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Raccolta di articoli in inglese scritti dalla Raccolta di articoli in inglese scritti dalla Classe 2 AClasse 2 A

Anno scolastico 2003 – 2004Anno scolastico 2003 – 2004Prof. Enrica PuppoProf. Enrica Puppo

INDEX

INDEXINDEX

CRISTINA ANNIBALI

3 AGAINST AIDS

4 MUMMIES IN PERU

ANDREA ARAGONE

5 COW HOLIDAY IN AUSTRIA

6 SIRENS AGAINST PIDDLE IN THE “CARUGGI”

SERENA BADARACCO

7 MUSIC IS OFTEN OUR LIFE

8 TO SMOKE OR NOT TO SMOKE?

9 THE CHARM OF VIDEOGAMES

LUDOVICA BRUNAMONTI

10 FOUND THE DISAPPEARED CHILD

11 JFK FORTY YEARS LATER

FRANCESCA BUTERA

12 FIRST GAY WEDDING IN FRANCE

13 KILL BILL BY QUENTIN TARANTINO

JESSICA ERRE

14 A MASKED-BALL TO HELP GASLINI

15 COMPUTERS MAKE ALSO COFFE

16 CELEBRITIES’ DEATH BRINGS MUCH MONEY

17 GENOA AQUARIUM

18 PALM TREES DAY

19 STONES AGAINST CARS

20 THE IMPROVISERS ARRIVE

21 A KITE FOR PEACE

22 STUDENTS VISIT GENOA AQUARIUM

GIULIA FIORATO

23 PROBLEMS OF POLLUTION

24 A TRAGEDY IN PLFEZ

25 THE VULGAR FARM

MARTA MURGIA

26 ST. VALENTINE’S DAY

27 8TH MARCH: WOMAN’S DAY

28 DEATH SENTENCE

29 FENCING

30 SOUTH CALIFORNIA ON FLAMES

31 THE POP STAR ROBBIE WILLIAM

32 TO PLAY AN APRIL FOOL

33 YOUNG PEOPLE AND DRUGS

34 FUTURE IS ALREADY HERE

35 THE BIGGEST CHOCOLATE IN THE WORLD

36 THE WORLD OF TEA

FEDERICA ODONE37 THE STORY OF A YOUNG BOY-GIRL

CORINNA OLIVERI38 MORTAL ADVANCES

39 SOMETHING MORE ABOUT DIANA

40 A PARTICULAR FUITINA

41 KILLED OUT OF JEALOUSY

42 EASTER WEEK: CHILDREN’S STORIES

FRANCESCA PAMPALONI43 HE IS FAT, HE KILLS HIMSELF

44 NOT GUILTY

GIULIA PARTESANA46 SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER IN SIENA

46 THE RETURN OF THE KING

ELENA PASTORINO47 AMUSEMENT PARKS

48 MOOD

49 THE LATEST FASHION

GIADA RAVAIOLI50 A FIRE BRAZIER

VIRNA TACCONE53 WHALES

54 GENOA AND RAINING

55 SWIMMING OR DANCING

56 THE MOON

57 ARMADILLO AS A STAR

ISABELLA TORRE

58 JOANNE KATHLEEN ROWLING AND HER WORLD OF WIZARDS

59 THE TRAINING TROLLEY

60 AN ILL WOMAN REFUSES TO BE OPERATED

FRANCESCA VALENTE

61 LAIKA’S STORY

62 MIRACLE IN CAMBODIA

63 NOTRE DAME

64 THE BEAGLE FOUND NEAR LONDON

INDEX

AGAINST AIDS

CRISTINA ANNIBALICRISTINA ANNIBALI

The people who will undergo to the experimentation of the Italian vaccine against AIDS and called the green number of the Higher Institute of Health are beyond seventy. The suitable volunteers are assigned a secret code that will put them in a direct talk with the selectors of HIH. Fifty-six people affected by AIDS (not subordinate to any therapies) and thirty-two healthy persons that will take part in the first phase of the experimentation will be chosen for the screening. The objective of this first phase of the clinical experimentation is to demonstrate the harmlessness of the vaccine in the man, the absence, therefore, of toxic effects, and to estimate the induced immune answer of the vaccination.The tests preview six months of treatment and other six months of observation, in a term that will be established for the HIH.

MUMMIES IN PERU

CRISTINA ANNIBALICRISTINA ANNIBALI

In Arequipa, Peru, some workers, who were building the basement of a school, have found two mummies near the desert area of Nazca. They are the mummies of a boy and a man in his thirties.

According to the experts of the National Institute of culture they date back to 700 years ago. Moreover they belong to an ethnic group that lived along the arid coast zone between North-Chile and South-Peru where, in the opinion of some scientists, they built some villages around 800-1350 d. C. Some scientists consider the Chiribaya (the name of the ethnic group) as the "Lords of the Desert" because of their ability to survive despite the adverse climatic conditions of the arid coast of Peru. The finds will be transferred to a laboratory where they will be studied and cleaned out. The adult mummy has been identified as a farmer because of a spade found near it together with some sacks of seeds.

COW HOLIDA IN AUSTRIA

ANDREA ARAGONEANDREA ARAGONE

Now there are not only human laws, but there are animal laws too. In fact, in Austria, the Parliament have decided that animals must have some laws.Caws must have three months’ holidays, boxers’ ears or dobermans’ tails cannot be cut, small dogs’ selling is not allowed and chicken cannot be reared in small places.The Parliament have stated that caws must go on holidays during Spring or Summer because their meat would become better.Surely Austria is the best country in the animal protection.

  

SIRENS AGAINST PIDDLE IN THE CARUGGI

ANDREA ARAGONEANDREA ARAGONE

Genoa. The inhabitants of the “Caruggi” are exhausted by the people who make their necessities on the street.

The people who live in Vico San Raffaele and Vico Denegri have bought four loudspeakers and some meters of electricity wires. Next week they are going to put the loudspeakers out of their doors. The owners of the houses, during the night, will stay awake and when a person is going to unbutton his or her trousers the loudspeakers will ring.

Roberto Gambarino, a counsellor, has said that near Caricamento Square, and also in Caricamento Square, there is not any WC. The mayor has replied that as soon as possible there will be put WCs to solve the problem.

MUSIC IS OFTEN OUR LIFE

SERENA BADARACCOSERENA BADARACCO

Music is an important means of communication, above all among young people. You can listen to music everywhere and in every moment to relax or enjoy yourself with your friends or alone.Music gives colour to our life. It rouses several and different sensations and emotions. It can represent a particular moment of our life, can remember us a person, a place, a feeling, something connected to our mood.There are many kinds of music: techno, hip-hop, disco, reggae and everyone has its personal tastes.Young people often like going to the disco, or to concerts to listen to live music. Sometimes singers become their idols and they spend a lot of money to buy compact discs, music cassettes and posters.Music keeps company if you are driving alone, or when you are working.Music always breaks silence and monotony; it is often the best way to relax our minds and our bodies. Everyone gives it a different meaning and it depends above all on our tendencies and personality.

TO SMOKE OR NOT TO SMOKE

SERENA BADARACCOSERENA BADARACCO

Nowadays the great part of population smokes and a big percentage is made by young people. This facts creates some problems in social life

A very frequent question is: ”Should smoking be banned from public places?” A law has been recently passed to abolish smoking in pubs, bars and many other public places. It has created many debates because smokers do not agree. The solution to this problem is not simple because it is necessary to consider both the positive and the negative aspects of it, but, above all, everybody's rights.

Some people could be annoyed by smoke on their clothes, they might be allergic; since in a restaurant during meals cigarette smell could be considered intolerable. It is sure that smoke is dangerous for our health and, sometimes, passive smoke is even more risky.

Anyway it is possible to understand smokers, too, because for them smoking is a pleasure above all after dinner, drinking a bier or when they are worried for something and for them this is a way to relax. In spite of this they should be more careful, in fact smoke could annoy mothers who are worried for their children.

A solution could be to create smokers’ and no smokers' areas everywhere because everyone has his vices and his rights that must be respected.

THE CHARM OF VIDEOGAMES

SERENA BADARACCOSERENA BADARACCO

Nowadays technology surrounds our life. In recent years progress in every field has developed greatly and our life looks like a videogame.

Play stations, computers, game boys and CD's enter our houses everyday. It is like a virtual world parallel to real life. Not only are young people attracted by these innovations, but also adults.

We can find a computer, or more than one, quite in every office and house, and people are used to work, to study but also to play so they spend a lot of time in front of a computer.

The latest videogames have a very good graphic that contributes to the success of the game. When people play, they seem bewitched and do not want to be disturbed, they feel like the protagonists of the game. But all these innovations have also some negative aspects and the worst is isolation. Young people prefer to speak through a computer sending e-mail messages instead of meeting friends outside. The risk is that people close themselves in this virtual world forgetting reality and the true values of our life.

FOUND THE DISAPPEARED CHILD

LUDOVICA BRUNAMONTILUDOVICA BRUNAMONTI

Roberto, a two-year-old child, disappeared four days ago near Crotone, has been found safe and sound in the countryside. It is a happy ending story, but the detectives suppose that the child’s father was trying to sell him to somebody.The behaviour of Roboberto’s father, whose name is Armando Panebianco, is strange and presupposes that he had given somebody his child for money.Roberto is in good health and it is clear that somebody looked after him during the last four days. Armando Panebianco may have given his child to a couple who wanted a son, to get money to better the economic situation of his family. In fact, he is a shepherd and has got five sons besides Roberto. A curiosity: an officer of the “carabineers” Antonio Rocca who has the same name as the protagonist of a very known TV series: Maresciallo Rocca was the first person who found the child.

30 HUMAN EMBRIOS CLONED IN SEUL

LUDOVICA BRUNAMONTILUDOVICA BRUNAMONTI

A team of Korean geneticists was able to clone 30 human embryos to obtain staminal cells. The goal is to use them to cure genetic diseases, and, in particular, Alzheimer, but many people are worried because this could be the first step towards man’s clonation.However, in this test, the scientists stopped the growth of the embryos at the beginning of their development, when the cells are not yet ready to build the different parts of the body.Scientists are divided as regards the experiment. Some of them believe that it is a great opportunity to cure serious diseases that every year condemn many people to death.Others state that human clonation is immoral and the effectiveness of this kind of treatment is impossible to be proved.

 

JFK FORTY YEARS LATER

LUDOVICA BRUNAMONTILUDOVICA BRUNAMONTI

On the 22nd of November 1963 the president of the USA, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was shot in Dallas.The murderer was Lee Oswald, but a lot of people thought that the president was the victim of a plot because he supported the civil rights of the black people and challenged the URSS as regards the problem of the Soviet missiles in Cuba. The world was on the brink of the III World War. The Americans booed their president and his family especially his wife Jacqueline, his birth family was one of the most powerful families of the country, however all this didn't save his life.As concerns the domestic policy he can be considered a reformist, but in foreign policy he made some errors, for example he worsened the war in Vietnam. Forty years later, people still love Kennedy, but many historians consider him the most overrated president of the USA.

FIRST GAY WEDDING IN FRANCE

FRANCESCA BUTERAFRANCESCA BUTERANoël Mamère, the mayor of Bègles, has announced that he’s going to accept the wedding request of two men and to marry them on the 5th of June.It will never be like San Francisco (with thousands of homosexual couples legally married), but Bègles will certainly be remembered as the first French town where two men have got married.In fact Noël Mamère, the town mayor, has announced that on the 5 th of June there will be a wedding between two men. According to the agency France Press, they asked Mamère for the marriage a week ago.This year, on the 9th of April, the mayor (who is also a member of the National French Assembly and vice-president of the Urban Community of Bordeaux), said: “If someone asked me to marry two men or two women in Bègles, I would do it.”He is now in the middle of a heated debate. He said to The Guardian. “I can’t stand anymore the discrimination against homosexual people in this nation. They are the last category to be excluded from weddings. I have began a political struggle to help them in marrying and I won’t stop it. I have received many anonymous letters, e-mails and phone calls about the matter, which, as I can understand, is considered as a “taboo”.“People insulted me and tried to persuade me not to marry the two men through religious or moral arguments, but, luckily, I received also much support, and not only from homosexual people”.

KILL BILL BY QUENTIN TARANTINO LOVE AND REVENGE

FRANCESCA BUTERAFRANCESCA BUTERA

The latest film by Quentin Tarantino (40 years old), in the cinemas everywhere from 24th October, is a mix between an action movie and one of the latest series of Chinese-style movies, such as “Matrix”, in which we can see elegant fights alternating to technologic weapons.The main character of the film (played by Uma Thurman, 33 years old) has not a particular name, but we know her nickname, “the Bride”. This makes us understand what she represents in the story.She’s a young woman, who was ruined on the day of her wedding. In fact, a group of cruel people (led by a man called Bill) came into the church and killed everyone except her.After some years spent in hospital, she came out of the coma and wanted to avenge her husband and her baby, who was already in her womb but died!Then the Bride’s search, that will lead her to the truth, begins.This film was thought out by Tarantino almost ten years ago, when he directed “Pulp Fiction”, starring Uma Thurman.Now that it is ready, we will wait for the second part of the story, it is going to be in the cinemas in some months.So, what is going to happen between the Bride and the Vipers (Bill’s group) in the second chapter of the story?“I can only reveal what Quentin always says,” said Uma Thurman, “the number one is ‘kill’, that is to say the search for revenge during a linear path, while the second chapter is ‘Bill’, the Bride arrives at the Vipers’ leader. So my character looks at her past through her suffering”.

A MASKED-BALL TO HELP GASLINI

JESSICA ERREJESSICA ERRE

In the Orizont Disco, at Piani d’Ivrea (Varazze), a masked ball is going to take place on Friday the 27th of February.

It will start at 9 o’clock. There will be raised money for Gaslini Hospital. During the night, a big buffet will be served. There will be a lot of music, games and happiness for everybody taking part in the party!

COMPUTERS MAKE ALSO COFFE

JESSICA ERREJESSICA ERRE

How many times have we heard that in the future computers will make also coffee?Nick Pelis, a student at Colorado university succeeded in modifying his computer to operate it also as a coffee-pot.Nick is one of the many modding fans. Modding is a hobby that consists in making functional and aesthetical changes in computers, to make them more and more original.Modding fans change computers into a very big can of beer; an old radio or an aquarium. A Japanese man, Juho Hayashi, decorated his computer with gold-dust, in the traditional style of Kimono.There are many sites on the net on the matter. They give people instructions to make very particular modifications to their computers.There are also a lot of firms that sell accessories for this kind of operations. An American firm suggests a special kit that lets the modding fans transform their computers into an aeroplane.Modding is a very strange hobby but it is funny and it is diffusing all over the world.In the future computers will be quite original!

 

CELEBRITIES’ DEATH BRINGS MUCH MONEY

JESSICA ERREJESSICA ERRE

On the sixteenth of August 1977 Elvis Presley’s death was announced all over the world.However not all people were worried about this fact.His business partner commented the event like that: < This is a very good move for his career >.In fact death for many celebrities does not represent the end of a career but, on the contrary, a new and a more brilliant start.Eight years ago, Kurt Cobain, the singer of the most famous Rock-Group in the world “ Nirvana “, obtained the cover of a musical magazine after his suicide.The black singer “ Aaliyah”, instead, died in an air crash accident when she was 22 years old.Few weeks before the tragedy she was only “one among the many” and her album had sold 62.000 copies.After his death, its sales amounted to 306.000 copies and a publisher dedicated a book to her.The death of a celebrity contributes to create the myth of a personage.Nowadays there are agencies specialized in the exploitation of disappeared celebrities’ properties.Marilyn Monroe’s image was used to sponsorize clothes, dolls, slot machines and bottles of wine.And so death, instead of making everybody equal, can make somebody unique, immortal and above all very rich!

 

GENOA AQUARIUM

JESSICA ERREJESSICA ERRE

Achille and Cleo have revealed something about THE MAGIC WORLD OF DOLPHINS 

Dolphins are funny animals who always feel like making friends. They are not toys and so they have to be respected.Dolphins are mammals: animals who suckle their puppies as people. Their birth and the nursing are events that we can hardly see in the open sea.The birth of Cleo in 1994 and of Achille in 2002 in Porto Antico Aquarium offered deep emotions and allowed to know important information about their relationship between puppies and their mothers.Pregnancy lasts twelve months and first of all, comes out the puppy’s tail that starts stretching out and stiffening .So he is able to reach the surface and to take the first breath.During the first period, mothers always swim next to their puppies to protect them and to direct their movements.Nursing is very complex and it requires a perfect coordination.The nipples are on the tummy, inside two “pockets”. When the puppy approaches, its mother turns its body a bit and slows down the swimming to make the operation easier.For six months the puppy feeds on of only milk .Then it starts eating small fish but it will take two or three years before it stops eating milk at all.During the first “sucks”, mothers give out a typical whistle called “whistle signature”.It is a signal that allows puppies to recognize their mothers among the animals of the shoal. Mothers teach their whistle to their puppies who memorize it forever.The first whistles of the puppies are rough and irregular, but after five months they develop an accurate one that will be used to say to their mother: <I am here, where are you?>.

PALM TREE DAY

JESSICA ERREJESSICA ERRE

A fascinating botanic show ‘Dies Palmarum’, devoted to the most exotic tree, will take place in Sanremo.Every year many people come from all over the world to take part in this beautiful show.The palm is a plant that reminds of Africa and oasis, but actually it is “Ligure” more than we can think.In Sanremo there is still a strange ritual called ‘Parmurà’: a man (who does not suffer from vertigo), climbs a palm tree up to its top with a long rope.When he arrives at it, he ties the tuft and the other leaves of the palm tree with some laces and shapes them all together as a cylinder.With this kind of operation, the plant will be healthier and more beautiful.The show usually ends in the evening with a big dinner.

STONES AGAINST CARS

JESSICA ERREJESSICA ERRE

Genoa, 2 - 02 - 2004.

Yesterday three children, about fourteen years old, were caught by the police while throwing stones against cars on the motorway.

They come from Rivarolo, a district just out of Genoa. One of them has no parents and lives with his grandparents; the others have divorced parents.

The children told the police that they wanted to spend a different day, so they skipped school and went to the motorway, where they began to throw stones at cars.

It is not the first case of this kind, in fact, in Tortona, about seven years ago, another group of boys went to the motorway to throw stones.

THE IMPROVISERS ARRIVE

JESSICA ERREJESSICA ERRE

It is a real competition among actors. Its name is MATCH. It comes from Canada.

The audience takes part in competitions, applauding the best actors and, if it is necessary, throwing “slippers”, supplied intentionally by the organization, at the worst actors.

Two teams face particular other in many theatrical improvisations about a subject, a style and a time.

So an actor can mime a happy hammer, perform a play by Shakespeare or create a scene about a dismissal.

MATCH is very successful.

On the 10th November the first school about theatrical improvisation was opened in Liguria.

Both actors and ordinary people who want to learn something about the theatre, are put to the test and, at the same time, can enjoy themselves.

A KITE FOR PEACE

JESSICA ERREJESSICA ERRE

“One Sky, One World”, the manifestation of kites for peace, will return in the “Riviera delle Palme” tomorrow. This is the most original social initiative in the latest years.

Thousands of kites of different shapes and dimensions will fly in the sky towards ten different lands, exceeding barriers and borders, prejudices and conventions to launch a good message about peace, brotherhood and solidarity among people.

The manifestation is to start at ten o’clock and children can also build their personal kite.

“The Gecko” is , maybe, the best and most original kite. It is thirty metres long.

In the evening there will be a game: “ Business of Ecology Waste”. It consists in picking up as much ecology waste as possible.

The first prize will be won by the heaviest sack.

STUDENTS VISIT GENOA AQUARIUM

JESSICA ERREJESSICA ERRE

One of the aims of “Comenius” project is exchanging experiences among children. So, today, a large group of students from some primary schools in Norway, Portugal, Holland, France, Spain and Greece, will be accompanied by Miss Mariella Ratti to visit the Aquarium, Colombo’s house and the “Carlo Felice”.The foreign children and their Italian companions are taking part in a workshop in La Spezia until Saturday.Before reaching the Doge’s Palace, where they will also join a cocktail party, the students will visit the port by boat.

 

PROBLEMS OF POLLUTION

GIULIA FIORATOGIULIA FIORATO

In the past years, with the extension of cities and industries, pollution has become a serious problem for the whole world. Global warming can cause lots of problems to the Earth and forests are slowly disappearing, leaving space to deserts. This fact is also changing the Earth’s climate and, even if we do not have immediate real troubles, the ice in the poles is melting and consequently the sea level is rising.The pollution produced by the use of new materials and energies causes serious problems because they are promoters of grave diseases like cancer or allergies and also physical malformations. Over eleven million gallons of oil spills have been poured into the oceans and rivers for a long time. Many people like Green Peace and the Friends of the Earth, are trying to stop it and other natural disasters. The oceans cover 70% of the earth’s surface, and supply 99,7% of the earth’s water. Oil spills are mostly caused by people who make mistakes, by natural disasters such as hurricanes, war and deliberate acts by terrorists. Recycling can help 80% of the world to keep clean. Instead of throwing away paper, plastic, glass, paper cups and plates, iron or other materials we should recycle and re-use them. It can help our Earth to be clean. People can help the world to become a better place by recycling. Whenever we see rubbish on the ground we have to put it into a recycling bin.

 

A TRAGEDY IN PLFEZ

GIULIA FIORATOGIULIA FIORATO

 

Sara and Dario, two guys from Genoa, had a car accident in Plfez in New Year’s Eve. The boy was driving slowly, when a car, that had not respected the road signs, collided with them at 130 km/h. Four people died.

“Dario was a good boy and one of the most incredible friends I have ever had. And his girl-friend was very kind.” The speaker is Dario’s cousin who has made a big banner in order to hang it in the stadium of Udine during the next football match, to remember them. “It was difficult for us to make it because we are still shocked by this tragedy, but this banner wants to show that our friendship will last forever”.

The funerals will take place in S. Martino district (Genoa) and then, as the victim’s parents explain: “They will rest together in Staglieno, were Sara’s grandma lies. They were very close, and they will be close again”.

THE VULGAR FACTORY

GIULIA FIORATOGIULIA FIORATO

Rome –A new storm on “The Factory” the reality show on “Italia uno”.

Yesterday evening Roberto da Crema during an outburst ( he did not know he was on the air) said a blasphemy.

“It has been a bed hitch, that will not be repeated ”. These are the words of Luca Tiraboschi, the director of “Italia uno”. “It doesn’t matter the protagonists did not know they were on the air- he has said - the fact is that yesterday happened something that must not be broadcast on “Italia uno”. I apologize with the audience. This mistake will not be made again.”

“The accident was stressed by Alba Parietti during the show. On the contrary, Daria Bignardi tried to mask it.

The problem arose from Roberto da Crema and Milton while they were complaining about the duel between Ducruet and Quinn. Roberto da Crema was furious because, in this week, Ducruet has endured seven injections.

ST. VALENTINE’S DAY

MARTA MURGIAMARTA MURGIA

St. Valentine’s day is celebrated every year, on the 14th of February.

An old legend says that Valentine was Roman who helped persecuted Christians and because of this he was captured and jailed.

In prison he fell in love with a girl and began to write love letters to her, signing them with the words: “From your Valentine”.

He was executed on the 14 of February. On that day, from there on, boys and girls have been writing love messages to each other and exchanging all kinds of presents.

8th MARCH WOMEN’S DAY

MARTA MURGIAMARTA MURGIA

On the 8th of March 1908 a lot of American female workers died in their factory in New York during a fire. They had protested against low wages and abuse. As a consequence, their employer had shut them up in their own factory.When the factory caught fire there was no escape for them. Their tombs were all covered with mimosa flowers growing near the factory.Since then, “8th March” has been celebrated as women’s day and mimosas are usually given them as a present.Those American workingwomen were fighting for their right of being paid as much as men. They wanted to be appreciated. This date should not be the only day in the year when women deserve consideration for what they are and what they can do.

DEATH SENTENCE

MARTA MURGIAMARTA MURGIA

Many nations still practise death sentence. In the USA 38 states have death sentence. In 14 of them thee are regularly executions and two of them- Illinois and Maryland- have declared the moratorium.76 countries in the world have abolished death sentence for all the crimes;15 have abolished it for all the crimes except exceptional crimes. In the world there are 83 states that have death sentence, among them: USA, China and Japan. There is a lot of work to do to abolish it completely.

FENCING

MARTA MURGIAMARTA MURGIA

Havana, the world fencing competition ended in triumph for Italy.

With three gold medals, a silver and four bronzes, Italy is placed first before Russia that has won the same number of gold and silver medals, but fewer bronze medals than Italy.

This is a confirmation of the good quality of the Italian school of fencing.

Here are the results of the Italian athletes: Vezzali, gold medals in the foil; silver medals for Vanni in the foil and there are four third places: Cassarà in the men’s foil; Montano and Bianco in the sabre; and Cascioli in the sword.

A GREAT SUCCESS!!!

 

SOUTH CALIFORNIA ON FLAMES

MARTA MURGIAMARTA MURGIA

Los Angeles:

South California has been burning for many days and the fires have already at least 200 houses and about 8000 hectares of vegetation destroyed; the destruction of the fires has forced about a thousand people to evacuate from their houses.

California has declared “ A state of emergency”.

THE POPSTAR ROBBIE WILLIAMS: “I WOULD LIKE TO BE A POOR MAN”

MARTA MURGIAMARTA MURGIA

The British singer Robbie Williams dreams of being a poor man.“Happiness has nothing to do with money- said the pop star- some times I think that I should get rid of all the money that I have. I think that my life would be easier than now, if I had only 100 pounds in my pocket; in this way I could conduct the quiet life that I want very much.”This is what the pop star has declared to a British newspaper. Between this happiness and Robbie Williams there are however 100 million dollars.In the past the pop star already declared that he wanted to leave his career as a singer, but obviously he has always changed his mind.

 

TO PLAY AN APRIL FOOL

MARTA MURGIAMARTA MURGIA

Every year, on the 1st of April people enjoy themselves with tricks and jokes. They make fun of one another and try to take a joke…Why such a strange behaviour on that day? There are many stories about it.This tradition might be born from an Egyptian tale. Cleopatra was in love with Marco Antonio. She organized a fishing-competition and her lover, who took part in it, tried to cheat, but Cleopatra discovered him and punished him hanging an artificial fish on his hook. Perhaps this is the reason of the phrase “to play an April fool”. Another story tells, that till 1582 New Year’s Eve party was celebrated from the 25th of March to the 1st of April. Pope Gregorio’s calendar moved New Year’s Day to the 1st of January. So people began to make fun of the ones who did not know about the change.This tradition is also likely to come from old Spring time, when fishermen do not catch any preys and people make fun of them.

YOUNG PEOPLE AND DRUGS

MARTA MURGIAMARTA MURGIA

 “Death by overdose” is a news item that appears frequently in our newspapers or on television.In recent years, drug addiction has, become a serious social, medical and psychological problem, which it is difficult to find a solution for.Some years ago taking drugs was considered a form of protest against society, but now the phenomenon is more widespread and there is no easy answer.It seems that many young people take drugs because they want to feel more important. Urged on by their friends or by family problems, such as an unhappy background, they begin to take “soft drugs”, that make them depend on them and soon they feel compelled to move on to stronger drugs needing larger and larger doses to reach the desired effect.One of the most common and dangerous drugs is heroin. It can cause blood poisoning and can induce young people to take an overdose.In a short time a drug addict may become violent because, in order to get a daily fix, he is forced to steal or to become a pusher, that is to sell drugs to other people.

THE FUTURE IS ALREADY HERE

MARTA MURGIAMARTA MURGIA

The Internet is a communication network system that links up 40 million computers all over the world.

A “click” of your “mouse” and you can soon be linked up to the outside world.

You can send and receive messages on any subject; the Internet has never-ending possibilities.

Its service costs the same as a normal telephone call and its users range from companies or individuals that have a lot of personal correspondence, to teenagers who like video games, or scientists who exchange information with colleagues around the world.

The internet replaces hand written and typed letters, television, newspapers, study and business trips; you are able to talk with students round the world or visit museums, libraries etc all over the world, without leaving home.

THE BIGGEST CHOCOLATE IN THE WORLD

MARTA MURGIAMARTA MURGIA

The biggest bar of chocolate in the world has been produced by a firm in

Perugia for the Euro chocolate; it is now a Guinness record.

It has been made with 3500 kg of chocolate and about a thousand nuts.

It weighs 5980 kg; it is 2,15 m tall and 7 m wide.

 

THE WORLD OF TEA

MARTA MURGIAMARTA MURGIA

Tea is considered the most traditional and popular British drink. It is usually taken with milk and sometimes sugar. It is drunk at all time in the day, when still in bed, then at breakfast, during the morning, at lunch or dinner and in the evening.

It is often accompanied by various kinds of pastries or cakes, especially muffins or other teacakes. Tea is also served in teashops as well as in restaurants and snack bars. A “cuppa” is a colloquial term for a cup of tea and it was, and still is, the British ideal way to relax.

Tea was imported to Britain for the first time in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In 1706 Thomas Twining began to offer this exotic drink as the specialty of his coffeehouse, “Tom’s Coffee House”, in London. From then Twining meant, and still means, real English tea all over the world.

In the nineteenth century England began to import tea not only from China but also from India.

Today, traditionally, London still remains the center of tea-trade.

THE STORY OF A YOUNG BOY-GIRL

FEDERICA ODONEFEDERICA ODONE

Brian Reimer was born in 1965 in Winnipeg, in Canada. When he was born his parents decided to circumcise him but something went wrong and his penis came off.It was a tragedy but one year later they heard of a doctor who could change Brian into a girl and so they brought him to this doctor. Brian became a girl and changed his name in Brenda. Brenda’s parents thought that now it could be all right but Brenda was interested in boys’ things and not in girls’ ones. He always played with boys and when he was thirteen years old a psychologist let him know that he was a boy and not a girl and so he wanted to be a boy again. This time his name was David. He grew up and became a man and, after some years, he married a woman who had already had three children. But things got wrong. Brian/Brenda/David’s twin committed suicide because he was the witness of too many bad things. David’s wife ran away with her three children, David was fired from his work and at the age of thirty-eight he wrote a good-bye message to his parents and killed himself.

MORTAL ADVANCES

CORINNA OLIVERICORINNA OLIVERI

On St Valentine’s day a tragedy happened in Como, in a Pizza-Restaurant.

I. B., a twenty-three-year-old boy was waiting for his girlfriend, a waitress. While waiting, I.B. began looking at a young girl and making advanced. The young girl’s boyfriend, an underage boy (16 years old), was vexed about it, so they began brawling. The owner of the Pizza-Restaurant sent them out. The brawl continued a bit more and, at a certain moment, the sixteen-year-old boy took a knife out of a pocket and stabbed I.B. three times. I. B. ’s friends called for help, but he was already dead.

The killer was arrested and confessed the murder. He has been in prison since the 15th of February; the charge is wilful murder.

SOMETHING MORE ABOUT DIANA

CORINNA OLIVERICORINNA OLIVERI

On 31st August 1997, Diana Spencer, the princess of Wales, died in Paris in a fatal car accident. In the same accident her new fiancé, Dodi Al Fayed, and the driver of the car where they were travelling, died.At the time all the English showed their deep sorrow and, six years later, during the anniversary of her death, the gate of her house was filled with flowers to remember her.These days her death has taken a curtain call because Diana’s butler, Paul Burrell, is going to publish a book, “Royal Duty”, that includes all the letters the princess sent him.In the letters she wrote about her fear to be killed, probably in a car accident, since they wanted to get rid of a troublesome person.And now more than ever, the English think Diana’s death is wrapped in mystery and, probably, behind the mystery there is the Royal Family, which wanted to do away with a person that could interfere with prince Charles’s love affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles.However, to discover the contents of the letters, we must wait for the publication of the book that, of course, will be a great success!

A PARTICULAR “FUITINA”

CORINNA OLIVERICORINNA OLIVERI

An incredible elopement has happened in a little town near Trapani.Elopements sometimes happen in Southern Italian little towns like Castelnuovo (they are called “Fuitine”), but this time the protagonists are not normal ones, The man is a priest, 33 years old, loved by all of his parishioners.The girl, 22 years old, is a young student of theology.Since they met, there have been more and more rumours about their love story, but nobody could imagine they would really run away. After an important religious ceremony, they decided to drop everything and to run away from home. The girl was engaged to a young man, a friend of the priest’s, who had introduced her to him. Now he is trying to forget her, but everybody knows he is really disappointed.Two days after the elopement, the fugitives phoned their relatives: the girl said that she was well; the man said he would never return home, he did not want to be a priest anymore.Now, their relatives and friends are waiting for their coming back and hope everything will end properly.

KILLED OUT OF JELOUSY

CORINNA OLIVERICORINNA OLIVERI

A few days ago a woman, R.D., was killed in Florence by a mysterious killer. Nobody was able to understand who wanted her to die, because R.D. was a beautiful and polite woman.

A tangled murder, just like Agatha Christie’s mysteries.

But the police discovered an important clue: the victim and her husband, P.B., received some “silent” phone calls.

So, the police investigated a lot, controlled the printouts of the calls, and discovered the name of an unknown woman, D.C.

After some hours of interrogation, D.C. confessed: she had killed R.D.!

She was jealous of her because she lived happily with the man she loved. In fact D.C. had met P.B. some years before, at the University. They were not friends or acquaintances; they only attended the same courses.

But D.C. was sure. He was the only man she could have loved, so she stabbed her “rival”, R.D., only out of jealousy.

EASTER WEEK: CHILDREN’S STORIES

CORINNA OLIVERICORINNA OLIVERI

Easter Week, in Italy, has been characterised by some really dramatic stories of children.

Maria G.’s story is the most dramatic. She was a three-year-old child, lived in Città di Castello, in Umbria and was raped and killed. After a deep coma, she died because of the heavy lesions and serious injuries suffered.

Her story has had a great prominence owing to its drama and mystery: G.G., a family friend, has already confessed the murder, but not the rape and has called somebody else into question. Who is this mysterious man? One of Maria’s neighbours' revealed that the child sometimes was covered with bruises and she thought in Maria’s house there was something wrong. Nobody can explain why Maria’s mother, T.D., did not take her child to the kindergarten and entrusted Maria to G.G. The event is still shrouded in mystery and the police are still investigating.

The second story is Roberto’s. Roberto a two-year-old child from Crotone, disappeared when he was near a lake with his father, A.P. The police soon began suspecting A.P., who had tried to sell one of his children’s some years ago. He was sent to prison while the police began searching the area near the lake.

The enquire did not have any outcome: the police did not find the child. But, two days after his mysterious disappearance, Roberto was found in the same place where he had been left by his father. His father has come out of prison and the police are still investigating.

Then there is Jacopo’s story: he is a newborn baby, found in a small garden, in front of a block of flats in Modena. It was early in the morning, really cold, and the baby was naked. As soon as he was found, he was brought to hospital: now he is in a deep coma and in a critical state.

And finally, a beautiful story: E., a six-year-old child, covered 10 km through the undergrowth to reach his house and tell his relatives that his father was seriously wounded in the wood.

HE IS FAT, HE KILLS HIMSELF

FRANCESCA PAMPALONIFRANCESCA PAMPALONI

On the 14th October 2003 a boy, Gianni, decided to take off his life because he could not stand anymore the fact that he was too fat. Gianni was not tall, weighed 103 kilos and was 17 years old. He was born in Rimini and in this town you “cannot” be fat because there are beaches and there take place the festivals of fitness and discos.Gianni was very depressed and he could not hide it. He did not go to school anymore because he could not face the others. He wrote on a sheet of paper that he could not identify himself.He did not live with his parents but in the hotel of his family because he wanted to be alone. Gianni decided to hang himself but the belt that was to strangle him broke off. In a flash he phoned 118, but, then, he thought that he had to explain too many things. So he went to the terrace that was 25 meters high and flopped down.He left his short story of fat boy, a story that he could not stand anymore, on a sheet of paper.

NOT GUILTY

FRANCESCA PAMPALONIFRANCESCA PAMPALONI

Naples.Friday morning. Vincenza Visone, a seventeen- year - old mother of a thirteen-month-child, was going to school with her mother because she wanted to be protected by her ex-friend. She was a hard-working pupil and she loved school. Yesterday while she was on the Lancia Y with her mother, her ex-friend fired four shots to the car. The rush of Vincenza’s mother to protect her daughter was useless. Vincenza died on the blow and her mother was hurt. The killer is probably Raffaele B., twenty-two years old, with troubles and drug problems. He killed Vincenza in revenge. He could not accept to be the father of the little child. The police found him in an abandoned shop where he continued to repeat that he was not guilty.

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER IN SIENA

GIULIA PARTESANAGIULIA PARTESANA

Even if Siena may appear a silent and mysterious city to foreign tourists, in winter Saturday nights it “hides” a lot of meeting places, in some lanes or little alleys.Since a lot of years, Saturday evening after dinner has been considered a moment of aggregation, especially for the youngest people who work hard to be allowed to stay out one or two hours longer than usual in the night.So every Saturday becomes a real party.Nowadays Siena’s young people are used to organize their Saturdays in the afternoon, concentrating themselves both on their Saturday dinner and on the rest of the evening.Because of the euro, dinners at home with friends have become very trendy or, better, the availability of a house to eat “pizza” together waiting for a party in “contrada” has become fashionable. It is very popular that young boys and girls crowd the parties in “contrada” where people can meet. For the older people the meeting places are not so different. At about midnight the bars of each “contrada” fill with them. There they speak only about one argument: the Palio.Also Siena’s pubs, at this time, are full of persons. There you can chat with some friends or play board games with the others. Nothing too strange or particular.Siena is like this, without any fashionable life and the Sienese, with their “contrade”, help it to remain the same.All that may seem strange or atypical, maybe somebody can judge it a bit retro-fashion, closed and not forefront, but these are some of the things that make Siena a unique, matchless and, above all, immutable city, because nobody, at the very end, wants Siena to change!

 

THE RETURN OF THE KING

GIULIA PARTESANAGIULIA PARTESANA

In these days, cinemas are full of persons who want to watch the last episode of the most famous story by Tolkien: "The Lord of the Rings". The story of this film is not simple and almost impossible to be understood by people who have not seen or read its first and second part.Sauron's forces have laid siege to Minos Tirith, the capital of Gondor, in their efforts to eliminate the race of man.The survivors of the fellowship of the Ring prepare themselves for the final battle to defend the middle land ruled by Gandalf, who is desperately trying to persuade the dismembered army of Gondor to act. In the meantime, Frodo and Sam are trying to cast the One Ring into the fire of Mount Doom, but the closer Frodo gets to his final destination, the heavier his burden becomes and the more he must rely on his friend Samwise Gangle.At the end of the film, the One Ring falls into Mountain Doom and the forces of the wicked Sauron get completely destroyed.Then Aragorn, a member of the fellowship of the Ring, becomes the new king of Gondor and a long period of peace starts for all the creatures.This film, whose director is Peter Jackson, has won six Oscars.Some numbers about the film:-The budget to produce the 3 films of the trilogy and the DVDs was 600 million dollar-2,9 billion dollar have been already earned -1600 feet for the Hobbits.-Jackson has spent seven years to realize his project -250 horses used-274 days of shots -1000 armours made-1440 eggs cooked every morning for the cast-breakfast -1500 new extras a week 

AMUSEMENT PARKS

ELENA PASTORINOELENA PASTORINO

Every year a lot of people go to amusement parks.Age is not important. We usually think that children are attracted by amusement parks more than adults; on the contrary adults are regular visitors.Every year, in amusement parks there are some new attractions. 2003 was a record year for this kind of parks. In Gardaland (Italy) there is a new route on the water called “Spill water”; it cost 15.000.000 euro and is the longest one in the world (630 m). Another new attraction is the “Top Thrill Dragster” in Ledar Point (USA); it is the highest attraction in the world.The most expensive one is the “Space Mission” in Disneyworld (Florida): 100.000.000 euro. It simulates a space mission to Mars. In Disneyworld there is also “The Tower of Terror”, it is a kind of lift that falls down 13 floors. These are only some of the attractions that amusement parks can offer. In Riccione a new, big amusement park is going to open, it will be divided into eight sections, and visitors will be able to see the eruption of a volcano or to know how our world was born. It will be fantastic!!!

MOOD

ELENA PASTORINOELENA PASTORINO

We often wake up in a bad mood and begin the day in the wrong way; everything seems to be wrong… Our bad mood lasts all the day long and we can not try to change it!! It is sure that it is not an emotion.Rosanna Trentin, a psychology teacher, says that the most obvious difference between mood and emotion is that the former lasts the whole day!! Our mood influences our behaviour, and it comes from something inexplicable. We always know what has stirred up an emotion but we never know what has stirred up our bad or good mood. So, what is it useful for? Paul Ekman, a teacher of psychology at California University, says that it is useless. On the contrary Randy J. Larsen, a teacher at Washington University, says emotions are able to tell what we feel about the surrounding that loads us, and that our mood is able to tell how we are in our interiority. Larsen also says that the expressions of our face are the mirror of our emotions and tics are the mirror of our mood: the way we move and walk depends on our mood.Being in a good mood is very important and also very useful for our health. A research on 168 French nuns has shown that the 90% of the nuns in a good mood when they took their vows died over 85. Moreover a good or bad mood is contagious: being in a good mood helps the relationship between us and the people near us.

THE LATEST FASHION

ELENA PASTORINOELENA PASTORINO

In America, persons who come from different ethnic groups are in fashion. Five years ago all cover girls had blond hair and blue eyes, now pop stars like Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and actresses like Jessica Alba are the new stars! In the U.S.A, the key to be popular is the number of races in your genetic patrimony.

Leo Jimenez (25 years old), a Colombian top model, says that at the restaurant Brad Pitt waits for a table for a longer time. Cover girls of “teen people” (the most famous American magazine for young people) are Porto Rican- Italian girls.

This is a revolution! In the last census 7 million Americans have more than one race in their genetic patrimony and 14 millions are Latinos. This fact is very important.

In our future the word “race” will not be used to mean social and cultural differences but to mean a fashionable element of a person.

A FIRE BRAZIER

GAIA RAVAIOLIGAIA RAVAIOLI

A fire brazierin a starry night

The light that emergesfrom the ocean in your eyes.

A rose petalbroke

the dew on your lips.An infinite universe

in my heart.

WHALES

VIRNA TACCONEVIRNA TACCONE

Ligurian people will not go far to see whales. In fact whales are populating the Ligurian Sea, where they can live peacefully because the Ligurian Sea is a part of a Sanctuary, a protected area (about 100.000 square km) in the Mediterranean Sea, that washes the coasts of Liguria, Tuscany, the Principality of Monaco and some coasts of France.

Generally speaking, whaling is now less practised all over the world, and the life of whales is better and more protected.

Maybe, in the Mediterranean Sea, whales have found their ideal habitat and now they live mainly in the Ligurian Sea.

An observatory called “ Delphi ”, endowed with 459 boats, looks at the life of whales in the Sanctuary and observers study their evolution and behaviour.

GENOA AND RAINS

VIRNA TACCONEVIRNA TACCONE

This year, in Genoa, the absence of rains has generated a situation of deep alarmism for the water reserves of Brugneto. This is the most important basin for Genoa. In the last ten days, it has rained intensely, but it has not been sufficient to fill the basin. In fact rains have elevated the water level of only 40%.

Meteorologists are trusting in further rains because, to exceed the water rationing, the basin must be filled almost 70%.

 

SWIMMING OR DANCING

VIRNA TACCONEVIRNA TACCONE

In 1990, in S. Francisco, a company called “Project Bandaloop” introduced a new sports discipline: aerial swimming. Its dancers dance in three-dimentions. They are tied with some cables to skyscrapers; aerials, slopes, cliffs…and they can go up, down and turn round. This is a wonderful show. Three-dimentional dance is as synchronized swimming in the air. Dancers perform captivating and particular choreographies. More than 100.000 spectators have looked at the last performances of the company.

 

THE MOON,MARS AND NEW DISCOVERIES

VIRNA TACCONEVIRNA TACCONE

Washington: on 14th January, the president of the U.S.A. spoke about the plan to carry out new missions to the space in 2008-2015.The U.S.A. will work on this project with other countries.In 2008 robots, space probes and new space vehicles will explore the Moon.In 2010 the Shuttle will stop working as it will be old and so a “Crew Exploration Vehicle” will start for its first mission by 2014.This new spacecraft will take astronauts to the Moon in 2015. There they will build a launch site for missions to Mars and other planets and, maybe, astronauts will land on Mars in 2025-2030.By now Europe is waiting for the photos from “Mars Express”, a space probe is taking and sending from Mars.

 

ARMADILLO AS A STAR

VIRNA TACCONEVIRNA TACCONE

There are twenty species of armadillos: nineteen of them live in South-America and only one in North America.

The armadillo is a very important animal for genetics studies. Every spring, females bring forth four identical cubs. They have got the same DNA.

Scientists are studying them, because they are the sole animals that can contract leprosy.

The armadillo is also a very good swimmer. It can float inflating its stomach and its intestine with air. Then it can dive and swim under water without breathing for six minutes.

In Texas the curious animal has become a pet. Many parties, fairs, feasts and country-music festivals are organized for it.

In the 70s “Racing Armadillo” was born, that is a race with different armadillo-teams.

In 1981 Texas declared the armadillo its national symbol.

 

JOANNE KATHLEEN ROWLING AND HER WORLD OF WIZARDS

ISABELLA TORREISABELLA TORRE

She is one of the richest women in the world even if she isn't yet widely known. Joanne Kathleen Rowling is a writer who has become famous with a book called "Harry Potter and the Philosophal Stone". This was the first book of a lucky series dedicated to the young wizard Harry Potter. The series consists of seven books and constitutes an only story. Harry potter is the protagonist. The story takes place in a magic castle called Hogwarts, where young people study magic arts. Joanne Kathleen Rowling's books are very popular among young people and when a new story of Harry potter was published the bookshops sold all the copies in few days. Rowling's s books are becoming a fashion, while she is becoming richer and richer. The stories of Harry Potter are imaginative and fascinating, and perhaps, because of that, all young people love her books so much.

THE TRAINING TROLLEY

ISABELLA TORREISABELLA TORRE

In a world dominated by look, more and more people would like to have a perfect body and to be fit.

On TV we always see thin and beautiful girls showing their body. Losing weight without doing exercises in the gym is a dream for many persons. Thinking about our being fit while we are in a supermarket is quite impossible, but an English supermarket chain has invented a trolley that measures the consumed calories.

The trolley, called Trim Trolley, is really like a tapis roulant or a cyclette. In fact you can make the wheels more resistant if you want to do more exercise while you are walking in the supermarket. If you have a trolley with a defective wheel you lose more calories then if you have a normal one. With a Trim Trolley you will lose even more calories. The people, who have tested it, seem to like this new equipment, but it has also a bad note. After doing the shopping with this special trolley you will be very tired and sweaty; so you will have to go directly home.

Perhaps the trolley will be introduced also in other countries and it will help people to lose weight.

AN ILL WOMAN REFUSES TO BE OPERATED

ISABELLA TORREISABELLA TORRE

It is the second case in a month. B. G. has gangrene on her left leg, but she refuses to be operated. Doctors should amputate her leg and the operation is not very difficult. The sixty-seven-year-old woman is from Sanremo and has a husband and four children. All of them are very worried about her situation and are trying to persuade her, but she says that she entrusts God with her life.

A month ago another woman refused an operation and died after two weeks.

The relatives of the woman do not want her to make the same mistake and ask for a guardian. A judge has named the woman's son as her guardian. The psychiatrists who have examined the old lady say that she cannot decide for her life. So her son will do to save his mother. It is a difficult decision, but the woman could die if she was not operated and neither her relatives nor the doctors want it.

LAIKA’S STORY

FRANCESCA VALENTEFRANCESCA VALENTE

A month ago a pretty little dog returned next to her loved mistress, died two weeks before, to give birth to her puppies. She went to Campomorone cemetery, in Genoa, where Rosa’ s tomb is and, there, she gave birth to six very beautiful puppies. The friendship, which united Rosa and Leika, was very great. Rosa had taken her from a dog kennel when she was only a month-old puppy and from that time on, they had been inseparable. All the people of Campomorone knew the eighty-four-year-old woman and her friend. All mornings they were used to going out together to do shopping. Leika followed the old lady without any leash. They were in perfect harmony with each other, an example of reciprocal love and fidelity. When Rosa’ s death separated them, Leika was already expecting her puppies, because of her union with Tom, a beautiful Alsatian. At Rosa’ s funeral there was Leika too, with a big belly. The parish priest let her enter the church, next to Francesco, the man who looks after her.Now Leika’s puppies are a month old and they have been adopted by some families who want to look after them and cuddle them. At the same time mom Leika has become a little TV star thanks to her story; a story of fidelity and love which goes beyond death.

MIRACLE IN CAMBODIA

FRANCESCA VALENTEFRANCESCA VALENTE

A village without light, water and telephone was excluded from the whole world but the satellite has rescued it and supplied it!

Siegle (Cambodia) is a very little village in the Cambodian jungle. People live with a handful of rise a day. It takes two hours’ walk through the jungle to reach the first inhabited centre. But in this village, “far” from the world, devastated by hunger, poverty and diseases, a little miracle has just happened. There has never been a bulb either, but a light has lighted up: the light of a computer monitor.

In very few days the inhabitants of Siegle have passed from prehistory to modernity. And now, thanks to this monitor, people hope to escape from such a poor life.

Some petrol is enough for a light.

This is a miracle made by the Internet. To connect the village to the communication nets, power stations have been not used. In fact a new system has been tried: it is called “wi-fi”; it stands for “wireless fidelity”. With this new system people can surf the net without wires because computers exploit the radio waves coming from a satellite. To communicate all over the world, a small petrol electric generator is enough. Some experts say that “wi-fi” will supplant the other systems and the wires will be useless at all.

NOTRE DAME

FRANCESCA VALENTEFRANCESCA VALENTE

This evening, for the opening of new Fiumara palasport- Madza Palace, “Notre Dame de Paris”, a musical by Riccardo Cocciante, Luc Plamondon and Pasquale Ranella, will return to Genoa. It is the story of Quasimodo, the hunchbacked of Notre Dame, and about his impossible and tragic love for Esmeralda, a wonderful gitan. To perform this love story, directed by Gilles Maheu and written by David Zard, there will be Claudia D’ ottavi, Rosalina Misseri, Chiara Di Bari, Matteo Setti, Heron Borelli, Fabrizio Voghera and Alberto Mangia Vinci. On this occasion, the Secolo XIX is going to give twenty free tickets to watch the performance that is to begin at nine o’clock. The tickets will be given to the first twenty persons who, from eleven o’clock in the morning, will ring up the following number: 010/5388380.

 

THE BEAGLE FOUND NEAR LONDON

FRANCESCA VALENTEFRANCESCA VALENTE

The HMS Beagle, which Darwin embarked on, disappeared after its arrival in Great Britain. Recently an archaeologist has located it on the bed of a big river in the south of England. The wreck is buried under four meters of slimy mug, next to a very old mole along the Roach River.Robert Prescott is one of the most famous archaeologists in the world. To locate the ship, he has used a new radar technology which allows to see also things very deep in the mug or in the sand. “I am sure! That is the Beagle” he says. He has been trying to find the ship for longer than three years. To succeed in this search he has also founded the “ Beagle Ship Research Group”.Initially the ship was launched for military reasons in 1820: it was seven meters long and had ten cannons. After some years the Beagle left to America and to the Galapagos with Charles Darwin on board. It is known that later the ship passed to the Customs’ services and it was used to petrol the river and to intercept the smugglers along the coast of Essex.“ We have visited the site and have found pieces of vases and broken toys. So we can guess it was turned into a type of house” the archaeologist says.In 1870 the Beagle was sold by auction to a society of old clothes dealers. “ We have discovered an abandoned mole. We are sure the Beagle is there. Most parts of the wreck have probably disappeared but with the remaining parts we will be able to find some clues of Darwin’ s trip” the archaeologist has concluded.