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Berlusconi Comes Under Attack from His Wife

Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy are adding new luster to the role of the 21st century First Lady — with their style and smarts, they complement and sometimes even outshine their high-profile husbands. Other recent First Ladies, such as Hillary Clinton and Argentina’s Cristina Kirchner, have used their experiences in the halls of power to launch themselves into political offices of their own. But Veronica Lario, wife of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, has a different approach to this historically supporting part

Travel industry grapples with swine flu

Meeting planner Gail Murphy heard about the travel warning to Mexico too late in the day on Monday to do anything about her plans to head to Cancun the following day. “I’m in good health,” said Murphy, who is heading to the Eighth Annual Mexico Showcase and Travel Expo from her home in Shelburne, Vermont.

Fishermen lift French port blockades

French fishermen suspended their blockade at two English Channel ports Thursday, allowing ferry traffic and freight to move through, a ferry operator said. The fishermen lifted the blockade at Calais and Dunkirk, a spokeswoman for P&O Ferries told CNN, but the blockade remained in place at Boulogne, French media reported.

Berlusconi praised despite quake gaffe

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s energetic response to Monday’s earthquake has been generally praised despite his comparison of the ordeal of survivors staying in emergency tents to a camping weekend. Berlusconi has visited the town of L’Aquila, the epicenter of the 6.3-magnitude quake, every day this week, talking to survivors and pledging government help to rebuild houses. He scrapped a visit to Russia that was planned for this week.

Aftershock shakes Italy quake zone

A strong aftershock rattled central Italy early Thursday as thousands of Italians in the region were still coping in the aftermath of Monday’s deadly quake in nearby L’Aquila. Thursday’s 5.2-magnitude temblor occurred at 2:53 a.m

Seven arrested as protesters focus on G-20 summit venue

Scattered demonstrations were taking place around East London as the G-20 summit got under way Thursday, but they were far smaller than the protests seen a day earlier. A total of seven people had been arrested by the early afternoon, police said

Colombian father accused of decades-long incest, rape

A central Colombian farm worker has been accused of raping his daughter for decades and fathering eight children with her. White House and GM sources had told CNN Sunday that Wagoner would resign as part of the federal government’s bailout strategy for the troubled automaker. “On Friday I was in Washington for a meeting with Administration officials.

Without Bush ‘millstone,’ GOP can mount comeback, leader says

Despite crushing defeats in the last two elections, Senate Republicans have new "energy and enthusiasm" for winning back the majority, according to their leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky

Cyclist Armstrong returns to U.S. after breaking collarbone in Spain

Champion cyclist Lance Armstrong returned to the United States on Tuesday, a day after breaking his collarbone in a fall during a comeback race in Spain, he said via Twitter.

Citigroup Plans Big Bonuses Despite Rules Against Them

AIG isn’t the only bailed-out financial firm paying big bucks to managers who helped steer their company to near collapse. Citigroup has pledged millions of dollars in bonuses to senior executives for the next few years, despite lawmakers efforts to eliminate such payments. It’s not clear whether the bonuses, which Citigroup says are for 2008 but won’t start paying out until 2010, will be allowed.