Vatican City - An apology issued by Richard Williamson, the British bishop at the centre of an international row over the denial of the Holocaust "does not seem to respect the terms" set by the Vatican, the Holy See's chief spokesman said Friday.

Father Federico Lombardi also described Williamson's apology as "generic and equivocal," contrasting it to a request made by the Vatican to Williamson that he "clearly and publicly distance himself" from his remarks on the Holocaust.

Rome - Italy's conservative government on Friday approved a bill to restrict strikes marring the country's transport sector, a move criticized by the country's main labour union confederation.

According to the bill, only unions representing at least half the workforce will be able to directly call transport strikes.

In cases where no single union has the support of at least 50 per cent of the workers, then a vote would be required to approve a

strike with at least 30 per cent in favour of stoppage.

Rome - Former Argentine striker Abel Balbo Thursday was set to begin coaching Treviso, who hired him back hours after he walked out on the Serie B tail-enders.

Balbo, 42, on Wednesday left the team's training ground just minutes after starting his first coaching session. Sporting director Giuseppe Cannella, who earlier this week had suggested his hiring to replace Luca Gotti, also resigned with the Argentine.

Rome - Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved is set to bid farewell to football in late May, regardless of his side's achievements this season.

The Czech veteran made his announcement late Wednesday after the Champions League game that the Turin side lost 1-0 away to Chelsea.

"I'm still enjoying playing, but considering my physical and mental condition I understand that the time has come to make way for younger players - they deserve to play," the UEFA web site quoted Nedved as saying.

Rome  - Former Argentine striker Abel Balbo Wednesday walked out on Treviso just minutes after starting his first coaching session with the Serie B minnows, Italian media reported.

The club from north-eastern Italy lie last in the league and hired Balbo, 42, on Tuesday to replace Luca Gotti on Tuesday. The players however refused to train on Tuesday saying that they wouldn't train due to the absence of the team doctor.

The team showed up Wednesday, but Balbo left the pitch shortly after the start of the training session.

Rome  - The Italian Tazzari group is planning a production version of the Tazzari Zero electric vehicle for all major European markets by the end of 2009, the company has announced.

Customers will find a car fitted with a 15kW asynchronous centrally mounted engine, driving the rear wheels with maximum torque of 150 Nm. The lightweight construction gives it a weight of only 542 kilogrammes, enabling acceleration from zero to 50 kilometres an hour in five seconds.

One full six-hour charge of the Li-ion Fe battery unit gives it a range of up to 140 kilometres. The top speed is listed at 90 km/h.