Around the World: Italy

PM denies 'spicy' ties

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said yesterday he did not have an improper relationship with an 18-year-old woman at the heart of a political and personal scandal.

During a meeting at his office yesterday, Berlusconi repeated previous denials, saying that if someone asked if he had "a spicy or more than spicy" relationship with a minor, his answer would be "absolutely not." He added that if he lied about the relationship he would have to resign.