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ANSA. One of the greatest works by Renaissance master Andrea Mantegna is to dazzle visitors once more following a two-year restoration (Read the article)
ANSA. A 101-year-old woman will become Italy's oldest town councillor if she is elected next month in a small town in the Romagna hills. Maria Donati, who turns 102 in September, is standing for election June 6-7 in the village of Saleducio inland from Rimini, between the Marche region and the Republic of San Marino. (Read the article)
USA TODAY. ROME (AP). Italy's lower chamber of parliament has passed a hotly debated measure making it a crime to enter or stay in Italy illegally as Premier Silvio Berlusconi's conservative forces continue cracking down on illegal migration.
The legislation must now be approved by the senate. It would make it a crime to enter or stay in Italy illegally, punishable by a fine of $6,840-$13,670, although no prison penalty would be imposed. In addition, the legislation imposes a prison term of up to three years for anyone who rents an apartment to an illegal immigrant. (Read the Article)
THE NEW YORK TIMES. IN 2001, when Albert Di Meglio was about to become the executive chef at Osteria del Circo in Manhattan, the owner, Sirio Maccioni, asked him to travel through Tuscany first on an eating tour. He was also invited to visit Mr. Maccioni in Montecatini, where his wife, Egidiana Maccioni, made a crespelle, an Italian version of a crepe. The delicate golden crespelle were filled with ricotta, a bit of lemon zest, a twist of black pepper and a scattering of Parmigiano-Reggiano. It was baked for 10 minutes, then topped with toasted pine nuts and brown butter. The crespelle, Mr. Di Meglio said, “found a small place in my heart.” It has also found a place on the menu of Olana near Gramercy Park, where Mr. Di Meglio is now the chef. (Read the Article by Eleaine Louie)
ANSA. The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR voiced concern on Tuesday over Italy's new policy of taking boat people intercepted in the Mediterranean back to Libya, saying it was endangering access to asylum in Europe. (Read the article)
ANSA. Northern Italy's stunning Dolomite mountain range have moved closer to joining earth's other cultural and natural wonders on the United Nations World Heritage List.(Read the article)
ANSA. Eerrari announced on Tuesday that it will not take part in the Formula One Grand Prix season in 2010 if proposed rule changes are not dropped. (Read the article)
UPI.com. STRASBOURG, France. The Council of Europe says it hopes Italy abandons its policy of turning back would-be immigrants intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Council, which serves as Europe's human rights body in Strasbourg, France, Monday urged Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni to abandon the immigrant policy, saying it negates the human right to seek asylum. (Read the Article)
BBC. Bassam Ayachi, a 63-year-old Syrian-born imam, and Raphael Gendron, 34, were arrested in November in Bari. They have now been served with arrest warrants for planning "terrorist attacks and guerrilla actions", Italy's Ansa agency said, citing court files. One of the intended targets was Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, they added. However, police said they believed there was no immediate threat. (Read the Article)
ANSA. Europe's human rights body, the Council of Europe rapped the European Union on Monday for its apparent indifference to Italy's new policy of turning back illegal immigrants intercepted in the Mediterranean. (Read the article)