Italian airliner Alitalia faces bankruptcy, it was reported Sunday, because it may not be able to secure fuel from suppliers. These suppliers fear Alitalia may not be able to pay for the fuel.

“Up to tomorrow [Sunday] we have guaranteed flights, but not on Monday because no-one will supply us with kerosene,” Augusto Fantozzi, the company’s special administrator, was quoted as saying on Saturday. (more…)

Islamists have threatened a Christian Bishop in the Philippines… (H/T: UP Pompeii)

Philippine bishop reports receiving threat to convert to Islam

MANILA, Philippines (CNS) — A bishop in the southern Philippines reported receiving a letter threatening him with harm if he does not convert to Islam or pay “Islamic taxes.”

Such brazenness in a country where over 86% of the population is Christian, 9% is Muslim and the remaining 5% is divided among various groups such as: Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, animists and non-believers.

Even if those who sent these letters are no more than common criminals who use religion as a mere tool, the fact that they chose to represent themselves as Muslims is in itself significant. But Muslim brazenness does not stop there, unfortunately, this one is far from an isolated case! Remember the kidnapped and murdered Chaldean archbishop of Mosul, Mgr Faraj Rahho? What about the plight of Assyrian Christians in Iraq? What about the Sabian Mandaeans? Or the plight of Christians girls kidnapped in Nigeria by practitioners of the Religion of Peace? What about the treatment of Christian Copts in Egypt? Ot the threats against Western politicians like Geert Wilders or Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi? The list, gentle reader, goes on and on ad nauseum…

You may read the rest at: Freedom’s Cost

Yesterday, Silvio Berlusconi won the elections in Italy. Since he is the leader of the center right coalition that won big yesterday, he will become the country’s new prime minister; the one before him, Romano Prodi, was forced to resign after only 20 months in office. (more…)

The competition for EXPO 2015 is heating up. It’s down to two choices: Milan (Italy) or Izmir (Turkey). As you may understand, I’m not exactly objective: I live several months each year in Izmir, and consider it to be one of the most beautiful and hospital cities on earth. (more…)