Italian civil protection officials said the epicenter of the tremor was near the Tuscan town of Lucca. It was felt throughout the neighboring Emilia Romagna region and parts of Lombardy.

Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone said on Thursday that the "most concrete way to change or improve society is to participate in the voting process". Bertone spoke at the presentation of the book 'The Narrow Gate' by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, Archbishop of Genoa and President of the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI).

 Chris Christie is a blunt, no-nonsense New Jersey Republican who may have a rendezvous with presidential destiny.Ideologically nimble and politically adroit, he represents the best and the brightest hope for a tired and tea party-besotted GOP.

The scene: For 24 years, Garozzo's has quietly occupied a corner in the otherwise residential Columbus Park neighborhood, near downtown Kansas City. It is the only restaurant or commercial enterprise within several blocks, an unassuming red brick building with a black awning over the front door and a large sign in the shape and colors of the green, white and red Italian flag, with the word Garozzo's emblazed on it. 

 It’s not the first time people with ties to the Italian mafia have been pegged with involvement in the renewable energy sector, but a report by the Washington Post shows that the country is still trying to rid organized crime from its wind and solar industry, especially as it calls into question government subsidies.

Italy's talisman as they finished third and second in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups was appointed to the role after the Azzurri flopped as holders by going out in the group stage of the 2010 edition.

On Saturday, Dec. 15, members of the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey helped to brighten the holidays for children at risk. The Italian American Police Society of New Jersey partnered with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Morris, Bergen and Passaic counties to provide toys, clothes and gifts for children who come from at risk families.

When archaeologists announced the discovery of the tomb of Marcus Nonius Macrinus in Rome in 2008, the find was heralded as the most important in decades. Built in the shape of a temple, with tall fluted columns and an intricately carved sarcophagus, it was the final resting place for the Roman general who served as inspiration for Russell Crowe's character in the movie Gladiator, unearthed a the site of a planned housing project some 1,800 years after its construction.