Rome Times

Umbria Jazz Festival Opens Fifty-Third Edition in Perugia

The Umbria Jazz Festival has begun its fifty-third edition in Perugia, welcoming hundreds of performers and attracting international visitors for one of Europe's longest-running and most prominent jazz festivals.

Como 1907 and Google DeepMind Launch Artificial Intelligence Sports Innovation Hackathon

Serie A club Como 1907 has partnered with Google DeepMind to host a two-day event inviting data scientists to develop artificial intelligence applications aimed at advancing player analysis and football operations.

European Startup Week Brings Investors and Technology Entrepreneurs to Taranto

Entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers have gathered in Taranto for European Startup Week, with the event focused on attracting investment and strengthening southern Italy's technology ecosystem.

Intesa Sanpaolo Expands Artificial Intelligence Services While Increasing Digital Workforce

Italy's largest bank is extending the use of artificial intelligence across its customer service operations while confirming it has added 700 relationship managers over the past three years to strengthen digital banking support.

Italian Court Ends Long-Running Investigation Into Doctors Without Borders Rescue Operations

An Italian court has dismissed all charges against Médecins Sans Frontières staff after a nine-year investigation into Mediterranean search and rescue missions, bringing a landmark legal case involving humanitarian operations to a close.

Extreme Heatwave Pushes Temperatures Above Forty Degrees Across Parts of Italy

Temperatures have climbed beyond 40 degrees Celsius in some areas as an intense heatwave places pressure on the national electricity grid, raises health risks and increases drought concerns during the peak summer tourism season.

Political Parties Intensify Negotiations on Italy's Electoral Law Reform

Government and opposition leaders are entering the final stage of negotiations on proposed electoral law changes that will shape Italy's future voting system and parliamentary balance.

African Swine Fever Outbreak Prompts Emergency Response Across Northern Italy

Italian agricultural authorities have intensified biosecurity measures after African Swine Fever was confirmed at 496 holdings, leading to the culling of more than 10,000 animals and raising concerns for the country's pork industry.

Summer Rail Maintenance Expected to Disrupt Freight Routes Across Northern Italy

Extensive engineering work on key rail corridors linking Milan, Genoa and Bologna is expected to reduce freight capacity and increase inland transport costs during the summer, prompting logistics companies to prepare for delays.

Intesa Sanpaolo Calls for Thirteen Billion Euro Port Investment Programme

A report by Intesa Sanpaolo says Italy's ports handled more than 511 million tonnes of cargo this year and urges faster implementation of planned rail and port upgrades to strengthen competitiveness as global shipping routes continue to ...

Italian Exporters Expand Focus on United States and India as European Demand Softens

Italian trade authorities say exporters are increasing their focus on the United States and India, with pharmaceuticals, industrial automation and luxury goods helping maintain the country's position among the world's leading exporting n...

Italian Services Sector Returns to Expansion as Business Conditions Stabilise

Italy's services Purchasing Managers' Index rose to 50.2 in June, returning to growth after three months of contraction as easing cost pressures and resilient demand supported business activity.

European Investment Bank Backs Fifty Million Euro Upgrade of Water Infrastructure in Modena

The European Investment Bank has signed a fifty million euro financing agreement with utility AIMAG to modernize water and wastewater networks in Emilia-Romagna as part of a broader programme to improve resilience against climate-related...

Stellantis Lifts Italian Vehicle Production by Nearly Fourteen Percent in First Half

Italy's automotive industry received a boost after Stellantis increased domestic vehicle production by 13.7 percent to more than 252,000 units during the first six months of the year, strengthening manufacturing activity despite broader ...

Italy Prepares Two Hundred Million Euro Plan to Narrow Domestic Natural Gas Price Premium

The Italian government is preparing a two hundred million euro market measure intended to reduce the gap between domestic gas prices and the wider European benchmark, a proposal that has prompted debate over potential European Union regu...

Giorgia Meloni Pushes Critical Minerals Security to the Fore at NATO Summit

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged NATO allies to strengthen supply chains for gallium, graphite and rare earth materials, arguing that reducing dependence on Chinese refining capacity is essential for the long-term resilience of Wester...

Italy Suspends Renewal of Defence Cooperation Agreement With Israel

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has confirmed that Italy will not renew a bilateral defence agreement with Israel covering military equipment exchanges and technology cooperation, marking a significant policy shift as the regional conflict...

ISTAT Cuts Italy's Economic Growth Forecast to 0.7 Percent as Global Risks Weigh on Outlook

Italy's national statistics institute has lowered its growth forecast for this year to 0.7 percent, citing higher energy prices, elevated interest rates and conflict in the Middle East as factors dampening consumer spending and business ...

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio Holds Urgent Talks in Rome Amid Sigonella Air Base Dispute

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio is meeting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Vatican officials as both countries seek to ease diplomatic tensions after Italy refused permission for United States military aircraft to ...

Italian Lower House Approves Bill to Restore Nuclear Power Ahead of Senate Vote

Italy's Chamber of Deputies has approved government-backed legislation paving the way for the return of nuclear energy through small modular reactors, with the proposal aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing reliance on i...

Port of Genoa Completes First Phase of Major Breakwater Expansion

The Port of Genoa has completed the first stage of its offshore breakwater project, allowing Italy's busiest commercial port to accommodate the next generation of ultra-large container ships and strengthen its position within Mediterrane...

Ferrari Raises Financial Outlook as Demand for Hybrid Supercars Remains Strong

Ferrari has increased its annual financial guidance after robust global demand for customised hybrid models, highlighting continued strength in Italy's luxury automotive sector despite broader economic uncertainty.

Leonardo Wins New European Aerospace and Drone Contracts

Italian defence and aerospace group Leonardo has secured new contracts covering autonomous drone technology and advanced radar systems, reinforcing Italy's role in European Union and NATO defence programmes.

High-Speed Rail Construction Advances on Naples–Bari Corridor

State railway operator Ferrovie dello Stato reported significant tunnelling progress on the Naples-to-Bari high-speed railway, a major infrastructure project intended to strengthen transport links across southern Italy and improve connec...

Italy Prepares Fiscal Reform Plan to Meet European Union Budget Rules

Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti is finalising a medium-term fiscal strategy aimed at reducing Italy's public debt while supporting industrial growth, as stricter European Union deficit rules return to force.

Extreme Heat and Po River Drought Threaten Northern Italy's Agricultural Heartland

Persistent heatwaves and critically low water levels in the Po River basin are reducing dairy production, raising cooling costs for farmers and placing additional pressure on Emilia-Romagna's Parmigiano Reggiano industry during the peak ...

Italian Government Presses Stellantis to Safeguard Domestic Vehicle Production

Italy is intensifying negotiations with Stellantis over minimum production commitments at factories in Turin, Melfi and Cassino as the government seeks to protect manufacturing jobs and strengthen the country's automotive supply chain du...

Eni Warns Oil Prices Could Exceed One Hundred Dollars if Middle East Shipping Disruptions Continue

Eni Chief Executive Claudio Descalzi said prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could push crude oil prices above one hundred dollars a barrel by early 2027, urging Europe to diversify energy supplies through stronger partnerships...

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Reaffirms Italy's Military Support for Ukraine at NATO Summit

During the NATO summit in Türkiye, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and confirmed Italy will continue providing air defence systems and infrastructure support as regional security tensions remain ...

European Commission Releases €12.8 Billion to Italy as Recovery Plan Nears Final Deadline

The latest European Commission payment brings Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan to eighty-five percent completion ahead of the August 2026 implementation deadline, providing fresh momentum for one of the European Union's larg...

World Cup Visitors Turn American Big-Box Stores Into Souvenir Stops

International fans attending the 2026 World Cup are filling suitcases with U.S. goods, from electronics and clothing to whitening strips and melatonin, giving retailers an unexpected tourism boost.

Passenger Is Pulled Partly Outside Ryanair Jet After Window Fails Mid-Flight

Passenger Is Pulled Partly Outside Ryanair Jet After Window Fails Mid-Flight

A Serbian passenger was pulled head and shoulders outside a Boeing 737 after a window failed during a Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany. His wife and fellow passengers pulled him back inside before the aircraft returned safely to The...

Italian Political Landscape Evolves as Right-Wing Groups Realign in Europe

Changes within conservative political alliances in the European Parliament are reshaping Italy's domestic political dynamics while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni balances national priorities with broader European engagement.

Torino Fashion Week Highlights Sustainability and International Trade

The latest Torino Fashion Week placed sustainable textiles, traditional craftsmanship, and stronger commercial links with Asian markets at the center of its international program.

Italian Luxury Brands Adapt to Changing Asian Consumer Demand

Luxury groups including Prada and Armani are refining their retail strategies by emphasizing more exclusive, appointment-based shopping experiences as demand evolves across key Asian markets.

Milan-Cortina Olympic Preparations Accelerate Ahead of Winter Games

Authorities overseeing the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are using emergency procedures to complete delayed transport infrastructure, sporting venues, and athlete accommodation before the event.

Vatican Expands Diplomatic Mediation Efforts in Europe and the Middle East

The Holy See has intensified diplomatic engagement through senior envoys seeking humanitarian access and peace initiatives in conflicts affecting Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Prison Overcrowding Deepens Pressure on Italy's Justice System

Italian prisons now house more than sixty-four thousand inmates in facilities designed for around forty-six thousand people, intensifying calls for reforms to address severe overcrowding.

Healthcare Staffing Shortages Strain Italian Hospitals During Summer Peak

Medical unions warned that hospitals in popular tourist regions face growing pressure from staff shortages as seasonal visitor numbers increase demand for emergency care.

Severe Drought Prompts Water Restrictions Across Parts of Sicily

Regional authorities introduced water rationing and sought national disaster assistance as exceptionally low reservoir levels threatened agricultural production, including citrus, olive, and wine industries.

Eni Continues Share Buyback Program

Eni purchased nearly five million treasury shares worth about one hundred million euros in one week as the energy group continued returning capital to shareholders while restructuring its transition-focused businesses.

Southern Italy Expands Industrial Decarbonization Through Solar Thermal Projects

Manufacturers including Peroni Brewery in Bari are deploying large-scale solar thermal systems and heat storage technology to reduce industrial emissions and energy use.

Italian Court Ruling Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Farm Labor

A court sentenced an agricultural employer to sixteen years in prison over the death of an injured Indian farm worker, prompting renewed enforcement efforts against the illegal labor brokerage system known as caporalato.

United Nations Blue Economy Summit Highlights Italy's Maritime Expertise

Rome hosted an international summit on the blue economy, bringing together policymakers and industry leaders to promote sustainable maritime technologies and support the future of Italy's shipbuilding and coastal industries.