Rome Times

George Clooney Receives Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at Venice Film Festival

The Venice Film Festival honored actor and producer George Clooney with its Golden Lion for lifetime achievement during the event's closing ceremonies.

Barilla Expands in United States With Acquisition of Premium Pasta Brand Goodles

Parma-based Barilla completed the acquisition of U.S. pasta company Goodles as the Italian food group continues expanding its presence in the North American market.

Azimut Annual Net Inflows Top €10 Billion as Wealth Management Demand Remains Strong

Italian asset manager Azimut reported nearly €1 billion of net inflows in August, taking annual inflows above €10 billion and highlighting continued demand for investment and advisory products.

Milan Markets Face Pressure From Middle East Energy Infrastructure Attacks

Italian equities came under moderate pressure after suspected drone strikes disrupted Middle Eastern oil infrastructure, renewing concern over the exposure of Italy's manufacturing sector to energy and supply-chain shocks.

EU Presses Italy for Tighter Oversight of Short-Term Rentals in Major Tourist Cities

European regulators are urging stronger controls on digital accommodation platforms as tourism-driven short-term rentals put additional pressure on housing availability in Florence, Venice and Rome.

Italian Household Savings in Current Accounts Reach €900 Billion

Financial authorities estimate that about €900 billion of household wealth remains in low- or zero-yield current accounts, leaving savings exposed to inflation while limiting the flow of domestic capital into investment.

Intesa Sanpaolo Plans 13,000 New Hires by 2029 in Major Workforce Overhaul

Italy's largest commercial bank outlined a generational renewal plan centered on 13,000 hires, digital transformation, wealth management expansion and wider use of artificial intelligence across its operations.

Italy's Employment Rate Hits Record 63.1% After 246,000 Jobs Added

ISTAT reported that Italy added 246,000 jobs in the second quarter, lifting the national employment rate to a record 63.1% despite continued weakness in European industrial activity.

Meloni Defends Expanded Drilling and Nuclear Reviews in Push for Italian Energy Autonomy

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni defended measures to accelerate hydrocarbon concessions and assess nuclear energy options, arguing that reducing Italy's external energy dependence is a national priority.

Stellantis Halts Production at Cassino Plant as Unions Demand Government Action

Stellantis announced further production stoppages at its Piedimonte San Germano facility, prompting unions to call for intervention to protect jobs and Italy's automotive supply chain.

Italy Seeks Halt to Layoffs Affecting More Than 2,000 Workers Around Ex Ilva Steelworks

The Italian government called for the suspension of dismissal plans affecting contractors at Acciaierie d'Italia's Taranto operations as protests intensified around the country's largest steel complex.

Monte dei Paschi Defends €30 Billion Dual Bid for Banco BPM and Banca Generali

Chief Executive Luigi Lovaglio defended Monte dei Paschi di Siena's proposed takeover strategy involving Banco BPM and Banca Generali, arguing that the transactions would strengthen the historic bank's position in wealth management and c...

Tata Motors Wins Regulatory Approval for Takeover of Italy's Iveco

Italian market regulator Consob approved Tata Motors' public offer for Turin-based truck and bus manufacturer Iveco, clearing an important hurdle in the multibillion-euro change of ownership.

Poste Italiane Raises Telecom Italia Stake Above 66% as Delisting Plan Advances

State-controlled Poste Italiane increased its holding in Telecom Italia beyond 66% following a public purchase offer and is targeting a 90% stake that would allow the telecom group to be delisted from the Milan stock exchange.

Milan Fashion Week Prepares More Than 60 Shows for Spring-Summer 2027 Season

Italy’s fashion industry is preparing more than 60 runway shows in Milan as international buyers and media gather amid shifting global demand for luxury and premium apparel.

Emma Bonino Remains Hospitalized in Rome After Medical Emergency

Former Italian foreign minister Emma Bonino, 78, remains under intensive medical observation at Santo Spirito Hospital after a sudden medical emergency that prompted messages of support from across the political spectrum.

Opposition Leader Elly Schlein Calls for Snap Italian Election

Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein demanded an early national election while attacking the Meloni government over economic policy, healthcare funding and proposed constitutional reforms.

Northern Italy Reports Tourism Surge After Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics

Regional authorities in the Dolomites and Alps reported sustained growth in international tourism following the Milano-Cortina Winter Games, alongside major state-funded upgrades to rail and road infrastructure.

Italian Tourism Reports More Than 6% Rise in Foreign Arrivals During Record Summer

Italy’s Tourism Ministry reported foreign visitor arrivals increased by more than 6% during the summer, with hospitality occupancy exceeding levels recorded by Mediterranean rivals Spain and France.

Ferrari Advances €3.5 Billion Share Buyback With Purchases in Milan and New York

Ferrari completed additional share purchases on Euronext Milan and the New York Stock Exchange as the luxury carmaker continues its €3.5 billion buyback program.

Italian Homeowners Face 100-Day Deadline to Complete Superbonus Documentation

Property owners and construction companies have 100 days to finalize documentation for the Superbonus renovation program as the Economy Ministry moves to close a scheme that placed heavy costs on the public finances.

Italy Expands Joint Crackdown on Migrant Worker Exploitation

The National Labour Inspectorate and International Organization for Migration signed a new protocol to deploy multilingual mediators and specialist inspectors against exploitation in the agriculture and logistics sectors.

Prysmian Expands Southern Italy Production for Global AI Data Centre Demand

Milan-based cable manufacturer Prysmian is increasing output at plants in Naples and Palermo to supply fibre-optic and high-voltage cables used in rapidly expanding artificial intelligence data centres.

Eni Opens Supercomputing Capacity to Italian AI Startups and Researchers

Energy group Eni is giving Italian technology companies, research institutions and corporate partners access to its supercomputing infrastructure to support artificial intelligence development and advanced industrial applications.

UniCredit Seeks Technology Partner for European Cryptocurrency Brokerage Launch

UniCredit is evaluating institutional technology providers for digital-asset infrastructure as the Milan-based lender prepares cryptocurrency custody and brokerage services across four European markets in 2026.

Milan Stocks Fall 1.7% as Technology Selloff and Oil Volatility Hit Markets

Italy’s FTSE MIB index closed down 1.7% as weakness in global technology shares and volatile crude oil markets drove selling in Italian equities.

Italy Speeds Domestic Oil and Gas Permits as Middle East Supply Risks Rise

The Environment and Energy Security Ministry has eased procedures for domestic hydrocarbon drilling licenses as Italy seeks to increase local production and reduce exposure to potential Middle Eastern supply disruptions.

Italian Power Prices Reach €225 per Megawatt Hour as Industry Seeks EU Support

Italian manufacturers are calling for government and European Union measures after wholesale electricity prices rose to €225 per megawatt hour, increasing pressure on energy-intensive exporters as natural gas costs climb.

Meloni Government Becomes Italy’s Longest-Serving Since World War Two

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition reached 1,413 consecutive days in office, surpassing Silvio Berlusconi’s previous post-war record and marking an unusual period of political continuity in Italy.

Italy Seeks EU Exemption From Mandatory Tenders for Hydroelectric Concessions

Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin said Rome is negotiating with the European Union to avoid mandatory public tenders for hydroelectric concessions and retain domestic control of key power infrastructure.

Italy’s 2027 Budget to Avoid Higher Deficit as Government Targets Middle-Class and Youth Relief

Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said Italy’s 2027 budget will avoid increasing the public deficit while focusing on targeted tax relief for middle-income households and younger people amid tight European fiscal rules and high debt-s...

Italy’s Men’s Volleyball Team Beats Greece in Straight Sets at European Championship

Italy remained unbeaten at the European Championship after a straight-sets victory over Greece, extending the national team’s strong run in the tournament.

Daniel Maldini Has Driving Licence Confiscated After Late-Night Traffic Collision

Italian footballer Daniel Maldini was involved in a late-night crash and reportedly tested positive for alcohol, leading authorities to confiscate his driving licence.

New Giorgio Armani Biography Draws Attention Ahead of Milan Fashion Season

An authorised biography examining Giorgio Armani’s life and privately held fashion empire has attracted attention across Italy’s luxury industry ahead of the autumn presentation season.

Vatican Theological Commission Classifies Deliberate Environmental Destruction as a Sin Against Creation

The International Theological Commission has issued a document describing deliberate ecological destruction as a sin against creation, placing environmental protection more firmly within Catholic moral teaching.

Milan Investigates Illegal Hydrocarbon Spill Into Naviglio Canals

Emergency and environmental teams intervened after industrial hydrocarbons were discharged into Milan’s Naviglio waterways, prompting a criminal investigation and efforts to limit ecological damage.

Fatal Venice Lagoon Collision Renews Calls for Tighter Maritime Traffic Rules

A nighttime boat collision that left a 25-year-old resident brain dead and his wife missing has intensified pressure on Venice authorities to introduce stricter speed limits and stronger monitoring of lagoon traffic.

Small Italian Towns Face Sharp Decline in Local Retail Businesses

National statistics show retail-store openings have fallen 45% since 2014, with smaller municipalities particularly affected as local commercial activity continues to weaken.

Novation Tech Plans €30 Million U.S. Expansion for Aerospace Manufacturing

Veneto-based carbon-fibre specialist Novation Tech is preparing a €30 million investment to establish manufacturing operations in the United States and pursue contracts with commercial space companies.

Intesa Sanpaolo Launches Silicon Valley Accelerator for Italian Aerospace Companies

Intesa Sanpaolo has launched a programme connecting specialist manufacturers from Emilia-Romagna with major U.S. aerospace contractors in an effort to expand Italian participation in global space-industry supply chains.

Italian Logistics Sector Faces Rising Costs Despite €13 Billion in Government Support

Industry analysts warn that Italy’s freight and logistics sector faces higher fuel costs, shifting European regulations and continued Red Sea disruptions despite receiving €13 billion in public support over five years.

Marmolada Glacier Loses Nine Hectares of Ice in One Year

Italy’s glaciological monitoring campaign reported that the Marmolada glacier lost nine hectares of surface ice over the past year, intensifying calls for stronger climate adaptation measures in the Alps.

Elly Schlein Calls for Early Italian Election and Unified Opposition Platform

Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein used the closing of the Festa dell’Unità in Reggio Emilia to call for an early general election and urge opposition parties to unite around a common programme against the Meloni government.

Death of Denise Cosco Renews Scrutiny of Italy’s Witness Protection System

The apparent suicide of Denise Cosco, the 35-year-old daughter of murdered anti-mafia witness Lea Garofalo, has prompted parliamentary calls for a review of protections for families who oppose the ’Ndrangheta.