EDGE New England

After being ruled by conservatives for a decade, voters in Sicily, Italy, elected an openly gay man who has been threatened by the Mafia for his opposition to the powerful underground crime organization.

Following the success of the Armani Hotel Dubai, located in Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, the Armani Hotel Milano opened in the heart of the city, within the extraordinary palazzo at Via Manzoni 31, originally completed in 1937.

I’m happy to report that while Little Italy in downtown Manhattan has shrunk to barely two and a half blocks, what some call the "Real Little Italy" in the Belmont section of the Bronx is thriving, and it’s as authentic as ever.

Like many young Italians, for whom the comforts of home no longer compensate for the lack of opportunity in Italy’s moribund economy, Mozzillo has staked his future on a far frontier. He and many like him have found their way to India.

Although common in the U.S. and Northern Europe, a university in Milan is offering Italy’s first course in gay studies -- a big step for the thoroughly Catholic country.

Nichi Vendola, a popular governor, has emerged as the principle rival to embattled Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Happiness in Umbria is what looks at first like a clump of dirt and smells like wet earth. And unlike that other luxurious gastronomic pleasure, foie gras, this one comes without a side order of guilt. Even better, it turns you into a vegetarian.

remier Silvio Berlusconi dismissed calls Tuesday to resign over his involvement with an underage Moroccan runaway - and even created a new uproar by claiming it was better to love beautiful girls than gays.

Premier Silvio Berlusconi dismissed calls Tuesday to resign over his involvement with an underage Moroccan runaway - and even created a new uproar by claiming it was better to love beautiful girls than gays.

ust how mini can a miniskirt be? If the mayor of a small Italian town has his way, law enforcement officials, and not fashion gurus, will be the ones to decide.