Vatican finance minister heard in Australia child abuse case

Cardinal George Pell played key role in case of George Ellis

(ANSA) - Sydney, March 24 - A Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on Monday questioned the archbishop of Sydney and newly appointed Vatican finance minister, Cardinal George Pell, about his handling of the case of a former choirboy who tried to sue the Catholic Church after reporting he was sexually abused by a priest when he was a child.

Pell, who on February 25 was appointed prefect of Pope Francis' newly created Economy Secretariat, told the commission that until the 1990s, the Church was skeptical of complaints of abuse and gave accused molesters "the benefit of the doubt". According to legal experts, Pell saved the Catholic Church millions of dollars in potential damages with his handling of Ellis, who charged he was sexually abused by the late Father Aidan Duggan from 1974 to 1979.

Ellis lost his case in 2007, when an Australian court accepted the Vatican's argument that the Catholic Church is not liable for damages because it does not exist as a legal entity. Pope Francis on Saturday named the first eight members of his new sex-abuse policy commission. Half of them are women and include Marie Collins, who was assaulted at the age of 13 by a hospital chaplain in her native Ireland and has gone on to campaign for accountability in the Church.

Also named was Cardinal Sean O'Malley, one of Francis' key advisers and the archbishop of Boston, where the US pedophile priest scandal erupted in 2002. The Vatican in December announced that Francis would create the commission to advise the church on how to protect children, train Church personnel and keep abusers out of the clergy 

Italy gears up for its own EU Youth Guarantee jobs program

EU members aim to combat 'army of under-employed under-25s'

(ANSA) - Rome, March 24 - At least 74.5 million people under 25 around the world were out of work in 2013, one million more than in the previous year, the UN's International Labor Organization (ILO) told a youth employment seminar at Italy's Lower House Monday.

In 2011, the number of so-called European NEETS (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) aged 15-24 had reached 7.5 million, in addition to 6.5 million NEETS aged 25-29, according to Eurostat statistics bureau. "Barring rapid and structured intervention, an entire generation is at risk", according to the ILO.

The seminar set up jointly by the ILO, the European Parliament Youth Intergroup and the Italian Parliament Youth Intergroup, is aimed at setting up a Youth Guarantee program in Italy. The program was endorsed by EU countries in April 2013. EU member States are currently developing national Youth Guarantee Implementation Plans with the help of the European Commission.

The idea is to ensure that all people under 25 - whether registered with employment services or not - get access to a quality, concrete job, internship or continued education offer within four months of leaving formal education or losing a job. The Youth Guarantee program should cost each country about 0.5-1.5% of national GDP, according to the ILO.

"The long-term costs of youth unemployment far outweigh those of investing in the program", said ILO Employment Policies Director Azita Berar Awad. "The Youth Guarantee program is the first bridge to the future for recent graduates and NEETS, who have dropped off the radar", said Italian Labor Minister Giuliano Poletti. "Staying home without taking action is just not an option," he added. "We must give everyone an opportunity". 

Milan members of Latin Kings gang arrested with gun, machete

Police seize book of gang rules including 'respect your mother'

(ANSA) - Milan, March 24 - Police said Monday they detained seven members of the Latin Kings gang in a public park, allegedly carrying guns, knives, and a machete. They also seized a book of the rules of the gang, which was born of one of the first Latin American gangs in the United States, established in Chicago in 1940.

The rule book, which said gang members will be punished for contravening any regulations, set out such orders as no skipping meetings, no theft, don't get drunk or stoned, dress well and maintain impeccable hygiene, and respect mom and dad.

Police allege one of the gang members, who is 21, was carrying a gun when he was arrested, while two others, 20 and 17, were carrying between them three knives and a machete. With them were four underaged boys, police said.

Rome prosecutors to interview retired cop in Moro murder

Investigation of killing of statements in 1978 rekindled

(ANSA) - Rome, March 24 - Rome's public prosecutor said Monday that he will interview Enrico Rossi, a retired police inspector involved in the investigation of the 1978 kidnapping and assassination of statesman Aldo Moro. Allegations that intelligence agents may have been involved in the case, including possibilities that had not been fully investigated before, have come to light, ANSA has learned. Red Brigades terrorists kidnapped Moro on March 16, 1978 and killed him 55 days later, on May 9, 1978.

It has previously been alleged that the Italian secret services knew where Moro was being held and were tapping his captors' phones from the floor above, yet authorities failed to try to save Moro. Left- and right-wing extremist violence known as the "years of lead" marked the 1970s and 1980s in Italy, including the kidnapping of former premier Moro by members of the Marxist-Leninist Red Brigades.

His body was found between the Christian Democrat and Communist Party headquarters 55 days later. Since his death, theories have been rife on the possibility of the terrorists being infiltrated and manipulated by politicians and secret services working to keep the Italian Communist Party out of power and take revenge for Moro's overtures to them. The full complement and identities of all the terrorists who took part in the attack on Moro have never been satisfactorily established. The last probe into the Moro case was shelved in 2008. 

Soccer: Prandelli to coach national team two more years

'Signing expected in coming weeks' - Italian Soccer Federation

(ANSA) - Rome, March 24 - Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will renew his contract for two more years with the national team, ANSA learned Monday. He was expected to sign in coming weeks, the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) confirmed. Until recently Prandelli had been expected to step down after this year's World Cup in Brazil, having frequently said he missed club soccer. "Something has changed," Prandelli said earlier this month when asked about reports he was not willing to stay on if given enhanced powers, including greater influence over the youth national teams.

"Now I'm thinking about a renewal (of my contract). "I'm not dictating terms, but there is a technical project". Former Fiorentina boss Prandelli took over a national team in disarray after Italy's embarrassing group-stage exit at the 2010 World Cup.

He rejuvenated the side and managed to get them playing an attractive offensive style that saw them reach the final of Euro 2012 and qualify for the 2014 World Cup with two matches to spare, even though the current squad has fewer stars than teams of the past. 

Puglia pastry chef offers a sweet welcome for Obama

U.S. president's visit to Italy this week triggers treats

(ANSA) - Lecce, March 24 - Puglia pastry chef Angelo Bisconti says he will bake and then give away 5,000 special chocolate "pasticiotti" pastries in Rome on Thursday in honor of US President Barack Obama's visit. Bisconti says he will set up a food truck in the area of the US Embassy on Via Veneto filled with "Pasticiotti Obama", his own particular chocolate versions of Salento pastry. Bisconti, a huge fan of Obama, said that giving away the pastries "is a symbol of welcome to the president". He created this particular treat five years ago.

That's when Bisconti added a dash of innovation to the region's traditional custard pastry by mixing in cocoa and thus creating the "Pasticciotto Obama", Obama cake. The cakes quickly gained in popularity, expanding from about 50 pieces produced daily in January 2009 to now exceed 15,000 pieces every week. The city of Campi Salentina, near Lecce in southeastern Italy, was so proud it has taken the honourary name: "Campi Salentina, City of Obama Cakes" and posted this at the city's entrance.

Bisconti said his plan is to give away treats as a sign of "respect to this person who changed my life and to whom I owe my professional luck". He even hopes he might have a chance to at least catch a glimpse of his hero. "I know it will be difficult to meet him in person, but I will be there".

Italian premier certain Italy "will pull through"

(AGI) Rome, March 24 - In a letter to the citizens of Florence, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has said that, "regardless of my position, the point is to root for Italy returning to smile. I am sure we will pull through. It will be wonderful to prove wrong the prophets of doom with the energy and seriousness of our commitment."