Italy, Rome | featured news

Tens of thousands of Italian workers rallied in Rome on Saturday to protest pension cuts, tax hikes and labor reforms imposed by the government of Mario Monti and to demand more stable work, particularly for the young. The demonstration organized by Italy's main labor unions came a day after Monti's latest effort to stave off contagion from Europe's debt crisis. His Cabinet on Friday approved measures worth (EURO)80 billion ($100 billion) to spur economic growth, streamline the notoriously bloated public sector and lower the national debt.

The global "Day of Rage" against the world's financial system won some limited sympathy from political and economic leaders on Sunday, after protests that were peaceful everywhere but Italy.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., was hospitalized today in Rome, Italian news agencies said. CNN reports that Pelosi is resting at her hotel after undergoing tests.

Google struck a deal with the Italian government to digitize up to one million books held in the National Libraries in Rome and Florence.

She has been competing internationally since age 14 and now, at 42, swimmer Dara Torres has 12 Olympic medals from five summer Olympics to her name. From Seoul to Barcelona to Sydney, the mother of 3-year-old Tessa continues to travel and flex her swim muscles.