Wikipedia’s decision to take a stand against US anti-piracy legislation has brought criticism from some of its own editors, who think such action threatens the site’s credibility and neutrality, says Mike Liedtke

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti on has thrown his support behind a new tax on financial transactions, backing a push by Germany and France, but he wants it to include the UK.

Italy’s Senate is preparing to vote on economic reform measures demanded by the European Union, which should pave the way for Premier Silvio Berlusconi to quit in a matter of days.

Scandal-plagued premier Silvio Berlusconi defiantly accused prosecutors of trying to topple his government by seeking to put him on trial on charges he had sex with a 17-year-old girl and then tried to cover it up.

Political confusion deepened in Rome tonight when Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi contradicted earlier expectations that he was about to resign and form a new government by saying he had not stepped down.