Italy approves austerity measures
Italy's Parliament gave final approval to Premier Silvio Berlusconi's government's austerity measures, a combination of higher taxes, pension reform and slashed spending that sparked street protests in Rome, “Forbes” writes.
The Chamber of Deputies passed the package by a vote of 314-300. The Senate, Parliament's upper chamber, already approved the measures.
Hundreds of demonstrators, some unleashing smoke bombs and others hurling paint, clashed with police in riot gear in the cobblestone squares and streets near Parliament as lawmakers were voting on the measures designed to fend off a financial crisis threatening much of Europe.