REUTERS/ ITALIAN PRESIDENT GIORGIO NAPOLITANO - "A great protagonist of American public life has disappeared, a combative and coherent interpreter of the role of the U.S. Congress, a constant defender of that democratic balance and the guarantees of freedom which have given strength and prestige to his country. In this sense, Ted Kennedy has left a profound mark and deserves the homage of the free world." (Read the article "Reactions to the death of Senator Kennedy")
 

 

PRNEWSWIRE. Kenneth G. Langone, investment banker, venture capitalist and philanthropist, will be Grand Marshal of the 2009 Columbus Day Parade in New York City.

Mr. Langone, a co-founder of Home Depot and chairman of the NYU Langone Medical Center, will lead contingents of folk dancers, musicians, dignitaries, and civil servants nearly 35,000 strong past crowds of nearly one million people in the world's largest celebration of Italian and Italian-American culture and heritage. (Read the article)

NYDAILYNEWS.COM. Dabbene, 71, has waged the battle - gratis - for much of his life.

"I have never gotten paid for anything I have done in the last 30 years working for the Italian-American community," he said. "I do this because of my love for my heritage." (Read article)

 

AP. Italy's state broadcaster RAI has refused to air ads promoting "Videocracy," a Swedish documentary examining the influence of television on Italian culture over the last 30 years, because it says the spots are an offense to Premier Silvio Berlusconi. (Read the article)

ANSA. Italy's anti-trust authority has opened a probe to determine whether Google Italy has abused its position as the world's leading Internet search engine. (Read the article)

ANSA. The birthplace of Italian figurative artist Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1929) closed its doors to visitors on Tuesday amid a legal wrangle between the historic home's two owners. (Read the article)

ANSA. The Grotta Azzurra on the Naples bay island of Capri was closed Tuesday after a smelly white foam was found floating in the famous sea cave. (Read the article)

ANSA. Vesuvius has made the final of a worldwide Web vote to name the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The volcano overlooking Naples, perhaps best known for burying the Roman city of Pompeii, was joined by 27 other finalists including the Grand Canyon, the Matterhorn, the Amazon, the Dead Sea, the Great Barrier Reef, the Black Forest, Angel Falls and the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. (Read the article)