Italy's €25 Billion Rail Plan Is a Model for EU Spending
When it is completed in 2028, the high-speed rail line will run coast-to-coast between Naples and Bari in just two hours, and connect Italy's underdeveloped south with the wealthier parts of the peninsula and the rest of Europe. The Italian government hopes the new rail links will finally open up opportunities for business, education and tourism in the south. Earlier this week, Ferrovie Dello Stato, the rail company, broke through two key tunnels that will allow part of the line to come into service by the end of the year, cutting more than an hour from the travel time between Italy's Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts.
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USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
Top PADI-ranked scuba diving destinations for beginners (gallery)
Photo courtesy of Michael Zeigler / E+ If you're going to learn to scuba dive, you might as well do it in a gorgeous tropical setting with idyllic conditions for beginners. "The destinations on this list are some of the most popular PADI certification hubs," says Kristin Valette Wirth of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Worldwide. We've put together a gallery inspired by PADI's list, so you can start planning your dive trip. And you don't have to wait for that trip to begin your certification journey. PADI offers an Open Water Diver course, which combines eLearning and in-person instruction to get you certified for underwater fun. So, let's dive in! Advertisement Photo courtesy of grandriver / E+ Learn to dive in pristine Pacific or Caribbean waters off the coast of Mexico. You can also head inland to explore the freshwater cenotes of the Yucatán. If seeing marine life is your passion, the Sea of Cortez is your best bet. Referred to as 'the world's aquarium' by Jacques Cousteau himself, the Sea of Cortez is home to a colony of sea lions, as well as dolphins, whales, turtles, and more than 900 species of fish. What an incredible diving destination for beginners! Photo courtesy of Ron and Patty Thomas / iStock Via Getty Images Plus Almost everyone knows about the California redwoods, but have you heard of the massive kelp forests that exist just beyond California's coastline? These underwater forests are giant and otherworldly. Head to La Jolla or Point Loma in San Diego to explore this precious habitat for a variety of sea life. Other California diving highlights include shipwrecks, such as the UB88 submarine off the coast of Los Angeles, and the dramatic reefs of Palos Verdes. Photo courtesy of Daniel Eidsmoe / iStock Via Getty Images Plus From Pensacola down to the Florida Keys and every place in between, Florida is a diver's paradise. The Gulf Coast offers warmer water temps year-round, compared to the Atlantic side, and you can't get more tropical than Florida's southern coast. Key Largo has one of the largest diving centers in North America. Dive sites include wrecks, walls, and reefs. Hot tip: Less than an hour's drive from Miami, you'll find John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which boasts 40 living coral species, more than 600 varieties of fish, and a sunken statue cast from a mold by Italian sculptor Guido Galletti. Advertisement Photo courtesy of Nicole Tow / iStock Via Getty Images Plus The magic of diving in Hawaii is that conditions are perfect for diving year-round. The Hawaiian Islands offer a broad range of underwater topography, from natural lava tubes to colorful coral gardens. Oahu's Kapolei is a great diving destination for beginners, as it offers calm, protected waters with clear visibility and minimal currents. There's plenty of marine biodiversity too, from reef sharks to sea turtles. Plan your trip between May and October for optimal diving conditions. Photo courtesy of johnandersonphoto / iStock Via Getty Images Plus This Dutch Caribbean island, where divers can explore vibrant coral reefs and mysterious shipwrecks, is an excellent diving destination for all levels, but particularly for beginners. Protected from currents, the water temperatures around Bonaire's dive sites average in the mid-80s year-round. Even better, Bonaire isn't in the hurricane zone. Diving in Bonaire National Marine Park is an absolute must. In addition to the park's diverse flora and fauna, it's home to seagrass meadows, mangroves, and the least degraded coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea. Photo courtesy of FrankvandenBergh / E+ The diving industry is thriving on this Caribbean island, which boasts more than 70 dive sites — all teeming with eels, rays, squid, reef fish, turtles, and more. Several first-class dive operators call Curaçao home, so you'll have plenty of options when looking for guides and instruction. Pro tip: Divers enjoy calm waters and excellent visibility year-round, so plan your trip between May and November (Curaçao's off-season) for fewer crowds and the best pricing. Advertisement Photo courtesy of Erin Westgate / iStock Via Getty Images Plus Located along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Roatan and Utila, known as the Bay Islands of Honduras, offer world-class diving for all levels. Dive sites West End and West Bay offer gentle currents and clear waters. Divers can swim among coral gardens and experience spectacular wall dives. In West End alone, there are 80 dive sites within a 10-minute drive! Coxen Hole's shark dives, conducted ethically, are ideal for experienced divers and thrill-seekers. Photo courtesy of Gerold Grotelueschen / iStock Via Getty Images Plus For decades, divers have flocked to the Dominican Republic, known for its biodiverse reef structures with cavernous swim-throughs, vibrant coral formations, and shipwrecks. Head to the island's south end to places like Bayahibe, where dive shops are plentiful, the current is gentle, and the underwater treasures are many. Photo courtesy of Mindaugas Dulinskas / iStock Via Getty images Plus With the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, Belize attracts divers from all over the world. It's a perfect entry point for those learning to dive or new to diving, thanks to its crystal-clear water that remains warm year-round. You'll find the most dive shops in Ambergris Caye; however, Caye Caulker is another idyllic spot with calm waters and proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef. Advertisement Photo courtesy of gregobagel / iStock Via Getty Images Plus Puerto Rico is akin to a diver's underwater theme park, with dramatic vertical walls and biodiverse marine life. It's also a great diving destination for beginners, as it boasts numerous dive shops and dive tours. Pro tip: Book your scuba diving trip between December and May and head to Mona Island, where humpback whales migrate from November through May.
Business Upturn
6 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Liverpool's actual offer for Giovanni Leoni revealed! Defender on his way to Anfield
Liverpool FC have signed a centre-back from Parma as they agreed a deal with the club. By Ravi Kumar Jha Published on August 14, 2025, 08:37 IST Liverpool FC have signed a centre-back from Parma as they agreed a deal with the club. The agreement was reached between the parties for the signing of talented centre-back named, Giovanni Leoni. The defender of Parma was high on list of Arne Slot, and finally they have got their man. The club to club agreement has been reached for €35 million & sell-on clause. As reported by Fabrizio, the deal will be long-term for the 18-year-old. Liverpool FC have reached an agreement with Parma for the signing of highly-rated centre-back Giovanni Leoni. The 18-year-old, who was a top target for Reds manager Arne Slot, will make the move to Anfield in a deal worth €35 million, which also includes a sell-on clause for the Italian club. As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the agreement between the clubs is for a long-term contract, securing one of Europe's brightest young defensive talents. Leoni has impressed with his composure on the ball, defensive reading, and maturity beyond his years, making him one of the standout prospects in Serie A. This signing marks Liverpool's intent to strengthen their defensive line for the future while giving Slot a promising option who can grow into a key figure for the club. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Ravi kumar jha is an undergraduate student in Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia and Mass Communication. A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication and he also has a genuine interest in sports. Ravi is currently working as a journalist at
Chicago Tribune
8 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Down to Business: Make a good sandwich, keep customers happy, pay the bills — secret to Johnny's Red Hots
Business: Johnny's Red Hots Address: 4931 S. Route 59, Naperville Phone/website: 630-904-2800; Owner: John Vourtsis, 59, of Naperville Years in business: 16 What does your business do? 'We've got a lot of good homemade dishes. Italian beef. Homemade red sauces. The halal gyros are fantastic. … Our burgers are tremendous. We've got great Italian ice. Meal deals too,' Vourtsis said. What got you started? 'I've been in this business since I was 13 years old. I opened up my own place when I was 20 with a partner in Cicero. It was called Lucky Dog. The one on Roosevelt Road, we opened up in 1986. It's still there. I sold my share off in 2008 and came here. … You remember Kings & Queens on Roosevelt Road (in Berwyn)? I worked there as a kid.' Why open up here? 'Because I live out here. We had a (business) divorce you could say. I said I had enough.' How's business? 'Sixteen years later? Pretty good. It takes time for everything, though. You've got to build it up by being here every day and kissing (up) and making sure things are done right.' Why call it Johnny's Red Hots? 'Red hots are just another name for hot dogs. My wife wanted me to use our kids' names, but I don't know.' How long are you here each day? 'I get here early, 6:30, quarter to 7. If I can leave in the evenings, I'm probably here till 5 or 5:30 p.m.' When are you open? '10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. … I still get here at the same time, but I try to get out of here at 2 or 3 on Sundays. We used to be open till 9 on Sundays. In December 2020, I started closing at 6 o'clock. To be honest with you, business is the same if not better closing at 6 o'clock.' Do you ever take time off? 'I'll take off three or four days and close the place. Put a sign in the door. If they want to come back, fine. If not, they're not going to get Johnny's.' Do you deliver? 'No, but we offer catering online. I do a fair amount of catering.' How did the pandemic impact your business? 'I had my cooks, me. We had walk-ins. If I needed help, my kids helped. Slowly but surely in those three or four months of 2020, people caught wind of us being open. It got so busy. It was weird because nobody was in here sitting down.' What do you like best about this job? 'Nothing. No, I'm just kidding. I grew up doing this, so I love what I do. I love making people happy. I love making people feel good when they come in here. Give them a good sandwich. At the end of the day, that's it. And, of course, pay my bills.' Any negatives? 'Sometimes the hours, the stress. But, you know, you've got to have a little stress unless your last name is Kardashian. You've got to have a little pressure.' Was your dad in the business? 'He was a cook in a restaurant. He died very young. He was only 49. … That was a long time ago. I was only 15, 16.' What about competition? 'Everything is a challenge. But it's OK. I just put my head down, go to work every day, make sure I do the right thing. You can't worry about everybody else. I've gone up against Portillo's, Buona Beef.' How many employees do you have? 'Five, six, give or take.' Do you have great cooks? 'I do. They're hustlers. They're the ones you have to keep. … You can tell. We don't mess around.'' Is there a busy time for you? 'You don't know. As long as they come in.' What makes a great hot dog? 'Prepared properly. It depends on the product. You can have them with the snap. You can have them with less of a snap. … You can't let them sit too long. We steam them. Mustard, relish, onion, tomato, pickle, pepper freshly cut, a little celery salt.' What's your hot dog preference? 'Vienna Beef. To me, it's the best. David Berg was good too. They're gone.' What's your advice for someone starting a business? 'For a restaurant, it's like being in a combat zone. Throw your combat boots on in the morning and get ready. Don't look back. Whatever comes your way, move forward right through it. Don't worry about eight hours later, the next day, just keep going every day.'
