“Ruby” Karima El-Mahroug, the dancer alleged to have had paid s** as a minor with Italy’s ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi told a court that she had lied to investigators in 2010. Karima El-Mahroug said she had “made up” details about er***c parties held at his villa while Silvio Berlusconi was still Italy’s prime minister. She… Continue reading “Ruby” Karima El-Mahroug says she lied in Silvio Berlusconi case
Category: Economy & Politics
Economy and Politics news articles.
Turkey bans late-night alcohol sales
The Turkish parliament has approved controversial legislation to ban the sale and advertising of alcohol. The Islamist-rooted ruling AK party says the law will protect the population, particularly young people, from the harmful effects of alcohol. Critics say it is a new move to impose an Islamic agenda on a secular, though predominantly Muslim, country.… Continue reading Turkey bans late-night alcohol sales
Christine Lagarde questioned by French court in Bernard Tapie case
Christine Lagarde has arrived at a court in Paris for questioning over a payout to controversial tycoon Bernard Tapie during her time as finance minister. The IMF chief is being asked to explain her handling of a row in 2007 which resulted in some 400 million euros ($516 million) being paid to Bernard Tapie. She… Continue reading Christine Lagarde questioned by French court in Bernard Tapie case
Brussels Summit: EU leaders in drive against tax evasion
EU leaders at Brussels summit say they are committed to tackling tax evasion and will push for global action to curb banking secrecy. The president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, said there was a “strong political will” in Europe to make tax systems fairer. He said the EU would draft tougher rules this… Continue reading Brussels Summit: EU leaders in drive against tax evasion
Venezuela’s toilet paper shortage ended after National Assembly backs import
Venezuela’s National Assembly has backed the country’s plans to import 39 million rolls of toilet paper, in an effort to relieve a chronic shortage. Lawmakers voted to approve a $79 million credit for the country’s ministry of commerce, which will also be used to buy toothpaste and soap. The products are currently in short supply… Continue reading Venezuela’s toilet paper shortage ended after National Assembly backs import
US immigration bill passes Senate panel with 13-5
The immigration bill that would offer a chance of citizenship to millions living in the US illegally has taken a stride forward in Congress. A Senate panel voted 13-5 to back the measure, after a plan to allow people to sponsor same-s** partners for permanent legal status was withdrawn. The full Senate will now debate… Continue reading US immigration bill passes Senate panel with 13-5
Jose Manuel Barroso urges full tax data exchange
The head of the European Commission has told the European Parliament he wants EU-wide exchange of income data as part of the fight against tax evasion. Jose Manuel Barroso said he would urge Wednesday’s summit of EU leaders to support automatic exchange of people’s earnings data between tax authorities. Tax evasion costs EU states 1… Continue reading Jose Manuel Barroso urges full tax data exchange
Obama administration knew IRS was targeting conservative groups since June 2012
Obama administration knew since June 2012 about an investigation into complaints from conservative tea party groups that they were being harassed by IRS, and the probe was ongoing at the height of the presidential race, a Treasury inspector general revealed Friday. J. Russell George, the Treasury inspector general for tax administration, testified alongside ousted IRS… Continue reading Obama administration knew IRS was targeting conservative groups since June 2012
Zahra Shahid Hussain shot dead in Karachi
Senior Pakistani politician Zahra Shahid Hussain has been shot dead in the southern port city of Karachi. Zahra Shahid Hussain was the senior vice-president of Pakistan’s Movement for Justice party (PTI), led by former international cricketer Imran Khan. She was killed by gunmen on a motorcycle outside her home in the city’s upmarket Defence neighborhood.… Continue reading Zahra Shahid Hussain shot dead in Karachi
Rome: Thousands rally to oppose Italy’s austerity measures
Thousands of protesters, led by trade unionists, have rallied in Rome against the policies of Italy’s new coalition government. Wielding red flags and placards, they urged the centre-left prime minister, Enrico Letta, to scrap austerity measures and focus on job creation. Public trust in his fragile coalition with the centre-right is dropping, opinion polls suggest.… Continue reading Rome: Thousands rally to oppose Italy’s austerity measures
Pope Francis condemns money cult in his first major speech on financial crisis
In his first major speech on the financial crisis, Pope Francis has called on world leaders to end the “cult of money” and to do more for the poor. Free market economics had created a tyranny, in which people were valued only by their ability to consume, the pontiff told diplomats in the Vatican. “Money… Continue reading Pope Francis condemns money cult in his first major speech on financial crisis
Steven T. Miller: Acting IRS commissioner resigns over targeting conservative groups for special scrutiny
Acting head of the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Steven T. Miller has quit after it emerged his staff singled out conservative groups for extra scrutiny, President Barack Obama has announced. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew had asked for and accepted the resignation of IRS Acting Commissioner Steven Miller, he said. “I will do everything in my… Continue reading Steven T. Miller: Acting IRS commissioner resigns over targeting conservative groups for special scrutiny
France enters its second recession in four years
France has entered its second recession in four years after the economy shrank by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2013, according to official figures. The country’s economy shrank by the same amount in the last quarter of 2012. A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth. France has record unemployment and… Continue reading France enters its second recession in four years
Nawaz Sharif claims victory in Pakistani parliamentary elections
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is celebrating with his supporters, amid early signs that his party will be the largest after parliamentary elections. Media projections based on partial results suggest a big lead for Nawaz Sharif’s Muslim League, and he has already claimed victory. The election should lead to the country’s first transition from… Continue reading Nawaz Sharif claims victory in Pakistani parliamentary elections
Bulgaria votes in parliamentary elections
Parliamentary elections are under way in Bulgaria with opinion polls predicting no outright winner. Mass protests against low living standards and widespread corruption forced the government of the centre-right Gerb party to resign in February. However, the run-up to Sunday’s election has been marked by voter apathy and claims of fraud. On Saturday prosecutors said… Continue reading Bulgaria votes in parliamentary elections
Pakistan votes in the country’s first transition from one civilian government to another in its 66-year history
Pakistan votes in landmark national and provincial elections. The vote marks Pakistan’s first transition from one civilian government to another in its 66-year history. However, the run-up to the election has been marred by violence in which more than 100 people have been killed. A bomb blast in the port city of Karachi on Saturday… Continue reading Pakistan votes in the country’s first transition from one civilian government to another in its 66-year history
Silvio Berlusconi tax fraud conviction upheld by Milan court
Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi’s conviction for tax fraud has been upheld by an appeals court in Milan. The court also reinstated a four-year prison sentence and five-year ban from public office Silvio Berlusconi was handed in October. Silvio Berlusconi was convicted of artificially inflating prices of film distribution rights bought by his company, Mediaset,… Continue reading Silvio Berlusconi tax fraud conviction upheld by Milan court
Imran Khan recovering in Lahore hospital with injuries to his head and spine
Former cricketer and leading Pakistani politician Imran Khan is recuperating in hospital after falling off a makeshift lift that was taking him onto a stage at an election rally in Lahore. Doctors say that Imran Khan received stitches in the head and treatment for injuries to his spine. But they say that his spinal cord… Continue reading Imran Khan recovering in Lahore hospital with injuries to his head and spine
Imran Khan injured after falling on stage during Pakistani election rally in Lahore
Former cricketer and leading Pakistani politician Imran Khan has been injured after falling off a makeshift lift that was taking him onto a stage at an election rally in Lahore. It is unclear how badly Imran Khan was hurt, but he suffered visible head injuries in the fall. Imran Khan was taken to hospital for… Continue reading Imran Khan injured after falling on stage during Pakistani election rally in Lahore
Greece makes progress on reducing its budget deficit, says IMF report
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) report has revealed today that debt-laden Greece has made progress in improving its finances, but the country must do more to fight tax evasion. In a report, the IMF said Greece had made “exceptional” progress on reducing its budget deficit since 2010. But the IMF, one of the lenders that… Continue reading Greece makes progress on reducing its budget deficit, says IMF report
Giulio Andreotti: Former Italian prime minister dies aged 94
Former Italian PM Giulio Andreotti, one of the most prominent political figures of post-war Italy, has died aged 94. Giulio Andreotti was prime minister seven times between 1972 and 1992. He led the Christian Democrat party, which dominated Italian politics for decades. He was dogged in later years by allegations of corruption and Mafia links.… Continue reading Giulio Andreotti: Former Italian prime minister dies aged 94
Malaysia election: Barisan Nasional governing coalition wins polls extending its 56-year-long rule
Malaysia’s ruling National Front coalition has won a simple majority in the country’s parliamentary election, extending its 56-year rule, with two-thirds of seats confirmed. PM Najib Razak’s Barisan Nasional coalition had passed the threshold of 112 seats in the 222-seat parliament, the Election Commission said. Defeated opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim accused the party of widespread… Continue reading Malaysia election: Barisan Nasional governing coalition wins polls extending its 56-year-long rule
Malaysia votes in most closely contested general election in country’s history
Malaysia is voting in what is widely expected to be the most closely contested general election in the country’s history. PM Najib Razak’s Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition is up against Pakatan Rakyat, a three-party alliance headed by Anwar Ibrahim. Voters are faced with returning the ruling party, in power for 56 years, or choosing… Continue reading Malaysia votes in most closely contested general election in country’s history
Michaela Biancofiore: Italian minister resigns after one day over homophobia accusations
Michaela Biancofiore, an Italian junior equal opportunities minister, has resigned the day after being sworn in to new coalition, having said gay people invited discrimination by “ghettoizing” themselves. Michaela Biancofiore was defending herself against accusations of homophobia made by human rights groups. But she invoked more wrath with Saturday’s comments to Italian media. The sacking… Continue reading Michaela Biancofiore: Italian minister resigns after one day over homophobia accusations
Portugal to cut 30,000 civil service jobs and to raise retirement age by one year to 66
Portugal plans to cut 30,000 civil service jobs and to raise the retirement age by one year to 66 as it tries to meet the terms of a bailout. PM Pedro Passos Coelho said civil servants would also be required to work 40 hours a week instead of 35. The proposals, which would be applied… Continue reading Portugal to cut 30,000 civil service jobs and to raise retirement age by one year to 66