Berlusconi scandal girl has baby with nightclub owner

ROME, Dec 20: The teenaged Moroccan at the centre of Silvio Berlusconi's trial for sex with an underage prostitute has had a baby fathered by a nightclub owner more than twice her age, Italian media reported Tuesday. Dancer Karima El Mahroug, better known by her stage name "Ruby the Heart-Stealer," was just 17 when the then prime minister allegedly paid to have sex with her last year, a crime punishable by up to three years in prison. If convicted, the 75-year-old Berlusconi also faces up to 12 years in prison for abuse of power after he allegedly put pressure on the police to have El Mahroug, now 19, released from custody in an unrelated case. - AFP 'Truce' benefits bird neighbours Lesser kestrels in Italy have formed a 'truce' with their jackdaw neighbours to save energy, a study has revealed. Researchers found that birds nesting in a mixed colony patrolled for predators less often than those living in single species sites. The unlikely co-operation happened despite the birds' conflicting diets as jackdaws can prey on kestrel eggs. Scientists suggest this could have important implications for the future of the birds of prey. These two species, potential enemies, found a truce agreement to look after their own interests" - BBC