(1) SUMMER OF 2002 SEES DECLINE IN TOURISM EXCEPT IN SOUTH
       [My what an interesting development. Love it!!!]

(2) FRIULI REGION EXPANDS WEB SITE TO INCLUDE HELP 
     FOR FRIULIANS LIVING IN ARGENTINA
       [ Still another Italian Region reaching out to their Italian brethern in Argentina]

(3) ONE AND A HALF MILLION ITALIANS HAVE BECOME INTERNET ADDICTS
      [ I can think of worse addictions ;) Actually I'm thrilled that Italy is moving into    
       cyberspace.]
====================================================
(1) SUMMER OF 2002 SEES DECLINE IN TOURISM EXCEPT IN SOUTH

[Note: Southern Italy becoming the favored area for domestic tourism!!!]

According to estimates furnished by FIPE (Italian Federation of Restaurants, Bars 
& Hotels), the tourist economy in Italy is down 2 billion euro this summer. 

The drop is due to a low tourist turnout and a drop in consumption. It is also due, says the report, to bad weather a drop in American and Japanese tourism, and a German preference for less expensive destinations. 

The sole positive note is being struck in Southern Italy (Il Mezzogiorno) with a total of 229 million tourist days counted by tourism officials. Indeed, the South of Italy is becoming the favored area for domestic tourism. 

The total figures indicate a drop of 2% for international tourism, and a drop of 0.8% domestically, with a fall in consumption at bars and restaurants in August predicted at 5%. 
========================================
(2) FRIULI REGION EXPANDS WEB SITE TO INCLUDE HELP 
FOR FRIULIANS LIVING IN ARGENTINA

The Region of Fruili Venezia Guilia has expanded its official web site to include a page with information concerning the Region's aid project for people of Friuli origin living in Argentina. The page includes addresses and information about the various institutions and associations offering assistance, and also includes a "Most Frequently Asked Questions" service. 

The page can be accessed by going to www.regione.fvg.it and clicking on "In Primo Piano- Emergenza Argentina: Interventi 2002". Region President Renzo Tondo notes that Friuli Venezia Giulia's program of aid and assistance for Argentina, which is undergoing a grave economic crisis, is an initiative of the Region carried out in accordance with a national and regional project. 
=============================================
(3) ONE AND A HALF MILLION ITALIANS HAVE BECOME INTERNET ADDICTS

Some people can't live without it even in at the beach in summer. They are part of a growing phenomenon: people who suffer withdrawal symptoms when not connected to the Internet. 

For them, holidays loom as a long period of agony with no access to the Net. According to a research study conducted by Tonino Cantelmi, psychiatrist and professor of Cyberpsychology and Online Psychology at the Sapienza University of Rome, there are at least 1.5 million internet addicts in Italy. 

These, he says, are virtual Web junkies, unable to tear themselves from their monitors long enough to enjoy a summer holiday.