Italy

Italy plans to use the so-called "escape clause" of the European Union budget rules in order to fund measures that will reduce energy costs by 2027 and 2028. Meloni met with senior coalition members and there was a "broad consensus" about a proposal that would use EU flexibility to help families, businesses and individuals cope with the rising cost of energy over the next 2 years. In March 2025, following Russia's invasion in Ukraine, the European Commission decided that all EU members could increase their defence spending up to 1.5% of GDP each year for four years until 2028. Italy...

Eni, the Italian energy company, announced on Monday that it had signed a deal to purchase a 25% stake of?Black Giant?a subsidiary owned by EnergyX?a U.S. start-up developing a lithium?project?in Chile. Eni will be able to access EnergyX's innovative proprietary technologies for lithium production and?secure the possibility of getting up to one-fourth of Black Giant's future output, it said. Eni's $225 million investment will give it access to EnergyX proprietary lithium technologies and the chance to obtain up to a quarter of Black Giant future production, according to the Wall Street Journal report. Eni owns a small minority stake in...

Valdis Dombrovskis, EU Economy Commissioner, said that the extension of a waiver for Russian sanctions showed that 'G7 members are not always in agreement. Dombrovskis stated that the G7 was a forum to discuss and cooperate with like-minded allies. He said, "But, well... we're not always 100% in agreement on everything. This is unfortunately one of those topics." He praised, however, the joint statement after the G7 meeting. It was said to be a positive outcome of the meeting between the central bank governors and finance ministers. Dombrovskis stated that he was reassured by the United States, who said that...

A top government minister announced on Tuesday that Italy would extend a 'cut in fuel excise duty due to expire May 22 as part of efforts to curb the soaring energy prices caused by the Middle East conflict. Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime minister and Transport & Infrastructure Minister, said during an interview with RTL 102.5 that "we will definitely have to extend the excise reduction." It has spent about?1 billion Euros ($1.16 billion), so far, to reduce?excise duty on?petrol or diesel pump prices. The measure was first introduced in March, and then extended for the first time in late April....

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State on Friday, said that the United States could have a productive relationship with the Catholic Church despite tensions over President Donald Trump's repeated criticisms of Pope Leo. Rubio visited the Vatican Thursday and told reporters that the meeting had been "very positive" before departing Rome. Rubio, when asked about Trump's criticism of Leo for his comments about the Iran War and other issues, said that Trump acts to the benefit of the U.S. Rubio said that Trump acts in the best interest?of the U.S. and "will always speak clearly about how he feels about the?U.S....

Pirelli announced on Wednesday that it would begin producing Cyber Tyres for the United States after Italy curbed its influence with Sinochem, the Chinese investor of the premium tyre manufacturer, in an effort to aid the company's expansion across the Atlantic. Italy's government resolved a dispute last month over Sinochem’s stake in Pirelli by using "golden powers". Sinochem, Pirelli's largest shareholder with a stake of 34.1%, was the cause of the dispute. Sinochem fears that Pirelli may fall foul of U.S. regulations restricting use of Chinese technology within?the automotive sector. Pirelli announced that it would manufacture its connected Cyber Tyre...

Eni, Italy's energy producer, signed a deal with Venezuela's oil ministry and the state-run PDVSA on Tuesday to "relaunch" a heavy crude project within the Orinoco belt. PDVSA has been working with its key partners to sign preliminary agreements that confirm their interest in oil and gas projects or allow them to expand. This is as the government continues a broader?review on all contracts within the oil industry in order for the reform. In recent weeks, U.S. Chevron, British Shell, and Spain's Repsol have also signed similar agreements in order to confirm or expand their partnerships. The agreement with Eni...

Italy has placed new restrictions on Sinochem in an effort to stop a slap on Pirelli's governance, according to people familiar with the matter. Pirelli's largest shareholders Sinochem, a Chinese state-owned company, with 34% of the shares, and Camfin (the investment vehicle of Marco Tronchetti Provera as Executive Vice President), with 26% of the shares, have been involved in a long-running dispute. Tensions grew ahead of the new U.S. regulations that would restrict the use of "Chinese" technologies in the automobile sector. Both Pirelli & Camfin called for "curbs" on Sinochem's ownership, stating that this would complicate Pirelli expansion plans...

Eni, an Italian company, has agreed to purchase a'minority stake' in the natural graphite -producer Nouveau Monde Graphite. This will give Eni access to a critical material that is used in a fase of?energy transition technologies and battery storage. The Italian energy group will be able to enter the vital minerals value chain through the investment in the Canadian firm at a moment when European companies are looking to reduce their dependency on materials that come from China. Eni will be able to negotiate exclusive agreements to supply graphite, and other materials in support of its 'gigafactory' initiative to produce...

The Italian Treasury confirmed an earlier report that Lorenzo Mariani would be the new Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo Defence Group, replacing Roberto Cingolani. Rome, as expected, also proposed the reappointment of Claudio Descalzi at Eni's helm and Flavio Cataneo, Enel's, to their respective energy groups. Cingolani did not win a second term, despite a rise in sales and orders at the state-controlled group since he became its leader in 2023. He also secured a number partnerships with European competitors. Leonardo's shares, which had more than quadrupled in value under Cingolani, dropped this week amid reports of his possible removal,...

Confindustria, Italy's leading business lobby, forecast that the economy would grow by 0.5% in this year. This is a reduction from the 0.7% it had predicted in October. It also warned of'strong' 'downside risks' if the Iran conflict continues. The third largest economy in the Eurozone saw its gross domestic product rise by 0.5%, marking the third consecutive year of growth below 1%. Confindustria stated in its bi-annual report that the 0.5% growth scenario for 2026 was based on an "optimistic hypothesis" that?the conflict in Iran would be over by March's end. The business group warned that if the hostilities...

France and?Italy opened talks with Iran on Friday to?negotiate a deal that would guarantee safe passage of?their vessels through?the Strait of?Hormuz. However, Italy denied this report. Since the U.S. began its strikes against Iran on February 28, shipping in the Gulf, and along the Strait of Hormuz - which carries a fifth of all the oil on the planet - has been at a standstill. Global oil prices have soared to levels not seen since the year 2022. The FT reported that France is one of the European nations engaged in talks with Tehran while Italy sought to contact the...

Scientists warn that climate change is worsening Europe's water shortages. A fast-moving fire has forced over 10,000 people to evacuate their homes and camping sites near the French Atlantic coast. Three heatwaves this summer in Europe have intensified the drought, reduced water availability and dried out the vegetation, which has led to wildfires that have scorched more land than ever before. The heatwave has been blamed for thousands deaths. Officials said that more than 10,000 people had been evacuated in southwest France overnight as a wildfire rapidly spread through 2,000 acres of land to the west of Bordeaux. The prefecture...

Rome is offering free'screenings' in 11 air-conditioned movie theaters as part of a heat relief plan that Mayor Roberto Gualtieri announced?on Wednesday. The scheme will run between?Thursday and August 4th, expanding the existing network of 'climate shelters' in the Italian capital, including public libraries?and museums. Gualtieri stated in a press conference that "beautiful films will be shown, including the latest releases." The screenings are free and will take place between 1 pm and 6.30 pm. Admission is on a first come, first served basis. The first film will be the Italian comedy drama from 2023 "C'e Ancora Domani". Gualtieri stated...

In a small study, we also describe an experimental vaccine that prevented pancreatic carcinoma in people with high genetic risks. Higher levels of plastic in blood linked with heart attacks A small Italian study suggests that heart attack survivors have higher levels in their blood of tiny plastic particles compared to those who never had a heart attack and people whose blood vessels supply the 'heart' are normal. Researchers say that the study of 61 subjects adds to the growing evidence that environmental pollutants may affect cardiovascular health. According to a study published in the European Heart Journal, micro- and...

Farmers in Italy's Emilia-Romagna used to open their barn windows at night to cool their cows during the summer. As temperatures soar to new records, these windows are kept open 24 hours a day to protect cows and their milk. This is the basis of the centuries-old Parmigiano reggiano cheese production in the area. Nicola Bertinelli is the president of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium and also runs the dairy farm his family established in Parma, Italy, in 1895. COSTS GO UP AS THE CHEESE AGE When temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius, cows will spend more time lying, eat less, and...

A study published on Wednesday suggests that climate change could have a significant impact on Italy's economic growth in the long term and make its heavy debt burden even harder to sustain. The output of Italy could be reduced by as much as 6% by 2050. These findings are coming at a time when 'Europe, including Italy, is grappling with an intense heatwave which has seen temperatures rise above normal seasonal levels and been linked to thousands deaths on the continent. The Euro-Mediterranean Centre on?Climate Change's (CMCC) analysis argues that the damage caused by climate change goes beyond direct economic...

Jannik Sinner, who has been battling in the heat at the previous two Grand Slams, said that he is well-prepared to deal with it when temperatures are expected to soar in Wimbledon this week. The second week of the tournament will see temperatures rise again above 30 degrees Celsius. This is after a heatwave that broke British records in June with temperatures around 37 degrees Celsius. Sinner is from the Alpine region in northern Italy of South Tyrol. He struggled to stay physically fit during the heatwave in Paris in May, and fell in the second round?of the French Open....

Italy and the Balkans were affected by a record-breaking, heatwave on Monday. The heatwave has been causing hundreds of deaths in excess and disrupting daily life for over a week. There are growing concerns about the spread of wildfires. The National Weather Service in the United States warned of "dangerous temperatures" in central and eastern U.S., with temperatures in the 90s to lower 100s degrees Fahrenheit. This was in the days leading up to the celebrations of July 4, the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The National Weather Service warned that "the combination of prolonged daytime heat and...

Dina Gazzella is an 85-year old Roman widow who has no company in her home after losing her husband and cat. She is not alone, thanks to the smart technology. A team of social workers keeps tabs on her remotely through an electronic wristband that monitors heart rate and sleep patterns, as well as allowing her to call for assistance in an emergency. The device is part a EUR400 million ($456 millions) scheme of support for the elderly that was introduced by Rome's municipal with EU post COVID funding last year, and currently covers around 700 people. Local authorities hail...

A weather pattern called an 'omega block' is sustaining the intense heatwave that has engulfed Western Europe and caused more than 50 deaths in France. What you need to understand about Omega blocks and whether climate change could make them more frequent in future years. What is an 'Omega?Block'? The Greek letter O is the shape of an omega block. It has a bulge between two low pressure systems that are cooler and warmer. The "blocking element" refers to the way in which warm, high-pressure air becomes stuck. In normal conditions, the Jet Stream carries weather systems from west to...

Venezuela is receiving cash, emergency aid and rescuers after two powerful quakes shook areas around the capital Caracas. Thousands of people are still missing. Here is the list of foreign aid: UNITED NATIONS According to U.N.'s humanitarian affairs agency, 25 international?teams with a total of 1,000 personnel have been mobilized. Tom Fletcher, the chief of aid at the United Nations, said that a collective effort will be needed in order to support government-led efforts and assist communities. UNITED STATES The U.S. State Department announced it would mobilize $150 million of aid. The U.S. State Department said it is mobilizing $150...

On Thursday, the mayor of Paris warned busy Parisians that they should slow down as large parts Western Europe remain in the grips of a deadly, heatwave which has killed dozens of people, caused power outages, and closed schools and cultural landmarks. In the face of a heatwave in France, Sebastien lecornu activated the highest health service mobilisation level. This meant that non-urgent procedures could be cancelled so as to concentrate on those who are affected by the weather. Paris experienced another scorching day on Wednesday after temperatures in France's capital reached a record high of 40.9 degrees Celsius (105.6...

Children at the Harris Primary Academy Mayflower, located in Chafford Hundred just east of London cooled off by slurping ice lollies and splashing in paddling pools. Advikhaa said, "I feel cooler and airier" about the special measures. These include allowing the children to swap their school uniforms with lighter clothing. The aim is to make it easier for the children to cope with the high temperatures. Thousands of schools across Europe sent their pupils home because they couldn't find a short-term solution to the record-breaking heat. Many schools cannot protect their students from heat because such incidents are becoming more...