GREAT BRITAN – L'ItaloEuropeo – Independent Magazine in London

OCEAN CAY, MSC Cruises’ Caribbean island

Ocean Cay is a private paradise in the heart of the Bahamas. This pearl of the Atlantic Ocean owned by MSC was obtained from a former industrial site and, after being completely restored, has become a real dream destination.

Not only tourist offer characterize this tropical paradise. MSC Cruises has in fact, in line with its sustainable philosophy, developed a project to create a positive and long-term impact on the environment and on the Bahamas community, using materials and local suppliers and hiring local staff.

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve was a unique project that required three years of work to reclaim and transform the island, making it today possible to offer the best possible experience to cruise passengers.

During the reclamation process 7,500 tons of metal waste were removed and a team of expert and marine biologists carefully removed individual colonies of hard coral from the debris at sea, transferring them to more suitable and uncontaminated seabed.

An innovative naturalistic program involved the island, having taken actions to promote an environment with high biodiversity and sustainable impact, and having planted more than 75,000 plants and shrubs throughout the island. is to offer its customers a complete tourist offer in full contact with nature.

Once arrived on this exclusive paradise on earth, guests can admire breathtaking views, infinite blue shades of the sea, white beaches and unspoiled nature.

Also available to guests is a planning of exceptional activities: from snorkeling to the vision of great timeless classic movies on maxi screens under the starry Caribbean sky, from paddle boarding or kayaking in the crystal clear sea to naturalistic excursions. Those who want can also enjoy a magnificent spa treatment or relax in a private cabana on the beach.

The island has seven white sand beaches for a total of two kilometers; each with its own particular characteristics will allow guests to try all the experiences of seaside tourism. Around the island there are 64 square miles of protected waters along which a coral nursery is being created.

The iconic 30-meter lighthouse host a bar and a terrace, and among the dining options there are the Sneakers Food Court, a rich buffet restaurant with international dishes, or the Ice Cream Parlor, a few steps from the beach.

COP26 Pontignano 2020: Italy and UK new bilateral relations on climate change

London (Rosita Dagh) Italy and UK established a new bilateral relationship on climate change during the Pontignano Conference.

The event took place in London on February 25th.

The Italian and English governments came together to find new solutions to the issues that affect our planet.

Climate change remains one core subjects of global debate to which everyone is called to do something on the matter. In fact, world leaders will join COP26 (Conference of the Parties) in Glasgow next November 2020.

Now the goal of the United Kingdom and Italy is to apply the “Pontignano” method to bring new ideas and projects at the COP26 wich are aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.

Today The Pontignano Co-President, Carlo Calenda and Lord Willetts, hosted 100 people from the local journalists, politicians and experts at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, to discuss how to overcome current obstacles related to the climate change.

Zac Goldsmiths, Minister for the Enviroment; Lord David Willetts

The event was also attended by the Minister for the Enviroment, Food and Rural Affairs, Zac Goldsmith, who insisted on the fact that in UK, since 2014, we have assisted to very high temperatures never seen before but, at the same time, he highlighted how the British citizens have always been activeto propose new solutions to the government.

“The population has immediately shown interest and willingness to stop this problem” – he said.

Therefore, the Minister concluded that the success of COP26 is not about convinceing people to do something on climate change, but convinceing them of leaders’ capability to take serious measures to protect our planet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEthbvbPAUE

Discovering Eton College

London, Maria Vittoria Bognetti

Eton College was born in 1440 from by King Henry VI who desired to found an institution that would shape and educate the next british ruling class in the English Language, aiming at creating a natural ‘bridge’ between high school and university education level. It started as a charity school which provided free education for seventy poor boys in Windsor, Berkshire, who then continued their scholastic career in the exclusive 70 colleges between Oxford and Cambridge, leading universities in the world.

For the first time, Eton College opened his doors to an Italian production team, London One Radio, allowing us to perceive the unicity and the peculiarities of this institution in its whole beauty. Dr. Marco Liviero has been the voice who guided such tour in the numerous rooms of the college, by providing insights on what distinguishes them from other boarding schools. He explains that Eton College was love at first sight: he visited the school during an academic trip, and already passionate about the British culture, theatre and Shakespeare, he pictured himself in this institution. A dream that came reality as, for the past 19 years, he has been the Professor of English Literature at Eton College.

Eton is not like any other boarding schools, students are developed in toto. As Dr. Marco Liviero explains, “Excelling in school is not enough. Being passionate is an essential quality, and what is mot important is to be willing to invest effort and time in these”. The academic part is indeed just a small component of the education that student receive from Eton: they develop their passions, initiative spirit, and sense of responsibility through the many extracurricular activities from sport, to music and theatre.

The Farrer theatre, the creative heart of Eton College, is one of the most magical places in the boarding school. And the very essence of theatre allows Eton students to grow as human beings, touching the many spheres of an inclusive development: it allows to “understand who you are and who you can become”, key elements in the receipt to disclose the full potential of each student. It is not surprise that many brilliant actors passed from here, from Hugh Laurie, the Dr. House protagonist, to Eddie Radmayne, who recently won the oscar for his interpretation of Stephen Hawking in the Theory of Everything.

Eton’s traditions have been lasting for more than six centuries, and it is the combination of such solid and extraordinary background, academic excellence and a constant innovation that allows this school to be the most prestigious boarding school in the United Kingdom, if not the world.

“The school master’s skill is understanding the different talents of each pupils”, a quote by Quasiliano, found in a fresco in the Head Master Chamber, the office of the Head Master in XIII century, well embraces and expresses the spirit of this brilliant institution.

Grenfell Tower fire investigation

Since the launch of the criminal investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire, the Met has been working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service.

As the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (GTI) has progressed, both the police senior investigating officer and the CPS agree that the police investigation must take into account any findings or reports produced by the GTI, including its final report.

If the police investigation concludes there is sufficient evidence to consider criminal charges in relation to the fire, a file will be submitted to the CPS for its consideration.

The GTI has previously stated that it is unlikely phase 2 public hearings will begin before the end of 2019.

The publication of any final inquiry report will follow phase 2 hearings and so the Met’s assessment is that any file submission to the CPS is unlikely to be sooner than the latter part of 2021.

Detective Superintendent Matt Bonner, who leads the investigation into the fire, said: “We have always said our investigation will be thorough, exploring all reasonable lines of enquiry and examining all the available evidence.

“While the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the police investigation are independent of each other, our timelines are inextricably linked. For our investigation to be considered thorough and complete, it must consider all relevant information and it would be wrong not to take into account evidence given to the public inquiry and its final report and findings.

“We are in regular contact with the bereaved families and survivors as well as the wider community, and have informed them of our projected timeline for the investigation. I know this is longer than some might have anticipated, but the police must ensure all the available evidence is considered before any file is submitted to the CPS.”

May: “Brexit will give the freedom to deliver the British dream”

London (Caterina Moser) – Brexit will give Britain the “freedom to deliver the British dream”, Theresa May said in exclusive interview with Daily Express. The prime minister showed her most optimistic vision yet of how the “divorce” with Brussels will benefit the whole the country.

She said that Brexit gives the opportunity to built a better future and to realise the famous British dream. Theresa May added: “Brexit gives us opportunity to have the freedom to be able to deliver that in a way that we haven’t been before”. The freedom to spend billions of pounds on the priorities of the country.

The prime minister spoke on the eve of the EU Summit, which is taking place on 19th and 20th of September in Salzburg.

The Summit is an important step, because the British government will present the – so called – “Chequers deal”. It considers the only alternative to the no-deal. The informal Summit in Salzburg will be the first time for the EU leaders to sit together since Theresa May presented her “Chequers Brexit” proposal to them.

The Brexit deal is about the future relationships between the EU and the UK and it is putting on table “what we think is the right plan for the UK and deliver a good deal for the EU”, said Theresa May.

Regardless, the most difficult battle that May is afraid to face is at home.
From September the 30th to October the 3rd, there will be the annual Tory congress in Birmingham. During those 4 days, we will understand if the leader of the Tories has the 320 votes that they need to pass the agreement to the House of Commons.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond warned of “dire consequences” from crashing out of the EU. Siding with the International Monetary Fund, Hammond said that a no-deal Brexit risks wiping out Britain’s 10-year recovery from the economic crash. These kind of warnings have sparked new tensions between the Canchellor and the prime Minister Theresa May.

Moreover, in last few days the speculation over May’s position as prime minister became harsher. For example, at the end of August, Jacob Rees-Mogg sent a message to some Tory activists encouraging them to ditch Theresa May’s soft Brexit plan and quit the EU with no deal.

In a BBC interview, Theresa May said she gets “irritated” and the debate should be about the country’s future rather than her own.

Meanwhile, few days ago, the mayor of London Sadiq Khan called for a second Brexit Referendum. He criticised Theresa May’s handling of Brexit negotiations with EU. According to Mr Khan, time is running out and UK is now facing a “bad deal” or a “no deal”.

Regarding a second vote, Ms May is being clear: “We gave people the opportunity to make a choice. They made that choice”. Demanding a second Brexit referendum risks shattering trust in Westminster.

“This was probably the biggest exercise in democracy in our country’s history. If we were to go back on that vote, it would destroy trust in politicians” said the prime minister.

Happy birthday Google?!

London (Caterina Moser) – Have you ever searched “google” on Google? Maybe today, it would be a perfect occasion to discover the story of the most important search provided.

THE STORY

On 4 September 1998, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, both graduate at Stanford University, filed for incorporation. That’s it: twenty years ago today, two students changed our lives. They organize all the information in the world for everyone. In that moment, in California, Google was born.

This is where it stared. From a research project oriented to the understanding of mathematical models and the link structure of the web. The rest of the story, you know it too well.

IS TODAY THE BEST TIME TO CELEBRATE?

Google doesn’t know very well when to celebrate its birthday. The company history says that google.com was registered on 15th of September 1997, but it was filed for incorporation on 4th September.

Anyway, most year we found Google Doodle about birthday on 27th of September, in memory of when in 1998 the record of indexed pages was recorded. But in 2005, the Google Doodle was put up on 26th of September. And in 2004 it put up on 7 September and in 2003 it put up on 8 September.

But, it is always a good time to celebrate Google.

THE NAME

According to the official version, the two founders had searched for a name by which they could represent the ability to organize the immense amount of information available on the Web. E.g. An hyperbole.

They chose an existing name: googol. The term is referred to the number represented by 1 followed by 100 zeros. The perfect metaphor of the (almost) infinity of the web.

“TO GOOGLE”

Today Google is the most popular search provided. It also creates a neologism: “To google”, that it means “search on web”.

It has launched the most widespread Android operating system in the world and is working on Artificial Intelligence. It has allowed us to communicate in over 100 languages with Google Translate, let us explore places we would never have seen without Google Earth, and the list goes on: Images, Videos, News, Books, Shopping and so on.

But it has also had to deal with polemics for privacy, maxi forfeits from Europe, internal protests of employees for deemed unethical projects and recently the heavy invectives of Donald Trump.

TREND TOPIC

A story of 20 years. Not a long time has passed, but many things have changed. Do you remember MSN or MySpace?

To celebrate Google’s 20th birthday, metro.co.uk have gathered the top trending search terms in the UK through Google Search’s history from 2005. A perfect occasion to remind the past and remind things we forgot.

Have a good time travel and the best wishes to Google!

2005: Hi5 • Crazy frog • Web messenger • Wikipedia • Webmessenger • Msn web messenger • Stick cricket • Yahoo music • Tsunami • Msn 7.0

2006: Bebo • Myspace • Weirdmaker • My space • http://www.myspace.com • Wiki • Radio blog • Wikipedia • euro millions

2007: Facebook • Tesco direct • Grayvee • Youtube • Club penguin • Plenty of fish • Natwest online banking • Ebuddy • Pistonheads • Youtube.com

2008: Facebook login • Premier inn • Bebo sign in • Hotmail sign in • Agames • Hannah montana games • Newlook • Mila kunis

2009: Argos.co.uk • Facebook login • 4shared • 4od • http://www.facebook.co.uk • Compare the market • Skype download • Justin tv • o2.co.uk • Youtube.com • ebay motors • Autotrader uk • hsbc internet banking • orange.co.uk • Katie Price

2010: Santander • Facebook en español • fb • Hotmail sign in • Youtube music • 40d • Msn sign in • Calendar 2010 • Traffic Scotland • Youtube videos • Mail online • Google translate

2011: Natwest online • Minecraft • Gumtree london • Angry birds • Halifax online banking • Happy wheels • psn • Euromillions • Capital fm • tumblr • Lloyds • Just eat

2012: Bars • tripadvisor • Who unfollowed me • Olympics • Train line • Kizi • Watch series • Lloyds internet banking • Olympic tickets • Sky go • pof • Movie2k • ipad 3 • Gary Barlow

2013: Outlook • yify • futhead • ee • ask.fm • Instagram • Miley Cyrus • Ian Watkins • Arsenal transfer news • Breaking Bad

2014: bt mail • Michael Schumacher • btmail • iphone 6 • Lloyds bank • American Horror Story • Liverpool transfer news • Lloyds internet banking • Lotto result • Google drive • Buzzfeed • Office 365 • Airbnb

2015: Couchtuner • This is England • Amber Rose • mbna login • Perrie Edwards • Twinkl • Euro exchange rate • Santa tracker • Show my homework • aa route finder • Stephen Hawking • showbox • Marksandspencer

2016: Hotmail login • jet2holidays • iphone 7 • bank holidays 2016 • Love Island • deliveroo • ftse 100 • rightmove uk • pound to euro • the sun • spotlight • Conor Mcgregor • bet365 mobile • kahoot • man utd news • Jamie Vardy

2017: Facebook log in • bank holidays 2017 • election • mathswatch • futbin • manchester • Love Island • solitaire • brexit news • Ariana Grande • aa route

2018: Facebook log in • studio catalogue • josh brolin • jet2 holidays • Post Malone • England football • purple bricks • fa cup final • lebron james • Dua Lipa • Donald Glover • google search • Peaky Blinders • flashscores • weather • Cher • Margot Robbie • Kate Middleton • metoffice • Russia

What do Londoners prefer about Italy?

London (Branciforti Vittorio, Cuius Iuculano Stefano, Cusumano Elisa, Di Gregorio Denise, Grimaldi Giacomo, Gulizia Erika, Morretta Miriam, Palumbo Elisa, Scalogna Francesca, Scalzo Giuliana, Scuto Noemi, Vassallo Alice) – It is known that Italy is famous for wonderful landscapes and beautiful places. That is why a lot of foreign people visit the country. But do they really know Italy? And which are their favorite places? The guys of London One Academy tried to discover it for us.

The project started on 7^th August 2018 and the people involved in it were divided into three groups: the “speaking-group”, which had to choose what to ask people for an inquiry about travels in Italy; the “excel” one, which had to make graphics and statics; and the “marketing-group”, which had to promote the radio.

Then, the groups became four, each one composed of three students. They had to interview people around London and every morning they collected more than 150 interviews. The main questions were: “Have you ever been in Italy?”. If yes, “where have you been?”; if no, “ where would you like to go in Italy?”. The last question was “When you travel, do you prefer to visit museums or go to the beach?”. Amazingly many people have already visited Italy, especially Rome, Florence, Venice and Naples.

Everybody was very excited to talk about Italy and Italian food, for which we are very famous abroad. Thanks to the interviews, the groups found out that foreigners love the Italian language; they would like to learn it or they are already learning it. On the other hand, they met people who have never been in Italy. However, they would like to go to the capital, which is Rome, and the most part would like to visit Tuscany and Sicily, too.

The other group worked with Excel, they created a graphic with the information they collected every day in the interviews. So they showed the rate of answers and they made a graphic for each question with the percentage.

In the first graphic, there are the most visited Italian cities: at the top, there is Rome (27%), Florence has the second position (17%) and Venice has the third position (15%). There are also destinations that are not so famous, but people would like to visit them, such as Sicily (5%), Sorrento (5%), Pisa (2,6%) and Sardinia (0,9%).

In the second one, the Italian cities in which people would like to go: even in this case, Rome (36%) has the first place, probably because it is the capital, Venice (20%) follows it and Florence (11%) is the third one. Many people also answered Sicily (9%) and Verona (6,7%).

The last graphic contains the percentage of people who prefer museums (39%), seaside (34%) or both (27%).

Thanks to the data collected, it is quite clear that people from every country of the world love Italy, its history, language, culture and obviously food. This made the students who work at this project very proud of their Italy, especially of their Sicily, which is also very popular all over the world.

Brexodus is real: many banks are leaving United Kingdom because of Brexit

London (Giulia Faloia) – Brexit brings Brexodus. More and more banks are now leaving UK due to the abandonment of European Union.

According to the Financial Times, Treasury and Bank of England are “at loggerheads” over City of London regulation after Brexit.

Chancellor Philip Hammond said he wants to keep Britain closely aligned with the EU’s rules to ensure maximum access to the European market. However the Bank is fearful of any compromise that would leave it as “a rule taker”.

There are different opinions about the kind of relationship between the two sides. According to the Daily Telegraph, they are “very, very bad”, while an unnamed Treasury source tells the Times that the department has a “very good” working relationship with the Bank.

It’s pretty clear that the situation of banks and their employees – as much as their clients – is quite critical, especially if there will be an Hard Brexit.

The Minister Dominic Raab has recently warned people about the possible scenario after a no-deal. In fact according to him customers could be faced with increased rates and major precessing times for euro transactions. He also added that payment costs by credit card between United Kingdom and European Union could increase.

According to the Minister, there could be problems for British citizens living in countries belonging to European Union. In fact, in case of an Hard Brexit the same customers could loose the possibility of accessing deposit and loan services and insurance contracts.

British banks have already started to leave Great Britain and probably more and more will follow.

One of the greatest and latest blow to the British economy was the one by Hsbc. In fact the bank has announced that its activities will be transferred to Europe, in France. The seat in London will loose the control on seven European branches: Belgium, Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Spain.

The list of the banks that will leave United Kingdom is destined to get longer. The destinations will mainly be Germany, France, Spain, Ireland and Denmark.

The match between London and Bruxelles is still opened and the possibility to end it with a no-deal is more and more close. Meanwhile Brexodus is real.

Windsor Castle will host an amazing exhibition of the main clothes used in the Royal Wedding

London (Giulia Faloia) – Some time passed since 19th May 2018, the day of the Royal Wedding. Despite Meghan Markle and Prince Harry got married several months ago, they are still giving the chance to talk about the ceremony.

In fact some objects used for that occasion will be available in an exhibition at Windsor Castle this October.

Meghan Markle’s stunning Givenchy wedding dress will be exposed as well as Queen Mary’s 1932 diamond and platinum bandeau tiara that was lent to the Duchess of Sussex by the Queen for the first time.

Meghan’s breathtaking wedding dress that was designed by British designer Claire Waight Keller will on display at exhibition titled A Royal Wedding: The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex.

Every lover of fashion and weddings in general will have the chance to admire the details of the silk gown, five-metre long train.

It will be possible to see also the stunning veil that is embroidered with the flowers of all 53 Commonwealth countries and Wintersweet and a California Poppy.

Clare revealed that Meghan told her from the start exactly how she wanted to look at her Royal Wedding and that it took no less than eight fittings to create the final dress.

She added: “We very quickly agreed on the perfect dress. I wanted a modern and fresh silhouette while respecting her style” and, talking about the entire job, she said that it was “an immense honour to have worked closely with Meghan”.

Clare herself also revealed that the Duke of Sussex congratulated her after the wedding saying: “Oh my God. Thank you. She is absolutely magnificent”.

The Royal Collection Trust told Express.co.uk that Meghan’s second stunning dress of the evening that was designed by Stella McCartney will not be part of the exhibition.

A copy of the Duke of Sussex’s Savile Row-tailored uniform will be on display.

Prince Harry’s outfit was a specially commissioned frockcoat uniform of the Blues and Royals was made by Dege & Skinner. Plus the uniform will be paid with trousers made of blue and black wool barathea.

The exhibition will start at the wedding site of Windsor Castle before making its way to Holyrood Palace.

It will be at Windsor Castle from October 26 to January 6, and at Holyrood Palace from June 14 to October 6 next year.

The Association Fiorentini nel Mondo celebrates Michelangelo

London (Caterina Moser) – The event “Michelangelo’s Hard Time on the Apuan Alps” will be on 27th September at the Italian Institute of Culture in London.

Once upon a time… It is not a fairy tales. It is a significative part of Italian and Tuscany history. 500 years ago, Michelangelo Buonarroti was sent to Alta Versilia by Pope Leo X. It was a difficult time which the italian sculptor considered a failure, but that was the origin of the marble industry in Alta Versilia.

Under the auspices of the Consulate General of Italy in London, The Association Fiorentini nel Mondo presents “Michelangelo’s Hard Time on the Apuan Alps”. The event will take place at 18.30 in Belgrave Square 39, where Institute of Culture in London is based.

The journalist and historian Margherita Calderoni – Proconsul in Uk for the Fiorentini nel Mondo Association – will talk about the time in which Michelangelo passed in Alta Versilia and the origin of the marble industry in that area.

The event will have the contribution of Professor Massimo Ruffilli from Florence, expert of the San Lorenzo façade complex story and promoter of a project involving the Michelangelo design for it. There will be also another special guest: Sculptor Nicolas Bertoux, owner of a historical marble laboratory and founder of ARKAD, the cultural foundation in Seravezza recognized for their world-class capabilities as an innovative, delivery focused transformational learning organization.

It is always a good reason to talk about and remind Michelangelo. In this case, the 4 historical Communities of Verisilia – Pietrasanta, Seravezza, Forte dei Marmi, Stazzema – will celebrate Michelangelo’s presence on their territory.

500 years ago, Pope Leo X ordered Michelangelo Buonarroti to excavated marble in Alta Versilia for the façade of San Lorenzo in Florence. He had to leave his beloved Carrata and find a new quarries.

Michelangelo tried to oppose to the papal decision, in vain. Indeed, there was an economic reason: the Capitanato of Pietrasanta was under Florence influence and so the marbles from that Apuan districts came for free.

His life in Alta Versilia was dramatic. He was a sculptor, a painter and an architect. Now, he had to improvise himself as road worker and quarryman also. He spent three years of hard working declaring “I am the most unhappy man in the world”. He faced the asperity of places and the rusticity of the locals.

In one of the many letters to his brother he declared regarding the incompetence of the local workers “It looks like having to resurrect the dead when I try to tame these mountains or to instill skills in this country”.
Even if he was sick and fed up, he kept working and snatched marble from the mighty “Altissimo”. And it wasn’t easy. In those three years among technical problems and personal worries from Leo X, he complained about lack of collaboration and money.

However, he carried on and he found splendid “marmo statuario” on Monte Altissimo. He also built a road to the see for shipping it to Florence.

A failure and a waste of money. Leo X discharged Michelangelo in 1520.

In reality, what looked as a failure and a waste of money was discovered as a resource. Years later Granduke Cosimo I guessed the potentiality of that area and continued Michelangelo’s deed. He built a gorgeous Villa in Seravezza, completed the road from Monte Altissimo to Forte dei Marmi and paved the way for the marble industry in Versilia.

Michelangelo left an significant mark in Alta Versilia and – after 500 years – it is important to celebrate him.

The event is under the auspices of the Consulate General of Italy in London, under the patronage of the Comuni Pietrasanta, Seravezza, Forte dei Marmi, Stazzema. With The Florentine newspaper as media sponsor, the event is sponsored by Fiorentini nel Mondo cultural Association, Mital – artistic terracotta factory and Florencetown – cultural tours operator.

Cheese and wine reception will follow, to toast to Michelangelo with the renown Diadema IGT wines from Tuscany.