ROME -- As the ball hung agonisingly in the air in the South Paris Arena, Miriam Sylla rose to the occasion. The strike took a touch off a Turkish opponent but, as it bounced beyond the reach of anyone in red, a jubilant sea of blue swarmed onto the court. For the first time in history, Italy’s women will be guaranteed a medal at the Olympics in the volleyball. Having sealed progression into Sunday’s final in Paris, a place in the Olympic Hall of Fame beckons.

 ROME -- On the Ligurian Riviera, nestled between Genoa and the French border, the commune of Spotorno is one of Italy’s tourist hotspots. This was once a historic municipality, with the ruins of the 16^th Century castle on green hillside overlooking the crystal-clear waters. Given Spotorno's natural beauty, it is easy to see why such a picture-perfect destination would be popular. And yet, almost the entire coastline is privatised.

ROME -- Popular Italian actor and director Carlo Verdone has spoken to Rome’s mayor Roberto Gualtieri in a phone call to resolve any ill-feeling after a public spat in which Verdone criticised Rome’s poor cleanliness, its lack of public toilets, and inadequate public services at the hands of the current mayoral administration.