Today's headline
Italy Says Goodbye to Francesco Guccini
The death of Francesco Guccini dominates all the front pages. The Italian press unanimously reports that the „Maestrone“ has died at the age of 86, marking the loss of one of the country’s most influential cantautori. *Il Giornale* writes that Guccini shaped the history of Italian music; ANSA reports that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced that she will continue to sing his songs, „even if he wouldn’t have approved.“ In Bologna and at his retreat in Pavana in the Apennines, hundreds of people have gathered to sing his songs and lay flowers.
«Farewell to Francesco Guccini, the »Maestrone' who left his mark on music history" - ANSA | «Francesco Guccini Has Died» - The Post | «Francesco Guccini has died at the age of 86: he left his mark on the history of Italian music.» - il Giornale | «Meloni, I'll keep singing Guccini's songs even if he wouldn't be happy about it» - ANSA | «The Maestro's Memorable Nights at Vito's» - il Resto del Carlino
Rekordhitze: Mittelmeer so warm wie nie, Warnung bis nach Ferragosto
Die Hitzewelle bleibt das zweite große Thema des Tages. Repubblica berichtet, dass die Wassertemperatur im Mittelmeer einen nie gemessenen Wert erreicht: 33 Grad meldet die Boje Sa Dragonera vor Mallorca, der höchste je an dieser Station gemessene Wert. Das Blatt zitiert Fachleute, die vor heftigen Unwettern warnen, sobald kühlere Luft einströmt. Fanpage meldet für heute die rote Warnstufe in 26 Städten und schreibt, dass die Hitzewelle trotz Gewittern im Norden noch rund zehn Tage anhält. ANSA rechnet mit einer Warnlage bis nach Ferragosto, il Mattino berichtet von einem Hitze-Hotspot am Hauptbahnhof von Neapel, wo Legambiente per Satellit 48 Grad Oberflächentemperatur ermittelt, und L’Arena berichtet aus Verona von 41 Grad Lufttemperatur und 57 Grad auf dem Porphyrpflaster der Piazza Bra.
«The Mediterranean reaches 33 degrees; the sea water has never been this warm» - la Repubblica | «Thunderstorms this weekend, but the heat wave will last another 10 days; 26 cities are under a red alert today» - Fanpage | «The heat and humidity show no signs of letting up; the alert remains in effect until after Ferragosto» - ANSA | «Train station, record-breaking heat, and a heat hotspot at 48 degrees» - Il Mattino | «The thermometer reads 41 degrees in the city. And the porphyry in Bra is nearly 57.» - L’Arena
Dispute Over COVID-19 Response: Conte Files Complaint Over Face Masks
An open exchange of blows erupts before the COVID-19 investigative commission. ANSA reports that former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has submitted an anonymous document to the public prosecutor’s office regarding suspicious face masks and is defending the state of emergency declared at the time. Repubblica quotes Conte’s accusation that government funds were funneled to a company selling counterfeit masks and describes the clash with the governing majority. Il Giornale counters that the company in question, JC Electronics, denies the allegations and points to court rulings that have declared the masks compliant.
«Conte: Anonymous Document on Suspicious Masks Filed with the Prosecutor's Office» - ANSA | «COVID: Conte's Accusation—Government Funds Went to the Counterfeit Mask Company» - la Repubblica | «Conte Criticizes JC Electronics Over Masks, but the Company Responds» - il Giornale
Politics & Economy
Bridge Across the Strait: Green Light for Detailed Design
ANSA reports that the Supreme Council for Public Works has approved the detailed design for the bridge across the Strait of Messina. *Il Giornale* highlights that the vote was unanimous and views it as an important step for the multibillion-euro project linking Sicily and Calabria, which has been controversial for decades.
«The Public Works Council Approves the Final Design for the Stretto Bridge» - ANSA | «Bridge over the Strait: Unanimous Approval for the Final Design» - il Giornale
Multi-million fine against e-scooter and bike-sharing providers
Die Wettbewerbsbehörde Antitrust verhängt eine Millionenstrafe gegen mehrere Sharing-Anbieter. ANSA berichtet, dass die Unternehmen den Zugang zu kostenlosen Fahrten erschwert haben, die im Rahmen städtischer Aktionen zugesagt waren. Il Post beziffert die Strafe auf rund 2,7 Millionen Euro – den größten Anteil trägt Lime – und nennt als betroffene Firmen Lime, Dott und Bird, die in Rom Roller und Räder vermieten – ein Hinweis, der auch für Reisende in italienischen Städten relevant ist.
«Antitrust Authority Imposes Million-Dollar Fine on Scooter and Bike-Sharing Companies for Blocking Free Rides» - ANSA | «The antitrust authority has fined Bird, Lime, and Dott 2.7 million euros.» - The Post
Rekordhalbjahr für Banken und Versicherer – und Druck auf die Commerzbank-Gespräche
Der Finanzplatz Mailand meldet starke Halbjahreszahlen. ANSA berichtet von einem Halbjahresgewinn der Monte dei Paschi di Siena von 1,1 Milliarden Euro und von einem Plus von 42 Prozent beim Versicherungskonzern Unipol, der auf 1,06 Milliarden Euro kommt. Il Sole 24 Ore meldet zudem, dass Commerzbank-Chefin Bettina Orlopp einen zügigen Dialog mit UniCredit anmahnt und betont, die Mailänder Bank könne nicht allein über die Zukunft der Frankfurter entscheiden.
«MPS's half-year profit exceeds expectations at 1.1 billion (+25%)» - ANSA | «Unipol's profit jumps to 1.06 billion in the first half of the year (+42%)» - ANSA | «Commerz: Orlopp, it's in everyone's interest to hold talks with UniCredit as soon as possible» - Il Sole 24 Ore
EasyJet is being acquired by the private equity firm Apollo
Il Post reports that the airline EasyJet has agreed to a takeover by the investment firm Apollo. According to the report, the purchase price is 6.6 billion euros. For travelers from German-speaking countries heading to Italy, EasyJet is one of the leading carriers on routes to Milan, Naples, and Sicily.
«The airline easyJet has agreed to be acquired by the investment firm Apollo.» - The Post
History & Society
Mount Etna Erupts, Spewing a Fountain of Lava – Flights Are Being Diverted
Mount Etna is back in the news with a new eruption. ANSA reports that a lava fountain is rising from the Voragine central crater and that a cloud of ash is drifting toward the southeast. Il Mattino reports that flights are being rerouted due to the cloud, and L’Arena has also picked up on the story. Flight operations in Catania thus remain a source of uncertainty for travelers in eastern Sicily.
«Etna: Lava fountain and volcanic cloud from the Voragine; flights diverted» - ANSA | «Etna: New Eruption with a Lava Fountain from the Voragine; Volcanic Ash Cloud Moving Toward the Southeast; Flights Diverted» - Il Mattino | «Etna: Lava fountain and volcanic cloud from the Voragine; flights diverted» - L’Arena
Crans-Montana: Italy Will Not Be Admitted as a Civil Party
Il Post reports that Switzerland has rejected Italy’s request to participate as a civil party in the trial regarding the Crans-Montana accident. ANSA reports that this means the Italian side cannot assume the role of a party to the proceedings. The case has been occupying both countries for months.
«Switzerland has rejected Italy's request to join the lawsuit as a civil party in the trial regarding the Crans-Montana massacre.» - The Post | «Italy's Request to Be a Civil Plaintiff in the Crans-Montana Trial Rejected» - ANSA
Milan: Five City Police Officers in Custody
ANSA reports that five Milan city police officers have been arrested on charges of unlawful detention and embezzlement. Investigators say the group operated like a „squadretta“—that is, like a closed-off special unit within the local police force.
«Illegal arrests and embezzlement: 5 traffic police officers arrested in Milan» - ANSA
Consumer advocates are targeting booking sites
The Resto del Carlino reports that the consumer organization Codacons is taking issue with the Booking.com platform: In Romagna, vacationers are said to have booked accommodations that do not actually exist. The accusation is that the platform failed to verify the listings. Anyone booking online this summer should therefore double-check their accommodations.
«Ghost Residence: Codacons Criticizes Booking for Failing to Exercise Due Diligence» - il Resto del Carlino
Culture & Lifestyle
Locarno Kicks Off – Excellence Award for Isabella Rossellini
ANSA reports on the opening of the Locarno Film Festival, where Isabella Rossellini is being honored with the Excellence Award. In an interview, the actress explains that she initially switched to fashion after her first role was panned by critics. The festival on Lake Maggiore is considered one of Europe’s most important gatherings for auteur cinema.
«Isabella Rossellini: »After being panned for my first role, I turned to fashion.'" - ANSA
Solar Eclipse on August 12 – Italy Looks Up
Il Post explains what will be visible during the solar eclipse on August 12 in Italy, where the maximum coverage will occur, and how to observe it safely. The event falls right in the middle of Ferragosto week and is expected to draw numerous observers to the mountains and coastlines.
«Everything About the Solar Eclipse on August 12» - The Post
Heat is affecting the vintage: The grape harvest is starting earlier
Il Giornale reports that the persistent heat is affecting the wine: The grapes are ripening faster, and the harvest is beginning earlier than usual in many regions. According to the newspaper, experts expect the 2026 vintage to be of high quality despite the extreme conditions.
«The heat changes the wine: better quality. And the harvest is starting early.» - il Giornale
Sport
Chiara Pellacani Wins All Five Titles at the European Championships
ANSA reports that Chiara Pellacani achieved a historic sweep at the European Diving Championships: five events, five gold medals. She won her final gold in the synchronized 3-meter springboard event alongside Elisa Pizzini. La Gazzetta dello Sport quotes Tania Cagnotto, who believes her successor has what it takes to challenge Chinese dominance in the future.
«At the European Championships, Chiara Pellacani achieves a historic sweep, winning her fifth gold medal in synchronized diving with Elisa Pizzini» - ANSA | «Cagnotto: Pellacani makes dives look easy that aren't actually easy» - La Gazzetta dello Sport
At age 16, Kelly Doualla Wins World Championship Bronze in the 100-Meter Dash
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the 16-year-old sprinter won the bronze medal in the 100-meter race at the U20 World Championships. The newspaper notes that no Italian runner has ever gone this far at this level before.
«Doualla's Achievement: At 16, She Wins Bronze in the 100 at the U20 World Championships» - La Gazzetta dello Sport
Tennis: Musetti Eliminated in Montreal
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Lorenzo Musetti lost to Jodar at the Montreal Masters and has been eliminated from the tournament. This leaves Matteo Arnaldi as the main contender for the Italian tennis delegation.
«Jodar, Another Lesson for Musetti: The Italian Bids Farewell to Montreal» - La Gazzetta dello Sport
Transfer Market: Molina Joins AS Roma
The Corriere dello Sport reports that AS Roma has finalized the signing of Nahuel Molina, giving coach Gasperini another key piece for the new season. The paper also provides details on the transfer fee for the deal.
«Roma, a Perfect Fit for Molina: Another Reinforcement for Gasperini, All the Details of the Deal» - Corriere dello Sport
