It’s Christmas Eve, the night that most Italians celebrate with family and close friends, awaiting the arrival of the Baby Jesus. In fact, only at midnight he makes his appearance in the crèche.

In the words of Gaius Giulius Caesar, I say to Barack Obama, Veni, Vedi, Vinci.

While in London I treated myself to a magnificent show about Hadrian at the outstanding British Museum. One of the greatest men to ever have lived, it did not disappoint. And despite the somewhat boring audioguide, I did learn a bit about this great poet Emperor of ours whose immense burial tomb is now Castel Sant’Angelo.

There are a couple of financial scandals going on in America (just a couple?!) that have piqued my interest these days. I'm talking about American-born Angelo Mozilo, former head of the largest home lending Company, Countrywide Financial, and Italian Raffaello Follieri, better known as Anne Hathaway’s ex.

What is it about the Brits?  They are supposedly super-efficient, once Masters of the Universe, organizing fleets of ships and bringing the world tea with clotted cream and all with an outstanding sense of humour.  But, when it comes to simple plumbing they are seriously in the dark ages.