Italy's thread 15 June 2019

[umbertino]

Italian coastguard finds bodies of migrants who drowned at sea

 

Boat carrying 50 people capsized off island of Lampedusa last week

 

Lorenzo Tondo in Palermo

Wed 16 Oct 2019 14.50 BST

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/16/bodies-of-migrants-who-died-at-sea-located-by-italian-authorities

 

 

 

 

Stop, you can't pop: prosecco Pringles seized in Italy

 

250 tubes of wine-flavoured crisps taken in investigation into use of protected name

 

Angela Giuffrida in Rome

Wed 16 Oct 2019 14.44 BST

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/16/stop-you-cant-pop-prosecco-pringles-seized-in-italy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mother seeks to make seriously ill girl Italian citizen after legal win

 

Tafida Raqeeb’s mother says it is wise for her to become citizen after transfer to Genoa hospital

 

Haroon Siddique and agency

Wed 16 Oct 2019 12.55 BST

 

 

The high court prevented Tafida Raqeeb’s life support being switched off

Photograph: Family handout/PA

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/16/mother-seeks-to-make-seriously-ill-girl-italian-citizen-after-legal-win-tafida-raqeeb

 

Very sad story.....

 

[umbertino]

PM Conte has tense call with Erdogan, says Syria offensive unacceptable

Moments of tension during call with Turkish president - sources

 

Redazione ANSA Rome

17 October 201916:13 News

 

 

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/10/17/conte-calls-erdogan-says-syria-offensive-unacceptable_21de8663-7499-4b46-9fdb-a7c7d76a812f.html

 

 

 

 

 

Trump dubs Mattarella 'Mozzarella' in White House fiasco

 

17 October 2019

 

 

http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/8638

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trump Sent Attorney General Barr to Rome in Search of a Deep State Plot. Italian Intelligence Says There’s Nothing There

 

Matthew Cole

October 17 2019, 7:41 p.m.

 

 

 

https://theintercept.com/2019/10/17/mueller-investigation-joseph-mifsud-italy/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italy (finally) protects a whistleblower, issues first penalty for retaliation

 

By Vera Cherepanova | Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 8:48AM

 

 

 

https://www.fcpablog.com/blog/2019/10/17/italy-finally-protects-a-whistleblower-issues-first-penalty.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 Unique Cities In (Very) Northern Italy For Fall And Winter Vacations

 

Oct 17, 2019, 08:39am

Catherine Sabino Contributor

 

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/catherinesabino/2019/10/17/4-unique-cities-in-very-northern-italy-for-fall-and-winter-vacations/#28dcb3265165

 

 

Includes also my hometown...All the other places ( except Udine) are very close to where I live

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[umbertino]

Parmigiano hit as Trump's tariffs kick in

Coldiretti forecasts 20% drop in sales to US

 

Redazione ANSA Rome

18 October 201910:44 News

 

 

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/10/18/parmigiano-hit-as-trumps-tariffs-kick-in_9bd145ed-a527-4882-98c0-b1f49a73d4d0.html

 

One of the best cheeses ever....I love it myself and I eat a lot of that...Either in its hard form and also the grated way ( to put on pasta or soup)...

 

To me...The Rolls-Royce of cheeses as for taste

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parmigiano-Reggiano

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grana_Padano

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italy debt too high, credible plan needed - IMF

Labour market, civil service reforms says Thomsen

 

Redazione ANSA Washington

18 October 201916:49 News

 

 

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/10/18/italy-debt-too-high-credible-plan-needed-imf_cc664f5f-8b85-45ef-ba8c-b5a68d408af3.html

 

 

 

 

 

Tragedy as dead migrant mother and child found together

 

18 October 2019

 

 

http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/8643

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Italian road trips every food lover needs to take

 

Claire Wiles

|

Oct 18 2019, 1:02 pm

 

 

 

https://dailyhive.com/mapped/italy-road-trip-food-lovers

 

The Northern tip of Lake Garda is very close to my hometown...It's the biggest lake in Italy and touches 3 provinces ( counties, more or less) Trento, Verona, Brescia and also 3 regions ( Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Lombardia /Lombardy)

 

Great place indeed...All the little towns around the lake are very pretty and  there's a lot of hills where you can make excursions, take long wals, bike etc....

 

The lake is one of the world-capitals of windsurfing as there's a wind ( called "Ora" which also means "hour") which starts breezing every day, making it perfect...They held one or 2 world cups there already.....

 

Italians and Foreigners do love it ( esp Germans and British...but they arrive from all over...Lots of hotels, B&B and campings)

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Garda

 

 

 

 

 

[umbertino]

Thousands take to streets in Rome for far-right rally

 

Matteo Salvini’s League joins rightwing parties in ‘Italian pride’ protest

 

Angela Giuffrida in Rome

Sat 19 Oct 2019 13.51 BST

 

 

Matteo Salvini gestures at the start of the rally in Rome on Saturday

Photograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/19/thousands-take-to-streets-in-rome-for-far-right-rally-salvini

 

 

There were also members of Casa Pound, a neo-fascist group/party.....Theoretically the Italian law prohibits the re-creation, re-contruction, re-foundation of the Mussolini fascist party in any name, way, shape or form...It's written clearly in our Constitution....But this law was somehow never  respected.....

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CasaPound

[umbertino]

New Nuzzi book says Vatican risks financial crash

Out today, says Holy See accounts headed towards default

 

Redazione ANSA Rome

21 October 201912:55 News

 

 

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/10/21/new-nuzzi-book-says-vatican-risks-financial-crash_ebed63c7-a319-4467-a149-f79a6f2e38fb.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Experts defuse WWII-era bomb found during construction in Italy

 

By

• Jared Leone, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

 

 

https://www.ajc.com/news/national/experts-defuse-wwii-era-bomb-found-during-construction-italy/lK4NMJKcbV3NFCFnRQtnyO/

 

That happened in Bolzano ( article says erroneously "Balzano") , just 35 miles north of Trento

 

 

 

 

 

Milan flooded and Genoa on red alert as storms batter northern Italy

 

The Local

21 October 2019

11:29 CEST+02:00

 

 

 

https://www.thelocal.it/20191021/milan-flooded-and-genoa-on-red-alert-as-storms-batter-northern-italy

 

 

Here in Trento it's the hottest October I remember...Usually at this time of the year temperature ( in Celsius) varies from  min. 5-7  to max.12-15....This morning I was out with a shirt and my sweater and had to take sweater off as it was almost hot....24/26 (C)...Usually in the past years in Oct. I'd wear shirt plus sweater plus stuffed-up jacket to keep warm...This is the 1st Oct. ever where I can wear a shirt only...And I live in deep North Italy...In the Southy there's more than 30 degrees  ( Sicily and also other places) ......They can still swim in the sea.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[umbertino]

Origin and History of the Italians

 

 

 

[umbertino]

Tragic deaths show Italy's drink drugs and driving problem

 

21 October 2019

 

 

http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/8649

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try this snappy red wine from Italy’s white truffle region

 

by Marnie Old, Updated: October 22, 2019- 12:13 PM

 

 

https://www.inquirer.com/food/barbera-asti-red-wine-italy-leda-truffle-hunter-20191022.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italy's Biggest Bank Wants to Become Less Italian

By Reuters

• Oct. 21, 2019

 

https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2019/10/21/business/21reuters-unicredit-plan.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[umbertino]

Defying the Cosa Nostra: the man who accidentally bought a mafia stronghold

 

Gianluca Calì was threatened by the mob for years, but now he’s turning an old mafia villa into a holiday house

 

 

by Lorenzo Tondo in Casteldaccia

Sat 26 Oct 2019 07.00 BST

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/26/defying-the-cosa-nostra-the-man-who-accidentally-bought-a-mafia-stronghold

[umbertino]

Arrests as anti-mafia operation catches Foggia drugs gang

 

24 October 2019

 

 

http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/8662

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italian companies to build railway in Canada

 

24 October 2019

 

 

http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/8661

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe's largest steelworks to close?

 

24 October 2019

 

 

http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/8660

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[umbertino]

Umbria ( region) election exit poll points to win for Salvini and Italy's right

 

Donatella Tesei, backed by Matteo Salvini’s League and Silvio Berlusconi, appears set to win in centre-left Italian stronghold

 

Reuters

Mon 28 Oct 2019 00.01 GMT Last modified on Mon 28 Oct 2019 00.35 GMT

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/28/umbria-election-salvini-and-italy-rightwing-berlusconi-donatella-tesei

 

 

The united right won with 57% while the  united left lost with 37%

 

Now Salvini is asking for PM Conte  who runs a Gov't where 5 Stars Movement (which is not exactly leftist, having elements of right, left and center among members) and Democratic Party have an alliance.....to resign  (along w the entire cabinet) and go to new elections

 

 

[umbertino]

These are the most (and least) eco-friendly towns in Italy

(umb's note: First is my hometown Trento)

 

An environmental study has revealed the greenest Italian towns and cities to live in – as well as those with the biggest problems with smog, traffic, water pollution, and waste management

 

The Local

29 October 2019

11:01 CET+01:00

 

 

https://www.thelocal.it/20191029/these-are-the-most-and-least-eco-friendly-towns-in-italy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The biggest culture shocks you'll experience after moving to Italy

 

Confusing, delightful, infuriating or just slightly odd: certain aspects of life in Italy take some getting used to

 

 

The Local

29 October 2019

16:52 CET+01:00

 

 

So you've mastered the Italian language (or at least the basics) and there's no danger of you falling foul of unwritten rules about how to drink your coffee. But as anyone who's moved to the bel paese knows, there's far more to Italian culture than that.

 

For many people who make the move, Italy can be as frustrating as it is wonderful. There's no doubt it takes a while to fully understand and get used to certain aspects of life here.

 

When we asked members of our Living in Italy Facebook group about the culture shocks they faced after moving to the country, they came up with a long list of the differences, large and small, funny and serious, that made the biggest impression on them when they moved here.

 

 

Bureaucracy

 

Starting with the biggest and most obvious one; a lot of people said Italy's famous sea of red tape was the thing they struggled with most when they moved here. 

 

 

 

 

Although some people who've moved here see Italian bureaucracy from a completely different perpective.

 

 

Slowing down

 

What's the rush? As you might have noticed, not much happens quickly here in Italy.

 

If you can get used to it, adopting a slower pace of life (and a relaxed attitude to all that bureacracy) might be the best change you'll make.

 

 

But for some people this slowness, plus a tendency to do things the old-fashioned way, is just really frustrating.

 

 

Saying hello

 

Strangers saying “buongiorno” to you in the street was one of the biggest surprises, according to Nicky Gamble, who comes from “the UK, where nobody even wants to meet your eyes, let alone talk.”

 

Very long lunch breaks

 

If you're used to a 9-5 schedule, you can forget about it. In many parts of Italy working between 1-3pm is just not done, and if you try it will probably be seen as strange.

 

In some areas, things just stop for the whole afternoon.

 

 

This means you'll have to get used to making appointments and shopping trips before lunchtime, and forget making a quick trip to the post office in the afternoon (or ever, because there are no quick trips to the post office in Italy.)

 

Unless you live in a bigger city, many things will be closed for at least two hours in the afternoon or will just have really short or erratic opening hours.

 

 

Kindness of strangers

 

Many people said they were bowled over by how incredibly kind, helpful and generous Italians have been to them, and by how nice Italians are to each other in general.

 

 

However, sadly not everyone said they found Italians so welcoming, open, and friendly.

 

 

 

 

Queuing

 

As many people pointed out, Italians "queue" in their own way, so if you're from a country like the UK prepare to have your patience tested.

 

 

 

 

Healthcare

 

While huge regional variations exist when it comes to the quality of healthcare in Italy, many members said they were impressed with the Italian system.

 

 

 

Italian habits

 

One thing that many international residents said they find amusing is Italians' insistance on wrapping up warm at all times. One commenter from Canada remarked on how he'd seen people "wearing down jackets when it's warm outside."

 

 

Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion, including those not quoted in the article.

 

 

https://www.thelocal.it/20191029/the-biggest-culture-shocks-youll-experience-when-you-move-to-italy

[umbertino]

 

Trentino being my Region

 

 

[umbertino]

Italy mafia networks are more complex and powerful, says minister

 

Interior minister Luciana Lamorgese says gangs have infiltrated economic systems

 

 

Angela Giuffrida in Rome

Wed 30 Oct 2019 17.40 GMT

 

 

Luciana Lamorgese said the fight against the mafia was a government priority

Photograph: Sven Hoppe/dpa/AFP via Getty

 

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/30/italy-mafia-networks-are-more-complex-and-powerful-says-minister

[umbertino]

Italy to renew anti-migration deal with Libya

Foreign minister says deal has reduced number of arrivals and deaths at sea

 

Lorenzo Tondo in Palermo

Thu 31 Oct 2019 13.49 GMT

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/31/italy-to-renew-anti-migration-deal-with-libya

 

Shameful, stupid and criminal.....This Gov't policy toward the Libyan coast guard ( and all the rest) is NO better than the prior Gov't with Salvini......You just can't cooperate with the LIbyans. They're criminals detaining folks for ransoms. torturing them, raping them, sometimes killing them...Makes zero sense doing deals with the Libyans, let alone being totally immoral and unethical...By doing this we, as a Nation, become accessory to the crimes.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 31, 2019 by umbertino

[MyLadiesDaddy]

 

[umbertino]

'An apocalypse happened': Venice counts cost of devastating floods

 

Businesses and residents say they feel helpless as they brace for next high tides

 

Angela Giuffrida in Venice

Wed 13 Nov 2019 19.28 GMT

 

 

A shopkeeper bales out his store in flood-hit Venice

Photograph: Simone Padovani/Awakening/Getty Images

 

 

 

St Mark’s Square is submerged by more than one metre of water

Photograph: Simone Padovani/Awakening/Getty Images

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/13/an-apocalypse-happened-venice-counts-cost-of-devastating-floods

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[umbertino]

List of Italian Mafia crime families in the United States and other Countries

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Italian_Mafia_crime_families

 

Edited November 15, 2019 by umbertino

[umbertino]

Italian police officers jailed for 12 years over 2009 custody death

 

Carabinieri Alessio di Bernardo and Raffaele d’Alessandro found guilty of involuntary manslaughter of Stefano Cucchi

 

Lorenzo Tondo in Palermo

Thu 14 Nov 2019 22.50 GMT

 

 

Ilaria Cucchi posing with a photograph of her brother’s body earlier this year

Photograph: Agf/Rex/Shutterstock

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/14/italian-police-officers-jailed-12-years-2009-custody-death

 

 

Stefano Cucchi's story

 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/nov/18/italy-death-in-custody-justice

[umbertino]

Venetians rage at flood-defence delay: 'They don’t think of us'

 

City’s €6bn ($6.62B) Mose barriers to protect against high tides unfinished after 15 years

 

Angela Giuffrida in Venice

Thu 14 Nov 2019 19.49 GMT

 

 

Tourists walk in the flooded St Mark’s Square

Photograph: Manuel Silvestri/Reuters

 

 

More pics

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/14/venetians-rage-at-flood-defence-delay-evidently-they-dont-think-of-us

 

 

Another Italian shame.........

[umbertino]

I don't forgive, forget or hate says Segre

Holocaust survivor recently given police escort after threats

Redazione ANSA Milan

15 November 201915:46 News

 

 

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/11/15/i-dont-forgive-forget-or-hate-says-segre_25439130-e760-45f8-9e3a-a57274d50bab.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

[umbertino]

 

'Sardines against Salvini': Italians pack squares in protest against far right

 

Thousands converge in bid to beat numbers drawn to League leader’s pre-election rallies

 

Angela Giuffrida in Rome

Tue 19 Nov 2019 15.09 GMT

 

 

Matteo Salvini addressing a rally in Rome in October. The ‘sardines’ initiative began as a sort-of challenge to Salvini’s boasts about filling Italy’s squares with supporters

Photograph: Andrew Medichini/AP

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/19/sardines-against-salvini-italians-pack-squares-in-protest-against-far-right

 

 

Emilia-Romagna region  has been always left-governed and has been deemed for decades one of the best-administered regions in Italy...It's rich and full of industries.....That's the region of Ferrari, Parmigiano Reggiano and other Italian excellences.....

 

There have been of course some lacks from the administrators a few times in all those decades....But I doubt that will be enough for Emilia-Romagna voters to fall under the Salvini 's right-wing spell.....I certainly hope it won't be the case....We'll see... They vote on Jan. 26, 2020

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emilia-Romagna

Edited November 19, 2019 by umbertino

[umbertino]

Thousands protest against Salvini in Modena

19 November 2019

 

 

http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/8738

 

 

 

 

 

Forza Italia ( Berlusconi's party) ex-MEP arrested for alleged corruption

14 November 2019

 

 

http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/8720

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[umbertino]

'Sardines' say 'party over for populists' in manifesto

'Now you will find us everywhere, welcome to the open sea'

Redazione ANSA Bologna

21 November 201914:12 News

 

 

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/11/21/sardines-say-party-over-for-populists-in-manifesto_765567b7-8a60-4ed5-aa7e-9c5dd8e2b31f.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Milan professor reveals impact of crime on Italy's GDP

21 November 2019

 

 

http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/8752

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salvini's links to corrupt entrepreneur investigated

21 November 2019

 

 

http://www.italianinsider.it/?q=node/8751

 

 

 

 

 

Ten of the nicest things you'll notice after moving from the US to Italy

 

We all know Italy is an amazing place to visit. But is it really still "la dolce vita" when you live here permanently? One reader who moved from the US says it is - if you focus on the positives

 

The Local

news@thelocal.it
@thelocalitaly

20 November 2019

16:39 CET+01:00

 

 

The town of Arrone, Umbria. Photo courtesy of Rita Graziano

 

 

More pics

 

https://www.thelocal.it/20191120/ten-of-the-nicest-things-youll-notice-after-moving-from-the-us-to-italy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venice Isn’t Italy’s Only Weather Disaster. Rome and Florence Are Also Under Threat

 

The Arno River in Florence is lapping up against the Ponte Vecchio bridge and the Tiber in Rome has breached its banks. What’s going on with all this bad weather?

 

Barbie Latza Nadeau

Correspondent-At-Large

Updated Nov. 20, 2019 10:58AM ET Published Nov. 20, 2019 10:47AM ET 

 

 

 

https://www.thedailybeast.com/venice-isnt-italys-only-weather-disaster-widespread-flooding-threatens-florence-and-rome-too

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[umbertino]

What happened to Venice's planned flood barriers?

 

After Venice was left devastated once again by exceptionally high tides this week, many are asking what happened to the city's long-awaited flood barriers. Are they still being built? Why has it taken so long? And will they really prevent such disasters in future?

 

Clare Speak

clare.speak@thelocal.com
clarespeak

13 November 2019

16:43 CET+01:00

 

 

Venice is once again submerged after exceptionally high tides swept the city this week. Photo: Marco Bertorello/AFP

 

 

More pics

 

https://www.thelocal.it/20191113/what-happened-to-venices-planned-flood-barr

[umbertino]

Secret bunkers and mountain hideouts: hunting Italy's mafia bosses

 

The Cacciatori unit searches the rugged landscape of Calabria for fugitives who have dug themselves deep into the earth

 

by Lorenzo Tondo in Vibo Valentia, Calabria

 

 

 

List of fugitives, at the Carabinieri barracks in Vibo Valentia, captured from 1992 by Squadrone Carabinieri Eliportato ‘Cacciatori Calabria’

Photograph: Alessio Mamo/The Guardian

 

 

More pics

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/22/calabria-cacciatori-hunting-italy-underground-mafia-bosses-ndrangheta