Life without Berlusconi

Auguri di Pronta Guarigione a Berlusconi

2009-12-15T05:43:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--

Auguri di pronta guarigione al presidente italiano Silvio Berlusconi.

Six Italian Paratroopers Killed in Kabul

2009-09-17T10:43:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--A car bomb packed with 330 lbs. of explosives detonated near two Italian convoy vehicles in Kabul, Afghanistan today at 12:10 (UTC+4:30), killing six Italian Paratroopers and wounding four. The soldiers were part of the 186th Paratrooper Regiment, Brigata Folgore di Siena. Two Afghan civilians were also killed in the attack.

A Taliban spokesman confirmed that the operation was carried out to "prove that no one can consider themselves safe in Afghanistan".

Today's attack is the highest single-day loss of life suffered by the Italian military since November 12, 2003, when 19 Italians were killed in Nassiriya, Iraq by a car bomb.

Since 2004, 21 Italians have died in combat while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.

US Defender Oguchi Onyewu Traded to AC Milan

2009-07-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--In what is sure to be the first of many off-season acquisitions, Berlusconi and AC Milan have acquired a parametro zero Oguchi Onyewu.

Onyewu, a center back who is an integral part of the US men's national team's defense, previously played for Standard Liège in Belgium.

Italy to Take Three Gitmo Detainees

2009-06-18T04:47:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--In what is sure to be a controversial gesture Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi confirmed this week that Italy will accept three detainees from the U.S. Navy's Guantánamo Bay installation.

Speaking in May 2009 Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini stated that Italy was studying the possibility of taking "two Tunisians" from the Cuba-based detention center.

EU foreign ministers endorsed the idea of prisoner transfers to EU territory after the Obama administration expressed desire to close down the prison by January 2010.

Prison transfers to the EU will be on the condition that the US "recognizes its responsibility to accept certain former detainees" -- a move that is largely unpopular in the United States. There are 230 prisoners reported to still be in the Guantánamo Bay facility.

Italy is the fifth EU nation to accept detainees. England, France, Albania and Sweden have already accepted prisoners, and just yesterday the Obama administration formally asked Spain.

Fiat Reaches Deal with Chrysler

2009-04-30T12:30:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Torino-based automaker Fiat signed a deal today with U.S. automaker Chrysler, one which will give the Italian giant a 51% stake in one of America's premier automobile manufacturers by 2013.

developing...

Massive Earthquake Rocks Abruzzo

2009-04-06T04:46:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--A massive earthquake rocked L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region early this morning (03:32 Rome), registering a 6.3 on the Richter scale and significantly damaging 26 villages in the outskirts of this central Italian capital. Locals report that some villages are "90% destroyed."

The earthquake, leaving 294 dead, forced Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to declare an immediate state of emergency and cancel his trip to Russia.

Emergency services are reporting that 27,000 are homeless and L'Aquila's main hospital is "90% out-of-order."

L'Aquila, 60 miles east of Rome, is well-known in Italy for the its National Park, il Gran Sasso d'Italia.

developing...

Enel Signs Nuclear Agreement with EDF

2009-02-27T16:38:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Enel (ENEL.MI), the world's third-largest power company, and France's EDF (Euronext: EEN), France's largest energy provider, have inked a deal to begin the construction of four nuclear power stations in Italy.

Construction of the power stations, whose sites are not yet determined, will begin in 2013 and is set to be completed in 2020.

The deal marks an end to Italy's 22-year long opposition to nuclear power generation, and strengthens France's position as the world's largest exporter of electrical power.

France, long a producer and exporter of nuclear energy, fulfills 80% of domestic electricity needs from nuclear power and exports 18% of its production.

Other nuclear power producers that are reportedly keen on developing power stations in the newly-opened Italian market include the United States' Westinghouse, Germany's E.ON AG (FWB: EOAN) and Italy's Edison (EDN.MI).

Fiat Stock Ends Week with Sharp Net Loss

2009-01-24T04:46:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Turin-based Fiat SpA (BIT: F) ended the week with a -22% loss ($4.75 USD to $3.57 USD), after reports predicted a 2% GDP contraction in the Eurozone for 2009 and general fears over the company's industrial debt, released Thursday at 5.9 billion EUR.

Rome's La Repubblica recently reported that the Agnelli family is considering a 2 billion EUR capital increase.

Fiat's fall this week comes as somewhat of a surprise, however, considering Wednesday's announcement of a strategic alliance with Chrysler LLC.

The Chrysler deal gives Fiat SpA a 35% stake in the American automaker, and opens the U.S. market to Fiat and Alfa Romeo automobiles. The top brass at Fiat is hoping that the Fiat 500 (pictured below) will do well in the American market at an estimated $13,020 USD price tag.

The Chrysler deal includes $4 billion USD in U.S. government emergency loans plus an additional $3 billion USD in federal aid, and will give Chrysler access to a new market and new technology produced by Fiat SpA. Fiat and Alfa Romeo automobiles will be produced in Chrysler factories, giving needed industrial output to America's ailing manufacturing sector.

If the process moves as projected Fiat 500s will be rolling on American streets within 18-24 months.

Italy Raises Terror Alert

2008-12-05T14:20:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Due to heightened chatter and the upcoming Christmas season Italian authorities have issued an allarme terrorismo--terror warning--requesting that citizens be extra vigilant in the weeks ahead.

Roberto Maroni, Italy's Minister of Internal Affairs, stated today that their attention is "extremely high" and that Italian law enforcement offficials have stepped up controls to places typically associated with large crowds such as "supermarkets, malls, churches and other places of worship in order to prevent terrorist actions."

Italy, although being a significant contributor to the unpopular US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, enjoys extensive diplomatic and commerical ties with Libya, Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine, and is generally viewed as a less-biased power broker in Mideast affairs.

Following Israel's 2006 invasion of Lebanon, local authorities dismissed French control a month earlier than anticipated, transferring control of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) to the Italians.

Obama? "Bello, giovane e abbronzato."

2008-11-07T06:37:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--The Italian press is reporting that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was the only member of the G7 that did not receive a telephone call from Barack Obama post-election.

The slight is being attributed to Berlusconi's perceived racial gaffe.

In a press conference a day after America elected its first black president, Silvio Berlusconi called Barack Obama "handsome, young and suntanned... ...so I think we will work well together." The word, abbronzato -- suntanned -- and the entire phrase, is not being taken or translated particularly well by the Italian and foreign media.

In addition to speaking with all of the G7 members, notably a lengthy conversation with French Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy whose country holds the 6-month rotating EU presidency, U.S. president-elect Barack Obama also telephoned the leaders of Israel, Mexico, South Korea, and Australia.

Spain's Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, who withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq two days after his April 17, 2004 election, also made the "do not call list," with the European press reporting that he was not privy to Obama's first round of telephone cordialities.

Budget Cuts Planned to Italy's Schools

2008-11-02T07:19:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--The Italian government, per Mariastella Gelmini, recently proposed massive budget cuts to its schools and universities, affecting 87,000 professors and 44,000 researchers. The cuts also affect maintenance of the building's structures.

Walter Veltroni, the leader of Italy's center-left Democratic party (PD), and Italy's opposition candidate, has promised to have the decree repealed.

One controversial addition to the proposed educational reform bill calls for "foreign students" to be taught in different classrooms, in the afternoon for intensive language classes. While many see intensive language classes as having a positive effect on the long-term education system, Gelmini was nevertheless forced to defend herself after claims of racism were lodged against her.

Gelmini has stated: "Racism has nothing to do with it. This has to do with integration. A little child, if he doesn't know the language, he learns it immediately. But a 10-year old, newly arrived in Italia, they will lag behind..."

Mosques Flourish in Italy

2008-08-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--In what is believed to be one of Europe's -- and the world's -- most Catholic countries, a neighbor has arrived: Islam. Italy's history with Islam dates back hundreds of years when Sicily (from 965 to 1062) was conquered and ruled by North Africans. The recent wave of immigration, however, is making some Italians uneasy, in a country and continent that is desperately fighting to retain its culture.

Most vocal is La Lega Nord, a party from Italy's far north that is often associated with xenophobic and ultra-nationalistic views. Claiming that Italy is "for the Italians", the party is hoping to ban the construction of minarets, outlawing muezzins, requiring that all prayers be carried out in Italian -- "to see if they are praising Holy War" -- as well as instituting a ban on all commerce -- "to avoid the souks."

The measures are sure to stir some debate on the television programs and at dinner tables throughout Italy, but implementation of any of the proposed laws, in a country that values freedom of religion, seems unlikely.

developing...

NBC: "Berlusconi is too old for Beijing"

2008-08-10T07:02:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--The Italian press is taking much note of NBC's excessively harsh treatment of Italia, underlining NBC's Bob Costas' and Matt Lauer's comments: "Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi chose to not be here tonight alongside 80 other heads of state... ...because in Beijing it's too hot, too hot for him... ...at 72 he is too old for such a trip."

Lo SCEC to the Rescue?

2008-04-25T07:44:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Since the introduction of the euro many Italians have been skeptical of its benefit, pointing out that the common currency raised housing and food costs. Seven years later, some Italian cities have found a solution: lo SCEC.

Lo SCEC stands for "Sconto ChE Cammina" -- the discount that works -- and it has already been introduced within the city limits of Napoli and Trento. The money is distributed freely and creates a subterranean collective economy based on mutual trust, since any business at any time can choose to stop accepting SCECs.

Lo SCEC provides the consumer and the producer a discounted price on the euro; if a store offers a 20% discount on items, a 10 EUR item would cost 8 SCEC.

The site www.progrettoscec.com details that 110,400 SCEC are in circulation, and the numbers could grow due to Beppe Grillo's recent support for the currency.

The initiative, started by groups of small business owners, private citizens and artisans, determined that the fundamental problem was that the euro immerged and is managed "in the exclusive interest of the banks, not the citizens." In Italy, where a large part of the population feels that they have lost purchasing power since the introduction of the euro, the introduction of lo SCEC is a noteworthy development.

Berlusconi is Back

2008-04-14T09:59:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--He will be greeted with shreiks of joy -- and agony -- having defeated his opponent by close to a 10-point margin.

In the rollercoaster ride that is Italian politics, Silvio Berlusconi is poised to become Italy's Prime Minister -- for a third time.

The Italian Left has all but collapsed and their candidate, Walter Veltroni, embarassed at the polls.

Veltroni, a journalist by profession and the head of the Italian Democratic Party, was mayor of Rome from 2001-2008, having resigned on February 13, 2008 to campaign.

Developing...

La Caduta di Prodi

2008-01-25T05:35:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Prime Minister Prodi's 20-month reign -- and Italy's 61st post-WWII government -- has fallen. Will new elections be called or will President Napolitano orchestrate some sort of reshuffle?

Things are uncertain; meanwhile the opposition celebrates with prosecco and mortadella...

Berlusconi to the Rescue

2007-11-18T13:17:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Berlusconi announced today in Milan's Piazza San Babila that Forza Italia will be dissolved, and he will form a new party, Il Parito del Popolo Italiano.

Stay tuned...

Will Italy's Churches Become Mosques?

2007-11-10T00:05:00.001-08:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--In Ponzano Veneto, a small Italian town north of Venice in the province of Treviso, one parish priest has an idea: on Fridays, his church will become a mosque.

Given Italy's declining rate of practicing Catholics and church-goers, don Aldo Danieli, in conjunction with il Centro Islamico di Treviso, has decided to open his doors to Muslims each Friday in the name of religious integration.

Ponzano Veneto (pop. 11,400) has an estimated 650 immigrants, most of whom come from Eastern Europe and North Africa.

The idea of changing a church into a mosque, if even temporarily, is creating a stir in this corner of Italy, known for its far-right, anti-immigrant party la Lega Nord. Luca Zaia of la Lega Nord has asked for "clarifications", stating that he is not yet convinced that the position taken by don Danieli is in line with that of la Santa Sede. Furthermore, Zaia has emphasized that it is the job of the immigrants to integrate themselves into Italian society, not vice versa.

In spite of the onslaught of criticism, don Danieli's position remains strong and unwavering, with him stating calmly: "I prefer Muslims that pray to Christians who swear."

Torino Politecnico Increases All-English Programs; Participants to Pay No Tax

2007-10-25T10:01:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--In a blow to Italian language lobbyers everywhere, il Politecnico di Torino recently announced that it will provide more English-only programs, aimed at attracting foreign students. To pour salt in the wound, the English-only participants will pay no taxes for their first year of study.

Statistics vary greatly, but in all available data, Italian usage lags roughly ten places behind English, Spanish, French and German. Italian, the 24th most spoken language in the world with 61 million native speakers, comprising 2% of the EU, trails behind the other EU economic engines' languages: Britain (English 2nd); Spain (Spanish 4th); France (French 10th); Germany (German 12th).

Critics of the "no taxation program" claim that Italians choosing to study in the madrelingua are unfairly penalized. University officials see a different picture, however, noting that the students they hope to attract often come from China, India and the Arab World, places where English is widely studied.

All English-language programs are not new to Italy, with Milan's Bocconi introducing all-English degrees in 2001, and Firenze and Bologna offering similar programs.

Last February Prime Minister Romano Prodi lobbyed to reinforce Italian's prominence in the EU. The EU currently has only English and French-speaking spokesmen, and press conferences that were once translated into Italian, have had funding cut.

"Il Mercato della Pasta" Under Investigation

2007-10-24T05:51:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--

developing...

150 of These

2007-09-29T03:59:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Beginning in December the Italian government will issue 150 EUR ($213) to each povero. Within the context of the program, a povero is someone who takes home less than 7,500 EUR($10,664) a year, therefore accounting for 13% of Italy. 150 EUR will be distributed a testa -- per head, so a family of four would receive 600 EUR ($853) a year.

The initiative, which will cost the Italian government 2 billion EUR, also plans to provide rent vouchers for renters earning less than 15,493.71 EUR ($22,030) a year, granting the renters an annual rent detraction of 300 EUR ($426.50).

To quell Italy's housing problem, in Italy known as gli sfratti -- the evicted, la Finanziaria plans to invest 550 million EUR over the short-term in low-income housing.

Luciano Pavarotti Dead at 71

2007-09-06T05:02:00.000-07:00

"Remember me as an opera singer"

Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007)

Tornatore Mugged in Rome

2007-09-01T05:17:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Giuseppe Tornatore, the Sicilian-born cinematic genius who brought us Cinema Paradiso and Il Camorrista, has been mugged in Rome by three gypsies.

The thieves assaulted Tornatore, taking his iPod, cellular phone and wallet. Dealt a blow to the head, Tornatore fell and was found by a passerby who brought him to a nearby hospital on the Isola Tibertina in Rome. He is currently being treated for a trauma cranico--traumatic brain injury. The three criminals have been arrested by the polizia romana in a nomad camp on the outskirts of Rome.

Italy Watch wishes Giuseppe Tornatore, an artistic genius and inspiration to all to us, a speedy recovery.

Firenze Begins Crackdown on "Lavavetri"

2007-09-01T04:56:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--In the pastoral provincia of Firenze, the lavavetri--window washers--are afraid. In the past few days Firenze began a crackdown, arresting 15 people on Aug. 28th, after the local government issued a directive the day prior.

Councillor of Security, Graziano Cioni, has come under fire, but affirms that the directive is not against "the poor", but rather an answer to "the arrogance and aggression that many window washers direct towards automobile drivers who do not pay them as much as they would like."

Prominent Italian intellectual Alberto Asor Rosa (not even a fiorentino, but a romano) criticized Cioni calling the new law a cialtronata--something that is good-for-nothing. Cioni hit back contending that Rosa doesn't even live among "the people" anymore. Cioni continued, stressing, "certain intellectuals don't even live in the cities anymore with the people. I, however, I live among the people and the citizens side with me."

The law remains in vigor, arrests continue to be made, with prison sentences lasting up to 3 months.

Ecomostro Installed in Venice

2007-08-12T02:54:00.001-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Apparently, Santiago Calatrava knows nothing about aestethics or architectural continuity, because Italy has a new ecomostro (see "martedi, aprile 25, 2006 for more on Italian ecomostri). Calatrava, the Spanish architect who won a 1999 competion to design a fourth bridge spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, has finally installed his monstrosity, angering many Venetians.

Some Venetians call it Il Ponte Roma, some Il Quarto Ponte, and others simply Il Ponte della Vergogna -- The Bridge of Shame. In a city whose future is so dependent on preservation, it's disappointing to see an eyesorer of a project like this gain approval (in 2002), and finally be completed.

One of the main groups that fought against its approval was HBGroup, Human Basics, a consortium of architects and engineers that ensures that projects are suitable for use by the disabled. According to the HBGroup, the Calatrava bridge is in violation of Italian laws on accessibility, and the disabled will now have to cross this bridge using a tramway, still to be installed.

Pictured below is the El Puente del Alamillo (Sevilla), another questionable Calatrava-signed ecomostro, looming over the Sevillan skyline.

A New Mosque Every Four Days

2007-08-05T02:38:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Egyptian-born Corriere della Sera columnist and author Magdi Allam recently put forth an eye-opening statistic: a new mosque is born in Italy every 4 days.

That's 7 a month, 91 a year. Since 2000 il Belpaese, the territorial mass in which resides il Vaticano, has doubled in Islamic institutions (351 mosques in 2000 to 735 today), and at the current growth rate, it's not inconceivable to envision a future where there are more (functioning) Islamic institutions in Italy than Catholic ones. Italy abounds with churches, but they have become largely tourist attractions that struggle to maintain membership levels.

The biggest mosque in Europe, the Mosque of Rome (pictured above), was desired by and paid for by King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. Construction of La Moschea di Roma started in 1984 but was not completed until 1995. La Moschea di Roma is in the north of Rome, at the foot of i Monti Parioli in the Acqua Acetosa neighborhood. (N.d.R.: See below, F/green line)

Italy, unlike its other European neighbors, has not had any significant problems with integrating its Muslim population. Nevertheless, many Italians, who are still largely "culturally Catholic", fear that Italy is becoming irreversibly bound to Islam. Magdi Allam, the biggest voice on Islam in Italy today -- and also its fiercest critic (since the passing of Oriana Fallaci) -- aims to educate and "alert" the Italian public that a conflict is forming under their very own eyes.

Magdi Allam does a daily column called Noi e gli altri -- Us and the Others -- and is the author of a half dozen books: Jihad in Italia, Kamikaze made in Europe, and Vincere la paura. La mia vita contro il terrorismo islamico e l'incoscienza dell'Occidente (Defeating fear. My life against Islamic terrorism and the unconsciousness of the West).

Il Gran Antonioni Se Ne Va

2007-07-31T04:46:00.000-07:00

(Michelangelo Antonioni, courtesy of ANSA)

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Known in the Stati Uniti for Blow-Up and L'Avventura, the Ferrara-born director Michelangelo Antonioni passed away yesterday evening in the city of his birth, calmly seated on an arm chair next to his wife. Antonioni was 95, and leaves behind a vast catalogue of films, many of which stressed his belief that actions and behavior -- not words, are integral to the essence of mankind. He leaves a blanket of silence in a country so dearly attached to cinema.

"La solitudine e' la mancanza di parole intorno a noi."

Michelangelo Antonioni

"Solitude is the lack of words around us."

Totti To Leave La Squadra Nazionale

2007-07-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Francesco Totti, the captain of AS Roma and the Italian National team, "gli azzurri", announced to the press yesterday that he will no longer play with the Italian National team. Totti has decided to dedicate the remainer of his football career to AS Roma, his home team and birth city. Speaking to the press, Totti said: "The word 'finished' is an ugly word, but I've decided to close my chapter with the National team for physical, not technical reasons... ...I'm sorry, but my health is the most important thing." Citing knees and back problems, Totti, 31, admitted that playing with two teams was simply too much. He did not, however, leave the stage without sowing the seeds of polemics, expressing his belief that the press (especially those of the North) was overly harsh on him this past year because he is a Roman, a Southerner.

("I have purged you again")

Milan To Impose Strict Traffic Restrictions

2007-07-10T05:20:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--This fall the city of Milan will slap motor vehicle polluters with substantial traffic tariffs. The tariffs, which will be applied upon each entry into the designated traffic zone, will start around 2 euro and creep upwards to 10 euro. The price variability will depend on the type of motor vehicle used, and amount of emissions produced. Local government officials claim that the city's emissions rates will be halved. The proposed program is similar to the one mapped out by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, which requires all drivers in Manhattan (below 96th St.) to pay an $8 fee during business hours.

Oil Exploration Underway in Chianti

2007-07-04T07:25:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK--(Italy Watch)--Heritage Petrolium Plc, a British petroleum company, has been granted permits to perform preliminary exploration in Italy's Chianti region for petroleum reserves. The majority of the drilling will take place in the region surrounding San Gimignano, and extend south toward Siena.

1,553 square kilometers (600 square miles -- slightly larger than the city of Houston, TX) are open to drilling, although Heritage Petroleum Plc and local Italian government officials in Chianti claim that no current plans exist for drilling.

The 6-year exploratory contracts pose obvious problems for a region whose livelihood is tied to agriculture, wine and rural tourism. If Chianti loses its land, with it goes its agroeconomic base and rustic charm.

Bush in Rome

2007-06-08T05:23:00.000-07:00

(above, "Bush: Rome will be your tomb")

Rifkin: "Italy is the KSA of renewable energy"

2007-06-08T04:55:00.001-07:00

(above, a solar-powered gondola)

Well-known American economist Jeremy Rifkin recently stated that "Italy is the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy", and furthermore is an ideal country to launch a third Industrial Revolution. Despite the 2-cycle, soot-covered chiese -- churches -- in Italy's larger downtowns, il Belpaese and its people are ecofriendly. Italy has experimented extensively with wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, and unlike in the U.S., Italy's citizens and (non-politicians and politicians alike) are united in the idea that alternative, renewable energies are the future. Rifkin also underlined the global importance that Italy could play as a launch pad for renewable energy, particularly in regard to its positioning as a geographic landbridge between Europe and Africa.

(N.d.R.: "KSA" is a common acronym for "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia")

5-Year Urban Renewal Planned for Milan

2007-05-31T05:31:00.000-07:00

(above, a portion of the "Progetto Porta Nuova")

Milan, Italy's second biggest city (pop. 1.3 million), is set for an all-out construction boom, bent on turning itself into an European economic powerhouse. Milan is one of the three points of Italy's economic "triangle" (the other points being Genoa and Turin), and is a center of fashion, telecommunications, media and La Borsa Italiana, Europe's 5th biggest Stock Exchange with a market capitalization $1.07 trillion. With a possible NYSE Euronext takeover in the works, Sheva possibly on his way back to AC Milan, and Carnaroli more popular than ever, Milan hopes to grow bigger (and better) thanks to the proposed $2.5 billion investment.

(above, the Milanese skyline)

The architects (25 of them), local politicians and property investors are calling the 5-year urban renewal plan "Progetto Porta Nuova" -- Project New Door, and are presumably doing so in the hopes that the construction booms leads "opens doors" toward the internationalization of the city. Progetto Porta Nuova focuses on economic centers, but also gives ample room to parks and residential housing.

Above, two cranes rest in the fuschia-tinged Milanese dusk after a hard day's work.

Napoli Drowning in Trash

2007-05-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

Modern-day Napoli is known by Italians and tourists alike to be a chaotic, dangerous, beautiful place, but also one with a serious trash problem. The problem has recently grown so wildly out of control, that this week the Italian government estimated that are 2,700 tons of trash on the streets of Napoli.

The President of Italy (appropriately named Napolitano) has called it a situazione tragica -- a tragic situation -- stating that in the current (and recently improved) measures have been effective in combatting the trash problem, but not nearly enough. In certain neighborhoods of the city schools have threatened closure, because the schools were "immersed in trash".

(Above, a library in Napoli fighting to stay afloat in a sea of trash)

developing...

Does Italy Have a Banlieue Problem?

2007-04-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

In Italy, Milan is known for its Chinese ghettos much like in France the cities of Paris and Marseille are known for their Arab ones. Yesterday in a Chinese neighborhood of Milan (Paolo Sarpi), a spontaneous riot broke out after a woman of origine cinese was fined for selling goods during a time that her permit does not allow her to do. After the woman received the fine 300 or so Chinese attacked the Italian police, throwing bottles and flipping over cars.

This outbreak of violence recalls the violence in Paris last week at the Gare du Nord when hundreds of Arab and African immigrants rioted and assaulted police after an officer asked an African immigrant at a turnstile in the train to see his ticket. It turned out that the immigrant did not have a ticket and riots ensued. The Gare du Nord riots immediately became a hot election issue in France (with presidential elections due in less than 2 weeks), and the talk of Paris' run-down, mismanaged banlieues once again surfaced.

In the "Chinatown Riots" -- as Italian media have been calling them -- 14 officers were wounded, and 5 Chinese immigrants (see above). Both sides are still trying to "make sense of the situation" and what happened. Has the rivoluzione rossa, so dearly wanted by Italian studenti finally begun, albeit by the Chinese?

Buona Pasqua...

2007-04-08T17:04:00.000-07:00

...e vi prometto tutti che fra poco comincerò a scrivere ancora

Italian Journo Kidnapped in Afghanistan

2007-03-08T10:54:00.000-08:00

Italian reporter, Daniele Mastrogiacomo, 52, has been kidnapped in Afghanistan. Mastrogiacomo, a foreign correspondent for Rome's La Repubblica, was born in Pakistan and holds dual Swiss/Italian citizenship. Rome has gone out in protest supporting the release of Mastrogiacomo and a petition is circulating to assure his safe and speedy return. He is reportedly in the hands of the Taliban, and the Taliban recently said that Mastrogiacomo's fate is "still to be decided".

Developing . . .

( photo courtesy of La Stampa)

(Above: Ezio Mauro, the Editor-in-Chief of La Repubblica; Walter Veltroni, the Mayor of Rome, and Rosa Calipari, the wife of Italian Sismi agent Nicola Calipari who was killed by U.S. forces in a friendly-fire incident)

****UPDATE****

Daniele Mastrogiacomo was released this week in a prisoner exchange with the Italians, 5 captured Taliban for il Signore Mastrogiacomo. The U.S. government lodged a complaint with the Italian government about releasing 5 Taliban, but Massimo D'Alema, Italy's Foreign Minister, said he had "no regrets".

Here We Go Again

2007-03-03T12:34:00.000-08:00

The newly-reminted Prodi is starting off this round with the same ol' jabbering: "There is no room for games"; "Give me five years and I'll change Italy"; et cetera, exactly what we heard 9 months ago.

Members of Prodi's coalition are against Italy's involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the enlargement of the American base in Vicenza, but another crucial flashpoint is La Tav, something that Prodi supports. La Tav, (Treni ad Alta Velocità) refers to a high-speed train network planned for Italy. The trains run 200km-300km per hour (125mph-190mph) and have the capability to make up to 300 trips a day.

The construction, however, is an arduous ones and "La Grande T" -- the Big T -- runs a "T" from Milano south to Napoli, and Torino east to Venezia; other main stops are Genova, Verona, Padova, Bologna, Firenze, Foggia and Bari. A slew of tunnels and bridges will have to be built and the initial cost estimate, which was initially high, just tripled. If unfinished, la Tav could become another infamous ecomostro, but it's hard to argue against the usefulness of a high-speed train system. The most contentious link on the Tav is the Torino-Lione section (Turin-Lyon, France), and the environmental impact, although undetermined, could be great -- and the beautiful Piemonte is a region definitely worth preserving.

The Torino-Lione link is pitched as an effective way to transport goods, but once across the border, la Tav reportedly cannot travel at its high-speed, as this segment of the French railway does not have the required capabilities (otherwise, the French railways are among the best in the world).

For many reasons, many Italians question the necessity of the Tav's construction. It's also worth noting that many Italian (and European) lefties see the Tav as a "land fight": Posted on Indymedia Barcelona is the following: "The struggle against the high-speed train is an expression of our right to refuse, radically, and through direct action, any expropriation of the land to the benefit of the Neoliberals."

It looks like Prodi's ride forward -- whether it be on a Tav or not -- is destined to be a bumpy one indeed.

Democracy at Work

2007-02-24T07:17:00.000-08:00

(above: L'Express, 5/17/06, feat. Napolitano. Cover reads: "It is necessary to change the [political] climate in Italy")

Giorgio Napolitano, Presidente della Repubblica Italiana, has chosen to give Prodi another shot -- so postpone the postponement. Prodi will face an official vote of confidence in the Senate and his coalition will be restructured. Was reinstating Prodi as Prime Minister 9 months after his installation Napolitano's idea of "changing the political climate in Italy", as he said in an interview with the French weekly L'Express in May of '06? As he massages Italy back to its feet, Napolitano contends that there was simply no other option, no other concrete alternative than reinstalling Prodi.

Shortly after Napolitano's announcement the Cdl and Berlusconi responded: "Italy is the one country that has the misfortune of having Communist parties part of the government. We were hoping that the Prodi government would implode, but we never spoke of forcing its implosion."

********UPDATE********

This Wednesday, Februrary 28th, Prodi received the Senate's vote of confidence. The new Prodi government is under way and will be reported on as noteworthy details arise.

Prodi Resigns

2007-02-22T12:09:00.000-08:00

After less than 9 months in office, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi has resigned. Prodi lost a crucial (although informal) vote of confidence on Wednesday pertaining to the Italian troop presence in Afghanistan and the enlargement of the American base in Vicenza. The outcome of the Senate vote was 158 in favor, 136 against, 24 abstainments. Italian Foreign Minister, Massimo D'Alema, a member of Prodi's center-left coaltion suggested that the Prodi government resign if they stood to lose the confidence vote.

Italian president, Giorgio Napolitano (a former Communist), urged Prodi to put his government's foreign policy to the test and see if it still held majority support in the Italian senate. The result: Prodi has effectively lost his mandate to govern. 9 months ago in early May, upon his election, Prodi pledged that his government would "last five years".

The outcome of the Senate vote surprised even Berlusconi, who just a few days earlier predicted that the Left would find common ground and work out their differences. Upon hearing the resignation of Prodi, Berlusconi joyously suggested that "a Prodi encore" was not what the Italian public had in mind. (N.d.R.: sources now deny that Berlusconi made a public declaration about Prodi, and it's possible that the "Berlusconi declaration" is fabricated)

If the majority does not form a new coalition, Napolitano could call for new elections (or even reappoint Prodi); the Italian public expressed today that they are contrary to trudging out to the voting booths again. But the law rules, and from the looks of it, a new Italian election could be looming...

(above: a spot by Berlusconi's Forza Italia; top: a picture of Massimo D'Alema (Center-Left coalition) with the words, "Foreign Policy: Without a majority we'll go home.", bottom: Forza Italia, "...well? GO HOME!!!"

The Belpaese Gets "it" Wrong

2007-02-21T06:53:00.000-08:00

In a hopeful bid to relaunch Italy as the most visited country in Europe (France is #1; Paris the #1 tourist destination in the world), il belpaese has redesigned its logo (above), and endured a dual Prodi/Rutelli presentation, rife with explanations of its appropriateness.

Designed by San Francisco-based design firm Landor Associates, the logo is supposed to evoke "modernity", "naturalism" and "Italian tradition". Below the "it" it says "Italy leaves an impression". All indications point to the logo not being designed in Italy (for example, at Landor's Milan office) or even being the work of an Italian, but was rather outsourced to a design competition, albeit with some Italian judges on the panel. Italy's old turismo logo (above), whose look always struck me as suspiciously similar to Spain's (below), must have been more popular; an online survey taken today by Italy's second biggest daily La Repubblica found that only 29% of Italians approve of the new logo. Italy's turismo site, www.italia.it, is currently in fase di realizzazione -- coming soon -- just plain out of order; surely a great way to relaunch a tourism initiative.

Huge Commie Rally Outside U.S. Air Base

2007-02-16T14:01:00.000-08:00

(above: Prodi sold us to the U.S.A.)

The polemics surrounding the expansion of the U.S. Air Force base in Vicenza (see Gennaio 19) will continue this weekend with Italian lefists staging a massive rally. Fausto Bertinotti, head of Rifondazione Comunista and part of the Prodi government, urged protesters to be non-violent after several Italian politicans voiced concern over the protests being infiltrated by militants (from Italy and beyond). The organizers of the rally pledged that Vicenza would be "invaded peacefully and noisily by (80,000) thousands of men and women, and the protests were non-violent.

In a massive sweep last week Italian authorities arrested a dozen or so members of the Brigate Rosse -- Red Brigades -- an Italian Communist paramilitary group -- with huge weapon arsenals. Italy is no stranger to political violence and terrorism, and since WWII has had several Communist and Fascist bomb attacks (as well as political assassinations) on its soil.

(above: US Army Friend$. Only imbeciles never change their mind)

The U.S. military restructuring plan of George W Bush -- cutting U.S. troops in Europe by 2/3, moving the Hiedelberg base to Wiesbaden, etc. -- also includes repositioning 2,000 soldiers to Vicenza. Italians recognize that the U.S. Air Base provides an economic injection to Vicenza's local economy, but worry that it could (once again) be used as a forward-operating base for American war plans -- like it was during the Balkans.

Saturday afternoon from Sardegna Berlusconi chimed in via conference call to the Forza Italia Youth Summit in Napoli: "I'm very sad because while you youth are there (in Napoli) discussing themes of liberty, thousands of protesters are marching in Vicenza against the United States."

Italy's Charm Tainted by Solar Panels

2007-02-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Pierluigi Bersani, Italian Minister of Economic Development, recently put forward an initiative to dramatically increase Italy's solar output. In 2002 Italy produced 2% of its non-renewable electrical energy using solar power ( source: DOE/EIA), and in 2004 it began a 0.35% annual increase. The Bersani initiative, which has allocated 62 million euro in 2007 to communities that employ solar power, is well-intentioned and adheres to Brussels' plan of reducing carbon emissions -- but in the eyes of many it causes eyesores.

Most that visit the Italian countryside can't help but leave with the feeling that the entire terracotta roof dotted landscape be deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The greening of Italy's energy sector is a good thing, but how far will it go, and with how much care will it be implemented? Will the towers of San Gimignano be covered in pannelli solari in the name of energy efficiency and carbon emissions reduction? Will Bersani's plan create little energy, but lots of ecomostri? Luckily, these ecomostri can be easily removed. And in the end, what's uglier, a smoggy belpaese (N.d.R.: see Giugno 16), dependent on foreign fossil fuels, or one accented with solar panels?

(N.d.R.: see Aprile 25th and 27th for more on Ecomostri)

Italy to Try U.S. Soldier

2007-02-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

The Caso Calipari seems to be far from finished. This morning a judge from Rome requested an extradition of American soldier Mario Lozano. Nicola Calipari -- killed by U.S. soldiers at a checkpoint March 4th, 2005 -- was an Italian Sismi agent. The post-mortem investigation showed that the ex-Sismi agent was killed by one bullet in the head. The killing of Calipari infuriated Italians of all political stripes, and some politicians suggested that he was targeted by the U.S. for his alleged involvement in paying cash ransoms (rumored to be in the millions of euro) to the insurgency for Italian hostages. The U.S. government has shrugged at all notions of these "conspiracy theories", calling it a "friendly-fire" accident; the U.S., however, does have a strict policy of not paying ransoms, since they fund the illegal acquisition of arms.

In response to today's request for Lozano's extradition, the Pentagon responded swiftly: "We will not extradite Lozano. The case is already closed."

(photo: Italy's popular Communist newspaper, il manifesto, runs the headline "With You" on the day following Calipari's death)

Bomb Kills Officer at Sicilian Soccer Match

2007-02-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

Late Friday evening at the Palermo-Catania match (stopped due to teargas), ultras (1) took to the street and started rioting. A carta bomba (2) was thrown from the upper tier of the stadium, landing in a police officer's squad car -- and hitting him in the face. The officer, a supervisor of the Questura di Catania, died one hour later in Ospedale Garibaldi (Catania), in what is being described as a futile attempt to save a life. The deceased, Filippo Raciti, was 38. He leaves behind a wife and two children. Another officer wounded in the attack is in critical condition.

Prodi, as well as the commissioner of the Figc lamented the degeneration of the sport and promised risposte dure -- swift action.

An estimated hundred fans were wounded in the clashes outside the stadium with security forces, and thus far 14 arrests have been made in the bomb attack against Raciti. All pending soccer matches in Italy have been cancelled until further notice.

(1) Ultras, from the French word "ultra-royaliste", are fans that harbor strong attachments to their city and/or region, often manifesting it in violent, passionate ways. Opposing Italian ultras are often locked into "gang wars".
(2) a bomba carta is a rudimental explosive device, traditionally composed of some sort of PVC tubing or packaging, packed with gunpowder, and wrapped in adhesive tape.

********UPDATE********

Filippo Raciti (pictured left) is dead. His wife is in mourning, but the ultras hit back last night in Livorno (Tuscany), tagging up the walls of a local paper, Il Tirreno, with the following three phrases:

Un altro Filippo Raciti -- We need another Filippo Raciti
Morte allo sbirro -- Death to the pigs
02.02.07 Vendetta x Carlo Giuliani -- 02.02.07 Vendetta for Carlo Giuliani

Carlo Giuliani was the young No-Global protestor killed in Genova in 2001 during the G8 protests; two shots were fired by the police, one hitting Giuliani in the head, killing him instantly.

"Dead-Tree Media" Grows in Bologna

2007-01-31T06:21:00.000-08:00

(photo by midable)

In what can only be seen as a hopeful sign for dead-tree media readers everywhere (myself one of them), Milan's Il Corriere della Sera launched yesterday 50,000 inserts -- anzi, veri e propri giornali! -- Il Corriere di Bologna. The newspapers will be distributed in conjuction with all Bologna-area Corriere della Sera's. Edited by Armando Nanni (formerly of Il Resto di Carlino) Bologna's new baby is 16 pages, full color and staffed by 14 top-notch bolognesi editors. The Corriere's Milan-based media company (RCS) also includes Il Corriere del Mezzogiorno (published in Naples), Il Corriere del Veneto, Il Corriere di Verona, Il Corriere del Trentino and Il Corriere del Alto-Adige.

Italy's internet usage is not as high as some of its EU neighbors, but it is growing. A recent study by Italy's Aie reported that 46% of Italians use the internet. Italy's internet penetration ranks higher than the Spaniards (43%), but Sweden (75%), Portugal (74%) Denmark (70%), Germany (62%), and the UK (62%) are all considerably higher. Approximately 70% of Americans use the internet, 67% of the Japanese and 10% of the Chinese. (source: Neilsen/NetRatings 2007)

Rai Tre to Air Segment on American Mistreatment of Italian Immigrants

2007-01-29T09:22:00.000-08:00

Rai Tre, the most "anti-Berlusconi" of the Rai's, is scheduled to air a segment (January 29th and February 5th) on American mistreat of Italian immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The documentary focuses on the angry 1891 mob lynching of 11 Italians in New Orleans -- lynched for being "murder suspects".

It also mentions the first terrorist attack to ever take place in New York City, the 1920 "car bomb" attack carried out by Italian anarchist Mario Buda. Buda's attack, a horse-drawn wagon packed with explosives and iron scrap, killed 39 people in NYC's financial district. A final segment of the documentary deals with the internment of 2,500 Italian-Americans during WWI, deemed stranieri nemici -- foreign enemies by the U.S. government; in the 1920s Washington passed a law bringing Italian immigration to a historic low: 2% (from 200,000 a year to 4,000). The idea of Italian-Americans as foreign enemies, however, was not limited to the U.S. goverment. During the massive waves of Italian immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries the KKK defined Italians popolo di mezzo -- subhumans, neither black nor white.

The documentary, entitled Pane Amaro -- Bitter Bread, is shot by Gianfranco Norelli, a regular contributor to PBS and the BBC, and an Italian immigrant who has lived in New York City since 1980.

Del Piero Completes 500th with Juventus

2007-01-21T05:22:00.000-08:00

Alessandro Del Piero, one of Italy' biggest calciatori has completed his 500th game as a Juventino.

Vicenza: Commies, Pro-Americans Stage Counter Protests in U.S. Air Base Tiff

2007-01-19T07:04:00.000-08:00

In the past few days Pro-Americans (above: "A friendship that brings well-being") and the Italian Communists (below: "Shame on You!") have sparred over Uncle Sam's desire to expand its airfield in Vicenza. The Vicenza airbase is a Nato forward-operating base, and close to 70% of the munitions dropped during the war in Kosovo originated in Vicenza. To the Commies disapproval, Prodi, on Friday, gave the U.S. the go-ahead and the base will be expanded. As I type, a mass sit-in is taking place in the Italian Parliament led by Il Partito di Rifondazione Communista and I Verdi, the Communists and the Greens. Prodi, however, is unlikely to reverse his position.

Berlusconi: Italy is an Enemy of the USA

2007-01-14T05:19:00.000-08:00

Berlusconi came out swinging this weekend, calling Prodi's government a "slave to the ambitions of Paris", "unreliable" in the eyes of Americans, and ultimately branding Italians "slaves to France".

Berlusconi's rant didn't stop there, however. "In our five years of governing we gave life to a loyal foreign policy and stressed transatlanticism", Berlusconi said, "but the Italy of Prodi, serving the Paris-Madrid axis, pursues the French ambition: a European-Arab axis."

D'Alema, quick to respond said Berlusconi's "bullet" was nothing other than an "ideological campaign", and that "working together with the big European and Mediterranean countries is part of Italy's foreign policy...and always has been."

The ex-Prime Minister's outburst could likely be attributed to two recent "anti-American", Prodi-generated overtures in Italian politics, the first being Massimo D'Alema's criticism of Bush's "surge" plan in Iraq, the second being Italy's likely rejection of the the U.S.'s desire to expand its base in Vicenza.

Berlusconi: Killing Saddam was a mistake

2007-01-01T07:47:00.000-08:00

Commenting Saturday on Saddam Hussein's hanging, Italian ex-Prime Minister Berlusconi stated: "The exectuon of Saddam Hussein was a political and historic error. The hanging of Saddam Hussein, even if decided by a legitimate court and not being an expression of summary justice, represents a step back in the difficult path forward toward a democratic Iraq. In fact, there is a serious risk that this act (the execution) will lead to another spiral of vendettas, and bloody retaliations between the Shia and Sunnis in a country that is already on the edge of a tragic civil war."

Vabbe', so it's been a while

2006-12-09T01:51:00.000-08:00

My sincerest apologies for not having updated this blog in close to 3 months go out to the endless throngs of loyal readers I've accumulated. I have been busy endlessly researching -- night and day, believe me -- the mysterious Berlusconi. As well, I'm still attempting to secure an invitation to his magnificent Villa Certosa on the Mediterranean island of Sardegna. As I take this time to regather my thoughts, albeit with a sense of urgency, and reflect on my close-to-3-months away from questo blog, I leave you all with a most recent photo of Berlusconi, fainting during a speech in early-December. A prestissimo.

Oriana Fallaci, Dead at 77

2006-09-15T07:03:00.000-07:00

Little known in the U.S., but a woman capable of causing outrage in Europe and the Muslim World, Oriana Fallaci -- writer, journalist, cultural critic, proud Italian -- died this morning in Firenze, the city of her birth. She had been living in Manhattan's Upper East Side for some years, fought cancer for 10 years, and in the past few days returned to Italy as her condition worsened.

Fallaci was an outspoken critic of Islam, and feared that Italy -- and Western civilization -- was falling prey to it and its followers. Her opponents lambasted her as a racist, a xenophobe, but Europe's cultural circles rarely heard a voice that was as passionate and brazen as hers, saying what she wanted to say, when she wanted to say it. Fallaci spoke out against the changing face of Western Europe with little or no political correctness.

Known for being polemical, in May of 2006, after plans to build a mosque in the Tuscan hills (Colle Val d'Elsa) were finalized, Fallaci said: "I don't want to see this mosque, it's very close to my house in Tuscany. I don't want to see a 24-meter high minaret in the landscape of Giotto, when I, in their countries, I can't even wear a cross or walk around with a bible... ...I am going to get some explosives and blow it up."

Over the course of her long career, Fallaci interviewed Henry Kissinger, Yasir Arafat, Golda Meir, Qaddafi, Ayatollah Khomeini, Deng Xiao Ping, and during WWII she met Italy's anti-fascist, Communist resistance with her father.

Her books include: "The Force of Reason", "The Rage and the Pride", and "Inshallah".

US Student Sexually Molested in Firenze

2006-08-30T05:49:00.000-07:00

Last night a 23-year old American college student -- in Florence to learn la lingua italiana -- was sexually molested in Piazza Santa Croce. She is currently recovering in a hospital in Careggi, a neighborhood in northwest Florence. The attacker has not been apprehended, and a description not released.

Yesterday, Anna Falchi, one of Italy's biggest actresses, revealed that when she was 18, on the streets of Rome, an extracomunitario -- illegal immigrant -- tried to rape her but she defended herself by slipping off one of her high heels, hitting the attacker with its sharp heel, and breaking free. She immediately reported the incident to the police, but never heard from them again.

100,000 Dogs Abandoned a Year in Italy

2006-08-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

(It's vacation time. Don't abandon your dog. He would never abandon you. Bring him with you, don't leave him at home!)

A recent Italian bestseller by Diana Lanciotti contends that 100,000 dogs (and cats) are abandoned each year in il belpaese -- the beautiful country, averaging one every 2 minutes (700 a day). The majority (60%) of the canines are abandoned during the summer months of June, July and August when Italians migrate en masse to beaches, often for 30-plus days, and often to places that are not dog-friendly.

Italy has long had a problem with stray dogs, and officials put the number of randagi -- stray dogs, at 200,000. In the countryside it is not uncommon for landowners to "bait" (i.e. poison) food and leave it out, in order to kill the strays.

Protecting strays is becoming a popular cause, often pushed by Italian socialites. Recently, Paolo Berlusconi (left; Silvio Berlusconi's brother) enlisted himself in the struggle, on an advert reading: "If you abandon him, you make us sick."

The case for protecting strays is two-fold. Certainly, the campaigners' foremost concern is the protection of the animals, who are sadly abandoned. The second concern, however, is related to human lives. In the past decade alone strays have been implicated in 40,000 traffic accidents, resulting in 200 human deaths.

Milan Calls for Summit on Sexual Assault

2006-08-26T08:30:00.000-07:00

In a last ditch attempt to stem this week's long list of sexual assaults, and calm what many now see as an inevitable immigration backlash in Italy, the Milan prefect has called for an emergency meeting addressing sexual assault, scheduled for Wednesday, August 30.

In the past week alone there have been a half dozen assaults. On August 20 at 6 a.m. a 40-year old woman was raped on the street by a North African; on August 26 a 50-year old woman was sexually molested by an Egyptian -- but her screams for help saved her; yesterday two 20-year old French tourists were offered a ride by two Algerians -- a common language breaking the ice -- and subsequently sexually violated for 5 hours; on August 22, in Chieti, a 17-year old girl was brought into a discoteque bathroom and raped by an Algerian. This week's violence, however, has not all been sexual: the NYTimes reported that on August 21 a Moroccan was arrested in Brescia for killing a notable Italian painter, Aldo Bresciani; on August 18 a 21-year old woman, Elena Lonati, was strangled to death in a church in Brescia by a Senegalese immigrant; on August 24 an Algerian immigrant stabbed his pregnant wife to death, and commited suicide, launching himself off of their third-floor balcony; today, hours ago in Rimini, a Polish immigrant violently assaulted and stabbed his sister's Italian fiance.

Italians, as are many Western Europeans, are becoming increasingly skeptical of successful U.S.-style integration, and recent sexual assaults -- and non-sexual assaults -- are strengthing their convictions. As a result of problems linked to immigration, Italy's Northern League has grown in popularity (much like Le Pen's Front National has in France), and the Italian culture war is heating up.

European supporters of U.S.-style immigration often point to the U.S.'s success of integrating "its immigrants", but European opponents contend that the U.S.'s immigrants from Asia, the Mideast and Africa are usually wealthier and better educated than their European counterparts; and that the U.S. was built on immigration, and therefore, naturally more open to it.

Italian intellectual Emanuele Severino spoke to Milan's Il Corriere della Sera last week, denying that Italy's immigrants are any different from Italians or other Europeans, explaining, "It's natural that when vastly different cultures coexist the probabilty of friction increases."

Berlusconi: "I'm condemned to continue"

2006-08-25T15:41:00.000-07:00

Philosophizing in Rimini at a meeting of the Communione e Liberazione (CL), "an ecclesial movement whose purpose is the education to Christian maturity of its adherents and collaboration in the mission of the Church in all the spheres of contemporary life", Silvio Berlusconi proclaimed that he is "condemned to continue".

"I am hated by half of the country, and supported, maybe even loved by the other half. If I were to leave now I'd then be hated by this half too. Therefore, I am condemned to continue, and continue I will."

Later in the evening Berlusconi addressed a hot topic in Italy -- immigration -- stating: "To become an Italian citizen you need to respect the laws, rules and traditions, without coming to our table and putting your feet on it... ...you must demonstrate a knowledge of the Italian language, history, geography, and other cornerstones of our state, like the constitution...

....The Left, they envision a multiethnic, multicultural Italy, but for us, Italy must be Catholic and for the Italians."

Chirac Steals Prodi's Mideast Limelight

2006-08-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

After hearing more than a week of rumors that Italy might be leading the Unifil mission in Lebanon, France, after offering to initially send only 400 troops, has upped its engagement to 2,000 troops. Furthermore, France has offered to lead the mission, something that Italy has been offering for the past week.

From the get-go Italy has offered 3,000 troops, has been willing to lead the mission, and has not waivered on either commitment.

This past week, Israel, Lebanon, the United States, the U.K. and Russia have all voiced support for an Italian-led mission. France on the other hand underwent harsh criticism from the world's leaders, with many inferring that France wasn't living up to its responsibilities as a global player.

Hours before Chirac's announcement this evening (20h00 Paris), President Bush phoned Prodi stating that the United States was "pleased with Italy's commitment", and the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tzipi Livni, called Italy "a model country" (in the EU).

If France once again sits on the sidelines, its role as an EU powerhouse and player in Mideast politics is at stake. It remains to be seen, however, which country will lead the Unifil mission.

Summer in Sardinia

2006-08-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

"Politics? They make me sick." -- Silvio Berlusconi, August '06, Porto Cervo, Sardinia

Prodi Mideast Policy Begins to Take Shape

2006-08-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

Recent world events have forced the Prodi administration to quickly form a coherent Mideast policy, and as the policy takes shape, Italy's soft power is on the rise, and its status as an honest peace broker is becoming an increasingly viable option. In the Mideast the U.S. and U.K. are often seen as dishonest brokers, inextricably linked to Israel, whereas France's historical ties to Lebanon and Syria, make France's role unpalatable to Israeli politicians.

Prodi and D'Alema's announcement to send Italian troops to the U.N.-run zone south of the Litani River in Lebanon was praised by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, and President Bush. Italy's Defense Minister, Arturo Parisi, warned today that, "without being given clear rules of engagement, Italian troops will not leave for Lebanon."

Italy's recent Mideast diplomatic efforts go beyond Lebanon, however. Unlike other great continental European powers, Italy is part of the coalition in Iraq. Italian troops are also in Afghanistan, Prodi has offered to faciliate negotiations in the Israel/Palestine crisis, and in May, La Repubblica reported that Italian negotiators staved off a recent attempt by U.S. and Ethiopian forces to speed up contingency plans for joint military operations in Somalia, an Italian colony from 1920-1960.

Somalia was part of the Italian African Empire, which also included Ethiopia, Eritrea and Libya.

Italian troops are due in Lebanon "within a week," and the holding of the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, and Prodi's handling of the crisis, could potentially boost Italy's standing in the Mideast, and re-enforce ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's assertion -- as well as Prodi's -- that Italy's role in the Mideast is one of peace, not war.

Padova Erects Steel Wall Around Ghetto

2006-08-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Locals say that when the 273 apartments of Via Anelli were constructed the area was safe and convivial, a neighborhood popular with lawyers, doctors, young professionals and students. In the past decade, however, Serenissima ("very serene"), as it was named at the time of its construction, has turned into one of Italy's most violent neighborhoods.

In response to the violence of July 26th, a night that quickly spiraled into rival gangs of Nigerians and Arabs wielding clubs, machetes, knives, and crowbars, Padova's Center-Left coalition erected a steel wall around the ghetto.

Authorities claim that most of the violence is drug-related, but they have also noted religious overtones between the Nigerians (Christian) and the Arabs (Muslim). The night of July 26th saw 21 arrests, 50 deportations, and 120 grams of confiscated cocaine.

Il Muro di Padova -- the Padova Wall, is 84 meters long, 9 meters high, and to enter and exit the complex residents must now pass a police checkpoint. The Padova Wall was constructed in just a few hours after July 26th's violence, costing the city 80,000 euros.

Residents inside the wall seem to be supportive of it, with one citizen saying, "After 10 years of being afraid to leave my apartment, the militarization of our neighborhood is exactly what we are asking for."

An official in Berlusconi's Forza Italia party called Via Anelli "the Beirut of the West."

In the past two years Padova's Center-Left government has vacated 3 of the 6 buildings in the complex, relocating the tenants in suitable housing, and effectively separating the gangs. Within a year all 6 buildings of Via Anelli should be vacated and ready for renovation.

Honor Killing Shocks Italy

2006-08-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hina Saleem, a 21-year old Pakistani girl whose family had emigrated to Brescia, was killed last month by her father, Mohammed Saleem, and buried in her backyard. Hina's throat was slit for refusing to marry her cousin, and instead dating an Italian. News of the honor killing surfaced in the past few days, and it has been given ample news coverage.

Mohammed Saleem's lawyer, Alberto Bordone, said yesterday, "His (Hina's father) religious ideology is deeply rooted, and his ideas are very different from ours... ...I myself am still trying hard to understand this. It will take a long time to get to the bottom of this." Mohammed Saleem and one of Hina's uncles are currently incarcerated, awaiting a pre-trial hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

Italy's Interior Minister, Giuliano Amato, reacted to the episode stating: "The Hina Case speaks volumes about the path to Italian citizenship: it's evident that requiring one to adhere to the values of our constitution isn't enough, we also need to require that one adheres to fundamental rights such as, The woman is respected, a rule that I consider universal... ...The woman has the right to choose her life. Arranged marriages are something that we (Italians) abandoned centuries ago... ...This dilemma (of having to adhere to our values) must be confronted."

Since 2004, honor killings have been reported elsewhere in Western Europe, in the U.K., Germany, and Denmark.

Italian Pacifist Stabbed to Death in al-Quds

2006-08-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

Angelo Frammartino, a 25-year old law student and peace activist from Lazio, was stabbed to death on Thursday night in Jerusalem -- al-Quds. Frammartino was in Jerusalem with an Italian NGO that works in conjuction with the Cgil, an Italian labor union based in Rome. Writing in his local paper a few months ago, Frammartino stated, "I am going (to the Holy Land) to help innocent victims."

Jerusalem police have called it "an act of terrorism"; Italian police have called it "an act of fanaticism."

The local Arab press has come out in support of Frammartino, with al-Hayat al-Jadida writing, "(Angelo) was part of a group of Italian volunteers that demonstrated solidariety with the Palestinian people."

The motive for the assault is unknown, and fellow peace activisits who were with Frammartino at the time claim that the attacker did not exchange any words (with Frammartino). The investigation is ongoing.

********UPDATE********

A 24-year old Palestinian with links to Islamic Jihad has been arrested for the murder of Angelo Frammartino.

The arrested: "I went to Jerusalem to kill a Jew."

US Marines to Leave Sardinia in '08

2006-08-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

The US Marine Corps has confirmed that a complete withdrawl from its La Maddalena base would take place by 2008. The eventual dismantling of the base was announced in November 2005, but no date was given.

La Maddalena, an archipelago off of the northeastern coast of Sardinia, has had a substantial US military presence since 1972, when the US and Italian governments signed a secret bilateral accord.

In Italy, the US Marine Corps' Sardinian base is a touchy subject because of the presence of US nuclear armaments, one that the US Congress has confirmed, but the Italian government continues to deny.

Italy does not have any known nuclear armaments.

The "Great Public Works" Lack Funding

2006-08-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

In Italy they are known as the "Grandi Opere" -- the Great Public Works, but a recently released report by Il Comitato Interministeriale per la Programmazione Economica (Cipe) -- The Interministerial Commitee for Economic Planning, speaks little of greatness.

Cipe's report has revealed that Italy's public infrastructure projects lack significant "financial coverage" -- a staggering 115 billion euro.

One of the most famous public works project effected is il Mose, Venice's dam project being built by Il Consorzio Nuova Venezia. Il Mose has four moving barriers and 79 hollow steel gates, engineered to raise during high tide to stop flooding. Il Mose (pictured below) has an estimated cost of 4.3 billion euro, but Cipe reports that funding is 2.8 billion euro short.

Il Mose project is controversial because of its huge drain on Italian taxpayer dollars, as well as environmental concerns. The city of Venice's problem is caused by two main factors: its waters are naturally rising (pictured above, Venice's Piazza San Marco), and its foundation is slowly sinking due to settling of sediments and the overpumping of its freshwater acquifer deep under the city. The high-tide flooding usually lasts six hours, but if the current situation continues uncorrected, several scientists contend that by mid-century many of Venice's main piazze and strade will be forever submerged. At the time of Venice's 421 A.D. founding, the Adriatic Sea was 16 feet lower than its current level.

Another Italian public works project that risks never being started, or started and then never completed -- and subsequently turning into a massive Ecomostro (see Aprile 25 for a full report on Ecomostri) -- is the bridge linking Sicily (Messina) to the mainland (Reggio Calabria). If completed, the bridge traversing the Strait of Messina will be the world's largest, single-span suspension bridge at 2.3 miles long.

Recently, however, Prodi's government has called into question the sagacity and feasibility of the project. Shortly after the 2006 election, on a stop in Sicily, Prodi said: "My son will one day see the bridge: I don't see the bridge as some sort of demon, but our priorities are elsewhere, and they must be compatible with the resources that we have... ...When I see that there isn't a highway that leads to the bridge, and in Palermo (Sicily's capital) water is rationed, and the railways, being in the state that they're in, I ask myself what are our priorities."

N.d.R. - pictured above, the Strait of Messina and a mock-up of the completed bridge

Italy OK's "Muslim Beach" for Females

2006-08-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

After numerous requests from Arab sheiks, the Adriatic beach resort town of Riccione has granted female Muslim tourists, (most coming from the petrodollar-soaked Gulf) their own beach so that they can remove their veils.

As expected, Italian hotel operators have come under fire in a country that fiercely safeguards its culture. A recent online survey by Il Corriere della Sera, Italy's largest daily, showed 83% of Italians being against Riccione's decision.

The hotel operators, however, responded promptly by pointing out that the Italian hospitality industry has always gone to great lengths to make their guests feel at ease, with one operator stating, "when the Germans started coming to the Adriatic, didn't we learn their language and fill up our newstands with German-language publications?". Another Riccione-based business owner said, "these are women that will spend 700,000 euro on the latest watch without even batting an eyelid."

I soldi parlano -- Money talks.

Bologna Tragedy Remembered

2006-08-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

26 years ago today, on August 2nd 1980, a bomb exploded in Bologna's central train station, killing 85 and wounding 200. This grim day in Italian history is known as la Strage di Bologna, the Bologna Massacre. Planned and executed by far-right, Neofascist extremists, the Bologna Massacre would be the last time that far-right and far-left extremist groups fought their battles indiscriminately, in the future targeting solely elected officials and civil servants.

Bologna was (and is) known as a Communist, far-left stronghold, and was very much a symbolic target. This morning, to commemorate the massacre, Prodi said, "The massacre at la stazione di Bologna is one of the many black pages of our country's history. It is an infected wound in our democracy, a laceration that still today isn't healed. The duty of government institutions is to work every day for the triumph of truth and justice." 26 years later, no one has been tried for la Strage di Bologna.

Italy's political violence started in 1969 with la Strage di Piazza Fontana -- the Piazza Fontana Massacre (16 killed, 58 wounded) and the subsequent emergence of il terrorismo rosso (Communist) and il terrorismo nero (Neofascist). The violence lasted until the early 1980s, and the period is known as the "Anni di piombo" -- the Years of Lead. Although political violence in Italy has generally abated, it does continue, with the occassional targeting and killing of elected officials, policy makers and judges.

Italy to Pardon 1/3 of Its Incarcerated

2006-07-30T05:49:00.000-07:00

On Saturday il Senato voted 245-56, with 6 abstentions, in favor of a bill that pardons 1/3 (20,000) of Italy's incarcerated. Forza Italia, l'Unione, and the Christian Democrats voted in favor of the bill, Lega Nord and Italia dei Valori against.

In 1990 the Italian senate passed a similar resolution, aimed at resolving the problem of overpopulated prisons.

Rome Treaty Not to be Built in One Day

2006-07-26T06:31:00.000-07:00

Rife with disagreement, and U.S. Secretary of State Condi Rice's brushing aside of an immediate ceasefire, Prodi's Lebanon Summit was largely a failure, showing no immediate results.

In Lebanon the bombardments continue, the IDF advances, and in Haifa the Hezbollah rockets continue to fall. The idea of an international force, supported by many, remains hypothetical, with no nations volunteering troops, and security experts sustaining that any international force in southern Lebanon without Syrian involvement is doomed to failure.

Israel hopes to establish a mile wide buffer-zone, a "strip" in southern Lebanon, so as to rid Hezbollah of a staging ground for rocket attacks.

Nabih Berri, President of the Lebanese Parliament and a Hezbollah spokesman, has invited Prodi's government to be "mediator" in an Italian-brokered ceasefire and prisoner exchange.

Berlusconi Mingles in Marrakech

2006-07-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

Aujourd'hui Le Maroc, a French-language Moroccan daily has reported that Berlusconi was in Marrakech (Morocco) this past week to celebrate his wife's 50th birthday. Berlusconi planned the trip for Veronica on the sly, having her children pretend they were taking her to the Guggenheim in Bilbao (Spain) for her birthday. Veronica was escorted to Morocco, and upon arrival brought to Cafè de France (where her 7 best female friends surprised her when they peeled off their burkas) and then to a posh restaurant called Dar Marjana, where Berlusconi, dressed up as a Berber (his face covered in a blue veil), performed traditional dances and invited Veronica to dance. Veronica refused, not knowing who the veiled man was. Suddenly, the music stopped. Berlusconi (still veiled) whipped out a diamond necklace and began singing "Happy Birthday, amore mio".

The paper further reported that Berlusconi, while moseying through the souk, "promised" to be "back within a month" -- at once addicted to the same morphine marocaine that hooked the Clintons, the Chiracs and Martha Stewart.

Bologna Court: Islamic Martyrs Legitimate

2006-07-24T08:34:00.000-07:00

The Comune della Liberta di Bologna has ruled that "acts of violence are excluded from the sphere of terrorism -- no matter who carries them out -- when they are against military members involved in an armed conflict, except when the acts are illegal under other applications of international law, for example war crimes or crimes against humanity."

The court ruling was applied June 27th, in regard to the release of 18 suspected Islamic terrorists. The ruling is sure to be controversial.

Prodi to Host Hold Lebanon Talks in Rome

2006-07-22T12:32:00.000-07:00

A mere two months after Berlusconi's shameless exit from the Italian political stage, and Italy's diplomatic sway has begun to swagger. Months ago, with Berlusconi still in office, the Bush administration requested that Italy take a central role in the Israel-Palestine crisis. The Bush adminstration's appeal seemed to be motivated by Washington's strong, decades-long alliance with Italy; what Washington perceives as Italy's relatively warm relations with Israel; and Washington's distaste for the ex-Chancellor of Germany, Gerard Schroeder, and the current French president, Jacques Chirac.

This Wednesday, July 26th, Rome will hold an international summit on the Lebanon crisis. Prodi, his cabinet, Condoleezza Rice, and various Arab, Russian, British, German, French, U.N. and World Bank officials will be in attendence. Arab leaders are unlikely to host U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice until a permanent cease-fire is established in Lebanon.

Addressing the choice of Rome, Prodi stated: "I consider it particularly significant that Rome was decided as the place to hold the Lebanon talks. I believe that meeting in Rome constitutes an acknowledgement of the efforts that our government has made to create a path for peace in the Middle East."

At the summit, Rice plans to stress the disarment of Hizballah, particulary as it relates to U.N. Resolution 1559 -- passed in 2004 -- a resolution that called for the immediate disarment of all militias and foreign forces operating on Lebanese territory, and an extension of the Lebanese government's authority to all corners of the country. Rice also plans to stress the necessity for a "robust" international force on the southern Lebanese border, but for now does not see American troops being a part of it.

Ticino Film Festival Drops Israel in Protest

2006-07-21T13:28:00.000-07:00

The organizers of this year's Locarno International Film Festival have removed the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs from its lists of sponsors in protest of Israel's most-recent bombing campaigns in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

Several Lebanese and Palestinian film directors made it clear that they would not attend the festival if Israel remained a sponsor, stating, "We make this demand in consideration of the hundreds of innocent civilians that have been murdered by the State of Israel in its ongoing campaign... ...We do so because we are in solidarity with those who are under siege..."

Locarno is on the northern tip of Lake Maggiore, in Ticino, an Italian-speaking region in southern Switzerland with strong historical and cultural ties to Italy.

The Locarno International Film Festival is August 2nd-12th.

Oh yeah. Italy Won the World Cup.

2006-07-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Italy won the World Cup on Sunday after a penalty kick shoot-out against France. Italy's win was largely overshadowed in the world's press due to the Zidane-Materazzi incident. Zidane was said to be provoked countless times by Italy's Marco Materazzi (both verbally and by tugging on his jersey) and Zidane finally snapped after hearing "some very harsh words about my mother and sister." After hearing the harsh words, words that Zidane refused to repeat, Zidane's mother said "Materazzi should be castrated. I want his testicles on a platter." The match was Zidane's last match ever, and he was given a red card, and therefore expelled, minutes before the end of the game

Schiacciata all'Italiana?

2006-06-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

Slam dunk Italian style? Andrea Bargnani, a 20-year old Rome native, could be this year's N.B.A. No. 1 Draft Pick. No Italian -- or European -- has ever been named the N.B.A.'s No. 1 Draft Pick, and the N.B.A. has not seen an Italian player since 1996.

Standing a towering 7 feet tall and nicknamed Il Mago -- the magician, Bargnani led his team Benetton Treviso to this year's Italian league title.

Magnani is being considered by the Toronto Raptors, who get the first pick in this year's draft. Yesterday afternoon Magnani said, "It's my dream to go No. 1, but it's also my dream to go 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6."

********UPDATE********

Bargnani chosen as No. 1 Draft Pick by the Toronto Raptors.

Bargnani: "I'm on seventh heaven."

Italy Nosedives

2006-06-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not talking about Italy's GDP.
No, I'm not talking about Italy's foreign investment.
No, I'm not talking about Italy's 0% economic growth rate in 2005.
No, I'm not talking about Italy's birth rate, the second lowest in Europe.
No, I'm not talking about Italy's dwindling number of practicing Catholics.
No, I'm not talking about Italy's dwindling number of clean beaches.
No, I'm not talking about Italy's expanding concrete coastline.
No, I'm not talking about Italy's poor treatment of its immigrants.
No, I'm not talking about Italy's youth leaving Italy for elsewhere.
No, I'm not talking about Italy's North pounding the secession drum.
No, I'm not talking about Italy's absence of fair judicial processes.
No, I'm not talking about Italy's credibility as a functioning democracy.

I'm talking about Italy's #3, appropriately named Grosso, that performed a phoney nosedive in the box today to give Italy an undeserved penalty kick, that in turn granted them a 1-0 victory over Australia in the last second of stoppage-time.

After the match, Guus Hiddink, the Dutch-born coach of Australia said, "I said before that Italy had changed, but I was mistaken, it's still the same old team... ...They made a defensive wall the whole game and then it finished how we all saw: with a penalty kick for a foul that wasn't even there.

Vergognatevi! -- Be ashamed of yourselves!

Famous Italian Commie Paper Could Fold

2006-06-23T07:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning one of Italy's most popular Communist newspapers, il manifesto, broke the news: it risks closure due to financial difficulties. Il manifesto, founded June 23, 1969 by Lucio Magri and Rossana Rossanda, has been a lifeline for the Italian left. The tabloid format newspaper is known for its provocative headlines, conspiracy theory-ridden leftism, and scathing anti-American coverage. It is also known, although on a lesser scale, for its art, music and film reviews.

On November 3rd, 2004, the paper ran "Good Morning America: with an avalanche of votes the Americans chase Bush away from the White House... ...During the evening exit polls decree the defeat of the man of the preventative war". Later that day the paper retracted its statement saying "...it was a journalistic error, but also a sign of passion and political emotion... ...against the most dangerous and criminal of presidents... ...we excuse ourselves for this 'false' report, and how we alluded to a future without George W. Bush."

Il manifesto was also the paper involved in the now-famous Calipari Affair, in which an Italian Sismi agent was killed. Giuliana Sgrena, a reporter for il manifesto was taken hostage by insurgents, held for an entire month (from Feb. 4th, '05 to Mar. 4th, '05), allegedly a ransom was paid, and Calipari was killed by an errant bullet at a U.S. checkpoint during Sgrena's release. Sgrena was wounded in the shooting mishap, but lived to tell her story.

Il manifesto seems to be convinced, as does much of the Italian media, that Calipari was intentionally killed by the U.S. for collaborating with wanted insurgents, and for paying millions of euros in ransom money in exchange for Sgrena's release. Sgrena called it "an attack on unimbedded journalists."

As of late-yesterday the homepage of il manifesto showed a cartoon drawing of a man holding up the paper's logo. Below the man a placard reads: "Sostieni un bene comune" -- Support a common good.

The paper is currently accepting donations.

The Immigrants Are Wiser

2006-06-20T07:22:00.000-07:00

Rome's La Repubblica reported yesterday that "Italy's clandestine workers are more educated than Italy's students."

A recent study by Milan's Bocconi University revealed that between the ages of 25 and 64, 41.1% of clandestini have a high school education, whereas only 33% of Italians in the same age range do.

Mandatory education in Italy runs from age 3 to 14, ending after successful completion of 3 years of media scuola inferiore. Scuola media superiore is the next step, although it not be compulsory, and it runs from roughly ages 14 to 17.

La Repubblica is quick to point out, however, that this is "a sample, not a statistic."

Carlo Devillanova, the researcher who led the study at Bocconi University, notes that immigrazione clandestina is a "brain drain" on the immigrants' countries, and in Italy it immediately becomes a "brain waste", due to the fact that "their competencies are not properly utilized in Italy."

Unfortunately, for the immigrants and for Italy, Devillanova says "the Italian economy seems to be little interested in the immigrants' qualifications."

Italy Chokes

2006-06-19T07:27:00.000-07:00

Italy scored on itself Saturday to give the U.S. a 1-1 tie, thus granting the U.S. another chance at escaping first round elimination. To advance to the Group of 16, the U.S. will have to beat Ghana, and Italy will have to beat the Czech Republic. Both matches are to be played on Thursday.

Earlier this week Italian soccer players and media magnates went bonkers over a comment by U.S. player Eddie Johnson, when he said the match would be "war."

The Italian press jumped on the occasion and inserted linguistic bellicosities into their provocative coverage. The words "retreat", "war", "soldiers", "battle", "marines" and "anti-USA" were frequent.

Prior to yesterday's match, Italy's Gilardino, said "we will go onto the field against the United States for our soldiers in Iraq."

In the 28th minute Italy's De Rossi received a red card for intentionally elbowing Brian McBride in the face. McBride left the field bloodied and his injury required 3 stitches. After the match U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller said, "we went out today and gave blood for our country."

The U.S.'s Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope were given red cards later in the game, although for offenses that did not draw blood.

Commenting on the match, Bruce Arena, the U.S. head coach said, "I am not at all happy with the officiating... It seems like the Italians are professional divers. They exaggerated every call. I don't think we've ever played a match with two expulsions."

A Smoggy Belpaese

2006-06-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

To many it is affectionately called il belpaese, the beautiful country, but for anyone that has lived there, they know that smog tarnishes its beauty.

The World Health Organization released yesterday a frightening statistic: in Italy every year, an average of 8,220 people die from smog-related deaths. Smog-related deaths account for 9% of the deaths of those over age 30, traffic accidents excluded.

The Beautiful Country's smog is particularly high in Milan, Rome, Bologna, the Padanian plain, and in the industrial triangle between Torino, Genoa and Milan. Pictured above is Torino, blanketed in smog.

Prodi: "We'll Pull Out of Iraq Without Irritating the U.S."

2006-06-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

Italian Prime Minister Romani Prodi spoke yesterday saying that Italian troops would leave Iraq without "irritating" their American allies. Prodi, a man who campaigned largely on the fact that he was against the invasion of Iraq, seems to have lost some of his electorate backbone.

"We are working in such a way that everything happens without irritating the Allies, least of all the Americans.

The Italian public was overwhelmingly against the United States-led, March 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the subsequent presence of Italian troops.

Prodi and Bush will meet for their first face-to-face since Prodi's re-election (he was Prime Minister from 1996-1998, and head of the European Commission from 1999-2004) during the July 15th-17th G8 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Italy Gets Lucky

2006-06-13T06:11:00.000-07:00

Italy won its first World Cup match yesterday, 2-0 against Ghana.

Pirlo scored in the 41st minute with a classic close-your-eyes-and-kick-it, a goal that nevertheless went attributed to skill and rigorous training. Later in the second half, fortune struck the scandalo-ridden Italian squad again, Ghana's defense folded and Iaquinta ably dribbled around Ghana's goalie, sliding it into the net.

The foreign press overwhelmingly praised the Italian effort and its efficacy in shutting down Ghana's attack. The Spanish press, however, took exception saying, "Italy resolved the game against Ghana in its typical fashion... ...by putting the game to sleep."

With the Italian midfield dropping back and playing a full-on defensive game after Pirlo's goal, the Italians effectively managed to whiddle away the remaining minutes on the time clock.

Italy's coach, Marcello Lippi, prior to the game urged caution, saying, "If we beat Ghana, then the match against the U.S. will be difficult," inferring that his squad needs to stay alert, keep up their guard and maintain concentration.

Italy (1-0-0) plays the U.S. (0-1-0) Saturday, June 17th at 9 p.m., in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

N.d.R. - pictured above, Alena Seredova, Italy's goalkeeper's wife

Un Italiano Morto in Iraq

2006-06-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

An Italian carabiniere, Alessandro Pibiri, 25, from Sardegna, was killed this morning approximately 100 km from Nassiriya. A bomb, remotely detonated, jarred an Italian military convoy killing Pibiri, and wounding four other carabinieri, one of them seriously.

The attack comes three days after Prodi's declaration: "Soon, with Great Britain, we will finalize the formalities of our plan to bring home the troops." The Italian Army is working under the British Army in southern Iraq.

During April's election, Prodi's popularity ballooned as he reiterated his anti-war stance. Italy's Defense Minister, Arturo Parisi, said today, however, that "our already strong worry (about the troops) has worsened, but it doesn't change anything in regard to the plans and programs of re-entry that we are currently discussing with the Iraqi government and the Allies.

In Marsaglia, the Wi-Fi Camera is King

2006-05-20T09:08:00.000-07:00

This quaint Piedmont hamlet is usually known for its Barbera, Barbaresco, Barolo and Dolcetto (a personal favorite), but soon it will be know for something slightly more acidic : il Grande Fratello. That's right, Big Brother has invaded the serene Piedmont foothills.

Marsaglia (pop. 300) has installed 13 Wi-Fi security cameras in response to a recent spate of burglaries, averaging one a day. The Wi-Fi cameras film 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, are full-color and function in the dark. Their presence is approved by the vast majority of Marsagliesi.

Since the introduction of the Wi-Fi cameras over a month ago, there hasn't been one theft in Marsaglia. Franco Biglio, the Vice Mayor of Marsaglia (whose house was among the robbed) further detailed the benefits of the installation of a Wi-Fi system.

"We need to think about our youngest citizens, students and workers: soon they will be able to use a high-speed internet connection from the comfort of their own homes... ...we must install new technologies... ...we must get out of isolation and favor people settling down in our villages. For too long our villages have experienced a brain drain to big cities."

Prodi takes office; wins vote of confidence

2006-05-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

Viva l'Italia.

Il Calcio: Nothing But A Ball of Laughs

2006-05-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

Italian calcio is ripping at its seams in what is being called Series A's biggest scandal ever. Four Series A soccer clubs (Milan, Juventus, Fiorentina, and Lazio) are accused of fixing matches -- and bribing, threatening and intimidating various officials. The manager of Juventus, Luciano Moggi (a.ka. Lucky Luciano), was recorded on May 2nd talking to the head referee of Italy's soccer federation about favorable placement of referees. Moggi, however, isn't the only one that violated league rules and the probe, grand in scope, has placed a total of 41 people under investigation.

The World Cup 2006 kicks off in Munich, Germany on June 9th. Italy is set to play the United States in Kaiserslautern on June 17th.

Italy Elects Ex-Commie As President

2006-05-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

Giorgio Napolitano, 80, has been elected the 11th President of La Repubblica Italiana by Prodi and his coalition. The Italian presidente fosters dialogue, solve disputes and represents "l'unita nazionale" -- national unity. Napolitano will also have power over the military, the power to perform diplomatic and judicial functions (including the nomination of 5 senators to a lifelong appointment) and the power to ratify treaties. The posting lasts 6 years.

Napolitano (speaking above), is a former member of the PCI (Partito Comunista Italiano) who was active in the resistenza against the Nazi occupation of Italy. In his owns words, Napolitano gives "full and loyal solidariety" to the USA and Nato. In 1992 he served as President of the House, and under Prodi's first government he served as Interior Minister.

Italy still has several active Communist parties, and in the past the PCI was formally linked to the Soviet Union's. Their ties were officially cut in 1981 when the Soviets repressed Solidarność, the Polish trade union federation once led by the now-famous Lech Walesa.

So, what did Berlusconi, a fervent anti-Communist, have to say about an ex-Communist being President of the Republic? Berlusconi, unlike his coalition partners La Lega Nord, recognizes the appointment of Napolitano as president of the Italian Republic, but he does promise to stage a "sciopero fiscale" -- a fiscal strike. "We too (like the Left) will do parlamentary obstructionism. Our opposition will not be like the Left's has been, however, where they opposed everything we put forward. But it will surely be carried out with all the means that the Left has taught us to apply. Our parlamentary obstructionism will be, as always, a conscious, serious and direct opposition, intended to represent the interests of the citizens."

Stormy times ahead.

More Italian Casualties

2006-05-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, May 5th, two Italian servicemen, Manuel Fiorito, 27, of Verona (left), and Luca Polsinelli, 28, of Orbetello (right), were killed in Afghanistan. Enrico Frassanito, 41, of Verona (below), wounded in the April 27th Nassiriya attack, after a 10-day fight in a Verona hospital, has also died. These deaths bring the Italian casualty count in la guerra contro il terrorismo to a total of 35, 30 of those killed in Iraq, 5 in Afghanistan.

Ahhh...Springtime in Lampedusa

2006-05-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's that time of the year again. And nope, I'm not talking sunbathing -- I'm talking clandestini. Tanti clandestini. Thanks to its mild climate, Mediterranean-style immigration is a year-round affair, but when springtime arrives, illegal immigration kicks into overdrive. The Italian island of Lampedusa, located 190 miles north of Libya and 130 miles south of Sicily, is a preferred entry point into the EU.

The immigrants arriving in Lampedusa usually depart from Libya, but most come from elsewhere: Morocco, Tunisia, Iraq, Kurdistan, Palestine, Senegal, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea. After a grueling trek to Libya -- some through the Sahara, some packed into shipping containers and then put onto freight liners -- the immigrants are then shuttled from the Libyan coast to Lampedusa by scafisti. The vessels often sink or capsize due to overcrowding, and high seas humanitarian disasters are frequent.

On Wednesday morning close to 500 clandestini arrived on the shores of Lampedusa; on Tuesday morning 171. All of this on a tiny speck of an island ( 12.5 square miles -- half the size of Manhattan) whose temporary detention center is built to hold only 190 occupants. The immigrants are usually brought to Sicily, released (penniless) and told that they must leave Italy within 5 days. Many move north to find work in Naples, Rome, Milan or Turin; others go farther north to Germany, France, Belgium, Holland or Denmark.

A 22-day Commedia Ends Senza Pizzazz

2006-05-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

Do you want your Lira back?

22 days after the end of the election, and 12 days after the Italian Supreme Court certified that he in fact was not the winner of the election, Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister of Italy, resigned on Tuesday. Seeing one of Europe's most flamboyant, blooper-ridden politicans stage a lackluster exit was, to be perfectly honest, quite boring.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Berlusconi still claims to be the "moral winner" of the April 9-10 election, and yesterday he insisted that "the Italians will regret me leaving; we were the best government of the Republic's history. " But the bottom line is this: Italy's richest man has left the political stage senza gusto. But his return seems inevitable -- Italian bravado dies hard.

Three Italians Killed In Iraq

2006-04-27T21:50:00.000-07:00

Since the inception of the war in Iraq Italian soldiers have been stationed in the southern city of Nassiriya. Today's attack, killing 3, brings the number of Italians killed in action to 35.

Left to right, the deceased are: Franco Lattanzio, 38, of Pacentro (L'Aquila); Carlo De Trizio, 27, of Bisceglie (Bari); Nicola Ciardelli, 34, of Pisa. A 28-yr. old Romanian soldier, Bogdan Hancu, was also killed in the attack, and another Italian is reported to be seriously injured.

There are currently 2,600 Italian military personnel stationed in Iraq. Their mission, Antica Babilonia, is due to end this year.

Famous Italian Eco-Monsters

2006-04-27T09:59:00.000-07:00

Lo Scheletrone di Palmaria -- The Big Skeleton of Palmaria (Cinque Terre National Park)

L'Ecomostro di Alimuri -- The Eco-Monster of Alimuri (near Sorrento)

I Tralicci di Vergogna -- The Trellises of Shame (Florence)

La Collina del Disonore di Palermo -- The Dishonorable Hill of Palermo

Campo Felice -- Happy Field (Abruzzo)

Italy and The Eco-Monsters

2006-04-25T04:35:00.000-07:00

Post-WWII Italy experienced an economic boom, and in Italian history the ten years that span from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s are called "il miracolo economico" -- the economic miracle. High economic growth (there was a higher economic growth rate in those ten years than there was in the previous 50 combined), and a steep increase in agricultural production, manufacturing, and exports, changed the lives of a generation of Italians, giving them access to goods and services to which they were never before privy. In simplest terms, Italy became a rich country overnight.

Il Miracolo Economico was also host to a building boom, and in that boom much of the ugliness that today surrounds Milano, Roma and Genova was built. However, not all of the building boom happened in or around big cities; much of it happened on the Italian coastline. From Liguria to Calabria, from Le Marche to Puglia, the Italian coastline was developed, and all too often, grotesquely. In a 1957 novel by Italo Calvino, La Speculazione Edilizia, the coastal building boom is called "la squallida invasione del cemento" -- the squalid invasion of cement. More than any other place, Calvino was referring to San Remo, the Ligurian city in which he spent his childhood, and a city whose coastline was destroyed by development.

Today Italians refer to many of the monstrosities built on their coastline as gli ecomostri -- the eco-monsters.

Thursday morning, Punta Perotti, (pictured above and below) the beast of Bari, was put to rest. The beast tortured the Adriatic skyline for close to a decade.
On April 18th, the second day of demolition, protestors packed the streets with dozens of banners that read "Bentornato Lungomare" -- Welcome Back Promenade. The ocean can now be seen from the city.

Bush Calls Prodi; Berlusconi Flips Out

2006-04-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

Upon hearing the Italian Supreme Court's validation of Prodi's victory, Bush -- a good friend of Berlusconi -- calls Prodi from Air Force One, and congratulates him on winning the election.

Berlusconi, however, is still hanging in there, refusing to admit defeat, and comes out swinging: "I did not call Prodi and I will not. Why should I should congratulate him; it would be against the interests of the country... ...We are the moral winners of the election... ...I do not believe that these signori will be able to govern. They will only be a parenthesis. They will not be able to ruin our reforms. We will defend our liberty."

Mr. Bush and Sig. Prodi's first tête-à-tête will be in July at the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Northern Italians Drink More

2006-04-21T06:47:00.000-07:00

To mark Alcohol Prevention Day, Istat, l'Istituto Superiore di Sanita, released yesterday some damning details on the social lives of our Northern Italian friends: the consumption of alcoholic beverages is much higher in the North than the South.

According to Istat, 11.3% of Northern Italians consume alcohol more than 12 times a year, compared to 4.8% of Southern Italians (a country avg. of 7.7%) The Istat report also concludes that 8.4% of the Italian population got drunk last year, and further findings support that alcohol consumption is often linked to mealtime wine-drinking and cigarettes.

Italian alcohol consumption, however, is much less than what it is stateside, where a CDC survey reported that 54.9% of U.S. adults (compared to Italy's 7.7%) have consumed at least one drink in the past month.

The End of the Era Berlusconiana?

2006-04-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

It's official. Sort of. But nevertheless, gelato per tutti. Nine days after the last ballot was cast, at 18H00 (Roma) the Italian Supreme Court declared Romano Prodi the new Prime Minister of Italy. Prodi will "wait for Berlusconi's call" (to admit defeat) But post-election chaos seems far from over with Giulio Tremonti, the VP of Berlusconi's Forza Italia party and Italy's Economy Minister responding, "a Prodi victory? We don't recognize it." Stay tuned...

Will Italy Drop the Euro?

2006-04-18T08:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning, London's Financial Times (FT) skewered Italy in an editorial claiming that Prodi's narrow victory is the worst thing that could have happened to il belpaese, creating a virtual deadlock, and making much-needed economic reforms impossible. The editorialist, Wolfgang Manchau, predicts "international investors to start taking speculative bets on Italy's euro membership within the lifetime of a Prodi government." If Italy is forced to default on its euro-dominated debt, and is unable to adequately service its investors, it could lead to an Argentina-like situation. Manchau's hypothesis imagines Italy leaving the eurozone before 2015. He also cites other major economic problems facing Italy: appreciation of its real exchange rate, rising labor costs, loss of macroeconomic competitiveness, etc. He doesn't liken Italy's problems, however, to France's or Germany's (high unemployment, slow economic growth); he contends rather that Italy's problem is "a lack of readiness for life in monetary union."

L'Unita, a Communist daily writes that FT's reporting "mette fiato nelle trombe", puts air into the trumpets of Berlusconi's Forza Italia party. Alessandra Mussolini (Benito Mussolini's granddaughter) calls the FT article "dead on". The European Union chimes in calling the possibility of Italy leaving the common currency, the eurozone, "impossible".

Prodi comments on FT's article saying "FT is criticizing Berlusconi..." (not me). Nevermind that Manchau wrote: "Mr Prodi offers the wrong kind of reform programme. It consists of of the same supply-side reforms that have failed in other European countries. Since his rag-bag coalition of moderates, socialists and communists will have a wafer-thin majority in the Senate, he may not even be able to deliver on his own insufficient programme. If Italy continues to lose macroeconomic competitveness, a populist movement could well emerge with an agenda for euro withdrawal."

Is Italy blowing in the wrong direction? And if so, will a crosswind come along to billow its sails?

Postpone the Postponement

2006-04-16T10:01:00.000-07:00

The April 9th-10th elections finished 6 days ago. Still no result.

Just Chillin': Prodi Crawls Towards Victory

2006-04-14T06:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon Prodi said he was "serene" -- but political limbo is still the name of the game. The contested ballots are now only 5,266 -- not nearly enough to secure Berlusconi a victory -- and Prodi is now on the home stretch. But the bickering between the two camps continues, with the official outcome not to be certified until, at the earliest, April 18th.

Meanwhile, Berlusconi speaks to his followers: "resisteremo" -- "we will resist."

"Pensavate di esservi liberati di me?"

2006-04-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

Ballots found in trash bins in the Roman suburbs. Some claim that they were already counted. Berlusconi is furious. "No one has won the election yet," says Berlusconi. Will there be a recount? There are 1.1 million votes to verify, and Berlusconi was defeated by roughly 30,000 votes. Berlusconi is furious. And then this battuta, this witty remark: "You thought you had freed yourselves of me?"

Prodi: "Berlusconi should go home. It's useless to attempt a postponement".

Nothing yet is certain. Things are still susceptible to change.

Who will win the elezione?