News Fortiane - No 04

Magazine Overview

Title: NEWS FORTIANE
Issue: Anno 1 Numero 4
Date: 17 Aprile 2008
Publisher: www.centrostudifortiani.it
Description: A bulletin on the world of mystery, curated by the website www.centrostudifortiani.it.

Articles

Shroud of Turin Re-examined

The lead article discusses a BBC documentary that reopens the mystery of the Shroud of Turin. The 1989 carbon-14 dating had declared it a medieval fake from 1325. However, the new documentary, 'Shroud of Turin,' uses high-definition images and interviews with scientists to present new evidence that questions the medieval origin. Physicist John Jackson has developed a new hypothesis based on carbon-14 dating techniques not known in 1989, which could explain how a linen sheet from Jesus' era might appear more recent. Professor Christopher Ramsey of the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit notes a conflict between radiocarbon measurements and other evidence, calling for a critical review of the data to form a coherent history.

Haunted House in Spoleto

This article details the case of Gaetano Bastianelli, who claims his house in Spoleto, known as the 'Casolare dei fantasmi' (House of Ghosts), is infested with spirits. He has reported strange noises, inexplicable fires (including his wife's car and a rototiller), and people falling inexplicably. The house was reportedly visited by exorcists and the Bishop in the past. Bastianelli is now pursuing a civil lawsuit to annul the purchase agreement, arguing that the previous owners did not disclose the presence of spirits. The article notes that the house was sold to Bastianelli for a relatively low price of 120,000 euros, including furniture, suggesting the previous owners wanted to get rid of it quickly. Despite attempts at religious intervention, phenomena continue. The case is heading to civil court.

Chemtrails Debunked

An interview with curators of satorws.com dismisses 'chemtrails' as a 'scellerata montatura' (outrageous fabrication). Aeronautics experts interviewed argue that contrails are simply normal water vapor condensations, their variability depending on aircraft type, altitude, and atmospheric conditions like humidity and temperature. They also state that unmarked aircraft are often military planes with reduced identification markings, and that 'strange' components are due to technical incompetence. The 'white grids' seen in the sky are attributed to intense air traffic. The experts conclude that the mystery index is zero. The article, however, questions the journalistic integrity of an investigation that doesn't allow for opposing viewpoints.

UFO Sighting in Brazil

Brazilian media reported that eyewitnesses in the state of Goias witnessed an unidentified flying object (UFO) crash-land on a farm. The object, about one meter in diameter, descended about 150 meters from a house. The owner of the farm discovered the object had deformed and its exterior was very hot. However, researchers from the Brazilian Space Institute suggested it was likely space debris from an artificial satellite. Environmental monitoring measures were put in place by health experts in Goiás, and the public was advised not to approach the site until radioactivity levels were assessed.

Paranormal Activity at Police Stations

Reports indicate that ghosts are 'infesting' several police stations in Pennsylvania. The police department has hired paranormal investigators. Staff, including the police chief and the mayor of Homestead, have reported phenomena such as doors slamming, mysterious footsteps, and a typewriter operating on its own. One incident involved 20 people in a meeting when the typewriter started typing by itself. Doors have been observed opening on their own, and cold drafts are felt in corridors and near old cells.

Iraqi Astronomer Claims Earth is Flat

In Baghdad, Iraq, researcher and astronomer Fadhel Al-Said asserted on Iraqi television that the Earth is flat. He attempted to support his theory with interpretations from the Quran, stating that the Sun orbits the Earth because it is smaller. The report notes that Al-Said dismissed satellite research and photos as unreliable. This follows a previous incident where an Iraqi children's cartoon character, 'Farfur,' was accused of inciting hatred towards Israelis.

Ig Nobel Prizes Awarded

The magazine highlights the Ig Nobel Prizes, awarded to scientists for research that first makes people laugh, and then makes them think. Examples include the development of a 'gay bomb' by the Air Force Wright Laboratory, which was intended to cause homosexual behavior in enemy troops, and research on the effects of sildenafil (Viagra) on hamsters and how to free a penis trapped in a zipper. The article expresses concern about public funds being spent on such research, suggesting that even the scientific community, critical of mysteries, is not immune to 'idiocy, perversion, and lack of credibility.'

UFO Sighting in Vicenza, Italy

A police officer in Vicenza reported sighting a UFO at 4:45 AM. He described it as a dark, elongated object, about a meter long, with a faint light on top and a more powerful white light at the rear. It made no noise and moved slowly. His colleague initially thought it was a helicopter, but this was ruled out. Radar confirmed a Boeing aircraft had passed over three minutes earlier, but it was unlikely to have been seen from the ground with the described lights. The object suddenly disappeared. No other similar sightings have been reported in the Vicenza area. Possible explanations include a malfunctioning small satellite, though its rapid disappearance is puzzling. The officer's report will be evaluated against past similar sightings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores topics related to the unexplained, mystery, and paranormal phenomena. It covers UFO sightings, hauntings, historical mysteries like the Shroud of Turin, and conspiracy theories. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting these phenomena for reader consideration, often including skeptical viewpoints or scientific explanations alongside the more mysterious accounts. There's an emphasis on critical thinking, as noted in the article about the Shroud of Turin and the 'chemtrails' piece. The magazine also touches on the intersection of science, pseudoscience, and societal beliefs, as seen in the Ig Nobel Prizes and the flat earth theory discussions.