Five things you only hear in an Italian “bar” (and what they really mean)
Italian bars are not bars in the American sense: they’re not for cocktails (unless you’re having aperitivo, of course), and ordering a martini at 10 a.m. will earn you a look usually reserved for people who cut in line at the bakery. Italian bars are more like the fast-beating heart of daily life, where espresso is fuel, the barista knows your nam...
Minister Tajani convenes business representatives on tariffs following the EU‑US agreement; a permanent tariffs Task Force established at the Farnesina
The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, held a meeting at the Foreign Ministry to address the issue of tariffs following the recent agreement between the European Union and the United States. Attendees included agencies from the Italian economic system — ICE, SACE, SIMEST, and CDP — along with represen...
July 29: Happy World Lasagna Day!
Today is World Lasagna Day. Lasagna is tipically Italian, of course: but who really owns this beloved dish, Naples in Campania or Bologna in Emilia Romagna? That question sparks an ongoing debate between the two cities. Some claim the original lasagna includes salami and ricotta, while others argue it was born with meat sauce and béchamel. Putting...
The Italian August shutdown: what travelers need to know
Every year in August, Italy seems to pause. The main cities empty out, businesses shut down, and locals head to the coast, mountains, or countryside. At the heart of this seasonal shift is Ferragosto — a holiday celebrated on August 15, rooted in both ancient Roman and Catholic traditions. The temperatures are the highest of the year since August i...
The 70th anniversary of an Italian automotive icon
The year 2025 marks seventy years since the debut of one of Italy’s most beloved engineering masterpieces—the Fiat 600. When it was unveiled in 1955, this compact sedan was designed to meet a very specific demand: an affordable, modern, and reliable car that could comfortably seat a family of four. At the time, in early 1950s Italy, no such vehicle...
Italy and U.S. expand joint training and security cooperation
Joint training programs and technology exchange in counterterrorism—especially at the Innovation Center in Alabama—are among the key outcomes of Italian Police Chief Vittorio Pisani’s recent visit to the United States. The trip also laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation on cyber security and other cross-border threats. One highlight of the a...
Italy wins 2025 women’s Volleyball Nations League
Italy’s women’s national volleyball team, led by coach Julio Velasco, won the 2025 Volleyball Nations League title by defeating Brazil 3–1 in the final held in Łódź, Poland. After dropping the first set 22–25, the Azzurre bounced back to win the next three sets 25–18, 25–22, 25–22, showcasing their resilience and depth. This victory marks Italy’s t...
Italy’s vocational education system faces a skills gap, despite growing demand for hands-on training
Across Italy, more and more young people are looking for education paths that combine classroom learning with real-world work experience—whether through internships, apprenticeships, or freelance-style engagements. Vocational training programs are designed to meet this need, and in some ways, they’re succeeding. But the system is still facing major...
Self-driving vehicles in Italy: 60 mayors ready to host pilot programs
At a recent event in Milan in Lombardy, the initiative “Autonomous Driving: Italy in the Front Row” was luanched. More than 60 mayors from across the country — including those from major cities like Milan, Turin, and Genoa — have committed to turning their municipalities into real-world testing grounds for self-driving vehicles. The move comes as I...
The Fantastic Four on Top of the World: The Golden Lesson of the Italian Foil
There is a lesson greater than the simple sporting success, in the gold medal that the The foil boys scored a hit today at the World Championships in Tbilisi. Overlapping sport with life is always risky and perhaps even deceptive, but if there's a discipline, if there's a specialty that reflects the true essence of Italy—with its fragilities and ab...
Urban river tourism gets a green makeover in Italy
A new kind of tourism is making waves in Italy—literally. Cities across the country are embracing a fresh approach to urban travel by turning their rivers and canals into eco-friendly routes for exploration and leisure. The goal? To reconnect people with their waterways while promoting a new, sustainable lifestyle. This initiative is part of a broa...
Italy takes leading role in building first lunar outpost for NASA's Artemis program
A major step toward humanity’s return to the Moon is being led by Italy. The Italian Space Agency (ASI), in partnership with aerospace company Thales Alenia Space, has signed an agreement with NASA to help build the very first permanent outpost on the lunar surface as part of the Artemis program. This new station, called the Lunar Surface Multipurp...