https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Italy in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed European leaders sending their troops to Greenland has - writes political columnist John Lichfield - called Donald Trump's bluff when it comes to military conflict. Instead the continent faces the prospect of a long and brutal trade war. https://www.thelocal.it/20260120/opinion-this-is-a-1938-moment-for-europe-but-the-war-will-be-a-trade-war Tue, 20 Jan 2026 11:46:19 +0100 opinion-this-is-a-1938-moment-for-europe-but-the-war-will-be-a-trade-war Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and US President Donald Trump have become close allies – but she's discovering that Trump's friendship isn't always an asset. https://www.thelocal.it/20251024/why-trumps-friendship-is-becoming-a-problem-for-italys-meloni Fri, 24 Oct 2025 11:12:33 +0200 why-trumps-friendship-is-becoming-a-problem-for-italys-meloni Shutting down most of the country for a month may seem incomprehensible to many non-Italians. But Italy's August break is sacred - and for good reason, says Silvia Marchetti. https://www.thelocal.it/20220729/ferragosto-why-the-long-august-holidays-are-untouchable-for-italians Fri, 29 Jul 2022 19:31:45 +0200 ferragosto-why-the-long-august-holidays-are-untouchable-for-italians From hilltop towns to seaside villages, many parts of Italy have scores of dilapidated properties left to rot under the sun, and foreign buyers should be rewarded for "breathing new life" into them after decades of neglect, argues Silvia Marchetti. https://www.thelocal.it/20241030/opinion-foreigners-who-buy-old-italian-homes-should-get-special-tax-breaks Wed, 30 Oct 2024 14:11:27 +0100 opinion-foreigners-who-buy-old-italian-homes-should-get-special-tax-breaks Italy will hold a landmark referendum on easing citizenship by residency rules in early June. But what are the chances of the proposed reform becoming reality? https://www.thelocal.it/20250210/what-are-the-chances-of-italy-voting-in-favour-of-easing-citizenship-rules Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:55:34 +0100 what-are-the-chances-of-italy-voting-in-favour-of-easing-citizenship-rules Italy's a country of striking contrasts, and while the north has a stronger economy, the south makes up for it by being a more exciting place to live, argues Silvia Marchetti. https://www.thelocal.it/20250220/opinion-why-life-in-the-south-of-italy-is-just-more-fun Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:33:17 +0100 opinion-why-life-in-the-south-of-italy-is-just-more-fun Bank branches are as sacred to many Italians as their favourite bar or cafe, but they're being closed by the hundreds across the country, causing major problems for dozens of devoted clients, Silvia Marchetti explains. https://www.thelocal.it/20250214/opinion-why-italians-are-upset-by-the-fate-of-their-sacred-bank-branches Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:06:45 +0100 opinion-why-italians-are-upset-by-the-fate-of-their-sacred-bank-branches More than eight years after the UK's Brexit vote, a majority of EU citizens would like a closer relationship with Britain and many Brits are now prepared to ditch their Brexit red lines, a new survey has revealed. https://www.thelocal.it/20241212/brexit-reset-why-majority-of-eu-citizens-want-closer-ties-with-the-uk Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:02:13 +0100 brexit-reset-why-majority-of-eu-citizens-want-closer-ties-with-the-uk There's always been a stigma attached to southern dialects in Italy, meaning many who moved from the south of the country to the north have had to hide their true roots, writes Silvia Marchetti. https://www.thelocal.it/20241120/opinion-when-it-comes-to-dialects-not-all-italians-feel-equal Wed, 20 Nov 2024 16:16:42 +0100 opinion-when-it-comes-to-dialects-not-all-italians-feel-equal The return of Donald Trump to the White House may be catastrophic for US democracy. It could be even more destructive for Europe, writes John Lichfield. https://www.thelocal.it/20241106/opinion-trumps-win-spells-crisis-for-europe-but-it-could-save-the-eu Wed, 06 Nov 2024 17:06:36 +0100 opinion-trumps-win-spells-crisis-for-europe-but-it-could-save-the-eu As countries within the EU reintroduce checks on their Schengen zone borders, columnist John Lichfield looks at why this threat to the 'invisible achievement' of open borders matters to the whole of Europe. https://www.thelocal.it/20241023/opinion-europes-open-borders-are-precious-fragile-and-under-threat Wed, 23 Oct 2024 11:48:49 +0200 opinion-europes-open-borders-are-precious-fragile-and-under-threat From how to dress for special occasions to holding cutlery a certain way, Italians are known to follow a long list of 'unwritten rules', many of which often baffle foreigners. Silvia Marchetti explores what's behind their obsession with etiquette and appearances. https://www.thelocal.it/20241018/form-over-substance-why-italians-care-so-much-about-etiquette Fri, 18 Oct 2024 12:56:28 +0200 form-over-substance-why-italians-care-so-much-about-etiquette Private healthcare is a popular option in Italy for patients who hope to be seen quickly and receive a high standard of care. But the service may not meet expectations, warns Silvia Marchetti. Tell us about your own experiences below. https://www.thelocal.it/20230805/opinion-why-italys-private-healthcare-isnt-always-worth-the-cost Sat, 05 Aug 2023 15:31:31 +0200 opinion-why-italys-private-healthcare-isnt-always-worth-the-cost Foreigners who flock to Italy to indulge in its traditional cuisine usually presume us ‘lucky’ Italians are addicted to our lasagne, amatriciana pasta and huge pizzas. Silvia Marchetti argues that might no longer be the case. https://www.thelocal.it/20241004/opinion-are-italians-getting-tired-of-italian-food Fri, 04 Oct 2024 15:13:59 +0200 opinion-are-italians-getting-tired-of-italian-food Foreigners living in Italy are often left baffled by how much 'la famiglia' is intrinsic to the Italian way of life. Silvia Marchetti explains why families in Italy "stick together like glue", even if it means your relatives are a constant presence in your life. https://www.thelocal.it/20240913/opinion-family-is-sacrosanct-to-italians-even-if-you-cant-get-away-from-them Fri, 13 Sep 2024 18:24:25 +0200 opinion-family-is-sacrosanct-to-italians-even-if-you-cant-get-away-from-them Italians have a reputation for becoming enraged by unorthodox food adaptations, but why is Italy in particular so touchy about its cuisine? Silvia Marchetti says there's a good reason for the defensiveness. https://www.thelocal.it/20230217/opinion-why-do-italians-get-so-angry-if-you-mess-with-classic-recipes Fri, 17 Feb 2023 17:05:52 +0100 opinion-why-do-italians-get-so-angry-if-you-mess-with-classic-recipes From hilltop towns to seafront promenades, many parts of Italy are blighted by dilapidated buildings left to rot under the sun. So why don't local authorities tear them down and sell off the land? Reporter Silvia Marchetti explains. https://www.thelocal.it/20240402/why-there-are-so-many-derelict-houses-in-italy-and-no-one-seems-to-care Tue, 02 Apr 2024 16:26:22 +0200 why-there-are-so-many-derelict-houses-in-italy-and-no-one-seems-to-care Italy is known for its bureaucratic challenges but changing your doctor will likely give you the biggest headache of them all, writes Silvia Marchetti. https://www.thelocal.it/20240704/opinion-why-changing-your-doctor-in-italy-can-be-a-nightmare Thu, 04 Jul 2024 18:18:21 +0200 opinion-why-changing-your-doctor-in-italy-can-be-a-nightmare Italian food is a major part of the draw for Italy's foreign residents, though some find there's a lack of other choices. But Italy is never going to be the kind of globalised country where international dining options are the norm, argues Silvia Marchetti. https://www.thelocal.it/20240621/opinion-foreign-foods-will-always-be-hard-to-find-in-italy-and-thats-ok Fri, 21 Jun 2024 12:16:11 +0200 opinion-foreign-foods-will-always-be-hard-to-find-in-italy-and-thats-ok Italians are known for being both religious and superstitious enough to carry good luck charms and avoid travelling on certain days, but this isn't a paradox, writes Silvia Marchetti. https://www.thelocal.it/20240105/opinion-why-are-italians-both-so-religious-and-so-superstitious Fri, 05 Jan 2024 11:44:16 +0100 opinion-why-are-italians-both-so-religious-and-so-superstitious