Italian cabinet approves emergency reform plan

Italian government on Sunday passed emergency reform measures for boosting economic growth and saving the eurozone from split.Premier Mario Monti announced passage of the reform measures, saying the goal is to "reawaken" the Italian economy.The measures include cuts and measures to fight tax evasion, he told reporters following a three-hour cabinet meeting, which was originally set to hold on Monday.The new prime minister is expected to outline the measures on Monday to parliament, which was said to be approved no later than December 25.Over the weekend, Monti met with leaders from political parties, unions, business groups and consumer lobbies in Rome to find out possible balance over those "unpopular measures."