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Monday, May 13, 2013

The Two-Way

Prosecution Seeks Lifetime Political Ban On Berlusconi

Silvio Berlusconi spoke Saturday at a rally in Brescia, Italy. The former prime minister could face a jail term of six years and a lifetime ban from holding political office in a sex-for-hire case.

May 13, 2013 The former Italian prime minister is accused of having sex with an underage prostitute in a trial that opened in April 2011. Meanwhile, Berlusconi is appealing his sentence in a separate case for tax fraud.

Summary

Monday, February 25, 2013

The Two-Way

Italian Elections Produce Murky Result, Financial Jitters

Workers open ballots in a polling station in Rome on Tuesday following Italy's general elections. The initial results showed a close race with no clear-cut winner, a development that made financial markets jumpy.

February 25, 2013 The center-left was favored, but there was no clear winner as the ballots were counted. Silvio Berlusconi's center-right coalition was not expected to do well, but was leading in the upper house of Parliament.

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Friday, October 26, 2012

The Two-Way

Italy's Berlusconi Given 4-Year Sentence For Tax Evasion; May Never Serve it

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

October 26, 2012 The appeals process may stretch the case beyond the statute of limitations. Meanwhile, Berlusconi is also on trial for allegedly paying for sex with a teenage girl and trying to cover it up.

Summary

Monday, November 14, 2011

The Two-Way

After 'Frenetic' Weekend, Italy Rushes To Limit Financial Damage

Italy's premier-designate, Mario Monti, on Sunday in Rome.

November 14, 2011 In Italy, and in Greece, new leaders are trying to show they can tackle the nations' debt problems.

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Tuesday, November 08, 2011

The Two-Way

Italy's Prime Minister Berlusconi Offers To Resign

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, left, holds the hand of Reforms Minister Umberto Bossi during a must-watched vote at the Lower Chamber, in Rome, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011.

November 8, 2011 Saying his resignation was for the good of the country, the Italian leader confirmed he will step aside after Parliament passes a budget that includes tough new austerity measures. Italy's borrowing costs are ballooning as the bond market worries that it hasn't put its financial house in order.

Summary

Monday, November 07, 2011

The Two-Way

Berlusconi: Resignation Rumors 'Are Groundless'

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi during the G-20 summit last Friday in Cannes, France.

November 7, 2011 The Italian premier is under pressure to go so that a new government can pass needed economic reforms.

Summary

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

The Two-Way

With Italy On Verge Of Crisis, Opposition Calls For Berlusconi To Step Down

Official cars and drivers are seen in front of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's residence, left, during a "Popolo della Liberta'", People of Freedom, coalition meeting, in Rome.

November 2, 2011 After a terrible day in the markets, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called an emergency meeting to move on reforms aimed at keeping the country from a full-blown debt crisis.

Summary

Friday, October 14, 2011

The Two-Way

Berlusconi Survives Confidence Vote

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi sat in the lower chamber during today's confidence vote.

October 14, 2011 His latest brush with rejection came after the defeat of his government's spending plan. Meanwhile, the country seems headed into recession and his personal scandals continue to drag down its reputation.

Summary

Friday, October 07, 2011

The Two-Way

Berlusconi Raises Ire With Obscene Joke About His Party

Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, seen here in a file photo, has seen his approval rating hit record lows. And now he's angered many in his own party by jokingly suggesting a lewd name change.

October 7, 2011 Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi is in trouble again, after making an obscene joke at his own ruling party's expense. The quip is the latest in a series of scandals that have nettled the prime minister. And it came at the end of a week that took a deep toll on Italy's economy.

Summary

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

The Two-Way

Where Did The Term 'Bunga Bunga' Come From?

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi acknowledges his supporters after a legal hearing on March 28.

April 6, 2011 There are a handful of explanations of where the term might have come from. But one of the more concrete ones is that it came from Libya's Moammar Gadhafi.

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The Two-Way

Gates Arrives In Saudi Arabia, Berlusconi Skips Sex Trial

The Texas A&M Aggies celebrate winning the 2011 NCAA Women's Final Four on April 5, 2011.

April 6, 2011 Robert Gates visits Saudi Arabia; Italian leader fails to show at trial; Colorado wildfires; Texas A&M wins Women's NCAA basketball championship

Summary

Friday, April 01, 2011

The Two-Way

Amnesty Faults Italy For Conditions In Lampedusa

Italian leader Silvio Berlusconi discussed his government's handling of the migrant situation in Lampedusa Friday. Italy has shipped more than 2,000 migrants to detention camps on its mainland from the tiny clear-watered fishing and tourist island of Lampedusa.

April 1, 2011 Amnesty International says Italy's government allowed the living conditions of Tunisian migrants to reach a crisis point, with only minimal amounts of water available, and little access to basic sanitary facilities.

Summary

Thursday, March 03, 2011

The Two-Way

Visit From Teen Tied To Sex Scandal Has Vienna In Tizzy

Moroccan-born dancer Karima El-Mahrough, nicknamed "Ruby the Heart Stealer," shakes hands with Austrian entrepreneur Richard Lugner, her date for the Vienna Opera Ball.

March 3, 2011 Karima El-Mahrough, the Moroccan teenager linked to the sex scandal involving Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, will attend the highlight event of Vienna's social season Thursday night, along with a millionaire who is reportedly paying her $55,000 for the trip.

Summary

Monday, February 28, 2011

The Two-Way

Berlusconi Tax-Fraud Case Moves Forward

February 28, 2011 Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is back on trial for tax fraud today, after Italy's Constitutional Court stripped the embattled leader of immunity from prosecution. That decision also allows three other cases to move forward, as well, on charges ranging from abuse of power to sex with a minor.

Summary

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Two-Way

Protests Grow In Bahrain, Iran

Sister Eugenia Bonelli  criticizes Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi during a Rome protest on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011.

February 15, 2011 Protests in Bahrain and Iran; Italian Prime Minister to face sex crime trial; NFL labor dispute worsens

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