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 One word, spectacular. The Boxer at Rest, on loan from the National Museum of Rome, will be unveiled in the United States for the first time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York this June 1 and remain on exhibit through July 15, 2013 as part of the Year of Italian Culture in the United States.  

 The Italian cabinet launched a bill on Friday abolishing public funding for political parties.The elimination will be ''gradual'', over a period of three years. The first year, funds will be reduced to 60%, the second year 50% and 40% the third year before it is subsequently abolished altogether. Premier Enrico Letta, who last month became premier of an unprecedented left-right coalition after two months of post-election gridlock, vowed to ''revolutionize'' party funding after only a few days in office. Guidelines to the reform include ''the definition of strict procedures regarding transparency statutes and budgets of the parties'', ''implementing tax breaks for people who donate to parties,'' and parameters on lobbying, said a statement. 

Italy heads into a friendly against San Marino with hopes of building some momentum ahead of a key stretch of matches next month. The Azzurri face the Czech Republic in a key World Cup qualifier and then will take part in the Confederations Cup.
 

 Could Facebook be held liable for an Italian teen’s suicide? If an Italian prosecutor has his way, the social networking giant could face criminal manslaughter charges. Carolina Picchio was a 14-year-old girl from Novara, Italy, near Milan, with an enviably pretty face and a bright future. Then, late on the night of January 4, she jumped out of her bedroom window from her family’s fourth-floor apartment. She died instantly when she landed headfirst on the pavement below. Before she jumped, she updated her status on Facebook with a chilling suicide note: “Forgive me if I’m not strong. I cannot take it any longer.”