Rome - Heavy rains and strong winds continued to lash Italy on Tuesday, while authorities in the country's northern Piedmont and Val d'Aosta regions warned of possible avalanches due to intense snowfalls.

Near Rome, the Aniene river flooded its banks in several areas, submerging farmland and prompting the evacuation of several homes and factories.

Rescuers also assisted several motorists left stranded with their vehicles stuck in mud in the outskirts of the Italian capital.

Rome - AC Milan Brazilian star Kaka has said he is not worried about the inflammation that at the weekend sidelined him for the big match with Juventus, the ANSA news agency reported Monday.

"It's nothing serious. This morning's tests were negative and only showed an inflammation at the pelvic region," Kaka said. "I hope to recover as soon as possible, otherwise I'll be back in 2009.

"It may be enough (to rest) until tomorrow or it may take two or three months."

Rome - Dark clouds hung over Brazilian striker Adriano as he headed back to his home country for an anticipated winter break that may not be followed by a return to Inter Milan.

The Emperor, as he was dubbed in the days when he wreaked havoc among defences, was to land in Brazil on Monday after leaving the Italian champions a week ahead of schedule with the official explanation of a muscular injury.

As virtually no commentator bought the excuse, coach Jose Mourinho said he expects the 26-year-old forward to rejoin the team when training resumes on January 2.

Rome - AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso underwent surgery in Antwerp,

Turin, Italy - Some 48,000 workers at auto maker Fiat began Monday an almost month-long vacation, following the company's decision temporarily to halt production at its factories in Italy, a Fiat spokesman said.

The decision by the Turin-based Fiat - Europe's fifth-biggest car maker by market value - to shut its plants until January 12, comes amid the global economic downturn which has had a major impact on the car market.

Fiat, which also produces cars with the Ferrari and Alfa Romeo brand names, has fared better than many other car manufacturers, also thanks to strong sales of its agricultural sector vehicles.

London, Dec 15 : Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's eldest daughter Marina Berlusconi exchanged wedding vows with her ballet dancer beau on December 13.

Silvio''s daughter with first wife Carla Dall''Oglio fell for ballet dancer Maurizio Vanadia when she watched him dance in Swan Lake at Milan''s La Scala.

The occasion also brought Berlusconi's first wife Dall''Oglio, together in the same room for the first time with his second wife, Veronica.