'The Gates' opens in New York City

New York, New York —
On February 12, 2005, at 8:30 a.m., New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg dropped the first piece of fabric in The Gates, a land art project by Christo and Jeanne Claude.

The artists installed 7,500 metal "gates" along 23 miles of pathways in New York City's Central Park. Each gate supported a flag-shaped piece of saffron fabric. The project is scheduled to run from Feb. 12, 2005 through Feb. 27, 2005. The project is sometimes referred to as "The Gates, Central Park, New York, 1979-2005" in reference to the time between the artists' initial proposal and the present day.

The installation of the project began on January 3, 2005.

During the week of January 17th, the park was filled with workers using fork lifts to move the rectangular metal plates into position all over Central Park.

There were small signs placed on every walkway in the park with alphanumeric codes that the workers were using to place the metal places onto the designated spots.

As of January 27, most of the plates had been placed in their positions. Many had small orange plastic markers sticking up a foot or two (around half a metre) from each end, possibly intended to help people find the base plates if they were covered with snow. A major snow storm and extreme cold hampered progress in late January.

As of February 7, there were many teams of workers wearing silver grey smocks moving the vertical parts of the gates and attaching them to the base plates. The documentation describes the color as "saffron" but local observers describe it as orange.

When attached, the vertical pieces are about 6 metres high, with a cross bar at the top from which the flag piece hangs.  The most common width seems to be 11 feet (3.35 metres), though they vary considerably (depending on the width of the path) from around 6 feet (2 metres) to over 20 feet (6 metres).

Once Bloomberg released the first piece of cloth, the rest of the gates were opened over the course of the next few hours, with large crowds of people watching.  Generally, the crews of people who erected the gates were assigned to open them. They simply had to walk underneath, and use a hook at the end of a long stick to pull a loop hanging from the cross bar of each gate.  That opened the cloth bag which contained the "flag" part of the gate. The bag fell to the ground, along with a card board tube around which the flag was rolled. The flag then hung majestically from the cross bar.

As of Feb. 13, all of the gates have been opened. The project staff is still deployed in the park, patrolling, and replacing a few of the gates that have become damaged.  There are many more people then usual walking around in the park, looking and photographing The Gates.


Christo startet in New York seine neueste Ausstellung

New York (Vereinigte Staaten), 12.02.2005 – Heute gegen 14:00 Uhr MEZ eröffnen Christo und Jeanne-Claude im Central Park in New York ihre neueste Kunstausstellung „The Gates“. Verwirklicht wurde diese Ausstellung 25 Jahre nachdem Christo die Idee dazu hatte und zehn Jahre nach seiner erfolgreichen Verhüllung des Berliner Reichstages.

Noch bis zum 28. Februar 2005 stehen auf den Wegen des Parks 7.500 Tore, die mit safrangelben Stoffbahnen umwickelt wurden. Der Stoff für die Tore ist in der deutschen Ortschaft Emsdetten in Nordrhein-Westfalen hergestellt worden. Jedes Tor ist fünf Meter hoch, die Strecke über die diese Tore verteilt wurden, beträgt insgesamt 37 Kilometer. Aufgebaut wurden die Tore so, dass die Stoffbahnen rot leuchten, wenn abends von Westen her das Licht flach in den Park einfällt.

Um die Ausstellung mitten in einem Park vor Vandalismus zu schützen, haben die Künstler ein  Großaufgebot an Sicherheitskräften engagiert. Aus der Luft kontrollieren Hubschrauberbesatzungen den Park, im Park selbst patrouillen die Aufpasser zu Fuß, auf Pferden oder Motorrollern. Auch bei der Eröffnungszeremonie werden hunderte von Polizisten im Einsatz sein. Die Kosten für diesen Aufwand tragen die beiden Künstler selbst.

Christo und Jeanne-Claude warten nun auf Regentage in New York. Die Feuchtigkeit würde die Stoffe der Tore glätten. Für den Fall, dass in New York Schnee fällt, wurden vorsorglich 150 Schneeschaufeln bereit gestellt, um für die Besucher der Ausstellung die Wege frei zu halten.

Das gesamte Projekt kostet zirka 15,5 Millionen Euro. Christo und Jeanne-Claude haben bekannt gegeben, dass sie aus „künstlerischen und ethischen Erwägungen“ kein Geld zur Finanzieruing der Ausstellung von der Stadt New York angenommen haben, ebensowenig wurden Sponsorengelder eingesetzt. Alle Kosten bestreitet das Künstlerehepaar aus den Verkaufserlösen von Christos Zeichnungen, Modellen und Collagen, die er anlässlich des Projekts erstellt hat. 16,4 Millionen US-Dollar hat das Ehepaar bereits erwirtschaftet.

Ebenso wie 1995 in Berlin werden auch in New York Stoffmuster in der Größe von sieben mal sieben Zentimeter an die Besucher verteilt. Damit möchte man verhindern, dass Erinnerungsstücke mitgenommen werden.

Für New York ist diese Ausstellung das bisher größte Outdoor-Kunstereignis der Stadt.


'Top Model' winner Jaslene Gonzalez on her career and being a Latina role model

Jaslene Gonzalez is not your typical model. She rose to fame after winning Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model, and since then, has been aggressively tapping into the fashion industry.  As a result of her  Latin background, Gonzalez has been successful at marketing herself both in the English-speaking and Spanish-speaking worlds. However, Gonzalez is much much more – a fighter, a humanitarian, and a good Latin granddaughter.

Born in Chicago to a Latina mother, and a Puerto Rican-born father, Gonzalez had, in many ways, a typical U.S. Latino experience – her tight knit family, grandparents, and spirituality played an intrinsic part in her upbringing.

"I went to an all-girl Catholic school and grew up with tons of family.....My family was very close knit and supportive. They were involved in my life everyday. So there was so much joy in every little occasion.....Every Sunday we would go to my grandmother's house where we [the family] would hang out together....We enjoyed being around each other and being together," states Gonzalez.

Her grandfather was the director of a local dance group, Viva La Gente, which Gonzalez credits with impacting her life positively.

"I was a dancer for 12 years and life revolved around dancing. I was a very active girl, and was always involved  with my grandfather's dance studio. The whole family was. My aunts, my cousins – everyone took part in performances and were involved in the group...That's how we spent our summers, and we looked forward to being outside, dancing salsa, hip hop, merengue," states Gonzalez. Through her involvement in the dance studio, Gonzalez's horizon was broadened significantly, and her humanitarian streak began to deepen.

"We were always constantly traveling. We traveled to Mexico to poor villages where we gave performances to give back to the community," said Gonzalez.

Ironically, ANTM gave her the opportunity to overcome her own difficulties and to further help those in need. "I went in there, without knowing that I was in an abusive relationship. They were the ones that brought that up to me...they felt I was emotionally destroyed, they wanted me to get support," commented Gonzalez. While the ANTM staff was supportive, she also credits her life long dream for helping her get out of the abusive relationship.

"Having a dream and having a goal in life, is the most important thing I did in my life. Because of that I maneuvered  my way to that dream. I knew I was better than that, I wanted to be happier,” stated Gonzalez.

Soon after winning ANTM, Gonzalez became a spokesperson for Liz Claiborne and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and began traveling the country reaching out to women.

"We had several meetings, and they asked me to be a spokesperson. I was so happy and blessed to help women, to have that title. It's something I want to do, besides modelling....I enjoy sharing my personal experiences because I can educate them, but I can also save someone's life. It's something precious, it's a gift," stated Gonzalez.

Abuse is not the only obstacle Jaslene has had to face. Growing up Latina had its own set of difficulties. "Being a minority is a challenge no matter what," states Gonzalez.

However, Gonzalez also states that being a Latina has many positive aspects in regards to her profession. "As a Latina, you have the advantage of being a Latina. Not only do you have this corporate job, but you can relate to many groups as a person."

When asked if the fashion industry forces Latina models to change certain aspects about themselves, she remarks that she focuses on always staying true to herself. "Modeling is a difficult job because of what you go through. 80% of the time it's a no...When I go in, I go in like me, I don't have to change anything. Any time I get a chance to show who I am, I do. I am a Spanish girl, trying to pursue my dreams. I try to be the best I can be," remarked Gonzalez.

It is that same confidence and will to succeed that she seems to appreciate in other woman. "I find women beautiful. I find a girl with no makeup, not worrying about her style and appearance, I find that sexy. I find confidence beautiful...Its so simple. It's being natural and confident," said Gonzalez.

As a role model, she has two key pieces advice that she offers women: nurture your mind with positive thoughts, and identify and foster the principles in life you value.

It is not surprising to see why Gonzalez's family is proud of her. "My family is so funny. They are so happy. I've never seen them so full of life. My mom acts like she won. My grandmother screams 'mi flaca' every time she sees me. They are so proud. Especially my grandparents. I was practically raised by them. To see them see you so happy and successful, there couldn't be a better feeling," said Gonzalez.

She adds that her grandparents would be extremely happy if she appeared on Cristina, the Spanish-language talk show whose host is referred to as "the Spanish Oprah Winfrey."

In the coming years, Gonzalez plans to continue on the path she is on. She wants to continue gracing magazine covers, as well as dedicating herself to helping young teens develop self growth and esteem. "Every time I wake up, God gives me the opportunity to be a better me...Life gets better as it goes by."

This is the third in a series of articles with America's Next Top Model contestants.


La Top Model Jaslene Gonzalez habla sobre su carrera y sobre su rol de modelo latina

13 de febrero de 2008Nueva York, Estados Unidos —

Jaslene Gonzalez no es una modelo típica. Surgió a la fama después de ganar la octava temporada de America's Next Top Model, y desde entonces ha entrado agresivamente al mundo de la industria de la moda. Como resultado de su origen latino, Gonzalez ha sido exitosa en promocionarse en el mundo hispano y angloparlante. Sin embargo, Gonzalez es mucho más, una guerrera, humanitaria y buena nieta.

Nacida en Chicago de una madre latina y un padre puertorriqueño, Gonzalez ha tenido de muchas formas una experiencia típica de una latina estadounidense: una familia unida, sus abuelos y espiritualidad jugaron una parte importante en su desarrollo.

"Fui a una escuela católica y crecí rodeada de mi familia.....mi familia era muy unida y me apoyaba mucho. Se involucraron en mi vida diaria. Así que hubo mucha alegría en toda ocasión....Todos los domingos íbamos a casa de mi abuela donde [la familia] nos reuniríamos....Disfrutábamos estar juntos y unidos", afirma Gonzalez.

Su abuelo fue el director de un grupo local de baile, Viva La Gente, del cual Gonzalez afirma que impactó en su vida de forma positiva.

"Fui bailarina por 12 años y mi vida giraba en torno a bailar. Era una niña muy activa y siempre estuve involucrada con el estudio de baile de mi abuelo. Toda la familia lo estaba. Mis tías, mis primos, todos tomaban parte en presentaciones y en el grupo... así es como pasamos nuestros veranos e intentábamos salir a bailar salsa, hip hop, merengue", dice Gonzalez. A través de su relación con el estudio de baile, los horizontes de Gonzalez sse expandieron de forma significante y sus rasgos humanitarios comenzaron a profundizarse.

"Siempre estábamos viajando. Viajamos a México a pueblos pobres donde dimos presentaciones a las comunidades", dijo Gonzalez.

Irónicamente, ANTM le dio la oportunidad de vencer sus dificultades y ayudar a los que lo necesitaban "fui, sin saber que estaba en una relación abusiva". Estaban quienes me crecieron, ellos sintieron que estama emocionalmente destruída, que querían apoyarme" afirma Gonzalez. Mientas el equipo de ANTM le apoyó, también da crédito a su sueño de toda la vida para obtener ayuda para salir de la relación abusiva.

"Tener un sueño y un objetivo de vida, es lo más importante que he hecho. Porque logré mi sueño. Supe que era mejor que eso, que debía ser feliz.", dijo Gonzalez.

Después de haber ganado ANTM, Gonzalez se volvió vocera para Liz Claiborne y la National Domestic Violence Hotline, y comenzó a viajar por todo el país para llegar a las mujeres.

"Tuvimos varias reuniones y me pidieron ser vocera. Estaba tan feliz de poder ayudar a mujeres, de tener ese título. Es algo que quiero hacer además de modelar...Disfruto compartir mis experiencias personales porque puedo educarlas, pero también puedo salvar vidas. Es algo precioso, "un don", afirma Gonzalez.

El abuso no fue el único obstáculo que Jaslene tuvo que enfrentar. Crecer latina trajo sus propias dificultades. "Ser parte de una minoría siempre es difícil", comentó.

Sin embargo Gonzalez también afirma que ser latina ha tenido muchos aspectos positivos relacionados con su profesión. "Como latina, tienes la ventaja de ser latina. No sólo tienes este trabajo corporativo, pero también te puedes relacionar como persona a varios grupos"

Cuando se le preguntó si la industria de la moda fuerza a las latinas a cambiar ciertos aspectos sobre sí mismas, ella señala que se concentra en permanecer fiel a sí misma. "Modelar es una tarea difícil por todo lo que pasas. El 80% de las veces es un no... cuando voy, voy como yo misma, no tengo que cambiar nada. Cada vez que tengo una oportunidad muestro lo que soy, lo que hago. Soy una muchacha española, tratando de seguir mis sueños. Intento hacer lo mejor que puedo", remarcó Gonzalez.

Es esa misma confianza y deseo de triunfar que aprecia en otras mujeres. "Encuentro bellas a las mujeres. Encuentro una niña sin maquillaje, sin preocuparese de su apariencia y estilo, eso me parece sexy. Encuentro bella la confianza, es tan simple, es ser natural y tener confianza" dijo Gonzalez.

Como rol de modelo, tiene dos consejos claves para las mujeres: alimenta tu mente con pensamientos positivos

En cuanto a ser modelo a seguir, ella tiene dos consejos para las mujeres: nutre tu mente con pensamientos positivos, y identifica y desarrolla los principios en tu vida que valoras.

No es soprendente que la familia de Gonzalez esta orgullosa de ella. "Mi familia es tan graciosa. Estan muy contentos. Nunca los he visto tan llenos de vida. Mi mama actua como si ella hubiese ganado. Mi abuela grita 'Mi Flaca bella' cada vez que me ve. Estan muy orgullosos. Especialmente mis abuelos. Fui criada prácticamente por ellos. El verme tan feliz y exitosa, no hay mejor sensación".

Añade que sus abuelos estarían muy contentos si ella apareciese en Cristina, la versión en español de un show de entrevista que es usualmente referido como "la versión español de Oprah Winfrey".

En los años siguientes, Gonzales planea continuar en el camino en el que está. Ella quiere continuar graciando las portadas de las revistas, así como dedicarse a ayudar a jovenes a desarrollar su austoestima y confidencia. "Cada vez que me levanto, Dios me da una oportunidad para ser una mejor persona... La vida se hace mejor mientras transcurre".


10 billionth song downloaded from Apple's iTunes Store

Ten billion songs have been downloaded from the iTunes Store, an online digital media store which is owned by Apple Incorporated. Louie Sulcer, of Woodstock in Georgia, downloaded "Guess Things Happen That Way" by American musician, Johnny Cash, which became the ten billionth song downloaded from iTunes. Sulcer won an iTunes gift card worth US$10,000 (approximately £6,550 or €7,380), after purchasing a song on the iTunes Store to win the prize.

Beforehand, Apple had launched a competition entitled "Countdown to 10 Billion Song Downloads", where the person to make the ten billionth "entry" of a song from the iTunes Store would win the gift card. An "entry" could be created by either downloading a song from the iTunes store, or by filling in a form on the Apple website.

The rules of the competition stated that "the downloading of the 10 billionth song is considered to be either the downloading of the 10 billionth song from iTunes or the receipt of the non-purchase entry after the download of the 9,999,999,999th song, whichever comes first."
Below is a table of the twenty most downloaded songs of all time from Apple's iTunes Store. The list was initially placed on the website.


10 milliards de chansons téléchargées sur iTunes

Louie Sulcer, de Woodstock (Géorgie), a téléchargé hier la 10 milliardième chanson sur l'iTunes Store — un magasin multimédia en ligne créé par Apple — : « Guess Things Happen That Way », par Johny Cash, et a remporté 10 000 $, soit environ 7 380 €. Auparavant, Apple avait en effet lancé une compétition sur son site Internet nommée « Compte à rebours pour la 10 milliardième chanson téléchargée ».

Ci-dessous, un tableau présentant les 20 chansons les plus téléchargées sur iTunes.


2005 World Social Forum-Brazil coverage

Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defended himself before over 15 000 activists at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre. He interrupted his speech to respond to hecklers by saying "Those of you that aren't from here, don't be afraid. These people that don't want to listen are sons and daughters of the PT (Partido dos Trabalhadores, "Worker's Party")  that rebelled. That's typical of youth and one day they are going to mature and we'll be here with open arms to welcome them back". Supporters also drowned out the hecklers by chanting "Lula" the president's name.

The President also used his speech to help launch an ambitious campaign by 1,000 non-governmental organizations to halve world poverty within ten years. "For the first time, the Forum takes upon itself the task of making a priority of an issue such as poverty," Lula said.

Friday, January 28, 2005

Saturday, January 29, 2005

Sunday, January 30, 2005

Monday, January 31, 2005


Cobertura del Foro Social Mundial 2005

El presidente brasileño Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva se defendió ante más de 15.000 activistas en el Foro Social Mundial en Porto Alegre. Interrumpió su discurso para responder a quienes lo interrumpían al decir "Aquellos de ustedes que no sean de aquí, no teman. Los que no quieren escuchar son los hijos del PT (Partido dos Trabalhadores, "Partido de los Trabajadores") que se han rebelado. Eso es típico de la juventud y un día ellos madurarán y estaremos aquí con los brazos abiertos para recibirlos". Sus partidarios también silenciaron a los opositores gritando "Lula".

Lula también utilizó su discurso para apoyar el lanzamiento de una ambiciosa campaña de 1.000 organizaciones no gubernamentales para aliviar la pobreza durante los próximos 10 años. "Por primera vez el Foro se encargará de la tarea de convertir en prioridad un asunto tan grave como la pobreza", dijo Lula.

28 de enero de 2005

29 de enero de 2005

30 de enero de 2005

31 de enero de 2005


2006 Oscars handed out at Kodak Theatre

The 78th Academy Awards were hosted by Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show.

Crash won the Best Picture award, a surprise for many predictors. Co-producer Cathy Schulman commented "[thank you for] embracing our film, about love and about tolerance, about truth. Thank you to the people all around the world who have been touched by this message. And we are humbled by the other nominees in this category. You have made this year one of the most breathtaking, and stunning, maverick years in American cinema, thank you."

Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco also won best original screenplay for Crash.

Directed and co-produced by Canadian Paul Haggis, film distribution rights were purchased for just USD$3 million by Lions Gate Films. Noted film critic Roger Ebert called it his favourite picture of 2005, and the picture made many North American "10 best" lists.

Backstage, Best Director winner Ang Lee commented to the press on how Brokeback Mountain refreshed his will to direct. "Before I get into making this movie, I was very tired from two very ambitious work, The Hulk and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I almost wanted to retire. I felt I had enough, I hit the bottom, sort of like my mid life crisis or something, and this movie teach me how to look at myself, how to manage myself in movie making again, enjoying making them, and the movie was shot very simple, nothing special, but most important, it taught me again, it's about human emotions, drama and acting."

Foreign Language Film winner Gavin Hood (Tsotsi) commented that he felt the Oscar win would "change the way South Africans view their moviemaking... hopefully it means that people will keep investing in our local stories, because this gives investors a little more confidence and what we want more than anything else is that people and human emotion is universal and we're more alike than we think we are around the world... we're actually so similar as human beings inside."

Tsotsi was the People's Choice Award winner at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival, while Crash debuted at the fest in 2004. Capote and Brokeback Mountain both played at the festival days after debuting at the Telluride Film Festival. TIFF's winners often go on to win Best Picture or Best Foreign Language Film; Wo hu cang long (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), American Beauty, and Whale Rider are such examples.

Stewart's humor fell short of expectation for most North American film and television critics who commented on the broadcast.

At one point, Stewart jokingly chastised Hollywood for being "out of touch" with mainstream American values. Actor George Clooney later responded to this notion, saying, "We are a little bit out of touch in Hollywood. It’s probably a good thing. We’re the ones that talked about AIDS when it was just being whispered. And we talked about civil rights when it wasn’t really popular. We bring up subjects. This group of people gave Hattie McDaniel an Oscar in 1939 when blacks were still sitting in the backs of theaters. I’m proud of this Academy, of this community. I’m proud to be out of touch."


78. Oscar-Verleihung endete mit Überraschung

Los Angeles (Vereinigte Staaten), 06.03.2006 – Mit einer Überraschung ist heute Morgen gegen 06:00 Uhr MEZ die 78. Oscar-Verleihung im Kodak Theater in Hollywood zu Ende gegangen, begonnen hatte der Event um 02:00 Uhr MEZ. Ausrichter ist die amerikanische Filmkunst-Akademie: „Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences“ (AMPAS). Die Gala, die von rund 3.000 Gästen besucht wurde, moderierte der Komiker Jon Stewart.

Der Überraschungssieger und „Bester Film des Jahres“ wurde das Episodendrama L. A. Crash von Regisseur Paul Haggis, ein Film um Rassenprobleme in Los Angeles. Der im Vorfeld der Verleihung zum Favoriten gekürte Western Brokeback Mountain konnte den Preis für die „Beste Regie“ einstecken, Regisseur war Ang Lee aus Taiwan. Nominiert war der Film für insgesamt acht Oscars.

Die Kategorie „Bester Schauspieler“ gewann Philip Seymour Hoffman. Er spielte im Film Capote den US-amerikanischen Schriftsteller Truman Capote. „Beste Schauspielerin“ wurde Reese Witherspoon. Die 29-jährige Amerikanerin erhielt den Oscar für ihre Hauptrolle in dem Film Walk the Line. Er handelt vom Leben des Musikers Johnny Cash.

Zum ersten Mal in seiner Karriere bei der Oscar-Verleihung dabei und gleich einen Preis gewonnen hat George Clooney. Er wurde „Bester Nebendarsteller“. Der 44-Jährige bekam den Preis für seine Rolle in dem politisch motivierten Film Syriana von Nicole Kidman überreicht. Die 35-jährige Britin Rachel Weisz wurde „Beste Nebendarstellerin“ im Film Der ewige Gärtner.

Den diesjährigen Ehrenoscar erhielt der 81-jährige US-Regisseur Robert Altman. Nach der fünften Nominierung wurde er zum ersten Mal mit einem Preis bedacht. Er erhielt die Auszeichnung für sein Lebenswerk. Die Zuschauer spendeten ihm Standing-Ovations. Bekannt wurde Altmann durch Filme wie Short Cuts und MASH.

Die beiden deutschen Filme im Rennen Sophie Scholl – Die letzten Tage von Regisseur Marc Rothemund und der Der Ausreißer von Ulrike Grote konnten keine Preise erringen. Zu bemerken ist, dass die Sieger der 78. Oscar-Verleihung fast ausschließlich anspruchsvolle Filme sind. Die leichte Unterhaltung hatte keine Chance.


Oscary za rok 2005 rozdane

Po raz 78. w Hollywood zostały rozdane Oskary. Nagrodę za najlepszy film 2005 roku otrzymał dramat Paula Haggisa Miasto gniewu.

Głównym faworytem uroczystości był dramat Tajemnica Brokeback Mountain nominowany w ośmiu kategoriach. Ostatecznie obraz ten zdobył trzy statuetki, podobnie jak King Kong, Miasto gniewu i Wyznania gejszy.

Ani jednej nagrody nie otrzymał nominowany w sześciu kategoriach film Good Night, and Good Luck George'a Clooney'a. Reżyser otrzymał jednak statuetkę za najlepszego drugoplanowego aktora męskiego.

Statuetkę za najlepszą główną rolę męską otrzymał Philip Seymour Hoffman, odtwórca tytułowej postaci z filmu Capote. Oskara dla najlepszej pierwszoplanowej aktorki wręczono Reese Witherspoon z filmu Spacer po linie.

Nagrodą za najlepszy film zagraniczny uhonorowany został południowoafrykański obraz Tsotsi. Jego reżyserem jest Gavin Hood, który w 2001 roku nakręcił film oparty na powieści Henryka Sienkiewicza W pustyni i puszczy.

Honorową statuetkę otrzymał Robert Altman za całokształt twórczości.

Ceremonię wręczenia Oskarów poprowadził amerykański komik Jon Stewart. Odbyła się ona po raz piąty w Kodak Theatre w Hollywood w stanie Kalifornia.

Nagrody Akademii Filmowej są przyznawane od 1928 roku. Do tej pory najwięcej Oskarów - 11 - zdobyły trzy filmy: Ben-Hur (1959), Titanic (1997) i trzecia część Władcy Pierścieni (2003).

Statuetka, która jest wręczana najlepszym aktorom, reżyserom, producentom, scenarzystom i technikom, przedstawia rycerza opartego na mieczu i stojącego na rolce filmowej. Oskar wykonany jest z brązu i pokrywa go cienka warstwa złota. Waży 3,85 kg i mierzy sobie 34 cm wysokości.

Zwycięzcy danej kategorii zostali wyróżnieni pogrubionym drukiem i znajdują się na pierwszej pozycji w swojej kategorii.

Najpierw wymienione są osoby odpowiedzialne za scenografię, po średniku za dekorację wnętrz.


"Фатална несрећа" добио Оскара за најбољи филм

Најпрестижније филмске награде ноћас су додјељене по 78. пут. Додјела Оскара одржана је ноћас од 2 до 5 ујутру по централноевропском времену. Ова гламурозна церемонија одржана је у позоришту Кодак Театер у Лос Анђелесу, Калифорнија. Оскар се додјељује у 24 категорије, као и за животно дјело, награду коју ће ове године добити Роберт Алтман, који никада није освојио Оскара иако су његови филмови били номиновани више пута.

Водитељ ове церемоније био је Џон Стјуард, а помагали су му Џесика Алба, Џенифер Анистон, Сандра Булок, Клинт Иствуд, Том Хенкс, Никол Кидман, Кијану Ривс, Џенифер Лопез и Шарлиз Терон.

Добитник најпожељнијег Оскара - за најбољи филм - је филм Фатална несрећа што је дошло као изненађење јер су медији предвиђали да ће филм "Броукбек планина" побједити. Филм "Фатална несрећа" говори о расистичким и другим предрасудама. Да подсјетимо прошле године је филм "Дјевојка од милион долара" узела ову награду, а њен режисер Клинт Иствуд је добио Оскара за најбољу режију.

За најбољег глумца изабран је Филип Сејмор Хофман (Капоте) а остале номинације били су: Теренц Хауард, Хит Ледгер, Жоакин Феникси и Дејвид Стратрам.

За Оскара за најбољу женску улогу номиноване су Џуди Денч, Фелисити Хафман, Кира Најтли, Шарлиз Терон и Риз Витерспун која је побједила.

6. март 2006.Лос Анђелес/ САД


2007 Frankfurt International Book Fair opens

Wednesday morning, the Frankfurt Book Fair opened its gates to the first of an estimated 280,000 visitors this year in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the biggest book fair in the world. It also organises the participation of German publishers at more than 25 international book fairs and is the co-founder of the Cape Town Book Fair in South Africa. It maintains the most visited website worldwide for the publishing industry.

The German Publishers & Booksellers Association, which runs the Frankfurt Book Fair, says that the book market is thriving. It declared on Tuesday that the high number of exhibitors and the record numbers of 7,448 exhibitors from over 100 countries, showing 391,652 books, including 121,267 new books of this year, proves that the book market is thriving.

Publishing houses have long since expanded into non-traditional markets. TV and merchandising rights have long played a role, but have become more and more important for larger projects. Two other media forms have also become more standard elements of the value chain. E-books and audiobooks are both big topics of this year's Book Fair.

The various awards handed out during and around the fair show the variety and scope of media and interests represented at the Frankfurt Book Fair:

Prizes still open include the German Young Literature Award on Friday and the Fantasy Final of the first German Cosplay Masters at the comic-centre of the book fair.


Frankfurt am Main (Deutschland), 10.10.2007 – Am Dienstag, dem 9. Oktober 2007, wurde im Beisein vieler Persönlichkeiten aus Politik, Kultur und Verlagswirtschaft die Internationale Frankfurter Buchmesse eröffnet, wo dieses Jahr auch Literatur aus Katalonien im Mittelpunkt stehen soll.

Thematisch widmet sich die diesjährige Buchmesse vor allem der Bildung und den im Bereich wissenschaftlicher Publikationen immer wichtiger werdenden elektronischen Medien und E-Books.

Der Leiter der Buchmesse, Juergen Boos, sprach von einer „Erholung“ des Buchmarktes, die sich auch in neuen Rekorden der diesjährigen Messe ausdrücken ließe: 7.448 Aussteller zeigen sich mit 391.652 Büchern, darunter 121.267 Neuerscheinungen.


Comienza la Feria Internacional del Libro 2007 en Fráncfort

11 de octubre de 2007Fráncfort, Alemania —

Este miércoles por la mañana, la Feria Internacional del Libro, la mayor feria de literatura a nivel mundial ubicada en Fráncfort, Alemania, abrió sus puertas a los primeros visitantes, los cuales se estiman en 280.000.

La Feria organiza la participación de publicadores alemanes en más de 25 ferias del libro internacionales y es la co-fundadora de la Feria del Libro en Ciudad del Cabo, Sudáfrica.

The German Publishers & Booksellers Association, que dirige la Feria en Fránfort, dice que el mercado literario se encuentra en una fase próspera. El martes, la asociación declaró que ésto se evidencia en el alto número de exhibidores, con un récord de 7,448 provenientes de más de 100 países, que presentan 391.652 libros, incluyendo 121.267 libros nuevos de este año.

Los Libros-E y audiolibros ambos serán grandes tópicos en la feria de este año.

Los varios premios concedidos durante la feria muestran la variedad, el alcance de los medios y los intereses que se representan en la Feria del Libro de Fráncfort:

Premios aún por ser concedidos incluyen el Premio de Literatura Juvenil Alemana y el Fantasy Final de la primera German Cosplay Masters en el centro de cómics en la feria.


2007 HiNet, WCG, and WGT 3-in-1 Taiwan Gaming Athletes Qualification: A brand new lineup

On the final day of 2007 HiNet, WCG, and WGT 3-in-1 Taiwan Gaming Athletes Qualification, an intensive gaming competition risen up from last night during the finales of three Xbox360 Gaming Group and three PC Gaming Group took place.

The first Taiwanese National Athlete was decided at the final of "Gears of War" Team Competitions, in the "best of seven series" rule, L bracket winner Z.A.C.K Team won W bracket winner SWPP Team with 4-1 sets at L bracket challenge, after the L bracket challenge, the organizer held an extra match, and Z.A.C.K. Team won again with 3-1 sets and became the Champion.

In the final of Xbox360 "Dead or Alive 4" Group, former champions competed at semi-finals, Cheng-kang Tu risen up and finally won the champion with a three-straight-sets and roared "I've been waited for a long time!" to express his anticipation for participating WCG Global Final; and You-cheng Liu won "Project Gotham Racing 3" champion to fulfill the hope of his father who died two days ago.

Not only in Xbox360 Groups, but also in PC Gaming Groups have a brand new lineup, Ming-kuei Liu, Yong-shan Liang, Jun-nan Tsai, and Taiwan UMX Team separately won the championships and Taiwanese Delegates at "Need for Speed - Carbon", "WarCraft", "Age of Empires 3", and "Counter Strike" Groups.

After the main events, Chunghua Telecom announced that the HiNet, WCG, and WGT Gaming Competitions will hold unity at 2008 autumn.

Chinese Traditional version only.


HiNet網路擂台大賽 競爭較往年激烈 國手群大換血

2007年HiNet網路擂台大賽暨台灣國手選拔賽，今日進入最後階段，雖然因為賽程調度的關係，部分比賽已經在昨日決定出冠軍選手，但觀賽的人潮依舊不減，仍然有許多參賽者與觀眾關切其他比賽的勝負；而針對國內中小學設計的「英語單字馬拉松」及「全能益智王」的總決選，並未受到延賽的影響，持續地展開激烈競爭。

昨日晚間進行的比賽中，Xbox360的「戰爭機器」組是第一個最先決定出冠軍的組別，在七戰四勝制的冠軍賽中，敗部冠軍Z.A.C.K先是以4：1的局數，透過默契與對地圖的瞭解，迫使勝部冠軍SWPP隊要與敗部冠軍進行延長加賽，在延長賽中，Z.A.C.K乘勝追擊，以3：1的局數，加上尾盤的完封，一次將團體冠軍拿到手，並取得國手資格。

接著是Xbox360個人賽的部分，「生死格鬥4」的準決賽，上演歷屆冠軍的對決戲碼，杜政剛、朱德普、馬潤平、汪明曉等選手廝殺激烈，而老經驗的杜政剛，則是在最後的決賽中，以直落三完封汪明曉，奪得國手資格，並在接受媒體訪問是，大喊「我等了很久了」，可見杜政剛渴望出國參賽的心情；而在「世界街頭賽車3」的部分，上屆冠軍劉祐辰雖然在颱風日，遇上父親往生的噩耗，影響到比賽的心情，但在主辦單位授予他成為大會宣誓人之後，也激起了他的鬥志，一路殺進總決賽，最後也順利奪下冠軍，並且如願地告為其父親的在天之靈。

在PC組部分，「絕對武力」的團體賽與「世紀帝國3」除了有嚴重的大洗牌以外，在「極速快感之玩命山道」中，原本眾所矚目的「劉家兄弟鬩牆之爭」，卻因為在準決賽中提前上演，而讓觀眾有些許的失望，而劉憲文在敗部遭到林君達的擊敗之下，劉家的唯一希望就寄託給其弟劉明貴，最後，他如願以償成為冠軍，並且幫他的哥哥復仇；而在最終比賽日上演的CS準決賽中，居然上演逆轉戲碼，敗部冠軍決賽除了打延長賽與驟死戰之外，更多觀眾更以大型海報，為參賽隊伍加油打氣，最終，被觀眾所看好的UMX隊，成為本屆比賽的冠軍隊伍，而更特別的是，因為Xgamer的換血而無法晉級全國選拔賽的因素，讓許多新生力軍異軍突起。

在所有項目的冠軍決定之後，PC組與Xbox360組的七組冠軍選手，將代表台灣參加10月份在美國西雅圖進行的WCG全球總決賽，冠軍選手在授旗儀式中，宣示要為台灣爭光，奪下金牌。而主辦單位也宣布，明年的競賽仍將以三合一的模式進行，以整合所有競賽的資源。


2007 Hope Parade in Taiwan inconjuncted with creation and environment awareness

With resource reusing, environmental awareness, and creations, Jane Goodall Institute Taiwan held "2007 Hope Parade" in Taiwan and lots of environmental volunteers, community colleges, and charity organizations (approximately more than 10,000 people) participated this parade walking from Taipei Municipal Hsing-an Elementary School to Ketagalan Boulevard with some materials showing the presence of five continentals.

"To respond with theory of 'Roots & Shoots' by Dr. Jane Goodall, 'Roots & Shoots Program' in Taiwan has been promoted for a long time with the living quality improving and environment awareness valuing." Hau Lung-pin (Taipei City Mayor) remarked at Opening.

According to the organizer, this parade is originally founded with some communities in Xizhi, Taipei County. To expand the global view of environment respect, this parade is chosen at Taipei City to show the particularity and differences of creatures which should be cared by common people.


結合環保與創意 世界夢想嘉年華 萬人遊行踩出希望

一項以環保與創意結合，並訴求「希望」的公益踩街活動「世界夢想嘉年華」，昨（20）日在台北盛大登場，遊行隊伍共計約上萬人，從台北市幸安國小到凱達格蘭大道，參與者包含社區大學、各國慈善團體、珍古德協會志工等，以現有的物資，做出自己夢想中的物品，並展現五大洲的文化風貌。

台北市長郝龍斌在開幕致詞中表示，台灣各地的「根與芽」小組，就是為了要呼應珍古德博士的「根與芽」環保概念，希望能透過這項理念，向下做紮根，向上發芽提升生活品質，並呼籲國人重視環保意識。

根據主辦單位表示，這項活動原本是一個在汐止進行的社區活動，而為了要拓展國際視野，進入第六年的社區踩街活動，也以擴大舉辦的方式，選在台北市進行，希望藉由參與的遊行隊伍，展現出生物的珍奇與多樣性，提醒民眾愛惜生物，讓世界更美麗。


2007 Taipei International Flower Exhibition started with multiple applications

After "Taiwan Flower Tourist Train" started at Kaohsiung Station on Oct. 30, the main show - 2007 Taipei International Flower Exhibition (2007 TIFE), supervised by Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, R.O.C. (COA Taiwan) and organized by Taiwan Floriculture Development Association (TFDA), opened from yesterday (Oct. 31) at Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall (TWTC). This show had more than 200 participating companies and organizations exhibiting products, solutions, and international specialists in flower industry.

At the opening ceremony yesterday, Chia-chuan Su (Commissioner of COA Taiwan) encouraged the export market in Taiwan's flower industry and mentioned applications on arts and cultural decorations. "After 12 years' suspension and Taiwan Orchid Exhibition held in Tainan several months ago, This show (TIFE) finally located at TWTC and gathered flower industry and application companies in several countries including Taiwan. We (organizers) also set a special pavilion for orchids to promote 2008 Taiwan Orchid Exhibition, if we successfully hold this exhibition, we'll expand exhibition space next year."

"Taiwan had some unique creations and diversifications especially flower seeds and materials in the flower industry, with those conditions above, the good quality and its excellence can be shown in its industry in Taiwan." Shui-bian Chen (President of Republic of China, Taiwan) remarked at Opening Ceremony.

In the international pavilions, some of participants like the Netherlands, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Australia showed their own style with booth decoration, national culture, and unique products like planting. By the way, TFDA will invite entertainer from 1st season "Taiwan Million Star" finalist Judy Ting-wei Chou and zodiac professional in Taiwan Yung-heng "the Zodiac Sign Prince" Yen for the "Stage of Floral Show Zone" performances separately on Nov. 2 & 3 with night hours.

According to TFDA, 2007 TIFE is a professional trade show in the flower industry, the opening day is only available for trade and industrial visitors and medias, public people should enter with tickets on next four days from today. And night hours will be available on Nov. 2 & 3. With security and quality issue, minors under 120 cm aren't permitted to enter the showground.


農業、文化、應用三合一 2007台北國際花卉展 台北世貿絢爛登場

繼昨（30）日，台鐵的「花卉觀光列車」在高雄火車站正式啟航後，花卉產業的盛事「2007年台北國際花卉展」，今（31）日上午在台北世界貿易中心正式登場，這項由行政院農業委員會指導，台灣區花卉發展協會主辦的活動，除了花卉藝術的各大主題館展示以外，國內、外兩百餘廠商，也相繼展示相關產品，當中也包含花卉週邊應用與相關公協會組織等。

在上午的開幕典禮中，農委會主委蘇嘉全除了鼓勵花卉市場的外銷拓展，也提及文化與藝術相關的應用，舉凡本次主題館，繼上半年的台灣國際蘭展之後，這次也有專為蘭花設計的專區，希望能重新打造台灣專有的蝴蝶蘭王國。另外，陳水扁總統認為，台灣的花卉產業，可以顯現其優良品質，特別是種植的原物料、以及培育的成果，這是因為花卉產品的多樣性、獨有性，讓台灣有機會拓展國際市場。

國家館部份，荷蘭、日本、菲律賓、馬來西亞、泰國、澳大利亞等國，皆以不同的型式，展現他們的成果與特色，也讓參觀者可以見識到各國獨有的培育特色。在主舞台的花藝表演區部份，為了配合週末的星光參觀時段，主辦單位也將邀請星光幫的周定緯以及知名星座專家星星王子，分別在11月2、3日兩天，進行表演。

主辦單位表示，本展覽係屬國際專業花卉展覽，除開幕當日僅開放同業人士與相關團體登記換證以外，自明（1）日起一連四天，將開放一般民眾購票入場，另外也會在週末的2、3日兩天，設置星光時段，並延長開放時間至晚間九點，基於展覽安全考量，主辦單位謝絕120cm以下的參觀者入場。


2007 Taipei International Travel Fair: Bigger than ever before it even begins

The Taipei International Travel Fair (Taipei TVF), founded in 1987 by Taiwan Visitors Association (TVA), is now in its 15th year. This show will start on December 14 and be open through December 17 at the Taipei World Trade Center with participants from 62 countries and 861 tourism companies and organizations. This year's fair is larger than ever.

At the press conference yesterday, TVA invited some exhibitors including Taiwan, as well as countries from Southeast Asia, Europe, and Oceania to promote their traveling packs for media. The TVA recruited local citizen journalists to cover the event, which they also did last year, and awarded honorary press accreditions for the selected 16 nominees.

Before the press conference, Wikinews reporter Rico Shen had a brief interview with Honorary Chairman of TVA Stanley Chang-shou Yen about their policy on citizen journalism. Stanley said:

Besides of some traditional displays by exhibitors at the press conference, Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association also introduced the tourism industry of China at this conference.  With the 2008 Summer Olympics to be held in Beijing, the Cross-Strait Pavilion of Taipei ITF will be a focus of the media in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China.


2007台北國際旅展 將展現新局

由台灣觀光協會主辦，自1987年首創的「台北國際旅展」，今年是第十五次的舉行，這項展覽將於12月14日起，一連四日在台北世界貿易中心展出，根據主辦單位的消息，國際館的參展國家超過六十國，當中以日本主題館的66個攤位的規模最大，861個旅遊單位與1168個攤位的展示規模，都刷新了歷年的紀錄。

而在今（13）日舉辦的展前記者會中，主辦單位除了邀請部分的旅遊單位進行宣傳，包括東南亞、歐洲、台灣等多個單位，以及觀光飯店等，另外，自去年起首度設置的「公民記者」活動，今年持續辦理，主辦單位並且在記者會中頒授「公民記者證」給入選的觀光公民記者。

在記者會進行前，台灣觀光協會榮譽理事長嚴長壽在接受記者Rico Shen的訪問時表示：「網路是現代人生活不可或缺的工具，以往的媒體產業，只侷限於平面、電視、廣播等大眾媒體，但近年來，隨著部落格、個人網站、論壇等新時代的產物日益興盛，公民的力量就顯得格外重要，因此，我們（觀光協會）就打破傳統，成為第一個招收公民記者的策展單位，藉以希望對於觀光產業有興趣的部落客，可以透過公民的力量，將展覽發揚光大，更希望以不同的角色，來為展覽進行介紹。」

除了國際旅遊單位在記者會中，表演各項傳統技藝，另外，在去年受到好評的「海峽兩岸台北旅展」，也在本次記者會中，向與會的媒體貴賓群，宣傳中國大陸的旅遊產業，加上明年北京即將舉辦奧運會的關係，因此這項展區也會成為兩岸三地媒體注目的焦點。


2007 Taipei International Travel Fair: Taiwanese government promote premiums on tourism industry

2007 Taipei International Travel Fair (Taipei ITF), supported by governments with new premiums promoted by Executive Yuan in the future, started with a great new scale at December 14 to 17. In the opening morning yesterday, governmental people and ambassadors from several countries including Taiwan successively visited this show.

The show organizer, Taiwan Visitors Association (TVA), held 2 opening ceremonies for Cross-Strait Pavilion and the main show. In the side of Cross-Strait, several teams performed traditional entertainment shows like "Bian Lian" (Face-Changing) and Martial Arts of Shaolin Monastery (In Chinese: Shaolin Kungfu) successively at press conference and welcome reception yesterday and opening ceremony today. Participants from China and Taiwan hoped the relation from Cross-Strait can be improved with tourism industry.

In the main opening ceremony, Premier of the Republic of China Chun-hsiung Chang not only announced the premiums of "2008-2009 Visit Taiwan Year" but also said: "We (the Executive Yuan) will still encourage foreign visitors visit Taiwan and also provide premiums for groups with a charter airline. with our '2008-2009 Visit Taiwan Year' in the future".

Not only Chun-hsiung Chang, Minister of Transportation and Communications Duei Tsai, Commissioner of Tourism Bureau of MOTC Janice Lai, and the current President of Palau Thomas Esang Remengesau, Jr. visited this show. Governments in several divisions participated in this show to showcase traditional cultures from several divisions with unlimited potentials on tourism industry in Taiwan.


2007台北國際旅展 政院高層宣示力挺觀光業

在今年刷新展覽規模的「第十五屆台北國際旅展」，今日正式開幕。在上午的同業參訪時段，兩岸三地的旅遊業者、台灣的政院高層、以及外國大使（包含帛琉總統湯米·雷蒙傑索等），都相繼前來參訪展覽，為旅展加油打氣。

上午的開幕典禮分成兩部分進行，在兩岸展區部分，除了安排了中國傳統技藝，包含高風險的「少林武功」，另外，在昨天，兩岸三地的旅遊界菁英，也在「海峽兩岸旅展」的迎賓晚宴中，宣示協助推動兩岸之間的觀光產業，以協助改善兩岸三地間的關係。

隨後，在大會的正式開幕典禮中，行政院長張俊雄受邀致詞時，除了放出「台灣觀光年」的大利多，另外，他也宣布將在明年七月起，針對大型旅遊團的包機，提出優惠方案，並且還要獎賞百萬倍數的幸運旅客，提供在台灣的刷卡付款優惠。

除了交通部長蔡堆，觀光局長賴瑟珍等府院高層的參與，另外，參展的縣市政府也紛紛展出各縣市的文化特色，要與國際館一較高下，也展現出台灣觀光產業的無窮潛力。


2007 Taipei Samsung Running Festival: A combination with charity, technology, and sports

With the success of the Samsung Running Festival from 2005 in Taipei, and continued with the image of charity, Samsung Electronics donated 100 PDA phones to Chinese National Association of the Deaf, R.O.C., Taiwan. (CNAD) and CNAD elected "Taiwan Top 10 Outstanding Deaf Occupational Excellence" delegates to receive this donation in the 3rd Taipei Samsung Running Festival.

"Earlier in 2006, Samsung donated lots of funds to help the process of 2009 Summer Deaflympics in Taipei. In this meaningful activity, I'm appreciated with the donation from Samsung who helped lots of deaf people in Taiwan with a good enterprise image. I hope Samsung can still promote the charity in Taiwan." Jiong-huang Yang (Chairman of CNAD) said at the Donation Ceremony.

"Based on a concern with an enterprise of 'What's taken from the people is used for the people', Samsung imported this running activity and donated with charity activity in Taiwan. I hope this event will close on people in Taiwan." Kuen-Hee Park (Greater China Area Chairman of Samsung Eletronics) remarked at Opening Ceremony.

Nearly the start at 7:00 a.m. (Taipei Time), more than 30,000 runners were ready to start. To prevent the starting and route problem, the organizer Chinese Taipei Road Running Association set up the controlling line at the start line and it took a good effect with the start controlling.

After the running activity, Samsung Electronics held lots of performances such as kids' street dancing, taekwondo skills by Taipei Physical Education College, CTITV Live Contest of "Ape Show" Program, and a small concert of CTV "One Million Star" entertainers. And National Palace Museum also invited runners visiting the NPM with dressing official "Taipei Samsung Running Festival" T-shirt after all the programs ended.


三星活力路跑 公益結合科技 台北歡慶三周歲

自2005年起引進台灣的「三星活力路跑」，今（14）日歡慶三周歲，在台北市政府廣場正式開跑，延續往年來的優質公益形象，今年三星電子特別捐贈100支Samsung Anycall i718的PDA手機，給中華民國聽障人協會，並邀請台灣十大傑出聽障就業楷模，進行代表性的受贈，聽障人協會理事長楊炯煌表示，三星之前也贊助了台北的2009聽障奧運，對於聽障朋友的關懷不遺餘力，希望三星能夠持續優良的品牌形象，積極投入公益事業。

而三星電子大中華區的朴根熙（박근희）社長，也在開幕致詞中表示，三星秉持「取之於民，回饋於民」的企業關懷，希望這項活動的辦理，能更「親近於民」，讓這項「活力路跑」能更貼近台灣的關懷與運動的熱情。

活動正式起跑的上午七時，近三萬的參與者就已經蓄勢待發，為了避免去年時，大型路跑活動的「已有人跑回終點，卻還有人起跑」的狀況，承辦的中華民國路跑協會，在今年設置了管制哨，與去年相比，確實有達成一定的效果，雖然在上午的排隊，仍有路線混亂的狀況，但承辦單位維持得宜，因此沒有發生意外。

在路跑活動結束後，主辦單位也安排一系列的表演活動，包括兒童街舞、跆拳道表演，以及星光幫林宥嘉、潘裕文、周定緯、徐宛鈴、許仁杰等五位成員親臨現場獻唱，讓參與的跑者與歌迷歡樂一上午，而國立故宮博物院，也特地贊助參與者，憑藉身上的紀念衫，在活動舉行的當日，免費參觀故宮博物院。


2007-08 Aztec Cup Winter Cyber Games in Taiwan starts with charity and competitiveness

"Aztec Cup", named and famous in Taiwan on cyber-gaming industry, started in Taipei today and will run until January 6, 2008 at Taipei New World Shopping Center. Companies like iKala, Bandai-Namco, International Games System, Kingston Technology, and Seednet all supported this competition to help donations with Child Welfare League Foundation of the Republic Of China on public welfares.

According to the main organizer, Aztec Master Plan, the Aztec Cup would be scheduled with different gaming natures and populations by seasonal or friendship competitions. Several games might be chosen as the official games frequently in different kind competitions.

By the way for the sponsors, they identically agreed the combination with charity, cyber-gaming, and entertainment by the organizer in winter because it (the competition) can help the disadvantage organizations and developments of the cyber-gaming industry.

Also in the press conference, Taipei New World Shopping Center, the venue owner,  mentioned to media: "We [the owner] definitively supported the gaming industry as some good examples like X06 Taiwan, 2006 World Cyber Games Taiwan Qualifier, and NBA 2K8 Asia Championship Taiwan Qualifier successively held in this venue. We hope the public can participate this competition to support the gaming industry in Taiwan."


結合公益與娛樂 2007-08阿茲特克杯冬季電玩賽 寒冬中現暖流

台灣地區知名電子競技活動「阿茲特克杯」，於今（26）日正式揭開冬季賽的序幕，包括iKala、萬代拿姆科、鈊象電子、金士頓、數位聯合電信等廠商，皆共襄盛舉，並宣布將與兒福聯盟合作，寒冬送暖，響應公益。

根據主辦的台灣阿茲特克電玩社群網指出，阿茲特克杯的比賽方式，會依照比賽性質差異，採用季賽、月賽，或是友誼賽的方式進行，並且會選擇不同的遊戲，作為指定的比賽項目，此外，參與的贊助單位一致地認為，這次在冬季的比賽，主辦單位選擇結合娛樂、生活、公益等三要素，不但有助預弱勢團體的關懷，更能使電子競技與數位產業向上提升。

開幕記者會中，地主台北新世界表示，他們向來對於電子競技產業是非常支持的，舉凡近年的WCG台灣國手選拔、X06與近期剛結束的「NBA 2K8亞洲電玩錦標賽」台灣區資格賽，都是非常好的範例，並希望參與者不分老少，皆能共襄盛舉。

主辦單位表示，本比賽將進行四大主題活動，並開放現場與網路報名，行程如下：


2008 COMPUTEX Taipei: Another insight of "Design"

This year's COMPUTEX Taipei showcased vast ICT products and innovative designs. According to the Taiwan Design Center (TDC), Taiwan positioned a stable place in industrial and students' designs after winning several international design awards including G-mark, Red Dot, and iF.

To promote the design of Taiwan into the world, not only pavilions from the Taiwan Excellence Gold & Silver Awards, d & i Award of COMPUTEX, Best Choice of COMPUTEX, and Taiwan Design Innovation Pavilion, the TDC & Taiwan External Trade Development Council also held the "Design Think Forum" to examine and forecast the design industry in Taiwan on the 2nd Day of COMPUTEX (June 4).

In the "TAITRA ICT 5-Stars Press Conference", Walter Yeh, Vice President of Taiwan External Trade Development Council, talked to Wikinews Journalist Rico Shen about "Design", he said:

Besides of the "iF Design Award Pavilion" at TAITRONICS 2008, the 2008 2nd Taiwan International Culture and Creative Industries Exhibition (a.k.a Creative Taiwan), which will be showcased at Taipei World Trade Center on October 23 - 26, will be a critical trade show for cultural, design, and creative industries. As a result, the growth of design industry will pulse the future of the other industries including the ICT.


2008台北國際電腦展 看見另一種設計觀

台北國際電腦展今（4）日是第二日的進行，昨日就已經創下1.2萬人參觀的單日紀錄，不只是資通產業，今年的台北國際電腦展，更有「設計觀」。

台灣在國際設計產業的地位舉足輕重，特別是工業與學生設計，屢屢在國際競賽中獲獎，這些都是不爭的事實，因此，在今年的展覽中，不但有台灣精品金銀質獎、最佳外銷產品獎等專區，還特別新增了創新設計獎，以及台灣創意設計專區，讓國際買主，見證台灣設計產業的豐碩果實，此外，更在南港館的四樓，進行國際設計策略創新管理論壇，為設計產業進行展望。

台灣創意設計中心表示，設計組織、策略創新轉型，是所有產業未來加強國際競爭力的重要元素，產業的成長，不能只光靠經濟、硬體的建設，文化、創意、設計等元素，將更顯重要。

在「貿協資通訊明星展記者會」中，葉明水副秘書長表示：「去年在（秋季）電子展首設iF設計獎專區，就已經獲得各大產業的重視，今年，我們（貿協）將持續這項傳統，讓台灣的設計，在國際舞台上發光發亮，另外，在所有配合貿協專業展，舉行的創新設計相關競賽中，我們希望藉由各國評審的專業評選，不但維持競賽的公正性與專業性，更能發掘真正具設計、創意的產品，像是這次電腦展首度新增的創新設計獎，就是很好的範例。」

除了今年的電子展，將持續設置iF設計獎專區，今年將在台北世貿一館進行的台灣國際文化創意展，也將成為文化、設計、創意產業聚焦的重點展覽，因為，設計產業的成長，將帶動其他相關產業的繁盛。

【2008年6月4日讯】


2008 Juno Award nominees announced

Nominees for the 2008 Juno Awards, Canada's primary music honours, were announced in Toronto on Tuesday. Celine Dion received nominations in six categories. Five nominations apiece were given to Michael Bublé, Feist and Avril Lavigne, who also happen to be previously scheduled performers at the Juno ceremonies. Ottawa's controversial rapper Belly received nominations in both the best rap recording and best new artist categories.

Rock band Triumph will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the Juno awards ceremony, to be held in Calgary on 6th April. Russell Peters will host the ceremonies which will be televised by CTV television.


Nominace na Juno Award 2008 oznámeny

Nominace na předávání cen Juno za rok 2008, což je hlavní hudební ocenění v Kanadě, byly oznámeny v Torontu. Celine Dion obdržela nominace v šesti kategoriích. Pět nominací obdrželi Michael Bublé, Feist a Avril Lavigne.

Letošní předávání cen Juno se uskuteční v Calgary 6. dubna.[1] Celá akce se uskuteční na největším uzavřeném stadionu v Calgagy Pengrowth Saddledome, který je domácím stadionem hokejového týmu Calgary Flames. Uvádět předávání bude kanadský komik a herec Russell Peters. V minulosti předávání uváděly například Nelly Furtado (2007) nebo Pamela Anderson (2006). Vše bude přenášet televize CTV, která tak činí již od roku 2002.


2008 Leisure Taiwan launched in Taipei World Trade Center

This year's Leisure Taiwan trade show (a.k.a Taiwan Sport Recreation and Leisure Show) started yesterday, with 131 companies participating including sports media companies such as ESPN and VideoLand Television, businesses selling sports equipment and fitness clubs.

There were also a variety of sports being played in the arena built for the trade show. The events included a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, free style shooting, and bicycle test-riding. In addition, conferences discussed issues related to sports and physical education.

A major topic in the trade show was energy-efficiency and, as a result, bicycles and similar sports equipment were being heavily promoted.

Next Tuesday, companies from the electronics industry plan to promote their industry at "2008 Digital E-Park." In previous years, organizations from the electronics industry have showcased their products at Leisure Taiwan instead of at the Digital E-Park, so this move has reduced the number of markets covered by Leisure Taiwan.


2008台灣運動暨休閒產業展開幕 台北世貿中心 轉型「運動競技場」

自從2004年台北國際體育用品展，美國的LP將籃球架引入，打造籃球競技場之後，台北世貿中心的展覽，就再也沒有出現「運動競技場」，而在今年的台灣運動暨休閒產業展，除了強打符合時事議題的「自行車」外，更把A區的展場，藉由籃球比賽的進行，打造成籃球鬥牛競技場，彷彿重演四年前，體育用品展的「運動競技場」一景。

除了體育用品與自行車產業的參與，這項內銷展結構上，較往年有著重大的改變，運動傳播媒體、健身會館業，成為今年展覽的重大主力，當中包括ESPN Star Sports、緯來電視網、加州健身中心…等，而電子娛樂相關業者，今年多半選在下週二（22日）即將開幕，由經濟部工業局與台北市文化局合辦的「數位優樂園」進行展示。

主辦的貿協為了要加強基層體育拓展，今年的現場活動也較往年大幅提升，包含球員見面會、體育運動學術研討會、健身體驗活動、籃球競賽、自行車試騎等，進而藉由參觀人氣的提升，鼓勵民眾從事正當休閒活動。


2008 PeoPo Citizen Journalism Forum to prospect the vision of citizen journalism in Taiwan

"2008 PeoPo Citizen Journalism Forum", organized by Public Television Service, PeoPo Citizen Journalism Portal, and Department of  Radio, TV, & Film of Shih Hsin University, held yesterday in the auditorium with participation from several bloggers, social workers, elites from mass media industry in Taiwan to prospect the status of citizen journalism in Taiwan.

Continued with some topics from 2007 PeoPo Citizen Journalist Summit Party, 2007 Citizen Journalism Unconference during the Wikimania 2007, and first-ever "30-seconds question challenge by citizens" in the first official debate of 2008 Taiwan Presidential Election, topics in this forum mainly focused on participation and progression of citizen journalists, elites in this forum also did a simple SWOT analysis on the development of citizen journalism in Taiwan.

In the opening topic of "Questions from the citizens in the official debate of '2008 Taiwan Presidential Election': General Overview", Feng-chia Chuang, Deputy Editor-in-chief of Central News Agency, described several kernel issues on sectors like background, political approaches of questioners, topics and views of questions suspected by media in Taiwan.

In the next 3 topics related to citizen journalism on "community development", "citizen journalism in Taiwan", and "burgeoning and rising next media", lecturers described some examples from local citizen journalists' participation on several key social incidents like "2000 Pachang Creek Incident (in Chinese: 八掌溪事件)", "Planning Argument of Losheng Sanatorium (in Chinese: 樂生療養院爭議)", and "Homelessness in Taiwan".

Therefore, "A-shaw" Hsun-hsiao Chen, Deputy Professor of Fu Jen Catholic University, analyzed the past and the presence of the information technology and transformations of mass media in Taiwan. And Po-ru Chen, Executive Officer of Chia-yi Community University analyzed differences on social phenomena, lifestyles, and culture between Northern and Southern Taiwan, and difference between urban and rural areas in a rapid-changing era of citizen journalism.

In a general view of "2008 PeoPo Citizen Journalism Forum", the citizen journalism in Taiwan especially in some townships and communities in Central and Southern divisions, showcased significant cultures differ from Northern Taiwan. Multiple and mature convergences in the rising Web 2.0 era was grown up after participation by citizen journalists in Taiwan. Executives in this forums initiated the communities can continue good interactions to help the citizen journalism grown up in Taiwan.


2008年PeoPo公民新聞論壇 展望台灣公民新聞發展

由台灣公共電視、PeoPo公民新聞平台、世新大學廣電系聯手主辦的「2008年PeoPo公民新聞論壇」，24日在世新大學舉行，眾多公民新聞參與者、部落格格主，以及大眾傳播相關菁英，皆共襄盛舉，展望台灣公民新聞的局勢。

延續公廣集團首辦的「2007年簡單PeoPo隨便聚」、在2007年維基媒體國際會議期間舉行的「公民新聞國際論壇」，以及三月份首度開放公民記者，參與「2008年中華民國總統選舉第一次辯論會」的提問…等相關話題，本次論壇主題除了集中前述活動帶來的公民新聞效應外，與會精英也藉此機會，分析公民新聞在台灣的發展與城鄉差異等問題。

在開場主題「總統大選辯論會公民提問─檢討與展望」中，中央通訊社副總編輯莊豐嘉，除了提出大眾媒體質疑的問題論點、提問者、政治立場等核心要素外，更希望首度開放公民提問的公廣集團，藉由第一次進行吸取的經驗，無論成功或失敗，都要進行必要的檢視與改善，另外，他也希望在未來，如有類似的提問活動，可以有更好的篩選機制，以避免外界不必要的質疑。

而在接下來，與公民新聞領域相關的三大議題，包含「社區發展」、「公民新聞在台灣」、「新興媒體」等議題中，眾多講師除了藉由台灣公民記者，參與社會事件的報導，介紹城鄉差距，以及公民記者在民間的參與、互動程度外，輔仁大學副教授陳順孝，也藉由網路科技趨勢、媒介時代轉變的分析，探究公民新聞在台灣的未來走向；此外，嘉義社區大學執行長陳柏濡，也以「八掌溪」的案例，說明生活型態的差異，所反映出來的社會現象與城際文化。

綜觀本次在世新大學的公民新聞論壇，公民新聞在台灣，雖然在中南部地區，特別是鄉鎮與社區，看到與北部截然不同的參與、文化，也看見了公民新聞參與者，因為Web 2.0的興起，帶來的多重利益，與時事方面的重視程度；而與會的學者，則希望在未來，公民新聞在社區相關團體的參與，應當持續良好的互動，才能維持台灣在這領域的良好傳統。


2008 Taipei Cycle: Interview with Fma International about the design of "Champion Cheongsam"

The leader of the 2008 Tour de Taiwan gets a yellow jersey.  But every tour winner gets assistance from a "Miss Etiquette,"  a tour assistant and a brand new part of the Tour de Taiwan.  Miss Ettiquette has become a key feature at the awards ceremonies for every stage. Fma International Co., Ltd., the jersey sponsor of 2008 Tour de Taiwan, and a participant of the 2008 Taipei Cycle, has designed 4 different cheongsams (dresses) for "Miss Etiquette," each matching the colors of the four leader jerseys. These cheongsam made a big hit with the Taiwanese and international media in Taiwan.

But what led to these champion jerseys and cheongsams? Wikinews Journalist Rico Shen visited the booth of Fma International and interviewed Martin Hsueh-po Cheng, General Manager of Fma International, to uncover the background of their design at the 3rd Day of Taipei Cycle, just after the finish of the 7th Stage of the Tour de Taiwan (March 15).

((Wikinews)) Why did you cooperate with the Chinese Taipei Cycling Association (CTCA) to design the leader jerseys and cheongsams?

Martin Cheng: We [Fma International] are proud of our sponsorship of the 2008 Tour de Taiwan. Before the race, we contacted Tour executives and in conjunction with the  Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI), the well-known research academy,...were able to contribute a brand new material for CTCA's design.  Because the Tour de Taiwan is a famous world-class competition, we can get this wonderful chance to market our brand and our design to the world.

((WN)) Usually designs such as the champion cheongsam for "Miss Etiquette", are only available at world-class competitions such as the Olympic Games or the World Games. Why did Fma International think to design these champion cheongsams?

Martin: The champion cheongsams, whose colors matched the four leader jerseys, are exclusively designed for the award ceremony to make these simple ceremonies more vivid and colorful...

((WN)) Before the design, did you coordinate with the CTCA on the design?

Martin: Coordination was a necessity because the design had to be approved by the Union Cycliste Internationale. Only after their approval, it could these designs be part of the Tour de Tawain awards ceremonies. of the race. By the way, we also did a number of alterations to customize these important champion cheongsams for each "Miss Etiquette" chosen by the CTCA.

((WN)) Do you do trial runs with these new products and designs that your industry produced?

Martin: We cooperated with the TTRI for a long time on rematching and rearranging new materials when designing and did several trial runs with our newly-designed jerseys and jerseys produced with similar materials. Generally, these materials have been certified by the TTRI other some other international verification group including from Taiwan.

((WN)) Other comments? Or some other significant feature?

Martin: We [the public] know that an emperor in China dressed a yellow robe to symbolize as the royalty. Originally, our company [Fma International] hoped our design would include not only our brand new fabric technology but also a traditional element, well-known as part of Taiwanese high fashion. After discussions with several senior designers, we introduced the "dragon", an animal symbolizing our traditional culture here in our Chinese-language countries, into our design and created a logo symbolic of a coiled dragon. In general, we hope this new design can be of great significance.


2008國際自由車環台賽 禮儀小姐服裝設計 讓頒獎典禮更國際化

今年的國際自由車環台賽，在頒獎典禮上，有著煥然一新的設計，那就是「禮儀小姐」的部分。為本次大會四大（台灣、亞洲、衝刺、總成績）領騎衫設計的贊助商，同時也是台北國際自行車展的參展商─德懋國際，今年為了要讓頒獎典禮的水準更國際化，特別為「禮儀小姐」，搭配四種不同顏色的領騎衫，量身打造專屬的旗袍，在展覽開幕前，成為環台賽各大媒體的矚目焦點。

而在這設計的背後，有隱藏什麼樣的概念與創意？為此，維基新聞記者Rico Shen（下簡稱WN）特別選在自行車展的第三天，也是環台賽南港館站結束後，參訪德懋國際的攤位，並請德懋國際的鄭學博總經理（下簡稱Fma），來指點迷津。

WN
想到與中華民國自由車協會合作，設計冠軍領騎衫的原因？

Fma：我們（德懋國際）非常榮幸，能贊助這次的環台賽。在此之前，（我們）都密集地和秘書長與副祕書長進行聯繫，並透過紡織產業界知名的研究單位─紡織產業綜合研究所，進行新材質開發上的技術合作，並在應用新材質的基礎上，與自由車協會的構想進行搭配。因為我們知道，這項（環台）比賽是國際知名的大型賽會，因此，我們很榮幸，藉由這次難得的機會，把台灣的設計、品牌，行銷全世界。

WN
除了領騎衫，今年有一項歷年以來，前所未有的設計，就是「禮儀小姐」的旗袍裝。我們知道，在以往，禮儀小姐大多都是在國際知名，如奧林匹克運動會之類的比賽才會派上用場。那麼，會想到設計旗袍裝的原因？

Fma：禮儀小姐旗袍裝，主要是為了搭配頒獎典禮，所設計的服裝，而在和自由車協會商議後，為了要搭配四個主要的冠軍代表色，進而藉由這樣的設計，除了讓頒獎典禮的內容更豐富，更能強化對外的印象。

WN
在此之前，是否與（自由車）協會合作，藉由徵選，來為這些禮儀小姐，打造專屬的冠軍旗袍裝？

Fma：徵選部分，是由自由車協會先行徵選的，然後等到確認完成後，才進行量身訂做的程序。

WN
打造前的一些協調程序？

Fma：基本上是必須要與（自由車）協會進行多次協調的，因為這些設計在完成後，還要送交國際自由車總會進行審核，才能派上用場。

WN
在設計冠軍領騎衫時，有否嘗試進行產品相關方面的認證，或是去參與相關類型的徵選活動？

Fma：我們（德懋國際）在設計時，除了長時間地，與紡織產業綜合研究所進行技術合作，進行新物料的開發，在原料上，都是經過認證以及品質上的多次測試，包含以不同布料，設計出相同功能的衣物，所進行的測試；因此，大致來說，所設計出來的成品，原料上已經符合產品認證的需求。

WN
其他針對這次設計的一些看法？或是，有何特別之處？

Fma：大家應該知道，中國各朝代的皇帝，以「黃袍加身」代表其尊爵，而我們的思維，則是希望能將科技，加入一種很特殊，很傳統的元素，讓外界一看就知道，這種設計很有台灣風格，在經過與多個設計師，不斷地討論後，就決定將具有文化傳統，別具代表性的「龍」，納入這項設計，象徵這條龍盤踞在優勝者之上，以達到「龍盤虎踞」的效果，也希望一個很典型、神力的動物，讓選手比賽時，更有精神，總而言之，希望這種結合現代與傳統的設計，能更具代表性。


2008 Taipei Game Show preview highlights computer industry

The 2008 Taipei Game Show, organized by Taipei Computer Association, supported by Bahamut Gamer Community, will begin on January 24 and then close on the 28 at the Taipei World Trade Center. This exhibition is sponsored by FamilyMart and titled the official motto with "Where You Are One of the Gamers" (in Chinese: 全家都是玩家) to invite the public to visit the show.

Not only the main show and the votes of the 2007 Taiwan Digital Contents Award, but world-class experts from the gaming industry like Yoshiyuki Tomino and David Gould will share experiences about gaming developments at the 2008 Taiwan Digital Content Forum.

According to the organizer, the award ceremony of the Taiwan Digital Contents Award was held before the main show in the past, but due to the schedule and arrangements of the Industrial Development Bureau of Ministry of Economic Affairs, the organizer decided to exhibit nominees from the 2007 Taiwan Digital Contents Award and postpone the award ceremony to February.

For the issues on noise and flow of people, the organizer will bring some security policy by the venue owner TAITRA into practice during the show hours to prevent disorders of the show. Minors under age 12 also will be allowed to visit the show.


2008台北國際電玩展 突破傳統 將展新局

春節前最後一項，也是寒假第一個展覽─「台北國際電玩展」，今年預計於24日在台北世貿中心登場，除了本土電玩社群「巴哈姆特電玩資訊站」的大力相挺，今年將有國際級的電玩大師David Gould與富野由悠季，來台分享電玩產業的發展，與開發的經驗，並且，為了鼓勵全民的參與，更邀請全家便利商店贊助，以「全家都是玩家」的主題，邀請民眾一同參與這項電玩界的盛會。

根據主辦的台北市電腦公會指出，往年電玩展進行前，都會舉辦遊戲之星的頒獎，甚至在去年，併入數位內容系列競賽整合辦理，今年，因為經濟部工業局在時間安排上的問題，這次的展覽中，將改為展示本次競賽的入圍作品，並舉行「風雲遊戲」的相關選拔賽，而數位內容競賽的頒獎，預定改至二月中下旬進行。

另外，針對去年發生的噪音與流量問題，公會也表示，將依據場地管理單位─中華民國對外貿易發展協會的相關規定，實施必要的管制措施，以避免動線上的混亂，展覽期間也會開放12歲以下的兒童參觀這項展覽。

【2008年1月7日讯】


2008 Taipei International Book Exhibition: Rain causes traffic jam around exhibition hall

2008 Taipei International Book Exhibition, recently closed on Monday (Feb. 18), showed not only significances from visitors' participation but also smooth traffic condition on roads near the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC).

Since several MICEs (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) were held in the TWTC and Taipei International Convention Center, a major issue for the hall owner TAITRA and several show organizers and participants was traffic condition near the venues especially in a show related to information technology. If the venue was filled with overflowed visitors, roads near the venues would be gotten in a stuck especially when it rained.

Even though the Xinyi Line of Taipei Metro is still under construction, and the 2008 Taipei Lantern Festival is still held in the Xinyi Shopping Area and Taipei City Hall Square, the traffic condition on Shi-fu Road, Song-chih Road, and Song-shou Road had some differences with a sudden rain in Sunday (Feb. 17) afternoon, in which period made a major impact in corrupting good traffic condition in the TIBE 2008 especially from Saturday (Feb. 16) to Sunday morning, in which period, a bad traffic condition ever taken place in past years.

Even though what the TIBE will be transformed, the overall image and quality from an exhibition including the TIBE will be determined by several factors especially operations and contents from the venue owner and show organizers.


2008台北國際書展 週日驟雨 打亂整體交通形象

2008台北國際書展日前甫落幕，除了參觀人潮的湧進與讀書風氣的回溫，世貿周邊的整體交通，倘若沒有周日的一場驟雨，將有可能是歷年世貿大型展覽進行以來，交通流暢度較佳的一次。

以往台北世貿展的交通問題，一直是外界詬病的一個重點，甚至有「逢展必塞」的惡名，這也讓經營展館的貿協，與各展覽的主辦與參展單位，相當頭痛，特別是資訊展期間，只要人潮湧現，除了流量的失控，甚至連周邊的展館交通，都會因此遭受波及。

雖然捷運信義線仍在施工，而周邊也持續進行台北燈節，但最容易塞車的周末時段，特別是周六（16日）至周日（17日）上午，明顯地較往常的展覽順暢，然而，周日下午的一場驟雨，卻意外地讓松智路、市府路、松壽路等重點路段，出現了短暫的癱瘓，也打擊了書展交通的整體好形象。

無論台北國際書展在未來，遷移南港館與否，展覽的內容與周邊規畫，都將牽動外界對展覽的整體形象。特別是下個月即將啟用的台北南港展覽館，因為展館經營者的決策，可能會影響決策者與展覽館的對外形象。


2008 Taipei International Book Exhibition: Varied fiction books showed different authoring style

At the 2008 Taipei International Book Exhibition, comic books and fiction books presented different authoring styles in formatting, story construction, and background settings. Examples of these were highlighted at two seminars entitled "On Trends in Creative Chinese Literature" and "From 'Shao Nu Xiao Yu' (少女小漁, meaning in English as "A Young Girl - Little Fish") to 'The Banquet Bug' (赴宴者)", as well as through recent fiction released by several publishers in Taiwan.

In the seminar about 'The Banquet Bug', a book, which has drawn by international media attention from "The Times", "Daily Mail", and "TIME Magazine", was recently translated into the Chinese language by John Chiang-sheng Kuo (郭強生). Taiwanese literature commentator Nan Fang Shou (南方朔, pen-name by Xin-ching Wang, 王杏慶) said the following at the seminar:

At the other seminar, "On Trends in Creative Chinese Literature", which focused on wuxia novels, famous Taiwanese novelist Da-chuen Chang (張大春) commented with some specialists on wuxia novels and said:

In fact, the novel and fiction authoring in Taiwan has generally been steady and varied with such examples and the maturation of independent authoring.


2008台北國際書展 一種單純的小說 多種風格的展現

不只一般類的書籍，小說、動漫畫也是眾多書迷的喜愛。而在今年的台北國際書展中，各出版商展示的小說作品，就顯出了不同的寫作風格，而在周六、日（16、17日）的《赴宴者》（The Banquet Bug）座談會與小說創作座談會，就是標準的範例。

首先，在周六的《赴宴者》座談會中，除了英文原作者，也是中國小說家嚴歌苓到場見證與進行簽書外，獲邀擔任貴賓的台灣知名文學評論家南方朔，在座談會中，表述了為這本小說寫序的歷程與心情，他表示：「雖然這小說表達的是一種以『騙』為主軸的故事，但卻反映出不少社會百態。」事實上，在此座談會之前，該書的英文原版在問世時，就因為該小說的幽默風格，引起國際媒體，包含泰晤士報、時代雜誌的關注。

在周日的「暢談華文創作風潮」的座談會中，因為主軸集中在武俠小說的關係，引發另一番話題，獲邀與會的知名作家張大春，則趁此機會，陳述了關於知名系列作品《城邦暴力團》的創作歷史，更藉此範例，說明武俠小說在華文社會的獨特性，他在會中表示：「武俠小說在華文世界難能可貴，許多要素，像是故事情節、歷史取景，或是門派等，在西方小說不一定能見到，因此希望未來，華文的武俠小說，可以持續這項傳統，雖然，金庸可能就現代武俠小說而言，是一項過去式。」

不只是寫實、歷史取景，事實上，部分的新潮小說，也有從動漫來轉型的，甚至，台灣的小說創作，更出現了非常穩定的閱讀與創作族群。


2008 Taipei International Book Exibition: United Daily News makes good promotion on e-books launch

In the Hall 1 of 2008 Taipei International Book Exhibition, the public often think this hall as a collective from general books. But this year, United Daily News Group (聯合報系) not only participated in this show with major brands on Economic Daily News (經濟日報), Linking Publishing (聯經出版社), and United Daily News Online (聯合線上), but also announced two interactive e-books with Old Master Q and Wan-Wan (彎彎) on Saturday (Feb. 16). With two major announcements, the General Book Hall conjoined with a fashion of comic.

The "Old Master Q" became a fashion in not only Taiwan but also Chinese-language world because readers in Chinese-language world wanted to collect whole series and recommended its series as "Must Buy Series", its humor style attracted readers to read. After several arrangements with music and flash movies, the "Old Master Q" series will be more interactive than a simple comic book.

Joseph Chak Wong (王澤) ever replied a question to local media about its characteristic and said:

In the afternoon, a Taiwanese famous blogger drawer "Wan-Wan" Chia-wei Hu participated the E-book launch of "Can't I go to work? A drawing diary by Wan-Wan.". The original author, Wan-Wan said to media and fans:

After her words, the possibility of brand establishment on Wan-Wan's work may be increased in the future for the global marketing in comic world.


2008台北國際書展 聯合報系活動 讓一館颳起動漫風

2008年台北國際書展，世貿一館就外界的印象，則是眾多類型書籍與國際形象的集大成，今年，聯合報系除了旗下的聯經出版社、經濟日報、聯合線上等旗下公司參展外，昨（16）日，聯合線上舉辦的「老夫子」及「彎彎」的電子書發表會，卻意外地讓單純的一館，掀起一股動漫風潮。

《老夫子》不只是台灣，亦是華人世界的話題焦點，因為在四十多年前，該漫畫幾乎人手一本，其惡搞幽默的風格，是吸引讀者的一大重點，在聯合線上結合音樂、動畫，製作成電子書版本後，單純靜態的角色，將變得更加生動。

王澤在昨日回答角色變化的問題時，他表示：「角色的風格可能多變，不排除嘗試有女性角色的加入，讓這（老夫子）系列可以更中性。」而知名作家蔡詩萍，雖然對於該系列讚不絕口，但在言語中，也以幽默的風格，僅可能避免他洩露年齡的秘密。

緊接在下午，《可不可以不要上班─彎彎塗鴉日記》的電子書發表會上，因為彎彎本尊的到場，吸引了眾多書迷、部落客、媒體的注目，而彎彎也曾在發表會前透露：「不排除將畫作整合，成立專屬品牌，行銷國際。」這一席話，可能會引起國際廠商的注意，因為在年前，2008年台北國際電玩展中，台灣微軟就曾經展示了一款由彎彎親手繪製的主機，一度引起眾多電玩迷與動漫迷的注目。


2008 Taiwan Designers' Week shows potential of innovations

Vastly different from the YODEX, mainly focused on students' designs, the 2008 2nd Taiwan Designers' Week, a collective show organized by Taiwan Designers' Web for industrial designs and individual design studios, took place at the Xinyi Public Assembly Hall, formally known as "Si-Si Nan Cun (in Chinese: 四四南村)" and entitled the theme of "Design & Beyond".

This professional exhibition featured topical designs including "Play with the Eating Culture", "Wall", "The Story of Paper-Cutting", "Basket", "Between On and Off", "50 Pleasures in the Study - Dian Shin Refreshment 2008", "Reincarnation", and "NoName Design", at Xinyi Public Assembly Hall; "City Yeast 2008･Balcony Project" at Xue Xue Institute from June 26th to July 8th; "Having A Perfect Life Is Easy" at Taipei Artist Village from June 27th to July 7th. In addition, The XRANGE Studio also created a giant floating cloud at Central Square of Xinyi Public Assembly Hall.

Innovative designs in this exhibition showcased different topical elements on environment, modern lifestyle, current incident, and subculture. Those reflect the achievements by professional designers in Taiwan as Taiwan's designs were affirmed in several international design competitions including G-mark, Red Dot, and iF.

After this exhibition, Taiwan Design Center, the show co-organizer, scheduled several upcoming competitions and shows from this August to October including "Taiwan Design Expo", "Taiwan Design Award", "Taiwan International Design Competition", and "Creative Taiwan".


2008年台灣設計師週 展現台灣設計產業能量

相較於著重學生創意的「新一代設計展」，這項集台灣多個專業設計工作室大成的「台灣設計師週」，今年在台北市信義公民會館，正式進入第二屆，主辦的台灣設計師連線，特別將主題定調為「延續與超越」，吸引超過250項作品，參與本次的展示。

自從台灣拿下2011年世界設計大會的主辦權，加上台灣在國際設計競賽的優異表現，使得眾多相關產業，也開始重視「設計」這項元素，包含台北國際電腦展與台北國際食品展的台灣設計主題館，以及貿協選定大展，積極辦理創新設計獎，都看得見「設計」的影子。

而在今年的展覽中，除了眾多創意設計作品，結合時事、環保、生活等議題，展現多元化的新創意外，主辦單位選在信義公民會館進行展覽，也凸顯了老眷村「四四南村」的原始性。

週末的28、29日，設計市集將展售創意設計週邊商品；在台北國際藝術村的百里廳，以及學學文創志業大樓，與四四南村相呼應的「享受不完美生活」、「都市酵母─2008陽台計畫」主題展，已經從26日提前開跑；另外，台灣漆藝推手黃麗淑、日本包裝設計大師卷波宰平、華人設計師李根在，將於29日起一連三天，針對不同的設計相關主題，進行演說。


2008 Taiwan Tourism Exposition to encourage tourism industry after Sichuan earthquake

The 2nd-annual Taiwan Tourism Exposition 2008, organized by the Taipei Association of Travel Agents, started yesterday (May 16) at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall 3. 350 different agencies from local and foreign countries participated in the show. Governments and travel agencies in Taiwan hoped this exhibition could inspire the tourism industry in the light of the recent earthquake in Sichuan Province in China.

Before opening day, Peter Ting, Vice Chairman of the Taipei Association of Travel Agents, spoke to Wikinews Journalist Rico Shen about the recent earthquake.

"It [the earthquake] wouldn't make a great strike for the [tourism] industry, but it apparently effected us [the industry] in consequence. In fact, we hoped this [Sichuan] earthquake never happened even though it is partial for us. Currently, not only [did] our delegates visit there to gain [perspective of the] current conditions [after the earthquake], but also the Tourism Bureau [of the Republic of China] also did the "Travel Warning" announcement for Sichuan as "No Visiting Place". Besides of this, I think the other places [or nations] would be effected less than Sichuan. Therefore, I hope visitors can choose suitable travel packages after several views for safety issue.," stated Ting.

Vincent Siew, the pre-elected Vice President of the Republic of China, was invited to join in the Opening Ceremony yesterday, and commented.

"The tourism industry is a potential industry in Taiwan, I hope this industry can be properly promoted with some modifications from our laws after this earthquake to encourage more foreign visitors visit Taiwan," said Siew

Because of the "Travel Warning" by the Tourism Bureau, the Straits Exchange Foundation dispatched several travel guide books during the show hours to strengthen traveling risks and conceptions for visitors when choosing any travel package.


2008台灣觀光博覽會 力圖振興觀光業 以掃四川大地震陰霾

2008年第二屆台灣觀光博覽會，今（16）日於台北世界貿易中心展覽三館登場，各國觀光單位、台灣的政府機關與旅遊業，都希望藉由這次的展覽，重振台灣觀光產業，藉以掃除日前四川大地震，帶來的陰霾。

在這項展覽開幕之前，台北市旅行商業同業公會的副理事長丁萊，在接受記者Rico Shen問及相關議題時，他表示：「四川（大地震）不一定說是有衝擊，但影響是必然的，事實上，我們（觀光產業）也不希望看到這次的（四川）震災，儘管是局部性的。目前，總會和台北市的三位代表，特地去了解實際的情況，當然，觀光局也已經緊急發布了『不宜前往』的警訊，我想，除了四川以外，其他地方影響應該不大，因此，希望參觀者可以藉由這次展覽的機會，慎選合適的（套裝旅遊）方案，相信等四川恢復後，消費者再行前往，才有安全的保障。」

獲邀參與開幕典禮的準副總統蕭萬長，除了在致詞時，表達對震災的關切，同時，他也表示：「台灣的觀光產業，潛力無窮，預估在相關政策修訂後，可以更明顯地，提升外國人士的訪台率。」藉由蕭萬長的信心喊話，預估台灣的觀光產業可以一掃日前四川大地震帶來的影響。

另外，有鑒於觀光局在近期發布的「旅遊警報」，海峽兩岸交流基金會也和部分參展的政府機關合作，發送旅遊品保與大陸觀光相關手冊，藉此一展覽的機會，讓消費者在選購套裝時，亦能夠了解海外旅遊的風險常識。


2008 Taste of Taiwan Cuisine features three shows for food and packaging industries

The third annual Taste of Taiwan Cuisine opened on Wednesday of June 18, 2008 and runs until June 21. Organized by Taiwan External Trade Development Council to promote the culinary culture of Taiwan, the tradeshow featured three main shows for food and food packaging industries: "Food Taipei", "Foodtech Taipei", and "Taipei Pack".

Twenty-seven countries including United States, South Korea, Canada, Japan, Sri Lanka, Austria, Philippines, Chile, Malaysia, Spain, Fiji, Poland, and six nations from Africa, grouped their own national pavilions for sourcing and procurement. In addition, the Taiwan Pavilion featured sections on culture, product image, brand design, and agriculture verification in Food Taipei.

Industrial solutions including medical applications, packaging machines, food CNCs, and bar-code printers are showcased in the "Foodtech Taipei" and "Taipei Pack". Seminars and forums from security, global marketing, and policies for food, machinery, and packaging industries are also held during show hours.

After the 3-in-1 show in Taipei, the Kaohsiung International Food Show will be scheduled for November.


2008台灣美食月 食品、食機、包裝展 台北南港三合一

中華民國對外貿易發展協會自去年起首辦「台灣美食月」之後，獲得各國買主的熱烈迴響，今年，是第二次的辦理，而在本周三（18日），美食月的主題展覽─台北國際食品展、台北國際食品機械暨科技展、台北國際包裝工業展，也正式進駐南港展覽館，成為第四批進駐南港館的系列展覽。

食品展今年齊聚美國、韓國、加拿大、日本、斯里蘭卡、奧地利、菲律賓、智利、馬來西亞、西班牙、斐濟、波蘭，以及非洲六國等，共27個國家主題館，提供國際買主進行國際食品市場的貿易商機交換；而地主的台灣館，則以各縣市政府的特色文化，作為展覽主軸。

科技性質濃厚的食品機械展與包裝工業展，展出結合製造業、醫療等相關應用，包含食品加工、包裝工程使用之工具機、輸送帶，與工業解決方案等。兩者在今年共有309家業者，利用922個攤位進行展示；另外，今年由貿協主辦的食品論壇暨研討會中，主題也不乏機械與食品產業的相關應用，包含食品安全、產業佈局、產業法規等。

本次在南港館的主題三展，預計於21日結束，主辦的貿協為了推廣台灣的食品產業，也宣布將在11月中旬，南下高雄市，舉辦高雄國際食品展。


2008 YODEX: The first-ever "Wow! Taiwan Design Competition" announced

On the opening day of the 2008 Young Designers' Exhibition (May 15), the Council for Cultural Affairs of Executive Yuan announced the first-ever "Wow! Taiwan Design Competition" at the Taipei World Trade Center. It will take place in conjunction with the main show (2008 YODEX). The winners from the  Professional and Student classes were announced and awarded in an ceremony yesterday.

According to official information from the Taiwan Design Center (TDC), this first-ever design competition was designed for local participants to construct creative products with internationalizations and traditional cultures, and market them worldwide.

"EasTea / WesTea" and "Window & Box" also won the championship in the professional and student groups in this competition.


2008年「遇見台灣新感動」設計大賞 展現台灣設計產業潛力

「新一代設計展」進入第二天，入場參觀的學生也隨著週末的逼近，逐漸成長，而在開幕日，行政院文化建設委員會舉行了「遇見台灣新感動」設計大賞的頒獎典禮，表揚優秀的設計師。

根據行政院文建會的資料顯示，這項競賽是在今年首度進行，主要是希望參賽者可以結合台灣文化的國際特色與世界共通的人文議題，設計具有國際觀、本土化的創意商品，進而打向國際市場。

專業組「茶東西」與學生組「窗與盒」，在本次設計競賽中，拿下該組的冠軍，而兩者都是將產品的機能與台灣傳統文化進行結合，前者則是以木製素材，匯聚中國傳統的茶飲文化而成，後者則將建築美學與生活應用，型成具環保效益的餐具組合。


2008 Young Designers' Exhibition to interact with the world

2008 The 27th Young Designers' Exhibition, opened on May 15 at the Taipei World Trade Center and closes Sunday May 18. It features participation by 87 academic groups in Taiwan and 20 groups from United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Australia to showcase various achievements in industrial design. It is recognized by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID) as the largest show of student creations.

Besides the several design competitions, sponsors like International Forum Design (iF), EPSON, MUJI (in Japanese: 無印良品, Mujirushi Ryōhin), Tsann Kuen Trans-nation Group will showcase different solutions for the design, creative, and cultural industries. The show's organizer, Taiwan Design Center, also designed several on-site events like "On-line Graduate Season Show", "Career Match-up", "Creative and Cultural Showcase and Performance", "Seminars of YODEX 2008" to link the actual exhibition with the on-line exhibition.

Besides of the previously announced "Wow! Taiwan Design Award", winners from "2008 Young Designers' Competition" and "2008 YODEX Interior Design Competition" were announced on Saturday, May 17.


2008新一代設計展 展形象 秀創意 與國際接軌

堪稱「全球最大型學生創意作品展」，也是獲得國際工業設計社團協會認可的大型設計會展「第27屆新一代設計展」，今（15）日在台北世貿中心開幕，除了地主台灣48校87系，展現平面、立體、虛擬等多種不同型式的設計成果，今年也有美、英、義、荷、紐、澳等國，20個國外設計相關院校單位，來台參展，展示國際設計產業的成果。

除了多項設計競賽外，今年，愛普生、燦坤、無印良品、iF設計獎等廠商，也分別展示專為文化、創意與設計產業打造的解決方案，此外，為了與台灣的畢業季相結合，台灣創意設計中心也設計了「線上畢業季」、「就業媒合會」、文化創意表演與成果展等活動，讓實體展與虛擬展合而為一。

這項展覽將於18日結束，除了行政院文建會的「Wow! Taiwan 遇見台灣新感動」的創意設計競賽，先行於開幕日頒發與展示，眾所矚目的「新一代空間設計競賽」與「新一代設計競賽」，也將於週六公布最後的贏家。


2013 Autumn Old and Antique Bookfair continues in Madrid

The 2013 Autumn Old and Antique Bookfair ((es))Spanish language: Feria de Otoño del Libro Viejo y Antiguo continued on Paseo de Recoletos in Madrid, Spain yesterday with an outdoor temperature around 21C/70F and no precipitation.   Running from September 26 until October 13, the first stalls are found near Plaza de Cibeles and continue to Calle Prim, running in a straight line down Paseo de Recoletos in the pedestrian walk in the center of the road.

The antique and old books fair is in its twenty-fifth edition and is one of several large bookfairs that occurs annually in Spain. While not widely known internationally, the festival of books is known nationally. Organized by The Libris Antique Books Association ((es))Spanish language: La Asociación de Libreros de Viejo Libris in collaboration with the Madrid City Council, 39 book vendors are selling books at the fair from across various regions of the country including Madrid, Valencia and Zaragoza.  The poster for the event was designed by Madrid comic artist Alfonso Azpiri.


La Feria de Otoño del Libro Viejo y Antiguo 2013 continua en Madrid


21 sites added to Unesco World Heritage list

Unesco's World Heritage Committee inscribed 21 new sites into the World Heritage list on Wednesday, during the 34th session of the committee's meeting in Brasilia, Brazil under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Culture of Brazil, João Luiz da Silva Ferreira.

Three countries had sites added to the list for the first time: Tajikistan, Kiribati, and Marshall Islands.  The Committee added four sites to the World Heritage in Danger list, including the Gelati Monastery and Bagrati Cathedral, both in Georgia.  The Galapagos (Ecuador) were removed from this list.

Some of the newly included World Heritages are: Papahānaumokuākea (United States), el Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Mexico), and São Francisco square (Brazil).

Unesco World Heritage sites have special cultural or physical significance as a place or region. Unesco conserves, names, and catalogues these sites for the common heritage of humanity. Italy ranks as the country with the most World Heritage sites, having 45 in total.


யுனெஸ்கோவின் உலக பாரம்பரியக் களங்கள் பட்டியலில் 21 புதிய இடங்கள் சேர்ப்பு

பிரேசிலில் இடம்பெற்ற உலக பாரம்பரியக் களங்கள் குறித்த யுனெஸ்கோ மாநாட்டில் 21 புதிய பாரம்பரியக் களங்கள் பட்டியலில் சேர்க்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

தஜிகிஸ்தான், கிரிபட்டி, மற்றும் மார்ஷல் தீவுகள் ஆகிய நாடுகள் முதற்தடவையாக இப்பட்டியலில் இணைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. ஆபத்தான அல்லது அழிவுறும் நிலையில் உள்ள களங்களாக நாகு இடங்கள் சேர்க்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. எக்குவடோரில் உள்ள கலாபகசுத் தீவுகள் இப்பட்டியலில் இருந்து நீக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

இலங்கையின் மலையகப் பகுதி, ஜெய்ப்பூரில் உள்ள ஜந்தர் மந்தர் வானவியல் சாஸ்திர ஆய்வு மையம், புளோரிடாவின் எவர்கிளேட்ஸ் தேசியப் பூங்கா, மடகாஸ்கரின் மழைக்காட்டுப் பகுதி ஆகியனவும் புதிதாக இப்பட்டியலில் இணைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

மனித இனத்தின் பொதுப் பாரம்பரியத்துக்கு இன்றியமையாத இயற்கை மற்றும் பண்பாட்டு முக்கியத்துவம் கொண்ட களங்களைப் பட்டியலிட்டு, அவற்றைப் பாதுகாப்பதே இத் திட்டத்தின் நோக்கமாகும். 16 நவம்பர் 1972 ஆம் ஆண்டில் தொடங்கப்பட்ட இத் திட்டத்தை இதுவரை 184 நாடுகள் கையெழுத்திட்டு ஏற்றுக்கொண்டுள்ளன.

இத்தாலியிலேயே அதிகளவு பாரம்பரியக் களங்கள் பட்டியலிடப்பட்டுள்ளன. அங்கு 41 இடங்கள் பாரம்பரியக் களங்களாக அங்கீகரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

வியாழன், ஆகத்து 5, 2010


48th International Children's Festival in Šibenik - 2008

For two weeks, from Saturday June 21 to Saturday July 5 2008, Šibenik, Croatia will be welcoming the whole world at the 48th International Children's Festival. Musicians, actors, film-makers, poets, puppeteers and other performance artists will perform for the young spectators.

Performances generally take place in the evening, while budding artists will have access to numerous workshops during the day.

At the peek of summer, children will be able to train their creativity in the cool yard of a Baroque hotel, explore the mysterious network of the wells and tanks of an old city or launch an attack on the numerous strongholds which once protected the city, the first one constructed by the Croatian kings.


48. Međunarodni dječji festival Šibenik - 2008

Šibenik (Hrvatska), 21. juni 2008. –

48. Međunarodni dječji festival u Šibeniku 2008

Od 21. juna do 5. jula 2008, Šibenik će biti 48. put domaćin Međunarodnoga dječjeg festivala, a za 14 festivalskih dana bit će izvedena 120 različita dramska, muzička, lutkarska, folklorna i plesna programa


Culture : ouverture du 48e festival international des enfants de Šibenik

Comme chaque début d'été, le Festival international des enfants ouvre ses portes dans la cité dalmate de Šibenik. Durant deux semaines, du 21 juin au 5 juillet 2008, la vieille ville médiévale et Renaissance se dédie aux tout-petits et aux enfants, leur proposant un florilège de spectacles et de chants. Les professionnels et les amateurs viennent de toute l'Europe pour participer ou assister à l'événement culturel de la région.

Cette année, le début du festival coïncide avec celui de l'été, le 21 juin. Cette 48e édition s'ouvre sur Chocolate, un spectacle chorégraphique et chanté du City Theatre TREŠNJA de Zagreb. Des troupes et des artistes des quatre coins de l'Europe (Albanie, Angleterre, Autriche, Espagne, Italie, Macédoine, Pologne, Russie, Tchéquie), et même du Japon sont attendus sur les 14 jours de programmation : spectacles de rue, marionnettes, danses, pièces, contes, concerts, mimes, projections de films...

Les troupes d'enfants sont prévues : parmi les performances sélectionnées cette année, notons les danses traditionnelles russes, par les Young Moscovites et une représentation traditionnelle des enfants de l'île de Pag (en Croatie).

Comme chaque année, des ateliers créatifs sont proposés aux enfants. Encadrés par des professionnels du spectacle, de l'audiovisuel, de la musique et de l'art, ils s'initient aux arts du spectacle, au chant, aux danses, au maniement de la caméra. Ils participent également à d'autres ateliers d'écriture, d'impression textile, de peinture, de joaillerie (une haute tradition de cette cité) et même de construction navale. Un programme est spécialement adapté aux enfants ayant des difficultés. La régate des moussaillons est organisée dans le port de la ville les 28 et 29 juin à bord d'optimists.

Les professionnels peuvent suivre le cycle de conférences organisées autour des symposiums de pédiatrie-puériculture, avec cette année une conférence spéciale sur le thème des marionnettes dans l'éducation et la thérapie. Le théâtre municipal expose les œuvres de l'illustrateur won Grigor Vitez, tandis que la médiathèque municipale reçoit, comme chaque année, les éditeurs nationaux exposant leurs nouveautés.


600,000 new dollar millionaires created in 2004

According to this years edition of the World Wealth Report conducted by Merrill Lynch and Capgemini, the number of millionaires worldwide increased by 600,000 to 8.3m in 2004. The report defines a millionaire as an individual who has assets worth more than $1m excluding their primary residence.

The combined wealth of all these high net worth individuals (HNWI's) exceeds $30 trillion. At a regional level, Australia, India, Singapore, and Hong Kong were the strongest performers - Australia added 47 new millionaires a day throughout 2004, whilst India added almost 25 a day.

The following is a regional breakdown:


600 000 нови милионери за 2004 година

10 юни 2005. – Според тазгодишното издание на доклада "Уърлд Уелт Рипорт", съставен от компаниите Merrill Lynch и Capgemini, броят на притежателите на над 1 000 000 американски долара се е увеличил с 600 000. Така през 2004 техният общ брой е 8,3 млн. души. Докладът счита за милионери хората, чието общо финансово състояние се равнява на над 1 млн. долара, като цената на основното им местожителство не се включва в общата сума.

Общата сума, която всички милионери притежават, надхвърля $30 трилиона. На местно равнище Австралия, Индия, Сингапур и Хонг Конг имат най-голям принос за 2004 г. спрямо отношението милионери/ден. В Австралия всеки ден средно по 47 души са станали милионери, а в Индия - близо 25 човека.

Разбивката по региони е следната:


Academy Award-winning film director Paul Haggis leaves Scientology

Academy Award-winning film director Paul Haggis declared to Scientology spokesman Tommy Davis that he had decided to leave the Church of Scientology after being a member for 35 years.  His letter to Davis was posted Saturday on the blog of former high-ranking Scientology official Marty Rathbun.  Haggis received Academy Awards for writing and producing the 2004 film Crash, which he also directed.

Rathbun confirmed the authenticity of the letter by Haggis, and The Hollywood Reporter also confirmed it with a friend of the director. At his blog, Rathbun has been critical of Scientology's current leader David Miscavige. In the June article "Former Scientology executives say leader David Miscavige abused staff", Wikinews reported on criticism by Rathbun and other high-ranking officials that was published in a series of investigative articles in the St. Petersburg Times. In his letter to Davis, Haggis wrote that he read the series in the St. Petersburg Times, where these former Scientology officials accused David Miscavige of physically abusing Scientologists. He criticized the manner in which the Church of Scientology attempted to smear the former officials after they spoke out against the organization.

Well-known celebrity Scientologists include actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta. Haggis had not been known to be a vocal public supporter of Scientology prior to his declaration to Davis that he was leaving the organization.

He expressed his disappointment to Davis, son of actress Anne Archer, that the San Diego, California branch of the Church of Scientology supported Proposition 8. Proposition 8 removed the rights of same-sex couples to marry in California. The San Diego Church of Scientology was listed along with other groups on a Proposition 8 supporters website, but it was later removed. Haggis said that Davis initially told him he would do something about the San Diego Church of Scientology's support for Proposition 8, but in the end Davis did not take action about this. Haggis called the inaction by Davis with regard to the San Diego Church of Scientology's stance on homosexuality "cowardly". Scientology views of homosexuality are controversial, and the introductory work to the topic Dianetics by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard describes homosexuality as a form of sexual perversion. Haggis wrote to Davis that he did not wish to stay a member "of an organization where gay-bashing was tolerated", and called such behavior "indefensible".

Actress Deborah Rennard, wife of Haggis, was introduced to Scientology by her parents. According to Haggis, the Scientology practice of "disconnection" was imposed on Rennard and her husband, and they were ordered to disconnect from her parents because Rennard's parents had violated a rule of the organization. Due to having undergone a personal experience with regard to Scientology's practice of disconnection, Haggis was surprised to hear Davis deny the policy existed in an interview with CNN journalist John Roberts.

He concluded his letter to Davis by noting that his Scientologist friends might disassociate from him due to his words, writing, "...I am fully aware that some of my friends may choose to no longer associate with me, or in some cases work with me. I will always take their calls, as I always took yours. However, I have finally come to the conclusion that I can no longer be a part of this group. Frankly, I had to look no further than your refusal to denounce the church's anti-gay stance, and the indefensible actions, and inactions, of those who condone this behavior within the organization. I am only ashamed that I waited this many months to act. I hereby resign my membership in the Church of Scientology."

Roger Friedman of The Hollywood Reporter described the film director's decision to leave the Church of Scientology as "a stunning move". Friedman wrote that "Haggis has taken an enormous step here, and one that should resonate among all celebrity Scientologists." Tony Ortega of The Village Voice called Haggis's declaration to Davis "a remarkable letter", and Gina Serpe of E! Online wrote "True, he was nowhere near the  religion's most famous celebrity practitioner, but he will no doubt now go down as one of its most infamous, thanks to the inevitably viral publication of his resignation letter". Writing for Movieline, Kyle Buchanan characterized the letter by Haggis as "a candid, confrontational letter to Scientology top brass", and said "It's a must-read." Radar Online observed "In a shock heard-round-the-Scientology world, Paul Haggis has very publicly quit the organization." Foster Kamer wrote for Gawker that the letter by Haggis was "incredibly damning" to Scientology, and Adam McDowell of National Post called it "a scathing letter about church policy". Vicki Hyman of The Star-Ledger called Haggis "the most famous name (if not face) to renounce the Church of Scientology", and Xan Brooks wrote in The Guardian that "the Church of Scientology lost one of its most high-profile members". According to The Guardian, the Church of Scientology has not yet responded publicly to the statements made by Haggis in his letter to Davis.

Haggis has multiple credits in film, including work as writer-director for Crash, and writer for Million Dollar Baby (directed by Clint Eastwood), Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, and Letters From Iwo Jima. Both Million Dollar Baby (2004) and Crash (2005) won Academy Awards for Best Picture, making Haggis the first film writer since 1950 to pen movies which won Best Picture Oscars in consecutive years. He is highly-regarded for his work as a humanitarian and for his civil liberties work, and his letter includes a list of awards he has received related to his dedication to civil rights. He is currently working on the film The Next Three Days, which includes actors Liam Neeson, Russell Crowe, and former Scientologist Jason Beghe. Beghe previously went public with his own criticism after leaving the Church of Scientology, and described how members must pay large amounts of money to advance in Scientology levels.


Paul Haggis, reżyser filmowy i zdobywca Oskara porzuca Scjentologię

Paul Haggis, reżyser filmowy i zdobywca Oskara oświadczył rzecznikowi prasowemu Scjentologów, Thomasowi Davisowi, że zdecydował się opuścić Kościół Scjentologów, którego członkiem był 35 lat.

List Haggisa skierowany do Davisa został umieszczony na blogu Marty'ego Rathburna, byłego wysokiego rangą członka kościoła. Haggis otrzymał Oskara za film Miasto gniewu (2004), którego był scenarzystą, producentem i reżyserem.

Rathbun nie był jedynym, który stwierdził autentyczność listu wysłanego przez Haggisa. Również gazeta The Hollywood Reporter potwierdziła to w rozmowie z przyjacielem reżysera. Rathbun wyraża się krytycznie o obecnym przywódcy Scjentologów na swoim blogu. W swoim liście to Davisa, Haggis napisał, że w St. Petersburg Times przeczytał o zarzutach kierowanych pod adresem Davida Miscavige, jakoby znęcał się on fizycznie nad członkami kościoła. Haggis skrytykował również sposób, w jaki Kościół Scjentologiczny próbuje oczerniać byłych członków, którzy odważyli się przeciwstawić organizacji.

Haggis wyraził w liście do Davisa niezadowolenie z faktu, że oddział Scjentologów w San Diego w stanie Kalifornia poparł tak zwaną Propozycję 8. Propozycja 8 to akt prawny odbierający parom homoseksualnym w Kalifornii prawo do zawierania związków małżeńskich.

Poglądy Scjentologów na temat homoseksualności są również kontrowersyjne. We wstępie do swojej książki Dianetics, L. Ron Hubbard opisuje zjawisko homoseksualności  jako seksualną perwersję. Haggis napisał do Davisa, że nie chce być członkiem „organizacji, gdzie obrażanie homoseksualistów jest  w pełni tolerowane”  i stwierdził, że takie zachowanie jest „niewybaczalne”.


Actor and comic Robin Williams found dead at 63

The US comedy actor Robin Williams was found dead yesterday by the Marin County, California Sheriff's Office, apparently by asphyxiation. Williams had been suffering from depression and announced he would re-engage in a twelve-step program.

Williams was the star of a whole series of comedy films winning an Oscar for his role in Good Will Hunting and Golden Globes for his acting in Good Morning, Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire, and The Fisher King. As well as films and television, Williams did stand-up comedy and appeared on chat shows; he appeared on the finale of Johnny Carson's tenure hosting The Tonight Show.

Williams' initial claim to national fame was his role in Mork and Mindy where he played an alien who comes to earth, falls in love and gets married to a woman, Mindy McConnell, played by Pam Dawber.

Susan Schneider, Williams' wife, said: "This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken. On behalf of Robin's family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief. As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin's death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions."

President Barack Obama paid tribute to Williams: "Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan and everything in between. But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien — but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most — from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalised on our own streets. The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin's family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams."

Comedian Steve Martin tweeted: "I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul."

Ellen DeGeneres tweeted: "I can't believe the news about Robin Williams. He gave so much to so many people. I'm heartbroken."

Born in 1951, Williams leaves behind his third wife, and three children: daughter Zelda, 25, and two sons—Zachary, 31, and Cody, 19.


Estats Units: mor l'actor Robin Williams

L'actor Robin Williams va ser trobat mort al seu domicili de Tiburon, al comtat de Marin, Calilòrnia, el dilluns passat, a la matinada. Tenia 63 anys i patia d'una forta depressió. Segons les primeres constatacions, va morir per asfixia arran d'un suïcidi.

Va actuar en moltes pel·lícules i va guanyar l'Oscar pel paper a El indomable Will Hunting, l'any 1997. Va ser nomenat a l'estatueta pel seu paper, el professor John Keating d’El club dels poetes morts (1990). L'any 1982, va obtenir el primer gran paper de la seva carrera amb la pel·lícula Popeye que va fracassar estrepitosament[1] malgrat una bona crítica de la premsa, especialment francesa[2] L'any 1987, va actuar a Good Morning Vietnam, el 1993, Mrs Doubtfire.


Zemřel herec a komik Robin Williams

Americký herec Robin Williams byl nalezen mrtvý v Marin County v Kalifornii. Williams, který v trpěl depresemi a oznámil, že se chystá přihlásit na odvykací kúru, pravděpodobně zemřel na udušení.

Williams byl hvězdou celé řady filmů, zejména komedií. Oscara získal za svou roli ve filmu Good Will Hunting, Zlaté globy za filmy Dobré ráno, Táta v sukních a Král rybář. Kromě natáčení filmů a pro televizi se Williams věnoval také stand-up comedy.

Poprvé se zapsal do pozornosti americké veřejnosti v seriálu Mork & Mindy, kde hrál mimozemšťana, který přicestuje na Zemi, zamiluje se a ožení se s Mindy McConnellovou, kterou hrála Pam Dawberová.

Williamsova manželka Susan Schneiderová řekla: „Dnes ráno jsem ztratila manžela a nejlepšího přítele a svět ztratil jednoho ze svých nejmilovanějších umělců a krásných lidských bytostí. Jsem zcela zlomená. Jménem Robinovy rodiny prosím o soukromí po dobu našeho hlubokého smutku. Jak si ho všichni pamatují, doufáme, že se pozornost nesoustředí na jeho smrt, ale na nespočetné okamžiky radosti a smíchu, které dal milionům.“

Prezident Barack Obama složil Williamsovi hold: „Robin Williams byl letec, lékař, džin, chůva, prezident, profesor, Petr Pan a všechno mezi tím. Byl jediný svého druhu. Vstoupil do našich životů jako vetřelec – ale zůstal v nich a dotýkal se každého elementu lidského ducha. Rozesmál nás. Rozplakal nás. Svůj nezměrný talent předal zadarmo a šlechetně těm, kteří ho potřebovali nejvíc – od našich vojáků v zahraničí po lidi na okraji společnosti na našich ulicích. Rodina Obamova vyjadřuje své kondolence Robinově rodině, jeho přátelům a každému, kdo díky Robinu Williamsovi našel svou řeč.“

Komik Steve Martin napsal na Twitter: „Nemohu být ztrátou Robina Williamse víc omráčen, ztrátou mensch, velkého talentu, hereckého partnera, nefalšované duše.“

Ellen DeGeneresová na Twitteru napsala: „Nemohu uvěřit zprávě o Robinu Williamsovi. Dal tolik tolika lidem. Jsem zlomená.“

Po Williamsovi (63) zůstala jeho třetí manželka a tři děti, dcera Zelda (25) a synové Zachary (31) a Cody (19).


Cinéma : décès de l'acteur américain Robin Williams

Page actualisée : 31 août 2014 — « Décès de Robin Williams : nouvelles précisions »

Publié le 12 août 2014
L'acteur et humoriste Robin Williams, notamment connu pour avoir joué dans Le Cercle des poètes disparus en 1989, Madame Doubtfire en 1993 ou encore Jumanji en 1995, a été retrouvé mort hier à son domicile à Tiburon en Californie. La police confirme la thèse du suicide par pendaison. L'acteur était âgé de 63 ans.