Judge Giovanni Falcone Remembered in Washington DC

Italian Judge Giovanni Falcone was commemorated, on the 31st anniversary of his assassination, with a mass at Holy Rosary Church celebrated by Fr. Sergio Dall’Agnese. A civil ceremony followed in the Italian American Museum of Washington DC.  Francesco Isgro, President of the Casa Italiana Sociocultural Center welcomed guest speaker Michela Carboniero, First Counsellor at the Embassy of Italy, and keynote speaker, Dr. Lorenzo Bucossi, Police Attache at the Embassy of Italy @ItalyinUS.  A reception followed in the museum ‘s art gallery. 

The reception was hosted by CISC Inc. and co-sponsored by local Italian and Italian American organizations, the Lido Civic Club of Washington DC, the National Italian American Foundation, the Order Sons and Daughters of America, the Abruzzo and Molise Heritage Society, Italians in DC, the Italian Cultural Society, and Holy Rosary Church. Special thanks to Simonetta Baldassari for all her contributions.

President Biden announces Jack A. Markell, Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Italian Republic and the Republic of San Marino

Jack A. Markell, a former Governor and State Treasurer of Delaware, is currently the Representative of the United States of America to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the rank of Ambassador. Previously, he served as the White House Coordinator of Operation Allies Welcome.  Before that, he was the President of Jack Markell Consulting, LLC. He is a former Senior Vice President of Comcast Corporation and Nextel Communications. He also served as Chair of the National Governors Association, President of the Council of State Governments, and Chair of the Democratic Governors Association. Markell earned his Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies and Economics at Brown University and his M.B.A. at the University of Chicago.

Sergio Mattarella rieletto Presidente della Repubblica Italiana

ROMA\ aise\ – È dunque arrivata, finalmente, all’ottavo scrutinio, la proclamazione del nuovo Presidente della Repubblica. È, per la seconda volta nella storia dopo Giorgio Napolitano, una rielezione: il Capo dello Stato uscente, Sergio Mattarella, resterà dunque al Colle per altri 7 anni.
La convergenza sul nome di Mattarella è arrivata questa mattina, quando i leader di partito e l’attuale primo ministro, Mario Draghi, hanno reso nota la volontà della larga maggioranza attuale in parlamento di rieleggere Mattarella.
I grandi elettori di Pd, Forza Italia, Lega, Italia Viva e Movimento 5 Stelle, hanno convenuto sul nome dell’attuale Presidente della Repubblica, che ha ottenuto 759 voti su un totale di 983 presenti e votanti. “Queste condizioni – ha commentato Mattarella – impongono di non sottrarsi ai doveri cui si è chiamati, e naturalmente devono prevalere su altre considerazioni e su prospettive personali differenti, con l’impegno di interpretare le attese e le speranze dei nostri concittadini”.
Già alla settima votazione, Mattarella aveva ottenuto 387 voti, quando i leader di partito ancora non avevano trovato l’accordo verso la figura di Mattarella.
Si pensava che la rielezione del 20 aprile 2013 di Giorgio Napolitano sarebbe rimasto un unicum nella storia repubblicana italiana. E invece non è stato così: con l’elezione del 29 gennaio 2022, in preda a un’Italia alle prese con la pandemia e alle sue conseguenze più nefaste, dal punto di vista sanitario, economico e sociale, è avvenuto di nuovo.
E si parla apertamente di “sconfitta” per i partiti politici, che non sono riusciti a trovare un nome comune. La soluzione all’impasse cominciato lunedì scorso, è arrivata dalla spinta della maggioranza dei parlamentari verso i leader politici, che alla fine hanno assecondato quella volontà andando a chiedere a Mattarella di rimanere al Colle. Una soluzione non prospettata quella della rielezione, neanche dallo stesso Presidente della Repubblica, che nei mesi scorsi aveva sempre chiesto alla politica di trovare soluzioni alternative al suo secondo mandato. Ma quelle soluzioni alternative non hanno soddisfatto i grandi elettori, ed ecco arrivata la seconda rielezione del Presidente della Repubblica. (aise) 

Sergio Mattarella

How the Russo Family Switched From Superheroes to America’s Opioid Crisis With ‘Cherry’

For their adaptation of Nico  Walker’s semi autobiographical novel — their gritty follow-up to the ground and record-breaking ‘Avengers: Endgame’ — directors Joe  and  Anthony  Russo honed in on addiction and PTSD, tapping their younger sister, Angela Russo-Otstot, to co-write the script in this family affair.

Source: How the Russo Family Switched From Superheroes to America’s Opioid Crisis With ‘Cherry’

Loredana Polezzi Named Alfonse M. D’Amato Endowed Chair in Italian American and Italian Studies | | SBU News

Loredana Polezzi has been named the Alfonse M. D’Amato Endowed Chair in Italian American and Italian Studies, positioned in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of European Languages, Literatures and Cultures. The D’Amato Chair, established in 2008, was made possible by a fundraising effort led by then Stony Brook University Council Chair and current Stony Brook Foundation Board member Richard Nasti, along with former SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Mario Mignone. The Chair is the first endowed chair in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Source: Loredana Polezzi Named Alfonse M. D’Amato Endowed Chair in Italian American and Italian Studies | | SBU News

Waterville mayor Nick Isgro draws criticism for proclamation of Oct. 14 as Columbus Day – 

“On Columbus Day,” the proclamation says, “we honor the skilled navigator and man of faith who President Benjamin Harrison described as a ‘pioneer of progress and enlightenment’ whose spirited voyage transformed the western hemisphere and inspired countless others to pursue their dreams and convictions in the face of seemingly insurmountable doubts and adversity. ”

Source: Waterville mayor draws criticism for proclamation of Oct. 14 as Columbus Day – CentralMaine.com

Italy revokes Steve Bannon’s right to use a monastery for his political “gladiator” school

Bannon planned to teach the art of his brand of politics at the school.

Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon’s plans for a far-right nationalist school have been halted by Italian authorities. Bannon hoped to run the school out of an ancient monastery near Rome, but officials say they are revoking rights to the grounds for failure to maintain the site and pay fees.

In a statement released Friday, Gianluca Vacca, an official with Italy’s cultural ministry, said that it was the government’s “duty” to revoke the rights to the Certosa de Trisulti monastery that the Human Dignity Institute, a far-right Catholic think tank Bannon partnered with, had obtained. Vacca cited the fact the group failed to pay proper concessions and said it was determined that the institute did not have any experience in cultural heritage custodianship. The ministry also voiced concerns that repairs had not begun that would make the historic property available for public use.

Source: Italy revokes Steve Bannon’s right to use a monastery for his political “gladiator” school

You can buy a home in this scenic town in Sicily, Italy for $1—but there’s a catch

Mussomeli in Sicily, Italy sits on a steep hillside, has narrow streets and is known for its medieval castle and old churches. As part of a not-for-profit project, there are about 100 homes for sale there for 1 euro each, as long as you’re willing to renovate.

Source: You can buy a home in this scenic town in Sicily, Italy for $1—but there’s a catch

In Italy, #MeToo Falters Amid Public Scorn : Parallels : NPR

In the months since allegations of sexual harassment by major media figures took center stage in the United States, the #MeToo movement has had a ripple effect in Europe, prompting national conversations on a once-taboo topic. In some countries, the movement has been embraced. But in Italy, the public has largely reacted with scorn and skepticism.

Source: In Italy, #MeToo Falters Amid Public Scorn : Parallels : NPR

Viewpoint: What Columbus means to Italian Americans | Opinion 

As a first generation Italian-American, to me and to many like me, Christopher Columbus represents the idea that you can voyage far away from home, and with a dream, and perseverance and sacrifice, and faith and hard work, you can find a better life and enjoy the freedom with which we are blessed to have in this awesome country we call the United States of America.

Source: Viewpoint: What Columbus means to Italian Americans | Opinion | southbendtribune.com