Sicily Bridge Dream Revived, South Watches

The Guardian reports that the Roman-era dream of bridging the Strait of Messina has been revived by Italian officials, despite claims it is unworkable and protests from locals. The plan, which has haunted planners for more than 2,000 years, would link the Mediterranean's largest island to mainland Italy.

For Basilicata, the project carries an old resonance. A fixed link to Sicily would redraw the map of the deep South, pulling the region's ports and roads into a new corridor of movement and trade.

Yet the Guardian notes that the proposal faces deep scepticism, with engineers questioning its feasibility and residents fearing the cost. The region watches a familiar pattern: a grand promise from Rome, and a long wait for the ground to break.