This week the shortlist for 2011’s Sports Personality of the Year was announced. Aside from the controversy surrounding the all-male top ten, cyclist Mark Cavendish has emerged as the early favourite to take the title. And deservedly so. 

 
On November 13th media mogul Silvio Berlusconi resigned as Italy’s Prime Minister, thus paving way for a new generation in Italian politics after dominating politically for the last seventeen years. 

The scandal hit media magnate has been succeeded by Mario Monti- a fellow whom which Berlusconi believes in. These events opened up a new chapter for Italy as well as for Mr Berlusconi.