Pope: Don't End Comatose Woman's Life

Lawmakers were debating PM's bill against euthanasia when news broke

(NEWSER) - A woman who sparked debate over right-to-die laws in Italy has died after 17 years in a coma, the Times of London reports. Italian lawmakers, led by PM Silvio Berlusconi, were debating an emergency bill to keep Eluana Englaro alive at the time. The law would forbid carers of those "unable to take care of themselves" to stop artificial feeding. More»

(NEWSER) - A newly released audio tape apparently captures Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi in a graphic sexual conversation with a female escort, reports the Daily Telegraph. Two voices on the tape discuss orgasm and a just-ended satisfying sexual encounter, with the man recommending that the woman "touch" herself "often." The tape was recorded by escort Patrizia D'Addario, 42, after spending the night at Berlusconi's official residence, according to opposition newsmagazine L'Espresso. More»

(NEWSER) - President Obama arrived this morning in Rome ahead of his first G8 summit. Obama is meeting privately with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and PM Silvio Berlusconi before traveling to L'Aquila, the earthquake-ravaged town that is hosting the international confab. The coming three days' talks will focus on climate change, foreign aid, Iran, and trade, reports the AP. More»

She wanted to cheer up Italy's embattled former leader

(NEWSER) - This could make for an awkward diplomatic conversation down the road: One young woman says she dressed up as a burlesque version of Barack Obama to entertain former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Reuters reports that the racy routine took place at one of Berlusconi's "bunga bunga" parties—the same type of event that occurred in 2010 when Berlusconi allegedly paid for sex with an underage prostitute. More»

Bunga, bunga

(NEWSER) - Embattled former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi made a surprise appearance at his own criminal trial today. Berlusconi is not legally required to attend the trial, which concerns the allegation that he hired an underage prostitute. But he showed up anyway to observe and during a break decided to tell journalists outside that "girls … women are by nature exhibitionists," reports the Guardian . More»