Rise of Elkann could finally lead to demise of car maker Nov 1, 2009
Fluent in English, French, Italian and Portuguese, Elkann appears in public mostly at ceremonial events, such as the one in June with Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to showcase Fiat's new 500 convertible in Rome. In one of Elkann's early displays of leadership, in 2006, he overhauled the management of the Juventus soccer team. (Business Report, South Africa)
Merkel puts paid to Blair's hopes for EU presidency Oct 31, 2009
The Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, who has holidayed with Mr Blair and his family and offered public support just a fortnight ago, is ill with scarlet fever and was unable to attend the summit. However, the Italian Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini, appeared to be lukewarm about Mr Blair, telling Britain's ITV News that Italy ''likes Tony Blair even though we understand that many countries are not in favour of him. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Italy’s premier, magistrates spar again Oct 30, 2009
ROME - With fraud and corruption trials looming, Premier Silvio Berlusconi is sparring with Italy s magistrates, who threatened yesterday to go on strike to protest his branding them as communists targeting a billionaire ... The real Italian anomaly is not Silvio Berlusconi, the premier said on TV. The Italian anomaly are communist prosecutors and communist judges in Milan who have attacked him since Silvio Berlusconi entered politics and took [political] power away from communists. (Boston Globe)
Italian women protest Berlusconi's sexist quips Oct 29, 2009
Silvio Berlusconi's cutting remark about a female rival's lack of beauty has stirred a rare public backlash from thousands of Italian women who had largely kept silent about the prime minister's womanising and sex scandals ... Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's frequent demeaning comments to women stirs a protest as Italy's gender equality rating falls ... Rome - Silvio Berlusconi often declares that he is passionate about the opposite sex, but for many Italian women the feeling is very... (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
Berlusconi: 'I'm liked and loved' Oct 28, 2009
Berlusconi talks: 'I'm liked and loved by all people in politics' - CNN.com. Part of complete coverage on Share this on. (CNN -- World)
Juventus and Sampdoria go head to head in title chase Oct 28, 2009
I spoke with the president (Italy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi) after the match in Verona (a 2-1 win over Chievo) and he told me the team is making him suffer too much, said Galliani. I asked his forgiveness and promised theyd make him suffer less in future. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Mills loses Italy appeal over bribery Oct 28, 2009
He was convicted of accepting 400,000 from the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in 1997. Mills had been sentenced in February to four-and-a-half years in prison for corruption. (BBC News -- Europe)
Magic touch required in media empire float Oct 26, 2009
Besides being embroiled in a legal battle with former WIN Corp managing director David Butorac, who is suing him for termination benefits, bonuses, damages, interest and costs, Gordon will be prepping himself as a likely witness in several sizzling trials to resume in Italy involving his good friends and business associates the controversial Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Hollywood producer and distributor Frank Agrama. The trials, over alleged tax fraud, were suspended last year... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Italy leftists vote in primary amid sex scandal Oct 26, 2009
The center-left Democratic Party has been in disarray since losing the 2008 election to Premier Silvio Berlusconi's conservatives ... A number of sex scandals have hit Italy and Premier Silvio Berlusconi has made headlines for months for his relations with young women. (MSNBC -- International)
Right to airtime? Oct 23, 2009
The MSI, in turn, morphed into the National Alliance, which this year voted itself out of existence in order to join the newly formed centre-right grouping of the PDL, or People of Freedom Party, headed by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Opponents accuse the Lega Nord of being a xenophobic, regionalist and populist group, coalescing around anti-immigration policies. (BBC News -- Europe)
Italy probes "Kill Berlusconi" Facebook pages Oct 23, 2009
Each has a picture of Silvio Berlusconi in a red circle with a diagonal line across his face, on which is written: "Berlusconi Get Lost.". advertisement. (MSNBC -- Crime)
Son: Berlusconi 'is like a battery' Oct 23, 2009
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Pier Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's eldest son and a top official in his media empire, says his father was "always there for me.". Pier Silvio Berlusconi, vice president of the Mediaset group, in Cologno Monzese, Italy in March, 2009 ... "He was always a busy man," Pier Silvio Berlusconi says of his 73-year-old father, who besides being the Italian head of government, is also a billionaire media entrepreneur, real estate and insurance... (CNN -- World)
Berlusconi Admits He Hates His Job Oct 22, 2009
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says he governs Italy out of a sense of duty and sacrifice, not because he enjoys the job. The conservative, flamboyant Italian leader, 73, says he actually doesn't like governing at all. (Newsmax)
Berlusconi TV mocks judge who fined him Oct 20, 2009
A TELEVISION channel owned by the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has secretly filmed a judge who ruled against him in a bribery case, airing the footage and mocking commentary on prime-time TV.. It is the latest chapter of an increasingly hostile and at times surreal war between the Government and the judiciary. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Fury as Berlusconi judge filmed Oct 20, 2009
Silvio Berlusconi has called himself the world's most persecuted person. Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has come under fire after a TV channel he owns secretly filmed a judge who ruled against him in a bribery case ... FROM OTHER NEWS SITES Fury after Silvio Berlusconi TV channel films judge - 24 hrs ago Berlusconi's TV channel stalks anti-bribes judge - 32 hrs ago ITALY : Outrage after Berlusconi media shadow 'turquoise socks' judge - 39 hrs ago Berlusconi channel 'shadows' judge - 56 hrs ago... (BBC News -- Europe)
Israeli Ad Firm Wants Berlusconi Scandal Pix Oct 19, 2009
Photos of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in the presence of young topless women may soon reach Israel as part of a campaign promoting hotels and restaurants in the Tel Aviv area, Haaretz has learned. According to Antonello Zappadu, an Italian photographer from Sardinia who took pictures of Berlusconi in the company of half-naked female guests at the billionaire politician's Villa Certosa on the island's Costa Smeralda, a "very large advertising firm" in Israel has asked to purchase the... (Newsmax)
Italy denies paying Taliban to keep peace in Afghanistan area Oct 16, 2009
Premier Silvio Berlusconi s office called the report in the Times of London completely groundless. The Italian defense minister denounced it as rubbish and said he wanted to sue the newspaper. (Boston Globe)
Berlusconi Popularity Plummets in Polls Oct 16, 2009
ROME - Support for Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has fallen in the past month to its lowest level since he won an election landslide last year, an opinion poll showed on Thursday. The IPR poll, published on the website of the left-wing newspaper La Repubblica, put the conservative leader's support at 45 percent, compared with 47 percent in September and 62 percent a year ago. (Newsmax)
Italy denies paying Taliban to protect troops Oct 16, 2009
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi denied Thursday that payments to the Taliban in Afghanistan were authorized to protect Italian soldiers deployed there. Silvio Berlusconi has refuted the claims made by the Times newspaper as baseless. (CNN -- World)
Italy denies paying off Taliban in Afghanistan Oct 15, 2009
Silvio Berlusconi's lawyers asked an Italian court Tuesday to uphold an immunity law that has shielded the Italian premier from a corruption trial in Milan - a decision that could determine the future of his government ... Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Thursday he will go on TV and appear in courtrooms to prove that corruption and tax fraud charges in two trials against him are false ... Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Thursday he will go on TV and appear in courtrooms to prove... (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Now for Italy's good news bearers Oct 14, 2009
ROME: Dissatisfied with his direct and indirect control over most of Italy's media, the Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has devised a campaign to stop the world's press sniping at him over his sex life and legal woes. An emergency taskforce is to be set up within a month to monitor airwaves and news-stands the world over for coverage of Italy and bombard foreign newsrooms with good news about the country. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Newsweek: Why Italy should dump Berlusconi Oct 14, 2009
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's record of intimidating and outfoxing his enemies, rewriting laws to suit himself, and generally leading his public as well as private life in flagrante delicto puts him in a particularly Italian pantheon. One thinks of Nero, or the Borgias, of bread and circuses, debauchery and corruption. (MSNBC -- International)
Tough to be a Republican Oct 11, 2009
Nicolas Sarkozy of France sent a bottle of champagne to the White House, Angela Merkel of Germany sent flowers, and Silvio Berlusconi of Italy sent a teenage girl. . (The Palm Beach Post)
* Berlusconi blasts perceived tormentors Oct 10, 2009
Like an enraged, wounded animal, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi struck out indiscriminately at his perceived tormentors on Thursday, after Italys constitutional court stripped him of immunity from prosecution ... Silvio Berlusconis indisputable political right, conferred on him by the voters, to govern and reform the country does not relieve him of his precise constitutional duty to respect the constitutional court and the head of state, Fini said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Judicial wheels are expected to stymie Berlusconi trials Oct 10, 2009
ROME: Italy's Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, may escape conviction on corruption charges because Italy's slow judicial system is likely to delay hearing them beyond the statute of limitations. Judicial experts said the complex legal process meant he could avoid a trial - despite being stripped of his immunity from prosecution in a court ruling on Wednesday. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Capuano trips raise profile, questions Oct 10, 2009
The group, while there, met with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and visited American and NATO military bases. Codels have increased sharply since 2005, when an influence-peddling scandal prompted Congress to adopt a ban on travel funded by special interests and lobbyists. (Boston Globe)
I am the most persecuted man in history, says Silvio Berlusconi Oct 10, 2009
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has described himself as the most persecuted person "in the entire history of the world" ... Silvio BerlusconiItalian Prime Minister. (BBC News -- Europe)
Immunity gone, Italy’s premier vows to prevail in 2 trials Oct 9, 2009
ROME - Premier Silvio Berlusconi of Italy said yesterday that he will go on television and appear in courtrooms to prove that corruption and tax fraud charges in two trials against him are false. The proceedings in Milan are to resume after a top Italian court overturned a law that had granted Berlusconi immunity from prosecution while in office. (Boston Globe)
Defiant Berlusconi vows to fight Oct 9, 2009
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says he feels "invigorated" after Italy's constitutional court overturned a law granting him immunity whilst in office. "I will defend myself... and show what stuff I'm made of," Mr Berlusconi said. (BBC News -- Europe)
Citizen patrols hit Italy streets Oct 9, 2009
Page last updated at 08:40 GMT, Tuesday, 6 October 2009 09:40 UK. Duncan Kennedy BBC News, Rome. (BBC News -- Europe)
Exposed but defiant: Berlusconi's shield is his popularity Oct 9, 2009
Silvio Berlusconi speaks to the media after the court overturned a law shielding him from prosecution ... THE Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, faces the political fight of his life after the nation's top court overturned the law tailor-made to shield him from prosecution and declared it illegal. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Gore Vidals United States of Fury, Johann Hari, The Independent Oct 9, 2009
Is Silvio Berlusconi better than Barack Obama. He snaps again: "Who cares? This is showbiz you're worried about. I don't care who's on television telling jokes on the Late Show.". (Harper's Magazine)
* Ruling casts Italy into political turmoil Oct 9, 2009
TAXATION TRAVAILS: A trial in which Silvio Berlusconi is charged with tax evasion, suspended last year after parliament approved an immunity law, can now resume THE GUARDIAN, ROME Friday, Oct 09, 2009, Page 6. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi arrives to greet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday at the Palazzo Chigi in Rome ... Italy was cast back into political turmoil on Wednesday night when the countrys constitutional court threw out a law passed by Prime Minister Silvio... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Berlusconi set to fight sex scandals and corruption charges Oct 9, 2009
Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Rome Wendesday ... Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been stripped off his immunity from prosecution, but political analysts say his government is unlikely fall ... Rome - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been buffeted by scandals that in almost any other Western democracy would have forced a president or prime minister to resign. (Christian Science Monitor)
Berlusconi allies seek burqa ban in Italy Oct 9, 2009
The Northern League, allies of conservative Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, want to amend a 1975 law, introduced amid worries over homegrown guerrilla groups, which punishes with hefty fines and up to two years in jail people covering their faces with anything preventing their identification by police. Roberto Cota, head of the Northern League deputies who signed the proposal, said it was motivated by security concerns. (MSNBC -- International)
Berlusconi To Defend Himself On TV, In Courtrooms Oct 9, 2009
Silvio Berlusconi, 73, Still Widely Popular In Italy ... Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Thursday he will go on TV and appear in courtrooms to prove that corruption and tax fraud charges in two trials against him are false. (KCRA 3, CA)
Berlusconi loses immunity Oct 8, 2009
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi gestures during a rally in Milan ... Italy's Constitutional Court threw out a law that shielded Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi from prosecution while in office, paving the way for corruption proceedings to resume against him. (iAfrica.com)
Top court in Italy denies Berlusconi immunity Oct 8, 2009
ROME - A top Italian court yesterday overturned a law granting Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution, allowing trials for corruption and tax fraud to resume in Milan and prompting immediate calls for his resignation. The decision by the Constitutional Court dealt Berlusconi one of the most serious blows in his 15-year battle with the Italian judiciary. (Boston Globe)
Out of court Oct 8, 2009
Silvio Berlusconi's troubles ... Italy's constitutional court rules against Silvio Berlusconi, yet again ... On Wednesday October 7th Italy s constitutional court threw out Silvio Berlusconi s latest wheeze for putting himself above the law. (The Economist)
Berlusconi Vows To Stay On After Court Ruling Oct 8, 2009
Silvio Berlusconi, 73, Still Widely Popular In Italy ... ROME -- Premier Silvio Berlusconi faces judicial and political battles after a top Italian court overturned a law granting him immunity from prosecution and cleared the way for his corruption and tax fraud trials to resume in Milan. (Click2Houston, TX)
Berlusconi ruling: Your reaction Oct 8, 2009
Italy's highest court - the Constitutional Court - has overturned a law granting Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution while in office ... For us this verdict represents a real form of justice, so we hope Silvio Berlusconi will resign like a prime minister should do in a real democracy. (BBC News -- Europe)
Berlusconi immunity law overruled Oct 8, 2009
Italy's Constitutional Court has overturned a law granting Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution while in office. The move opens the possibility that Mr Berlusconi, 73, could stand trial in at least three court cases, including one in which he is accused of corruption. (BBC News -- Europe)
Silvio Berlusconi sues Italy's press and protesters fight back Oct 8, 2009
Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi meets Wednesday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Rome ... Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi already controls much of the private media ... On Saturday, 300,000 Italians hit the streets to protest Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's recent attacks on the media. (Christian Science Monitor)
Albanian oil tycoon makes $1B pitch for AC Milan Oct 8, 2009
MILAN, Italy (AP) -- Albanian oil tycoon Rezart Taci is prepared to purchase AC Milan for $1 billion, even though Silvio Berlusconi has not put the club up for sale. "We've spoken about it. He told me that he doesn't intend to sell, but I know that if he turns in that direction he would look at my proposal,'' Taci told Wednesday's Gazzetta dello Sport. "We're talking about the president that has won more than anyone. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Soccer)
Berlusconi dented by ruling Oct 8, 2009
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said any trial involving him would be a "farce" ... The country's Constitutional Court has ruled that Silvio Berlusconi and three other people in public life - the president of the republic and the two parliamentary speakers - should not have immunity from prosecution while they are in office. (BBC News -- Europe)
Italian TV bins reality shows Oct 8, 2009
From now on the reality shows in Italy will only be found on the private Mediaset network of the former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi ... Rai's lack of interest in reality TV is in stark contrast to the broadcast philosophy of Silvio Berlusconi's network. (Yahoo News -- Reality TV)
Italy’s top court considers immunity law Oct 7, 2009
ROME - Silvio Berlusconi s lawyers asked an Italian court yesterday to uphold an immunity law that has shielded the Italian prime minister from a corruption trial in Milan, a decision that could determine the future of his government. The Constitutional Court in Rome was hearing arguments yesterday before deliberating over whether the legislation complies with the Italian Constitution, but it was unclear when the court s 15 judges would issue a ruling. (Boston Globe)
Why Do Disasters in Italy Have Such High Death Tolls? Oct 6, 2009
On Sunday, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi flew into the region to tour some of the worst hit villages Giampilieri, Briga and Scaletta Zanclea. Berlusconi, who predicted that the death toll would rise past 50, pledged up to $1. (Time.com)
Berlusconi slams ruling against his media empire Oct 6, 2009
Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi at the opening of a textile industry fair in Milan, Italy ... "For the sole purposes of this civil judgment, Silvio Berlusconi is co-responsible in the corruption case," the agency quoted the judge. (USA Today -- Money)
* World News Quick Take Oct 5, 2009
The group planned the event after a crescendo of episodes that suggested that the government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was trying to exert pressure on the national news media, Siddi said later backstage. On Friday, Berlusconi dismissed the protest as a real farce. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Muzzling the messengers Oct 5, 2009
In this respect, at least, Silvio Berlusconi s Italy is distancing itself from western Europe and becoming more like weaker democracies farther east. The Rome demonstration was called to protest over writs issued by the prime minister against two left-leaning newspapers. (The Economist)
Italian PM Vows to Rebuild Homes for Mudslide Victims Oct 5, 2009
ROME Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi promised Sunday to build new houses for the victims of massive mudslides in Sicily that killed at least 22 people and left more than 500 homeless. Berlusconi visited the devastated area around the eastern coastal city of Messina and met with survivors who were being housed in area hotels. (Fox News)
Rally Held In Rome To Defend Press Freedom Oct 4, 2009
(AP) Tens of thousands of people, including journalists and media rights activists, gathered in a Rome square Saturday to defend press freedom, accusing Premier Silvio Berlusconi of trying to silence critical voices. Berlusconi, a media magnate, has dismissed the accusations as a "joke" and the demonstration as a "farce." He said this week that there is more press freedom in Italy than in any other Western country. (CBS News -- World)
Italy mudslide deaths 'to hit 50' Oct 4, 2009
The number of people killed in mudslides caused by heavy rains in southern Italy will rise to 50, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has warned. Rescuers are still searching for some 40 people still missing after the country's worst mudslides for 10 years. (BBC News -- Europe)
Across Europe, the left loses clout Oct 4, 2009
Italy s left also is badly fractured and fairly feeble in its opposition to conservative Premier Silvio Berlusconi, a conservative. Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company. (Boston Globe)
* Berlusconi to visit Siciliy, expecting storm toll to rise Oct 4, 2009
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was expected yesterday to visit Sicily, where there were fears the death toll from torrential rains could rise to 50 as search and rescue efforts resumed. There are some 20 dead and 30 missing but at the end there will be at least 50 deaths, Berlusconi was quoted as saying late on Friday by the Italian news agency ANSA.. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Dozens perish in mudslides Oct 4, 2009
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was expected to visit the area yesterday amid fears the death toll could rise to 50. "There are some 20 dead and 30 missing but at the end there will be at least 50 deaths," Mr Berlusconi said early yesterday. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Cleanup continues in Italy mudslide's aftermath Oct 4, 2009
Premier Silvio Berlusconi said he feared the death toll from Italy's worst mudslides in a decade could rise to 50. The Italian premier is expected to survey the area by helicopter today, his office said. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Big protest in Rome against Berlusconi media grip... Oct 4, 2009
A file photo of Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in Rome July 7, 2009 ... Tens of thousands of Italians demonstrated in Rome on Saturday against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's grip on the media as he tries to control a sex scandal centred on prostitutes invited to his Rome residence. (The Drudge Report)
Italians rally for press freedom Oct 4, 2009
Tens of thousands of Italians have protested in Rome against what they say are threats to press freedom by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi ... Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi dismissed the protest as a farce. (BBC News -- Europe)
Italy approves tax amnesty bill Oct 3, 2009
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says the expected repatriation of 300bn euros ($437bn, 274bn) will help boost state revenues. But the left-wing opposition says the amnesty will benefit organised crime. (BBC News -- Europe)
What Berlusconi's Obama 'Jokes' Say About Italy Oct 2, 2009
U.S. President Barack Obama greets Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at the G-20 dinner in Pittsburgh, Pa ... Last November, just two days after Barack Obama's historic election victory, the world's collective jaw dropped when Silvio Berlusconi quipped that the next U.S. President was "young, handsome and even has a good tan." Though the Italian Prime Minister refused to apologize for the failed attempt at humor, Obama and his aides gave Berlusconi a pass. (Time.com)
Where the wealthiest go to play Oct 2, 2009
The Vail chalet complements his home in Tucker's Town, Bermuda; the $10 million Victorian townhouse in London's Cadogan Square; and the sprawling Westchester estate in Armonk, N.Y. When he heads to Bermuda, the billionaire politician, an avid golfer, hits the links along with neighbors and fellow scions-turned-politicos, Ross Perot and Silvio Berlusconi, both of whom also reside in the "millionaire's row" private enclave of Tucker's Town. Also on this story. (MSNBC -- Travel)
* Berlusconi paper tells Italians not to pay TV license Sep 30, 2009
X Silvio Berlusconi, Italian prime minister ... Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has denied paying for sex. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
U.S. says Taliban use Pakistan lair to widen attacks Sep 25, 2009
A bomb that killed six Italian soldiers in Kabul last Thursday prompted Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy to declare that his nation had begun planning to "bring our young men home as soon as possible." Italy has 3,100 troops in Afghanistan ... A bomb that killed six Italian soldiers in Kabul last Thursday prompted Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy to declare that his nation had begun planning to "bring our young men home as soon as possible." Italy has 3,100 troops in... (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
