Today's headline
Ranucci Case: Lavitola Arrested as the Alleged Mastermind Behind the Attack
The front pages are dominated by the arrest of Valter Lavitola, whom investigators believe ordered the bombing outside the home of *Report* journalist Sigfrido Ranucci in 2025. Corriere della Sera and la Repubblica report that a bizarre motive is emerging from the seized chat logs: Lavitola allegedly wanted to push Ranucci into politics and build him up as an opposition candidate for the office of prime minister—with each attack intended to help him rise to prominence. La Stampa details the intimidation tactics and cover-up maneuvers of the wheeler-dealer, who is set to face his first interrogation today and risks up to ten years in prison. At the same time, the political controversy surrounding the investigative program *Report* is intensifying: According to ANSA and Fanpage, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini is demanding that Ranucci step down until the allegations are clarified, while, according to *La Repubblica*, Rai is already reviewing the investigation files and considering his replacement. Ranucci himself rejects this characterization; the Partito Democratico has rallied behind him and calls him the real victim.
«Ranucci: Chats with Lavitola Reveal Plans for His Candidacy» - Corriere della Sera | Corriere della Sera | la Repubblica | la Repubblica | La Stampa | La Stampa | ANSA | Fanpage | Il Messaggero
Mount Etna Eruption: Ash Cloud Shuts Down Catania Airport, Affecting Over 100,000 Travelers
A new vent on Mount Etna is causing chaos in air traffic during the peak vacation season. An ash cloud from the volcano has brought Catania Airport to a standstill—the Corriere della Sera reports that the closure is disrupting the plans of over 100,000 travelers and offers practical advice on what those affected can do now. According to ANSA, landings have been suspended; TGCom24 reports that Comiso Airport and flights to Malta are also affected. The volcanologist quoted by Corriere explains that the rising magma is currently particularly rich in gas. For vacationers in eastern Sicily, this means last-minute cancellations, diversions, and crowded alternative airports.
«Catania Airport Closed Due to Mount Etna Eruption; Travel Plans Disrupted for Over 100,000 People» - Corriere della Sera | ANSA | TGCom24 | TGCom24
Solar Eclipse Over Italy: A Black Sun in the Evening Sky
Today, August 12, many eyes will be turned toward the sky: A partial solar eclipse will be visible over Italy in the early evening, while the umbra—bringing total darkness—will pass over Spain. La Stampa reports that the event will begin at 7:28 p.m. and reach its peak at 8:21 p.m., and explains where to best view the spectacle. La Repubblica and Il Messaggero emphasize that only a few will be able to fully experience the „black sun,“ and Il Post explains the fortunate cosmic coincidences that make solar eclipses possible in the first place. Experts strongly warn against using homemade glasses—without certified special filters, looking directly at the sun can burn the retina.
«Eclipse: Starts at 7:28 p.m. and Peaks at 8:21 p.m.—Where to Watch It and What to Watch Out For» - La Stampa | la Repubblica | Il Messaggero | The Post | TGCom24
Politics & Economy
Migration Dispute: New Clash Between Madrid and Rome Over Ceuta
Migration is driving a wedge between several European capitals. Il Messaggero reports on a new move by Spain against Italy: Madrid accuses Rome of „electoral maneuvering“ in the dispute over the Ceuta exclave, while the Interior Ministry aims to speed up deportations and create a „diffuse border“ with a new decree. Fanpage describes how the conflict between Italy, Germany, and Spain is being played out at the expense of the most vulnerable. According to Il Post, the front pages of newspapers such as il manifesto and Domani are also focusing on the debate over Ceuta and immigration.
«Ceuta: Spain Launches New Attack on Italy. Interior Ministry Tightens Restrictions on Repatriations» - Il Messaggero | Fanpage | The Post
Vannacci's Agenda: „Mediterranean Patriarchy“ and „Remigration“
Roberto Vannacci, a Member of the European Parliament and deputy leader of the Lega, presents his political platform, thereby provoking half the country. The Corriere della Sera quotes his calls to „protect“ patriarchy and abolish the specific criminal offense of femicide; the PD calls him a „supremacist.“ Fanpage reports on his plan for „remigration“ and his statement that only those who believe in „Greco-Roman and Christian“ civilization are truly Italian, while la Repubblica warns in an editorial that Vannacci’s plans should not be underestimated. According to *Il Messaggero*, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni describes the whole affair as an „operation in favor of the left.“.
«“Patriarchy must be protected, the crime of femicide abolished“: Vannacci’s platform» - Corriere della Sera | la Repubblica | Fanpage
Bank Tax: Salvini Wants 5 Percent on Profits
In the economic debate, Matteo Salvini is pushing forward with an old point of contention. *Il Corriere della Sera* reports that the Lega leader has announced plans to require banks to contribute five percent of their profits—following the Spanish model. Il Sole 24 Ore calculates that the banks are reporting a „pool“ of around 33 billion euros in profits, while at the same time already shouldering a burden of a good ten billion.
«Banks: Salvini's announcement: „We will ask for a 5% levy on profits, just as Spain did.“» - Corriere della Sera | Il Sole 24 Ore | Il Sole 24 Ore
History & Society
Formentera: 60-Year-Old Italian Woman Drowns Off the Balearic Island
A drowning incident has cast a shadow over vacation coverage: A 60-year-old Italian tourist drowned off the coast of Formentera. Fanpage reports that rescue efforts lasted 45 minutes but were in vain; ANSA also reports that all resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
«Formentera: 60-Year-Old Italian Tourist Drowns; Resuscitation Attempts Prove Futile» - Fanpage | ANSA
Europe's Great Drought: The Danube Reveals Wrecks from World War II
Extreme drought continues to grip Europe. *La Repubblica* shows how the low water level of the Danube is exposing the wrecks of sunken Nazi warships. Il Post documents the drought in photos and explains that, along with the water in Europe’s rivers, many other things are missing—from shipping to electricity generation; on the Danube, even the remains of mammoths are resurfacing alongside the warships.
«Drought Emergency: Nazi Shipwrecks Resurface from the Danube» - la Repubblica | The Post | The Post
Earthquake in Colombia: Survivors Rescued After 30 Hours
Dramatic images are coming out of Colombia: According to ANSA and Il Post, the most devastating earthquake in the country’s recent history has claimed hundreds of lives, with the number of missing running into the thousands. One ray of hope comes from the rescue efforts—a mother and her three-month-old child were pulled alive from the rubble, and another woman was rescued after 30 hours. Il Post also reports that rescue operations are proceeding slowly.
«Earthquake in Colombia: Woman Rescued Alive from the Rubble After 30 Hours» - ANSA | The Post | The Post
Bolzano Tops the Birth Rate List: „Never Alone as a Family“
Some good news from the north: *la Repubblica* portrays Bolzano as a city with plenty of babies. While the birth rate in Italy as a whole is falling, South Tyrol’s capital is leading the way—families report never feeling left alone, even during Ferragosto and in the summer, thanks to a dense network of childcare and family support services.
«Cradles Full in Bolzano: „We Families Are Never Alone, Not Even on Ferragosto“» - la Repubblica
Culture & Lifestyle
Spritz Beats Champagne: The Aperitivo Is Taking the World by Storm
The Italian aperitivo is enjoying global success: *Corriere della Sera* reports that the Spritz has overtaken champagne. Worldwide, people are now toasting with around 1.5 billion Spritzes—compared to 1.35 billion glasses of French champagne. The bright orange drink made with Aperol or Campari, Prosecco, and soda has thus evolved from a Venetian ritual into an international symbol of summer.
«Spritz Beats Champagne: It Took the Lead Thanks to 1.5 Billion Toasts Worldwide» - Corriere della Sera
Low Water Levels in the Tiber: An Ancient Bridge Emerges in Rome
The drought is also revealing history in Rome: According to ANSA, the remains of a Roman bridge are emerging from the Tiber, whose water level has dropped significantly. The image of the ancient masonry in the dried-up riverbed vividly illustrates how closely the current water shortage and the cultural heritage of the Eternal City are intertwined.
«The remains of a Roman bridge are reemerging from the dry bed of the Tiber» - ANSA
Curling with a View of the Colosseum: A Winter Sport That Defies Rome's Heat
An unusual summer scene is attracting international attention: In Rome, people are playing curling in sweltering heat—with a view of the Colosseum. ANSA reports that even The New York Times has dedicated a story to this winter sport in the scorching capital. The striking contrast between curling and the ancient backdrop symbolizes a summer in which Italy is tackling the heat with creativity.
«Curling with a View of the Colosseum: A Winter Sport Takes on Rome's Heat» - ANSA | ANSA
Sport
European Swimming Championships: Double Gold for Quadarella and Martinenghi
Italy is enjoying a glorious evening at the European Swimming Championships. ANSA and *La Gazzetta dello Sport* report on two gold medals: Simona Quadarella wins the 800-meter freestyle, and Nicolò Martinenghi takes gold in the 100-meter breaststroke. In addition, Simone Cerasuolo wins bronze in the same event, and according to La Gazzetta, young Sara Curtis also swims her way to a historic bronze medal in the 100-meter event. Il Post describes the European Championships as „a week like the Olympics.“.
«Great Italy at the European Swimming Championships: Gold for Quadarella and Martinenghi» - ANSA | Gazzetta dello Sport | Gazzetta dello Sport | The Post
European Athletics Championships: Battocletti Wins the 5,000 Meters; Drama for Jacobs in the 100-Meter Final
Italy is also celebrating at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. According to ANSA, La Stampa, and La Gazzetta dello Sport, Nadia Battocletti won gold in the 5,000-meter race, while Federica Majori claimed bronze with a spectacular comeback. In the shot put, an Italian double medal caused a sensation: gold for Leonardo Fabbri and silver for Zane Weir, reports ANSA. The evening was overshadowed by the elimination of Marcell Jacobs, who, according to *Gazzetta* and *Il Post*, was injured in the 100-meter final and had to bury his dream of a title—„I was ready to give it my all to win.“.
«Battocletti Crowned European Champion in the 5,000; Jacobs Falls Short in the 100 Final» - ANSA | La Stampa | Gazzetta dello Sport | Gazzetta dello Sport | The Post
Tennis: Sinner Pulls Out of Cincinnati and Sets His Sights on the U.S. Open
Jannik Sinner is sitting out the Masters 1000 tournament in Cincinnati. According to ANSA, the world-class player is dealing with pain in his right knee—„it hurts“—so he’s playing it safe and focusing entirely on the U.S. Open.
«Sinner withdraws from Cincinnati: „My knee hurts; I'm aiming for the U.S. Open“» - ANSA
Dream Wedding: Cristiano Ronaldo Marries Georgina Rodríguez
To wrap things up, let’s take a look at the tabloid pages: *La Gazzetta dello Sport* reports that Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer a bachelor—the soccer star and Georgina Rodríguez are celebrating a fairytale wedding, with their children also taking part in the ceremony.
«CR7 Is No Longer a Bachelor: A Fairytale Wedding with Georgina» - Gazzetta dello Sport
