The family of kidnapped Mariani confirm release

Maria Sandra MarianiThe family of kidnapped Italian Maria Sandra Mariani confirm daughter’s release. Kidnapped in Algeria in February 2011, news of her release was reported earlier in the day by Italy’s Foreign Minsiter, Giulio Terzi. Interviewed at the family home in San Casciano, outside Florence, the woman’s father, Lido Mariani, said “I am told by the Foreign Ministry that my daughter has been released and is on her way home

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NYU, democracy and dissent across the globe

Barack ObamaFrom Madrid to Cairo, Tel Aviv, Rome and New York, protests have erupted across the globe against economic instability, political unaccountability and corruption, and characterized by a prevailing sense of disillusionment. What are the defining characteristics of these movements? Where are the ideas coming from and how are they being expressed? How influential is social media in their structure and philosophy? In what direction are they going?

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Fiorentina is three points above the relegation

Bad times for FiorentinaFiorentina is three points above the relegation places after being held to a 0-0 draw at home by Palermo. A run of one win in six games has the Viola sitting dangerously close to the drop zone, but the hosts will feel unlucky not to take all three points from Wednesday’s game. Matija Nastasic saw his first-half header hit the post for Fiorentina before Amauri thought he had won the game for the hosts nine minutes from time, only to have his goal called back for a handball.

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Kick off of the most modern train in Europe

NTV ItaloItalo, the most modern train in Europe, will begin running on April 28. Thanks to railway liberalization, for the first time in the world a private operator, NTV, with a totally private investment of 1 billion euro, brings competition to Italy. NTV will initially start with services on the Naples – Rome – Florence – Bologna – Milan corridor and the network will be later extended to Salerno, Torino and Venezia by the end of the year, when the entire fleet of 25 Alstom AGV trainsets will be available.

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Tuscan woman dies in the waters of Florida

A Tuscan woman died in Key WestA woman aged 47 died in Florida, while she was in the waters of Key West, overwhelmed by a tidal wave. The victim’s name was Paola Falco, lived in Figline Valdarno (Florence). She worked in the Tuscan capital as a manager of an insurance agency. She left with her husband for a holiday in the United States. According to a preliminary reconstruction, a tidal wave of 8 meters was overwhelmed with another swimmer, killing them both.

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