Italian News Snippets: 06.10.07

Some news for your Sunday afternoon:

• Prostitutes in Padua have seen a dramatic drop in business ever since the city began enforcing an ordinance which fines the clients. As a result, there were reports that there were 80% fewer prostitutes on the city’s streets. In an effort to get their business back, however, some prostitutes are promoting their new intiative – they’ll reimburse clients who get fined.
• Tourism in Naples is taking a big hit due to all the burning garbage in the streets. No, really? And now the always-hopping summer destination of Capri is about to be caught up in the mess, as the port from which the boats leave for the island might be shut down.
• Italian politicians don’t think they have enough perks – they want to be able to buy gelato at reduced prices in their cafeteria. It is, after all, something that will “improve the quality of life.” I didn’t realize their quality of life was so bad, but without access cheap ice cream, I guess I can see what they’re talking about…
• The system of tidal barriers cleverly called “Moses” hasn’t convinced the mayor of Venice that his city will be saved.
• The first Clericus Cup final has already come and gone, no doubt fought valiantly between the Redemptoris Mater college and the Pontifical Lateran University, yet The Offside has found a potential controversy in the game.
• There’s a proposal in Italy to punish shopkeepers from paying protection money to the Mafia without telling the police about the extortion. I understand what they’re trying to do, but really – if you tell the police you’ve paid protection money, you’re probably not going to be very protected.
• Art lovers everywhere can rejoice – even art thieves make mistakes. A recently-caught gang in Italy was stupid enough to try to sell their booty at flea markets.
• Apparently the Russians like Italian food – there’s a Italian wine and food trade show making a couple of stops in the world’s largest country this year, and the Russians are importing more Italian wine than ever.
• I don’t know why this seems sad to me, but the jewels of Italy’s last queen will be sold at auction in London and not put in a museum in Italy somewhere.
• Archaeologists think they’ve found evidence of an ancient temple underneath present-day Roman buildings… The problem is that the buildings that would have to be removed in order to get to the temple include the traditional President’s home.
• Italians are smoking more again, after having cut back for the last couple of years.