[USMA:17147] Italy News

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SMOOTH START TO BIGGEST CURRENCY CHANGEOVER IN HISTORY On New Year's Day, 300 million European citizens from twelve nations converted their currency to the euro, the new common currency, marking the largest currency swap in history. The old lira will continue to be legal tender for Italians until the end of February. As of midnight on January 1, the new euro banknotes were obtainable at each of Italy's 35,000 cash machines. The bills come in denominations varying from 5 to 500 euro notes which depict bridges and gates to symbolize the open links and collaboration among nations. There are eight different coins, varying from one euro cent to 2 euros. One side of the coins is the same in every country, the other side bears each country's unique design. EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT PRODI CONVINCED OF EURO'S SUCCESS European Commission President Romano Prodi hailed in the euro, emphasizing the necessity of Europe's single currency. "We are living in a global reality," Italy's former prime minister stated, " and we have to question ourselves whether we want to be a leader in this new world, or if we want to play on the sidelines." He pointed out that the euro remained stable and was not influenced by the recent economic crisis in Asia and the current financial crisis in Argentina, predicting the euro's strength would go beyond Europe. He likened the new currency to the dollar, saying "We will be able to travel anywhere in the world with the euro in our pockets." GELO AL NORD, - 22 IN VENETO HIELO EN EL NORTE, -22 GRADOS CENT�GRADOS EN VENETO NEW YEAR BRINGS BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURES IN ITALY The northern Veneto region registered record sub-zero temperatures last night. At the mountain refuge of Marcesina, at 1,314 meters (4,310 feet), mercury went down to -22 degrees centigrade (-8 Fahrenheit). At the Cimabianche Pass in the province of Vicenza north of Cortina, -20 C (-4 F) was measured. The cities in the northern plain also suffered unusual low temperatures: -11 C (12 F) in Belluno, -10 C (14 F) in Verona, and -9 C (16 F) in Vicenza. Although the sun warmed things up slightly, Sila skiers in the center-south had to dress for warmth to confront -8 C (17 F) temperatures during the day. The mercury went down to -16 C (3 F) during the night there. Also Rome and Naples registered sub zero temperatures during the night.