Il Bel Paese visto da fuori

“When Italy’s government extended guarantees on state-backed loans during and after the pandemic, little thought was given to potential delinquencies. Now that’s coming back to bite.” Fonte: Bloomberg Autore: Giulia Morpurgo e Sonia Sirletti Link: The State-Backed Debt Pile Causing Restructuring Pain in Italy

“What next, Bunga Bunga Airlines? A decision by the Italian government to rename Milan’s main airport after former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has prompted an outcry in Italy.” Fonte: Politico Autore: Elena Giordano Link: Why not a sex den instead? Silvio Berlusconi airport sparks uproar in Italy

“Other luxury carmakers have struggled to go electric. Mercedes-Benz and Lamborghini have reduced their ambitions. Tesla reported declining second-quarter sales on Tuesday, and Ford Motor said in April that it would shift production to more hybrids as E.V. losses piled up. A growing trade war between China and the West also threatens to stifle growth.” […]

“Were Le Pen to be elected president of France, the world’s seventh-largest economy and a nuclear power, could she be counted upon to make a similar metamorphosis, a process the French press has dubbed mélonisation? Or would she more likely aim her newly acquired power at the twin pillars of the European political order?” Fonte: […]

“The courtyard was peaceful, open and airy, dotted with aperitivo-hour drinkers. Carter tried to soak up the Florentine vibes – and avoid checking her phone and reading the inevitable anxious messages from her mother.” Fonte: CNN Autore: Francesca Street Link: She invited a stranger to join her on vacation in Italy. ‘It went from zero […]

“But with a government in Italy that has far-right components, and the prospect of the far right winning Sunday’s election in France — the two countries are already among the biggest flouters of the bloc’s spending rules — officials from elsewhere in Europe are waking up to what they see as potentially disastrous consequences for […]

“Since becoming the leader of a right-wing coalition and Italy’s prime minister in 2022, Ms Meloni has often found herself at the centre of controversy involving her Brothers of Italy party, which has its political roots in the far-right Italian Social Movement (MSI) – set up by former Mussolini supporters after World War II.” Fonte: […]

“The Italian investigation highlights a distinctly modern issue in the luxury industry. While other sectors have moved manufacturing to China and other low-wage countries, many luxury brands kept production closer to home, believing it was crucial to their appeal. But despite being stamped with the “Made in Italy” label, prosecutors allege that some luxury goods […]

“The desert is encroaching across Sicily, the largest and most populous island in the Mediterranean, where a European temperature high of 48.8C was recorded in 2021. Rainfall is down by more than 40% since 2003. In the last six months of 2023, just 150mm of rain fell.” Fonte: The Guardian Autore: Lorenzo Tondo Link: ‘We […]

“Luciano Spalletti still hadn’t found the Iserlohn mole.” Fonte: The Athletic Autore: James Horncastle Link: Inside Italy’s awful Euro 2024 – paranoia, moles and ‘poison coming from all sides’