approves Contested Electoral Law Overhaul

Italy’s Senate approved changes to the national electoral system by 113 votes, prompting opposition parties to argue that the revised majority-bonus mechanism would favour the governing coalition.

Italy Approves 2027 Car-Tax Exemption for Vehicles Up to 80 kW

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has approved a one-year exemption from vehicle tax for qualifying cars and motorcycles, with the measure expected to cost almost €2.4 billion and drawing opposition criticism that it is election...

UniCredit Pushes Ahead With Commerzbank Takeover as Talks With Berlin Intensify

UniCredit Chief Executive Andrea Orcel is advancing the Italian bank’s effort to take control of Commerzbank as negotiations increasingly focus on the conditions Germany would seek in any potential combination.

Italian Fighter Jets Scramble After Russian Military Aircraft Violate Lithuanian Airspace

Two Italian Eurofighters deployed under NATO’s Baltic air policing mission were scrambled from Šiauliai after two Russian military aircraft violated Lithuanian airspace.

Alice Codato and Laura Meriano Claim Historic Italian Victory at Henley Royal Regatta

Italian rowers Alice Codato and Laura Meriano won the Hambleden Pairs Challenge Cup, securing Italy’s first women’s victory in the 187-year history of the Henley Royal Regatta.

Italian Court Rejects Sentence Deferment for Jeweler Mario Roggero

A surveillance court has rejected a request to postpone the imprisonment of Piedmont jeweler Mario Roggero, who was convicted of killing two armed robbers during an incident that prompted national debate over self-defense laws.

Three Minors Identified After Fire Damages Primary School in Gela

Police in the Sicilian city of Gela have identified three minors in connection with an arson attack that caused extensive damage to a public primary school.

Family Doctor Dies During Patient Consultations in Lazio

A general practitioner died suddenly while seeing patients in Alatri, drawing renewed attention to staffing pressures and the ageing workforce in Italian primary healthcare.

Prosecutors Seek Closure of Investigation Into Former Refereeing Chief Gianluca Rocchi

Prosecutors have requested that an investigation involving former refereeing official Gianluca Rocchi be archived, saying the evidence did not establish an intention to manipulate match results.

ITA Airways Turns to Its Own Staff to Design New Uniforms for 2027

ITA Airways has chosen flight attendant Valentina Santini to design uniforms scheduled to debut in the second half of 2027, with pilots, cabin crew and ground staff contributing to the development process.

Italian Stocks Slide as Stellantis Losses Weigh on Milan Market

Italy’s main equity market fell nearly 2% during a volatile session as losses in automotive shares, led by Stellantis, outweighed gains elsewhere in the market.

Italy Reviews Extension of Home Energy-Efficiency Tax Incentives

The Economy Ministry is considering whether to extend tax incentives covering measures such as heat pumps and energy-efficient windows as existing benefits approach their scheduled expiry.

Return Migration Rises as More Young Italians Come Home After Living Abroad

More than 129,000 Italians aged 18 to 39 returned from abroad over the five years through 2025, with the number of returnees reaching about 40 for every 100 departures during the period.

Italian Education Minister Calls for Social Media Restrictions for Children Under 15

Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara has called for restrictions preventing children under 15 from accessing social media and other potentially harmful online channels following the stabbing of a teacher by a 13-year-old student in Rome.

Conte Reaffirms Five Star Opposition to Further Arms Shipments and European Rearmament

Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte says his party will continue opposing further weapons shipments to Ukraine and higher European defense spending, positions backed by large majorities in an internal party consultation.

Italy’s Governing Centre-Right Coalition Measures 40.7% in YouTrend Polling Average

The YouTrend-AGI Supermedia based on surveys conducted from September 2 to 16 puts Fratelli d’Italia, Forza Italia, the League and Noi Moderati at a combined 40.7%, down 0.4 percentage points from the previous average.

Meloni Says Government Will Examine Schlein’s Climate and Energy Proposals

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says her government will consider proposals submitted by Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein on climate and energy policy, while ministers say some measures overlap with ideas already under government review.