Meet Silvio Berlusconi's New Girlfriend Francesca Pascale - 50 Years His Junior

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: As he embarks on an audacious campaign to become prime minister of Italy for the fourth time, Silvio Berlusconi has a new woman on his arm – a glamorous member of his party nearly 50 years his junior.

Mr Berlusconi, 76, is in a steady relationship with Francesca Pascale, who at 27 is nearly a third his age, supporters of the former premier said.

There had been rumours of the relationship for months, and the pair was photographed together recently while watching Mr Berlusconi's football team, AC Milan.

But the romance was confirmed by one of the media tycoon's most vocal cheerleaders, Daniela Santanche, an MP in his People of Freedom party, as well as the Italian press, with one newspaper describing the young woman as Italy's new "first lady".

"Berlusconi introduces her as his girlfriend, and for me it is a beautiful thing. I know her as his girlfriend," said Miss Santanche.

"Let's say she is a person who is very close to him," said Licia Ronzulli, a Euro MP in his party. "She's more than a friend." » | Nick Squires, Rome | Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Census 2011: The Areas Where English Is Not Spoken
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Up to a quarter of households in parts of London have no one who speaks English as their main language, according to figures contained in the census.

In a string of boroughs across the capital, between 20 and 25 per cent of all families do not have anyone who regularly speaks the language and in thousands of others only children do so.

Findings released by the Office for National Statistics earlier this week showed a transformation in the make-up of British society over the last decade, with the number of foreign-born residents rising by 50 per cent.

In London itself less than half the population described themselves as white in the national headcount conducted last year.

Headline figures showed that there are around a million households in which no one speaks English as a “main language” – just over four per cent of the total.

But a detailed breakdown of the figures published with alongside the main census data show that in some areas the proportion is more than five times this level. » | John Bingham, Social Affairs Editor | Wednesday, December 12, 2012

France Steps Up Struggle Against Religious Radicals
THE JERUSALEM POST: Paris says it will deport foreign-born imams, disband radical faith-based groups if they suffer a "religious pathology."

PARIS - France will deport foreign-born imams and disband radical faith-based groups, including hardline traditionalist Catholics, if a new surveillance policy signals they suffer a "religious pathology" and could become violent.

A French Islamist shooting spree last March that killed three soldiers and four Jews showed how quickly religiously radicalized people could turn to force, Interior Minister Manuel Valls told a conference on the official policy of secularism.

His warning came two days after President Francois Hollande announced the creation of an agency to track how the separation of church and state is upheld in this traditionally Catholic country with Europe's largest Muslim and Jewish minorities.

Valls and two other cabinet ministers told the conference on Tuesday evening the Socialist-led government would stress the secularist policy called "laicite [sic]" that they said was weakened under the previous conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy.

"The aim is not to combat opinions by force, but to detect and understand when an opinion turns into a potentially violent and criminal excess," he said. » | Reuters | Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Pope, Now on Twitter, Posts His First Message
THE NEW YORK TIMES: ROME — Pope Benedict XVI sent his first Twitter message on Wednesday, saying, “Dear Friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart.”

The 85-year-old pontiff will be tweeting in eight languages under the handle @Pontifex, a Latin term for pope that means “bridge-builder.” He clicked on his first tweet from a computer monitor in the Vatican hall where he holds his weekly audience. » | Rachel Donadio | Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Troops Brace for Violent Backlash against 'The Innocent Prophet'
NEWS.COM.AU: AUSTRALIAN troops are bracing for violent protests in Afghanistan over the likely release this month of a new film mocking Islam.

Riots were sparked across the Islamic world in September after a 14-minute trailer for the "Innocence of Muslims" video was released on YouTube. Troops are now on heightened alert to the risk of another round of protests because a derivative film called "The Innocent Prophet" is slated to be released on Friday.

The new footage created by an ex-Muslim originally from Pakistan has already inflamed tensions in his former home country ahead of its release.

Coalition forces are prepared for extreme reactions to the provocative video that could hamper their efforts in neighbouring Afghanistan, which is already a tinder box of religious sensitivities.

Defence forces are warned to be wary of inadvertently offending locals as part of their preparations for deployment to the main Australian base in Uruzgan province or other centres of Kabul and Kandahar.

Cultural sensitivity training is a standard element of soldiers' pre-deployment training in Australia.

But the key points are drilled into all military and civilian personnel going to work in Afghanistan in another intensive four day program at the Al Minhad Air Base outside Dubai.

The training includes appropriate ways to handle and store the Koran, which is generally wrapped in a cloth and only opened after the reader has ritually cleansed themselves. » | Staff Writers, The Courier-Mail | Monday, December 10, 2012

Mali tief in der Krise
Die westafrikanische Republik Mali rutscht immer weiter ins Chaos. Schon wieder hat das Militär einen Regierungschef festgesetzt - bestreitet aber zugleich, dass es sich um einen erneuten Staatsstreich handle.

Spannung in Ägypten steigt
Noch vier Tage – dann will Präsident Mohammed Mursi das Volk über die umstrittene neue Verfassung abstimmen lassen. Die Spannungen zwischen Anhängern und Gegnern des Präsidenten steigt. Die Wut der Demonstranten entlädt sich in Gewalt.

Number of Christians in England and Wales Falls by More Than 4 Million
The number of Christians in England and Wales has fallen by more than 4m since 2001 while the number of non-believers has almost doubled, according to Census data.

Read the article here

Douglas Murray: Islam Isn't a Religion of Peace

Douglas Murray: Islam – Europe Is Confused and Lost

Christianity Is Fading Away in Britain as Islam Surges and Agnosticism Spreads
TELEGRAPH BLOGS – DAMIAN THOMPSON: Poor Rowan Williams: wrong to the end. Christianity is not "fading away" in Britain, he says. Yes it is, as the census figures clearly illustrate.

Since the last census in 2001, the number of Britons identifying themselves, however loosely, as Christians is down 13 percentage points to 59 per cent.

The number of respondents who say they have no religious faith is up 10 points to 25 per cent. Meanwhile, staggeringly, the Muslim population has grown from 1.55 million to 2.7 million, an increase of 1.15 million from 2001 to 2011.

The surge in Islamic belief is entirely a consequence of immigration. The spread of agnosticism and atheism is (though I haven't yet seen the breakdown by age) largely generational. » | Damian Thompson | Tuesday, December 11, 2012

My comment:

That new dark age draws nigh; nay, it has already dawned. – © Mark

This comment also appears here

Schweiz: Schnee hebt Stimmung der Elmer
So viel Schnee gab es in der Schweiz um diese Jahreszeit seit 40 Jahren nicht mehr. In Elm im Kanton Glarus misst die Schneeschicht auf den Dächern bereits 75 Zentimeter. Im Skigebiet liegt der Schnee sogar 150 Zentimeter hoch. Das hebt die Stimmung im Skidorf, das sich auf die bevorstehende Wintersaison freut.

Proteste der ägyptischen Opposition dauern an
In Ägypten herrscht angespannte Ruhe. Vor dem Präsidentenpalast sind Panzer aufgefahren. In vier Tagen will Präsident Mohammed Mursi über die neue Verfassung abstimmen lassen. Die Opposition versucht dies mit Massenprotesten zu verhindern.

Paris demande la levée de l'immunité de Marine Le Pen

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Le ministère de la Justice a transmis au Parlement européen une demande de levée de l'immunité parlementaire de Marine Le Pen. Cette requête est liée à ses propos sur l'islam.

La France a demandé au Parlement européen de lever l'immunité parlementaire de l'eurodéputée d'extrême droite Marine Le Pen, après des propos, tenus en 2010, faisant un parallèle entre les prières de rue et l'Occupation nazie, a-t-on appris de source proche du dossier.

«Le ministère de la Justice a transmis le 26 novembre au président du Parlement européen, Martin Schultz, une requête pour une main-levée parlementaire concernant Marine Le Pen», a indiqué Pierre Rancé, porte-parole du ministère.

Selon une source proche du dossier, cette demande est liée aux propos de Marine Le Pen, le 10 décembre 2010 à Lyon (centre-est), faisant un parallèle entre les prières de rue et l'Occupation. » | afp/Newsnet | mardi 11 décembre 2012

Bombenalarm in Bonn - Polizei nimmt Islamisten fest
SPIEGEL ONLINE: Nach dem Bombenalarm im Bonner Hauptbahnhof hat es eine erste Festnahme gegeben: Die Ermittler fassten den Salafisten Omar D. in einem Internetcafé - er ist ein alter Bekannter der Staatsschützer.

Eine himmelblaue Sporttasche mit dunklen Riemen, ein billiges Allerweltsprodukt, entdeckt auf Gleis 1 des Bonner Hauptbahnhofes, hat eine landesweite Großfahndung der Polizei ausgelöst. Nach Informationen von SPIEGEL ONLINE befanden sich in dem Beutel Butangas und Ammoniumnitrat sowie ein Metallrohr, ein Wecker und Batterien. Die Ermittler stuften die Chemikalien als "zündfähiges Material" ein - eine Bombe in der ehemaligen Hauptstadt, der Verdacht fiel schnell auf die Salafistenszene der Stadt. » | Von Jörg Diehl, Düsseldorf | Dienstag, 11. Dezember 2012

The Scot Destined to Lead Germany

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: How did the son of a Scottish soldier become Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting? Alex Spillius and Zoe Brennan on the rise of David McAllister.

For Germans, it was a vision of the future. Debonair in his sleek dark suit, the suave politician gave a regal wave to the crowd, sharing a secret smile with Chancellor Angela Merkel, standing at his side. She looked on, adoring, her dour features quite transformed as the crowd roared their approval for the man beside her.

Suddenly, the fraulein’s [sic] sombre features rearranged themselves into an uncharacteristic broad grin. He merely adjusted his lilac tie, and permitted himself a quiet smile. Later, he delivered a paean to the leader, saluting her success in steering Germany through stormy economic waters, saying: “Dear Angela Merkel, we thank you and stand as one behind you”.

Just who is this sophisticated European statesman? Meet David McAllister. He was last week mooted as Merkel’s heir apparent at Germany’s ruling conservative Christian Democratic Union party conference in Hanover. Bizarrely, however, his supporters at the congress waved banners proclaiming “I’m a Mac!” – for this leader-in-waiting is a not-so-secret Scot. The son of a wartime British Army captain, McAllister is the first dual German-British citizen to hold prominent public office.

Until last week, he stood out in Germany’s political scene mainly for his strange name, which the Germans struggle to pronounce. Last week, his reputation vaulted far beyond his unusual heritage. With the nation watching, McAllister, 41, played host to Merkel and the Christian Democratic Union as the party gathered at his northern Germany power base in Lower Saxony. It was a triumph for both politicians. Mrs Merkel was re-elected party leader, while McAllister was effectively anointed as her political son and likely successor.

If Germans were in any doubt that a man who married in a kilt, supports both Hanover FC and Glasgow Rangers and still has a taste for Irn-Bru could one day be their leader, they were dispelled amid the near giddy scenes that greeted his and Merkel’s combined appearances. » | Alex Spillius and Zoe Brennan | Sunday, December 09, 2012

Gay Marriage: Religious 'Opt-in' Offered, But Not To CofE
BBC: The Church of England and Church in Wales will be banned in law from offering same-sex marriages, the government has announced.

Other religious organisations will be able to "opt in" to offering ceremonies, Culture Secretary Maria Miller told MPs.

David Cameron has said he wants churches in England and Wales to be part of the plans.

But Mrs Miller said they had strong opposition and would not be included.

Labour, which is backing the government's plans, applying to England and Wales, urged ministers not to be "too reserved" in promoting the changes.

The Church of England and Roman Catholics, among other denominations, have voiced opposition to same-sex marriage.

But some religious groups, including Quakers, Unitarians and Liberal Judaism, are in favour. » | Tuesday, December 11, 2012

2011 Census: Rise in Foreign-born Residents
BBC: The number of foreign-born residents in England and Wales has risen by nearly three million since 2001 to 7.5 million people, the 2011 census shows.

The most common birthplaces outside of the UK for residents are India, Poland and Pakistan. The number of ethnic white British has dropped to 80%.

The number of people living in England and Wales is up 7% to 56.1 million. (+ video) » | Tuesday, December 11, 2012

MAIL ONLINE: ’British Whites’ are in the minority in London now » | Hugo Gye | Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Nick Clegg Defends Nobel Peace Prize for European Union
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says awarding the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union recognises more than 70 years of peace in Europe, with "arguing across negotiating tables" replacing "conflict across battlefields".

Russia's Anti-Mormon Campaign
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: An influential young pro-Kremlin politician is trying to get the Latter-day Saints banned from the country.

Yekaterina Steniakina is one of Russia's young politicians, the leader of the influential pro-Kremlin movement called the Youth Guards. She has dyed blonde hair and a forceful voice, and she's determined to change many things about the present state of her country starting with the Mormons.

Ms Steniakina is leading the charge to change Russia's legislation and ban Mormon missionaries from the nation. Though the number of Mormons living inside the country is small around 400 foreign missionaries and 21,000 registered members at last count they are a relatively visible presence in Russia's larger cities. The missionaries hand out the Book of Mormon to those who might be interested, give free English lessons, and spend three hours a day cleaning public places or helping people around their homes.

Ms Steniakina, who says the Latter-day Saints are a "totalitarian cult" sent by the FBI and the CIA "to fool and covert" unwitting Russians, is making her anti-Mormon campaign her top priority for the next political season.

Specifically, she's agitating to add language that would ban "the West [from converting] our citizens into non-traditional religions" ie anything other than Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. She already has a seat in Moscow's city hall, and she is certain Russia's president Vladimir Putin will back her push, if it makes it all the way to the Duma. » | The Daily Beast, Anna Nemtsova | Tuesday, December 11, 2012