Silvio Berlusconi, Former Italian Prime Minister, Dies Aged 86

<p>Silvio Berlusconi, the 86-year-old senator and former Italian Prime Minister, has died. Berlusconi, the leader of the Forza Italia party, was admitted to the hospital on Friday. He died at Milan's San Raffaele hospital on Monday, as per news agency ANSA. His brother Paolo and his children Marina, Eleonora, Barbara, and Pier Silvio were all present at the hospital, where he had been admitted, sources close to the family told ANSA.</p> <p>The former Italian premier had returned to the Milan hospital less than a month ago after spending 45 days there for treatment of a lung infection related to his leukaemia, including 16 days in intensive care.</p> <p>Silvio Berlusconi served as Italy's prime minister on three separate occasions i.e. 1994-1995, 2001-2006, and 2008-2011. He stepped down from his final term in 2011 amid Italy's impending debt crisis and numerous scandals.</p> <p>In late 2012, Berlusconi was convicted of tax fraud, resulting in a year-long sentence. He fulfilled his punishment through part-time community service at a residential home in Milan. However, his ban on running for office was lifted in time for the 2018 general elections.</p> <p>Berlusconi's Forza Italia party is currently part of prime minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition.</p> <p><strong>(This is BREAKING NEWS... More details to follow. Keep refreshing the page for the latest updates)</strong></p>