Luca Rufo

London

Journalist at Channel 4 News

Editor at Clandestine Magazine

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Articles

On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this week

1 week ago | thelocal.it | Luca Rufo

Tuesday Window to switch to summer tyres opens Motorists in Italy have from Tuesday, April 15th to Thursday, May 15th to switch from winter to summer tyres. After the window to make the switch closes, drivers caught breaking the rules will face a fine of up to €1,731 plus the requirement to undergo a revisione (the Italian equivalent of a UK MOT test or a vehicle inspection in the US). Italy’s summer tyre requirement is a frequent source of confusion as it doesn’t apply to all vehicles.
Italian expression of the day: 'Mettere la mano sul fuoco'

3 weeks ago | thelocal.it | Luca Rufo

If you hear someone in Italy say metterei la mano sul fuoco, don’t be alarmed. It literally means 'I would put my hand on the fire' – but it’s not an invitation to witness a risky dare. Instead, it’s a common Italian expression used to show you’re absolutely certain about something - so confident, in fact, that you’d place your hand in the fire to prove it (click here to hear it pronounced). The story behind the phrase traces back to the early days of ancient Rome, in the 6th century BC.
What’s on in Rome: Eight of the best things to do this April

3 weeks ago | thelocal.it | Luca Rufo

From a popular food festival to Easter celebrations and a very special birthday party, here are a few of the things that visitors and locals in Rome can look forward to this April.
What are Italy’s 'best' universities in 2025?

1 month ago | thelocal.it | Luca Rufo

In total, 56 Italian universities were included in the 2025 edition of the prestigious World University Rankings by British analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), making Italy the country with the seventh-highest number of featured national institutions (and the second-highest in Europe behind Germany). As in last year’s edition, Italy’s highest-rated university was Milan’s Polytechnic University, with a score of 58.2 out of 100.
Where to celebrate St Patrick’s Day 2025 in Italy

1 month ago | thelocal.it | Luca Rufo

Monday, March 17th will mark St Patrick’s Day, which honours Ireland’s patron saint and, more broadly, Irish culture and heritage all around the world. Generally speaking, celebrations won't be as widespread in Italy as in some other European countries, but most major Italian cities will still offer a number of Paddy’s Day-themed events on Monday or, in some cases, even in the days leading up to it.
Elderly woman missing after five-storey building collapses in Italy’s Bari

1 month ago | thelocal.it | Luca Rufo

Search operations aided by dog units and drones started on Wednesday evening and were ongoing on Thursday. Rescue teams were focusing their efforts on a specific area of rubble where the woman’s cell phone signal was detected, according to reports. Located in Bari’s Via de Amicis, just south of the city’s train station, the building had been deemed structurally unsafe and was evacuated by local authorities in February last year. Renovation work reportedly started last week.
10 inspiring Italian women you should know about

1 month ago | thelocal.it | Luca Rufo

Saturday, March 8th, will be International Women’s Day (or Festa della Donna in Italian). Though it’s not an official national holiday in Italy, the event is recognised in the form of celebrations and parades all around the country. Besides talks, gatherings and marches, you can also expect Italian florists to work overtime this Saturday as, according to a uniquely Italian tradition, men give the women in their families yellow mimosa flowers as a token of appreciation.
What are my rights in Italy when it comes to noisy neighbours?

1 month ago | thelocal.it | Luca Rufo

Italy is home to vibrant, close-knit communities, where living in proximity to neighbours often means dealing with some level of noise. However, there are specific laws and regulations designed to protect individuals from excessive noise that disrupts their peace and well-being. Noise regulations in Italy are primarily governed by national and local laws, and the country takes noise pollution seriously.
Is Italy's 'golden' visa still available in 2025?

1 month ago | thelocal.it | Luca Rufo

The Italian Investor Visa - to give it its correct name - has been a gateway for non-EU nationals to obtain residency in Italy. But as the political climate in Europe shifts, with growing concerns over the impact of these schemes on housing markets and inequality, the future of the programme is under scrutiny. Despite changes across the EU and other European countries limiting or scrapping golden visa programs, Italy's Investor Visa still remains active as of 2025.
Today in Italy: A roundup of the latest news on Thursday

1 month ago | thelocal.it | Luca Rufo

Meloni calls for ‘security guarantees’ in Ukraine peace deal Prime Minister Georgia Meloni said on Wednesday that Ukraine must be guaranteed no more invasions will occur in order for “just and lasting peace” to be a possibility.