Milan, Italy
Milan prosecutors have Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in their sights—yet again. The billionaire media mogul, Italy’s richest man, has been charged with fraud and conflict of interest numerous times, both before and during his tenure in office. He was acquitted once, and had three guilty verdicts overturned on technicalities; other times he managed to draw out proceedings so long that the statute of limitations expired. Prosecutors are now alleging that he bribed the husband of a British Cabinet minister to lie on Berlusconi’s behalf in two of his trials. Berlusconi, who is seeking re-election next month, said he is being persecuted by a conspiracy of Communist magistrates. The judiciary is “the disease of our democracy,” he said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
US, China agree to lower tariffs for 90 daysspeed read US tariffs will fall to 30% from 145%, while China will cut its tax on US imports to 10% from 125%
-
Qatar luxury jet gift clouds Trump trip to Mideastspeed read Qatar is said to be presenting Trump with a $400 million plane, which would be among the biggest foreign gifts ever received by the US government
-
Does ketchup belong on a hot dog and more May 12 editorial cartoonsCartoons Monday's cartoons feature Pope Leo XIV, Newark airport, and Donald Trump's meme coin
