Bulgarian officials in Grand Prix talks

Rumen Petkov, the chief of the Bulgarian Motorycling federation has been invited by Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One boss, to discuss plans for a Bulgarian Grand Prix to be added to the Formula One calendar in 2011.

The talks will be held during the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring next weekend. If the bid is successful, the new circuit is likely to be located near Pleven.

The president of Bulgaria's Automobile Sport Federation, Georgi Yankulov is said to be lacking opitimism regarding the bid due to the current recession creating problems attracting sponsors and constructing a circuit.

It was announced in 2008 that the Indian Grand Prix will be added to the 2011 calendar, delayed from its intended 2010 debut.


Un grand prix de Formule 1 en Bulgarie ?

Rumen Petkov, président de la fédération bulgare de motocyclisme, a été invité par Bernie Ecclestone, le patron de la F1, pour discuter de l'ajout d'un grand prix de Bulgarie au calendrier du championnat du monde de
Formule 1 2011.

Les discussions auront lieu durant le Grand Prix d'Allemagne qui se tiendra au Nürburgring le week-end prochain. Si la candidature est retenue, un nouveau circuit devrait être construit près de Pleven.

Le président de la fédération bulgare de sport automobile, Georgi Yankulov, ne s'est pas montré très optimiste en raison de la récession actuelle qui va causer des difficultés pour attirer des sponsors et construire un nouveau circuit.

La saison 2011 verra l'arrivée du grand prix d'Inde, initialement prévu pour 2010 mais repoussé d'un an.


California class commemorates Holocaust

A junior high language arts class from Manteca, California in the US is commemorating the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust by collecting six million paperclips. During World War II, the Norwegians wore paperclips on their shirts to protest the Nazi slaughter of Jews and other ethnic groups.

Led by junior high language arts teacher Mrs. Aryel Saldate, the class has already collected over 7,000 paperclips. Mrs. Saldate had the idea when she saw a special on the television network HBO about another teacher who did the same thing and actually collected 6 million paperclips. Although it took the other class five years to achieve this feat, it helped her students realize just how widespread the Holocaust was.

Mrs. Saldate can be reached by e-mail at asaldate@sjcoe.net. The official website for the cause is listed below.

Please send your paperclip contribution to:


Schulklasse in Kalifornien gedenkt des Holocaust

Manteca (Vereinigtes Staaten), 19.12.2005 – Eine Schulklasse für Sprachkunst an der Junior High School in Manteca, Kalifornien, USA, gedenkt der sechs Millionen Opfer, die beim Holocaust starben, indem sie sechs Millionen Büroklammern sammelt. Während des Zweiten Weltkriegs trugen die Norweger Büroklammern an ihren Hemden, um so gegen die Nationalsozialisten zu protestieren, die für die Massentötung von Juden und anderen ethnischen Gruppen verantwortlich waren.

Unter Leitung ihrer Lehrerin für Sprachkunst, Frau Aryel Saldate, sammelte die Klasse bereits über 4.400 Büroklammern. Frau Saldate hatte die Idee, als sie eine Spezialfernsehsendung auf dem Sender HBO sah, in der eine andere Lehrerin dasselbe tat und tatsächlich sechs Millionen Büroklammern sammelte. Obwohl die andere Klasse fünf Jahre brauchte, um das zu erreichen, half es den Schülern zu verstehen, wie weit verbreitet der Holocaust war.

Frau Saldate ist über die E-Mail-Adresse asaldate@sjcoe.net zu erreichen. Die offizielle Internetseite ist unter der Quelle aufgeführt. Wer möchte, kann die Büroklammernspende an folgende Adresse senden:


Camel sacrificed at major Turkish airport

After finding out that he will not have to service a troublesome brand of British-made planes, RJ-100, at the airport, Şükrü Can, the manager of Turkish Airlines maintenance service, decided to slaughter a camel right on the tarmac of Istanbul's Ataturk Airport.

Airport manager Vedat Muftuoglu was quoted to say:

Turkish minister of transportation Binali Yildirim has characterized the sacrifice an "example of tactless behavior."

After the managerial staff at the airport heard about the incident, Can's sacrifice claimed his job.

Animal slaughter is not a rare incident in Turkey. Sheep and other animals are frequently slaughtered, especially during the Islamic Sacrifice Feast. However sacrificing a camel is highly unusual in Turkey, and not a common practice.


Kamel auf türkischem Flughafen geopfert

Istanbul (Türkei), 16.12.2006 – Was macht man, wenn man gerade ein Problem los geworden ist, das einem lange Ärger bereitet hat? Offenbar entschied sich Şükrü Can, der Leiter der Flugzeugwartung der Turkish Airlines, dazu, ein Kamel direkt auf dem Gelände des Ataturk Airport in Istanbul zu schlachten. Er hatte erfahren, dass eine Flugzeugmarke britischer Herstellung, die ständig Probleme bereitet hatte, nicht mehr gewartet werden musste.

Der Flughafenmanager Vedat Muftuoglu sagte: „Niemand sollte so etwas tun, nur weil eine Fluggesellschaft endlich ein Flugzeug losgeworden ist.“

Der türkische Verkehrsminister, Binali Yildirim, charakterisierte das Opfer als ein „Beispiel taktlosen Verhaltens“.

Als die Betriebsleitung des Flughafens von dem Vorfall erfuhr, wurde Can aufgrund des Opfers entlassen.

Die Schlachtung von Tieren kommt in der Türkei nicht selten vor. Schafe und andere Tiere werden häufig geschlachtet, besonders während des islamischen Opferfestes. Ein Kamel zu schlachten, ist jedoch in der Türkei ungewöhnlich und kein üblicher Brauch.


Canadian-born actor Leslie Nielsen dies aged 84

Leslie Nielsen, a Canadian-born US actor, has died at the age of 84. Nielsen appeared in over 100 films in which he played several different roles ranging from romance and drama to comedy. The cause of death was announced as pneumonia. His death was announced by his agent, John S. Kelly. Nielsen was in Fort Lauderdale being treated for the illness at the time of his death.

Born February 11, 1926 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Nielsen started his film career in the 1950s. He starred in the science fiction film Forbidden Planet in 1956 and went to on gain several other roles including the captain in The Poseidon Adventure in 1972. One of his biggest appearances was in the 1980s disaster-parody Airplane!. After that appearance he gained more of a reputation as a comic actor.

One of his most notable roles came in 1988 when he played Lt. Frank Drebin in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad. He also appeared in the The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear in 1991 and The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult in 1994.

Nielsen was the younger brother of Erik Nielsen, who was deputy prime minister of Canada from 1984 to 1986. Erik died in 2008. Leslie Nielsen is survived by his fourth wife Barbaree Earl, and his two daughters from his second marriage, Maura Nielsen Kaplan and Thea Nielsen Disney.


Mor de Leslie Nielsen

L'actor canadenc ha mort el passat diumenge 28 novembre del 2010. Tenia 84 anys. Ha mort a l'hospital de Fort Lauderdale a Florida, a causa de complicacions de la pneumònia que patia.

Va néixer a Regina, Saskatchewan el 1926. El seu pare va estar a la policia muntada del Canadà. Va participar en un total de 239 pel·licules i fou conegut principalment pels seus papers a les pel·lícules Airplane!, The Naked Gun i les seqüeles d'aquesta. El 1954, va obtenir el paper principal a la pel·lícula Planeta prohibit.


Der große Komödiant Leslie Nielsen ist tot

Fort Lauderdale (Vereinigte Staaten), 29.11.2010 – Wie seine Familie mitteilte, verstarb der aus Kanada stammende Schauspieler Leslie Nielsen, der vor allem am Ende seiner Schauspielkarriere durch komödiantische Rollen bekannt geworden war, im Alter von 84 Jahren in Fort Lauderdale (Florida) an einer Lungenentzündung.

In Deutschland und anderen Ländern war Nielsen vor allem durch die Klamauk-Komödie „Die nackte Kanone“ als tollpatschiger Lieutenant Frank Drebin bekannt geworden. Nielsen, 1926 als Sohn eines Mountie in der kanadischen Provinz Saskatchewan geboren, begann erst nach einer dreißigjährigen Karriere im Filmgeschäft, in der er aber nie wirklich große Rollen spielte, seine komödiantische Ader zu entdecken. Einen Durchbruch schaffte er erst durch eine Rolle in dem 1980 entstandenen Film „Die unglaubliche Reise in einem verrückten Flugzeug“. Seine letzte Rolle spielte Nielsen 2009 in der Horrorfilmparodie „Stan Helsing“ – als Kellnerin.

Die deutschen Fernsehzuschauer erkannten ihn vor allem an seiner Synchronstimme Horst Schön, der auch „Bert“ aus der „Sesamstraße“ synchronisierte.


Falleció a los 84 años el actor canadiense Leslie Nielsen

El actor de origen canadiense, Leslie Nielsen, falleció a los 84 años edad en la ciudad de Fort Lauderdale, en el estado de Florida en Estados Unidos. El comediante presentó una insuficiencia respiratoria que le produjo la muerte en horas de la tarde del domingo. La información de su deceso fue confirmada por su sobrino a una emisora local.

Neilsen se destacó en la comedia a mediados de la década de 1980 e inicio de la siguiente, al realizar diversas películas con tonos humorísticos basados en personajes que seguían la línea de la parodia a los agentes secretos y varios oficios, donde el humor absurdo y gráfico jugaba una gran parte la película.

El actor dejó en carpeta dos películas que realizaría en el 2010, pero su repentino fallecimiento las dejó inconclusa.


Leslie Nielsen on kuollut

Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Kanadalaissyntyinen komediaelokuvien rooleistaan tunnettu näyttelijä Leslie Nielsen kuoli 84-vuotiaana eilen kello 17.34 paikallista aikaa. Hän poti sairaalassa keuhkokuumetta.

Nielsenin tunnetuin työ oli etsivä Frank Drebinin rooli Mies ja alaston ase -elokuvissa. Hän esiintyi tosin yli 50 elokuvassa; ennen Hei, me lennetään! -komediaa (1980) Nielsen tunnettiin vakavista elokuvarooleista.[1]

Leslie Nielseniä jäi kaipaamaan vaimo Barbaree.


Nécrologie : disparition de Leslie Nielsen

L'acteur canadien, Leslie Nielsen, est décédé dimanche dans un hôpital de Fort Lauderdale en Floride des suites d'une pneumonie, à l'âge de 84 ans. Le comédien était né en 1926 à Regina dans le Saskatchewan ayant pour père un officier de la police montée canadienne. Après son service militaire, il se consacra à la comédie en étudiant à Toronto et à New York.

Il a eu à son actif près de 239 films et, comme Louis de Funès, s'est révélé au grand public sur le tard. Il perce grâce à Jim Abrahams dans Y-a-t-il un pilote dans l'avion ? (Airplane !) puis dans la trilogie burlesque de Y a-t-il un flic… (The nacked gun) adaptation de la série Police Squad. Certains scènes sont restées d'anthologie avec ces trois derniers films. Dans le premier film Y a-t-il un flic pour sauver la reine ?, on le voit casser la figure aux principaux dirigeants de « l'axe du mal », au yeux de la diplomatie américaine, naturellement. Il s'attaque à Mikhaïl Gorbatchev en lui enlevant la tache de son front, en retirant le turban à l'ayatollah Khomeini dévoilant qu'il avant une coiffure punk. Dans le deuxième opus, Y a-t-il un flic pour sauver le président ?, les sept premières minutes, avant le générique, s'avèrent d'une drôlerie d'une rare puissance. Enfin, aux côté de Fred Ward, dans Y a-t-il un flic pour sauver Hollywood, notre flic calamiteux gâche la cérémonie des Oscars à Hollywood.

Avant d'obtenir une notoriété internationale, il commençait à percer grâce des apparitions comme dans Peyton Place, Dr Kildare, Le Fugitif, Kojak ou bien M.A.S.H. Dans les années 1950, il apparaît dans des westerns. Il obtiendra le premier grand rôle dans Planète interdite, un film de science-fiction très avant-gardiste à l'époque.


È morto Leslie Nilsen

Leslie Nielsen, irresistibile attore comico già protagonista di Una pallottola spuntata e altri film di successo, è morto domenica 28 novembre in Florida all'età di 84 anni per le complicazioni di una polmonite. Nielsen deve la sua fama soprattutto al detective Frank Drebin e alla sua interpretazione in L'aereo più pazzo del mondo, in una carriera cinematografica e televisiva durata oltre sessant'anni.

Il portavoce ha fatto sapere che l'attore è morto in un ospedale vicino alla sua casa di Fort Lauderdale, circondato dalla moglie e dagli amici.

Canadese naturalizzato americano, Leslie Nielsen era nato da genitori danesi e gallesi e aveva studiato alla Lorne Greene Academy of Radio Arts di Toronto prima di trasferirsi negli Stati Uniti. Tra i numerosi premi, Leslie Nielsen vantava anche una Stella nella Hollywood Walk of Fame al 6541 di Hollywood Boulevard ed era stato inserito nella Canada's Walk of Fame. Nel 2002 era stato nominato Ufficiale dell'Order of Canada. Sposato quattro volte, aveva tre figli e otto nipoti.


Morre o ator Leslie Nielsen, aos 84 anos

O ator canadense Leslie Nielsen morreu neste domingo (28) aos 84 anos em um hospital de Fort Lauderdale, no estado americano da Flórida, em decorrência das complicações causadas por uma pneumonia. O ator tinha 84 anos.

Nielsen começou sua carreira na década de 1950, trabalhando como galã em vários filmes, como Forbidden Planet, mas ficou celebrizado como comediante, ao atuar em filmes como Airplane! e The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, em que atuou com O.J. Simpsom e Priscilla Presley.


Canberrans flood Cotter Dam on open day

Australian Capital Territory — Thousands of Canberrans took a look at the new Cotter Dam on the Cotter River on open day on Sunday. The public was given limited access to the still-active construction site. Buses took viewers from the car park below to top of the dam wall. They ran every 15 minutes from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

The dam is to supply fresh water to the city of Canberra. This is to provide water security for the city as droughts become more frequent due to global warming.

It is a gravity dam, which holds back the waters through sheer mass. It is about 80 metres (about 260 feet) high. The dam is made from roller-compacted concrete. The concrete was laid dry and compacted with rollers. The concrete was made on site. Only the final touches use conventional concrete. In addition to the main dam, there are two saddle dams filling depressions in the landscape so flood waters flow over the spillway and not out the sides of the lake.

The dam on the Cotter River has been under construction for four years. Concrete pouring is expected to take another two weeks. The site is then to be rehabilitated. Thousands of seeds were collected during constructions. These are to be replanted to replace the native flora. Work is expected to be complete by September.

The dam replaces an old dam, first built in 1911 but subsequently expanded several times. Now heritage listed, it has been submerged by the waters of the new dam. Some materials were salvaged from the old dam to build the new, and some have been put on display.

The river is named after Garrett Cotter, an Irish-born convict who was transported to Australia and lived in the area in the 1830s and 1840s.


Канберра: день открытых дверей на плотине Коттер

Тысячи жителей столицы Австралии Канберры осматривали плотину Коттер во время дня открытых дверей в воскресенье, 23 июня 2013 года.
По недостроенной плотине проводились экскурсии.
Автобусы подвозили людей каждые 15 минут с 8:30 утра до 16:00 вечера.

Водохранилище, образованное в результате строительства плотины, будет поставлять городу свежую питьевую воду.

Массивное гидротехническое сооружение в Канберре относится классу гравитационных плотин, в которых устойчивость конструкции достигается за счёт силы тяжести.

Плотина высотой 80 м построена из бетона с высокой нормой жёсткости, который утрамбовывался катками непосредственно на месте.
На завершающих этапах применялись обычные марки бетона.

Кроме основной плотины, были возведены две дополнительные, предназначенные для того, чтобы паводковые воды контролируемо шли по водосбросу, а не через углубления окружающего водохранилище рельефа.

Плотина на реке Коттер сооружалась в течение четырёх лет.
Бетонные работы продлятся ещё две недели.
Окончательно завершить строительство планируется в сентябре 2013 года.

Интересно, что во время возведения плотины собраны тысячи семян, которые будут высажены для рекультивации местной флоры.

Новая плотина в Канберре заменит старую, построенную ещё в 1911 году и несколько раз после этого расширявшуюся.
В настоящее время она уже затоплена водами, поднявшимися в результате строительства новой плотины.
Часть материалов старой плотины использовалась при строительстве новой, а некоторые исторические конструкции отправлены на выставку.

Река в Канберре названа в честь жившего рядом с ней в 1830-х — 1840-х годах Гарретта Коттера (англ. Garrett Cotter), родившегося в Ирландии заключённого, депортированного в Австралию.

26 июня 2013 года


Celebrity bear Knut dies suddenly at the Berlin Zoo

Berlin zoo's celebrity  polar bear named Knut died suddenly in his compound at the Berlin Zoo yesterday. No immediate cause of death was given. Knut has been featured on magazine covers and merchandise, and doubled the attendance at the zoo, according to Zoo officials.

One of the bear keepers at the zoo, Heiner Kloes, said: "It was a completely normal day. He was with the female bears before, who had just been shut away. Then Knut strolled around the enclosure, went into the water, had a short spasm and died."

Knut was four years old. In the wild polar bears have a life expectancy of between 15 and 20 years, while in captivity they can live longer. An autopsy is expected to be performed.

Knut was born in captivity and was raised by humans after his mother rejected him. He first drew attention when caregiver, Thomas Dörflein, temporarily lived at  the zoo to be able to give the cub his bottle every two hours. Knut made daily public appearances in which his caregiver cuddled and played with the cub to the pleasure of thousands of visitors. Around the world fan clubs formed, including in the United States, Japan, and Germany. Fans were interested in all aspects of his life, including his battle with gaining weight and plans to relocate to a different zoo.

Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz shot a 2007 Vanity Fair cover featuring Knut with actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Knut was a money maker for the Berlin Zoo  through the sales of various merchandise including photos, key chains, food items, and stuffed likenesses.

Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit called the death of Knut "awful".


Eisbär Knut gestorben

Berlin (Deutschland), 20.03.2011 – Eisbär Knut ist tot. Der durch einen gewaltigen Medienrummel bekannt gewordene Eisbär Knut, der mit seinem 2008 verstorbenen Ziehvater Thomas Dörflein einen hohen Besucherandrang im Berliner Zoo auslöste, wurde am Samstag tot im Wassergraben in der Bärenanlage entdeckt.

Eine Obduktion soll die genaue Todesursache klären. Knut wurde vier Jahre alt.

Bären-Kurator Heiner Klös am Abend im RBB: „Knut hat sich den ganzen Tag über normal verhalten. Dann ist er ins Wasser gegangen, hat einmal kurz aufgezuckt, hat sich gedreht und ist leider von uns gegangen.“ Klös sagte weiter, etwa 600 bis 700 Zoo-Besucher hätten seinen Tod beobachtet. Einige hätten Fotos geschossen. Die Zoo-Mitarbeiter seien geschockt. Bürgermeister Klaus Wowereit sagte der Berliner Tageszeitung B.Z.: „Das ist entsetzlich. Wir alle hatten ihn ins Herz geschlossen. Er war der Star des Berliner Zoos.“


L'ours Knut est mort subitement au zoo de Berlin

Knut, le célèbre ours polaire du zoo de Berlin né en captivité en 2006, est mort soudainement dans son enceinte au cœur du zoo de la capitale allemande samedi. Aucune cause du décès n'a été communiquée. Knut avait fait la une des magazines et avait doublé la fréquentation du zoo, à en croire ses responsables.

Un des gardiens d'ours au zoo, Heiner Kloes, a annoncé que « Ce fut une journée tout à fait normale, il était auparavant avec les ours femelles, et venait d'être enfermé. Knut se promenaient autour de l'enceinte, entra dans l'eau, puis il eut un court spasme et il est mort. »

Knut avait quatre ans. Dans la nature, les ours polaire ont une espérance de vie de 15 à 20 ans, tandis qu'en captivité ils peuvent vivre plus longtemps. Une autopsie devrait être effectuée.

Knut était né en captivité et avait été recueilli par des humains suite a son rejet par sa mère. Il avait commencé à attirer l'attention lorsque son soigneur Thomas Dörflein avait temporairement emménagé au zoo pour pouvoir lui donner son biberon toutes les deux heures. Knut faisait des apparitions publiques quotidiennes dans lesquels ses soigneurs jouaient avec lui pour le plaisir de milliers de visiteurs. De nombreux clubs de fans avaient été créés à travers le monde, comme aux États-Unis, au Japon et en Allemagne. Les fans s'intéressaient à tous les aspect de sa vie, aussi bien à son combat contre sa prise de poids qu'au plan de déménagement dans d'autres zoos.

En 2007, la célèbre photographe Annie Leibovitz avait photographié Knut avec l'acteur Leonardo DiCaprio pour la couverture du mensuel Vanity Fair. Knut était une source de revenus pour le zoo de Berlin grâce aux produits dérivés, comme des photos, des porte-clés ou même des produits alimentaires.

Le maire de Berlin Klaus Wowereit à qualifié de « terrible » la mort de Knut.


Uginuo polarni medved Knut

20. март 2011.Берлин/ Немачка , (Beta) - Polarni medved Knut, zvezda zoološkog vrta u Berlinu, iznenada je uginuo u subotu, javile su svetske agencije.

Knut, koji je postao internacionalna zvezda odmah posle rođenja, čiji su snimci kao ljupke bele, čupave loptice krasili naslovne strane časopisa i suvenire, uginuo je sa četiri godine, što je neuobičajeno rano za njegovu vrstu.

Prosečan životni vek polarnih medveda u prirodi je 15 do 20 godina, ali u zoo vrtovima mogu da žive duže pošto im ne prete glad, žedj ili infekcije.


Chess master Bobby Fischer dead at 64

Dubbed as one of the world's greatest chess players of all-time, Bobby Fischer has died at the age of 64 from kidney failure, according to his spokesman Gardar Sverrisson. He died in Iceland at a hospital in Reykjavík.

Fischer is most known for beating his opponent Boris Spassky from the then Soviet Union in 1972, to become the first and so far only American world champion chess player. He became a Grandmaster in August of 1958 at the young age of 15.

Fischer was also a fugitive of the U.S. after violating the terms of United Nations sanctions by going to an island of the former country of Yugoslavia in 1992 to play Spassky in a rematch, and won. He was detained in Japan for nine months through 2004 and 2005, accused of trying to leave the country on a revoked U.S. passport. After his detainment he was granted Icelandic citizenship and moved to the country in 2005, instead of being deported to the U.S. by the Japanese government.

"[Fischer was] the pioneer, some would say the founder, of professional chess. [His death is] very sad news," said Garry Kasparov, a former world champion of chess.

Fisher was born on March 9, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois.


Falleció el ajedrecista Bobby Fischer

18 de enero de 2008Reykjavík, Islandia — Garder Sverrisson, amigo cercano de Bobby Fischer, confirmó que el jueves falleció, a sus 64 años, en su residencia en Reykjavík, quien fuera el campeón mundial de ajedrez entre 1972 y 1975 y considerado un genio precoz de la disciplina a nivel mundial. No se dieron a conocer las causas de su deceso.

Fischer fue hospitalizado el año pasado. De origen americano se nacionalizó islandés tras refugiarse en el país nórdico a su detención en Japón en el 2004, por utilizar un pasaporte estadounidense cancelado, y posteriormente fue solicitado en extradición por el gobierno americano debido a su participación en una partida de exhibición en 1992 en Yugoslavia contra Spassky, durante su bloqueo.

Durante su carrera se destacó por su temperamento impredecible y su excentricidad. Ostentó el título mundial desde el 31 de agosto de 1972 cuando venció al soviético Boris Spassky en el que fuera considerado como "El Partido del Siglo", en donde creció su fama. Perdería su título en 1975 al no defenderlo dentro de los plazos establecidos por la Federación Internacional de Ajedrez.


Décès de l'ancien champion d'échecs Bobby Fischer

L'ancien champion d'échecs d'origine américaine Bobby Fischer est décédé hier à l'âge de 64 ans des suites d'une maladie, à son domicile à Reykjavik.

Enfant prodige des échecs, son principal exploit sur l'échiquier fut de mettre fin à l'hégémonie soviétique, en disposant de Boris Spassky en 1972. Il était d'un tempérament atypique. À la suite de la contestation des conditions dans lesquelles devait se dérouler le championnat 1975, il se mit en conflit avec la Fédération internationale des échecs. Cette dernière l'a déchu de son titre, par forfait, au profit d'Anatoly Karpov.

Retiré du monde des échecs depuis 20 ans, c'est en 1992 qu'il avait accepté un match revanche contre Boris Spassky… au Monténégro avec une prime de 3,35 millions de dollars pour la prime du vainqueur. À cette époque, l'ex-Yougoslavie était sous embargo économique de l'ONU, ce qui lui valut des démêlés avec la justice américaine. Cette dernière avait lancé un mandat d'arrêt contre Fischer pour « transaction commerciale illégale ».

Dès lors, après une première arrestation à Tokyo pour défaut de passeport, il s'était retiré en Islande, pays dont il avait obtenu la nationalité en 2005.


Умер Бобби Фишер

17 января в Рейкьявике в возрасте 64 лет умер экс-чемпион мира по шахматам Бобби Фишер. Сообщается, что Фишер в течение последних месяцев болел и скончался в больнице. Официально причина смерти пока не названа, неофициальные источники сообщают, что причина смерти — почечная недостаточность. С 2005 года Фишер проживал в Исландии, где ему было предоставлено политическое убежище.

Фишер был известен как шахматный вундеркинд и шахматный гений. Коэффициент интеллекта Фишера — 186.

С 1972 по 1975 год Роберт Фишер был чемпионом мира по шахматам.
В 1972 году Роберт Фишер выиграл матч на первенство мира у Бориса Спасского. Тот матч проходил в Рейкьявике (Исландия). Матч имел огромный резонанс во всем мире. В годы холодной войны он рассматривался как противостояние США и СССР. Фишер стал первым, и пока единственным, американским чемпионом мира по шахматам. Фишер отобрал звание чемпиона мира по шахматам у советских шахматистов, которые владели им с 1948 года.

Матч 1972 года Спасский — Фишер вдохновил и Владимира Высоцкого к написанию известной песни «Честь шахматной короны», в которой есть такие слова: «Но учти, что Фишер очень ярок,-/Даже спит с доскою — сила в ем,…».

Однако, став чемпионом мира, Фишер перестал играть в шахматы на высшем уровне. В 1975 году он отказался защищать свой титул в матче против Анатолия Карпова и был лишен звания чемпиона мира. Свой отказ Фишер обосновывал тем, что Международная федерация шахмат не выполнила его условий проведения матча.

Известен Фишер также своими экстравагантными поступками. Ходили слухи, что он пожелал удалить пломбы из своих зубов, так как был убежден, что советские тайные службы с помощью микропередатчиков оказывают на него влияние через амальгаму зубных пломб.

Фишер уединился в Калифорнии и в течение двадцати лет жил как фантом. Никто не мог побудить его вернуться в шахматы. Фишер имел финансовые проблемы, но отказывался от всех предложений, которые сулили ему миллионные гонорары.

Только в сентябре 1992 года Фишер согласился сыграть матч-реванш против Бориса Спасского. Фишер победил, за что получил 5,5 миллиона долларов (по другим источникам — 3 миллиона). Однако после этого матча он не мог вернуться в США, где ему грозило судебное преследование за нарушение экономической блокады, установленной Соединенными Штатами против Сербии. И знаменитый шахматист продолжал вести уединенную жизнь в различных странах Европы, а с 2000 года в основном в Японии.

В июле 2004 года Фишера арестовали в аэропорту Токио, обвинив в незаконном пребывании в стране, так как его американский паспорт был недействителен. Обвиняемый, как обычно, заявил, что в его бедах виноваты евреи. Фишер и его адвокаты защищались против депортации в США всеми возможными способами. В конце концов Фишер отказался от американского гражданства и попросил политического убежища. После освобождения он заявил, что это был не арест, а похищение, которое организовали Буш и Коидзуми.
В США Фишер мог бы быть осужден на срок до десяти лет за то, что вопреки экономической блокаде Сербии играл матч против Бориса Спасского в городе Свети-Стефан.

Избежать высылки в США Фишеру помогло правительство Исландии, которое предоставило ему политическое убежище и постоянный вид на жительство. Тогдашний министр иностранных дел Исландии Дэвид Оддсон разъяснил, что в Исландии проживают множество эксцентричных людей, поэтому мы можем позволить себе ещё одного. В 2005 году Фишер приехал в Исландию и получил исландское гражданство. Однако антисемитские высказывания Фишера не нашли поддержки и в Исландии.

Летом 2005 года Борис Спасский побывал в Исландии и попытался уговорить Фишера сыграть ещё один матч, но безуспешно.

Властимир Горт: Мы все должны зажечь свечи в память о Фишере, это он добился того, что шахматисты имеют возможность получать более высокие призовые деньги.

Михаил Таль: Фишер — величайший гений, спустившийся с шахматного неба.

Марк Тайманов: Это ужасное чувство, как будто я играю против машины, которая не ошибается и крушит мое сопротивление.

Юрий Балашов: Казалось, что Фишер никогда не имеет плохих фигур. Он их разменивает, и плохие фигуры остаются у противника.

Алексей Суэтин: О Боже! Фишер играет так просто!

Найджел Шорт: Почему администрация Буша находит необходимым травить 61-летнего человека, который не представляет опасности ни для кого, кроме самого себя.

Моя сестра купила мне шахматы в кондитерской и показала мне, как делать ходы.

В школе ничему не учат. Это только потеря времени.

Я играю серьезно и играю, чтобы выиграть. Если я проигрываю, то принимаю лекарства.

Как выигрывает Таль? Он ставит все свои фигуры в центр и затем жертвует их где-нибудь.

Ты сможешь лучше играть в шахматы, только если ты любишь игру.

18 января 2008 года


Chicago chef invents edible menu

Cordon-bleu chef Homaru Cantu has announced a technique which allows him to create dishes made of edible, inkjet printed paper. Cantu, a head chef at the Moto restaurant in Chicago, has modified an ink-jet printer with the help of computer specialists from local firm Deep Labs and loaded it with cartridges containing concoctions of fruit and vegetables. Using this modified printer Cantu then prints onto edible sheets of soybean and potato starch tasty images downloaded from the web.

“You can make an ink-jet printer do just about anything,” says Cantu. Once the items have been printed they are dipped into a powder made of soy sauce, sugar and vegetables before then being further processed by frying, freezing, or baking them.

Cantu has applied the technique to the printing of menus so that diners can further flavor their soups by ripping up the menu and adding it to the dish.

He hopes that his idea may find its way into popular media. “Just imagine going through a magazine and looking at an ad for pizza. You wonder what it tastes like, so you rip a page out and eat it,” says the chef who is working at perfecting the flavors and has applied for a patent on the technique.

Cantu also has plans for further culinary innovations. He plans to cook steak using a handheld laser that will sear the inside of the steak well done whilst leaving the outside medium rare. He also plans to use the laser to produce bread baked from the inside out thus producing a crust on the inside.


Kock i Chicago uppfinner ätbar meny

Cordon-bleu-kocken Homaru Cantu har banat väg för en teknik som tillåter honom att skapa rätter gjorda av ätbart skrivarpapper. Cantu, chefskock vid the Moto restaurant i Chicago, har modifierat en skrivare med hjälp av datorexperter från det lokala företaget Deep Labs och laddat den med patroner innehållandes ett hopkok av frukt och grönsaker. Med hjälp av skrivaren skriver han sedan ut smakfulla bilder på ätbart "papper" gjort av sojabönor och potatisstärkelse.

–Du kan få en skrivare att göra nästan allt, säger Cantu. När arken har skrivits ut doppas de i ett pulver gjort av sojasås, socker och grönsaker innan de slutligen fryses, stekes eller bakas.

Cantu har använt tekniken till menyer som gästerna kan riva sönder och ha i sina soppor.

Han har höga förhoppningar på sin idé:
–Tänk om man tittar i en tidning och ser en annons för en pizza. Du undrar vad den smakar, så du river ut en sida och äter den, säger kocken jobbar på att finslipa smakerna och har sökt patent för tekniken.

Cantu har också planer på andra kullinariska innovationer. Han planerar att koka en stek med hjälp av en laser som gör att insidan av den bli väl stekt, medan utsidan förfarande är mör. Han planerar också att använda samma laser för att baka bröd inifrån och ut så att insidan blir krispig.

Denna artikel är en översättning av motsvarande artikel på engelskspråkiga Wikinews.


Chicago Metra considers selling naming rights for train lines, stations

Chicago's Metra is currently considering the possibility of selling the naming rights to its train stations, rail lines, and even bridges to generate more revenue.

The regional rail system for Chicago and its surrounding suburbs has been experiencing revenue shortfalls, along with other public transportation agencies such as the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace. They all rely on sales taxes and fares to fund their services, but the recent recession has reduced sales tax revenues, and unemployment has caused ridership to fall. Compared to 86.8 million trips in 2008, Metra reported that only 82.3 million trips were provided in 2009. As spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet said, "We're looking at any opportunity to increase non-fare revenue."

A law approved by former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich in 2008 granted free rides to all seniors regardless of income, adding to the decreasing fare revenues as well. State lawmakers are trying to restrict the free rides to low-income seniors; Metra has not yet commented on the issue, however.

New designs put on the agency's website last September has attracted more traffic, and Metra is considering selling advertising space online. In addition, advertising space could be sold on the outside of train cars as well. As for the naming rights to stations and routes, Metra plans to hire a consultant that would figure out the details of such a proposal. Spokesperson Meg Reihle did not know how much money Metra could gain from the sale or which organizations would be interested in buying.

According to Ms. Reihle, public transit agencies in other cities have sold naming rights as well, such as the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority in Cleveland and Long Island Rail Road in Long Island. TECO Energy sponsors a rail line in Tampa's Hillsborough Area Regional Transit for US$1 million over ten years.

Throughout its 26-year history, Metra has named several of its locomotives and renamed two stations: Ogilvie Transportation Center, which was previously named North Western Station, and Millennium Terminal, which was previously called Randolph Street. No transactions were made in renaming those two stations, however. There is also a  Station named after the candy maker Mars, but that station was named before Metra took it over, and the company doesn't pay Metra for any naming rights.

Execuive Director Phil Pagano sees the proposal as a way for businesses to advertise themselves. "I think the business community recognizes that transit is positive for their advertising benefit," said Mr. Pagano at a board meeting. In addition to businesses, hospitals located near the train stations could purchase naming rights as well. However, Mr. Pagano has also stated that "the agency would be selective about the type of businesses it partners with."

Metra has said that it will be sensitive to the wishes of the communities near the stops, and town names will not be removed from station names. Rather, both the municipality and the sponsoring organization would share the naming rights, such as in renaming Naperville Station to "Naperville Boeing Station". "I'm not sure whether [the old name] is first or second, but definitely it's going to have to be there," said Mr. Pagano.


Eladná állomásai elnevezési jogát a chicagói Metra

A cég Illinois állam, azon belül is Chicago és vonzáskörzetének helyi érdekű vasútja. Működési területe Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry és Will megyékre[1] terjed ki, 11 vonalat és ezekhez kapcsolódóan 200 állomást üzemeltet. A társaság bevétele – az utasforgalommal együtt – némileg visszaesett az elmúlt évben, így ennek ellensúlyozására a vállalat most alternatív forrásokat keres. Az egyik felmerült ötlet szerint értékesíteni lehetne az állomások, a vonalak, de még egyes hidak elnevezési jogát is.

A menetdíjakból származó bevétel több okból is csökkent. Egyrészt a gazdasági világválság nyomán növekedett a munkanélküliség, így kevesebb lett az ingázó és ezzel csökkent az utasok száma is. Míg 2008-ban 86,8, addig 2009-ben csak 82,3 milliónyian utaztak a vállalat vonalain. Másrészt Illinois korábbi kormányzója, Rod Blagojevich 2008-ban kihirdette az idősek ingyenes utazásáról szóló törvényt. Az állam hivatalai egyébként most készítenek elő egy törvénytervezetet, amely a jogosultak körét a korhatáron túl anyagi helyzethez is kötné.

A vállalat másik fontos forrása a helyben szedett forgalmi adó ráeső része: a magyarországi gyakorlattól eltérően ez az adónem többszintű, a nettó árra az állam mellett a megye, a város és ezeken keresztül a helyi tömegközlekedés is adókulcsot tehet, sőt bizonyos termékkörök más szervezetek által is adóztathatók. Cook megyében például (amelyben maga Chicago is található) 10,25% az adókulcs, amelyből 6,25% állami, 1,75% megyei és 1,25% városi szintű, továbbá 1% illeti meg a tömegközlekedést. A válság nyomán azonban a fogyasztás is visszaesett, vele együtt pedig az általa generált adó.

Az elnevezési jogok értékesítése nem lenne egyedi lépés: Cleveland és Rhode Island tömegközlekedési vállalatai élő példaként szolgálnak. 26 éves fennállása alatt a Metra mindössze két állomás nevét változtatta meg, a többinél a mai napig megtartotta a korábbi üzemeltető által is használt neveket. A vállalat egyik megállója egyébként éppen a Mars édességgyár (többek között a Milky Way, a Twix és a Snickers gyártója) nevét viseli – azonban ez is örökölt, s jelenleg nem fizetnek díjat utána. A vállalat vezetősége nem zárja ki, hogy a környező gyárak mellett akár helyi kórházak is így hirdessék majd magukat. Mindazonáltal leszögezték, hogy a megálló régi neve – az egyértelmű azonosíthatóság kedvéért – az újban is fel lesz tüntetve. Például ha az állomás környéke után elnevezett Naperville Station névjogát megvenné a Boeing, akkor az Naperville Boeing Station gyanánt működhetne tovább.

A Metra egyik további terve, hogy online hirdetési felületeket alakít ki honlapján.


Chinese New Year to be celebrated in Bucharest for the first time

Bucharest, Romania — The Lunar New Year's Eve Festival will be celebrated in Bucharest, Romania for the first time ever as an organised event. The celebrations will include live shows, food exhibitions and fireworks, and will take place on February 10 in Nichita Stănescu Park.

Designed to promote Chinese cultural heritage, the event will be organised by Bucharest City Hall, as well as the Romania-China Cultural Centre and the Chinese Embassy in Bucharest.

Signifying the end of the winter and the start of spring, the Chinese New Year takes place on a different day at the beginning of the year, based on the moon's position relative to the sun. The celebrations will mark the beginning of the Year of the Rooster.


Det kinesiska nyåret firas för första gången i Bukarest

Bukarest, Rumänien – Det kinesiska nyåret kommer för första gången firas organiserat i Bukarest. Firandet kommer innehåller uppträdanden, matutställningar och fyrverkerier och äger rum den 10 februari.

Tillställningen är designad för att göra reklam för det kinesiska kulturarvet och organiseras av Bukarests stadshus samt det rumänsk-kinesiska kulturcentret och den kinesiska ambassaden.

Det kinesiska nyåret markerar vintern slut och vårens början och firas därför runt månadsskiftet januari-februari, baserat på månens förhållande till solen. Året firande markerar början på tuppens år.

Denna artikel är en översättning av den engelskspråkiga motsvarigheten.


Church of England threatens legal action over PS3 game

The Church of England has threatened legal action against Sony Entertainment over the inclusion of the Manchester Cathedral in the PS3 launch title Resistance: Fall of Man. The game, set in  various English locations during an alternate history, includes a gun fight within the building.

The scene in question involves a small group of humans, including the player, taking refuge in the cathedral and attempting to fight off aliens who are attacking them.

The Church has requested an apology, saying that Sony did not ask for permission to include the Cathedral in the game, describing the game as "sick and sacrilegious". The Dean of Manchester Cathedral criticised Sony for failing to take into account Manchester's gun crime problems, saying "it is a shame to have Sony undermining our work".

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Sony defended the game, telling the Daily Telegraph,  "[the game] is not based on reality at all" and compared it to the fictional series Doctor Who.

The Church will send a letter directly to Sony on Monday requesting an apology and withdrawal of the game from sale.


Angielski Kościół grozi wszczęciem postępowania przeciwko grze konsolowej

Angielski Kościół grozi wszczęciem postępowania przeciwko Sony Entertainment za umieszczenie katedry Manchesteru w tytule startowym konsoli PlayStation 3, Resistance: Fall of Man. Gra, której akcja toczy się w alternatywnej historii m.in. w Manchesterze zawiera strzelaninę, która dzieje się w murach katedry.

Scena zawiera grupkę ludzi (w tym gracza), próbujących ochronić się przed atakującymi ich Chimerami - nowej, niebezpiecznej rasy ludzkiej.

Kościół zażądał przeprosin, mówiąc, że Sony nie pytało o pozwolenie na umieszczenie katedry w grze, dodatkowo opisując grę jako "chorą i świętokradczą".

Rzecznik Sony bronił gry, mówiąc w wywiadzie dla Daily Telegraph, że "[gra] w ogóle nie bazuje na rzeczywistym świecie" i porównując ją do serii Doctor Who.

Kościół wyśle list z prośbą o przeprosiny i wycofanie gry ze sprzedaży do Sony w poniedziałek.


Cilla Black funeral held in Liverpool

Stars from the world of showbusiness joined fans and mourners yesterday at the funeral of the popular entertainer Cilla Black. Her coffin was transported in a cortege in Liverpool where she grew up, with hundreds of people paying their respects. Some were holding memorabilia related to Black's 50-year long career in entertainment, which included singing and presenting television programmes such as Blind Date.

Tom Williams, auxiliary bishop of Liverpool, conducted the Roman Catholic mass in St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Liverpool's Woolton area. This is the same church that Black got married in 1969 to Bobby Willis, who died in 1999 after 30 years of marriage. Eulogies were delivered by Cliff Richard and Paul O'Grady together with poems read by two of Black's sons. Further tributes were paid by Tom Jones, who flew in specially for the funeral.

After the service, Black was to be interred in a private ceremony, next to the graves of her parents at the Allerton cemetery. She died early this month, aged 72, after she fell at her home in Spain and suffered a stroke.


V Liverpoolu se konal pohřeb zpěvačky Cilly Blackové

Příznivci i kolegové Cilly Blackové se sešli na jejím pohřbu v Liverpoolu. Zpěvačka, herečka a později televizní moderátorka zemřela ve dvaasedmdesáti letech 1. srpna na mozkový infarkt způsobený pádem a zraněním hlavy, k němuž došlo nešťastnou náhodou v její nemovitosti ve Španělsku.

Blacková za sebou měla více než padesátiletou úspěšnou kariéru, kterou pomohla odstartovat její spolupráce s hudební skupinou Beatles v 60. a 70. letech.

Římskokatolickou mši v kostele Panny Marie ve Wooltonu celebroval liverpoolský pomocný biskup Tom Williams a šlo o stejný kostel, kde se Blacková v roce 1969 vdala za Bobbyho Willise, jenž zemřel v roce 1999 po třiceti letech manželství. Na pohřbu dále promluvili Cliff Richard, Paul O'Grady, jeden ze synů Blackové a Tom Jones.

Tato zpráva byla založena zčásti nebo zcela překladem zprávy Cilla Black funeral held in Liverpool na anglických Wikizprávách.


CNN typo mixes up prospective U.S. presidential candidate with Osama bin Laden

2008 United States presidential election

U.S. Senator Barack Obama's family name may sound similar to that of the given name of Osama bin Laden.

According to prominent American left-wing online blog Daily Kos, which was the first to report it, CNN mixed the two up on Monday, leading into a segment on bin Laden with the title, "Where's Obama?" on The Situation Room, a show hosted by pundit Wolf Blitzer. The blog posted a photo of the mistake. The author of the blog called it "character defamation."

CNN has called the mistake "a bad typographical error". Soledad O'Brien and Blitzer apologised separately during CNN's American Morning on Tuesday.

"We want to apologize for that bad typo," Mr Blitzer said. "We also want to apologize personally to Senator Barack Obama. I'm going to be making a call to him later this morning to offer my personal apology."

Mr Obama's press secretary said the apology was accepted. He also added that he appreciated the online blogs who brought the error to light.

"Though I'd note that the 's' and 'b' keys aren't all that close to each other, I assume it was just an unfortunate mistake, and don't think there was any truly malicious intent," said Tommy Vietor, Obama's press secretary.


רשת CNN בילבלה בין סנאטור אמריקני לאוסאמה בן לאדן

זוהי בדיחה שהשתמשו בה כבר בארצות הברית אין-ספור פעמים:
החלפת אוסאמה באובמה.

שם משפחתו של הסנאטור האמריקני ברק אובמה דומה מאוד לשמו הפרטי של הטרוריסט המבוקש ביותר בעולם אוסאמה בן לאדן.

המקרה דווח לראשונה בבלוג אמריקני שמאלני, שדיווח שרשת CNN בילבלה בין השניים ביום שני, במהלך קטע על בן לאדן עם הכותרת "איפה אובמה?" באחת התוכניות בערוץ. הבלוג פירסם תמונה של הטעות. כותב הבלוג כינה את המקרה "הכפשת דמות".

CNN קראה למקרה "טעות טיפוגרפית רעה". שדרן התוכנית שבה קרתה הטעות ונציג של רשת CNN התנצלו ביום שלישי בתוכנית הבוקר של הרשת. "אנחנו רוצים להתנצל על שגיאת הכתיב," אמר. "אנחנו רוצים גם להתנצל אישית לסנאטור ברק אובמה. אני מתכוון ליצור איתו קשר בהמשך הבוקר ולהציע לו את התנצלותי האישית."

איש יחסי הציבור של אובמה מסר שההתנצלות התקבלה. הוא הוסיף גם שהוא מעריך את הבלוגים שהוציאו את השגיאה לאור. "למרות ששמתי לב שמקשי ה-'S' וה-'B' לא כל כך קרובים אחד לשני, אני מניח שזו הייתה טעות חסרת מזל ואני לא חושב שהיו באמת אילו כוונות רעות," אמר.

3 בינואר 2007


Un errore della CNN confonde un senatore USA con un terrorista

Il gioco di parole è stato fatto innumerevoli volte: scambiare Obama per Osama.

Il cognome del senatore Barak Obama è molto simile al nome del terrorista più ricercato del mondo Osama bin Laden. Invece della S in Osama, la televisione americana CNN ha scritto una B, rendendo Obama.

L'errore che la CNN ha definito un "«cattivo errore tipografico»" è stato riportato per primo da un blog.

Ma secondo il blog Daily Kos, la CNN aveva confuso i due già lunedì, inserendo una schermata con il titolo "Where's Obama?" (Dov'è Obama?), durante la trasmissione The Situation Room, uno show condotto da Wolf Blitzer. Il blog ha pubblicato una foto (vedi) dell'errore. L'autore del blog ha definito l'errore "una diffamazione del personaggio".

Soledad O'Brien e Blitzer si sono scusati durante la trasmissione American Morning di martedì, in onda sempre sulla CNN.

«Vogliamo scusarci per quel brutto errore» ha detto Blitzer «Vogliamo anche scusarci personalmente con il senatore Barack Obama. Lo chiamerò personalmente più tardi per offrirgli le mie scuse».

L'ufficio stampa di Obama ha detto che le scuse sono state accettate, e che ha apprezzato il fatto che un blog avesse dato luce alla notizia.

«Sebbene voglia far notare che le lettere 's' e 'b' non sono vicine l'una all'altra sulla tastiera, io presumo sia stato solo uno sfortunato errore, e non penso ci fosse dietro alcunché di malizioso» ha detto Tommy Vietor, capo ufficio stampa di Obama.


Co-creator of Berenstain Bears dies at 82

Stan Berenstain, co-creator of the popular Berenstain Bears children's books, has died due to complications from cancer at age 82. Along with his wife, Jan Berenstain, Stan and Jan Berenstain published over 200 books aimed at teaching children to read and helping them with lessons such as sharing, new siblings.

The first Berenstain Bears book was published in 1962 and titled "The Big Honey Hunt". With the help of head of children's publishing at Random House, author Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, the Berenstains created a franchise that drew millions of young readers.

Until 1997, when they hired an employee to run the company's computer, Mr. Berenstain and his family managed the entire ursine enterprise, which has branched out into two television series, videos, stage musicals, toys, cereal and other products.

According to an interview of the Berenstain Bears official website, Papa Bear is based on Stan, Mama on Jan; Stan clarifies that he's "not as stupid" as Papa.

Stan fed his interest in drawing as a child, by drawing on paper bags and cardboard.


Berenstain-björnarnas skapare avlider 82 år gammal

Kanadensaren Stan Berenstain, tillsammans med sin hustru Jan Berenstain en av skaparna bakom de populära barnböckerna om Berenstain-björnarna, dog av cancer 82 år gammal. Tillsammans producerade de över 200 böcker som lockade miljontals unga läsare.

Den första boken kom 1962 och fram till 1997, då paret anställde en person för att ta hand om datorn, skötte de hela verksamheten själva. Med tiden blev det inte bara böcker utan även TV-serier, videofilmer, musikaler, leksaker, frukostflingor och mycket annat.


Colbert officially withdraws Presidential bid; Obama supporters pressured South Carolina

Two prominent South Carolina supporters of Barack Obama pressured the state Democratic council to keep Stephen Colbert off the primary ballot.  The Council voted 13-3 last week against Colbert's placement on the ballot.

According to an anonymous member of the council who felt pressured, one of those people was State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum, who admitted she had made the calls.  "I think lobbying was too strong a word," she said in an interview with CNN. "I called them to see what they were thinking, and if they had made up their mind. I am a volunteer in that campaign, and so I am not a staffer. And I thought it could have taken votes away from a lot of people."

Another Obama supporter, state Representative Bakari Sellers, also admitted to making the calls.  "I placed the calls as a concerned Democrat, realizing that we are a country in despair," Sellers told CNN. "It is not a time for games or to make a mockery of the process."

Yesterday Colbert officially withdrew from the race.  “I am shocked and saddened by the South Carolina Democratic Executive Council’s 13-to-3 vote to keep me off their presidential primary ballot,” he said in the statement. “Although I lost by the slimmest margin in presidential election history — only 10 votes — I have chosen not to put the country through another agonizing Supreme Court battle. It is time for this nation to heal.”

According to Tenenbaum, the reason she did not want Colbert on the ballot was financial and not political.  For every name the Democrats put on the ballot in South Carolina, they have to pay US$20,000 to the state election commission.

The Obama campaign denied any connection to the phone calls.

In related news, at a book signing at Borders Book Store in New York City last night, a protester posing as a member of the press disrupted the event, demanding Colbert make statements about 7 World Trade Center.  Despite preliminary findings by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Institute of Standards and Technology that fire caused them, some conspiracy theorists believe the dramatic building collapses on September 11, including that of building seven, were the result of controlled demolition.  NIST has "found no evidence of a blast or controlled demolition event", though in its final report on building 7, they would "like to determine the magnitude of hypothetical blast scenarios that could have led to the structural failure of one or more critical elements."

"What about World Trade Center Number 7, Stephen?" shouted the protester.  "What are you going to say about that?  Why don't you give us a witty remark and make a joke about it?  Keep smirking, Stephen!"  The protester was removed by the book store's security.


קולבר פורש רשמית מהמירוץ לנשיאות; תומכי אובאמה הפעילו לחץ בדרום-קרוליינה

מה שהתחיל כבדיחות, המשיך בספק פעלול תדמיתי-ספק כוונה רצינית, ככל הנראה הסתיים, כאשר חברי מועצת המפלגה הדמוקרטית בדרום קרוליינה הצביעו כנגד הכללתו של הקומיקאי סטיבן קולבר בבחירות המוקדמות למועמד המפלגה לנשיא ארצות הברית. שניים מתומכיו הבולטים של ברק אובאמה מדרום-קרוליינה הפעילו לחץ על המועצה על מנת להסיר את שמו של קולבר מטופס הבחירה לפריימריז, ומאמציהם נשאו פרי, כאשר בסיום ההצבעה מועמדותו של קולבר הוסרה ברוב 13-3.

אליבא דחבר אלמוני במועצה שחש שמופעל עליו לחץ, אחד משני אנשים אלה הייתה המפקחת המדינתי על החינוך, אינז טננבאום, שהודתה בקיום השיחות. "אני חושבת ששתדלנות זו מילה חזקה מדי," היא אמרה בראיון לרשת CNN. "הרמתי אליהם טלפון על מנת לשמוע את דעותיהם בנושא והאם הם כבר גמרו אומר לגבי האופן בו יצביעו. אני מתנדבת במסע-בחירות זה, כך שאיני חברה בסגל של אובאמה. חשבתי שזה עשוי להבריח קולות מאנשים רבים."

תומך אחר של אובאמה, איש בית הנבחרים המדינתי באקארי סלרס, הודה אף הוא בקיום שיחות. "ביצעתי את שיחות הטלפון בתור דמוקרט מודאג, בהביני כי אנו מדינה על סף יאוש," אמר סלרס ל-CNN. "אין זה הזמן היאה למשחקים או לעשיית התהליך לצחוק."

אמש משך קולבר רשמית את מועמדותו במירוץ. "אני הלום ומצוער בשל הצבעת המועצה המנהלת הדמוקרטית של דרום-קרוליינה שהצביעה 13-3 על מנת למנוע ממני להשתתף בפריימריז למועמדות המפלגה הדמוקרטית לנשיאות," הוא אמר בהצהרתו. "הגם שהפסדתי בפער הנמוך ביותר בתולדות הבחירות לנשיאות - 10 קולות בלבד - בחרתי שלא להעביר את המדינה דרך מערכה קשה בבית המשפט העליון. יש לתת לאומה הזדמנות להחלים."

על-פי טננבאום, הסיבה שהיא לא רצתה את קולבר בטופס הבחירות הייתה פיננסית ולא פוליטית. בעבור כל שם שהדמוקרטים שמים בטופס בדרום-קרוליינה, עליהם לשלם 20,000$ לוועדת הבחירות המדינתית.

אנשי מסע-הבחירות של אובאמה הכחישו כל זיקה לשיחות הטלפון המדוברות.

בתוך כך, באירוע חתימה על ספרים בחנות ספרים של רשת בורדר'ס בניו-יורק אמש, מפגין שהתחזה לעיתונאי קטע את האירוע בתובעו שקולבר יעניק הצהרה על בניין שבע במרכז הסחר העולמי, הבניין השלישי שהתמוטט באסון התאומים. על אף ממצאים ראשוניים של הסוכנות הפדרלית לניהול מצבי חירום והמכון הלאומי לתקנים ולטכנולוגיה שקבעו כי קריסת הבניין נגרמה בשל שריפה, ישנם המפקפקים באמינות הממצאים ונוטים לקבל סברות אחרות, בכלל אף תאוריות קונספירציה, לפיהן התמוטטותו הדרמטית של הבניין ב-11.9 נגרמה בהריסה מבוקרת. NIST "לא מצאה כל ראיות לפיצוץ או הריסה מבוקרת", הגם שבדו"ח הסופי שלה על בניין שבע, אנשיה היו "רוצים לקבוע את עוצמתם של תרחישי פיצוץ היפותטי שעשויים היו להביא לקריסה מבנית של אחד או יותר מיסודותיו הקריטיים של הבניין."

"מה בנוגע לבניין הסחר העולמי מספר שבע, סטיבן?" זעק המפגין. "מה בכוונתך לומר בנושא זה? מדוע אינך חונן אותנו בהערה שנונה ומתבדח על כך? המשך לחייך, סטיבן!" המפגין נלקח מן האולם על-ידי אנשי-האבטחה של החנות.

6 בנובמבר 2007


Comedian Dave Allen dies aged 68

The famous Irish comedian Dave Allen has died aged 68. Known as the Sit-down comedian, Allen was among the first to base his dry wit humour around the comic practices of large organisations and institutions such as the Catholic Church.

Born in Dublin in 1936, he later moved to England to pursue his career. He initially  was a journalist, but later entered comedy. His fame peaked in the 1970s and 1980s with the BBC TV shows The Dave Allen Show and Dave Allen at Large.

He is survived by his wife Karin, and their three children.


Zmarł irlandzki komik Dave Allen

Znany irlandzki komik, Dave Allen, zmarł mając 68 lat. Allen był jednym z pierwszych, którzy zaczęli obśmiewać powszechne i znane organizacje, takie jak Kościół Katolicki.

Urodził się w Dublinie w 1936 roku, później przeniósł się do Anglii, gdzie rozpoczął swoją karierę. Na początku był żurnalistą, dopiero potem zajął się komedią. Jego sława osiągnęła szczyty w latach 70. i 80. XX wieku, kiedy to prowadził w telewizji BBC programy rozrywkowe, takie jak The Dave Allen Show i Dave Allen at Large.

Zostawił swoją żonę Karin i trójkę dzieci.


Complaints about Bible surge after HK student paper classified as indecent

The Hong Kong Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA) has received 2,041 complaints within 3 days, calling for the Bible to be reclassified as "indecent", following a heated controversy sparked by the sex column of an university student newspaper, which was classified by the government's publication tribunal as "indecent". By 17 May, TELA decided not to submit the Bible to the tribunal.

Two weeks ago, the Chinese university of Hong Kong's student newspaper sparked a public debate when it was found that they had asked readers if they fantasised about incest or bestiality, along with some soft sex stories and an unrelated abstract drawing about sex.

Although there is no explicit description or pornographic photos, the paper was classified as "Category II: Indecent" by Obscene Articles Tribunal (OAT) on 14 May because it asked the question— "Have you fantasised about incest or bestiality?". This classification means that the student editors have breached the law by distributing the paper to the public, will have a criminal record, and risk a jail sentence.

Since then, OAT's decision has been hotly contested among teachers, activists, commentators and scholars.

Complaints about the Bible then immediately flooded in to the authorities, claiming that the Bible is "indecent" due to its textual descriptions of rape and incest. The accusation was first made by a web site truthbible.net which said the holy book is full of sexual and violent content and its "indecency" far exceeds that of the recent sex column published in the Chinese University's student newspaper.

A webmaster of truthbible.net, who wishes to remain anonymous, said if the sex column of the student's newspaper is indecent because of public complaints, "there's no reasons not to judge the Bible as indecent" because of its sexual content.

By May 17 (UTC+8), TELA had received 2,041 complaints on the indecency of the Bible, up from 200 in three days. By the same day, TELA announced it will not submit the Bible to the Obscene Articles Tribunal for classification. "The Bible is a religious text which is part of civilisation. It has been passed on from generation to generation. TELA considers that such longstanding religious texts or literature have not violated standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable members of the community."

According to the regulations in Hong Kong, any books classified as "indecent" by the OAT can only be sold or distributed to people over 18. All such publications must be sealed in a wrapper with a statutory warning notice.

The CUHK Student Journals editorial board stated that the Bible complaints are not related to them, and they had no prior knowledge of such a movement.


聖經「內容不雅」 香港收逾千投訴

基督教的宗教經典《聖經》，竟然有人認為「內容不雅」？自5月15日起，香港影視及娛樂事務管理處（影視處）收到多宗有關《聖經》內容淫褻及不雅的投訴，截至16日傍晚已有1,400多宗投訴。這些投訴懷疑是因為受到《中大學生報》情色版事件影響，而有網民作出的報復行為。

投訴內容指出，《聖經》內大部份涉及強姦、吃糞便、吃人肉等內容不雅，要求影視處將整本《聖經》交予淫褻物品審裁處評級。投訴於5月15日有208宗，至16日傍晚則累積有1,406宗。影視處則表示，目前未決定是否會將《聖經》送檢。

根據香港的淫褻物品評級制度，若淫褻物品審裁處將任何刊物裁定為二級不雅物品，該刊物須加上警告字句及封套，並只准向十八歲或以上人士發佈或售賣。

外界估計，這些投訴很有機會是為了聲援《中大學生報》情色版事件。該報於去年12月起設立情色版，其中今年2月號及3月號的情色版刊載一份問卷，涉及雜交、亂倫及人獸交，因而於5月被人向影視處投訴。至5月14日，淫褻物品審裁處正式宣佈該兩期情色版屬二級不雅物品，引起香港社會各界人士不同的迴響，當中有不少人質疑淫褻物品審裁處的判決。

亦有人質疑，影視處在接獲逾千宗投訴後，仍未決定是否會將《聖經》送檢，卻在《中大學生報》接獲20多宗投訴後，迅速決定將其送檢，認為這是雙重標準做法。

《中大學生報》編委會表示，群眾要求將《聖經》送檢一事與編委會無關，亦不知有人作出行動。


Concert for peace held on Colombian-Venezuelan border

Tens of thousands of Colombians and Venezuelans attended a free concert Sunday, held on a bridge linking the two countries. It was organized by Grammy-winning rock artist Juanes to celebrate the end of the diplomatic crisis between Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, and to further improve peaceful relations within the region.

The "Peace Without Borders" concert was staged atop the Simón Bolívar bridge, which connects the Colombian town of Cúcuta with the Venezuelan town of San Antonio del Táchira. "It would have been much more practical and simple to do it in a city," Juanes told the Miami Herald, "but the border is a symbol of peace between all countries. And this message is for everyone, all the countries in Latin America and the U.S. as well."

Concert goers gathered in a dried-up riverbed to hear music by many notable Hispanic performers, including Colombian singer Carlos Vives, Dominican musician Juan Luis Guerra, Spanish musicians Miguel Bosé and Alejandro Sanz, Venezuelan musician Ricardo montaner, and Ecuadorian singer Juan Fernando Velasco.

Juanes said the artists were "super responsive" when invited to perform. "I think they all share my feelings: How can we use our music to support this, use our art for something important?" he said.

"This is a celebration of the unity between Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia," Carlos Vives said on the stage. "We want our police and military officers to go home," he added, referring to the Colombian hostages held by leftist group FARC.

FARC was the center of the recent diplomatic crisis, which began when the Colombian military conducted an air raid against the organization inside Ecuador territory. Venezuela sided with Ecuador in condemning Colombia for the raid, and they each moved troops to their respective borders. The crisis was ended when the nations' leaders shook hands at a summit.

"It's not that a song by Alejandro or Carlos is going to change people," Juanes said. "But music becomes an excuse to send a message, that we're all here together building peace, that we are here as citizens and this is what we want, and we have to be heard. I think the governments have to understand and listen. We don't want to get involved in conflicts between people."

Colombian president Alvaro Uribe had planned to attend the concert, but canceled when Juanes' manager told him the show "was not to be a political event" and asked him not to come.


Cantantes se reunen por la paz en la frontera colombo-venezolana

17 de marzo de 2008Cúcuta, Colombia — Siete cantantes iberoamericanos se hicieron presentes el domingo ante unos 60.000 espectadores en el Puente Internacional Simón Bolívar, paso fronterizo entre Colombia y Venezuela, para participar en el concierto Paz Sin Fronteras, convocado por el artista colombiano Juanes.

El cantante fue acompañado por el colombiano Carlos Vives, los españoles Miguel Bosé y Alejandro Sanz, el venezolano Ricardo Montaner, el dominicano Juan Luis Guerra y el ecuatoriano Juan Fernando Velazco, quienes acudieron a la invitación e hicieron vibrar a los espectadores con sus canciones durante cuatro horas.

Juanes afirmó durante su presentación: "Estamos en la frontera de dos países hermanos que días atrás experimentó una crisis. Pero vinimos a reafirmar nuestro deseo de paz. Colombia jamás tendrá paz si no la tienen Venezuela y Ecuador". Los tres países superaron la semana anterior una crisis diplomática que enfrentó a los gobiernos de Álvaro Uribe, Hugo Chávez y Rafael Correa. Uribe canceló su asistencia unas horas antes de comenzar el evento por solicitud de Juanes, al no conseguir que asistieran los otros dos mandatarios para garantizar una representación neutral de los países.


Conductor Israel Yinon dies after collapsing on stage

Conductor Israel Yinon died yesterday after collapsing during a performance in Switzerland. The Israeli conductor was directing an orchestra in the city of Lucerne when he suddenly collapsed and fell head first off of the platform. No official cause of death has been announced. He was 59 years old.

Yinon collapsed during the performance of German composer Richard Strauss's An Alpine Symphony. An audience member attended to him while others were asked to leave the Lucerne Culture and Convention Centre and musicians exited. Yinon's girlfriend was playing in the orchestra when he collapsed.

Yinnon was known for showcasing the works of composers killed in the Holocaust. He highlighted symphonies from those such as Pavel Haas and Viktor Ullmann. Through this he gained international recognition including his award of the German critics’ recording prize in 1993. He went on to conduct the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Symphony Orchestra.

Speaking about the work of those composers who became victims of the Holocaust, Yinnon was quoted as saying "Without the Second World War, new music would have sounded quite different."

Despite his international success he never achieved similar critical acclaim in his home country of Israel. Speaking to the Ynet news website his cousin Yisrael Ganor said "In Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic he was very successful with this material, whereas in Israel he was rarely invited [to conduct]. Once someone famous told him — I don’t remember if it was a musician or journalist — that they would only invite him if there was no one else, or if the budgetary constraints couldn't cover someone well known."

Tributes have been paid to the conductor including one from the Jungen Philharmonie Zentralschweiz student orchestra. They said they lost "not only a highly regarded musical colleague and sensitive educator, but a big-hearted friend." Yinnon had conducted them in 2009 and 2012 concerts.


Maestro Israel Yinon morre depois de desmaiar no palco

O maestro Israel Yinon morreu ontem depois de desmaiar durante uma performance na Suíça. O maestro israelense estava dirigindo uma orquestra na cidade de Lucerna, quando de repente, ele desmaiou e caiu primeiro cabeça para fora da plataforma. Nenhuma causa oficial da morte foi anunciada. Ele tinha 59 anos de idade.

Yinon desmaiou durante a execução do compositor alemão da An Alpine Symphony, Richard Strauss. Um membro da audiência assistiram a ele, enquanto outros foram convidados a deixar a Cultura de Lucerna e do Centro de Convenções e os músicos saiu. A namorada de Yinon estava tocando na orquestra, quando ele entrou em colapso.

Yinnon era conhecido por mostrar as obras dos compositores mortos no Holocausto. Ele destacou sinfonias de aqueles que, como Pavel Haas e Viktor Ullmann. Através disso, ele ganhou reconhecimento internacional, incluindo seu prêmio dos críticos alemães, prêmio de gravação em 1993. Ele passou a ser maestro da Orquestra Sinfónica da BBC e da Orquestra Sinfônica de Berlim.

Falando sobre o trabalho desses compositores que se tornaram vítimas do Holocausto, Yinnon foi citado ao dizer "Sem a Segunda Guerra Mundial, nova música teria soado bem diferente.", afirmou.

Apesar de seu sucesso internacional que ele nunca alcançou aclamação da crítica semelhante em seu país natal, Israel. Em declarações ao site de notícias Ynet o seu primo Yisrael Ganor disse: "Na Alemanha, Áustria e República Checa, ele foi muito bem sucedido com este material, enquanto que em Israel, ele raramente foi convidado [para ser maestro] Uma vez que alguém famoso disse a ele — Eu não lembro se era um músico ou jornalista — que só gostaria de convidar-lhe se havia mais ninguém, ou se as restrições orçamentais não poderia cobrir alguém conhecido.", afirmou.

Tributos foram pagos para o maestro, incluindo a uma orquestra de estudantes da Jungen Philharmonie Zentralschweiz. Eles disseram que perderam "não só um colega considerado altamente musical e educador sensível, mas um amigo de grande coração." Yinnon já conduziu concertos em 2009 e 2012.


Contador wins 2009 Tour de France; Cavendish wins six stages

Spaniard Alberto Contador of team Astana has won the 2009 Tour de France after crossing the line in a final time of 85:48:35 for the 21-stage grand tour. Andy Schleck from Luxembourg came in second place. Schleck, riding for Team Saxo Bank also won the maillot blanc for the young riders' classification.

American Lance Armstrong of Astana claimed the final podium spot, 5:24 behind Contador. The seven-time Tour-winner returned from retirement after winning the 2005 Tour de France.

Winning the final stage at Champs-Élysées in Paris, France, was Mark Cavendish in a time of 4:02:18. The British cyclist won six stages this year, topping his achievement of four stage wins last year.

The points classification was won by Thor Hushovd of Norway with 280. The Cervélo TestTeam rider finished ahead of Team Columbia-HTC's Cavendish, despite the latter's multiple stage wins.

The King of the Mountains winner is Italian Franco Pellizotti, riding for Liquigas, who also got the additional honor of being the most aggressive rider. Team Astana, with two men on the podium, won the team classification.


Alberto Contador gana su segundo Tour de Francia

26 de julio de 2009París, Francia — El ciclista español Alberto Contador ha obtenido por segunda vez el título del Tour de Francia, al completar el domingo la última etapa en los Campos Elíseos de París.

El ciclista Contador además de este título que había obtenido previamente en 2007, suma un Giro de Italia y una Vuelta a España en su palmarés. En esta oportunidad superó al luxemburgués Andy Schleck con una diferencia de 4 minutos y 11 segundos y al estadounidense Lance Armstrong (siete veces ganador del Tour) con 5 minutos 24 segundos, quienes completaron el podio final.

El ganador de la última etapa fue el británico Mark Cavendish del equipo Columbia, quien obtuvo con esta su sexta etapa en la presente edición del Tour. Por su parte, el italiano Franco Pellizotti se llevó el premio de montaña al final de la competencia.

El equipo más destacado fue Astana, en el cual militan Contador y Armstrong. En el equipo, patrocinado por el gobierno de Kazajstán, han anunciado su retiro el director técnico Johan Bruyneel y el propio Lance Artmstrong, agravado con la crisis económica que atraviesa, por lo cual algunos medios han puesto en duda su continuidad en las próximas temporadas. Una sanción por dopaje impidió su participación al equipo el año anterior. En sus declaraciones, Contador afirmó "he hecho dos Tours, uno en bici y otro en el hotel", haciendo referencia a las tensiones que se presentan actualmente.


Alberto Contador remporte son deuxième Tour de France

La 96e édition du Tour de France a été remportée par l'espagnol Alberto Contador. Il succède à son compatriote Carlos Sastre, 17e cette année. Le cycliste de 26 ans avait déjà gagné cette épreuve en 2007.

Contador devance le luxembourgeois Andy Schleck de 4 minutes et 11 secondes au classement général. Pour son retour, Lance Armstrong finit troisième.

Andy Schleck remporte également le titre de meilleur jeune, tandis que le norvégien Thor Hushovd remporte le classement par points pour la deuxième fois après 2005. L'Italien Franco Pellizotti termine meilleur grimpeur.

Du côté des équipes, Astana parvient à la fois à remporter le classement par équipe et à placer trois de ses coureurs parmi les dix premiers, dont deux sur le podium. La formation kazakh n'avait pas été retenue pour le Tour 2008 en raisons d'affaires de dopage.

La 21e et dernière étape du Tour de France 2009 s'est terminée par une victoire de Mark Cavendish sur les Champs Élysées, il s'agit de la sixième victoire du sprinter britannique sur ce Tour.


Contestant seriously injured during live German game show

A man was seriously injured yesterday after a stunt went wrong during a live game show in Germany. Samuel Koch, 23, suffered injuries to his neck and back after he failed to jump over a car being driven by his father on the show Wetten, dass..? (Wanna bet?). The show was halted after the accident for the first time in the show's history.

A spokesperson at Dusseldorf University Hospital commented on Koch's condition. He said Koch was "in an extremely critical stage" and warned that he was showing "signs of paralysis".

Koch was attempting to jump over five moving cars using spring-powered stilts known as "powerbocks". He jumped over the first three but hit the fourth vehicle and crashed to the floor.

Several celebrities were due to perform on the show after the stunt had taken place. Canadian singer Justin Bieber was one of those due to appear. He cancelled his appearance after the accident and released a statement through his Twitter page. The singer said "some things are more important than putting on a show." He also sent his wishes to Koch saying, "Please pray for Samuel Koch and his family as we wait and hope for his health and safety."

Wetten, dass..? has been running for 29 years and is shown several times each year. The show features members of the public performing stunts on which the celebrity guests predict the outcome. The show has been known as a family friendly show, however, a German newspaper has questioned whether the show is suitable for children after the accident.

The Rheinische Post said, "Since Saturday evening, finally, parents have to think seriously about whether Wetten Dass…? represents an appropriate format for children. It was not really foreseeable that many children would be watching as a contestant sustained life-threatening injuries but there has always been an element of risk surrounding the program."

The producers of the show have announced that the programme will continue to broadcast despite the accident. Thomas Bellut, the programme director of the television station, made the announcement ZDF. Bellut told a public radio station, "'Wetten, dass' will certainly continue." He did defend the show's safety standards saying, "We will boost our safety standards once again although we were always of the opinion that they could hardly be more stringent."


„Wetten dass..?“ abgebrochen: Kandidat springt in fahrendes Auto

Düsseldorf (Deutschland), 04.12.2010 – Die Samstagabendshow „Wetten dass..?“ wurde nach einem Unfall des Wettkandidaten Samuel Koch abgebrochen. Der 23-Jährige versuchte in einer Wette bei der von Thomas Gottschalk moderierten Sendung, mit Hilfe von sogenannten Federstelzen über ihm entgegenkommende Autos zu springen. Was beim vierten Versuch geschah, konnte auf Grund der Kameraperspektive nicht genau erkannt werden. Nach dem Sprung landete Samuel Koch jedoch mit dem Gesicht nach unten auf dem Boden. Er wurde sofort von einem Notarzt betreut, während das ZDF die Sendung unterbrach und ein Notband startete. Wenig später teilte Thomas Gottschalk den Zuschauern mit, dass die Sendung abgebrochen werde. „Ich bitte um Verständnis. Es ist das erste Mal in meiner langen Karriere, dass so etwas passiert. Das ist das Allerschlimmste, wir bedauern das unendlich. Ich habe immer gesagt, dass wäre für mich das Allerschlimmste, wenn meinen Kandidaten so etwas passiert“, sagte Thomas Gottschalk. Das Auto, das zum Sturz des jungen Mannes führte, wurde von dessen Vater gesteuert, seine Mutter saß im Publikum. Thomas Gottschalk meldete um 22.45 Uhr in der Sendung „Heute Journal“, es gehe Samuel Koch den Umständen entsprechend gut. Noch nie wurde in der Geschichte von „Wetten dass..?“ eine Sendung auf Grund eines Unglücks abgebrochen.


Coverage of the 80th Academy Awards

Tonight, many of the year's most critically acclaimed films vie for Oscars, including Best Picture nominees There Will Be Blood, No Country for Old Men, Juno, Michael Clayton, and Atonement.

Among the favorites are No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood, each with 8 nominations, and Atonement and Michael Clayton, each with 7 nominations.  All four films are nominees for the Best Picture award, along with breakout hit Juno.

The telecast finished tonight, in eastern standard time; it often goes past midnight.

* 80th Academy Awards, February 24, 2008.  ABC.


Cinéma : Marion Cotillard consacrée meilleure actrice à Hollywood

L'actrice française Marion Cotillard a obtenu la récompence suprême en obtenant l'Oscar de la meilleure actrice dans la nuit de dimanche à lundi à Los Angeles. Cette consécration est due à sa prestation dans le film La Môme,  réalisé par Olivier Dahan lequel repart aussi avec l'Oscar du meilleur maquillage.

Inconnue, jusque là, du grand public américain, Marion Cotillard a su émouvoir le public américain en interprétant « la môme » Piaf dans ce film biographique. Après avoir reçu la statuette des mains de Forest Whitaker, très émue, elle a ensuite déclaré : « Oh, merci beaucoup. Olivier, ce que tu as fait pour moi, Maître Olivier Dahan, tu as ébranlé ma vie. Tu as vraiment ébranlé ma vie. Merci infiniment à Picturehouse pour votre passion, membres de l'Académie, merci aussi, merci beaucoup. (…) Je suis sans voix (…) Merci à la vie, merci à l'amour. C'est vrai qu'il y a des anges dans cette ville »[1]. Elle est la deuxième Française, après Simone Signoret en 1960, à obtenir cette prestigieuse récompense.

Dans les semaines qui ont précédé la cérémonie, Marion Cotillard avait déjà été récompensée par un Golden Globe, un César et un Bafta à Londres, pour cette même interprétation.

Une surprise de taille est venue, pour les Français, avec le film « Mozart des Pickpockets » de Philippe Pollet-Villard qui obtient l'Oscar du meilleur court-métrage.

Par ailleurs, les frères Joel et Ethan Coen obtiennent les Oscar du cinéma, du meilleur film et du meilleur réalisateur.


Creativity celebrated at Fan Expo Canada 2018 in Toronto

Fan Expo Canada ran in Toronto last weekend, from Thursday to Sunday, spread over both multi-storey buildings at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The event is one of North America's largest pop culture events, with panels, product unveilings, screenings, an artists' alley, and celebrity autographs.

Featured programming included reunions of cast members from 2001: A Space Odyssey, Back to the Future, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Degrassi: The Next Generation. Other cast panels included Star Trek Discovery, Adventure Time, Steven Universe, and Grand Theft Auto. Attendees could have their portfolios reviewed by staff from Marvel and DC Comics, speed date others of the same sexuality, or try a Doctor Who escape room.

The end-of-summer event is one of three held in Toronto by convention firm Informa, a list that also includes the springtime Toronto Comic Con.

Wikinews was there, and captured some of the cosplay creativity and booths full of products new and old.


Fan Expo in Toronto

In Toronto in Canada is weer een evenement georganiseerd waar veel mensen in verschillende outfits van hun idolen naartoe zijn gekomen. Een vrijwilliger van Wikinieuws uit Canada was erbij en maakte een originele fotoreportage.


Criss Angel challenges Uri Geller and Jim Callahan over paranormal claims

On Halloween night, October 31, during a 2-hour long live episode of NBC show Phenomenon, famed magician Criss Angel told Uri Geller and Jim Callahan, "I will give you a million dollars of my personal money right now if either one of you can tell me specific details of what’s in [this envelope] right now." While Geller ignored Angel's challenge, Callahan started to confront Angel in a hostile manner, as host Tim Vincent held him back and Geller held Angel back.

Previously Angel made it clear that he will not "tolerate" fellow magicians who try to pass their illusions off as paranormal. For example, on the day before the Halloween special, Angel told Larry King, "No one has the ability, that I'm aware of, to do anything supernatural, psychic, talk to the dead. And that was what I said I was going to do with Phenomenon. If somebody goes on that show and claims to have supernatural psychic ability, I'm going to bust them live and on television."

In the midst of the confrontation, the TV show cut to a commercial break. Vincent said the show was not "Jerry Springer." When the last contestant appeared Angel said it was "a hell of a lot more entertaining than the previous act." The following week Callahan was voted off the show by the TV audience.

James Randi, a former magician who had previously worked with Angel and a long standing critic of Geller and psychics, wrote of the incident, "Criss Angel said, in his rather lengthy comments, '[Callahan] demonstrated something that is unexplainable to some' — though to whom that might have applied, I cannot fathom — and Criss is beginning to sound very much like that chap James Randi, tossing about a million-dollar challenge."

This is not the first time that Uri Geller has been challenged by a professional magician. Thirty years ago, during a French television show called Droit de réponse, Gerard Majax demonstred that all "so called" powers shown previously during the show by Geller could be reproduced by a magician even more convincingly than Geller.


כריס אנג'ל מציב אתגר בפני אורי גלר וג'ים קלהאן באשר ליכולות על-טבעיות

בליל כל הקדושים, ה-31 באוקטובר, במהלך פרק בן שעתיים בשידור חי של סדרת הטלוויזיה מבית NBC - פנומנון - הקוסם הנודע כריס אנג'ל אמר לאורי גלר ולג'ין קלהאן כי "אני אתן לכם מיליון דולר מכסי הפרטי ברגע זה אם אחד מכם יוכל לומר פרטים ספציפיים על מה שנמצא כאן ברגע זה." בעוד שגלר התעלם מהאתגר של אנג'ל, הרי שקלהאן החל מתעמת עם אנג'ל באורח תוקפני כאשר המארח טים וינסנט משך אותו לאחור בעוד שגלר אחז באנג'ל.

מוקדם יותר, אנג'ל הבהיר כי הוא לא "יסבול" קוסמים-עמיתים שינסו להציג את אשליותיהם כתופעות על-טבעיות. כך, למשל, ביום שקדם לספישל כל הקדושים אמר אנג'ל ללארי קינג: "לאיש אין היכולת, למיטב ידיעתי, לעשות כל דבר על-טבעי, מנטליסטי, לדבר עם המתים. וזה מה שאמרתי שבכוונתי לעשות עם 'פנומנון'. אם מישהו בתוכנית זו יטען ליכולות על-טבעיות מנטליות, אני אחשוף אותו בשידור חי אל מול המצלמות."

באמצע העימות התוכנית יצאה לפרסומות ואז וינסנט אמר שהתוכנית אינה "ג'רי ספרינגר". אז הופיע המתמודד האחרון שעליו אמר אנג'ל כי "היה זה לעזאזל הרבה יותר מבדר מהקודם". בשבוע שלאחר מכן הודח קלהאן מהתוכנית על-ידי הצופים.

ג'יימס ראנדי, קוסם לשעבר שעבד בעבר עם אנג'ל, הוא מבקר רב-שנים של גלר והמנטליסטים. ראנדי כתב "כריס אנג'ל אמר, בהערותיו הארכניות למדי, [קלהאן] הציג דבר-מה שאינו ניתן להסבר על-ידי אחדים" - הגם שבאשר למושאי דברים אלה, אין בידי להבינם לאשורם - וכריס מתחיל להשמע דומה מאוד לברנש ג'יימס ראנדי, ומנופף באתגרי מיליון דולר."

אין זו הפעם הראשונה בה אורי גלר מועמד בפני אתגר מטעם קוסם מקצועי. לפני 30 שנה, ז'ראר מאז'אקס, במהלך תוכנית טלוויזיה צרפתית שנקראה Droit de réponse הראה לקהל כי כל הכוחות "לכאורה" שהוצגו קודם לכן במהלך התוכנית על-ידי גלר עצמו יכולים להשתכפל בידי קוסם ואף באיכות גבוהה יותר.

11 בנובמבר 2007


Crocodile Hunter's Steve Irwin dies at 44

Steve Irwin, the environmentalist and star of The Crocodile Hunter, died on Monday after an accident with a stingray near Cairns, Queensland in Australia, according to local Australian media. He was 44.

Irwin was filming an underwater documentary for his daughter's television show, by Port Douglas, Queensland around 11 a.m. Eastern Australian Time (0100 UTC) when he was struck by a stingray barb in the chest. While the stingray barb had penetrated the left side of his chest, the exact cause of death is still officially unknown. Steve Edmondson, a local diving operator, listed cardiac arrest from the injury as a possibility.

John Stainton, producer of Steve Irwin's Film Company, disclosed the information. "Steve decided to shoot a couple of segments for a new TV show that he's doing with his daughter Bindi and, with the cameramen, went out on to the reef at Batt Reef to do a little segment on stingrays. He came over the top of the stingray... and the stingray's barb went up and went into his chest and put a hole into his heart."

Ross Coleman of the University of Sydney Institute of Marine Science said it was rare for someone to die from contact with a stingray barb, and that he does not remember hearing of any similar incidents. He says that stingrays are "dangerous if provoked," and "as a recreational diving instructor you hear of people getting injured by standing on them ... but they rarely die."

The Queensland Ambulance Service said a call was received about 11 a.m. local time on Monday and an emergency services helicopter was flown to a boat on Batt Reef. Irwin was dead before medical attention arrived, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Irwin's body is being flown to a morgue in Cairns where he will remain until he is formally identified.

He is survived by his wife Terri, who was believed to be exploring Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, as well as his children Bindi Sue, age 8, and Bob, age 2. They have been notified of Irwin's death.

Steve Irwin's death was considered to be very unexpected; Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he was "quite shocked and distressed at Steve Irwin's sudden, untimely and freakish death."
"It's a huge loss to Australia. He was a wonderful character. He was a passionate environmentalist. He brought joy and entertainment and excitement to millions of people," continued Howard.

Similarly, Mark O'Shea, a British zoologist, said that Irwin's death will "leave an immense hole," while Jeff Wilks of the University of Queensland called Irwin "a great ambassador."

John Stainton, Steve Irwin's manager, claimed he always feared that Irwin would lose his life while working in nature. He also stated that he's gotten into "close shaves" with Irwin, but regardless always feared that this day would come.

"You think about all the documentaries we've made and all the dangerous situations that we have been in, you always think 'Is this it, is this a day that maybe is his demise?'," commented Stainton, "We've been in some pretty close shaves. [But] nothing would ever scare Steve or would worry him. He didn't have a fear of death at all."

John said on Croc One today "The world has lost a great wildlife icon, a passionate conservationist and one of the proudest dads on the planet. He died doing what he loves best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. Steve would have said, 'Crocs Rule!'"


Mor Steve Irwin, el caçador de cocodrils

4 de setembre del 2006, Cairns, Austràlia

Steve Irwin, més conegut com a "caçador de cocodrils" ("Cocodrile Hunter" en anglès) ha perdut la vida al matí de dilluns 4 de setembre de 2006 degut a la picada d'una escurçana.

Res no feia pensar a Steve Irwin que moriria mentre rodava un dels seus documentals. Steve s'havia fet famós a partir de la sèrie de documtentals que rodava i que s'emetien arreu del món (a Catalunya pel Canal 33 i a vegades per TV3) havia anat a rodar un documental pel seu programa (Els més mortífers de l'oceà, "Ocean’s Deadliest", en anglès) a Animal Planet al cap nord de d'Austràlia a Queensland Monday a la Gran Barrera d'Esculls.

L'home de 44 anys s'havia submergit al Port Douglas mentre rodava un documental quan va ser sorprès per la picada d'una rajada al pit esquerre que va arribar-li fins el cor, tot i que de moment la causa de la mort és desconeguda. Segons el seu company de treball John Stainton "ell va passar per sobre d'una escurçana, quan l'agulla es va aixecar i li va travessar el cor.", també va afirmar que la seva mort havia quedat filmada: "vaig veure les imatges i són espantoses, moltes dures de veure perquè és un testimoni d'una mort, i és terrible. Es veu com l'Steve està per sobre de l'escurçana i l'agulla surt i el pica aquí (al pit), i el treu ell mateix i llavors perd el coneixemnt", afirmava Stainton. La trucada demanant ajuda es va produir a les 11 del matí de dilluns provinent del vaixell d'equip, immediatament un helicòpter es va trobar amb ells a la illa de Low per intentar salvar la vida a l'australià, però ja era massa tard. El cadàver va anar al dipòsit de cadàvers de Cairns. La seva família: Terri, la seva esposa i els seus dos fills (Bindi Sue, de 8 anys i Bob de 2) van rebre la notícia ben aviat.

Ross Coleman de la Universitat de Sydney de Ciència deia que era rar que una persona morís per culpa d'una rajada. Ha dit que tenia constància de gent ferida, però mai d'accidents mortals.

Irwin havia desenvolupat el parc de faunes del Zoo d'Austràlia, era una amant dels animals i sobretot dels cocodrils. Havia fundat un zoo i era el creador de la fundació Wildlife Warriors Worldwide.

El representant del primer ministre australià ha reconegut que molts australians s'entristiran amb la mort, el president del departament de turisme d'Austràlia ha comentat totalment impressionat per la mort d'Irwin, un home que segons ell, "havia fet molt per l'impuls del turisme a Austràlia".

La notícia ha consternat al món d'internet, molts bloggaires eren "fans" d'Steve. Una mostra n'és que a les 3 de la tarda de dilluns, la cerca més buscada a Technorati era "Steve Irwin" i la novena "Cocodrile Hunter" (a les 8 del vespre aquesta ja era la segona més cercada) [1]. També a les tres hi havia prop de 14.000 articles indexats amb el seu nom a les 8 la xifra s'elevava als 20.000 [2] i una setmana després era ja de 60.000. Queda per veure quin serà el nombre de cerques fetes al Google pel seu nom.


„Crocodile Hunter“ Steve Irwin starb bei Dreharbeiten unter Wasser

Port Douglas / Canberra (Australien), 04.09.2006 – Der australische Dokumentarfilmer Steve Irwin, nach seiner gleichnamigen Fernsehsendung auch „Crocodile Hunter“ genannt, ist heute gegen 11:00 Uhr Ortszeit (03:00 Uhr MESZ) bei einem Unfall ums Leben gekommen.

Der 44-Jährige war für Unterwasser-Dreharbeiten am Great Barrier Reef vor der Nordostküste Australiens bei Port Douglas (Bundesstaat Queensland) unterwegs, als ihn ein Stachelrochen in die Brust stach. Er war bereits tot, als die Rettungskräfte per Hubschrauber eintrafen. Er wurde zur Identifizierung nach Cairns geflogen.

Australische Politiker äußerten ihre Betroffenheit. Premierminister John Howard sagte, er sei schockiert von Irwins plötzlichem und unerwarteten Tod und nannte ihn eine „einmalige Persönlichkeit“.

Nach Angaben seines Managers John Stainton sammelte Irwin zwischen anderen Drehs Material für eine Sendung seiner achtjährigen Tochter Bindi über das Great Barrier Reef. Neben seiner Tochter hinterlässt er seine Frau Terri und seinen dreijährigen Sohn Bob.

Irwins international erfolgreiche Sendung „Crocodile Hunter“ lief auch im deutschen Fernsehen. Die Produktion wurde eingestellt, nachdem Irwin kritisiert worden war, bei Dreharbeiten in der Antarktis Tiere übermäßig gestört zu haben.


Muere el “cazador de cocodrilos” en accidente laboral

El famoso personaje de la televisión australiana, Steve Irwin, conocido mundialmente como el “Cazador de Cocodrilos”, murió el lunes (4) en la mañana al ser punzado por una mantarraya durante la filmación de un documental en la Gran Barrera de Coral. Irwin tenía 44 años de edad.

En el momento del accidente se estaba filmando un capítulo llamado Los más mortíferos del océano (Ocean’s Deadliest) cuando Irwin nadó cerca de una de las mantarrayas, que tienen una ponzoña venenosa en sus colas. Según su amigo John Staton, quien trabajaba con Irwin en ese momento, “él pasó por encima de la mantarraya, la ponzoña se levantó y entró en su pecho y le hizo un agujero en el corazón.”

La tripulación a bordo del barco llamó inmediatamente los servicios de emergencia de Cairns, la ciudad más cercana, mientras le administraban primeros auxilios y se apresuraban hacia la isla Low para encontrar el helicóptero de rescate. El equipo médico lo declaró muerto poco tiempo después de su llegada al centro asistencial.

Steve Irwin se había convertido en una figura emblemática de Australia caracterizado por manifestar una gran energía y entusiasmo en todo lo que hacía.

Irwin se hizo internacionalmente famoso cuando el canal Discovery hizo una transmisión desde Australia en 1992. Irwin consolidó su imagen en una película llamada Los cazadores de cocodrilos: rumbo de colisión, y convirtió un parque de vida silvestre en Queensland llamado Australia Zoo, el cual sus padres habían iniciado, en una atracción turística mundial.


È morto Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin, è stato ucciso alle 11:00 ora locale, (01:00 UTC), dal pungiglione di un pesce velenoso mentre era in immersione nelle acque del nordest dell'Australia, presso le Low Isles, Queensland, a nord di Cairns.

«Steve è stato punto da una pastinaca al petto. È morto probabilmente per un arresto cardiaco provocato dalla ferita», ha detto un sommozzatore locale, Steve Edmonson, la cui barca si trovava al largo della barriera corallina quando è avvenuto l'incidente.

La polizia e i responsabili del pronto soccorso lo hanno confermato più tardi, dopo che la famiglia era stata avvisata. Irwin, di 44 anni, è stato ucciso mentre faceva un documentario non lontano da Port Douglas.

In passato ha raggiunto la notorietà mondiale per i suoi filmati "estremi" e ha fatto scandalo nel 2004 per avere tenuto in braccio suo figlio Bob, di appena un mese, mentre dava da mangiare ai coccodrilli.

Irwin aveva prodotto oltre 50 documentari della serie «Il cacciatore di coccodrilli», che sono stati trasmessi in America dalla tv via cavo Animal Planet e hanno raggiunto una audience mondiale; in Italia, sono stati trasmessi dall'emittente La7.

Nella storia australiana, è accertata un'altra sola vittima per puntura di razza.


"Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin omgekomen in Australië

"Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, die beroemd werd door zijn populaire tv-shows waarin hij het opneemt tegen gevaarlijke dieren zoals krokodillen, is maandagochtend op 44-jarige leeftijd overleden door een ongeval.

Irwin kwam om het leven toen hij werd gestoken door een pijlstaartrog. De giftige rog stak irwin met zijn staart in het hart, terwijl Irwin onderwateropnames aan het maken was op het Groot Barrièrerif voor de kust van Queensland in Australië. Medische hulp kwam te laat. Een traumahelikopter werd tevergeefs ingezet. Irwin overleed ter plaatse. Hij laat een vrouw en twee kinderen achter.

De dood van Irwin werd vastgelegd op video. De beelden zijn overgedragen aan de politie. Lees meer.

In heel Australië en ver daarbuiten is geschokt gereageerd op het gebeurde. Steve's vrouw Terri en haar kinderen zijn inmiddels op de hoogte van zijn dood. Zij trokken door de bergen van Tasmanië en moesten eerst worden opgespoord. Ook Steve's vader Bob is op de hoogte, hij verloor ook al zijn vrouw Lyn in 2000 bij een auto-ongeluk. Bob Irwin reageerde woensdag 6 september als eerste familielid publiekelijk op het overlijden van zijn zoon. Hij bedankte de vele fans van Steve voor hun vele steunbetuigingen en de bloemenzee bij de ingang van Australia Zoo.

Steve Irwin maakte al meer dan tien jaar natuurprogramma's en werd wereldberoemd. Hij runde ook bovengenoemde dierentuin in het Australische plaatsje Beerwah.


Zginął Steve Irwin

Stephen Robert "Steve" Irwin zginął około godziny 11.00 czasu lokalnego w wypadku na Wielkiej Rafie Koralowej w okolicach Port Douglas w stanie Queensland (Australia). Przyczyną śmierci było ukłucie w okolice serca kolcem jadowym płaszczki w trakcie realizowania filmu dokumentalnego pod wodą. Miał 44 lata.


Погиб охотник на крокодилов Стив Ирвин

Стив Ирвин (англ. Steve Irwin) — известный австралийский натуралист и телевизионный ведущий погиб от укола жалящего ската во время подводных съёмок. Инцидент произошёл в штате Квинсленд в районе Большого Барьерного рифа. Ирвину было 44 года.

Ирвин получил известность благодаря его телевизионной передаче «Охотник на крокодилов» и его работе с родной ему австралийской дикой природой.

Менеджер Ирвина Джон Стэйнтон (англ. John Stainton) сказал Би-Би-Си, что шип ската проник в его сердце. Ирвин плыл над скатом, когда шип ската поднялся и попал ему в сердце.

«Мы подняли его в течение нескольких минут на судно, когда прибыли спасатели, он был уже мёртв», сказал Стэйнтон.

Австралийский Премьер-министр Джон Говард (англ. John Howard) сказал, что он хорошо знал Ирвина и что страна потеряла «замечательного человека». «Я потрясен внезапной, несвоевременной и невероятной смертью Стива Ирвина», сказал Говард.

«Это — огромная потеря для Австралии, он был замечательным человеком, страстным защитником окружающей среды, он приносил радость и переживание миллионам людей».

Скат — рыба, имеющая форму треугольника, обитает в тропических водах. Свое название «жалящий скат» рыба получила из-за острого как бритва ядовитого шипа, который находится на конце хвоста. Этим шипом скат пользуется, когда чувствует угрозу. Скат очень редко нападает на людей. До сих пор был известен только один случай (в Мельбурне в 1945 году) гибели человека от ската. Скаты жалят только при защите, они неагрессивные животные.

4 сентября 2006 года


Погинуо Стив Ирвин - "ловац на крокодиле"

Порт Даглас/ Аустралија Данас око 11:00 часова по локалном времену (02:00 по UTC), је аустралијски документариста Стив Ирвин назван по истоименом серијалу "Ловац на крокодиле", несрећним случајем погинуо.

Ирвин се налазио на подводном снимању нове серије "Најопасније животиње света", у околини Порт Дагласа у држави Квинсленд. Према изјавама очевидаца, се несрећа догодила приликом Ирвиновог приближавања морском листу (ражи), након чега се животиња узнемирила и убола га репом. Узрок смрти је био престанак рада срца проузрокован тим убодом.

Аустралијски политичари изражавају дубоку жалост и саосјећају са породицом погинулог. Аустралијски премијер Џон Хауард га је назвао "јединственом личношћу". 44.-годишњи Ирвин иза себе оставља осмогодишњу кћерку Бинди, трогодишњег сина Боба и супругу Тери.

4. септембар 2006.