Venice asks for graffiti stop The head of Venice city council's 'urban decorum' office on Thursday appealed to people to refrain from scribbling on the lagoon city's historic buildings and monuments.

Venice pigeon population falls Venice city council on Monday was celebrating the first sign that it may be winning its long battle against the city's population of pigeons, once described by mayor Massimo Cacciari as ''flying rats''.

Skinhead attack sparks concerns Italian politicians on Monday were at odds over a neo-Fascist attack in the centre of Verona that some claimed marked a worrying level of political violence.

Skinhead attack man worsens The condition of a man attacked in the centre of Verona last week by a group of youths with links to the far right has worsened, doctors said Monday.

Venice pigeon feeding ban flouted Animal rights campaigners in Venice crossed swords with the city council on Friday after distributing 30 kilos of birdseed to flocks of ravenous pigeons in St Mark's Square.

Feast over for Venice pigeons The age-old tourist tradition of feeding pigeons in Venice's St Mark's Square came to an abrupt end on Wednesday when a controversial city council ban swept into effect.

Anti-smoking officer fined for workplace cigarette A local health authority officer responsible for enforcing Italy's smoking ban was fined on Friday after police caught him in his office with a lit cigarette in his hand.

Work begins on belt for Venice bell-tower Work began in Venice this week to fit a titanium belt to one of the city's most famous landmarks, the bell-tower in St Mark's Square.

Padua petrol stations introduce sex toys Motorists pulling up at self-service garages in Padua now have the opportunity to stock up on sex toys along with their petrol.

Venice cracks down on dog-do Tourists in Venice may no longer have to watch their step while admiring the city's monuments thanks to a new crack-down on dog mess littering the city's pavements.