World

Former Italian Prime Minister, AC Milan Owner, Berlusconi Dies at 86

Published

1 year ago

June 12, 2023

Eric

Billionaire media mogul and former Prime Minister of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, has died at the age 86 years.

Berlusconi, who had been suffering from leukaemia, and recently a lung infection, reportedly died on Monday at the San Rafaelle hospital in Milan.

Italian Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, said via Twitter that Berlusconi’s death leaves a “huge void” and marked the end of an era.

“I loved him very much. Goodbye Silvio,” Crosetto said.

Well known for his brash and ebullient personality, Berlusconi led Italy three times from 1994-1995, 2001-2006 and 2008-2011. He stepped down as prime minister for the last time in 2011 as Italy came close to a Greece-style debt crisis, facing several scandals.

Since 2019, Berlusconi had served as a member of the European Parliament.

Born Sept. 29, 1936, Berlusconi was the controlling shareholder of Mediaset, Italy’s largest commercial broadcaster.

In June 2023, his fortune was estimated at around $7 billion. He also owned Italian football club, AC Milan, from 1986 to 2017.

His nine years as prime minister made him the third-longest head of government in Italy after fascist dictators, Benito Mussolini and Giovanni Giolitti.

Berlusconi faced numerous scandals and trials over tax schemes and sexual escapades.

In 2013, Berlusconi was convicted on charges that he paid for sex with 17-year-old underage nightclub dancer, Karima El-Mahroug, at one of his parties.

He was sentenced to seven years in prison and banned from public office for life but in 2019, Italy’s highest court ordered him acquitted.

USA

Kamala Harris Chooses Tim Walz As Presidential Running Mate

Published

1 month ago

August 6, 2024

Eric

Vice President Kamala Harris has picked Minnesota Gov., Tim Walz, as her presidential running mate, ahead of the forthcoming American election in November.

He will join her this evening at a rally in Philadelphia, kicking off a swing through battleground states, says NBCnews.

USA

Biden Steps Down from Re-Election Bid, Says ‘It’s in the Best Interest of the Country’

Published

2 months ago

July 21, 2024

Eric

President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, has announced his resignation from seeking reelection into the White House.

Biden, who made the announcement on Sunday, said much as he would love to return to the Oval Office, his decision to quit the race is in the interest of the Democratic Party and country.

The Full Speech

“My Fellow Americans, Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation,” Biden said.

My Fellow Americans,

Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation. Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.

I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.

It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.

I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision. For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.

“I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”

Some Americans and top democrats had raised concerns over Biden’s health following his botched presidential debate with Donald Trump, Republican Party nominee.

USA

Fresh Challenge, Pressure As Biden Contracts COVID-19

Published

2 months ago

July 18, 2024

Eric

United States President Joe Biden faces new pressure to step aside because of his age – with his campaign activity currently halted due to a Covid-19 infection.

The top two Democrats in the US Congress, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are both reported by US media to have met him privately to express concerns over his candidacy.

Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker, is also reported to have told him that he cannot beat Donald Trump in November’s election.

Announcing his Covid infection on Wednesday night, the White House said the 81-year-old was facing mild symptoms.

Karine Jean-Pierre, his press secretary, said the president was vaccinated and boosted. He has tested positive for Covid twice before.

Mr Biden was seen earlier in the day visiting supporters in Las Vegas and speaking at an event. He cancelled a campaign speech later in the night.

Ms Jean-Pierre said the president planned to isolate at his home in Delaware while carrying out “all of his duties fully”.

The president’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor, said Mr Biden had presented with upper respiratory symptoms, including a runny nose and a cough, and had been given his first dose of Paxlovid.

He felt fine during his first event of the day but later tested positive, Dr O’Connor said.

Mr Biden later used X/Twitter to thank everyone for “the well wishes” and said he would “work to get the job done for the American people” while in recovery.

In another tweet his account stated “I’m sick” before replying back “… of Elon Musk and his rich buddies trying to buy this election. And if you agree, pitch in here”.

The tweet pointed to a donations portal.

Source: BBC