Premier inspects quake-hit Italian factories

The government approved some temporary tax relief to owners of property damaged in the quake-struck north Tuesday, as the premier promised swift help for small-scale businesses in the region — one of Italy's more productive.

Monti offers help for earthquake zone

ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti declared a state of emergency and promised more help on Tuesday for northern regions hit by an earthquake, saying it was vital to restore some of the most economically productive parts of the country. He said the government would suspend property taxes on damaged factories and residences in the region around the towns of Modena, Ferrara, Mantova and Bologna and encourage banks to step up lending to companies hit by the emergency. ...

Monti inspects quake-hit Italian factories

The Italian government declared Tuesday a state of emergency for the quake-struck region of northern Italy, shortly after Premier Mario Monti promised swift help for stricken businesses, especially small-scale farms and factories.

Former Guatemala dictator to face massacre charges

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt will face a second trial on genocide charges after a judge ruled on Monday he could be prosecuted for ordering a 1982 massacre that left 201 people dead. Rios Montt, 85, who ruled during a particularly bloody period in 1982 and 1983, is already facing trial on separate charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. Judge Patricia Flores said on Monday she found sufficient evidence tying Rios Montt to the Las Dos Erres massacre, one of the worst mass killings at the height of the country's brutal 36-year civil war. ...

Italy vote to tap austerity anger, gauge political shift

ROME (Reuters) - Italy is likely to register a strong protest vote against belt-tightening on Monday in local elections that will provide a fresh snapshot of Europe's changing political landscape a year ahead of a national ballot. Taking place against the backdrop of a tense and somber national mood, the second round of voting to choose city majors involves nearly 120 local administrations. Prime Minister Mario Monti - the architect of Italy's tough austerity program - is not standing, but the two main parties in the right-left coalition that support him are. ...