Tag: uk

St. Patrick’s Day at The Piano Works

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, will be celebrated with a party full of music at THE PIANO WORKS.
The band will be ready to perform all night long the most popular Irish songs .
Pints ​​of Guinness for just £ 3 from 3pm, in a bubbly atmosphere where Irish-style hats, wigs and disguises are highly encouraged.


Start with Happy Hour from 5pm to 8pm, with selected cocktails from £ 5.50 and bottles of Prosecco from £ 12.50.
You can book a table for your group of at least 8 people and get admission for £ 1 with a Guinness or Cocktail included.
The Piano Works is the only non-stop live music venues in London that play songs requested by the public. It hosts over 65 independent musicians from Great Britain and organize its  SingEasy evenings with non-stop  live music, in which pianists and singing waiters are at the center of the scene to play the songs requested by the public who can enjoy eccentric cocktails and delicious food.
Alan Lorrimer, founder of The Piano Works, says:“Given how many music venues have closed in London it is very rewarding to have created two venues that have such talented musicians, playing to a loyal and hugely appreciative audience.  Our on tour bands are also in high demand.”

For more info: The Piano Works West End;  The Piano Works Farringdon

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

THE PIANO WORKS – Say it with a song

Celebrate your Valentine’s Day at THE PIANO WORKS by dedicating a song to your partner or simply to someone who catches your eyes.

It will be possible to taste a romantic menu accompanied by the in-house six-piece band that will be ready to call out your request, or you can just join the late-night party (free entry after midnight).

The event is a great opportunity to meet new people: guests will in fact receive a numbered sticker that they are encouraged to wear in order to be recognized by possible secret admirers, so that they can dedicate or be dedicated a song. Once the song is played, it will be possible to trace the number and, why not, to find love.

To increase the possibilities of matching, there will be also a  Cupid matchmaker  that will help guests in finding the perfect song and shoot the arrow of love. This will ensure an outstanding date night experience, bond over amazing music.

The dinner includes a three-course menu with a glass of Moët & Chandon and a selection of dishes such as tuna tartar with guacamole and wasabi mousse, a sharing sea food platter, or côte de boeuf. Vegans and vegetarians are equally catered for, with delights such as vegan walnut pâté and shepherd’s pie.  End on a high note with a pear and liquorice strudel or warm chocolate brownie with salted caramel.

 

For further information: The Piano Works, Farringdon ; The Piano Works, West End

Matt Graham, a British writer talks about the dark history of the USA

London (Rosita Pirulli) – Matt Graham, a British writer talks about the dark history of The USA

Matt Graham is a British writer now settled in the USA well known for its talks about the untold facts about USA’s history. This journey  throughout the dark American routes started with Oliver Stone. The famous American writer and filmmaker was looking for a cowriter to complete his dream: a ten part documentary series about the unknown side of American History, now well known as “The Untold History of the United States”.

A writer who talks about other countries tales may be subjected to criticism but at the same time: “Outsiders often have the best perspectives because they can be objective and have fresh perspectives” – as Mr Graham said.

This is one of the reason why Oliver Stone chose him after having discovered to have in common the same passion: history. It was the Graham’s script about the British mercenaries in Angola in the 1970’s that caught the attention of Oliver Stone who decided to hire him.

From that time Matt has been recognised as a historical writer, now involved in several projects. He now lives and works in America. He told, one time, he is not the only one British writer who works in Hollywood. In order to get hired in those environments you have to: ‘write well and have good ideas’ – Matt underlines. 

However, there is a difference between writing in EU and writing in Hollywood: in the US writing means mainly ‘entertaining’. This is why a writer in LA can adapt his script in several ways, including TV and cinema and if you are not able to entertain your audience, then you will be easily cancelled.

Consequently, Matt Graham looks at LA as a centre of revolution in storytelling, in which writers can express theirselves more creatively. Nevertheless, ‘living by writing is very, very difficult’ says Matt, unless you are very ambitious and you keep to be perseverant in what you are doing and writing. 

Such profession was an occasion for Matt to discover the world by travelling  between Hollywood and Latin America for example and getting incredible experiences that a person can hardly forget in life. 

Amongst his trips, Matt got also the chance to write a movie in Mumbai recently, for example, directed by one of India’s biggest directors, Abhinay Deo. 

As he highlighted, such a life can be great and engaging as well as stressful but:  ‘its a price you pay without question if you’re creative and ambitious.  Those of us that do this, I think we all feel the same way’. 

 

Oxigenia – The innovative technology of drinking water

From Italy to the rest of the EU, included the UK, Oxigenia keeps your body stable, regenerated and with less fatigue.

Everyone could drink it without any distinction, because  there is no ‘strange’ ingredient as you have probably imagined at the first instance. Instead, there is an essential and pure component that makes it unique: more quantity of oxygen.

The idea of such product  came out in Italy with Step-Line, an international dynamic company, with extensive experience, founded over fifteen years ago with the aim of resolving, in an ecological way, problems resulting from the professionals and daily use of water.

Leader of HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant and Bar) with 3,500 machines installed in more than 1,500 shops, offers “AcquaSteplians” and “Oxigenia” as solutions, reaching  40.000.000 consumers, according to the latest statistics.

The reasons why these consumers chose Oxygenia are related to:

– microfiltration;

– improvement in digestion;

– increase in oxygen: 36 more times;

– certificate and inmetro;

– significative savings

This is also why Oxigenia became a supply of water in the restaurant sector, whose distribution has now even being quite diffused and productive thanks to the installations of new machines, the Matic Plus Oxigenia.

It is easy to use them and get your oxygen water as you need to follow just  two steps: first insert your bottle into it, insert your card in order to choose what type of water you prefer (still, sparkling or effervescent) and then enjoy it. It’s easy ‘like drinking a glass of water’.

Oxigenia, having also participated at Welcome Italia 2017 in London, is also becoming well know within the English territory. However, the EU distribution was already settled before the Italian Event, with Eclipse Europe ltd which is the distributor for England of water machine enriched with 36% more of oxygen for Restaurants, Fitness and Home/Offices.

Brexit: Is this the end for EU students?

London (Benedetta Pironi) – Since the Brexit happened in 2016, the referendum established the leave for the British Island from the European Union. More than a year after the EU leaders approved the start of the second phase of the negotiation. But what will occur exactly?

If the content of the first phase involved economic and geo-political issues, now the discussion turns around the relationship between UK-EU within a period of transition. This time frame is crucial to determine the condition of a new possible government post-Brexit. In particular, one of the priority involves the academic world and its consequences in terms of international education.

It will be important to clarify and make a decision about the maintenance of international programs such as Horizon 2020 ad Erasmus+, which promote the mobility of those students who desire to take up a career or an educational path abroad.

The student exchanges, the cooperation between teachers, and the collaboration of global institutions are essential factors for the growth and improvement of a cosmopolitan nation. The introduction of Brexit therefore generates a tense atmosphere made of doubts and anxiety for the near future. Although London still attracts a lot of international students, the condition of an instability like this causes skepticism to young people who see their rights, as well as their dreams, collapse.

But this new generation, so-called millennials, are young people born in a dynamic world, which is constantly in evolution. In that sense, they have learnt to be more flexible and open-minded and, in contrast to their ancestors, they are more inclined to detach from a reality if this one can limit them.

So what would be the consequences if Great Britain, after 2020, decide not to support these activities anymore? The worst prediction would be a brain drain exodus, that had already affected Italy a few years ago, of young talented people towards other countries.

Brexit: EU students’ status fee should be clarified for 2019, as Mr McClellan said from University of Westminster

London (Rosita Pirulli) – Jim McClellan, course leader of BA Journalism degree at  University of Westminster, said they are hoping ‘that the Government clarifies what the fee situation will be for EU students’.  

Brexit keeps affecting the education environment, by undermining uncertainty among foreign students who would like to study in London.

The ‘global city’, as Mr McClellan called it, even though is still attracting people thanks to its wide range of universities and working experiences, has changed the atmosphere for some of them since Brexit happened.

The referendum has, in fact, left some students worried until now. The forecasts for 2019, when the UK will definitely leave the EU in March, are still undefined, whereas a small inflation has already affected their fees.

From £9000,00 to £9250,00 per year, was the increase perceived within less than a year since Brexit, an amount that the Government assured will be capped for the 2018 entry cycle.

‘That is an increase based on inflation, so it is a small increase’ said Mr McClellan on LondonOne radio in occasion of Brexit Special show.

Nevertheless it hits home/EU pupils’ pockets as well as London’s universities that could get a loss of applications from Europeans in the future.

University of Westminster is included in that list, an environment valued as an interacting place that attracts talents from around the world.

Ranked as one of the pioneering universities in media and communication, it always distinguished itself by being the first Polytechnic born in the UK in 1838 and well known in all Europe for its first photographic portrait studio opened in 1841.

Since it also engaged people currently famous, such as Nick Mason and Roger Waters, the Pink Floyd’s founders, its image rose up that now is divided in 4 campuses: Regent, Marylebone, Cavendish and Harrow, where Jim McCclluen gives his lectures at Journalism course.

By speaking on London One Radio, Mr McCcullen explained that Westminster University still remains opened to both EU and International students, but he recognises the worries shown by Europeans as well as by the University itself.

So the real matter, according to Mr McClellan is not just about the inflation seen this year, but is regarded to:

‘Whether EU students will be seen as the same as overseas students, so students from outside the EU or whether there will be a new rate for EU students’ – he said.

The fees reckoned for internationals in London are variable depending on the courses and universities they choose. For example, a standard degree course, at the moment, got a range between £11,500 and £ 15,340 or they can also reach a target of £35,000, if they study medicine.

Will Europeans be seen as overseas students once the UK will be out of the EU?

The Government should clarified this position, the lecturer said, because if that happens and ‘the fees go up, then maybe they won’t be able to make that journey and that will be so sad for them and also for us’.

Europeans have always been a good opportunity to get more and new ideas that helped this University to enlarge their capabilities and faculties’ offers, if that happens ‘will affect if they people want to come’.

While their questions have no answers at the moment, University of Westminster keeps its welcoming status as its core value, hoping that from 2019 onwards the future EU students will get the chance to study in London easily, as many others are currently doing.

Brexit: Theresa May’s updates about EU citizens’ rights

London – Breaking News

Theresa May gives updates about EU citizens’ rights, her priority in Brexit negotiations. She appeals direct to the three million EU nationals living in the UK: I want you and your families to stay.  

Prime Minister Theresa May will today promise to make it as easy as possible for EU citizens to obtain settled status in the UK. She will do it via  an open letter to EU citizens living in Britain, through which the PM will say the Government and Brussels are in ‘touching distance’ of reaching an agreement on citizens’ rights.

And she will promise that the process for the EU nationals to register to stay in the UK will be ‘streamlined’ – with EU citizens having a direct say over how it will work.

They will be invited to sit on a new User Group that will ‘meet regularly, ensuring the process is transparent and responds properly to users’ needs.’

Before having a deeper look at the new project that involve europeans to obtain their settled status after Brexit, let’s discover what The PM says   ahead of the October European Council:

‘As I travel to Brussels today, I know that many people will be looking to us – the leaders of the 28 nations in the European Union – to demonstrate we are putting people first.

‘I have been clear throughout this process that citizens’ rights are my first priority. And I know my fellow leaders have the same objective: to safeguard the rights of EU nationals living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU.

‘I want to give reassurance that this issue remains a priority, that we are united on the key principles, and that the focus over the weeks to come will be delivering an agreement that works for people here in the UK, and people in the EU.

‘When we started this process, some accused us of treating EU nationals as bargaining chips. Nothing could have been further from the truth.

‘EU citizens who have made their lives in the UK have made a huge contribution to our country . And we want them and their families to stay. I couldn’t be clearer: EU citizens living lawfully in the UK today will be able to stay.’,

In a message posted on the PM’s Facebook page, and sent direct to 100,000 EU nationals who have asked to receive updates on Citizens’ Rights, she will add: ‘We are in touching distance of agreement. I know both sides will consider each other’s proposals for finalising the agreement with an open mind And with flexibility and creativity on both sides, I am confident that we can conclude discussions on citizens’ rights in the coming weeks.

‘I know there is real anxiety about how the agreement will be implemented. People are concerned that the process will be complicated and bureaucratic, and will put up hurdles that are difficult to overcome. I want to provide reassurance here too.

‘We are developing a streamlined digital process for those applying for settled status in the UK in the future. This process will be designed with users in mind, and we will engage with them every step of the way.’

Furthermore, the PM commits to:

• No longer requiring EU citizens settling here to have to demonstrate Comprehensive Sickness Insurance, as they currently have to under EU rules.

• Keeping the cost of the settlement process as ‘low as possible’

• Establishing a simple process to allow people who already have Permanent Residence to swap this for the new settled status

Then she will turn to EU citizens again, adding and concluding via her direct message:

‘To keep development of the system on track, the Government is also setting up a User Group that will include representatives of EU citizens in the UK, and digital, technical and legal experts.

‘This group will meet regularly, ensuring the process is transparent and responds properly to users’ needs. And we recognise that British nationals living in the EU27 will be similarly concerned about potential changes to processes after the UK leaves the EU. We have repeatedly flagged these issues during the negotiations. And we are keen to work closely with EU Member States to ensure their processes are equally streamlined.

‘We want people to stay and we want families to stay together. We hugely value the contributions that EU nationals make to the economic, social and cultural fabric of the UK. And I know that Member States value equally UK nationals living in their communities.

‘I hope that these reassurances, alongside those made by both the UK and the European Commission last week, will provide further helpful certainty to the four million people who were understandably anxious about what Brexit would mean for their futures.’

My research activity after Brexit

Interview with Gianmaria Matrone, ricercatore italiano presso l’Imperial College di Londra

 

Gianmaria Matrone was born in Pompeii, Italy; he is graduated in Naples University ‘’Federico II’’, and he studied materials engineering and nanotechnology at Milan Polytechnic and he continued his studies in London at Imperial College. His research is supported by the EU and is based on substitution of Silicon (the major source of silicon are the Australian beaches) with polymers, that are cheaper and eco-friendly; for example, polymers are used for building solar panels.

What would you want to do after your studies?

‘’Founds of the EU ends on 2019, for my future I have two possibilities:  go on whit the studies in America or work for a start up in Milan. We would regain the energy covering the substrate like paints, chairs, chandelier etc… and the start up will sell the items such us brushes, paints and substrates. It’s important to a start up, how you sell an idea to carry on the company.’’

Are you going to continue your studies in Italy?

‘’No, it’s complicated because I should convert my English doctorate into Italian one, and I would need a support by lawyer.’’

Does a degree taken in England have the same value in Italy?

‘’Now the degree has an European value; but the problem ,maybe, is that it isn’t recognized with the same title in Italy. In England the magistral degree takes one year while Italian one takes two years, so the problem is about credits.’’

What will happen if the UK came out from the EU?

‘’In this case the UK should revalue her academic mechanisms, that now aren’t tied up entirely to the European dynamics yet.’’

What about the funds of the research?

‘’In my opinion the UK did a wrong choice, because many funds won’t be available neither for the English students noir for the Italian students.’’

According to you, how will this problem be dealt?

‘’The funds that were used for the EU will be spent on research. The private agency will continue to finance researches but are bonded to European projects, so they will lose the 50% of their power.’’

Students of “Elena di Savoia- Piero Calamandrei”

*Interview done by the boys of “Elena di  Savoia- Piero Calamandrei” in the context of the journalistic project on Brexit.

Prosecco, the new enemy of women’s dental care according to UK press

London (Grazia Losole – Translation by Rosita Pirulli) – ‘Save your teeth – and other six reasons to give up Prosecco’. No, it’s not a medical campaign’s motto run by thousands of dentists from around the world, it’s the title of an article published by The Guardian.  Yes, it has been explained how alcohol, in particular Prosecco, is an enemy for our dental care.

The English newspaper, born in Manchester, was not the only one to discuss about such drink that in 2014 overstepped the Champagne in terms of bottles sold internationally. In fact even The Times mentioned the news, saying: ‘Bubble bursts for Prosecco with teeth warning’ apparently going against the most loved and drunk white wine exported worldwide.

Brits have been always fans of this white wine from Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Just think about the canteen of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II that seems to be full of Prosecco bottles, which cannot be missed on the Royal Family’s tables.

Alcohol, sugar and carbonation are the feared enemies of teeth, women’s teeth, to be correct. Yes, the warnings reported are referring to women: ‘Women, especially, were putting themselves at risk of a prosecco smile’. However, it is not just about aesthetics according to The Guardian that added: ‘But it is not the only reason to quit the fizz’.

What else? Let’s take it with the fashion brand ‘River Island’ that produces T-shirts with a sparkly ‘I’ll be in a prosecco’ printed on it, because it has been argued that who advertise their drink on T-shirts would not be the right people with whom share a drink.

It has also been reminded the old times, when if it was not possible getting plastered with fizz,  beer was always the best choice, because even cheaper than Prosecco. Or, again, even though Prosecco has that status as ‘the drink you drink when it would be inappropriate to drink a proper drink, a bit like Pimm’s without vitamins’ it is not worth it because at the end you would have symptoms of weakness and fatigue ‘like you’ve been mugged by a child’.

Dulcis in fundo, Prosecco hangovers would make you feel as someone replace your eyeballs with pear drops and The Guardian’s editors don’t like that.

ItaloEuropeo was delighted and is going to have the pleasure to take part in Food&Beverage events such as Welcome Italia and Bellavita Expo in London and we feel to witness how Prosecco is loved by most of Brits. Afterwards, if the Queen Elizabeth could not miss a glass of it at her table, we doubt that her citizens would start to give it up for their smile.

‘Stay toothsome, ladies’ The Guardian finished their piece, by being the guardian of the women’s smile. We are sure that a glass of Prosecco will not dampen the whiteness of your teeth, maybe it will continue to give you a brilliant smile that will accompanies your night out with your friends. Always with moderation, of course.