ROME - Paolo Sorrentino’s “La Grande Bellezza” has been announced as part of the 2014 Oscar nominees for Best Foreign Language Film.

 ROME – Claudio Abbado, 80, renowned Orchestra Conductor and Senator has died in Bologna.

NAPLES, FLORIDA-"The only really effective apologia for Christianity comes down to two arguments ... the saints the Church has produced and the art which has grown in her womb." -

ROME–Magistrates probing Aquila’s reconstruction interrogated municipal officials this week after the quake-stricken city’s mayor quit in a mushrooming scandal over massive bilking of public funds.

LONDON – British Minister for Europe David Lidington says he has secured an agreement with Italy’s Education Minister to compensate foreign lecturers for discrimination in Italian universities.

ROME – Angelino Alfano, Italy's Minister of Interior, visited the Italian military contingent in Herat, Afghanistan this week, officials said -- As the conclusion of the Isaf mission in Afghanistan

 ROME– Foreign Policy Magazine has included Cecile Kyenge, Italy’s first black Cabinet minister, on its the list of 100 most influential global thinkers.

VATIC

 MILAN– The EU has warned Italy it may face infringement proceedings over harsh treatment of migrants as disclosed in tv footage of naked Africans being s

MILAN - At Christmas many parents to please their children place under the tree a pet but often do not  realize the responsibility of owning an animal.