This Week in Rome: News

Rome is hot, as in Paris Hilton Hot, and bubbling with news this week:

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has finally replied to Rome’s mayor Gianni Alemanno request for a race. One grand prix for Italy is enough and yes, the race will remain in Monza. No F1 for Rome
The Vatican has announced that Pope John Paul II is one step closer to becoming a saint, with his upcoming May 1 beatification. According to ANSA, the beatification ceremony will be open to all.
Italian Finance Police (Guardia di Finanza) bust ancient statue smuggling ring and find a lead to Caligula’s tomb. Archaeologist do not necessarily agree.
Rome begins celebrations for Italy’s 150th anniversary

and some Italy news for your reading pleasure. . .

Though Reader’s Digest announced Italians the sexiest people and Italy the place most people would like to live, Italian research announced that 1/5 of Italian youth do nothing and feel they have no future in Italy.
Alitalia takes a personal day and other upcoming transport strikes in Italy in January.
While Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi may not be exempt from trial for corruption and tax fraud, his Bunga Bunga sex scandal has inspired a song (re-hash) and porn film. Maybe he’ll get residuals?