Berlusconi shrugs off narrow confidence win

While Rome burned, the prime minister’s supporters cheered his victory to the rafters. There were handshakes and backslapping, but the smiles cannot gloss over the narrowness of the vote. By just 314-311 Silvio Berlusconi survived the latest attempt to turf him out. He remains in power, but he must know his enemies will gather for another attack.

Later, he insisted he was not worried about the future:

‘‘I am very serene about possible elections. So I will lead the government until it becomes impossible, because I really believe we don’t need an electoral campaign. But, if it is impossible to govern, we won’t waste our time.”

His former ally Gianfranco Fini has become the prime minister’s tormentor-in-chief, and is almost certain to step up the attacks. Berlusconi has been defying the odds all his political career and, after this knife-edge victory, lives to fight again another day.

Rome burns after Berlusconi vote

Violent clashes between police and anti- government protesters yesterday brought central Rome to a standstill.

Anger on the streets boiled over after Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi narrowly won a crucial parliamentary vote of confidence .

More than 40 people were arrested in some of the most serious rioting the Italian capital had seen in recent years.

Dozens were injured on all sides as police fought running battles across the historic city centre.

Some of Rome’s smartest shops near the prime minister’s office were forced to close as protesters ran amok.

Students, immigrants and unemployed workers were among those hoping that a defeat for Berlusconi would trigger change but his survival only left them bitter and frustrated.

Dozens feared dead in asylum boat tragedy 

Up to 50 asylum seekers are feared dead after their boat smashed into rocks off Australia’s Christmas Island.

According to local media around 30 more are still missing.

The Australian territory lies 2,600 kilometres northwest of Perth and is a regular destination for refugee boats.

Christmas Island has the country’s main offshore immigration centre.

Strong winds had whipped up a four metre swell in the sea.

Islanders threw lifejackets into the sea warning that the rocks around the cliffs were razor sharp.

The Australian Navy and Customs sent ships to the scene.

The refugee boat was destroyed.

From: Euronews