Carla Bruni Is Glad She's Not Italian

After Prime Minister Berlusconi's Obama gaffe last week, the wife of French president Nicolas Sarkozy, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, told a French newspaper that "I'm very happy that I became French!" To this former Italian president, Francesco Cossiga (who is a supporter of Berlusconi), replied "We too are indeed happy that she is no longer Italian." The Washington Post reports that tonight Nicolas Sarkozy and Silvio Berlusconi are attending a White House dinner for world leaders. Will sparks fly?

Italy Blushes about Berlusconi's "Suntan" Remark

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi put his foot in his mouth on Thursday when he commented to Russia's President Medvedev that Barack Obama was "young, handsome, and suntanned." Italian newspapers and liberals are in an uproar, but Berlusconi says they lack a sense of humor. Berlusconi is not exactly known for his tact. Among many social and political gaffes, in the past he has compared a German European Parliament member to a Nazi concentration camp guard. Some say that this latest comment is just one manifestation of the underlying racism in modern-day Italy. Let's hope that the recent Catholic-Muslim summit at the Vatican and the election of Obama in the U.S. will help to eliminate that prejudice.

Vatican Catholic-Muslim Talks End On Promising Note

A three day summit at the Vatican between Christian and Muslim leaders ended last night with a joint declaration of cooperation and intention between the two religions. After the Pope's comments in 2006 about Muslims and the violent protests over Danish cartoons depicting Muhammad, this summit was long overdue and much welcomed. There was even discussion of forming a Muslim-Catholic crisis management committee for conflict resolution. Perhaps the recent outcome of the U.S. election has inspired a few world leaders?

Students Protest Education Reform in Piazza Navona

Education reforms passed by the right-wing parliament had students protesting and clashing all over Italy today. A conflict erupted in Piazza Navona as right-wing and liberal groups picked up cafe chairs and threw them at opponents. Four people were treated for injuries. The education reforms may include budget cuts for university programs as well as instituting codes of conduct in elementary schools.