BREAKING NEWS

Berlusconi to skip opening of 'Ruby' trial

ROME - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will not be attending Wednesday's opening hearing of the so-called "Ruby" trial on charges of paying for sex with a minor and abuse of power, his top aide said on Monday.
"It has already been decided that he will definitely not be attending," Gianni Letta told Reuters, adding that Wednesday's hearing would deal only with procedural matters.