Giulia Elia – L'ItaloEuropeo – Independent Magazine in London

International astronomers unlock secrets of intergalactic space blob

An international team of astronomers led by the University of Hertfordshire have solved the mysteries of a giant space blob by witnessing galaxies forming inside the intergalactic gas cloud.

Lyman-alpha Blobs (LABs) are gigantic clouds of hydrogen gas that can span hundreds of thousands of light years and glow far more brightly than scientists expect. And since their discovery, the processes that makes LABs glow so intensely has been an astronomical puzzle, until now. Scientists, led by Dr James Geach from the University’s Centre for Astrophysics Research, have confirmed that young galaxies are forming within the blobs, causing them to glow.

One of the largest LABs known, is SSA22-Lyman-alpha blob 1, also simply known as LAB-1. Within LAB-1 the team of scientists have found that two galaxies are forming and the blob is actually creating stars at a rate 100 times faster than our own galaxy, the Milky Way. It this intense nature of star formation that is lighting up the gas cloud so brightly.

Lead author Dr Geach explained: ‘Think of a streetlight on a foggy night — you see the diffuse glow because light is scattering off the tiny water droplets. A similar thing is happening here, except the streetlight is an intensely star-forming galaxy and the fog is a huge cloud of intergalactic gas. The galaxies are illuminating their surroundings.’

LAB-1 is the very first object of its kind discovered and was found 15 years ago. It is located so far away that its light has taken approximately 11.5 billion years to reach Earth. It measures 300,000 light years across and is three times larger than the Milky Way.

To monitor such a large mass, the international team, led by the University of Hertfordshire, used the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA), a group of highly developed telescopes that can observe light from dust clouds in distant galaxies millions of light years away.

This meant they could accurately pinpoint several sources of radiation and light within the space blob, where they spotted the two young, growing elliptical galaxies. They then combined the ALMA images with observations from the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument mounted on European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT). This maps the light that is emitted from the blob, known as Lyman-alpha light and it showed that the sources of light are the forming stars in the very heart of the Lyman-alpha Blob.

Then deep imaging with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and spectroscopy at the W. M. Keck Observatory showed in addition that the ALMA sources are surrounded by numerous faint companion galaxies that could be bombarding the central ALMA sources with material, helping to drive their high star formation rates.
Dr Geach added: ‘What’s exciting about these blobs is that we are getting a rare glimpse of what’s happening around these young, growing galaxies. For a long time the origin of the extended Lyman-alpha light has been controversial. But with the combination of new observations and cutting-edge simulations, we think we have solved a 15-year-old mystery: Lyman-alpha Blob-1 is the site of formation of a massive elliptical galaxy that will one day be the heart of a giant cluster. We are seeing a snapshot of the assembly of that galaxy 11.5 billion years ago.’

People of Punk bring the year of celebration to an end

Punk.London, the year-long festival commemorating forty years of the enduring influence of punk across London is drawing to a close but it’s not going quietly.

Following a summer that has seen a punk themed closing weekender at the Design Museum, Don Letts’ curated film season at the BFI and even provoked Viv Albertine to graffiti in the British Library, there’s still more to come. A new exhibition and a high-profile debate mark the beginning of the end of this eventful year.

Ø Punks – Museum of London – 1 October 2016 – 15 January 2017 (free)

From handmade mixtape sleeves and DIY fanzines, to the radical clothes sold on the King’s Road, the Museum of London’s new exhibition, Punks, will tell the stories of ordinary punks of the late 1970s. In 1976 punk crashed into London and changed music, fashion and attitudes forever. In a move away from the big names of punk, the Museum of London invited people to share their punk tales and lend or donate their memorabilia to be part of this exhibition.

Jen Kavanagh, curator of Punks at the Museum of London, said: “Punk was so much more than just the music. It was a philosophy, a lifestyle, a community. The 17 incredible people who have contributed to this exhibition talk about their punk days with so much passion and affection and we wanted to get this across in the stories we display. Punk touched the lives of teenagers and young people in London in 1976, and for many it changed their lives forever.”

Lesley Edgar had always been interested in fashion, so when punk arrived she embraced the opportunity to push the boundaries with what she wore. Shopping in jumble sales and markets, clothes would be customised with chains and safety pins. Tartan kilts and men’s string vests formed her look. Lesley cut the sleeves off t-shirts to turn them into mini dresses, which she wore with fishnet tights or homemade plastic trousers

Trev and Bev met in 1978. They were both fully immersed in the punk scene, spending their weekends on the King’s Road and at gigs. Buying clothes in second hand shops, or hanging out in the Chelsea Potter, they embraced the sense of community that punk brought. Nearly 40 years later they still go to gigs and hang out with the friends they made in the 1970.

Zoe Neale was introduced to punk by her friend Jane. Bored of the prog rock that dominated the early 1970s, Zoe loved the energy and pace of punk. As she lived in the suburbs, she’d have to travel into London to attend gigs, and was a regular at the Marquee. Always experimenting with different coloured hair, her parents were appalled by her appearance, but eventually accepted her love of punk

David Black was attending college in Norwich when he first encountered punk. He’d make trips into London to buy clothes, treating himself to a Destroy t-shirt from Seditionaries and a bondage shirt and mesh tie from Boy. Dave treasured his Destroy top and didn’t mind spending a lot to own it. But shopping on the King’s Road meant dodging the teddy boys, who were often looking for a fight

Ø Punk London debate at the Museum of London – 18 November

A live, no holds barred debate bringing together opposing ideas and arguments about the ideas of punk, its journey over forty years and what it means for the future. High profile line-up to be announced soon.

Further events happening a cross the city

Punkplay at Southwark Playhouse

7 September – 1 October
Gregory S. Moss’s punkplay is a riot of a play told at breakneck pace with a killer soundtrack. It’s a coming-of-age story about subcultures, friendship and not-fitting-in – all on rollerskates. @punkplayLDN for more info.

Sid play at Arts Centre, Soho

19 September – 14 October
A new 50 minute one-man play by Leon Fleming we explore the true nature of hero worship and what it means to be punk.

Punk: Originals at Omnibus, Clapham
7 September – 1 October
Omnibus are holding an exhibition of iconic yet very personal photographs by Erica Echenberg called Punk: Originals. Erica Echenberg was there at the birth of Punk and took pictures of what she saw, documenting this remarkable and influential movement from the inside.

Punk Waltham Forest, various venues in the borough
now until 26 November

In 1975 Pete Stennett opened a shop at 162, Hoe Street in Walthamstow with his wife Mari, the now legendary Small Wonder Records. After seeing The Sex Pistols perform at Walthamstow Assembly Hall on 17 June 1976 he was inspired to start a label and transform the shop into the place to go for the latest new sounds of punk. Punk Waltham Forest 2016 celebrates Small Wonder with a new pop-up exhibition events and talks to mark the 40th anniversary of the Sex Pistols gig and raises awareness of the borough’s local punk heritage.

Rough Trade 40 in-store and venue gigs: 22 October – 6 November 2016

Rough Trade will curate a hugely exciting series of events centred around collaborations between friends and supporters of the label and shops over the last 40 years. Although a full announcement can’t yet be made, suffice to say these events will bring together some of the most original, vital artistic talent out there in some of the capital’s best venues to create genuine once-in-a-lifetime musical magic. Expect an extravaganza at the Barbican, innocence at The Shacklewell Arms, Cabaret and Quiz at The Moth Club and intimacy at Islington Assembly Halls.

Stuart Hobley, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund London, said: “Kicking and screaming, punk quickly established itself as a voice for youth culture. The upcoming exhibition at the Museum of London, and the whole Punk London year, looks at the stories of individuals who embraced the world of punk; from fashion to music and politics – how the power of punk changed their lives.”

Further information about the Punks exhibition: www.museumoflondon.org.uk

Further information about all other events can be found at www.punk.london.

#PunkLondon

Welcome Italia 2016

Three days of Italian food, drink and business, with the best producers exhibiting their delicious creations and the participation of the best Italian chefs in the UK

Welcome Italia is the event organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the UK dedicated to all food lovers that wish to discover and explore the best of Italian Food & Beverage: aromatic coffee, handmade pasta, delicate extra-virgin olive oil, fine truffles, exquisite cheeses and much more…

As well as meeting the producers of the finest Italian excellencies, it will be possible to attend extraordinary cooking shows. The most famous Italian chefs in the UK will showcase their talent, recreating delicious and tasty recipes; Francesco Mazzei will hold a cooking demonstration and Danilo Cortellini, head chef at the Italian Embassy, will exhibit on the morning of Sunday 23rd. You will be able to find tasty recipes using Nonno Nanni’s soft cheeses and discover traditional dishes with chefs from the provinces of Novara, Perugia, Cosenza and Lazio region.

The first day (21st October) is a trade only day. It will be a unique opportunity for all Food & Wine professionals in London to discover new products and typical dishes. Moreover, it’s definitely the best stage for Italian producers to promote their business and get in touch with British importers and distributors.

On 22nd and 23rd October Welcome Italia will open its doors to the public, who will be able to taste and buy products directly from the exhibitors, recreating the atmosphere of a real Italian Market. Our 60+ companies come from all over Italy and include producers of wines, beers, organic olive oils, regional specialities, charcuterie and some very particular products such as hemp flour pasta and salami matured in red wine.

When?

Trade only day: 21st October (1pm-7pm)

Free to visit: 22nd October (10.30am-7pm)

23rd October (10.30am-5pm)

Where?

The Royal Horticultural Halls

Vincent Square, London SW1P 2PE

Fuoricinema: the happening for musicologists and cinephiles

MILAN – “Fuoricinema” is an happening born from an idea by Cristiana Capotondi and Cristiana Mainardi in collaboration with Anteo SpazioCinema, which aims at collecting life experiences, opinions and dreams linked to the world of cinema in order to spread them around as a shared heritage. It will be an exclusive outdoor event of sharing, highly influenced by its setting, Milan, city of fashion and design. The event will also raise funds to support three charities from Milan: Fondazione Arché, Missione Sogni and Associazione Bianca.

The long-term project will see a different theme for each year: this year’s theme is “dream“, seen as a vital energy which allows us to overcome reality and create a better reality. The event will take place in a wide area in front of via Gaetano de Castillia and many artists coming from the the world of music, cinema and entertainment will give their contribution: they will be able to share their stories with the public, in a very unique and intimate way.

A new project is set to be launched before next year’s edition: a Fuoricinema event will be organized once a month, and the philosophy of this event will be constantly shared through the official website.

In the words of Cristiana Capotondi, one of the organizers, the main aim of the happening is to put people before products and to deepen a relationship between the public and artists, in order to support the importance of diversity, through the undying support of arts, especially cinema and music.

London Design Biennale 2016: this weekend’s must-go!

di Federica De Marco.

The first London Design Biennale has officially arrived in London.

From 7 to 27 September the Somerset House will host the interactive installations and the works of art from more than 30 countries around the world to explore the different interpretations of the theme Utopia by Design.

This is a tribute to the 500 years since the publication of Thomas More’s political and philosophical work, Utopia, which analyses the problems of the English monarchy, from class differences to the disadvantage of private property, going again through the problem of death penalty.

Hence, More postulated the existence of the island of Utopia, an expression of what should be the ideal society, in some kind of way retracing what Plato did some time before with his The Republic.

The Director of the Biennale, Dr. Christopher Turner, explained how designers have been encouraged to create installations that interrogate the history of the utopian idea and interact with fundamental problems of humanity.

As you will notice those who will take part to the event, the designers have responded by celebrating cultural diversity. It is like a big laboratory of ambitious ideas that could help make the world a better place.

The installations are interactive and engaging; sometimes they suggest sustainability projects that address issues such as pollution, migration, energy, social equality.

Some of the most famous museums and most important design organizations will take part to this first London Design Biennale. Just to mention a few names: DAMn ° Magazine (Belgium), the German Design Council, the MAK and Austria Design Net, V&A (UK), Moscow Design Museum (Russia), India Design Forum, Southern Guild (South Africa), The Japan Foundation, Smithsonian Design Museum Cooper Hewitt (USA).

Of course, among the many international names the Italian Triennale Design Museum, founded in 2007 and first museum of Italian design could not miss.

The Italian designers were asked to rethink the white flag as a symbol of utopian global truce.

The result is the artistic installation that bears the name of White Flag, composed of many flags placed on the map of the world: every day of the Biennale one of these is removed and replaced by an object chosen or created by the designer. The aim is to install a sense of urgency and emergency. In the end, there will be only objects on the map, “as an offertory brought about in a time of truce”.

Do not miss this event.

Take a tour to the Biennale and vote the art installation that you like the most: that one that will be voted the most from visitors in the first weeks of exhibition will win the Public Medal.

You can but tickets, at £ 15, on www.londondesignbiennale.com.

Brexit boost for UK universities

LONDON – 15 September 2016 – UK universities and education institutions will benefit from the ‘Brexit effect’ as studying in the UK is now much cheaper for international students, according to new research by Western Union Business Solutions (‘WUBS’).

WUBS, a leader in global payment services, has analysed tuition fee payments data for the main overseas markets and found that tuition fees are up to a fifth (22.1%) cheaper than they were last year for some students. This will make studying in the UK much more affordable and more appealing to those coming to the UK for their degrees. This is expected to have a knock-on effect on UK universities competing for international students against leading academic centers in the U.S., Europe and Australia. Not only is the cost of tuition cheaper but it will also be much cheaper to live in the UK now as the cost of other essentials, such as food and accommodation, will also be significantly cheaper than they were pre-Brexit.

Studying in a UK university is very popular with students from across the world looking to further their education at a reputable institution. At present, some of the largest numbers of international students coming in to the UK to study are from China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, America and Eurozone countries. In fact, the latest UCAS figures reveal that more EU students are studying in the UK this year than ever before, with nearly 27,000 starting in September, which is a new record for the UK. As UK universities invoice students for tuition in pounds sterling, all of these students will find the cost has fallen this year due to how weak the pound is in comparison with their home currency.

Malaysian students will benefit from the biggest reduction as the Malaysian Ringgit has performed exceptionally well against the pound over the last year. Based on an average year’s tuition fee of £10,000, Malaysian students will find the cost of their tuition will be more than a fifth (22.1%) cheaper for them compared to September 2015. Likewise Singapore students will find their tuition costs them 20% less and American students just over 17% less.

Cost of a year’s tuition at a UK university for overseas students based on £10,000 September 2015 vs August 2016

Even new students who haven’t studied in the UK before will find that the cost of their degree will be cheaper now than it was a few weeks ago. Since the EU referendum was held on 23 June, all students across key markets will have seen the cost of tuition become at least 10% cheaper for them.

Students from India will have seen the biggest fall in the cost of UK tuition, saving 14% compared to 23 June. They are closely followed by students in Malaysia (13.7%), USA (13.4%) and Saudi Arabia (13.4%), also saving similar amounts. While students based in the Eurozone will still have seen the cost of tuition fall by almost 12%, a saving equivalent to around £1,350.

Cost of a year’s tuition at a UK university for overseas students based on £10,000 pre and post 23 June 2016

Since the referendum, the government has being doing all it can to mitigate any economic downturn and strengthen the pound. Although the pound is relatively weak against these currencies at the moment, it is highly probable that it will strengthen again in the near future.

Commenting on the research, Tony Crivelli, UK & European Managing Director at Western Union Business Solutions, said:

“Studying abroad is not cheap, yet for students coming into the UK from overseas the cost of tuition is much cheaper than it has been for a year due to the relative weakness of the pound. This is great news for international students and means that they can get a world-class degree from a UK university for a much lower price.

“It is also good news for universities here as the UK has been one of the most expensive places to study in the world but now it is significantly cheaper than it has been for years. Students who are attracted to the UK by the cheaper cost this year will stay for three years on average to complete their degrees and so the benefit will be felt for years to come.

“There is no guarantee that the exchange rates will remain this favorable for long and the relative cost could soon increase again. We would urge all those who are due to pay invoices in sterling for their September tuition before their course starts to take advantage of the current rates and make their payments sooner rather than later where possible.”

London is the best city for financial resources and quality of life

LONDON – Just like every two years, PwC – PricewaterhouseCoopers, a multinational professional services network and the largest professional services firm in the world – published the “Cities of Opportunity” survey, a chart of the cities that better put financial dynamism and high quality of life together.

This year’s survey was the seventh one managed by PwC and it shows the social and financial status of 30 of the biggest cities in the world, taking into account ten factors, including public transport, business development facilities, suitableness for living, use of technology and cost of living. The survey shows that cities can be successful when they both register excellent financial performances and present valid social elements such as the quality of life, elders’ welfare and even the readiness to face natural catastrophies.

London conquered the first place in this chart for the second time in a row: the city excels three out of six factors, including technology development, innovation, suitableness for living and business growth. The following six spots are occupied by Singapore, Toronto, Paris, Amsterdam, New York and Stockholm. Milan is the first Italian city in the chart, ranked 18th – his reputation and image have been strongly boosted by the Expo Milano 2015, which brought tecnhologic innovations and more openness to people, goods, economies and information.

CONI and Roma 2024 release the First Census of Sports Facilities in Rome

The first complete map of the city’s sports heritage

includes over 2,200 sites. The full results will be presented on September 27.

ROME, September 6, 2016—The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and Rome 2024 have released the first census of sports facilities ever carried out in Rome. More than 2,200 sites in the Italian capital were mapped, with 1,000 of the sites being public institutions, schools included.

Over the course the six months, a team of young engineers and architects hired by CONI and the Roma 2024 Bid Committee collected nearly 10,000 photos documenting the state of each facility, which will soon be made available online, and built an app dedicated to sports in the city featuring a collective map, detailed descriptions and geolocation data for each facility.

The complete results of the census will be presented by Rome 2024 President Luca di Montezemolo, Vice President Luca Pancalli, General Coordinator Diana Bianchedi and CONI President Giovanni Malagò at a press conference on September 27.

As part of the legacy of Rome’s Olympic and Paralympic project for the city, CONI and the Rome 2024 Bid Committee aimed to task CONI Servizi and ConiNet – together with the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research in Italy (MIUR), Rome’s City Council and Città Metropolitana – with developing a fundamental tool meant to benefit the Roman community beyond the Games themselves. Knowing which facilities are available and what condition they are in, particularly in the city’s suburbs, will be key to developing future sports infrastructure and services in Rome.

The four primary objectives of the census included: first, learn which facilities are present and how they can be further developed, creating an online database of all public, private and school-run facilities; second, select sites, including those in the suburbs, that could be renovated and used as training facilities, should Rome win the bid to host the Olympics and Paralympics; third, develop a tool that will be useful for future improvements and aims at optimizing the services available to citizens and increasing the focus on sports in our schools; and lastly, contribute to developing a safer, more accessible, inclusive and sustainable city by promoting physical fitness, integration and a healthy lifestyle.

The young team of engineers and architects carefully analyzed sports facilities, gyms, fields and other sites, collecting information regarding the condition of each facility, the level of accessibility, the presence or absence of defibrillators, technical features, the types of activities possible at each site and other details. The census also created a map highlighting areas for improvement around Rome, specifying actions to be taken to renovate facilities, comply with standards, and make the most of the sports facilities available. This study, and the permanent monitoring and updating that will go with it, will be part of the city’s heritage as a tool for further planning – a legacy independent of Rome’s candidacy.

Most influential people in London according to the Evening Standard

LONDON – Evening Standard’s panel of editors, critics and experts compiled the annual line-up of the most influential people in London, celebrating progress and innovation.

The first place went to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the son of an immigrant bus driver, who perfectly embodies the nature of London as the city of opportunity. The top 25 of the most influential people in London can be found below

1 Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London.

2 Theresa May, Prime Minister.

3 The Royal Family.

4 Mo Farah, Athlete.

5 Adele, Musician.

6 Demis Hassabis Founder, Google DeepMind

7 Sir Nicholas Serota Director, Tate

8 Nicola Mendelsohn, Vice president, EMEA, Facebook

9 Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary

10 Sonia Friedman, Producer

11 Amber Rudd, Home Secretary

12 Major Tim Peake, Astronaut

13 Mark Carney Governor, Bank of England

14 Sir David Attenborough, Environmentalist

15 Zadie Smith, Author

16 Lord Hall, Director-general, BBC

17 Philip Hammond, Chancellor

18 Mike Brown Commissioner, Transport for London

19 Laura Kuenssberg, Political Editor, BBC

20 Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, Commissioner, Metropolitan Police

21 Alexandra Shulman, Editor, British Vogue

22 Richard Chartres, Bishop of London

23 CITY OF LONDON

24 Joanna Lumley, Actress

25 Jeremy Corbyn, Labour leader

Outrage caused by a Chinese airline’s magazine

LONDON/BEIJING – Air China, Asia’s third largest arline, published in his magazine a piece of advice for tourists traveling to London that outraged Londoners. Said advice warned visitors that, though London is generally a safe place to travel, it would be safer to avoid areas mainly populated by Indians, Pakistanis and black people.

The “racist” message was written in both Mandarin and English and it advised tourists not to go out alone at night and “females” to be accompanied by another person when travelling.

Of course it was an insult to the categories involved, but it was also outrageous for all Londoners. In the words of Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: “We pride ourselves on having a wonderfully diverse community, and this may mean people come here with a different idea, it is worrying that some may arrive concerned.”

One of the things London can be proud about is its diversity of cultures so if airlines have a problem with that, they’re clearly not welcome in London at all. Dr Allin-Khan would love to offer Chinese visitors a tour of some of the most diverse areas of London, like Peckham, Brixton and Newham, “where they would be welcomed with open arms by our diverse communities“, she concluded.

Despite the numerous requests coming from many people to remove said “piece of advice” from the magazine offered by the company, which travels between London and Beijing twice a day, it failed to respond to requests for comment and no apology was released as well.