The Matthew Online

Lifting the veil on religious stereotypes

By Kim Navarra

ROME, Feb. 27 - At first sight, she looks as if she just jumped out of the pages of Vogue.

Blonde, attractive and stylish, 21-year-old Panuar Omarova is more than just a pretty face. This Kazakstan-born Muslim is walking proof that looks can be deceiving, and that ethnic stereotypes are plain ignorant. Today, she studies in Rome at the European School of Economics. She is one of the growing number of Muslims who call the capital of the Catholic Church home.

After the fall, can Italy's govt bounce back?

By Jeanette Pollara

ROME, Feb. 26 - After a surprise collapse of the Romano Prodi government last week, Italians anxiously await a crucial vote in the coming days to see if the prime minister can stage a comeback and return to power. But the question remains: if Prodi wins a vote of confidence on Wednesday, as expected, will his center-left government be strong enough to last a full term in power?

 

Angels, demons and actors in the Eternal City

By Astrid Allard

ROME, Feb. 26 - After the $750 million box office success of last year's The Da Vinci Code, millions of fans have been breathlessly awaiting another encounter with Professor Robert Langdon to follow him once again in his adventures. The wait is almost over as shooting of the latest big screen adaptation for Dan Brown thriller Angels & Demons begins this spring in the Eternal City's famed Cinecittà studios.

JCU, meet your travel agent

By Blair Mlnarik

ROME, Feb. 25 - Earlier this month, JCU students on successive weekends hit the pistes of Cervinia (pictured) in the Italian Alps for beautiful and adventurous ski trips. 

These trips were organized by Michele Danza, who also planned the recent excursion to Montenegro and the upcoming trips to the island Ventotene, off the coast between Rome and Naples, at the beginning of May.

 

Italy's cioccolaterie dish $ecret of $uccess

By Kim Bogachuk

Rome, Feb 22 – Even as a G8 nation, Italy has lost its way on an unsteady path towards prosperity. In 2006, economic growth increased just 1.7%. And, even after a promising start this year, it could decline again due to a tightening of fiscal policy and uncertain political future.

What does this mean for the average Italian trying to make a go at running a small business?

Suffering culture shock? JCU can help

By Shira Nanus

ROME, Feb. 22 -- John Cabot University continues to provide resources -- from counseling services to help navigating Italy's vexing red tape -- for students experiencing culture shock while studying in Rome. 

“You are being put into a situation where your knowledge to do everything is put into question,” Dean of Academic Affairs, Patricia Read-Hunter, said. “That is very tough.”

CIA's alleged abduction still spooks Europe's Muslims

By Janae Wright

ROME, Feb. 22 - In 2003, the Egyptian Muslim preacher , Abu Omar, was allegedly kidnapped from Milan by U.S. CIA agents and Italian intelligence officials. Suspected of recruiting fighters for deep-seated Islamic causes, he was transported out of Italy to Egypt, where, he later said, he was tortured under questioning.

This highly controversial snatching is one of the small number of known cases of CIA kidnapping a person off the streets of a major European city without court sanction. CIA and Italian agents involved may be prosecuted for the actions taken against Omar in 2003. A trial would be the first criminal prosecution  nvolving the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program, a program that has created a dramatic rift between the U.S. and its closest allies in Europe. This turn of events may force a change in American foreign policy.

Can YOU salsa?

By Jamie Schwam

ROME, Feb 21 - From the streets of Cuba to the gyms of Rome, salsa dancing has become one of the most exciting and riveting dances gripping the major cities of the world. Think you are unable to start learning the salsa? Well, think again.  With a dance class or club waiting for you, you’ll be dancing to the likes of Celia Cruz.

With the height of salsa in the 1950’s, natives of Cuba and other Latin American countries would share their native dance to express happiness and shed positive light throughout their town. Although it wasn’t an accepted everywhere, it never stopped the salsa dancers from moving to the beat of their music.

Espresso v. Dunkin Donuts. Can they mix?

ROME, Feb. 21 - Are Italians as friendly as everyone claims they are? We have sent our correspondent Rada Steinberg in search of the answer. Her quest begins on the campus of John Cabot and follows into the night. This is what she found.

Security concerns abound for study-abroad students

By Ruthie Kasnett

ROME, Feb. 21 - Every January, hundreds of study abroad students from the United States arrive in Rome. Unfortunately, trouble greets some of them.

In past semesters, study-abroad students have been robbed, pick-pocketed and sexually abused, a formula that seems to repeat itself every semester.