An Italian court on Wednesday upheld a tax fraud conviction for former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, confirming his sentence of one year in prison and a five-year ban from public office. "The court confirms the sentence against Silvio Berlusconi," a judge at the Milan court said in a live audio feed broadcast by news channel Sky TG 24. dt/ric

An Italian court on Wednesday upheld a tax fraud conviction for former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, confirming his sentence of one year in prison and a five-year ban from public office. "The court confirms the sentence against Silvio Berlusconi," judge Alessandra Galli said in the Milan courtroom, according to a live audio feed broadcast by news channel Sky TG 24. Berlusconi is now expected to appeal the ruling in Italy's highest court, which would suspend the punishment pending a final ruling in the case which revolves around his Mediaset business empire.

Silvio Berlusconi's appeal trial against a tax fraud conviction is due to conclude with a verdict later on Wednesday in the latest in a 20-year legal saga for the former prime minister. A Milan court said it would issue its ruling "after 1500 GMT", without giving further details. Berlusconi is appealing a one-year prison sentence and a five-year ban from holding public office, both of which have been suspended pending an appeal. They will not be implemented immediately even if the conviction is upheld, as the case will go to Italy's top court for a second appeal.

Italian jeans maker Diesel signed a deal with Venice city council on Tuesday to fund a five-million-euro ($6.5-million) project to restore and clean the floating city's famous Rialto Bridge. "Today a fundamental collaboration for the safeguarding of our common heritage comes to life," mayor Giorgio Orsoni said after Renzo Rosso, founder and owner of Diesel, signed the contract. The work on the centuries-old bridge will begin in early 2014 and last approximately 18 months, according to the city's cultural officer Alessandro Maggioni.