LOS ANGELES TIMES. Italian writer-director Paolo Sorrentino is one of those filmmakers who seem more comfortable letting their movies do the talking for them. For years, the Italian writer-director had wanted to make 'Il Divo,' a movie about a powerful Italian politician. (Read the article by Susan King)

ANSA. The renowned Festival of the Two Worlds in the Umbrian town of Spoleto has a better program than ever lined up for its annual two-week extravaganza of music, theatre and opera, organisers say. Speaking at a presentation for this year's celebration, artistic director Giorgio Ferrara listed the acts attending and set out his view of the festival. (Read the article)

ANSA. Venice city council on Thursday opened the bidding to design a replacement for one of the city's key bridges, the Ponte dell'Accademia. The current bridge on the site, made of wood and iron, opened in 1933 but was only ever intended as a temporary, stopgap measure, and the city council wants to make it a permanent structure. (Read the article)

THE NEW YORK TIMES. Chrysler, the third-largest American auto company, will seek bankruptcy protection and enter an alliance with the Italian automaker Fiat, the White House announced today

“I have every confidence that Chrysler will emerge from this process stronger and more competitive,” President Obama said during a noontime appearance at the White House. "The partnership will give Chrysler not only a chance to survive but to thrive in the global auto industry.” He said that it was made possible by the series of sacrifices by Chrysler stakeholders, such as the United Automobile Workers union, and said more sacrifices were in store.(Read the Article)

LOS ANGELES TIMES. Chrysler will file for bankruptcy protection in a government-backed restructuring designed to allow the company to form an alliance with Fiat, according to an administration official. The announcement, scheduled for 9 a.m. PDT, comes after intense negotiations with some of Chrysler's smaller debt-holders broke down ahead of today's midnight deadline for Chrysler to significantly reduce its debt. Obama had made that a condition for continuing to extend billions of dollars in government aid to Chrysler, which needs the money to stay in business. (Read the Article)

ANSA. The Italian capital is preparing to host one of the most popular exhibitions ever on Renaissance genius Leonardo da Vinci. Opening on May 1, the travelling show will celebrate the mind of Leonardo in all its brilliance, offering a sweeping overview of his myriad interests.
Unlike other exhibitions that have focused on a particular aspect of Leonardo's genius, this event encourages visitors to explore his underlying approach to various thought processes, and his efforts to assimilate different ideas into a coherent world view. (Read the Article)