Digested week: Italians escape the heat amid shock of Bayesian disaster

Talk of extreme weather is everywhere, while the political right argue over questions of national identity

Another summer of relentless heat, and so, like most wise Italians, I opted to join the traditional August exodus from the sweltering city. So for a few days I’ve decamped from Rome to Marta, a picturesque fishing village on the shores of Lake Bolsena in the north of Lazio. I jumped at the offer of taking care of two cats, although the real motive was to be able to finish the day cooling off in the lake.