Rome - Italian Serie A strugglers Reggina said Tuesday they have hired

Rome - Italian police arrested Tuesday over 90 Sicilian "Cosa Nostra" mafia suspects in early morning raids carried out in Sicily and in Tuscany, officials said.

Those arrested were allegedly plotting to re-organize Cosa Nostra's command structure under the orders of one of Italy's most wanted mafia bosses, Matteo Messina Denaro, who remains on the run, a police statement said.

Some 1,200 carabinieri paramilitary police, backed by helicopter units and anti-drug dog squads, took part in Tuesday's operation, which was mainly conducted in the area near Palermo, Sicily, the statement said.

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,