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Clare Speak
Editor, The Local ItalyOriginally from Manchester, England, Clare lived and worked in several European countries including Spain and the Czech Republic before moving to Italy. She joined The Local Italy as a freelance journalist in 2018 and has gone on to become editor. In between writing articles explaining life in Italy, she has renovated a farmhouse in Puglia and, with some persistence, gained dual British-Italian citizenship through marriage. She is now based in Florence.
See all our journalists at The Local italy.- Email: clare.speak@thelocal.com
Articles by this author
Inside Italy: The number of strikes is falling, but passengers might not believe it
Italy's many transport strikes are a source of worry and frustration for passengers, including the Local Italy's editor Clare Speak - though there's a good chance we won't even notice it's happening.
How Sunday's airport strikes will affect travel in Italy
Passengers face possible disruption on Sunday, September 13th, as baggage handling and cabin crew staff hold strikes at several airports across the country.
'Very underfunded, very strict': What readers think of Italy's schools
International families may find Italian schools are very different to those back home - but are they better or worse? The Local asked readers to share their own experiences with schools in Italy.
Italian word of the day: 'Maltempo'
There's no point complaining about today's Italian word.
Is it true Brits are still banned from giving blood in Italy?
As Italy’s national blood centre appeals for urgent donations to keep supplies topped up, we look at why most British residents are still turned away.
Italy heads for hottest year on record after scorching summer
Italy is on course to set new temperature records in 2026, the National Research Council (CNR) said on Monday, after confirming this summer as the hottest in over seven decades.
Energy bills set to rise sharply in Italy this autumn
Households in Italy face another rise in the cost of living this autumn as energy prices hit the highest level since the 2022 crisis, consumer group Codacons warned.
Will end of the EES waiver mean longer airport queues in Italy?
A rule allowing border guards to pause new EU biometric passport checks at busy times expired over the weekend - but how does this affect the way the checks are carried out at Italy's airports?
Today in Italy: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday
Summer 2026 confirmed as Italy's hottest on record, Italian energy prices soar to new high, and more news on Tuesday.
Italian word of the day: 'Rientro'
Is it that time of the year already?
Italy's schools push to delay start of term amid heatwave
The school year opens this week in many parts of Italy, but teachers and councils in some southern regions say the heat remains too intense for a return to the classroom.
Five of the big challenges facing Italy this September
With Italy preparing to go back to work, politicians will be turning their attention to the challenges ahead - and there are some big ones waiting when parliament reopens.
Today in Italy: A roundup of the latest news on Monday
Nationwide strike to disrupt Italian train travel from Monday night, Florence holds vigil for Lorena Isceri as femicide toll mounts, and more news on Monday.
Inside Italy: Why AI is no match for Italian bureaucracy
How can you make Italian bureaucracy even more needlessly complicated than it already is? Just ask an AI chatbot, writes Clare Speak in this week's Inside Italy.
Italy appeals for blood donors as stocks run critically low over summer
Italy’s national blood centre issued an urgent appeal for donors after warning that stocks were running low nationwide, with hospitals in Lazio, Campania and Sicily worst affected.
How did the Meloni government become Italy's longest-lasting?
Giorgia Meloni's administration on Friday set a new record for the longest time in office - no small feat in a country known for political instability. But critics say she managed it mainly by doing very little with that time.
Today in Italy: A roundup of the latest news on Friday
Meloni government becomes Italy's longest-lasting, calls grow to delay school start dates over heat in classrooms, and more news on Friday.
Italian expression of the day: 'Da morire'
We think you'll really love this one.
Russia could try to influence Italy’s general election, foreign minister warns
The Italian government must "act early" against any potential interference from Russia in next year's election, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani warned on Wednesday.
Why 'il rientro' means so much more in Italy than a new school year
While it's often translated as merely the start of a new school year or the end of a holiday, this word has a deeper cultural significance.
Air and rail strikes set to restart across Italy from September
Travellers in Italy face a return to transport disruption in September, as the country's summer strike ban comes to an end.
Inside Italy: Forget culture wars, Italy has bigger problems with air conditioning
Italy is now embracing widespread AC use, despite the cost - and it's too hot to argue about whether it's the right thing to do, writes Clare Speak.
Italian word of the day: 'Chissà'
Here's the Italian word you'll need when things simply defy explanation.