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☆ Wu-Tang Clan: Fans can finally get a chance to listen to the band’s one copy album… but there’s a catch
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Wu-Tang Clan first announced in March 2014 that it would produce one copy of “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” to be sold to the highest bidder. The album came in a hand-carved box with a leather-bound book of parchment paper containing lyrics and its backstory. The Wu-Tang Clan originated as a group of rappers from Staten Island, New York in the 1990s. In 2015, notorious “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli bagged the album for about $2 million – making it the world’s most expensive music album ever sold at the time. In 2021, the US Justice Department then sold the album without disclosing the buyer.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Wu, Jarrod Rawlins, “, ” Rawlins, Tang, ” Wu, Robert “ RZA ” Diggs, Forbes, RZA, Tang Clan, Bob Berg, Pharma Bro ” Martin Shkreli, Shkreli, Jon Lynn, PleasrDAO Organizations: CNN, Museum, Mona, Tang Clan, Pharma, America ”, Turing Pharmaceuticals, US Justice Department, DoJ, New Art Digital, New York Times Locations: Tang, Tasmania, Staten Island , New York, Shkreli, America

☆ Torino Superga disaster: How an air crash instantly wiped out one of soccer’s great teams
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

A local boy born in the northern Italian city of Turin and the captain of Torino’s youth team, Motto seemed destined to represent his boyhood club. Umberto Motto as a youth team player for Torino. Other Italian teams loaned – and even gave – players to Torino, Pennino says. The federation accepted a proposal from Torino that it would play its youth team, the champions of Italy at the time, against the youth teams of its four remaining opponents. Torino’s youth players beat Genoa 4-0 in an atmosphere Motto has never forgotten.

Persons: Umberto Motto, ’, hadn’t, Umberto, Mario Lanati, “ Umberto, ” Lanati, Torino’s, Roberto Pennino, Torino, Pennino, “, –, ” Giulio Andreotti, Feruccio Novo, ” Pennino, Roberto Pennino ‘, Lanati, Novo, ”, Forza, It’s Organizations: CNN, Torino FC, Stadio, Torino, Italian, Benfica, Aeritalia, ‘ Grande Torino, didn’t, –, Roberto Pennino ‘ Forza, Novo, Genoa –, ”, Genoa, Palermo, Sampdoria, Fiorentina, Monumental Locations: Italian, Turin, Lisbon, Portugal, ’, Torino, Italy

☆ 36 Hours in Turin, Italy
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Seth Sherwood | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

11 a.m. Find yourself in the center of historyA panorama of Turin history unfolds around Piazza San Giovanni, a central square. To the north, see the Porta Palatina, a red-brick Roman-era gate to the city. To the east, and down some stairs, the ruins of a Roman amphitheater (free admission) hide in the shadow of the Galleria Sabauda (€15), a Neoclassical museum that houses art collected by the dukes and kings of the House of Savoy, a historic royal dynasty. Next to the museum, the tall bell tower of the Renaissance-era Cathedral of St. John the Baptist soars over the unattached main building, whose chapel holds the Shroud of Turin, a 14-foot cloth bearing the faint image of a bearded man that some believe to be Jesus Christ. The cloth is not displayed to the public, but the Museum of the Shroud (€8), a short walk away, explains its history and some of the scientific studies done to determine its origins.

Persons: Piazza, of Savoy, John the, Jesus Christ Organizations: Piazza San Giovanni, of Locations: Turin, Piazza San, St, of Turin

☆ Appeals court upholds 'pharma bro' Martin Shkreli lifetime ban from drug industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A federal appeals court Tuesday upheld a lifetime ban on "pharma bro" Martin Shkreli from working in the pharmaceuticals industry as well as an order to pay up to $64.6 million in disgorged profits for blocking competition to the drug Daraprim. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, in a statement to CNBC on the appeals court decision, said, "The lifetime ban is too severe." In its eight-page ruling, the appeals court noted that Shkreli argued that Manhattan federal court Judge Denise Cote "abused" her discretion in imposing a lifetime ban on him from the drug business. "The district court found, and Shkreli does not dispute, that Shkreli's illegal scheme was "egregious, deliberate, repetitive, long-running, and ultimately dangerous." "Given his strategic decision in the district court, there is no injustice to Shkreli by us declining to address his new argument."

Persons: Martin Shkreli, pharma bro, Shkreli, Benjamin Brafman, Brafman, Denise Cote, —, Peluso Organizations: Turing Pharmaceuticals AG, pharma, U.S, Circuit, New, Federal Trade Commission, CNBC, FTC, Vyera Pharmaceuticals, Phoenixus, Mr Locations: New York, California, Manhattan

☆ New York AG pushing for lifetime Trump ban cites Martin Shkreli ruling
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Martin Shkreli, former chief executive officer of Turing Pharmaceuticals AG, exits court in New York, US, on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. What does former President Donald Trump have in common with "Pharma bro" Martin Shkreli? A penchant for harshly trolling their enemies online and an attorney general who wants both of them banned for life from their preferred business. The ruling stemmed from an antitrust lawsuit James, the Federal Trade Commission, and six other states filed against Shkreli. James, in that case, asked Judge Arthur Engoron to ban Trump for life from the New York real estate industry and to bar his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, from that sector for five years, along with fining them $360 million.

Persons: Martin Shkreli, Donald Trump, Pharma bro, Letitia James's, James, Judge Arthur Engoron, Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump, Engoron, Colleen Faherty Organizations: Turing Pharmaceuticals AG, Pharma, New York, Shkreli, Trump, U.S, Circuit, New York federal, Federal Trade Commission, New Locations: New York, Manhattan, Fed

☆ Jamala: Russia adds Eurovision-winning Ukrainian singer to wanted list
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Jack Guy | Mariya Knight | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Russia has put a Ukrainian singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016 on a wanted criminal list, according to state media. Jamala, whose full name is Susana Jamaladynova, is “on the wanted list for criminal charges,” Russian state media outlet TASS reported on Monday. Russian state media called it anti-Russian and Moscow said it violated Eurovision rules. In 2022, Ukraine won Eurovision again thanks to folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra’s song “Stefania,” which was written about the frontman’s mother. While the winning nation normally hosts the following year’s contest, Ukraine was unable to do so due to the Russian full-scale invasion.

Persons: Susana Jamaladynova, Jonathan Nackstrand, Jamala, ”, Vladimir Putin’s, Stefania, Sweden’s Loreen Organizations: CNN, TASS, Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Russian Federation, Getty, Ukraine, Eurovision, Liverpool Locations: Russia, Ukrainian, Russian, AFP, Crimea, Ukraine, Moscow, United Kingdom, Spain, Italian, Turin

☆ How did the zebra get its nicely patterned stripes? The answer may come from mathematician Alan Turing.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Ankur Gupta | The Conversation | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Researchers have proposed an explanation for how the patterns form based on the "Turing patterns." A question naturally arises: How can distinct color patterns form in the presence of diffusion? Our work suggests that combining the conditions that form Turing patterns with diffusiophoresis could also form the basis of artificial skin patches. Just like adaptive skin patterns in animals, when Turing patterns change — say from hexagons to stripes — this indicates underlying differences in chemical concentrations inside or outside the body. Besides animal skin patterns, Turing patterns are also crucial to other processes such as embryonic development and tumor formation.

Persons: —, Ben Alessio, Alan Turing, Turing, diffusiophoresis, Keld, Ankur Gupta Organizations: Service, Getty Images, micron, University of Colorado Locations: Denmark, University of Colorado Boulder

The MB-339 jet had exploded moments after takeoff at around noon local time, officials said, according to the Italian Fire Brigade. The Frecce Tricolori aerobatic jets, part of the Italian Air Force, were practicing a formation ahead of the 100-year celebrations of the Italian Air Force that are set to take place Sunday. Matteo Secci/APItalian media reported that the jets hit a flock of birds just after takeoff, according to CNN affiliate Sky24. The Italian Air Force said it was “dismayed and astonished” by the jet crash, according to a statement made by the Italian Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Air Squadron General Luca Goretti. The Italian Air Force has not confirmed the exact cause of the accident, but has hypothesized there was a bird strike during the very first phases of takeoff.

Persons: Tricolori, Matteo Secci, Regina Margherita Children’s, ”, Luca Goretti, Major Oscar Del Do Organizations: CNN, Air, Italian Fire Brigade, Bosco Hospital, Italian Air Force, Sky24, Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital, Staff, Air Force, Air Squadron Locations: Turin, Turin’s Caselle, Italian

☆ Italian banker hailed a hero after catching toddler falling from fifth floor balcony
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Barbie Latza Nadeau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Rome CNN —A 37-year-old banker from Turin is being hailed a hero after miraculously catching an Italian toddler who fell from her family’s fifth floor balcony on Saturday. “I heard a man scream when he saw the little girl leaning out on the ledge. The little girl kept leaning more and more and climbed over the ledge, she held on only with two arms and her legs were in the air,” Aguzzi said. “The story of a little girl who fell from a fith floor balcony in a building in Turin could have turned into tragedy. Much honor and gratitude to this young hero,” she wrote on X on Sunday.

Persons: Rome, Rome CNN —, Mattia Aguzzi, “, ”, ” Aguzzi, Stefano Lo Russo, ” Lo Russo, Camilla Laureti, Meloni Organizations: Rome CNN, CNN, Sky24, Valor, Italy’s Locations: Turin, Italy

☆ A dozen French police wounded in clashes with protesters opposing rail link in Alps
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Activists take part in a protest against the Lyon-Turin rail link between France and Italy, in Les Chavannes-en-Maurienne, France, June 17, 2023. REUTERS/Denis BalibousePARIS, June 17 (Reuters) - Twelve police were wounded on Saturday in clashes with demonstrators in France's Savoie department where a protest against a high speed rail project in the Alps turned violent, authorities said. Some 2,000 protesters, including a roughly 300-strong dark-clad hardcore, were in the Maurienne Valley objecting to construction of a rail link including a tunnel between Lyon and the Italian city of Turin. Association Les Soulevements de la Terre contested that figure in a Twitter post late on Saturday and said 50 demonstrators were wounded, including six who were hospitalised. "The day is not over, we remain prudent and mobilised," said Ravier, noting a security presence would go through the night.

Persons: Denis Balibouse PARIS, Francois Ravier, Les, Gerald Darmanin, Mimosa Spencer, Andrew Cawthorne, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Lyon, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Turin, France, Italy, Les Chavannes, France's Savoie, Lyon, Italian

☆ Fact Check-Clip shows cows that died after eating poisonous plants
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A clip that shows sick and dead cows lying on a dried grass shows animals that were poisoned after eating certain plants during a prolonged drought in Italy in August 2022. The clip does not show cows that died after being vaccinated with a bovine “mRNA vaccine,” the veterinarian that was on the scene at the time said. One user shared the clip via Twitter with a caption that reads: “Northern Italy bovineM R N A vac.... According to reporting at the time, around 50 cows died after consuming sorghum plants (here). The clip shows sickened and dead cows lying on dried grass in a farm in northwestern Italy after being poisoned by certain plants in August 2022.

Persons: Stefano Giantin, Carlo Nebbia, Read Organizations: Rai, The Straits Times, Reuters, Toxicology, of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin Locations: Italy, del Piemonte, Liguria, Valle

The case stems from the estate of Gianni Agnelli, the celebrated Fiat boss who was a symbol of Italy's post-war economic boom and died two decades ago. The second pact covered what would happen to the estate of Margherita's mother Marella, who died only in 2019 aged 91. Italian law prohibits such inheritance pacts. Dicembre is at the heart of a web of companies spanning the vast Agnelli family investments. Giovanni Agnelli BV in turn has a 53% controlling stake in listed Exor, which owns stakes in Stellantis, Ferrari and Juventus.

☆ Science Proves the 4-Day Workweek Prevents Burnout, Helps Productivity
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Shubham Agarwal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

At the time, back in 2018, a New Zealand firm had just wrapped up a landmark trial to test the efficacy of a four-day workweek. A lot of the benefits of the four-day workweek come down to a simple, everyday activity: sleep. A lot of the benefits of the four-day workweek come down to a simple, everyday activity: sleep. Less time, more productiveThough the four-day workweek may seem like a recent phenomenon, it's been decades in the making. But for now, the four-day workweek certainly has the potential to be a far-reaching antidote to pressing workplace concerns such as mass resignations and the burnout crisis.

☆ Juventus says first half loss shrinks as pandemic impact fades
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The result compares with a restated loss of 112.1 million euros for the same period of the previous fiscal year. Juventus said in a statement that revenue development and actions taken to contain costs had also contributed to narrowing the loss in the six months to Dec. 31. It added that although the economic and financial background remained unfavourable, there was a "significant improvement" in the current fiscal year compared to the previous one. The club, which posted a 239 million euro loss for the year to June 30, 2022, had already said in September that it expects to also finish the current fiscal year in the red. Juventus are now in seventh place, just four points outside the European qualifying places.

☆ Google opens Italy's second cloud region in Turin city
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 23 (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) Google will set up its second cloud region in Italy, the company said on Thursday in a blog, underscoring the country's efforts to turn into a global hub for cloud computing. The second cloud region opens in the northern Italian city of Turin, with an existing one in Milan. Cloud regions refer to clusters of data centers in a location that will allow customers in that area to get faster access to data. Google Cloud regions of Milan and Turin could generate a new market that could be valued around 1.90 billion euros ($2.07 billion) in a three-year period through 2025, Google said in the blog, citing data from an independent study. ($1 = 0.9182 euros)Reporting by Lavanya Ahire in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann ThoppilOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Juventus shares tumble after 15-point penalty imposed
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Shares in Juventus (JUVE.MI) tumbled some 10% on Monday after Italian soccer authorities docked the club 15 points for its transfer dealings, in a blow to its reputation and short-term sporting prospects. Juventus, who have won the Italian league more times than any other club, are now 9th in the Serie A standings and face an uphill struggle to qualify for lucrative European competition. Juventus drew 3-3 with Atalanta on Sunday night in their home city of Turin in their first game since the punishment was announced late on Friday. By 0907 GMT, shares are down 8.5%, underperforming a 0.2% drop in Italy's all-share index (.FTITLMS) and on track for their worst day since April 2021. Reporting by Elvira Pollina and Keith Weir Editing by Toby Chopra, Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ FTC asks judge to hold 'pharma bro' Martin Shkreli in contempt of court for forming new drug firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Federal Trade Commission on Friday asked that notorious "pharma bro" Martin Shkreli be held in contempt of court for forming a new drug company in violation of a judge's ban on the convicted fraudster from working in the pharmaceuticals industry. In its court filing Friday, the FTC noted that Shkreli in July announced the formation of a new company, Druglike, "that appears to be involved in the drug industry." The FTC said Shkreli is required by Cote's order to provide the agency with that information. Benjamin Brafman, a lawyer for Shkreli, declined to comment on the FTC filing. Shkreli was driven back to New York from his prison in Pennsylvania by a friend, Edmund Sullivan, who had previously served on the board of Retrophin.

☆ Italy's Juventus docked 15 points for transfer deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Giulio Piovaccari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

With 20 games left to play this season, Juve were third in Serie A with 37 points, 10 behind leaders Napoli. In a late night statement, the court also imposed bans from holding office in Italian soccer on 11 past and present Juventus directors. Juventus said it would appeal to the country's Sport Guarantee Board once the reasons for the ruling were published. CASE REOPENEDThe ruling reversed a previous decision in April to clear Juventus, 10 other clubs and their executives of wrongdoing. Public prosecutors in Turin have requested Andrea Agnelli, 11 other people and the club itself to stand trial over allegations of false accounting.

☆ FTC calls on federal court to hold ‘pharma bro’ Martin Shkreli in contempt
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Washington CNN —The Federal Trade Commission on Friday called for a federal court to hold “Pharma Bro” Martin Shkreli in contempt after Shkreli allegedly flouted a recent FTC investigation into his business dealings and failed to make a $64.6 million payment he owed for his prior wrongdoings. The FTC’s contempt motion follows what the agency described as its an unsuccessful attempt to verify whether Shkreli has violated a court order barring him from ever working in the pharmaceutical industry again. Shkreli also infamously raised prices for the life-saving medication Daraprim by 4,000% while he was head of Turing Pharmaceuticals. When the FTC emailed Shkreli to get documents from him and to schedule an interview about the matter, Shkreli repeatedly missed deadlines and allegedly slow-walked his responses, according to an FTC court filing Friday. The FTC also said Shkreli had been ordered to make his multimillion-dollar payment — representing a refund of his ill-gotten Daraprim gains — by March 6, 2022.

☆ U.S. asks judge to hold Shkreli in contempt for allegedly flouting pharma industry ban -filing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Former drug company executive Martin Shkreli exits U.S. District Court after being convicted of securities fraud, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, U.S., August 4, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo AllegriWASHINGTON, Jan 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asked a federal judge on Friday to hold Martin Shkreli in contempt for allegedly impeding its efforts to determine whether he flouted a ban on working in the pharmaceutical industry. Shkreli was released early from prison last May. U.S. District Judge Denise Cote imposed the lifetime drug industry ban and $64.6 million penalty last February, related to Shkreli's efforts to keep generic Daraprim rivals off the market. Reporting by Diane Bartz and Jon Stempel; Editing by Bill BerkrotOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Kevin Spacey celebrated in Italy at first major speaking event since sexual assault allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

TURIN, Italy — Making his first speaking appearance since sexual assault allegations derailed his career, actor Kevin Spacey used a colorful Italian term to thank the National Cinema Museum in the northern city of Turin on Monday for inviting him. “By presenting this award, they are making a strong defense of artistic achievement and for that they should be applauded,” Spacey said. After multiple allegations of sexual assault surfaced, the actor lost his starring role on the Netflix series “House of Cards” and saw other opportunities dry up. Spacey did not directly address the allegations while accepting the award or during the hourlong class. After the master class, fans lined up to take selfies and get DVDs signed.

☆ Kevin Spacey hails Italy museum for having 'the guts' to honour him
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey poses as he is awarded by the National Museum of Cinema of Turin with the "Stella della Mole Award" in Turin, Italy, January 16, 2023. REUTERS/Massimo PincaTURIN, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Kevin Spacey picked up a career award in Italy on Monday, despite controversy over the sex crime allegations that have tarnished the reputation of the Oscar-winning American actor. The Museum of Cinema in Turin said it handed the prize in recognition of Spacey's "personal aesthetic and authorial contribution to the development of the art of drama." "I am surely blessed and grateful and humbled and my heart is very full tonight toward the Museum of Cinema for having had le palle (the guts) to invite me tonight," he said. In the run-up to the award ceremony, the Turin-based La Stampa newspaper ran an editorial headlined "Italy, land of plenary indulgence".

☆ Italian unions to start wage talks next week with Stellantis, Ferrari
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Giulio Piovaccari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MILAN, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Italy's unions will meet representatives of companies including carmakers Stellantis (STLA.MI) and Ferrari (RACE.MI) on Oct. 26 to start talks over wage increases, a senior official from the UILM union said on Thursday. On Wednesday FIM-CISL, UILM, Fismic, UGLM and AQCF unions said their delegates had approved a proposal presented last week by their leaders for new four-year contracts for most workers in Italy at Stellantis, Ferrari, Iveco (IVG.MI) and CNH Industrial (CNHI.MI). The proposal includes a request for a wage increase of 8.4% for next year to counter rising inflation. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe meeting will be held next Wednesday morning in the northern city of Turin where Stellantis, Iveco and CNH Industrial have their Italian headquarters. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Giulio Piovaccari Editing by Keith WeirOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Stellantis invests in Turin as part of switch to electric
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( Giulio Piovaccari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File PhotoTURIN, Italy, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Stellantis (STLA.MI)signalled its commitment to the historic carmaking city of Turin on Tuesday with an investment to boost its role in electric vehicle production and as a centre for the recycling of cars and their parts. The Franco-Italian group signed an agreement with its partner Punch Powertrain to increase production of electrified dual-clutch transmissions (eDCT) for hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, the carmaker said on Tuesday. Chief Executive Carlos Tavares said the company was investing upwards of 10 million euros in the gearbox upgrade, without giving a precise figure. Turin is the historic home of Fiat which merged with France's PSA last year to form Stellantis. At full production, the Mirafiori and Metz facilities together will supply all relevant Stellantis manufacturing sites in Europe.

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