Category } News & Politics

Rome's council is taking steps to reduce youth-generated noise pollution during the evenings and at night.

Two resolutions have been approved to help reduce noise pollutions in the historic centre. The source of which tends to be the younger folk enjoying their nights out, rather loudly, in in spots such as Campo de’ Fiori and Trastevere.

The first resolution tackles the noise issue and the second one is an increase in the number of vigili urbani to patrol areas that are prone to noise and trouble.

As of next August anyone under the age of 16 will be prohibited from purchasing alcoholic drinks and underage kids will not be allowed to work in any position selling alcoholic drinks. Also, bouncers will be replaced with ‘stewards’ and CCTV cameras.

It will be interesting to see if these initiatives will help make Rome a more quiet place. As with most Italian rules there is usually a big discrepancy between what is agreed on paper and its implementation.

Why candidate old, fat, ugly politicians when the likes of Barbara Matera and Camilla Ferranti are keen to represent Italy in Europe?

However, Mr. Berlusconi’s wife (Veronica Lario – a former actress) wasn’t amused. She branded the whole thing as a ‘shameless’ election stunt.

This isn’t the case, absolutely. The truth is… two-fold:

1. Berlusconi has the “mental and sexual activity of a 50-year-old” and is “almost immortal”, as his doctor, Umberto Scapagnini, explained in 2004. Veronica is obviously jealous of this.
2. The candidates in question are, in fact, qualified for the job. Don’t let their background and appearance distract you from their great minds, judgement and… assets.

A fine selection of Euro candidates

• Barbera Matera – Miss Italy 2000 finalist, actress and TV presenter, now serious politician
• Camilla Ferranti – Dancer and TV personality, now serious politician
• Eleonora Gaggioli – Former actress, now serious politician
• Angela Sozio – Former Big Brother contestant, now serious politician

STOP PRESS! Eleonora Gaggioli, Camilla Ferranti and Angela Sozio did not make the cut. Perhaps they were not sexy enough.

Unfortunately based in Brussles

If they get elected, of course. So we can’t suggest visiting Rome to stalk out parliament for a furtive glimpse of them. Click on the images below instead and appreciate Italian politics at the highest level.

A powerful earthquake has hit the central part of Italy near L'Aquila, about 95 km from Rome.

The earthquake struck at 3:00am and up to 10,000 buildings have been damaged.

Sadly, reports say that 40 people have been reported to have lost their lives so far.

The earthquake shook Rome violently too but caused no damage. Many people walked out of their homes into the streets, fearing bigger shocks.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have suffered this terrible event.

You can read more about this on the BBC website.

They called it operation 'Movida Sicura' and was aimed at establishing an 'emotional climate of trust and respect between residents, visitors and the police'.

The idea is for law enforcement officers to patrol hot-spot areas but not in an aggressive way, their presence acting as a deterrent and to send out a message of pro-active policing.

Last Saturday Dino Gasperini, representing Rome council and Cesarino Caioni, head of the Vigili Urbani (traffic police) met up at 11pm in Campo de’ Fiori to see for themselves what the area looks like when all the kids are out and about drinking beer. Perhaps they were inspired by the words of the La Terrina fountain there: Do well and let them talk, as far as the policing strategy is concerned.

This is good news for the city. Not that street violence was ever a big problem. In this day and age that ‘security’ is a big issue at every level – from terrorist attacks to padlocking your bicycle – more policing is certainly welcome.

The areas of Rome that are covered by operation ‘Movida Sicura’ are Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza Navona, Testaccio, Trastevere and the ZTL area (area of the historic centre you can only access by car if you have a permit).

• Source: Sicurezza, operation Movida Sicura (in Italian).

Roman's mayor, Mr. Gianni Alemanno, has announced that the initiative will not be terminated. Bless him.

Cemusa, the company that manages the bike sharing service called Roma’n‘Bike, was all set to close shop next Saturday due to a failure to resolve certain contractual issues with the council. A typical scenario if you’re trying to do something different (and perhaps not convenient for certain third parties).

The good news is that Mayor is keen to for the service to not only remain active but to be extended. With of luck this good-will will translate into a resolution, as far as Cemusa’s contractual needs are concerned.

Bike sharing means hopping on a bicycle at one ‘station’, say in Piazza Navona, and hopping off at another one, say Piazza Venezia. If you manage to reach your destination alive and within 30 minutes it will not cost you a thing.

The bad news for readers of this blog (mostly travellers) is that it’s not a service they can use. Only residents can register.

Or is it?

Perhaps with a vacation rentals contract our clients are eligable? We’re going to email Cemusa and ask. Watch this space.