Opening day in Berlusconi sex trial

Aspiring Italian starlets and Oscar-winning actor George Clooney are being called to make appearances in premier Silvio Berlusconi’s trial on charges he paid for sex with an underage prostitute, then tried to use his influence to cover it up.

Unlike Mr Berlusconi’s other trials, today’s court appearance puts the premier’s personal life under scrutiny, and a conviction could end his political career.