It’s not clear whether the editors of Newsweek believe they hold any diplomatic power, but they’ve gone ahead and told Italy to “dump” its scandal magnet of a prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, in the magazine’s European edition this week. Let’s see whether Time can top this. –KA

AFP:

The title plastered across the magazine’s cover was accompanied by a picture of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi ostensibly bowing out and waving good-bye.

“Italy can no longer afford the antics of its playboy in chief,” the magazine writes in its European edition dated October 19, in a three-page article which lists the sex scandals said to involve the Italian leader.

“One thinks of Nero, or the Borgias, of bread and circuses, debauchery and corruption,” the magazine intones, adding “Berlusconi plans to hold on — and he might just succeed.

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