Focus::Daily News
NEWSLINE
ANSA. In presenting its agenda for the Rome talks, the Italian G7 presidency defined the current crisis as ''unprecedented'' for which ''adequate measures and economic policy reforms'' were needed.
The talks will thus seek to: ''pinpoint actions capable of stabilizing the global economy; draw up common guidelines; and find ways to combat protectionist tendencies which are always stronger in times of economic difficulties''. (Read the article)
THE NEW YORK TIMES. Snam Rete Gas, owner of the Italian natural gas grid, has agreed to buy Eni’s gas retail and storage businesses for 4.72 billion euros ($6.03 billion). (Read the article)
FORBES. The chairman of euro zone finance ministers, Jean-Claude Juncker, warned France and Italy over protectionism on Friday, telling a German newspaper the countries' economic stimulus plans needed to be closely examined. (Read the article by Mark Jones)
REUTERS. A government minister said on Friday Italy was willing to accept some detainees from Guantanamo prison, which U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered to close.
Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa was quoted by Italian media as saying both he and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had "accepted this invitation." (Read the article)
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE. Tens of thousands of factory workers, public employees and jobless people marched through the streets of the Italian capital Friday to protest the government's handling of the economic crisis.
The protests were part of a nationwide strike staged by Italy's largest union, the CGIL, which wants the conservative government to take stronger measures as the country faces its worst economic slowdown in three decades. (Read the article)
INTERIOR DESIGN. Saturday marks the 40-year anniversary of the Valentine portable typewriter. Designed by the Italian genius Ettore Sottsass and produced by Olivetti, it was presented to the world on Valentine’s Day, 1969. (Read the article by Larry Weinberg)
ANSA. Italian politicians reacted sharply Thursday after French first lady Carla Bruni noted that the Group of Eight president could lose its place on the world's anti-AIDS fund after cash was slashed from the budget. (Read the article)
BLOOMBERG. Facebook Inc., the world’s largest social-networking site, said that it is concerned about Italy’s proposed law to force Internet providers to block access to Web sites that incite or justify criminal behavior. (Read the article by Steve Scherer and Giovanni Salzano)
ANSA. Italy coach Nick Mallett has reshuffled his team for Sunday's visit by Ireland after last Saturday's 36-11 defeat at Twickenham. (Read the article)
ANSA. Paluzza, February 12 - An Italian woman at the centre of a right-to-die battle that split the country was buried in a family grave on Thursday after a short religious ceremony without her parents. (Read the article)