News Fortiane - No 06

Magazine Overview

Title: NEWS FORTIANE
Issue: 6
Volume: 1
Date: June 24, 2008
Publisher: www.centrostudifortiani.it
Country: Italy
Language: Italian

This issue of NEWS FORTIANE, a bulletin on the world of mystery, covers a diverse range of intriguing topics, from time travel and UFO sightings to ancient enigmas and unexplained phenomena.

John Titor: Back in Time for an IBM 5100 PC

The lead article, authored by Dino del Vescovo, revisits the case of John Titor, the most well-known alleged time traveler on the web. Titor's journey, purportedly spanning from 2036 to 1975, was aimed at retrieving an IBM 5100 computer, essential for fixing a critical bug in Unix systems predicted to cause failures in 2038. Titor claimed the C204 time machine, built by General Electric, was transported in a 1966 Chevrolet Corvette. His appearances on the 'Voyager' TV show and his detailed predictions, some of which have reportedly come true, have fueled debate about his veracity. The article highlights IBM engineers' claims about the IBM 5100's undocumented reading and modification capabilities for older IBM programming languages, suggesting IBM may have suppressed this information. Titor also mentioned CERN's early 21st-century announcements about time travel possibilities using artificial black holes.

Further details on Titor's claims include predictions about the Second Gulf War, mad cow disease, genetically modified foods, and the possibility of CERN affirming the existence of time travel by the end of 2001. The article quotes Titor's statement about needing the IBM 5100 to debug programs in 2036, as Unix had a problem in 2038. He stated that the 5100 could read and modify all IBM code written before the widespread use of APL and Basic, and could create new code in APL and Basic. He believed IBM never published this information to avoid disrupting their commercial infrastructure in the early seventies, and that engineers were instructed to remain silent.

The Missing People

This section, referencing a report in 'La Repubblica' from May 6, 2008, discusses the phenomenon of missing persons in Italy, with approximately 8,000 individuals disappearing annually. The Italian state has established a special commission within the Ministry of the Interior to investigate these cases. The article explores official reasons for disappearances, including voluntary departures, psychological disturbances, victims or perpetrators of crimes, and unknown causes. It notes that a significant number of unidentified bodies are found each year, with many remaining without identity, particularly in Milan. The piece suggests that while official investigations often hit dead ends, alternative explanations, such as alien abductions or dimensional shifts, might offer more insight, albeit with caution.

Giants in Antiquity, Here are the Traces

An article by Ted Twietmeyer, featured in Nexus magazine, presents evidence suggesting the presence of giants in antiquity. It focuses on a copper mine discovered in North Wales, dating back to 1500 BC, which is complex and extends over nine floors. The most striking find is the discovery of numerous blacksmith's hammers, many of which are extraordinarily large, with the largest weighing 29 kg, compared to a modern hammer weighing 9 kg. The article posits that such tools would be impossible for ordinary humans to wield, suggesting the existence of beings 4 to 5 meters tall. It also references other 'proofs' of giants from biblical accounts, Sumerian texts, and megalithic constructions.

Stonehenge, The Last Mystery

This article discusses a theory presented in 'La Repubblica' on May 27, 2008, by Cinzia Dal Maso, who reports on archaeologist Mike Parker-Pearson's view that Stonehenge was not an astronomical observatory or fertility temple, but a cemetery used for the worship of the dead, with its stone circle symbolizing eternity. Evidence cited includes three cremated burials from the third millennium BC, coinciding with the structure's construction, and 49 other tombs excavated in the 1920s. The article notes that other archaeologists disagree, believing that the site's geometric precision, astronomical correlations, and sacred nature suggest it may have served multiple purposes, including possibly being a healing center or pilgrimage destination.

Canneto: Now It's Time for Poisons

This report revisits the mysterious fires that plagued Canneto di Caronia, Sicily, starting in January 2004. Residents were forced to flee their homes as furniture, appliances, and electrical systems inexplicably caught fire. Despite investigations by experts, law enforcement, and civil protection, the phenomena persisted. The area was seized and monitored, but the fires continued intermittently for months. A recent development involves a report from a panel of technical consultants appointed by the public prosecutor. These experts concluded that human action, specifically 'free flame,' was responsible, rather than electromagnetic fields or UFOs. This conclusion led the Judge of the Tribunal of Mistretta to archive the investigation. However, the residents, who suffered significant damage and displacement, are questioning the archiving of the case, especially since the consultants clearly indicated human involvement. They are petitioning for the monitoring of the area to be reactivated, fearing the return of the perpetrator.

Doritos Spot in Space: Radar Sends Signals to Aliens

In an unusual marketing move, the American company Doritos transmitted a six-hour advertisement for their potato chips into space, directed towards the Ursa Major constellation, 42 light-years away. The transmissions were made using powerful radar facilities at Eiscat, located in the Arctic Circle. The choice of Ursa Major was based on the presence of a Sun-like star that might host Earth-like planets. This campaign, part of a contest for the best Doritos commercial, resulted in a winning entry by Matt Bowron, featuring a tribe sacrificing a member to the 'God of Salsa.' The move has drawn praise from UFO expert Nick Pope, who called it an ambitious venture in space communication, potentially leading to the discovery of extraterrestrial life. However, some scientists have expressed concern about the implications of such contact and the potential for alien invasion, while others, like astronomer Barrie Jones, believe the chances of extraterrestrial existence are minimal. Professor Van Eyken, the project's initiator, believes humanity has sent a greeting message.

Singular Sighting in the Kurdish Zone: Dragon Hunt in Iraq

Reports from the Kurdish city of Dihuk in Northern Iraq describe the sighting of a creature approximately four meters long, with harmless habits (eating insects). The vice-rector of the local university, Hussein Amin, cautiously described it as an animal with a shape similar to what could be defined as a dragon, based on witness accounts and video footage. The creature is said to feed on reptiles and insects and is estimated to be a hundred years old. Documentation has been sent to research centers in Great Britain and Germany for further study.

Cardiff, Three Policemen in Helicopter: "We Saw a UFO, We Are Sure"

An account details a close encounter by three police officers in a helicopter with a mysterious circular object exhibiting flashing lights near a military base in Cardiff, Wales. The object reportedly flew towards the helicopter, forcing the pilot to take evasive action. The officers pursued the object until they ran out of fuel. They are certain they saw a UFO, despite the fantastical nature of the claim, and are described as professionals with prior experience. This sighting follows another 'suspicious' event on June 13, where astronauts on the Shuttle reported a mysterious object, later identified as a piece of the Discovery's thermal protection system.

Eufemio Del Buono Has Died

The issue notes the passing of Eufemio Del Buono, a prominent figure in Italian ufology, at the age of 80 in Rome. Described as a charismatic, spiritualist, and esoteric culturist, he was known as a gruff, likable, sincere, and stalwart representative of the 'contactee' school of Italian ufology. His death was due to kidney failure. The editorial team of DNA Magazine and Hera Edizioni expressed their condolences to his family and loved ones.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of News Fortiane revolve around unexplained phenomena, mysteries, and the fringes of conventional science and history. The magazine actively explores topics such as time travel (John Titor), UFO sightings (Cardiff incident, potential alien contact via Doritos ad), ancient anomalies (giants, Stonehenge), and unexplained events (Caronia fires). The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various theories and witness accounts, even those considered unconventional or 'alternative,' while maintaining a degree of journalistic caution and referencing credible sources where possible. The inclusion of a section on missing persons, linking it to potential 'alternative' explanations, further underscores this approach. The magazine seems to encourage readers to consider possibilities beyond mainstream explanations.