Immigration In Italy: The Roma

A few days ago, on 11 March, Amnesty International released a report calling on the Italian authorities to halt a controversial housing plan. The plan has resulted in the forced eviction of hundreds of Roma, and paves the way for thousands more evictions over the coming months. The report, titled The Wrong Answer – Italy’s “Nomad Plan” violates the housing rights of Roma in Rome, warns that the programme, which began in July 2009, violates the human rights of thousands of Roma. … Continue Reading

Condom Vending Machine At Rome High School

Amid national controversy, the Kepler scientific secondary school today became the first in the Italian education system to install condom vending machines for students. The machines, in the girls’ and boys’ toilets, will sell cut-price condoms just a few miles from the Vatican; the Kepler is in a lower-middle class district of Rome, just outside the city’s ancient walls.

The Vatican has gone to great lengths … Continue Reading

The Incredulous Perugia Trial: Sentencing Report

Finally, the sentencing report by the jury who convicted Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito has been published. Only days before Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito were sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison for the murder or Meredith Kercher, we wrote a detailed article about the case and the media reactions around the world in relation to Italy (The Incredulous Perugia Trial: Ideal vs Integrity). Now, we are back to report on the reasoning behind the jury decision, which tells us what the judges believed to be the most likely truth behind the crime, … Continue Reading

What’s Up With Immigration In Italy?

Hundreds of immigrants evicted from gypsy camps! Italy wakes up to the realities of immigration! Italy: a country united by racism!

Such are the headlines these days, prompting us to ask: What’s up with immigration in italy?

Indeed, immigration is a tense and contested subject in Italy these days. Several recent events have increased negative feelings on both sides of a fight tainted by racism, … Continue Reading

Apartment Rental in Rome – Cheap?

Many people are wondering, as they plan their next trip or holiday, what is really going on with accommodation prices. Whether they are looking for B&B, hotels or apartments, there is a lack of real understanding about the current market situation, beyond 2010.

The first thing to understand, is that there is no general trend. … Continue Reading

Pope Weighs In On Body Scanners

An article recently published by us presented an in-depth discussion on the raging debate over the planned use of airport body scanners, which leave passengers virtually naked when going through security (Next Up… The Booby Bomber).

Now, the Pope himself has commented in on the issue: … Continue Reading

Parents Are Fined For Teenagers’ Abuse

A ruling by a judge in Milan sets a new landmark: The parents of five teenage boys who repeatedly raped a young girl have been ordered to pay her compensation totalling €450,000. It is important to note that the fine was not imposed for the parents’ failure to supervise the teenagers appropriately, but for their apparent failure to give their sons an “education in feelings and emotions”. … Continue Reading

First Snow In Rome Since 1986?

Well – almost. Read more for a video illustrating the exceptional snowfall of last week, for some reactions, and for a history of snow since 1986.

As you will see from this history below, the snowfall last week has been quite exceptional, … Continue Reading

Next up… The Booby Bomber

Be wary of the Booby Bomber… Ok. A weak attempt at wit, but it is where we seem to be heading.

Here is the bomber history. A story is being built. … Continue Reading

Fellini’s La Dolce Vita: Drugs And Sex?

Tom Kington’s new article in the Observer (published on 7 February 2010) is amusing, but at the same time evokes a glamourous Rome from a slightly different perspective. This is how the article begins: … Continue Reading

Berlusconi: Injuries Not Exaggerated

We have already commented on how the timing of the unfortunate attack on Prime Minister Berlusconi was convenient, in terms of his political goals, here.

Now, his opponents are nursing conspiracy theories asking whether his injuries were exaggerated, or whether the attack might even have been fake, because he appears to have completely recovered in such a short period of time. … Continue Reading

Berlusconi Attack: The Aftermath

After a year full of sex scandals, divorce proceedings and renewed corruption charges, the Italian Prime Minister “was badly hurt when a man hurled a metal souvenir of Milan Cathedral at him on December 13.” (Timesonline.co.uk).

The attack could not have been more well-timed: Berlusconi’s time seemed up … Continue Reading

Homeless Sleeping In Metro Stations Now

Compassion? The municipality of Rome has opened certain metropolitan stations* 24 hours a day until 10 January, so that Rome’s 4000-6000 homeless people can take refuge there from the icy cold that has held the capital in its grip over the last few weeks. … Continue Reading

Rome Winter Sales

The winter sales are imminent!

On 2 January, retailers will start discounting their items – increasingly as the weeks go on. What a wonderful time of year the sales are – for me anyway – I cannot wait to dig through the bargains to find a Dolce & Gabbana dress for 50 EUR , or a pair of Armani sunglasses for even less.

Sounds consumerist? … Continue Reading

Rental And Purchase Prices Testaccio

Further to our items on property prices in Rome centre, here the the first quarter 2009 details for Testaccio. Please see the previous post for rental and purchase prices in the Teatro Marcello area, here.

(More to come – stay tuned as we will combine these as they come out into a central post.) … Continue Reading