The 17th Meeting of Cuban Residents in Europe (ECRE) commenced in Rome, Italy, on October 24, 2025, and will run until October 26. The event, featuring a patriotic march, cultural festival, and discussions, focuses on supporting Cuba and condemning the US economic blockade. Delegates gathered at the monument to Giuseppe Manzini before proceeding to the Cuban Embassy.
Italy has officially announced its participation in the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, a NATO initiative enabling European countries to finance the purchase of American weapons for Ukraine. This decision marks a reversal of Rome's initial stance and underscores its commitment to Kyiv's defense efforts.
Archbishop Gian Carlo Perego of Ferrara-Comacchio called on European nations to send ships to convey migrants from Africa to Europe. This appeal follows a recent boat accident off Tunisia's coast on October 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 40 people, including 12 children, and the rescue of 30 others. The archbishop emphasized the need for a 'European plan of accompaniment' across the Mediterranean.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla undertook a historic state visit to the Vatican on October 23, 2025, including an audience with Pope Leo XIV and an ecumenical prayer in the Sistine Chapel. This marked the first time a British monarch publicly prayed with a Pope since the Reformation, symbolizing a significant step in Anglican-Catholic relations.
Luciana Ronchi, 62, died in Milan after being stabbed multiple times by her ex-husband, Luigi Morcaldi, 64. The attack occurred in the Bruzzano neighborhood, leading to a police manhunt and Morcaldi's arrest in Parco Nord. Economic disputes are believed to be a motive.
The Italian government, through a decree issued on October 21, 2025, has significantly strengthened cybersecurity measures for 4G and 5G mobile services. This move, overseen by Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano and proposed by the National Cybersecurity Agency, aims to safeguard national strategic interests and reduce reliance on potentially hostile foreign suppliers.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met briefly with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Vatican City on October 20, 2025, during his visit to the Holy See for a canonization ceremony and discussions on peace and bilateral ties.
The Italian Coast Guard successfully rescued 91 irregular migrants and recovered two deceased individuals from a distressed wooden boat approximately 16 nautical miles southwest of Lampedusa. The operation, initiated after a Frontex aircraft spotted the vessel, brought survivors from various African nations to safety, while investigations into the deaths are underway.
Three young men in their early twenties died and another was seriously injured in a devastating car crash in Asiago, Vicenza, early Sunday morning. Their Peugeot 207 collided with a fountain at a roundabout on Via Verdi after reportedly traveling at high speed, overturning the vehicle.
Nadia Khaidar, 50, has died in Bologna after nearly three months in critical condition following a brutal attack by her ex-partner, Redouane Ennakhali, 44. The July 27 assault, which involved ramming her car and then stabbing and beating her, has led to the charge against Ennakhali being upgraded from attempted murder to murder.
Pope Leo XIV presided over a solemn ceremony in St. Peter's Square, canonizing seven new saints, including a former Satanist, a martyred archbishop, and the first saint from Papua New Guinea. The event marked the second canonization of his pontificate.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has asserted that the government's recently approved 2026 budget plan optimally utilizes available resources. The €18.7 billion package, approved by the cabinet, focuses on tax cuts for middle-income earners, support for families and businesses, and increased healthcare funding, while aiming to meet EU fiscal targets.
Italy's trade surplus widened to €2.0 billion in August 2025, an increase from €1.3 billion recorded in the same month last year. This expansion occurred despite a 1.1% decrease in exports and a 4.1% decline in imports, with the surplus falling short of expectations. The statistical office ISTAT reported these figures, highlighting reduced trade with non-EU markets.
The Italian government has once again delayed the implementation of its plastic tax, pushing the effective date from July 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027. This marks the latest in a series of postponements for the levy on single-use plastics, initially introduced in the 2020 Budget Law.
Italy's Cabinet has approved its 2026-2028 budget draft, targeting a 2.8% deficit in 2026. Key measures include personal income tax cuts, 4.5-5 billion euros in contributions from banks and insurers, and funds for inflation compensation and business incentives. The draft now heads to the European Commission for review.
On the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, attention was drawn to Italy's significantly low insurance coverage against catastrophic and seismic risks, with only 6% of homes protected. This highlights a substantial 'protection gap' in a country highly vulnerable to natural disasters.
Air travelers in Rome faced significant disruptions on Monday, October 13, 2025, as employees of Aeroporti di Roma (AdR) at Fiumicino and Ciampino airports staged a four-hour strike. The industrial action, called by FAST / CONFSAL unions, protested delays in contract renewals and demanded better working conditions and wages.
A 21-year-old, Paolo Taormina, was fatally shot in Palermo's nightlife district after attempting to break up a fight at his parents' bar. Gaetano Maranzano, 28, has been arrested and confessed to the crime, claiming the victim had previously harassed his partner. The incident occurred near Teatro Massimo in the early hours of October 12, 2025.
The Bangladeshi diaspora in Italy has formally addressed Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, expressing grave concerns over alleged human rights violations and the erosion of democratic principles under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh. The letters, sent on October 11, 2025, detail arbitrary detentions, killings, torture, and suppression of media and political opposition.
The 119th edition of Il Lombardia, one of cycling's five Monuments, is currently taking place in Italy. The 241 km race, known as the 'Race of the Falling Leaves', runs from Como to Bergamo, featuring over 4,400 meters of climbing. Tadej Pogačar aims for a record-equalling fifth consecutive victory.
