Clovis CASALI

Flamboyant former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is planning a comeback to frontline Italian politics. Despite being embroiled in a number of scandals and court cases, he's made a deal with right-wing party the Northern League, which could see him named as a future Finance Minister at the upcoming elections. A Conservative, Berlusconi hopes that by joining forces with his old anti-immigration allies, their combined force may prevent the left from coming to power in italy.

A little over six months ago, it was the ruling party. But since President Nicolas Sarkozy lost the presidential election in May, the UMP has found itself in crisis. On Sunday, former Prime Minister François Fillon went head to head with the party's Secretary General, Jean-François Copé, for the party leadership. But both have claimed victory amid mutual allegations of fraud, throwing the party into chaos.

The UK is undergoing austerity measures unprecedented since the Thatcher years. Among them is a rise in university fees, which can cost up to €10,000 per year. Students and academics are calling it an unfair policy which favours the rich. FRANCE 24 went to meet the young people affected by an economic crisis that is not of their making.

Today, author Laird Hunt talks about his latest novel “Ray of the Star”. It explores the mind of a loner who falls in love with a street artist. Hunt is “one of the most talented young american writers” according to acclaimed author Paul Auster. In his fourth novel Hunt has adopted a rather rare literary technique with chapter long sentences. And THE unmissable event in Paris, for all Anglophones who wish to meet new people. It involves drinks, food and happens in a charming Parisian loft...