A Chinese shopkeeper and his nine-month-old baby Joy were brutally gunned down in a suburb of Rome in a robbery that went horribly wrong, writes Josephine McKenna, a freelance journalist in Rome.
Italy
Eurozone crisis: new bailout under half the size of Oz economy
The question for the eurozone in 2012 is the pace of panic: a slow panic still grabs you in the end. Knowing Europe and the various governments there’s something out there with the capacity to bring on that feeling.
Can new leaders end the eurozone debt crisis?
Weeks of political upheaval resulted in both Greece and Italy getting new heads of government. But the replacements will have to face the same difficult economic circumstances that killed the political careers of their former leaders, says Michael S
What does an interest rate of 7% actually mean for Italy?
Last night Italian interest rates hit 7%. If it stays that high it would mean the Italian government would need to come up with an extra €60bn a year–an extra 4.3% of GDP in taxes, says Richard Farmer.
Guy Rundle: New PM in Italy, but not yet; new PM in Greece, but not yet …
Europe remains — wait for it wait for it — yes, in crisis today, with the announcement that Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi will resign — but not yet, and announcements that Greece will soon announce a new prime minister and Cabinet — but not yet.
Berlusconi’s final week?
The demise of Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi now seems inevitable, writes Barbie Latza Nadeau. But don’t count out the sex scandal loving 75-year-old completely, he could make a comeback in the next elections…
travel A visit to Joyce’s beloved Trieste, the ‘mongrel city’
Its multi-national melting pot of rulers and ruled arguably explains the reputation of Trieste, Italy as a haven for distinguished exiles, misfits and eccentrics, notably writers and thinkers — of whom Trieste has hosted its fair share, says Grant Doyle.
Berlusconi sailing in stormy waters
Pressure is mounting as Silvio Berlusconi is yet to reveal any tangible details of his structural reforms beyond vague promises of asset sell-offs, pension reform and tax breaks to boost employment, writes Jo McKenna, a Rome-based freelance journalist.
Crikey Says: Silvio Berlusconi is up to his ears in it
Violent storms sweeping Italy are the least of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s problems.
Who sold Gaddafi his guns?
Arms sales to Libya in the five years proceeding the recent conflict came mostly came from European nations, including Italy ($432m), Serbia ($67m), and the UK ($57m), reports NAJ Taylor.
UNHCR data reveals the shifting burden of asylum seekers
It’s easy to be misled by asylum claim figures. The global numbers don’t matter as much as where asylum seekers are coming from.
Eight is enough for Italy, as Berlusconi saga grows
Italy has been rocked by shocking new revelations this week about Berlusconi’s sexual digressions and political pundits around the world are once again asking themselves how long he can last, writes Josephine McKenna.
Political snippets: A week is a long time in politics
I recommend still keeping Julia Gillard’s words in your memory bank.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Who’s to blame for the market meltdown?
Crikey readers have their say.
Sunned, stuffed and a little pickled: a trip to Palermo, Sicily
Palmermo, Sicily, was heavily bombed during WWII but life continues to buzz there, with glorious beaches, markets heaving with fresh produce and walls lined with graffiti art, says Nicola Heath.
Media briefs: Nine News apology … CMail outs Thorpie … NotW fallout …
International slip isn’t Limited … Front Page of the Day … The Department of Corrections … Courier Mail outs Thorpie … Life lesson for Michele Bachmann: read the small print if “slavery” appears. …
Political snippets: More Bangkok for your polling buck
I know I have regularly criticised those of my peers who slavishly rely on opinion polls published well before the actual polling day to predict election outcomes but, I’m sorry, I cannot resist this one that appeared at the weekend in the Bangkok Post.
Berlusconi prostitution trial kicks off
The prostitution trial against Italian PM Silvio “bunga bunga” Berlusconi, in which the prosecution alleges Berlusconi paid an underage woman for sex then used dodgy techniques to try and cover it up, has officially began in Milan, with Berlusconi predicted to emerge victorious.
Colvin: How Berlusconi bought his way to power
Back in the early 90s, Italy’s political institutions were in ruin and power was there fore the taking. Mark Colvin, an ABC journo in Italy during that time, explains how bad boy Berlusconi took control.
Italy divided over the latest Berlusconi scandal
H ow much do Italians really know about what’s happening in their country regarding Silvio Berlusconi? Only one in ten Italians reportedly read a newspaper and Mr Berlusconi fills the three commercial TV channels with dancing girls, writes freelance journalist Jo McKenna from Rome.
Berlusconi temporarily out of ardor … is it curtains?
One of the most riveting dramas in international politics — that of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi — looks as if it might finally be nearing its climax.
Berlusconi’s drama enters its last act
Although he he survived a vote of confidence on Tuesday, it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that Berlusconi’s career is drawing towards a close.
Crikey Clarifier: Can Silvio Berlusconi survive as Italian PM?
Noted Italian political expert Gaetano Rando describes the lawmaking of his homeland as “fairly fluid”. So much so it almost washed the prime minister Silvio Berlusconi out of office overnight amid rising anger over the rule of the very-rich Lothario. Crikey seeks clarification.
Errr, what’s a Berlusconi bunga bunga?
Reports of orgies at Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi’s villa — dubbed bunga bunga sessions by Berlusconi — has thrilled the Italian press. The term supposedly come from Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi. But what does bunga bunga mean?
Guy Rundle: Burqa ban is a mass displacement
Why is a burqa now offensive and its opposite — the bikini, which used to be banned in NSW — now acceptable? Now Italy is talking about a burqa ban.
