Skip to main content

Featured

Italy Advances Tougher Measures on Migrant Arrivals

ILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends a bilateral meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance (not pictured), during his visit to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 6, 2026.  Italy’s government has approved a new migration bill that would grant authorities the power to impose temporary naval blockades during periods of intense pressure on the country’s borders. The proposal, backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is designed to curb irregular sea crossings by restricting access to Italian territorial waters. The draft law would allow officials to bar vessels from entering for up to 30 days, with the option to extend the measure to six months if national security or public order is deemed at risk. The plan also strengthens border surveillance, increases penalties for human smuggling, and expands the list of offenses that can lead to deportation. Supporters argue the move is necessary to manage migration flows more effectively, whi...

article

Banana Bread with Coconut and Pecans

 

Ingredients

  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
  • ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup very ripe bananas, mashed (about 3 bananas)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  • ½ cup pecans, toasted and chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
  3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix the melted butter and sugar until just combined. Beat in the eggs, bananas, and vanilla.
  4. Add the flour mixture to the bowl and mix on low speed until just combined. Do not over-mix.
  5. Gently stir in the coconut and pecans.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-55 minutes, until a tester inserted into the center comes out relatively clean.
  7. Let the loaf cool in the pan for about ten minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.

Enjoy your banana bread warm out of the oven or toasted for breakfast the next day!






Comments