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ANSA. This town on the island of Elba is set to become the first in Italy to slap fines of between 250 to 300 euros on minors under the age of 16 caught smoking cigarettes on municipal grounds. (Read the article)
ANSA. An influx of foreign workers is boosting job opportunities for Italians rather than reducing them, according to a report published by the Bank of Italy on Tuesday. The study by Italy's central bank, part of a wider survey of regional economies in 2008, said ''the rise in the number of foreigners [in Italy] has not been reflected in fewer job opportunities for Italians''. (Read the article)
AFP. Italian power company Enel said Friday that it had started up a ground-breaking hydrogen-powered electricity plant producing no greenhouse gases.
Enel said the 12 megawatt plant, at Fusina in Venice's industrial zone of Porto Marghera, was the first of its kind in the world to operate on such a scale. (Read the article)
The New York Times. MONTECAVOLO, ITALY — The vaults of the regional bank Credito Emiliano hold a pungent gold prized by gourmands around the world — 17,000 tons of parmesan cheese. (Read the article)
Boston Herald. George Clooney is gearing up for a legal war in Italy, claiming invasive paparazzi climbed over the wall of his Italian home and shot a topless photo of a 13-year-old girl changing in one of his guest rooms. (Read the article)
ANSA.Milan is embarking on a major Leonardo da Vinci spree, with 24 mini-exhibits devoted to the largest collection of sketches, designs and writing by the Renaissance genius. (Read the article)
ANSA. One of Italy's oldest and most prestigious museums is gearing up for festivities to celebrate its 200th birthday. August 15 mark the day in 1808 that the Pinacoteca di Brera was officially thrown open to the public. (Read the article)
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. In 1969, an obscure middle-aged novelist and pulp magazine journalist named Mario Gianluigi Puzo hit the literary jackpot. He wrote "The Godfather," he later told Larry King, "to make money." By his own admission, it wasn't well written. "If I'd known so many people were going to read it," he famously said, "I'd have written it better." (Read the article)
REUTERS. The Italian tax authority has opened an inquiry into allegations that members of the Agnelli family, which controls Fiat SpA (FIA.MI), are holding undeclared funds abroad, the head of the authority confirmed on Thursday. (Read the article)
CNET. While you wait for the newly unveiled Ferrari 458 Italia to be revealed in the sheet metal at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, you can enjoy the sounds of the Italian supercar every time you receive a call or text message on your mobile phone. That's right, Ferrari has released official 458 Italia ringtones. (Read the article)