Rome  - Mauro Zarate scored a brace for Lazio Saturday as the Rome side beat visiting Bologna 2-0 in a Serie A weekend opener.

The young Argentine stunned Francesco Antonioli on 36 minutes curling a free kick above the wall into the corner by the closest post.

Throughout the first half, Pasquale Foggia was a major worry for Bologna down the left flank as the Rome hosts dominated the game.

Rome - A Italian state-television presenter says he has discovered in one of Leonardo Da Vinci's notebooks a tiny sketch that could be a self-portrait of the Italian Renaissance master.

The presenter, Piero Angela, is set to unveil his find on the RAI television science program Ulisse scheduled for broadcast late on Saturday.

Angela writing on RAI's internet site, said initially only a nose was visible from under heavy scribbling on a page of the notebook, which contains a study by Leonardo on the flight of birds.

But RAI's graphics experts had managed to isolate the image, revealing a drawing of a young man, with long hair and a slight beard.

Rome - Italy's conservative government on Friday approved a bill to restrict strikes marring the country's transport sector, a move criticized by the country's main labour union confederation.

According to the bill, only unions representing at least half the workforce will be able to directly call transport strikes.

In cases where no single union has the support of at least 50 per cent of the workers, then a vote would be required to approve a

strike with at least 30 per cent in favour of stoppage.

Venice, Italy - Taiwanese-born Academy Award winning director, Ang Lee, will head the jury at this year's edition of the Venice Film Festival, organizers announced Friday.

The world's oldest film competition, the festival this year marks its 66th edition and runs in the lagoon city from September 2 to September 12.

Rome - Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved is set to bid farewell to football in late May, regardless of his side's achievements this season.

The Czech veteran made his announcement late Wednesday after the Champions League game that the Turin side lost 1-0 away to Chelsea.

"I'm still enjoying playing, but considering my physical and mental condition I understand that the time has come to make way for younger players - they deserve to play," the UEFA web site quoted Nedved as saying.

London, Feb. 26 : Italy has announced that it will build the world's largest suspension bridge between the mainland and Sicily.

Critics say the six billion euros (5.4 billion pound) two-and-a-half mile long bridge across the Strait of Messina is too costly and have also questioned the wisdom of building it in a region that is prone to earthquakes.

According to The Telegraph, some engineers have warned that the area's huge pylons would be vulnerable to high winds.