(1) BERLUSCONI SAYS BRIDGE WILL BE BUILT ON MESSINA STRAIT
Starting end of 2004, Completed in 6 years, Cost
of 5B Euros
(2) MARONI ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR 1.4 MILLION NEW JOBS
Degree of current unemployment unstated
(3) INZAGHI REPLACES DONI, ITALY TO PLAY WITH TWO STRIKERS
Italy to come to standstill on Saturday, vs Croatia
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(1) BERLUSCONI SAYS BRIDGE WILL BE BUILT ON MESSINA STRAIT
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has assured that the bridge on the
Messina
Strait, in Sicily "will be built this time, we guarantee it." Berlusconi
made
the announcement following a meeting at Palazzo Chigi with Transport
Minister
Pietro Lunardi, the scientific commission and managers of the companies
who
are currently working on the project.
Lunardi said that the first stone will be laid between the end of 2004
and
the beginning of 2005. The project should be completed in five or six
years.
"Very few expropriations will be necessary," and should be underway
in two
years, Lunardi explained.
The bridge is expected to cost roughly 5 billion euros, or 9 billion
old
liras, and will finally connect Sicily with continental Italy.
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(2) MARONI ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR 1.4 MILLION NEW JOBS
The Council of Ministers has approved a national plan for the creation
of new
jobs for the year 2002. A law decree which establishes urgent measures
for
the creation of jobs and welfare assistance was also approved.
Welfare Minister Roberto Maroni unveiled the plan by announcing the
creation
of 1.4 million new jobs by the year 2005. The government is aiming
at an
employment rate of 58.5% of total population, with an increase of 4%.
In
particular, the plan calls for an increase in the employment rate of
women
(46%) and the elderly (40%).
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(3) INZAGHI REPLACES DONI, ITALY TO PLAY WITH TWO STRIKERS
On the eve of the Italy-Croatia match, the atmosphere in the Italian
training
camp is relaxed, upbeat, and full of energy.
The official starting lineup for the "Azzurri" was announced yesterday,
with
Inzaghi replacing left winger Doni for tomorrow's match. Italian coach
Giovanni Trapattoni said that "If there are no problems or injuries
during
training between today and tomorrow, the presence of Inzaghi will be
the only
change in the formation that played the opening game against Ecuador."
Totti will return to his usual role behind the two strikers, while Doni
will
be used as a possible substitute on the bench. Trapattoni confirmed
a
four-man line in defense, with a midfield of Di Biagio, Tommasi and
Zambrotta.
In Italy, people are already getting ready for tomorrow's match. Considering
that Italy came to a practical standstill for the team's opening match
last
Monday, Saturday's match will probably be watched by the entire nation.
