Transcript http://www.lafragola.it PILLS

http://www.lafragola.it
PILLS
Raccolta di articoli in inglese scritti
dalla
Classe 2 A
Anno scolastico 2003 – 2004
Prof. Enrica Puppo
INDEX
INDEX
INDEX
CRISTINA ANNIBALI
GIULIA FIORATO
3
AGAINST AIDS
23
PROBLEMS OF POLLUTION
4
MUMMIES IN PERU
24
A TRAGEDY IN PLFEZ
25
THE VULGAR FARM
ANDREA ARAGONE
5
COW HOLIDAY IN AUSTRIA
6
SIRENS AGAINST PIDDLE IN THE
“CARUGGI”
SERENA BADARACCO
MARTA MURGIA
26
ST. VALENTINE’S DAY
27
8TH MARCH: WOMAN’S DAY
28
DEATH SENTENCE
46
46
47
48
49
50
GIULIA PARTESANA
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER IN SIENA
THE RETURN OF THE KING
ELENA PASTORINO
AMUSEMENT PARKS
MOOD
THE LATEST FASHION
GIADA RAVAIOLI
A FIRE BRAZIER
VIRNA TACCONE
WHALES
GENOA AND RAINING
SWIMMING OR DANCING
7
MUSIC IS OFTEN OUR LIFE
29
FENCING
8
TO SMOKE OR NOT TO SMOKE?
30
SOUTH CALIFORNIA ON FLAMES
9
THE CHARM OF VIDEOGAMES
31
THE POP STAR ROBBIE WILLIAM
53
54
55
56
THE MOON
57
ARMADILLO AS A STAR
LUDOVICA BRUNAMONTI
32
TO PLAY AN APRIL FOOL
10
FOUND THE DISAPPEARED CHILD
33
YOUNG PEOPLE AND DRUGS
11
JFK FORTY YEARS LATER
34
FUTURE IS ALREADY HERE
35
THE BIGGEST CHOCOLATE IN THE WORLD
36
THE WORLD OF TEA
FEDERICA ODONE
THE STORY OF A YOUNG BOY-GIRL
CORINNA OLIVERI
MORTAL ADVANCES
SOMETHING MORE ABOUT DIANA
A PARTICULAR FUITINA
KILLED OUT OF JEALOUSY
EASTER WEEK: CHILDREN’S STORIES
FRANCESCA PAMPALONI
HE IS FAT, HE KILLS HIMSELF
NOT GUILTY
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
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
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
AGAINST AIDS
CRISTINA 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 BUTERA
Noël 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 5th 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 MURGIA
The British singer Robbie Williams dreams of
being a poor man.
“Happiness has nothing to do with moneysaid 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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., twentytwo 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 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 retrofashion, 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 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 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 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 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 RAVAIOLI
A fire brazier
in a starry night
The light that emerges
from the ocean in your eyes.
A rose petal
broke
the dew on your lips.
An infinite universe
in my heart.
WHALES
VIRNA 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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-sevenyear-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 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 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 VALENTE
This evening, for the opening of new Fiumara palasportMadza 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 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.