Premier inspects quake-hit Italian factories

The government approved some temporary tax relief to owners of property damaged in the quake-struck north Tuesday, as the premier promised swift help for small-scale businesses in the region — one of Italy's more productive.

Monti inspects quake-hit Italian factories

The Italian government declared Tuesday a state of emergency for the quake-struck region of northern Italy, shortly after Premier Mario Monti promised swift help for stricken businesses, especially small-scale farms and factories.

6.0 quake damages world renown cheese producers

Cheese producer Oriano Caretti woke up to the shaking earth, and then to the roar of some 30,000 39-kilogram (86-pound) wheels of Parmesan cheese crashing to the ground in the warehouse next to his home.

Comic Grillo shakes up Italian politics with shock win

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's political parties had hoped Beppe Grillo would fade away, but the comic who rails against their corruption and ineptitude and says Italy should default on its debt and quit the euro is going from strength to strength. In local elections on Monday, Grillo's Five-Star Movement shook Italian politics by winning control of the northern city of Parma and several smaller towns, capitalizing on voter discontent with economic stagnation and austerity. ...