Italy wants statue back

February 12, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

ROME — An Italian court ordered an ancient Greek statue bought by the J. Paul Getty Museum seized Thursday so it can be returned to Italy, officials said. The Los Angeles museum said it would appeal the decision to Italy’s highest court and would “vigorously defend” its right to keep the bronze.

Under Italian law, however, the decision of the Pesaro court is effective immediately, said Maurizio Fiorilli, the attorney representing the Italian government in the case. The Italian Justice Ministry will now ask the U.S. Department of Justice to carry out the confiscation of the statue, he said.

The “Victorious Youth” statue, which dates from 300 B.C.-100 B.C., was pulled from the sea by Italian fishermen in 1964 off the eastern town of Fano, near Pesaro. The Italian government, which has been on an international campaign to reclaim looted antiquities, says it was brought into Italy and then exported illegally. The Getty maintains Italy has no claim to the bronze and says it bought the statue in good faith in 1977 for $4 million.

50 sexiest songs

NEW YORK — Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Billboard has ranked the 50 sexiest songs by popularity — and Barry White didn’t even make the list.

Instead, it’s Olivia Newton-John who is tops — her hit “Physical” is No. 1, followed by Rod Stewart’s “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright).”

Rounding out the top five: Boyz II Men’s ballad “I’ll Make Love to You,” Next’s “Too Close” and Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On.” (Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” is No. 35)

It’s not until No. 10 — Stewart’s “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” — that sex is mentioned in any song title. Billboard’s list, released Thursday, is based on the popularity of songs from 1958 until early January of this year.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Joe Don Baker is 74. Keyboardist Ray Manzarek of The Doors is 71. Actress Maud Adams (“Octopussy”) is 65. Singer Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers) is 58. Actor-talk-show host Arsenio Hall is 55. Actor Josh Brolin is 42. Singer Chynna Phillips of Wilson Phillips is 42. Bassist Jim Creeggan of Barenaked Ladies is 40. Actress Sarah Lancaster (“Chuck”) is 30. Actress Christina Ricci is 30. Actress Jennifer Stone (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) is 17.