THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. An article in the WSJ today collects various opinions about the  fate of the Columbus Day and says this national holiday -- established by the Congress in 1968 with the Monday Holiday Law -- could be in fact be doomed.
The authors Conor Dougherty and Sudeep Reddy point out that several states and cities in the US do not recognize Columbus Day as a holiday, and some have renamed it already. Moreover, native Americans and other ethnic groups tend to perceive Columbus as an oppressor who helped enslave some of the people he "discovered." Others propose to rename  the holiday as"Italian Heritage Day," which would cause it's losing its national prominence.
Columbus's defenders, on the other hand, don't seem prepared "to watch their hero's holiday sail off the edge of the earth." They believe, according to Dougherty and Reddy's report that Columbus "should be celebrated for risking his life to explore the world and for forging modern ties between Europe and the Americas." Others, including Dona De Sanctis of the Order Sons of Italy in America, object quite reasonably that a 16th century man should not be judged by by 21st century standards." For very different views on this subject coming from within the Italian American community, read this artcle and watch this video. (To read the original WSJ piece, click here)

ANSA. Alitalia hopes to break even in the third quarter of the year after posting losses in the first two, according to Rocco Sabelli, the chief executive officer at the Italian airline. (Read the article)

BOSTON GLOBE. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS occupies a place of primacy in the American pantheon, yet little is known about his driving motivation - and its significance for the challenge that America faces today. (Read the article)

Los Angeles Times. Most Italians would rather forget 'Il Duce's' place in its history, but his imprint can be found around the city if you know where to look  (Read the article)