BMPS Banca Monte Dei Paschi Di Siena Spa

ITALY

New Premier to Focus on Banks, Migration

Italy's new prime minister, Paolo Gentiloni, highlighted banking problems and a struggle to control migration as his government's priorities in his first speech before parliament, marking out a narrow platform that acknowledges the fragile political support he enjoys.

Mr. Gentiloni, who took power a week after the resignation of his predecessor, Matteo Renzi, on Tuesday won the first of two confidence votes, with 368 votes in favor and 105 against his government in the lower house. Italy's Senate is to hold its confidence vote on Wednesday.

Mr. Gentiloni said he stands ready to help support Italy's banking system. While he didn't cite Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA in particular, bankers expect the state may have to step in and rescue Italy's No. 3 lender, possibly as soon as next week.

Mr. Gentiloni also pledged to take a strong stand in the European debate over migration. Italy is at the front line of Europe's migration problem, with more than 170,000 migrants having arrived by boat so far this year.

--Giada Zampano

Migrant Ship Captain Sentenced to 18 Years

A Tunisian man accused of being the captain of a migrant boat whose sinking killed almost 700 people was found guilty of multiple manslaughter and people-smuggling and sentenced to 18 years in jail. Only 28 people survived the April 2015 disaster, when the small fishing boat capsized off the coast of Libya.

Mohammed Ali Malek, 28, who was one of those rescued, denied being the captain, saying he had paid for passage. A court in the city of Catania dismissed his defense. Mr. Malek was also fined EUR9 million ($9.5 million). His lawyers said he would appeal.

--Associated Press

INDONESIA

Blasphemy Trial Puts Pluralism to Test

The Christian chief of one of the world's largest mostly Muslim cities delivered an emotional defense at the start of his blasphemy trial, a politically charged case that has become a test of pluralism in this young democracy.

Hundreds of people had gathered outside the courthouse in central Jakarta to demand that Gov. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama be jailed even before the verdict.

Mr. Purnama, the most prominent politician in Indonesia from the ethnic Chinese minority, said he intended no insult during his speech in September, in which he lightheartedly referred to a verse in the Quran that says Muslims shouldn't take Christians or Jews as leaders. He has previously apologized for the remarks.

Mr. Purnama concluded by saying he objected to the charges and asked the court to dismiss them.

The trial is expected to last several weeks. If convicted, Mr. Purnama, 50 years old, faces up to five years in prison.

--Sara Schonhardt

EUROPEAN UNION

Restrictions Planned on Welfare Benefits

The European Union executive proposed tighter conditions for citizens receiving welfare benefits in other member countries, in a bid to counter abuse and rising anti-immigrant sentiment in wealthier parts of Europe.

The draft bill, which needs the approval of all EU governments and the European Parliament to come into force, incorporates recent rulings by the EU's top court favoring more restrictions.

Under the proposal, national governments can require that newcomers from other EU countries work at least three months before previous work in another country is taken into consideration when claiming unemployment. National authorities would be entitled to withhold unemployment benefits from EU citizens who have never looked for a job in the new country.

--Valentina Pop

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 14, 2016 02:47 ET (07:47 GMT)

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