Ascoli Piceno, March 8 211; A large fire broke out in a car demolition warehouse in Ascoli Piceno in central Italy.

Nearby warehouses as well as a soccer pitch in the vicinity of the company were evacuated.

No one was hurt in the blaze. Black smoke rising from the location is being blown by the wind towards the seaside Tronto Valley on the Adriatic coast of Italy.

Naples, March 8 - The Italian government is aiming to rebuild the Citta' della Scienza (City of Science) in Naples in 18 months after a massive blaze destroyed most of the complex this week.

"The goal is ambitious," said Education Minister Francesco Profumo in his announcement at the site of the fire. He promised that reconstruction efforts were taking place according to "strict deadlines". The government announced Thursday that 20 million euros will go towards the project and that five million euros of the funds were to be released immediately.

Rome, March 8 - The 'Nuvola' (Cloud) conference centre under construction in Rome may be halted if the city's local council fails to approve a leg of the construction by March 15, according to renowned architect Massimiliano Fuksas. Builders have been waiting for approval on the latest instalment since 2011, Fuksas told ANSA.

Rome, March 8 - Silvio Berlusconi's doctor confirmed that the ex-premier had an eye condition, which defence lawyers said was an impediment to his attending a Milan trial for having sex with an underage prostitute. "At this point in time...he is recovering in the ophthalmology ward where he is undergoing treatment," said Dr.

Alberto Zangrillo, who added that Berlusconi would be staying overnight.

(By Alina Trabattoni) (ANSA) - Milan, March 8 - Markets jumped across Europe on Friday, paced by Milan's FTSE-Mib index, as stocks climbed to the highest levels in more than four years amid positive US payrolls data and as Chinese numbers showed exports gained in the Asian economy.

US payroll data was more positive than economists had forecast in February. An additional 236,000 employees found work last month, according to a Labor Department report. 

Rome, March 8 - Italy coach Jacques Brunel has revamped his side for Sunday's Six Nations match in England, making seven changes to his starting line-up, one positional, and bringing back Sergio Parisse after the captain's disciplinary ban was cut.

The Azzurri started their campaign with a stunning 23-18 win over France on the opening day.

(By Christopher Livesay) (ANSA) - Vatican City, March 8 - The conclave to elect the next pope will start Tuesday, March 12, the Vatican announced Friday. "The eighth General Congregation of the College of Cardinals has decided that the Conclave for the election of the Pope will begin on Tuesday, 12 March 2013," said a statement. The conclave to elect the 266th pontiff follows the shocking resignation of Benedict XVI, who on February 28 became the first pope to abdicate in 600 years. Next week on Tuesday morning, cardinals will celebrate a pre-conclave mass known as the pro eligendo Summo Pontefice asking God to enlighten them. That afternoon, they will enter the Sistine Chapel for the start of the conclave. Some analysts have predicted that a new pope may emerge by the end of the week.

Rome, March 8 - Italian flagship carrier Alitalia celebrated International Women's Day with all-female-operated flights from Rome to Milan and back. The first of two Airbus A-320 flights piloted and attended exclusively by women, flight AZ 2028, took off Friday from Rome's Fiumicino airport at 9:00 am local time. Again at 11:00 am, AZ 2045 from Milan Linate returned to Rome. Both routes were in the hands of commander Barbara Plantulli Lambert, co-pilot Valentina Leone and flight attendants Giovanna Ruiu, Francesca Anzil and Matilde Marcelli. "What does this particular day mean? It is an encouragement for all women to fly high and fast because we can," Lambert said. All boarding women passengers were given a sprig of mimosa flower, the symbol of Women's Day in Italy. 

New York, March 8 - Fitch said Friday that it has cut Italy's credit rating from A- to BBB+, with a negative outlook. The rating agency said the downgrade was due to the "inconclusive result" of Italy's general election.

Fitch said last week that the prospect of a prolonged period of political instability in Italy after the election failed to produce a clear winner had put the nation's credit rating under pressure.

Rome, March 8 - State employees who violate a code of conduct approved on Friday by the Italian cabinet will be subject to new disciplinary measures that include dismissal. The series of measures was passed by after a proposal by Civil Service Minister Filippo Patroni Griffi.

Rome, March 8 - Italian industrial employers association Confindustria on Friday warned that the eurozone's third-largest economy risks being embroiled in a credit crunch for the third time in six years.

''Italy is yet again in full credit emergency'', Confindustria's research unit said in a report. ''The risk is that Italy will suffer a third credit crunch after those of 2007-2009 and 2011-2012. ''Banks are becoming increasingly selective, loan levels are falling, and the interest rates applied are increasing'', Confindustria said.

Naples, March 8 - Former Italian prime minister Romano Prodi was questioned by prosecutors on Friday in relation to an investigation into allegations ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi bribed a Senator to change political colours.

Berlusconi is being probed for allegedly paying three million euros to get Senator Sergio De Gregorio to switch sides.

Rome, March 8 - Eliminating violence against women is "necessary and possible", said Labour Minister Elsa Fornero on Friday as part of an event for International Women's Day. The minister, who is also tasked with equal opportunities issues, said that "we are here today also to give voice to the 124 women killed in Italy in 2012" at the hands of partners or husbands.