Rome - Italian authorities have seized over 241,000 counterfeit banknotes during the first six months of 2008, a haul which marks a 314 per cent increase over the previous six months, a commander of Italy's anti-fraud police said Tuesday.

The "value" of this fake cash amounted to 12.4 million euros, with copies of the 20 euro banknote accounting for over a third of all those seized, Leandro Cuzzocrea said, citing Economy Ministry figures.

During the same period in 2008, authorities also confiscated more than 11,000 counterfeit coins, some 90 per cent of which were copies of the two-euro coin, Cuzzocrea said.

Rome/Accra - Africa could be taking more carbon out of the atmosphere that it releases, thus helping to counter the effect of greenhouse emissions on global warning, a UN agency said Tuesday.

The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is basing its observations on a research project, CarboAfrica involving 15 institutions from Africa and Europe, including FAO.

Rome - A majestic hall at Rome's Diocletian Baths opened its doors to visitors Tuesday, after 30 years of restoration work at one of antiquity's most elaborate and spectacular thermal spa complexes.

The 40-metre-long and 25-metre-high Aula X or Hall 10, with its vaulted ceilings is one of a series of such halls - the other nine are still not accessible to visitors - that form part of the Baths first inaugurated by the Roman Emperor Diocletian in 298 BC.

Over centuries, several Roman emperors continued to expand the spa complex or Thermae from which Rome's modern day railway station Termini, situated nearby, derives its name.

Rome - After weeks of embarrassing results, Roma seem to be over one of their worst ever season starts, which practically cut them off from the race for the Serie A title.

The red-yellows from the capital were again expected to be among the toughest opponents for title holders Inter Milan after coming second in 2007 and 2008, but their reputation and hopes were badly dented by six defeats in the first nine games.

With a 16-point deficit from the leading champions after 13 games, Roma had to cut down their ambitions at home.

But they still have good hopes to do well in the Champions League.

Rome  - Fiorentina came from behind Saturday to beat visiting Udinese 4-2 thanks to a brace from Riccardo Montolivo.

The young midfielder drilled home two smashing shots in the second half inflaming the Florence crowd at the Artemio Franchi while reversing Udinese's lead.

Both goalkeepers had work to do after 15 minutes of largely tactical game that flared up when Udinese striker Antonio Floro Flores called Sebastien Frey to block a header before Montolivo's feeble shot was blocked by Samir Handanovic.

Udinese gradually took the upper hand pressing the Florence hosts in their midfield and went one up on 29 minutes as Floro Flores stunned the French custodian with a precise shot from outside the box.

Rome - Gomorra, is on its way to the Oscars as Italy's official candidate, but counterfeit DVD copies have already hit the streets of Naples - a market controlled by the local mafia whose dealings the film denounces.

"Why the surprise?" Naples anti-mafia, prosecutor Fausto Zuccarelli was quoted as saying by the daily, La Stampa, on Thursday.

He was referring to the Camorra's alleged involvement in distributing the film based on the best-selling book of the same name whose publication in 2006, so angered mob bosses, that they threatened to kill author Roberto Saviano.