When tourism makes it hard to find a home

In Italy, the continuous increase in rental prices is making it increasingly difficult to find housing, even for rent. The blame is partly attributed to the rise in short-term rentals to tourists, as landlords can earn more and face fewer risks of dealing with non-paying tenants. Gaetano Pecoraro reports on the situation by visiting various real estate agencies, highlighting the scarcity of properties available for purchase or long-term rental and the changing dynamics of cities.

Living through Europe’s driest summer in memory

Europe is experiencing one of its driest summers, with brutal heatwaves, wildfires, and drying rivers. Spain's reservoirs are at 40% capacity, and in Bonastre, south of Barcelona, residents face severe water restrictions. Mario Ferrario, a local, struggles with daily tasks due to limited water access. The mayor, Ester Barta, describes the situation as extreme, with the local well affected by drought. In northern Italy, the worst water crisis in 70 years has led to extraordinary measures, such as installing temporary pumps to recycle water for irrigation. Stefano Calderoni, President of the Ferrara Land Reclamation Consortium, calls for public interventions to address the structural water crisis. Chiarina Arguti, a resident of Umbria, notes the impact on agriculture, with high temperatures and lack of rainfall reducing her tomato sauce production by half.

Italy's lack of sexual education in school

Italy remains one of the few EU countries without mandatory sex education in schools, leading to a lack of sexual and emotional awareness among students. Despite several proposed bills, sex education is left to regional discretion, often resulting in inadequate coverage. The Catholic Church's influence is seen as a significant barrier. Activists and professionals argue for comprehensive sex education to address issues like discrimination, homophobia, and gender-based violence. Data shows Italy lags in contraception access, and many adolescents turn to the internet for information. Efforts continue to push for mandatory sex education to improve awareness and equality.

Po Valley farmers living through Italy's worst drought for 70 years

Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years, severely affecting the Po Valley region. Farmers face significant challenges, including high irrigation costs and uncertain harvests. Experts highlight the structural issues and lack of investment in water management. The drought threatens over 30% of national agricultural production, with rising salt levels and water rationing exacerbating the crisis. Calls for more government investment and preventive measures are emphasized to mitigate future impacts.

Drinking water is already being rationed.

Northern Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years, with the River Po, Italy's largest river, significantly lower than average. The drought has led to drinking water rationing in 125 municipalities, and the irrigation of crops is at risk in a densely populated and intensively farmed area. The Po River District Authority's secretary-general, Meuccio Berselli, is working on a resilience plan to ensure water supply for drinking and irrigation. The drought has revealed a WWII shipwreck and is affecting the production of key Italian agricultural products. The Italian Farmers Confederation predicts a 30 to 40% reduction in fruit and vegetable production in the Po Valley.

Pope Francis's decade-long vision for the Church is finally realised in new Constitution

The new Apostolic Constitution, effective from Sunday, replaces John Paul II's 'Pastor Bonus' and marks a significant reform in the Catholic Church under Pope Francis. Key changes include opening up the Curia to laypeople, establishing a dicastery of evangelization, and placing the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors within the Doctrine of the Faith. The Constitution aims to streamline the Church's structure, address corruption, and bring the Church closer to those in need. It also responds to recent scandals and the ongoing vocation crisis, emphasizing the indispensable role of lay individuals in the Church.

Why Turkey's Erdogan is trying to cast himself as the main mediator between Russia and Ukraine

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has positioned himself as a mediator, hosting meetings and coordinating a prisoner swap. His efforts are driven by Turkey's economic ties with Russia and a stalled EU membership bid. Despite being a NATO member, Turkey has maintained a complex relationship with the alliance, including purchasing Russian-made S-400 missiles. The Black Sea region's strategic importance and economic interdependence with Russia further complicate Turkey's position. While Turkey seeks peace, the ongoing conflict and economic challenges at home influence Erdoğan's diplomatic maneuvers.

Housing in Italy is still a denied right for too many people

In Italy, 600,000 people are waiting for public housing, and 150,000 are at risk of eviction. However, there are only 9 billion euros allocated for the housing emergency in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Pnrr). In comparison, Portugal manages to allocate four times as much in percentage terms.