Italian News Snippets: 31 January 2007

Some Italian news highlights from around…

• Word to the wise: If you’ve got a First Century BC Roman funerary monument, chances are tough you’ll have a hard time selling it – even if you hack it up into pieces – on the black market.
• Italy’s highest court ruled last week that soccer isn’t too rough for kids to play. Apparently they haven’t seen the many videos of the sport’s newest move.
• I imagine it would be hard to pierce the earth in much of Italy without hitting something of historic and/or archaeological significance. A new dig in Puglia has uncovered prehistoric fertility rite temples.
• The Ferrari 60 Relay began this week in Abu Dhabi, and “will involve the participation of over 10,000 Ferrari owners and fans who will be driving a vast array of Ferrari models from the past six decades.” If the husband owned a Ferrari (alas, not yet), he’d be all over this one.
• Italy’s top wines are going on a tour of the United States. I wonder what the groupies will look like.
• It’s not Noah’s Ark, but it’s still prehistoric shark teeth at the top of a mountain.
• Italians are doing their part to fight global warming – by buying forests.
• “Supermom” might be a 20th century term, but it’s a much older concept. Ancient Egypt’s superwomen are on display in a Milan exhibition.
• It’s not just American politicians who are jumping on the web-video business. An Italian minister says he’s going to post a video to YouTube every week “describing and explaining the decisions taken in cabinet.”
• Have you seen Rome’s Palatine Hill? Don’t worry, you’re not alone – it’s at risk of collapsing, so most of the attractions are closed. There’s a new drive to make the area safe – and a money-making tourist spot – again.