Harris Wittels, produtor executivo da Parks and Recreation, encontrado morto aos 30 anos

Harris Wittels, um produtor-executivo da série de televisão de comédia Parks and Recreation, foi encontrado morto. O jogador de 30 anos foi encontrado inconsciente em sua casa em Los Angeles por seu assistente na quinta-feira. Ele foi declarado morto no local. A polícia anunciou que está investigando a possibilidade de uma overdose de drogas.

Wittels tinha um histórico de abuso de drogas e falou abertamente sobre seu vício e tratamento em centros de reabilitação de drogas. Além de trabalhar como produtor, ele também era um escritor, músico e comediante stand-up. Ele realizou um conjunto de stand-up em Hollywood na noite antes de sua morte.

Wittels, do Texas, começou a trabalhar em Parks and Recreation como escritor antes de ser promovido a produtor e produtor executivo, eventualmente. Parks and Recreation está em sua sétima e última temporada. O último episódio é devido a ser transmitido pela NBC na próxima semana.

Seus outros créditos incluem trabalho trabalho em The Sarah Silverman Show e Eastbound and Down. Ele foi o autor de um livro, Humblebrag: A Arte de falsa modéstia, que veio de uma frase que ele cunhou no Twitter. #humblebrag foi usado como um termo para descrever a arte de falsa modéstia.

Homenagens vieram de todo o mundo da televisão e comédia. Sarah Silverman chamado Wittels seu "bebê". Ela disse no Twitter "Você deve saber que Harris foi brilhante além de comparar. Que a sua imaginação era sem limites. Que ele amava comédia mais do que qualquer coisa".

Parks and Recreation atriz Amy Poehler, disse em um evento da Variety, onde ela estava sendo homenageado "Eu realmente não sinto como contar nenhuma piada. Hoje, eu perdi um amigo. Eu perdi um querido, jovem amigo na minha vida que estava lutando com o vício . "

Fãs de Wittels também prestou homenagem a ele. Publicação no site cultura The AV Club, um fã escreveu: "Eu não quero desmerecer o que aqueles que o conheciam estão passando em tudo, eu sei o que sinto não é nada comparado com o que está lidando, mas não se sentir como eu perdi um amigo ". Outra postou "sentado aqui chorando desde que eu descobri há uma hora. Apenas incrivelmente horrível. Disse isso em outro lugar, mas eu realmente sinto que perdi um amigo, não me importo como lame que soa. RIP Harris."

Uma causa oficial da morte não será conhecida até que os resultados são liberados pelo escritório do legista do condado de Los Angeles.


Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince released

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling was released today to hundreds of special midnight parties at bookstores. The book is expected to sell tens of thousands of copies in the first hour, and the waves of fans just keep on coming. As midnight spreads across the Atlantic and the North American continent, more and more stores will start selling.

The Royal Mail UK postal service delivered four hundred tons of the pre-ordered books this morning.

In British Columbia, fourteen copies of the book were accidentally sold at a supermarket on the 7th of July, eight days before the book's official release date. This led publishers to obtain a court order from the British Columbia Supreme Court stating that people who had received the books were forbidden from copying, selling, discussing, or reading the book.

In protest at the ruling, Richard Stallman, an advocate of less-restrictive copyright law, called for a boycott of the books after the controversial Supreme Court ruling. He called anybody who "participated in requesting, issuing, enforcing, or trying to excuse" the injunction an "enemy of human rights in Canada."


Mitternacht: Run auf Harry Potter VI erwartet

London (Großbritannien), 15.07.2005 - Am Samstag 0:00 Uhr Londoner Zeit (GMT) werden weltweit die Buchläden ihre Türen öffnen, um das Geschäft des Jahres zu machen: der sechste Band der Harry-Potter-Reihe darf verkauft werden - zunächst allerdings nur die englische Ausgabe »Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince«. Es werden erneut Rekordumsätze erwartet. Allein in Großbritannien werden mehr als 1.000 Buchhandlungen um Mitternacht öffnen. Die deutsche Ausgabe ist für den 1. Oktober 2005 angekündigt.

Von den ersten fünf Bänden sind weltweit bereits 275 Millionen Exemplare verkauft worden. Die Autorin, Joanne K. Rowling, wurde durch den Umsatz ihrer Bücher eine der reichsten Frauen Großbritanniens. Ihr Privatvermögen wird auf mehr als eine Milliarde Dollar geschätzt. Sie erfand die Figur Harry Potter im Jahre 1990. Damals hatten mehrere Verlage die Erstveröffentlichung ihres Romans abgelehnt. Schließlich wurde er vom Bloomsbury-Verlag gedruckt.


『ハリー・ポッター』第6巻、英語圏で発売

J.K.ローリングの新作、ハリー・ポッターシリーズの第6巻『ハリー・ポッターと混血の王子』（仮題、原題Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince）が発売された。発売解禁はそれぞれの場所で真夜中に設定され、数百に上る書店がこのために店を特別にあけたとみられる。最初の一時間での売り上げは数万部にのぼり、さらに引き続きファンが詰め掛けている。発売解禁の波は、イギリスから大西洋を超えて北米大陸を横断し、各地で続々と書店がこの発売ラッシュに参入している。
カナダのブリティッシュコロンビア州最高裁は、本の販売解禁日時である7月16日真夜中に先立って、あらすじの詳細を公表してはならないとする裁判所命令を出した。この命令は、第6巻の販売解禁に先立って15部が偶然に売られたことに対して出されたもので、州最高裁はこの命令のなかで、複製、販売、本の内容についての議論だけでなく、読書そのものも禁止されると述べた。

著作権についての識者として知られるリチャード・ストールマンは、自身のウェブサイトで、この州最高裁命令に抗議し、『ハリー・ポッター』シリーズの不買運動を呼びかけている。ストールマンはこの州最高裁命令は「カナダにおける人権の敵」であると述べている。

英語版ウィキニュースより訳出。


Światowa premiera szóstej części przygód Harry'ego Pottera

Dzisiaj punktualnie o północy w wielu miejscach na świecie odbyła się premiera najnowszej części przygód Harry'ego Pottera, zatytułowanej Książę półkrwi. Księgarze szacują, że w ciągu pierwszej godziny od premiery sprzedano łącznie ponad dziesięć tysięcy egzemplarzy. Przed księgarniami na całym świecie gromadziły się tłumy fanów książek Joanne Kathleen Rowling.

Światowej premierze Księcia Półkrwi towarzyszy reżim ustalony przez autorkę i wydawcę. Żadna z księgarni nie mogła sprzedać książki przed datą jej premiery. W przeciwnym razie księgarnia zobowiązywała się do zapłaty kary. Mimo tych zobowiązań w jednym z supermarketów w Kolumbii Brytyjskiej czternaście egzemplarzy książki sprzedano ponad tydzień przed premierą. Wydawca wytoczył sprzedawcy proces sądowy, a Rowling obiecała, że każdy czytelnik, który odda książę zakupioną przed premierą, otrzyma od niej specjalny egzemplarz z autografem.

W Polsce premiera Harry'ego Pottera i Księcia Półkrwi odbędzie się 28 stycznia 2006 roku. Jednak wersję angielską polscy czytelnicy będą mogli nabyć już w najbliższym czasie.


Novo livro de Harry Potter é lançado em inglês

Na virada de sexta-feira para sábado, 16 de julho, à meia-noite, livrarias do Reino Unido começaram a vender o sexto livro da série Harry Potter, fenômeno no mercado editorial infantil: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (ainda sem título em português), teve tiragem superior a 10 milhões de exemplares só nos Estados Unidos, onde também foi lançado à meia-noite horário local.

Na Austrália e Nova Zelândia, os livros foram lançados às 9h da manhã do sábado. Por todo o mundo livrarias realizaram eventos especiais para o lançamento, como a Livraria Cultura no Brasil. A Amazon.com teve mais de um milhão de cópias reservadas antes do lançamento, assim como a Barnes & Noble que também teve número semelhante de vendas.

Em Edimburgo, Escócia, cidade onde a autora J. K. Rowling vive, um evento especial foi realizado no Castelo de Edimburgo, onde centenas de crianças foram prestigiar a autora horas antes do lançamento. Um grupo seleto de crianças teve a sorte de ouvir uma parte do livro lida por Rowling e mais tarde ganhariam cópias do livro assinadas por ela. Estima-se que Rowling seja a mulher mais rica do Reino Unido, passando até mesmo a Rainha Elizabeth II.


Hawaiian Airlines announces iPad mini in-flight service

On Thursday Hawaiian Airlines announced all their Boeing 767-300 aircraft would be fitted with iPad mini tablets made by Apple for in-flight entertainment from September 1. The new gadget would be served on 14 routes connecting Hawaii with mainland USA, Asia, and the South Pacific.

Passengers in business class would be able to use the tablet for free while economy class passengers would need to pay $15 when purchasing the service before boarding (or $17 if purchased during the flight). The airline offered such price with the help of Bluebox Avionics, a company specializing in in-flight services.

The airline has purchased 1,500 iPad minis to replace old in-flight entertainment devices. Each tablet would have at least 100 hours of new Hollywood movies.

The new service was planned to be introduced on flights connecting Honolulu with Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, Seattle, Phoenix, Fukuoka, Sendai, Seoul, Brisbane, Papeete, and Pago Pago; and Kahului with San Jose, Oakland, and Seattle.

The carrier becomes the first US airline to offer iPads as an in-flight service. In 2010 Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas, became the first airline in the world to introduce such a service in a test pilot on two services from Melbourne. During the next few years Iceland Express, airBaltic, and British Airways joined in. In March Qantas began offering iPads on flights connecting Honolulu and Sydney.


Гавайские Авиалинии: iPad mini пассажирам на врема полёта

В четверг, 29 августа 2013 года, Гавайские авиалинии (англ. Hawaiian Airlines) объявили о том, что начиная с 1 сентября, на время полёта каждому пассажиру принадлежащих компании 14 самолётов Boeing 767-300 будет предоставлен интернет-планшет iPad mini компании Apple.
Для реализации этой инициативы на 14 рейсах между Гавайскими островами, США, Азией и странами южно-тихоокеанского региона авиалиния закупила 1 500 iPad mini на смену старой технике — экранам над головой и приборам от digEplayer.

Пассажиры бизнес-класса будут иметь возможность пользоваться планшетом бесплатно, а эконом-класса — за 15 американских долларов, если закажут услугу заранее — до посадки (заказ во время полёта будет на два доллара дороже). Авиалиния предлагает такую цену по контракту с компанией Bluebox Avionics, специализирующейся на полётных услугах.

На каждый предоставленный пассажирам планшет будет предварительно загружено не менее 100 часов новых голливудских фильмов.

Рейсы, на которых произойдёт нововведение, соединяют Гонолулу с Оклендом, Сан-Хосе, Сакраменто, Сиэтлом, Финиксом, Фукуокой, Сендаем, Сеулом, Брисбеном, Папеэте, Паго-Паго; Кахулуи.

Гавайские авиалинии стали первой американской компанией, предложившей такие планшеты на время полёта. В 2010 году Jetstar, дочерняя компания Qantas, первая в мире предложила iPad mini как услугу во время полёта на двух рейсах из Мельбурна.
За следующие несколько лет к этой инициативе присоединились Iceland Express, airBaltic, British Airways.
В марте 2013 года Qantas предложил такую услугу на рейсах между Гонолулу и Сиднеем.

31 августа 2013 года


Hidden treasure worth billions of dollars discovered in Indian temple

Officials announced that a treasure containing sacks of diamonds and gold coins as well as golden idols, jewelry and other riches has been discovered in the secret subterranean vaults of Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, in the southwestern state of Kerala, India. Estimates of its worth have been rising and it is now thought to be worth US$20 billion.

The Hindu temple was built in the 16th century by the kings of the then  Kingdom  of Travancore to serve as a royal chapel for the rulers of Travancore. The six vaults containing the treasure have been undisturbed for over a century. Assessment of the treasure began on June 27 after a lawyer concerned about the security of the treasure petitioned India's Supreme Court, which then appointed a seven-member panel of experts to inventory the treasure. The panel does not have the power to determine to whom the treasure will belong. Estimates of the treasure's worth are rising, provoking a heated  debate as to how the treasure will be used in a country that has 450 million poverty-stricken people.

The chief minister of Kerala, Oommen Chandy, announced on Sunday the treasure would remain with the temple, and security matters would be decided in consultation with the Travancore Royal Family, the temple management, and  the temple priest.

"The gold was offered to the lord. It is the property of the temple. The government will protect the wealth at the temple," Oommen Chandy said. Meanwhile, hundreds of armed police have been deployed around the temple to protect the treasure.

However, the view that the treasure should remain at the temple has been disputed. Among the dissenters is eminent jurist V R Krishna Iyer, who said the treasure should be put in a national trust for the peoples' benefit. "God’s wealth belongs to the people, not to the king. It’s meaningless to say that it belongs to Hindus or any particular religious community," said Iyer. "A mechanism should be devised to ensure that the benefits of it reach the poor and the needy and not the rich."

Five of the six vaults of the  Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple have been inventoried.

On Saturday, reports leaked to the press revealed that the treasure, including a golden idol of Mahavishnu and a golden 'anki', were found in one of the vaults, estimated to weigh 30 kilograms,  along with precious stones, silver, two coconut shells of pure gold and another golden idol as well as other jewels and valuable coins. The panel hopes to find more treasure when the sixth and final vault is opened, but the attempt was suspended on Monday because the iron door inside presented "technical problems" requiring further consultation before opening. This vault is  thought to contain the bulk of the wealth.

Keralan officials in a preliminary estimate said that the treasure was worth over US$11.2 billion; those estimates have now risen to US$20 billion. Historians say that the temple's location  on a site through which passed lucrative trade routes support the higher evaluations.

"Traders, who used to come from other parts of the country and abroad for buying spices and other commodities, used to make handsome offerings to the deity for not only his blessings but also to please the then rulers," said P.J. Cherian, the director of Kerala Council for Historic Research

Some suggest that the profit from the sale of the treasure would be enough to wipe out the entire public debt of Kerala and fund future Kerala  projects such as  seaports, airports and highways.


Descubren tesoro multimillonario en un templo hindú

4 de julio de 2011Thiruvananthapuram, India — Las autoridades anunciaron que un tesoro que contiene bolsas de diamantes y monedas de oro, así como ídolos de oro, joyas y otras riquezas ha sido descubierto en las bóvedas subterráneas del templo Sree Padmanabhaswamy, ubicado en el estado sudoccidental de Kerala, India. Las estimaciones de su valor han ido en aumento y ahora se cree que asciende los 20 mil millones de dólares.

El templo hindú fue construido en el siglo XVI por el rey de Travancore para servir como capilla real de la familia real. Las seis bóvedas que contienen el tesoro se han conservado intactas durante más de un siglo. La evaluación del tesoro comenzó el 27 de junio, después de que un abogado preocupado por la seguridad del tesoro solicitó a la Corte Suprema de la India, que a su vez designó un panel de siete expertos para realizar el inventario del tesoro. El panel no tiene el poder de determinar a quién pertenece el tesoro. Las estimaciones del valor del tesoro están aumentando, lo que provocó un acalorado debate en cuanto a cómo se utilizará el tesoro en un país que tiene 450 millones de personas afectadas por la pobreza.

El ministro de Kerala, Oommen Chandy, anunció el domingo que el tesoro se quedaría en el templo, y los detalles de seguridad se decidieron en una consulta con la Familia Real Travancore, los administradores y el sacerdote del templo.

Cientos de policías armados han sido desplegados alrededor del templo para proteger el tesoro. Cinco de las seis bóvedas del templo ya han sido inventariadas.

Sin embargo, la opinión de que el tesoro debe permanecer en el templo ha sido cuestionada por algunos. Entre los disidentes se encuentra el eminente jurista VR Krishna Iyer, quien afirmó que el tesoro debe ser puesto en un fideicomiso nacional para el beneficio de los pueblos. "La riqueza de Dios le pertenece al pueblo, no el rey. No tiene sentido decir que pertenece a los hindúes o a cualquier otra comunidad religiosa en particular", dijo Iyer. "Debe existir un mecanismo ideado para garantizar que los beneficios lleguen a los pobres y los necesitados y no a los ricos."

El sábado pasado, los informes filtrados a la prensa revelaron que el tesoro, incluyendo un ídolo de oro Mahavishnu y un "Anki" de oro, fueron encontrados en una de las bóvedas con piedras preciosas, plata, dos cáscaras de coco de oro puro y otro ídolo de oro, así como otras joyas y monedas valiosas. Se estima que en conjunto pesan 30 kilogramos. Los expertos esperan encontrar más tesoros cuando la sexta y última bóveda sea abierta, pero su apertura fue suspendida el lunes anterior porque la puerta de hierro interna presentaba "problemas técnicos" que requieren más prevenciones antes de la apertura. Se cree que esta bóveda contiene la mayor parte de la riqueza.

En una estimación preliminar los funcionarios de Kerala afirmaron que el tesoro poseía un valor superior a los 11,2 mil millones de dólares. Las estimaciones han aumentado su valor a los 20 mil millones de dólares. Los historiadores dicen que la ubicación del templo en un sitio por donde pasaban lucrativas rutas comerciales.

"Los comerciantes, que venían de otras partes del país y del extranjero para la compra de especias y otras mercancías, solían hacer ofrendas a la deidad atractivo no sólo para recibir sus bendiciones, sino también para complacer a sus gobernantes", dijo PJ Cherian, director del Consejo de Investigaciones Históricas de Kerala.

Algunos han sugerido que las ganancias de la venta del tesoro serían suficiente para acabar con la totalidad de la deuda pública de Kerala y financiar futuros proyectos, como puertos, aeropuertos y carreteras.


Hilary Mantel's "Wolf Hall" wins Man Booker Prize 2009

The 2009 Man Booker Prize has been awarded to British author Hilary Mantel for her historical novel Wolf Hall. 57 other authors were short-listed, including former winners AS Byatt and JM Coetzee, as well as Sarah Waters, whose book, The Little Stranger, has sold more copies than Wolf Hall.

The winning novel tells the tale of Thomas Cromwell, chief minister to Tudor king Henry VIII. In her acceptance speech, Mantel said "I can tell you at this moment I am happily flying through the air."

Mantel was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2006, 21 years after her first novel, Every Day is Mother's Day, was published in 1985. Wolf Hall was the longest book on the list.

The decision was not unanimous, but all 5 judges were happy to award Mantel the trophy £50,000 prize at the London Guildhall. The judges assert that, despite differing opinions, the decision was not a compromise. James Naughtie said, "When we gathered this morning none of us knew which book was going to win. I think we all felt exhausted at the end of the process but there was real feeling that we had found a book that was worthy of the prize."

The judges this year were Lucasta Miller, a biographer and critic; Professor John Mullan; James Naughtie, the chairman of judges;  Sue Perkins, a comedian, journalist, and broadcaster; and Michael Prodger, the literary editor of The Sunday Telegraph;.

According to Ladbrokes bookmakers, the novel was the clear favourite, with 80% of people betting on it. Some thought this backing would go against the book, since the last time the bookmakers' favourite won was in 2002, when the prize was given to Yann Martel's The Life of Pi.


Hilary Mantel, 'Booker ödülünü' kazandı

İngiltere'nin en saygın edebiyat ödülü kabul edilen Booker Ödülü'nü Hilary Mantel kazandı. Hilary Mantel, İngiltere Kralı VIII. Henry dönemindeki olayların anlatıldığı "Wolf Hall" adlı kitabıyla ödüle layık görüldü. Ayrıca kitabın yazarı olarak Hilary Mantel 50.000 Sterlin'in sahibi oldu.

Bookers ödülü, İngiliz Milletler Topluluğu veya İrlanda vatandaşı olan yazarlara veriliyor.
Ayrıca eserin dilinin İngilizce olması da aranan şartlardan biri.


HiNet, WCG, and WGT unite holding Taiwanese Gaming Athletes' Qualification

The "HiFun Cyber Game League and WCG/WGT Taiwanese Gaming Athletes' Qualification Final", organized unity by K-Idea, ASUStek Taiwan, and Chunahua Telecom Co., Ltd., kicked off at Exhibition Center of Shinkong Mitsukoshi Department Store, Taipei City today after a typhoon named "Sempa" crossed Taiwan.

For the warming up of this championship, Chunghua Telecom held two matches named "English Vocabulary Marathon" and "Master of All-round Beneficial Quiz" for elementary students and awarded winners of classes or teams after ending some sections.

Also, one of organizers ASUStek and one of sponsors Intel Taiwan exhibited new technology for participants whether they qualified the final competition or not. And Kevin F. N. Lin (Deputy General Manager of ASUStek Sales Department) said that ASUStek sponsored PCs and LCD monitors to PC Gaming Competition for a better competition performance.

At this three-in-one Championship, a new performance will take place at Finals of "Counter-Strike" and "Age of Empires 3" Groups with participations of a youngest gaming athlete and new gaming teams qualified this final, and due o a sudden delay of this event, champions and Taiwanese delegates of three Xbox360 games ("Gears of War", "Dead or Alive 4", "Project Gotham Racing 3"), thee PC Games ("Warcraft", "Need for Speed - Most Wanted", "Age of Empires 3") will be announced in the evening of Opening Day of this event.


HiNet網路擂台大賽與WCG及WGT合作 聯手選拔台灣國手 擴大電玩競賽名氣

由中華電信、肯果行銷、華碩電腦合辦的「HiNet網路擂台大賽暨台灣國手選拔賽」，在一掃聖帕颱風侵襲的陰霾後，今日上午於台北新光三越百貨正式開跑，主辦單位之一的中華電信為了要加勢HiNet網路擂台大賽的名氣，特將WCG與WGT的國手選拔賽同步辦理，並宣示將贊助Xbox 360的「戰爭機器」與「戰慄時空之絕對武力」的冠軍選手出國參與十月份在西雅圖進行的WCG世界電玩大賽總決賽。

為了幫國手選拔賽提前暖身，HiNet的「全能益智王」與「英語單字馬拉松」的北區決賽，在大會開幕典禮進行前，先行開跑，此二項比賽考驗國小學童的智力與知識，是國手選拔賽以外，另兩項受到教育單位關注的比賽，而在上午的開幕典禮後，隨即先進行「全能益智王」北區決賽的頒獎活動，表揚優異表現的北區中小學團體與班級。

而在會場周邊，華碩電腦與英特爾聯手合作，展示最新技術之筆記型電腦，讓無法及時參與比賽的觀眾，可以與時俱進，體驗高速運算的效能，此外，華碩電腦也表示，本次的三合一競賽，除了冠軍選手的贊助以外，為了要顯現硬體效能的成果，所有PC電玩組的比賽用電腦螢幕與主機，皆由華碩電腦贊助。

另外，在國手選拔賽部分，今年進入決賽的選手，除了極速快感的比賽將重演歷屆冠軍拼鬥的戲碼，在絕對武力的比賽，上屆的三冠王Xgamer因為陣容換血的關係，無法進入決賽圈，進而呈現一股新氣象，預料將會展開一場新的拼鬥，而本屆比賽的卜憲鵬，則因為是比賽中年紀最輕的選手，加上只靠玩家秘笈與試玩的遊戲，就打入世紀帝國的總決賽，進而受到關注，也成為本次比賽的一項焦點。

這次的三合一台灣國手選拔賽預計將於明（20）日結束，鑒於明日為上班日的關係，因此部分比賽也將調整或提前進行，而台灣區代表隊的最終陣容，預料也會在明日的決賽中誕生。


Hollywood legend Charlton Heston dies at age 84

Screen legend and conservative icon Charlton Heston, twice winner of an Academy Award during his 50 year film career, died Saturday, April 5 in Beverly Hills, California.

"To his loving friends, colleagues and fans, we appreciate your heartfelt prayers and support. Charlton Heston was seen by the world as larger than life. No one could ask for a fuller life than his. No man could have given more to his family, to his profession, and to his country. In his own words, 'I have lived such a wonderful life. I've lived enough for two people,'" said his family in a statement released to the press.

Heston starred in the 1959 film Ben Hur which won 11 Academy Awards. He also starred in the 1968 film The Planet of The Apes.  Near the end of his life, he primarily did cameo roles, including two in the films Tombstone with Kurt Russell, and True Lies with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Heston's family did not state the cause of death, but in 2002, he revealed that he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Heston was 84.

In his early career, Heston spoke out against racism and was active in the civil rights movement. He played in films such as The Omega Man and Soylent Green (which ends with Heston saying "Soylent Green is people!"), which contain a strong environmental message.

Heston was also president of the National Rifle Association from 1998 to 2003. In 2000, he declared at the NRA convention that Presidential candidate Al Gore could only take away his Second Amendment rights "From my cold, dead hands," raising a presentation rifle over his head.


Décès de l'acteur américain Charlton Heston

L'acteur américain Charlton Heston, de son vrai nom John Charles Carter, est mort samedi 5 avril à son domicile de Beverly Hills à 84 ans selon un communiqué publié par sa famille.

Si la cause du décès n'est pas précisée par le communiqué, l'acteur souffrait de la maladie d'Alzheimer depuis plusieurs années. Il avait officiellement annoncé en être atteint en 2002.

Outre son oscar du meilleur acteur obtenu pour le film Ben Hur en 1959 et son interprétation de Moïse dans Les Dix Commandements de Cecil B. De Mille en 1956, il a joué dans de très nombreux films en plus de 50 ans de carrière.

Outre ses nombreux succès au cinéma, Charlton Heston était également connu pour ses prises de position politique : président du syndicat des acteurs, de la Screen Actors Guild, et de l'American Film Institute, il a participé en 1963 au mouvement lancé par Martin Luther King avant de devenir, au fil des années de plus en plus conservateur, devenant même le président de la National Rifle Association et défendant le 2e Amendement à la constitution américaine qui autorise la possession d'armes à feu.


Addio a Charlton Heston, 1924-2008

Il noto attore statunitense Charlton Heston è morto questa notte a Beverly Hills, in California, all'età di 84 anni. Dal 2002, quando lo annunciò in un messaggio alla televisione, soffriva del morbo di Alzheimer.

Heston, il cui vero nome in realtà era John Charles Carter, nacque nell'Illinois nel 1924 da Lila Charlton e Russell Whitford Carter, un operaio. All'età di dieci anni, i suoi genitori divorziarono e poco tempo dopo, sua madre sposò Chester Heston. La nuova famiglia si spostò nell'agiata Wilmette, Illinois, un sobborgo a nord di Chicago. Heston (questo il suo nuovo cognome) frequentò la New Trier High School. Nonostante nei suoi film non lo si evinca molto, è sempre stato anche molto legato al teatro shakespeariano.

Durante la sua lunga carriera recitò in un centinaio di film, molti dei quali sono diventati grandi "classici" del cinema americano e mondiale.

La sua carriera iniziò già nel 1941 con Peter Gympt, e conobbe inizialmente parti in film di vario genere, come il western Il giuramento dei Sioux del '53. Ebbe però grande fama con i biblici colossal come I dieci comandamenti del '56 nella parte di Mosè, e in Ben-Hur del '59 (ambientato nei tempi dei proto-cristiani), nel quale era il protagonista Giuda Ben-Hur, il che gli fruttò anche l'Oscar. Storica in tutti i sensi la corsa delle bighe, tra le scene più famose della storia del cinema.

Non bastarono poi le parti storiche di tempi "antichi", Heston si avvicinò sempre di più all'epoca moderna. Somigliava in maniera impressionante al grande genio Michelangelo e allora nel '65 lo impersonò in un altro grande successo, Il tormento e l'estasi dedicato sopratutto alla realizzazione della Cappella Sistina. Lo stesso anno partecipò ad un altro colossal americano: La più grande storia mai raccontata, un mega-raduno di celebrità hollywoodiane per la narrazione della vita, morte e Risurrezione di Gesù (John Wayne, per esempio, era il centurione romano). Ma già due anni prima interpretò l'ennesima parte di leader carismatico in I 55 giorni di Pechino dedicato alla rivolta dei Boxers e alla disperata resistenza delle Ambasciate nel 1900. A questi film vanno aggiunti altri come L'infernale Quinlan di Orson Welles, e ancora lavori storici come Il più grande spettacolo del mondo (dedicato al circo Barnum).

La carriera di Charlton Heston conobbe poi una mutazione realmente impressionante: dopo i successi degli anni '50 con i film storici, nel suo progredire nelle epoche storiche passò al futuro con la fantascienza. Era infatti lui Taylor, l'astronauta caduto sulla Terra che nel frattempo diventata del tutto diversa da come la conobbe migliaia di anni prima: era diventata Il pianeta delle scimmie, feroce satira sociale in cui uomini e animali (scimmie antropomorfe) si scambiano ruolo e credenze religiose (basti ricordare come le scimmie discettassero se fossero per caso "loro" a discendere dagli uomini). Il film ebbe un enorme successo, 4 sequel e una serie tv. Heston partecipò al secondo film, L'altra faccia del pianeta delle scimmie che ne costituì il seguito diretto, ma non agli altri tre (anche perché Taylor morì assieme a tutti gli altri con l'esplosione della bomba adorata come Dio dagli esseri umani mutanti), ma Tim Burton lo volle per una piccola parte nel suo remake del primo film, cosa non insolita (in Cape Fear, remake di Promontorio della Paura, compaiono in parti secondarie i protagonisti di quest'ultimo, niente di meno che Robert Mitchum e Gregory Peck).

Ma Heston non si limitò a questa fosca rappresentazione del futuro dell'umanità: in 1975: Occhi bianchi sul pianeta Terra, in 2022: i sopravvissuti e altri ancora continuò con la sua grinta usuale a lavorare nel settore della fantascienza. In effetti la forte personalità di Heston era talmente evidente, che per Ben-Hur fu in competizione con Kirk Douglas. Quest'ultimo, escluso dal ruolo di protagonista, ebbe proposta la parte dell'arcinemico Messala, ma rifiutò con sdegno e si organizzò per un suo colossal: Spartacus.

Dopo i primi anni '70 venne fuori un'altra fase di Heston, che all'epoca, nel bene e nel male, era il "destino finale" di tanti attori hollywoodiani: il filone catastrofico. Heston fu un assoluto protagonista di uno dei più noti di questi lungometraggi, Airport 75. La battaglia di Midway del '76 merita anch'essa menzione nel filone dei bellici, a dire il vero mai molto frequentato dall'attore. Dopo gli anni '70 anche Heston cominciò ad accusare l'età, e non replicò più i successi dei 20 anni precedenti, limitandosi a parti minori, film TV, camei come nel Planet of Apes del 2001.

In verità l'ultima parte della vita di Heston è stata piuttosto influenzata da altre questioni che non hanno molto a che vedere con il cinema. Della sua vita privata, Heston è sempre stato molto riservato, ma una cosa è stata ben nota: dal 1998 al 2003 l'attore fu anche presidente della NRA, associazione ben nota per la sua azione di lobby a favore delle armi per i privati (in base al ben noto secondo emendamento della Costituzione). Proprio a questo si deve quella che forse è diventata, suo malgrado, l'ultima famosa interpretazione di Heston: il docu-film Bowling a Columbine di Michael Moore, in cui Heston è visto come sponsor della NRA e del mercato delle armi per i civili anche subito dopo massacri particolarmente efferati. Infine è intervistato da Moore, dove gli si chiede esplicitamente il perché della sua attività. Per presentare Heston, che nei suoi film recenti ha spesso usato con perizia armi da fuoco viene anche mostrato un pezzo di 1975: Occhi bianchi sul pianeta Terra.


Morre o ator americano Charlton Heston

O ator americano Charlton Heston morreu, aos 84 anos, na noite deste sábado (5) em sua residência de Beverly Hills, em Los Angeles, segundo informou sua família. Heston, que estava afastado do cinema há alguns anos, sofria desde 2002 de uma doença degenerativa com sintomas similares aos do mal de Alzheimer.


Hollywood legend Paul Newman dies of cancer age 83

American actor Paul Newman died on Friday at age 83 of cancer. He pulled out of directing a stage production of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men in Connecticut because of unspecified health problems.

Newman starred in his first film in 1954 when he appeared as Basil in The Silver Chalice. Later in his career he starred in several films including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Hustler, Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man and Hud. He won an Oscar for best actor in 1987 for his appearance in The Color Of Money. This was his only Oscar win but was nominated a total of 10 times. He also worked as both a director and a producer. He also voiced the part of Doc Hudson in the 2006 Pixar film Cars

Newman married actress Joanne Woodward in 1958; they had three children. He was previously married with three other children. His son Scott from his first marriage died in 1978 of a drug overdose. He set up a center for drug abuse in memory of his son. Newman opened up his own company, Newman's Own, which made a line of food products including salad dressing, salsa, lemonade and others. He donated all of the company's profits to charity.

Newman retired in May 2007. He told broadcaster ABC "I'm not able to work anymore... at the level that I would want to."


Zemřel Paul Newman

Po dlouhém boji podlehl rakovině plic ve věku 83 let legendární americký herec Paul Newman. Ve svém domě ve Westportu ve státě Connecticut skonal v kruhu své dlouholeté manželky, dětí a nejbližších.

Newman byl sice svým atraktivním zevnějškem s nenapodobitelně modrýma očima předurčen od mládí pro úlohu miláčka divaček, ale od počátků vyhledával náročnější role, v nichž se prosadil jako hrdina bojující proti autoritám.

Na své umělecké dráze ztvárnil Newman desítky působivých rolí, za které byl celkem desetkrát nominován na Oscara (např. za roli Bricka Pollitta z filmového zpracování románu Tennessee Williamse Kočka na rozpálené plechové střeše, titulní roli ve filmu Hud či roli Franka Galvina ve filmu Rozsudek). V roce 1986 získal Oscara za celoživotní dílo a až poté, v následujícím roce, mu akademici udělili i cenu za nejlepší výkon v hlavní roli, když hrál Eddieho Felsona v Barvě peněz. Nezapomenutelné ale zůstávají i některé jeho role, které prošly u americké filmové akademie bez povšimnutí - zejména Butch Cassidy, kde exceloval v partnerství s Robertem Redfordem.

Při udílení cen za rok 1994 byl odměněn akademií ještě jednou, když dostal Cenu Jeana Hersholta za své nepočetné humanitární aktivity.

V roce 2007 ukončil svou filmovou kariéru, protože už nebyl schopen hrát na úrovni, jakou by si představoval. Ještě rok pak s přestávkami účinkoval na divadelní scéně.

Populární byl i jeho úzký vztah k automobilovému sportu, sám aktivně soutěžil v závodech NASCAR, později vlastnil závodní stáj. Je symbolické, že jednou z posledních rolí pro něj bylo namluvení veterána automobilových závodů Doca Hudsona v animovaném filmu studia Pixar Auta.

Půl století, od roku 1958 byl podruhé ženat s Joanne Woodwardovou, se kterou měl tři dcery, další dvě dcery a syn, který ale nepřežil drogovou závislost, pocházeli z jeho prvního manželství.

Ohlasy osobností na úmrtí slavného herce se shodují v tom, že odešel umělec, který hluboce ovlivnil vývoj amerického i světového filmu a zapůsobil na celou americkou společnost.

Redford, se kterým hrál jednu ze svých nejslavnějších rolí, těžko hledal slova. „Jsou chvíle, kdy pocity přesahují slova. Ztratil jsem skutečného přítele. Můj život - a tahle země - jsou lepší díky tomu, že tu byl.“

George Clooney se v reakci na zprávu svěřil, že Newman „nastavil laťku příliš vysoko pro nás všechny. Nejen pro herce, ale pro každého“. Zástupce mladé herecké generace Leonardo Di Caprio na něj vzpomíná jako na osobnost, která „pochází z éry Deanů, Brandů a Cliftů, které jsme všichni sledovali a kteří jako herci změnili uměleckou formu“.

Jeho dcery vzpomněly vlastní Newmanova slova: „Vždy a až do samého konce byl táta neuvěřitelně vděčný za svůj šťastný osud. Opakoval, že být tady bylo privilegium.“


Falleció la leyenda cinematográfica Paul Newman

El presidente de la fundación Dynamo Camp, que integra la ONG fundada por la estrella de Hollywood, informó que el actor, director y productor de cine estadounidense Paul Newman falleció a la edad de 83 años a causa de cáncer de pulmón. Esta enfermedad se le había sido diagnosticada en julio de 2008.

Newman, que nació en Shaker Heights (ciudad en el estado de Ohio) el 26 de enero de 1925, comenzó su carrera cinematográfica en 1954, participando en la película El cáliz de plata, pero no recibió mucho éxito. Dos años más tarde, el actor desempeñó el personaje principal en el Somebody Up There Likes Me, recibiendo buen apoyo de los críticos.

El 29 de enero de 1958 se había casado con la actriz Joanne Woodward, con quien tuvo 3 hijas y se quedó con él hasta la muerte.

Es así que Newman fue nominado al Oscar 10 veces, y ganó tres de ellos, entre los cuales ganó el Oscar al mejor actor en 1987 por El Color del Dinero. Pero se retiró de la actuación en 2007, alegando que ya no podía actuar en su mejor forma. "Comienzas a perder la memoria, comienzas a perder la confianza, comienzas a perder tu invención. Así que creo que es un libro cerrado para mí", había declarado a la ABC en 2007.

Aunque sus elegantes y penetrantes ojos azules lo hacían parecer un actor romántico, Newman interpretaba en general personajes duros, rebeldes o perdedores. Newman apareció en un total de 60 películas, entre ellas Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler y The Sting and Hud. También actuó con su esposa Joanne, como en Long Hot Summer y Paris Blues, y asimismo dirigió otras, entre ellas Rachel, Rachel y The Glass Menagerie.

Pero su mayor colega fue Robert Redford, amigo en películas como Butch Cassidy y The Sting.

Newman era un gran entusiasta del automovilismo, y también fundó la cadena de comida Newman's Old, cuyas ganancias se destinan a caridad.


Paul Newman : les plus beaux yeux bleus du cinéma se sont fermés

La fondation Newman’s Own Foundation a publié un communiqué pour faire part du décès de l'acteur américain Paul Newman à l’âge de 83 ans, d’un cancer.

Né à Cleveland en 1925, il participe de 1941 à 1945, à la guerre du Pacifique, où il est blessé.

Il étudie l'art dramatique, joue à Broadway puis se tourne vers le cinéma. Son premier film est Le Calice d'argent de Victor Saville en 1954. Il connait la renommée internationale avec Le Gaucher d'Arthur Penn (1957), La chatte sur un toit brûlant de Richard Brooks (1958) et Exodus d'Otto Preminger (1960).

En 1961, il joue dans L'arnaqueur de Robert Rossen un personnage dont il reprendra le rôle dans La Couleur de l'argent de Martin Scorsese (1986). Avec La Couleur de l'argent, Paul Newman décroche enfin l'Oscar du meilleur acteur dans un premier rôle.

Dès 1959, Paul Newman s'intéresse à la réalisation : Rachel, Rachel (1968), De l'influence des rayons gamma sur le comportement des marguerites (1972), La ménagerie de verre (1986). Il obtient le Golden Globe Award du meilleur réalisateur pour Rachel, Rachel en 1969.

En 1958, Newman épouse l'actrice Joanne Woodward. À eux deux, ils battent un record : c'est le couple marié à Las Vegas qui a la plus longue durée de vie commune.

Parallèlement à sa carrière d'acteur, Newman s'est lancé dans diverses actions caritatives. Entre autres, il a créé une marque de produits alimentaires (Newman's Own) dont les bénéfices sont versés à des organismes de charité pour les enfants.

Paul Newman est également connu pour son implication dans le sport automobile. Après avoir participé au film Virages (Winning), il s'engage dans de nombreuses courses. Il co-fonde l'écurie Newman/Haas qui a gagné huit titres en Champ Car avec Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Cristiano da Matta et Sébastien Bourdais. Il participe aux 24 heures du Mans en 1979, il s'y classe 2e avec Rolf Stommelen et Dick Barbour. À 70 ans, il obtient une victoire de catégorie aux 24 heures de Daytona 1995[1].


È morto Paul Newman

È morto l'attore, regista e produttore cinematografico statunitense Paul Newman, stroncato da un tumore ai polmoni allo stadio terminale diagnosticatogli lo scorso 31 luglio. Secondo alcune fonti il decesso, avvenuto a Westport, Connecticut, risalirebbe a questa mattina alle ore 7:30 circa (CEST).

Paul Newman, nato a Shaker Heights (città dello Stato dell'Ohio) il 26 gennaio 1925, iniziò la sua carriera cinematografica nel 1954, recitando nel film "Il calice d'argento", senza riscuotere tanti successi. Due anni più tardi, l'attore recitò in "Lassù qualcuno mi ama", ricevendo buoni consensi dalla critica.

Il 29 gennaio 1958 si sposò con l'attrice Joanne Woodward, da cui ebbe 3 figlie e rimase con lui fino alla morte. Grande appassionato di corse automobilistiche, fondò la "Newman's own" (azienda biologica, i cui ricavati vanno in beneficenza), e vinse 2 premi Oscar.


訃報 ポール・ニューマン氏

時事通信によると、アメリカの俳優・ポール・ニューマン氏が9月26日夜（アメリカ東部の現地時間　UTC-5　JSTからは-14）、コネチカット州の自宅でガンのため、83歳で亡くなったことを、同氏の関係者が9月27日（同）発表した。

ニューマン氏は1925年生まれ。第2次世界大戦で兵役をした後、1952年にアクターズスタジオに入所。1954年に『銀の盃』でデビューを果たし、その後1956年にロッキー・グラシアノ氏（元ボクサー）の伝記映画『傷だらけの栄光』の主演で注目された。その後も『明日に向って撃て!』、『スティング』、『評決』など数多くの話題作に出演。1985年にはアカデミー名誉賞、1986年には『ハスラー2』でアカデミー主演男優賞を受賞した。

また毎日新聞によると、俳優以外の活動では反戦や麻薬撲滅など社会運動家、更に自動車レースの選手として活躍。1979年に行われたル・マン24時間耐久自動車レースでは2位入賞。1982年には食品会社を立ち上げて経営者としても大成した。2007年に「満足できるレベルの役者でいられない」と、俳優としての引退を発表。2008年6月、ガンにより闘病中であることが伝えられていた。


Morre o ator Paul Newman, nos Estados Unidos

O ator Paul Newman morreu nesta sexta-feira (26) após uma longa batalha contra um câncer de pulmão, nos Estados Unidos. Ele tinha 83 anos e morreu na sexta-feira à noite, disse neste sábado seu porta-voz, Jeff Sanderson, em Los Angeles.

O ator atuou em mais de 60 filmes, entre eles "Exodus" (1960), "Butch Cassidy" (1969) e "The Color of Money" (1986), filme pelo qual ganhou o Oscar de melhor ator.

Newman também gostava de automoblismo, sendo que disputou várias provas e teve sua própria equipe na Fórmula Indy, a Newman-Haas.


美國影星保羅紐曼病逝

美國金像獎影帝保羅紐曼(Paul Newman)因癌逝世，享年83歲。

保羅紐曼從影50年，拍過不少經典電影，1986年更憑以《金錢本色》中，扮演一位熱心提攜教導晚輩老教練，而贏得奥斯卡最佳男主角奖。去年他以年紀老邁記憶力衰退為由退出影壇，5月開始傳出患病消息，至6月傳出病情惡化。


Homeless Columbus, Ohio man with 'god-given gift of voice' becomes YouTube sensation

Ted Williams, a former radio announcer from Columbus in Ohio, United States, has become a YouTube sensation after a video of the homeless man talking to a local reporter was uploaded onto the website.

In the YouTube video, he can be seen standing on the exit ramp of Interstate 71 at Hudson Street, holding a sign claiming that he has "the god-given gift of a great voice" and that he had "fallen on hard times", as well as speaking to Doral Chenoweth III from daily newspaper The Columbus Dispatch. Upon being asked to "[s]ay something with that great radio voice", he replied: "When you're listening to nothing but the best of oldies, you're listening to Magic 98.9. Thank you so much. God bless you. Thank you. And we'll be back with more right after these words."

In the video, Williams also mentions how "alcohol and drugs and a few other things became a part of my life and I got two years clean and I'm trying hard to get it back." This video achieved in excess of eleven and a half million YouTube views since the video was uploaded on January 3, 2011. However, the original video has now been removed because of a copyright violation claim made by The Dispatch. Copies of the clip are currently still available to view online.

Subsequently, Williams received interest from companies wishing to offer occupations, including Ohio basketball team Cleveland Cavaliers — who offered a house to him — and NFL Films, according to the Associated Press. Stating that "It's that voice," Kevin McLoughlin described: "When I heard him tell his story, I said, 'That's what we do. This guy can tell a story.' Somehow, some way, I need to get a demo with him." McLoughlin also believed that "[t]he man deserves a second chance". Kraft Cheese have also made an announcing job offer to him.

When asked about the effect of this YouTube sensation in an interview with CBS News, he exclaimed: "It's just sensational for one, it's numbing for another, overwhelming ... It's just amazing. ... Well, I've already been characterized as Susan Boyle. ... I'm just so, so happy. ... I had no idea that something like this would have ever happened to me. It was like, almost, winning the Mega Ball lottery. ... It's phenomenal."

Having attempted to make contact with his mother, aged 92, in New York, Williams met with her for the first time in approximately twenty years in a hotel in New York, New York on Thursday, according to msnbc.com. He greeted his mother by repeatedly saying the words: "Hi, mommy."

This story has been likened to the occasion when Susan Boyle became a YouTube sensation in 2009 after a video of her audition on 'Britain's Got Talent' was uploaded there. The video was viewed over nine million times within the space of five days.


Ένας άστεγος από το Κολούμπους έγινε το νέο αστέρι του YouTube

Ο Τέντ Γουίλιαμς, πρώην εκφωνητής σε ραδιόφωνο από το Κολούμπους (Οχάιο, ΗΠΑ), έγινε το νέο αστέρι του YouTube, μετά από  βίντεο σε τοπικό δημοσιογράφο που ανέβηκε στην ιστοσελίδα, όπου μιλά με τον άστεγο  άνδρα.

Σε αυτό το βίντεο, στέκεται στην έξοδο του δρόμου Interstate 71 στη Χιούντσον Στρίτ, κρατώντας μια πινακίδα που έλεγε ότι έχει "λάβει για δώρο από τον Θεό μια εξαιρετική φωνή" και ότι "ζει σε σκληρούς καιρούς", καθώς μιλά  στον Ντόραλ Χενόβεθ Γ' από την εφημερίδα The Columbus Dispatch. Όταν του ζητήθηκε να "πει κάτι με αυτή τη μεγάλη φωνή του ράδιο", απάντησε: "Δεν ακούτε παρά μια από τις καλύτερες επιτυχίες  από τα παλιά, ακούτε Magic 98.9. Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ. Ο Θεός να σας ευλογεί. Ευχαριστώ. Και θα επιστρέψουμε με περισσότερη δικαιοσύνη μετά από αυτές τις λέξεις."

Στο βίντεο, ο Γουίλιαμς επίσης ανέφερε ότι "το αλκοόλ, τα ναρκωτικά και διάφορα άλλα πράγματα έγιναν μέρος της ζωής μου και πέρασα δύο (2) χρόνια καθαρός και προσπαθώ σκληρά να επανέλθω." Αυτό το βίντεο ξεπέρασε κάθε όριο αφού το παρακολούθησαν 11.5 εκατομμύρια θεατές από τη μέρα που ανέβηκε, στις 3 Ιανουαρίου 2011. Ωστόσο, το αρχικό βίντεο διαγράφθηκε λόγω προβλήματος πνευματικών δικαιωμάτων από το The Dispatch. Αντίγραφα του βίντεο υπάρχουν τώρα διαθέσιμα στην ιστοσελίδα.

Ως επακόλουθο, ο Γουίλιαμς προσέλκυσε  το ενδιαφέρον από εταιρείες που θέλουν να προσφέρουν επαγγελματικά συμβόλαια, όπως η ομάδα μπάσκετ του Οχάιο Cleveland Cavaliers - η οποία του πρόσφερε κατοικία - και η NFL Films, σύμφωνα με την Associated Press. Δηλώνοντας ότι "Είναι αυτή η φωνή," ο Κέβιν ΜακΛούγλιν συνεχίζει: "Όταν τον άκουσα να λέει την ιστορία του, είπα 'Αυτό είναι που κάνουμε. Αυτός ο τύπος μπορεί να πεί μια ιστορία.' Κατά κάτα τρόπο, χρειάζομαι να κάνω μαζί του ένα ντέμο." Ο ΜακΛούγλιν επίσης πιστεύει ότι "ο άνδρας αξίζει δεύτερη ευκαιρία". Η Kraft Cheese επίσης έκανε μια ανακοίνωση για προσφορά εργασίας.

Όταν ρωτήθηκε για τις επιπτώσες της δημοτικότητας του στο YouTube σε συνέντευξη με το CBS News, εξήγησε: "Είναι εκπληκτικό για ένα, απρόσμενο για κάποιον  άλλο ... Είναι απλά εντυπωσιακό. .... Λοιπόν, με χαρακτήρισαν ήδη ως Σούσαν Μπόιλι. ... Είμαι απλά τόσο, τόσο χαρούμενος. ... Δεν περίμενα ποτέ ότι κάτι τέτοιο θα συνέβαινε σε εμένα. Ήταν σαν να κέρδισα το Mega Ball. ... Είναι ένα φαινόμενο."

Προσπαθώντας να έρθει σε επαφή με τη μητέρα του, 92 ετών, στη Νέα Υόρκη, ο Γουίλιαμς τη συνάντησε για πρώτη φορά μετά από 20 χρόνια σε ξενοδοχείο της Νέας Υόρκης, τη Πέμπτη, σύμφωνα με το msnbc.com. Τη χαιρετούσε λέγωντας της: "Γειά σου, μανούλα"

Αυτή η ιστορία συγκρήθηκε με τη περίπτωση της Σούσαν Μπόιλι όταν έγινε αστέρι στο  YouTube το 2009 από τη στιγμή που το βίντεο από την ακρόαση της στο Britain's Got Talent επιφορτώθηκε  εκεί. Αυτό το βίντεο παρακολούθησαν 9 εκατομμύρια θεατές σε 5 μέρες.

8 Ιανουαρίου 2011


Hong Kong Disneyland opens to the public

The Walt Disney Company and the government of Hong Kong officially opened the world's eleventh Disney theme park, Hong Kong Disneyland, today at 13:00PM local time.

The park, located in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island, is the major attraction at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, which also features two luxurious hotels and a recreational lake with stunning views of local Hong Kong scenery, unlike previous Disney theme parks.

Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong, chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, and vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, Tung Chee-hwa, were present at the ceremony, as were joint Walt Disney CEOs Michael Eisner and Bob Iger, among a host of Disney Imagineers who helped design and create the park.

The park has been criticised for its apparent lack of attractions compared to the other Disney theme parks around the world, but senior show designer for the park, Tom Morris, told journalists that the Imagineers had left much room around the park for expansion, and if all goes well financially, much construction will be going on in the next few years.

Sixteen thousand guests attended the park today, and officials expect five million will follow in the next year. Over seventy percent of all visitors will come from Hong Kong and mainland China.


Disneylandia Hong Kong abre sus puertas

13 de septiembre de 2005Hong Kong — Walt Disney y el Gobierno de Hong Kong  abrieron al público un nuevo parque temático llamado Disneylandia Hong Kong. El parque se sitúa en la Bahía de Penny, en la isla de Lantau. Este será la principal atracción de Hong Kong Disneylandia Resort al cual pertenecen también dos hoteles de lujo. Pero será la propia ciudad, inmensa y floreciente que constituirá la atracción principal contrariamente a los resorts de París o de Florida.

Durante la ceremonia, orientada hacia el matrimonio entre la cultura oriental y la tradición Disney estuvieron presentes el Presidente chino Zeng Qinghong, y el jefe del ejecutivo de Hong Kong, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen . El actual presidente de Disney, Michael Eisner  y su sucesor Bob Iger  se felicitaron por la excelente cooperación entre la empresa y las autoridades públicas de la antigua colonia británica.

El Gobierno regional financió la mayor parte del parque (1,8 del total de 3 mil millones en total) y tienen así un 57% del consorcio que dirige la Hong Kong Disneylandia Resort. Esta inmensa inversión ha sido muy criticada, sobre todo en el continente chino, a pesar del cuidado con que las autoridades han sabido llevar la expectativa por el nuevo parque. El Gobierno chino espera atraer más de cinco millones de visitantes del continente y el extranjero durante el primer año.


Disneyland ouvre un parc à Hong Kong

Walt Disney et le gouvernement de Hong Kong ont ouvert au public vers 12:15 locales (4:15 TU), le 5e parc thématique au monde, Hong Kong Disneyland.

Le parc est situé dans la Penny's Bay, dans l'île de Lantau. Il sera la majeure attraction de Hong Kong Disneyland Resort auquel appartiennent aussi deux hôtels de luxe. Mais ce sera la ville elle-même, immense et florissante qui constituera l'attraction principale contrairement aux resorts de Paris ou de Floride.

Le président chinois Zeng Qinghong, le chef de l'executif hongkongais, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, étaient invités à la cérémonie axée sur le mariage entre culture orientale et tradition Disney. Le PDG actuel de Disney, Michael Eisner et son successeur Bob Iger se félicitaient de l'excellente coopération entre l'entreprise et les pouvoirs publics de l'ancienne colonie britannique.

Aussi, le gouvernement régional a-t-il financé la majeure partie du parc (1,8 milliards sur 3 en total) et détient ainsi 57% du consortium qui dirige le Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Cet investissement pharamineux a été très critiqué, et ce malgré le soin que portent les autorités à créer un engouement particulier pour le nouveau parc, surtout dans le continent chinois.

Le gouvernement chinois espère attirer plus de cinq millions de visiteurs du continent et de l'étranger pendant la première année.


香港ディズニーランド開業

読売新聞などによると、「香港迪士尼樂園」（香港ディズニーランド）が12日（テンプレート:CCT）、香港のランタオ島で開業した。4つのテーマパーク、22のアトラクションに加え、2つのホテルから構成される。

NHK、新華社によれば午前中には開会式が行われ、曾慶紅国家副主席をはじめとした香港、中国の要人やロバート・アイガー ウォルト・ディズニー社次期最高経営責任者など、約2,500人が出席した。初日は予約券1万6,000枚がすべて売り切れた。今後、香港以外の中国各地からの来場者数を、来場者数全体の3分の1程度としたい考えと伝えられている。


Iconic American newscaster Walter Cronkite dies at 92

Walter Cronkite, the American newscaster who was a household name in television journalism, has died at the age of 92, according to media reports. Cronkite died after a long battle with cerebrovascular disease.

From 1962 to 1981, Cronkite anchored the CBS Evening News, and in that capacity reported the Kennedy assassination in 1963, the 1969 landing of the Apollo 11 astronauts on the Moon, and the 1974 Resignation of Richard Nixon to millions of Americans. As an editorial journalist, Cronkite's powerful criticisms of the Vietnam War reportedly moved then-president Lyndon Johnson to say, "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America." He will be remembered by some for his customary signoff, "and that's the way it is...", which ended most of his broadcasts. Also, his addition of "day..." counting up the days of the Iranian hostage crisis inspired a similar practice on Countdown with Keith Olbermann.

Cronkite's career began in radio in the 1930s in Houston, Texas. Joining UPI in 1939 as a war correspondent, he covered the Nuremberg war crimes trials following World War II. Cronkite's rise to television prominence began with the 1952 Republican National Convention. The term "news anchor" was coined to describe his role in the coverage.

After retiring in 1981, Cronkite remained active and prominent in the media, advising an eponymous journalism school at Arizona State University, writing books, recording voice-overs for the film Apollo 13, and making guest appearances on the newsroom-based sitcoms The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Murphy Brown. Cronkite was also an avid sailor.

"It is impossible to imagine CBS News, journalism or indeed America without Walter Cronkite. More than just the best and most trusted anchor in history, he guided America through our crises, tragedies and also our victories and greatest moments," said CBS News president, Sean McManus in a statement to the press.

Cronkite leaves behind three children, Nancy, Kathy, and Walter III ("Chip"); and four grandchildren.


Walter Cronkite ist tot

New York City (Vereinigte Staaten), 21.07.2009 – Der US-amerikanische Journalist Walter Cronkite ist tot. Der bereits zu Lebzeiten als legendär geltende Reporter starb am Freitag, den 17. Juli 2009, in seiner Manhattaner Wohnung im Alter von 92 Jahren.

Cronkite wurde während des Zweiten Weltkriegs durch seine Berichte bekannt. So war er bei den Landungen der Alliierten in Nordafrika und an der Normandie anwesend. Der Berichterstatter über die Nürnberger Prozesse arbeitete später als Moskauer Chefkorrespondent. Von 1962 bis 1981 führte Cronkite die CBS Evening News, wo ihm sein zuschauernaher und zugleich seriöser Moderationsstil den Spitznamen „Onkel Walter“ verschaffte. 18 Millionen Haushalte sahen regelmäßig seine Nachrichtensendung. In diese Zeit fielen auch emotional geladene Reportagen wie über die Ermordung von John F. Kennedy und die sich heute zum 40. Mal jährende Mondlandung. Cronkite verfügte auch über gewissen politischen Einfluss; so gilt seine Vietnam-Reportage 1968 als Wendepunkt in der öffentlichen Meinung über den Vietnamkrieg. 1972 sorgte der Nachrichtensprecher dafür, dass die Watergate-Affäre in den Vereinigten Staaten Beachtung fand. Ein Jahr später war Cronkite auf der Liste der Persönlichkeiten, denen US-Bürger am meisten vertrauten, auf dem ersten Platz.

US-Präsident Barack Obama würdigte Cronkite am Freitag als „Stimme der Sicherheit in einer unsicheren Welt“.


Immigrant's Festival begins in Argentina

Oberá, Argentina —
The 28th annual Immigrant's Festival began in the Argentine city of Oberá, located in the center of Misiones. On September 6th, the inaugural parade began in the civic center of the city, and more than 15 collectivities crossed Oberá's principal streets showing their traditional wardrobe to visitors.

The parade culminated in the "Parque de las Naciones" with the current candidate for governor of Misiones, Maurice Closs, present. After 6pm, the national queen and the others authorities completed the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony, officially inaugurating the 28th Immigrant's Festival.

"We try to honor our forbears, their history, their culture, their music, their food; and also transmit to the young men who join every collectivity" declared Ewaldo Rinsfleich, the mayor of Oberá. "We hope that each person that visits us today and in the course of these days find and discover a corner of their past in the Parque de las Naciones", added the mayor.

On September 15th, La Mancha de Rolando, La 25 y Lourdes will do their presentation. On the next day, the national immigrant's queen will be chosen.


Comienza Fiesta Nacional del Inmigrante en Argentina

7 de septiembre de 2007Oberá, Argentina — Comenzó la 28º edición de la Fiesta Nacional del Inmigrante en la ciudad de Oberá, ubicada en el centro de la provincia de Misiones. A las 16,00 hs se dio inicio al desfile inaugural en el centro cívico de la ciudad, y como ya es costumbre, las más de 15 colectividades recorrieron las principales calles de Oberá mostrando a los visitantes sus trajes típicos y músicas autóctonas.

El desfile culminó en el Parque de las Naciones, cuando se dio inicio al corte de cintas por parte de las autoridades locales y provinciales. Al lugar, acudió como enviado del gobierno provincial Maurice Closs, actual candidato a gobernador por la provincia de Misiones. Pasadas las 18 hs las autoridades y la reina nacional del Inmigrante cortaron las cintas, dejando oficialmente inaugurada una nueva edición de la Fiesta del Inmigrante.

"Pretendemos honrar a nuestros antepasados, honrar su historia, su cultura, su música, su comida; y paralelamente también transmitirla a los jóvenes que se integran en cada colectividad" declaró Ewaldo Rinsfleich, actual intendente de la ciudad de Oberá. "Ojalá, cada uno de los que nos visitan hoy y en el transcurso de estos días encuentren y descubran un rinconcito de su pasado en este Parque de las Naciones", añadió el intendente.

Pasadas las 20 hs se llevó a cabo el cuadro de apertura, una idea original de Norma Karaputene y guion de Enrique Gualdoni. Más tarde, los ballets de las colectividades Checa, Polaca y una banda de música del Paraguay alegraron el escenario principal de la Fiesta del Inmigrante.

También fue inaugurada la casa típica de la Colectividad Checa, integrada recientemente a la fiesta. En la ocasión se encontraba una enviada especial de la República Checa, país que había donado dinero para la construcción de la casa.

La fiesta durará hasta el día domingo 16 de septiembre, y entre las noches más importantes se destacan la de la Juventud, que contará con la presencia de La Mancha de Rolando, La 25 y Lourdes, una de las ex integrantes del grupo argentino Bandana. La noche del jueves 13 será la elección y coronación de la Reina Nacional del Inmigrante, quién representará a Oberá en otros festivales nacionales llevados acabo en el país.


In pictures: UK celebrates Bonfire night

Every year around November 5th, people in Great Britain and some parts of the Commonwealth celebrate Guy Fawkes night to commemorate the dissident from York and his Roman Catholic conspirators who failed to blow up the houses of Parliament on November 5, 1605. This so-called Gunpowder Plot is celebrated with firework displays and sparklers, bonfires and Guy Fawkes effigies.

Fire experts, always busy around this time of year, have called for the use of safe and legal firework displays and have urged citizens to attend organised public displays. Every year dozens of people sustain injuries due to careless handling of fireworks or fires. Notably, the city of York is not having a public firework display this year, as health and safety measures would raise costs excessively.

Events in Lewes, East Sussex (noted for Bonfire events and processions) were for the most part peacful, with only 16 arrests, mainly for public order offences. There had however been calls for certain tradtions of the Lewes events to be banned prior to the event on safety grounds.

Critics say that bonfires and fireworks are not environmentally friendly. Piles of wood prepared beforehand are attractive nests for hibernating creatures like hedgehogs, who might burn in the bonfires. Some even suggest that Fawkes' failed attack is not something to commemorate at all.


Gran Bretaña festeja la noche de fuegos artificiales

Todos los años, alrededor del 5 de noviembre, Gran Bretaña y algunas partes de la Commonwealth festejan la Noche de Guy Fawkes, o la Noche de Fuegos Artificiales (Bonfire Night), para conmemorar al disidente de York y sus conspiradores católicos, quienes fallaron en volar una de las casas del parlamento el 5 de noviembre de 1605. El llamado 'plan de pólvora' (Gunpowder Plot) se celebra con fuegos artificiales, fogatas y efigies de Guy Fawkes.

Expertos en fuegos, siempre ocupados en esta época del año, han pedido el uso seguro y legal de la pirotecnia utilizada, y han pedido a los habitantes a ir a shows públicos organizados. Notablemente, la ciudad de York no festejará la fecha este año, ya que las medidas de salud y seguridad incrementarían los costos excesivamente.

Críticos han destacado que las fogatas y la pirotecnia no son ecológicamente amistosos. Las pilas de madera que son preparadas con anterioridad atraen a criaturas invernantes a hacer sus nidos en la madera, y los cuales podrían ser incinerados en las fogatas. Algunos también sugieren que el ataque fallido de Fawkes no es algo para conmemorar en lo absoluto.


In several German cities students demonstrate against study fees

In Germany 30,000 students demonstrate in 5 big cities against study fees. People think, that paying for information is not socially compatible and gives only privileged people the chance to get in depth information. Germans demand a broad and free education for every citizen of the world. In the next weeks, students will fight for justice and show solidarity with the Countries of the Federal Republic, which want to already demand study fees in the next term.

At this time, the first education in Germany is free, but the Federation decided days ago, that the states of the Federal Republic can create their own financing concepts, because CDU governed states complained against the Federation.

Several German states partly plan to plug budget gaps with the money from the young people willing to give their power for a broadly educated Germany.


In mehreren deutschen Städten demonstrieren Studenten gegen Studiengebühren


In the spirit of US Thanksgiving tradition, two turkeys receive presidential pardon

On Tuesday, the press and members of the National Turkey Federation gathered in large numbers at the White House's Rose Garden in the United States to witness an annual Thanksgiving tradition in the U.S., a presidential pardon of two Thanksgiving turkeys.

Every year, a U.S. President gives a pardon to two turkeys, saving them from being put on a dinner table somewhere in America. This year, President George W. Bush pardoned two turkeys named May and Flower, who were both chosen for the pardon by the citizens of the U.S.

"Each of you is taking part in a tradition that goes back to the days of Harry Truman. And to paraphrase Harry today, we have a message for our two feathered friends: You cannot take the heat -- and you're definitely going to stay out of the kitchen. I thank everybody who voted online to choose the names for our guests of honor. And I'm pleased to announce the winning names [May and Flower]. [These names are] certainly better than the names the vice president suggested, which was Lunch and Dinner," Bush said jokingly.

After receiving the pardons, the turkeys got a special ride in a three-car motorcade to Dulles Airport, which included an array of lights, sirens and police motorcycles. From there, both turkeys were flown to Orlando, Florida on a plane dubbed United Turkey One where they were the Grand Marshalls for today's Thanksgiving Day parade in Walt Disney World. Both turkeys received a welcome which included a red carpet, and free passes to the park.

"So now I have a task, and that is to grant a full presidential pardon to May and Flower. They'll be shortly flown to Disney World, where they will serve as Honorary Grand Marshals for the Thanksgiving Day Parade. I hope that honor doesn't go to their head. May they live the rest of their lives in blissful gobbling. And may all Americans enjoy a holiday full of love and peace. God bless you all," added Bush.


Dos pavos reciben "perdón" presidencial por el día de acción de gracias estadounidense

22 de noviembre de 2007Washington DC, Estados Unidos —

El martes, la prensa y miembros de la Federación Nacional del Pavo se reunieron en grandes números en el Rose Garden de la Casa Blanca, Estados Unidos, para presenciar la tradición estadounidense del Día de Acción de Gracias: un perdón presidencial a dos pavos de acción de gracias.

Cada año, el Presidente estadounidense en el cargo da su "perdón" a dos pavos, salvándolos de ser puestos en la mesa de alguna familia americana. Este año, el presidente George W. Bush dio su perdón oficial a May y Flower, que fueron elegidas para el perdón por los ciudadanos de EUA.

"Cada uno de ustedes participa en una tradición que se remonta a los días de Harry Truman. Y para prafrasear a Harry hoy, tengo un mensaje para nuetros dos amigos emplumados: no pueden resistir el calor – y van a alejarse definitivamente de la cocina. Doy gracias a todos los que votaron online para elegir los nombres de nuestros invitados de honor. Estoy contento de anunciar los dos nombres ganadores [May y Flower]. [Estos nombres son] ciertamente mejores que los nombres que sugirió el el vicepresidente, que fueron Almuerzo y Cena", dijo Bush bromeando.

Luego de recibir los perdones, los pavos tuvieron un viaje especial en una caravana de tres automóviles en Dulles Airport, que incluyo un montaje de luces, sirenas y motos de policía. Desde allí, ambos pavos fueron llevados a Orlando en un avión llamado United Turkey One (Pavo Unido Uno), donde fueron los Grandes Marshalls para el desfile de acción de gracias en el Walt Disney World. Ambos pavos recibieron una bienvenida que incluía una alfombra roja, y pases gratis para el parque.

"Así que ahora tengo una tarea, y es conceder perdón presidencial completo a May y Flower. Dentro de poco serán llevada a Disney World, donde serán Grandes Marshalls Honorarios para el Desfile de Acción de Gracias. Espero que el honor no se les suba a la cabeza [...] Y que todos los americanos disfruten de un feriado lleno de amor y paz. Dios los bendiga a todos", concluyó Bush.


Perus recebem "perdão" presidencial pelo dia de Ação de Graças

Na terça-feira(20), a imprensa e membros da Federação Nacional do Peru se reuniram em grandes números no Rose Garden da Casa Branca, Estados Unidos, para presenciar a tradição americana do Dia de Ação de Graças, ocasião em que um perdão presidencial é dado a dois perus.

Todos os anos, o presidente americano no cargo dá seu "perdão" a dois perus, salvando-os de ser postos na mesa de alguma família americana. Este ano, o presidente George W. Bush deu seu perdão oficial aos perus de nome May e Flower, escolhidos para o perdão pelos cidadãos do EUA.


Ingmar Bergman dies at age 89

Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, a filmmaker widely regarded as one of the great masters of modern cinema, died today at his home on Fårö, Gotland, Sweden. He was 89. The exact cause of death is not known.

"It's an unbelievable loss for Sweden, but even more so internationally," Astrid Söderbergh Widding, president of The Ingmar Bergman Foundation, told Associated Press.

"This is an enormous loss, not only for artistic Sweden but because he was one of the most well-known Swedes in the world," Jon Asp, a spokesperson for the Ingmar Bergman Foundation, said in a telephone interview with Bloomberg. "Had it not been for his struggles in the 40s and 50s, Swedish directors such as Jan Troell and Bo Widerberg may not have been able to make films."

"He was one of the world's biggest personalities. There were Kurosawa, Fellini and then Bergman. Now he is also gone," Danish director Bille August said to Associated Press. "It is a great loss. I am in shock."

Hungarian director István Szabó told MTI: "The Bergman films are to viewers like the novels of a great novelist, the poems of a great poet or the works of a great drama writer ... He valued contact with the audience very much and the story which can be told to them, while he did not attribute a great value to stories which can only be understood by snobs and highly qualified aesthetes."

Born Ernst Ingmar Bergman in 1918 in Uppsala, Sweden to a Lutheran minister of Danish descent, Bergman grew up surrounded by religious imagery and discussion. He had a strict upbringing and went through two five-month stretches of mandatory military service. He attended Stockholm High School and Stockholm University, without completing his degree in literature and art. He instead became interested in theatre and later in film.

Despite his devout upbringing, Bergman said that he lost his faith at age eight but did not come to terms with this until later in his filmmaking career.

Since the early sixties Bergman lived much of his life on the island of Fårö, where he made a number of his films. In 2004 he said he would never again leave the island.

He was married five times and had nine children.

Although Bergman was universally famous for his contribution to cinema, he was an active and productive stage director all his life, and was manager and director of a number of the most prestigious theatres in Sweden.

As a director, Bergman favored intuition over intellect, and chose to be unaggressive in dealing with actors. Bergman saw himself as having a great responsibility toward them, viewing them as collaborators often in a psychologically vulnerable position. He stated that a director must be both honest and supportive in order to allow others their best work.

His films usually deal with existential questions of mortality, loneliness, and faith; they also tend to be direct and not overtly stylized. Persona, one of Bergman's most famous films, is unusual among Bergman's work in being both existentialist and avant-garde.

Bergman usually wrote his own scripts, thinking about them for months or years before starting the actual process of writing, which he viewed as somewhat tedious. His earlier films are carefully structured, and are either based on his plays or written in collaboration with other authors.

Bergman stated that in his later works, when on occasion his actors would want to do things differently from his own intentions, he would let them, noting that the results were often "disastrous" when he did not do so. As his career progressed, Bergman increasingly let his actors improvise their dialogue. In his latest films, he wrote just the ideas informing the scene and allowed his actors to determine exact dialogue.

Ingmar Bergman, who made over 50 films, rarely watched them. "I don't watch my own films very often. I become so jittery and ready to cry ... and miserable. I think it's awful," Bergman said.


Décès d'Ingmar Bergman

Le réalisateur suédois Ingmar Bergman est décédé hier à l'âge de 89 ans chez lui sur l'île de Fårö, en mer Baltique.

Né le 14 juillet 1918, il fait ses premiers pas au cinéma en 1946 en signant le scénario de « Frénésie », un film traitant d'un professeur sadique. Deux années plus tard, il réalise son premier film : « Crise ».

Durant sa vie, il dirigea 54 films, 126 productions théâtrales et 39 pièces radiophoniques. De nombreuses réactions sont venues de Suède : le Premier ministre, Fredrik Reinfeldt, a déclaré : « Je crois qu'il est difficile de saisir pleinement l'apport d'Ingmar Bergman au cinéma et au théâtre suédois. Ses œuvres sont immortelles. » De son côté, Jord Donner, le producteur de « Fanny et Alexandre », a déclaré « C'était l'un des grands, je le connaissais depuis plus de 50 ans. »


Ingmar Bergman è morto

Il famoso regista svedese Ingmar Bergman è morto nella sua casa, sull'isola di Fårö. Aveva 89 anni. L'annuncio è stato dato dalla agenzia svedese Tt, citando la figlia di Bergman, Eva.

Nella sua lunghissima carriera ha diretto oltre 40 film, vincendo decine e decine di premi, tra i quali il festival di Cannes, quello di Berlino, tre Oscar e molti altri.

La data esatta della morte non è certa, poiché l'agenzia ha comunicato solamente la notizia della morte, senza specificare ulteriori dettagli.


Zmarł Ingmar Bergman

Dziś około 7:00 rano zmarł w swoim domu na wyspie Farö Ingmar Bergman, reżyser teatralny i filmowy, scenarzysta i pisarz. Miał 89 lat. Urodził się w 1918 roku w Uppsali. Wyreżyserował ok. 50 filmów, ok. 20 słuchowisk radiowych oraz napisał 12 scenariuszy, 19 dramatów i 2 książki.

Jego debiut reżyserski miał miejsce w 1944 roku. Wyreżyserował m.in takie filmy jak:

Zdobył 9 nominacji do Oscara a produkcje takie jak: "Źródło", "Jak w zwierciadle", "Milczenie", "Fanny i Aleksander" otrzymały tę nagrodę. Bergman odbierał siedmiokrotnie laur w Cannes a na 50. rocznicę festiwalu otrzymał specjalne wyróżnienie gdzie żyjący laureaci Złotej Palmy ze swojego grona wybrali najwybitniejszego twórcę.

Inne nagrody jakie otrzymał to m.in.:


International Board fixes soccer field size, halts technology experiments

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the body that decides on the laws of the game, has decided to discontinue all experiments involving technology, and for the first time has also decided on the exact size of a soccer field.

Instead of pursuing the idea of using cameras or microchips in the ball to see if it has crossed the goal-line, the International Board wants to see if the introduction of two extra assistant referees can improve the quality of referee's decisions.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke declared: "We have decided to freeze for the time being the goal-line technology and all technology experiments. We will look on these two additional referees and we avoid considering any goal-line technology during this time."

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said the move was necessary to maintain the universal spirit of the game: "We have 260 million people directly involved in the game. If we maintain the laws of the game ... it's so easy to understand ... We have to live with errors, football has to keep its human face."

"We have to maintain the laws of the game in their simplicity. Do you want technical devices to take decisions? That's why, after three years of tests with no conclusions, I am in favour of putting the whole thing on ice," Blatter explained.

UEFA president Michel Platini agreed: "Football should stay human, but two more officials can help, especially around the goal." Platini made the suggestion to freeze all investigations into technology and to try two additional assistants behind each goal.

Blatter said the system using the microchip "was very complicated, needing electrified lines on the field of play and other devices including antennae and when we tested it in Tokyo last year there was one mistake during the seven matches we used as an experiment at the Club World Championship." With regards to the system using cameras, he pointed to "problems with players obscuring the views of the cameras, or of flares or weather conditions."

The system of the extra referees will be tested at an upcoming FIFA or UEFA tournament, and a final ruling is expected at next year's meeting, according to FIFA's Jerome Valcke.

Hawk-Eye, the company that was working on the goal-line technology that is already being used for line calls in tennis, reacted with disappointment: "I'm livid, it is completely out of the blue... A year ago they met and gave us four criteria to meet and we have met all of them, yet they have kicked it out now... We have invested an awful lot of money and now we have no return on that investment," director Paul Hawkins said. He said he was encouraged to continue research on the project only 10 days ago at a private showing for IFAB members at Reading's Madejski Stadium.

While the Welsh FA were also against the idea, the English Football Association supported the use of technology and was hoping to start using it by next season. The FA clubs and referees supported the use of Hawk-Eye technology, said Mike Foster, general secretary of the English Premier League. A spokesperson of the Premier League said that "A lot of time, money and effort has gone into developing a system that meets all the criteria laid down last year." The Scottish and Northern Irish FA also voted in favour of the goal-line technology.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick expressed his disappointment at the annual meeting of the IFAB in Gleneagles, Scotland:  "We were in favour of goal-line technology but there will be no more experiments and it will not be back on the agenda next year, or in the foreseeable future."

FIFA President Blatter denied ulterior motives for the decision: "There has been no change of heart. Referees make decisions, not machines... I have defended goal-line technology but it has become clear that such systems are too complicated and very costly. Nor would they necessarily add anything positive to the game and could harm the authority of the referee."

Another decision at Gleneagles was to fix the size of a soccer field for men's international matches at 105 x 68 metres. Until now, football's law number 1 stated that the field could be between 100 and 110 metres long and 64 to 75 metres wide. The Welsh Football Association proposed the change, arguing that size variation was an advantage for home teams, who could alter the size of the field against what the visiting team was used to.

The IFAB also agreed to simplify the text of the soccer rules at several points. The last major revision of the text was 11 years ago. The IFAB also condemned violent tackles, warning that "players committing such acts should be banned."

The International Board, established in 1886, is currently made up of eight members, four representing the FIFA and four others from the English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Football association. Six members need to agree to confirm an IFAB ruling. Next year's meeting will be held in Northern Ireland.


FIFA odbacila tehnologiju

Gleneagles (Škotska), 10. mart 2008. –

Odbor međunarodne nogometne asocijacije (IFAB), tijelo koje odlučuje o pravilima i zakona ove popularne igre, odlučilo je na posljednoj sjednici da se do daljnjeg obustavljaju svi eksperimenti o uvođenju visokih tehnologija u pravila igre, te prvi put u historiji donesena su pravila o tačno utvrđenim dimenzijama nogometnog terena.

Generalni sekretar FIFA-e Jerome Valcke je izjavio: "Odlučili smo da privremeno zamrznemo sva nagađanja o uvođenju tehnologije za nadgledanje gol-linije. Radije, uvest ćemo dodatna dva pomoćna suca." Predsjednik FIFA-e Sepp Blatter je rekao da želi očuvati univerzalni duh igre: "Imamo 260 miliona ljudi direktno uključenih u ovu igru...samo ako održimo jednostavna pravila igre...moramo živjeti s greškama, nogomet mora zadržati ljudsko lice"

"Da li želimo da tehnički uređaji donose odluke. To smo zaključili nakon tri godine testova i probi. Mišljenja sam da sve treba zaustaviti do daljnjeg." objašnjava Blatter.

Još jedna važna odluka donesena je na istom zasjedanju. Odlučeno je da se fiksiraju veličine terena za međunarodna takmičenja u muškoj konkurenciji na 105 x 68 metara. Do sada, pravilo je bilo da se veličine terena kreću od 100 do 110 metara dužine i 64 do 75 metara širine. Do ove odluke je došlo na prijedlog nogometne asocijacije Velsa uz objašnjenje da su domaći timovi mogli imati određene prednosti, te neznatno mijenjati veličinu terena u zavisnosti od protivnika.


International Festival of Cinema "Oberá en cortos" begins

Oberá, Argentina —

After the success obtained last year, the second edition of the International Festival of Cinema Oberá en Cortos began at Oberá's theatre last Tuesday 10th. Local and provincial authorities and the vice rector of the National University of Misiones, Aldo Montini, were present at the inaugural ceremony.

"This festival is earning a place, not only in the province, but in the region as an important event for the Regional Cultural Association Argentina - Paraguay" said Jorge Betaglio, secretary of tourism of the Misiones province.

Oberá en Cortos is an international competition for short format films and video. It takes place between the 10th and 15th of July of this year. The movies will be shown for six days in the Oberá's theatre, the Ex-secadero Barbaro, the San Martín square and the Parque de las Naciones. In addition, different mobile cinemas will cross the province, to show the movies in more than fifteen municipalities to people who cannot come to the city of Oberá.

"This is an area we still have to keep on building, that has to do with working on the production of cultural sense and reflecting our identities," said Axel Monsú, one of the organizers of the event.

The first night, the Murga del Monte, a group of filmmakers made up of the community members, was there to show No lejos del Río de la Plata. This is a movie, filmed in the centre of Misiones in 1991, that reports the life of the Swedish immigrants upon their arrival to these lands.

The festival is organized by the Productora de la Tierra, a cooperative of communication and is supported by the Subsecretary of Tourism of Misiones. In addition, different workshops are carried out in two facilities of the city.


Comienza el 2do. Festival Internacional de Cine “Oberá en Cortos”

11 de julio de 2007Oberá, Misiones, Argentina —

Después del éxito obtenido el año pasado, comenzó anoche en el cine teatro de Oberá la segunda edición del Festival Internacional de “Oberá en Cortos” en una ceremonia inaugural a la que acudieron autoridades locales y provinciales, además de contar con la presencia del vicerrector de la UNaM, Aldo Montini.

“Este festival va ganando espacio, no sólo en la provincia, sino en la región como un hecho prioritario para la Asociación Regional Cultural Argentina-Paraguay” expresó Jorge Betaglio, subsecretario de turismo de la provincia de Misiones.

“Oberá en Cortos” es un festival Internacional de Cortometrajes en formatos de cine y video de carácter competitivo que se lleva a cabo entre los días 10 y 15 de julio de este año. Las películas serán proyectadas durante seis días en el cine obereño, el ex-secadero Bárbaro, la plaza San Martín y el Parque de las Naciones. Además, diferentes cines móviles recorrerán la provincia llevando los filmes a más de quince municipios, para aquellos que no se puedan acercar a la ciudad de Oberá.

“Éste es un espacio que tenemos que seguir construyendo, que tiene que ver con trabajar con la producción de sentido cultural y por reflejar nuestra identidad” dijo Axel Monsú, uno de los organizadores del evento.

La primera noche contó con la presencia de la Murga del Monte, un grupo de teatro integrado por vecinos de la comunidad y se proyectó “No lejos del Río de la Plata”, una película filmada en la zona centro de Misiones en el año 1991 y que relata la vida de los inmigrantes suecos en su llegada a estas tierras.

El festival es organizado por la Productora de la Tierra, una cooperativa de comunicación y es apoyado por la Subsecretaría de Turismo de la provincia. Además, se llevan a cabo diferentes talleres en las dos facultades de la ciudad.


International participants showcase different industry cultures at 2008 Taipei Game Show

B2B Trade Area of Taipei Game Show, criticized by trade buyers last year, but accompanied with 2008 Taiwan Digital Content Forum, moved to the second floor at Taipei World Trade Center for world-wide participants with a better exchange atmosphere this year.

Not only local OBMs (Softstar Entertainment, Soft-World International Corp., International Games System Corp., ..., etc.) but also companies from New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea showcased different specialists with multiple styles. Especially on South Korea, participated members from G★ Trade Show (Game Show & Trade, All-Round, aka Gstar) showcased gaming industry of South Korea and the G★ upcoming at this November with brochures.

In the 2-days Digital Content Forum, world-class experts not only shared industry experiences, members from Taiwan Gaming Industry Association also discussed and forecasted marketing models for gaming industry. With participations from governmental, industrial, and academical executives world-wide, this forum helps them gained precious experiences of digital content industry from several countries.

According to the Taipei Computer Association, the show and forum organizer, the digital content industry in Taiwan was apparently grown up recent years as Minister of Economic Affairs of the Republic of China Steve Ruey-long Chen said at Opening Ceremony yesterday. Without R&Ds from cyber-gaming, and basic conceptions from policies and copyright issues, this (digital content) industry will be fallen down in Taiwan. If this industry wanted to be grown up in sustainability, gaming OBMs in Taiwan should independently produce different and unique games and change market style to market brands and games to the world.


2008台北國際電玩展 商機交換區與國際研討會 展現各國產業特色

去年遭到國外買主抨擊的「商機交換區」，在今年的台北國際電玩展中，特別配合數位內容國際研討會的進行，將該專區轉移至二樓進行，讓各國廠商與專業人士可以在較佳的環境中進行交流，此專區吸引了7國19家廠商參來參與。

除了大宇資訊、智冠科技、鈊象電子等同時參與消費展覽的廠商外，紐西蘭、加拿大、香港、日本等駐台灣辦事處，各以不同的方式，展現其數位產業的特色，此外，韓國國際遊戲展示會的代表，也在本次的商機洽談會中，透過文宣的方式，向參觀的國外買主與台灣廠商，介紹韓國的遊戲產業，與即將在11月展示的三合一展覽。

而在國際研討會部分，兩日的議程中，除了有國際級專家來台分享產業經驗，遊戲產業振興會的旗下廠商，也藉此來探討未來的產業行銷模式；在國內產官學界，與國際專業人士的參與下，這項研討會確實有利於國內外廠商吸收數位內容產業發展的經驗。

另外，根據電腦公會表示，台灣的數位內容產業，正如昨日開幕典禮中，經濟部長陳瑞隆所言，確實在近年來有大幅的成長，倘若沒有電子競技的發展，以及各界對於版權、法律等觀念的認知，這項（數位內容）產業確實沒有任何的發展空間，因此這項產業，如要能持續向上發展，台灣廠商就得要自立自強，創造各樣不同的遊戲相關商品，並改善行銷與發展模式，才能進軍國際市場。


Interview with Frank Warren, founder of PostSecret

PostSecret is a community art project where people release their secrets by anonymously mailing them on a homemade postcard. Frank Warren started PostSecret in November, 2004 and has since received thousands of secrets from all over the world. The cards appeared in an All-American Rejects music video for the song Dirty Little Secret, and PostSecret's fee? a $2,000 donation to The National Hopeline Network 1(800)SUICIDE, a suicide hotline. PostSecret has recently published a book of some of the postcards with some of the proceeds also going to the hotline.

Wikinews: What is PostSecret for you?

You originally sent out 3,000 postcards at the projects inception in November, 2004.  Over a year later, approximately how many cards have you received?

Geographically, how far away have you received postcards?

You let the All-American Rejects use the postcards in their video for a donation to the National Hopeline Network, a suicide hotline.  You also have a book out now with some of the proceeds going to National Hopeline.  Is depression the most common theme in the secrets that you have received?

What, in your opinion, is the motivation for people to send you their secrets?

Have you ever gotten into any sort of trouble or controversy because of what you have posted on your site? If so, what has happened as a result?

Finally, PostSecret has touched and aided the lives of many people.  How can people help the project?


Interview de Frank Warren, fondateur de PostSecret

PostSecret est un projet d'art communautaire grâce auquel les gens peuvent dévoiler leurs secrets en envoyant de manière anonyme des cartes postales qu'ils font eux-mêmes. Frank Warren a commencé postSecret en novembre 2004 et a depuis reçu des milliers de secrets du monde entier. Des cartes ont été utilisées dans une vidéo de All-American Rejects pour leur chanson Dirty Little Secret. En échange, une donation de 2000 $ a été faite à National Hopeline Network 1(800)SUICIDE, (NDT : une organisation de type SOS-Suicide). Un livre a aussi été publié récemment.

Wikinews: Qu'est-ce que PostSecret pour vous ?

Au départ, vous avez envoyé 3000 cartes postales en novembre 2004. Combien en avez-vous reçu un an aprés?

D'où proviennent les cartes?

Vous avez permis au groupe All-American Rejects d'utiliser des cartes postales dans leur vidéo en échange d'une donation à National Hopeline Network. Vous avez sorti un livre dont une partie des bénéfices est reversée à cette même organisation. Est-ce que la dépression est le thème le plus abordé dans les cartes que vous recevez?

D'après vous, pourquoi les gens vous envoient-ils leurs secrets?

Avez-vous déjà eu des problèmes ou des controverses à propos des cartes postées sur votre site? Que s'est-il passé et quelles en ont été les conséquences ?

PostSecret a touché et aidé de nombreuses personnes. Comment les gens peuvent aider le site?


Inventor of instant noodles passes away

The inventor of instant noodles has died in Japan at the age of 96. Momofuku Ando suffered from acute heart failure on Friday, said Nissin Food Company.

Momofuku Ando was born as Wu Bai-fu (吳百福) in Chiayi, Taiwan, on March 5, 1910. He founded Nissin in the year 1948 from a humble family operation. Japan faced food shortages during the post-World War II period and Ando thought a quality, convenient noodle product would help feed the masses. He brought out the Chicken Ramen, the first noodle product in the year 1958. The chicken-flavored dried noodle cake could be served in minutes by pouring hot water over it in a bowl. He started exporting it to the US during 1970.

The Cup Noodle concept was born in 1971. Ando said, he was inspired when he saw people lining up to buy bowls of hot ramen soup at a black market stall during this period. Its taste and ease of preparation made it one of the most favorite food in the world. The Chicken Ramen product had been a  hit, and the despite a hefty tag of 35 Yen, he unleashed the product – Cup Noodles, on the market.

Nissin has been the undisputed leader of the noodle industry since then, selling a 85.7 billion servings every year, according to Agence France Presse.

"The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum" opened in 1999 in Ikeda City in western Japan housing his various inventions.

His firm also developed a version of Cup Noodles for Japanese astronauts to eat on Space Shuttle Discovery. "It is like a dream that people from rivaling countries can eat Ramen together in space," were Ando's words to the reporters at that time. He retired as the chairman of Nissin in the year 2005. The Japanese newspapers have been paying tribute to him by publishing long obituaries and eulogies. According to the Mainichi Shimbun, Ando was last seen in public on Wednesday when he made a New Year's speech at Nissin's head office in Osaka and had a lunch with executives, a bowl of Chicken Ramen with rice cake.

The incumbent Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger had been one of the celebrities to endorse the brand.

Ando is survived by his wife, Masako; two sons; and a daughter. His son Koki Ando is president of Nissin Food Products Co. Ltd.


Zmarł Momofuku Ando, wynalazca "zupek chińskich"

5 stycznia w Japonii w wieku 96 lat zmarł Momofuku Ando, wynalazca błyskawicznych "zupek chińskich". Ando wpadł na pomysł wynalezienia błyskawicznych zupek z torebki po II wojnie światowej, gdy zobaczył kolejkę po zupkę sojową z makaronem. Według Japończyka "zupki chińskie" miały pomóc zwalczyć powojenne niedobory żywności. Wynalazek Momofuku Ando zdobył ogromną popularność na całym świecie, w 2000 roku w sondażach produkt Ando został uznany najważniejszym wynalazkiem XX w.

Przyczyną śmierci Momofuku Ando był zawał serca.


'Invitational Games for the Deaf, Taipei 2008': Review of soccer preliminaries

A number of relatively unknown entrants made the Taiwan 2008 Invitational Games for the Deaf soccer tournament an unpredictable event. Teams from Thailand, Australia, Iran (Silver Medalist in soccer at the 2005 Summer Deaflympics), Uzbekistan, Malaysia, and Japan took part.

On September 6, soccer giants Thailand and Iran defeated Malaysia and Uzbekistan in shutouts of 11-0 and 9-0 respectively. Anothai Sathiyamat, Somsak Thongdee, Nares Numphakdee of Thailand all scored hat-tricks in the game against Uzbekistan.

On the second day of competition, a decisive battle in Group A between Japan and Iran was keenly watched by Thailand, as one of the two teams would be their opponent in the finals. The game was scoreless in the first half, with conservative tactics from both teams.

Iran's Mostafa Heydaribondarabadi scored rapidly after the second half started, but Shun Igasaki of Japan scored a penalty kick after a foul by Iran in the penalty area and tied the score again. The penalty became the key of the match when Tetsuya Kurata scored 5 minutes further in, as the Iranian players became frustrated by the penalty kick. Finally, Japan won with a final score of 2-1, and advanced to the championship match on the final day.

After group standings were mostly stabilized in the third day of competition, Thailand and Japan handled their respective Group matches by replacing several substitutes with frequently lined-up players to defeat their opponents easily. They will face off on the final day for the gold medal of soccer event in the "Invitational Games for the Deaf, Taipei 2008".


2008年台北國際聽障運動邀請賽 足球賽場 戰局詭譎多變

2008年台北國際聽障運動邀請賽的足球項目，雖然和桌球一樣，都是最先在首日開打的比賽，但實力的轉變，卻讓戰局更加難以預測。

本次足球賽中，單循環預賽分兩組進行，A組包括日本、伊朗、馬來西亞，B組則是泰國、澳洲、烏茲別克，由於A組大多是足球的強國，加上伊朗是2005年夏季聽障奧林匹克運動會的足球銀牌代表隊，因此A組可謂「半死亡之組」，僅管伊朗是最被看好的國家隊。

開賽的首（6）日上午，傳統強隊伊朗、泰國，一開始完全不給馬來西亞與烏茲別克好過，兩者都是在下半場，趁對方球員體力開始下滑時，進行強勢攻擊，當中，泰國的隊長Anothai Sathiyamat，以及隊友Somsak Thongdee、Nares Numphakdee，更聯手上演了帽子戲法，最終，伊朗與泰國就分別以11:0與9:0的比數，完封馬來西亞與烏茲別克，各自在A組與B組中，拿下首勝。

死亡之組的硬仗─日本vs伊朗，則在第二日上演，這也引起B組領頭羊泰國隊的高度重視，隊職員更全神貫注這場比賽，因為兩者之一，很有可能就是泰國的對手。上半場由於雙方攻勢保守，以和局收場；下半場易邊再戰，Mostafa Heydaribondarabadi讓日本隊措手不及，先馳得點，但日本的伊賀崎俊，藉由對手在第64分鐘時，一個禁區的犯規，以點球扳平比數，這也成為比賽的關鍵，因為伊朗的火爆抗議，讓他們在五分鐘後，被日本隊替補的倉田哲也逆轉掉整個戰局，最終，日本就驚險地逆轉了伊朗，幾乎底定進入冠軍賽。

在分組戰局幾乎底定之時，第三日的比賽更顯輕鬆，日本、泰國兩雄，這回也讓平時未上場的替補作先發，換來了不錯的效果，兩者也分別擊敗了馬來西亞與澳洲，他們將於最後一日的下午，互相交鋒，爭奪本次足球項目的金牌。

【2008年9月8日讯】


IOC lifts ban on Iraqi athletes participating in the Beijing Olympics

Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has lifted a ban on Iraqi athletes participating in the Beijing Olympics. The IOC placed a ban on the country's participation on July 24 claiming a political influence within Iraq's national Olympic committee. This came after the Iraqi government's suspension of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Iraq in May 2008.

The decision to remove the ban is a result of the Iraqi government's agreement to allow free elections for their National Olympic Committee while under international scrutiny. "The National Olympic Committee will have fair elections before the end of November," said Pere Miro, Director of the IOC's relation with NOC's. In the meantime, Iraq's NOC will be run by a interim Committee approved by the IOC.

Even though the ban has been lifted, five of the seven athletes are still unable to participate due to the final date of selections having passed. Two athletes participating in sprinting and rowing are expected to compete.

There has been some who believed that Iraq has been treated wrongly in the matter of their NOC. Ahmed Tabour, head of the Cultural and Sports Committee stated that "Iraq was never suspended during the days of Saddam [Hussein], who personally appointed the national Olympic committee. The Iraqi people need hope, and sport gives them a lot of hope."


IOC snur - Irak får delta i OL

Målform: Bokmål - Dato: 30. juli 2008 - Oppdater siden - Rediger artikkelen - Flere nyheter

Sveits: Først så det mørkt ut for Iraks deltagelse i sommer-OL i Beijing, men nå snur IOC.

Det var etter at regjeringen i Irak oppløste landets olympiske komité, IOC bannlyste Irak fra lekene 24. juli. Men IOC gir i siste liten Irak dispensasjon til å delta i Beijing. Men dette var først etter at regjeringen lovte at de ikke mer skal legge seg borti den nasjonale olympiske komitéens arbeid at IOC opphevet utkastelsen.

Antallet deltagere fra Beijing vil bli redusert, fra i utgangspunktet sju til to.


Iraq plans 'Baghdad Eye' to draw in tourists

Iraqi officials are planning on having a Ferris wheel built as a tourist attraction to the nation's capital, Baghdad. The wheel would be called 'Baghdad Eye' and is planned to sit over 650 ft above the Tigris River. Adel al Ardawi, a Baghdad municipality spokesman said that "[t]his wheel will be taller than the iconic 443-foot London Eye." He failed to comment on construction cost or a time line of how long it would take to build the wheel.

The London Eye in London, England sits 443 ft over the River Thames. It has attracted more than 27 million visitors since its formal opening on December 31, 1999.

Each compartment is set to be air-conditioned and hold up to 30 people. Three possible locations for the wheel to sit have been selected. This is not the first attempt by the Iraqi Tourism Board to bring tourists into the capital. The board are seeking investors for a resort island. The island would include a six star hotel and a 18 hole golf course.

The United Kingdom's Foreign Office advises against all travel to Baghdad. A spokesperson said "The security situation in Iraq remains highly dangerous with a continuing high threat of terrorism throughout the country."


Planos do Iraque ‘Baghdad Eye’ para chamar os turistas

Bagdá, Iraque • 30 de agosto de 2008

Oficiais iraquianos estão planejando ter uma roda gigante construído como uma atração turística para  a população da capital, Bagdá. A roda seria chamado 'Baghdad Eye' (Olho Bagdá em inglês) e está prevista para sentar ao longo de 650 pés (198,12 metros) acima do Rio Tigre. Adel al Ardawi, porta-voz do município de Bagdá, afirmou que "Esta roda será mais alto do que a icônica 443 pés [135 metros] da London Eye [Olho Londres em inglês]". Ele deixou de comentar sobre o custo da construção ou uma linha de tempo quanto tempo seria necessário para construir a roda.

O London Eye, em Londres, Inglaterra 443 pés [135 metros] é localizado longo do Rio Tâmisa. Ela tem atraído mais de 27 milhões de visitantes desde a sua abertura formal em 31 de dezembro de 1999.

Cada compartimento está definido para ter o ar-condicionado e com até 30 pessoas. Três possíveis localizações para a roda ter sido para fazer parte selecionada. Esta não é a primeira tentativa por parte do Turiosmo do Iraque de trazer turistas para a capital. A bordo estão procurando investidores para um resort ilha. A ilha que incluirá um hotel de seis estrelas e um campo de golpe com 18 buracos. O Foreign Office, do Reion Unido, aconselhou evitar todas as viagens para Bagdá. Um porta-voz disse que "A situação de segurança no Iraque continua extremamente perigosa com uma alta contínua da ameaça do terrorismo em todo o país."