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HOT
IS GOOD!
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Remember
the old admonition to stay clear of spicy foods? Not according
to the latest research from Dr. Mauro Bortolotti
of the University
of Bologna.
In clinical tests of patients with gastro-intestinal pains, the
good doctor gave them pills with the equivalent of 3 spicy meals a day. By the
end of the trial period, complaints were down 60%, compared to
a 30% decrease in placebo users. Dr. Bortolotti credits the chemical
capsaicin in red pepper for blocking the pain transmission. Consult
your own doctor before sprinkling red pepper on that broccoli
rabe or baccala.
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ITALIANS
STILL EAT IN
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Things
change a mite slower in Italy.
The classic two-hour lunch and nap are still observed by working
Italians. A recent national survey revealed that 75% of working
folk go home for lunch and 20% of those also hit the sheets. The
wonder is that Italians are the 6th wealthiest people
on the globe!
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COURAGE
REWARDED
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President
Bush awarded a belated Medal of Honor to Captain Rocky Versace
in recognition of his heroism during captivity in North
Vietnam. Captain
Versace refused to cooperated with his Communist captors, sometimes goading them
to punish him rather than his American comrades. The Communists
eventually shot him in frustration. Captain Versace's father accepted
the nation's highest honor on behalf of his son.
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A
BRIDGE NOT FAR
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It
may be the 9th wonder of the world and it has taken
two thousand years to arrive, but Italy
is now committed to linking Sicily
with the mainland via a suspension bridge. At a projected cost
of $4.5 billion, and spanning nearly three miles, construction
is targeted to begin in 2005. Beside the challenge of length,
Italian engineers must factor in earthquakes and the ever-threatening
cost overrun (think of Boston's
"Big Dig").
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BREAKING
BARRIERS
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The
elite national policemen of Italy
are called the Carabinieri. Since their founding in 1814 they
have kept the civilian peace as well as policing the military.
Although picturesque in their 18th century dress uniforms,
complete with tri-cornered hat, the Carabinieri have been called
on to fight brigands and mafiosi and
even stemmed the First World War rout at Caporetto
(1917) by summarily executing Italian Army deserters. Today, the
force is open to female recruits. Among the line of march
during Italy's
Republic Day celebration can now be seen the First Division of
Women Carabinieri.
Source
of trivia items: The Italic Institute of America
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