Rome Times

AI Is Remaking the US Economy, From GDP Growth to iPhone Prices

The race to build data centres and buy advanced chips is lifting investment, construction and stock values, while increasing debt, import demand and pressure on technology supply chains.

Fiat Pandina Remains Italy's Best-Selling Car as Stellantis Holds Market Leadership

Stellantis retained its leading position in the Italian vehicle market, with the Fiat Pandina remaining the country's best-selling model and the group holding a sixteen point seven percent share of the wider European market.

Campari Raises Full-Year Outlook After Strong First-Half Performance

Campari exceeded earnings expectations in the first half of the year and lifted its full-year profit forecast, supported by strong international demand for its premium beverage portfolio.

Pirelli Warns Middle East Tensions Are Raising Manufacturing Costs

Pirelli reaffirmed its annual revenue target of nearly seven billion euros but cautioned that continued instability in the Middle East is increasing raw material costs and weighing on European manufacturing.

Political Tensions Rise After Man Dies During Police Restraint in Bologna

The death of a Moroccan businessman during a police restraint operation in Bologna has triggered a political dispute, with the government defending the officers while opposition parties allege racism and excessive use of force.

Major Rail Upgrades Disrupt Rome Airport and Northern Freight Connections

Infrastructure works are causing widespread train disruptions between central Rome and Fiumicino Airport, while freight services between Genoa and Milan face extended suspensions that could affect supply chains during the busy summer sea...

Six Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash in Rieti Province

A collision involving a bus, a camper, and three cars in Colli sul Velino killed six people and injured twenty-seven others, prompting a major emergency response.

Gas Explosion in Messina Leaves Five Critically Injured and Six Missing

Emergency crews continued search operations after a residential building in Messina collapsed following a gas explosion, leaving five people critically injured and six others unaccounted for.

Extreme Heat Alerts Issued Across Twenty-Five Italian Cities

Health and civil protection authorities placed twenty-five cities under the highest heat alert as another severe heatwave increased health risks, worsened drought conditions, and added pressure to the electricity network.

Sinochem Completes Sale of Pirelli Stake Following Italian Government Intervention

Chinese state-owned group Sinochem completed the sale of a fourteen percent holding in Pirelli to Czech investment firm Lumina Crown, ending a dispute that prompted Rome to invoke national security powers over sensitive technology.

Telecom Italia Launches Climate Investment Plan and Wins Credit Rating Upgrade

Telecom Italia unveiled a five hundred and fifty million euro programme to improve the energy efficiency of its networks and data centres, while Standard and Poor's upgraded the company's credit rating to BB Plus, citing progress in debt...

Prada Delivers Strong Revenue Growth Despite Luxury Market Slowdown

Prada Group reported first-half net revenue of three point zero five billion euros, with sales rising sixteen percent as demand in the Americas and Asia-Pacific helped the fashion house outperform many rivals.

Enel Offsets Domestic Weakness With Strong International Performance

Italy's largest utility increased first-half core earnings to eleven point eight billion euros as growth in Spain and Latin America compensated for weaker hydroelectric generation and softer retail conditions in Italy.

Stellantis Returns to Profit Despite Continued Weakness at European Plants

Automaker Stellantis reported first-half net profit of six hundred and seventy million euros, driven by strong North American truck sales, while warning that European operations continue to face pressure from weak pricing and high manufa...

Eni Doubles Quarterly Profit and Increases Oil and Gas Production Targets

State-backed energy group Eni reported second-quarter profit of two point three billion euros, expanded its share buyback programme, and raised production targets following new energy discoveries in Southeast Asia.

Intesa Sanpaolo Raises Profit Outlook After Record First-Half Results

Italy's largest bank reported record first-half net income of five point six billion euros and lifted its full-year earnings guidance above ten billion euros, supported by strong profitability and plans for increased shareholder distribu...

Italy Drafts New Military Cyber Command Framework to Protect Critical Infrastructure

The government is preparing legislation to establish a unified military cyber domain, aiming to strengthen national cyber defence by reducing institutional overlap and improving protection for critical infrastructure.

Italy Forecast to Grow Just Zero Point Five Percent as Domestic Demand Remains Weak

Updated projections from the European Commission and the Bank of Italy indicate the economy will expand by only zero point five percent this year, with growth relying heavily on European Union recovery funding as high interest rates and ...

Italy Cuts Diesel Taxes to Cushion Households and Businesses From Higher Oil Prices

The government approved a temporary fourteen-cent-per-litre reduction in diesel excise duties to help households and transport operators cope with higher fuel costs linked to geopolitical tensions affecting global oil markets.

Italy Pushes European Union to Expand Offshore Asylum Processing

At an extraordinary meeting of European Union interior ministers, Italy promoted its proposal to process asylum claims in third countries, presenting its agreement with Albania as a model for a broader European migration strategy.

Italian Government Calls for Temporary Suspension of Schengen Travel With Spain After Ceuta Migration Surge

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini urged the European Union to suspend border-free travel with Spain, arguing that the mass arrival of undocumented migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta poses a se...

Danube Drought Forces Hungary’s Paks Nuclear Plant Into Full Shutdown

Record-low river levels have halted Paks for the first time in 44 years, triggering emergency measures to protect Hungary’s power grid.

Ceuta Death Toll Rises as Spain and Europe Clash Over Border Response

At least seventy-two people have died in the mass crossing from Morocco into Ceuta, where Spain is tightening controls while accusing fellow European governments of exploiting the crisis.

United States and Japan Currency Intervention Eases Pressure on Italian Bond Markets

Italian financial markets reacted positively after coordinated foreign exchange intervention by the United States Treasury and the Bank of Japan helped stabilize global bond markets and reduce pressure on Italian sovereign borrowing costs.

Italy Extends Tax Amnesty Payment Deadline

The Revenue Agency extended the deadline until August 5 for taxpayers making a single payment under the "Rottamazione-quinquies" tax amnesty programme without losing eligibility.

New Renewable Energy Requirements Take Effect for Italian Building Renovations

Updated rules implementing the European Renewable Energy Directive now require renewable energy installations in major building renovation projects, reshaping compliance requirements across Italy's construction sector.

Italy Rejects Russian Claim Over Moscow Restaurant Explosion

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani dismissed Russian claims that an explosion at an Italian-themed restaurant in Moscow was intended to intimidate Italy, reaffirming Rome's support for Ukraine.

Historic Hotel Danieli Reopens in Venice Under Four Seasons Management

Venice's landmark Hotel Danieli has reopened under the Four Seasons brand following an extensive renovation, strengthening the city's position in the global luxury tourism market.

Italian New Car Registrations Rise as Chinese Brands Gain Market Share

New vehicle registrations increased by 3.9 percent in July, while Chinese manufacturers expanded their presence in the Italian market and Stellantis' market share declined.

Trasteel Completes Digital Upgrade at Cuneo Steel Facility

Trasteel Holding completed a digitalization and energy efficiency upgrade at its Profilmec plant in Cuneo, introducing new automation technologies to improve productivity and reduce emissions.

European Commission Approves 20 Million Euro Aid Package for Italian Fishing Sector

The European Commission authorized a 20 million euro Italian state aid programme to help fishing and aquaculture businesses cope with higher fuel costs.

Meloni Government Rejects Draft Gambling Reform Proposal

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government rejected the final terms of a proposed overhaul of Italy's retail gambling sector, delaying wider regulatory reforms.

Italian Startup Tests Offshore Energy Storage Technology in Calabria

Sizable Energy has begun testing a floating gravity-based energy storage system off the coast of Calabria, aiming to store electricity generated by offshore wind without relying on conventional batteries.

Italy's Unemployment Rate Reaches Seven-Month High

Italy's unemployment rate rose to 5.7 percent in June, signalling a modest cooling in the labour market even as the overall employment rate remained close to historic highs.

Sonnedix Secures 730 Million Euro Financing for Southern European Renewable Projects

Renewable energy developer Sonnedix raised 730 million euros to support new solar and battery storage projects across Southern Europe, including Italy.

TotalEnergies Agrees to Acquire Shell's Renewable Energy Assets in Italy

TotalEnergies reached an agreement to acquire Shell's onshore renewable energy portfolio, including wind and solar assets in Italy, as energy companies continue reshaping their clean energy businesses.

Italy and Africa Finance Corporation Launch Strategic Investment Partnership

Italy and the Africa Finance Corporation have established a new investment platform to support infrastructure, renewable energy and critical minerals projects across Africa.

Italy Proposes European Union-Funded Migrant Processing Hubs in Africa

Following the migration crisis in Ceuta, the Italian government said it will propose European Union-backed migrant processing centres in African countries based on Italy's existing agreement with Albania.

Stellantis Reshuffles Management After Weak Second-Quarter Results

Stellantis announced leadership changes, including the appointment of a new Chief Performance Officer, following weaker-than-expected second-quarter earnings and intensifying competition from Chinese automakers.

Italy Approves Extended Producer Responsibility Rules for the Textile Industry

The Ministry for the Environment has approved new Extended Producer Responsibility regulations requiring textile and fashion companies to finance the collection and recycling of garments, supporting Italy's transition to a circular economy.

Heatwave Puts 25 Italian Cities Under Highest Alert

Italy has placed 25 cities under red heat alerts as extreme temperatures strain healthcare services, threaten agricultural production and increase wildfire risks across several regions.

Italy Ends Use of Paper Identity Cards for International Travel

Traditional paper identity cards are no longer valid for international travel from August 3, requiring travellers to use the Electronic Identity Card in line with European security standards during the busy summer holiday season.