April 19, 2009

Iceland's coalition gov't wins general election

STOCKHOLM, April 26 -- Iceland's interim coalition government is headed to win Saturday's general election, according to reports reaching here from Reykjavik early morning on Sunday.

The Social Democratic Alliance, headed by Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir, has captured about 33 percent of the votes, while its coalition partner, the Left Green Movement, has taken about 20 percent of the votes, according to early results announced by the election commission.

Iceland's Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir answers questions at a news conference with foreign news media in Reykjavik April 25, 2009. Icelanders voted on Saturday in an election likely to give a historic win to the minority centre-left caretaker government that stepped in after protests over an economic crisis toppled the previous administration.

So the two parties would hold an absolute majority in the new parliament and can continue to govern the country.

The Independence Party, resigned in January after 18 years in power, has only won 22.5 percent of votes, much lower than the previous election in 2007.

The Social Democratic Alliance and the Left Green Movement took office in February after public protests on Iceland's economic collapse.
(Xinhua)

WHO declares swine flu outbreak "public health emergency"

GENEVA, April 25 -- The World Health Organization (WHO)on Saturday declared the swine flu outbreak in Mexico and the United States a "public health emergency of international concern" and urged countries to be alert.

A woman wears a mask to prevent from being infected by the swine flu virus in the Mexico City, capital of Mexico, April 25, 2009. The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday declared the swine flu outbreak in Mexico and the United States a "public health emergency of international concern" and urged countries to be alert.

Based on the advice of a WHO emergency committee, Director-general Margaret Chan "has determined that the current events constitute a public health emergency of international concern," the UN agency said in a statement.

The WHO chief is recommending, on the advice of the committee, that all countries intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks ofinfluenza-like illness and severe pneumonia, the statement added.

Medical team members wear masks as they walk in downtown Mexico City, capital of Mexico, April 25, 2009.

However, more information is needed before a decision could be made concerning the appropriateness of the current "phase 3" alert level of a pandemic risk, according to the advice of the committee, which is composed of international experts in a variety of disciplines.

The WHO's pandemic alert includes altogether six phases. "Phase3" means "no or very limited human-to-human transmission."

A woman wearing a mask walks past a poster calling on residents to prevent from being infected by the swine flu virus in the Mexico City, capital of Mexico, April 25, 2009.

The emergency committee was established in compliance with the International Health Regulations (2005). It convened its first meeting on Saturday to assess the swine flu situation and advise the WHO chief on appropriate responses.

After reviewing available data on the current situation, committee members identified a number of gaps in knowledge about the clinical features, epidemiology, and virology of reported cases and the appropriate responses, the WHO statement said.

The committee also noted that answers to several specific questions were needed to facilitate its work.
(Xinhua)

A pregnant woman attends the Carnation revolution 35th anniversary in Lisbon April 25, 2009. Portugal celebrates on April 25 the Carnation Revolution coup, which put an end to 48 years of dictatorship in 1974. The message reads "I will keep fighting."

U.S. actress Miley Cyrus gestures while arriving for the German film premiere 'Hannah Montana-The Movie' in Munich April 25, 2009.

U.S. actress Miley Cyrus (L) and U.S. actor, singer and father Billy Ray Cyrus arrive for their German film premiere 'Hannah Montana-The Movie' in Munich April 25, 2009.

Russian singer Vitas performs at his concert in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province on April 24, 2009. The popular singer presented 24 songs for his fans in Russian, German, Italian, English and Chinese languages.

Russian singer Vitas (C) performs at his concert in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province on April 24, 2009.

Russian singer Vitas (R) performs at his concert in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province on April 24, 2009.

Russian singer Vitas (R) gestures to a Chinese girl during his performance at in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province on April 24, 2009.

Mirna Jukic of Austria swims on her way to win the silver medal in the women's 200m breaststroke final during the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Rijeka December 12, 2008.

VIENNA, April 25 -- Austrian swimmer Mirna Jukic, bronze medalist of women's 100m breaststroke at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, created a new European 200m
breaststroke record on Saturday in Vienna.

In the women's 200-meter breaststroke competition at the Strock-Austria-Meeting in Vienna, Jukic improved the best record in Europe by 0.45 seconds, with a final result of 2 minutes and 22 seconds 46.

Nevertheless, her result still has a gap of 2 seconds 24 from the world record set by American swimmer Rebecca Soni at the Beijing Olympics.

In the women's 100-meter breaststroke competition on Friday, the 23-year-old Jukic got the result of 1 minute and 07 seconds 00, improving her Olympic bronze medal performance by 0.34 seconds.

Jukic was honored as Austria's athlete of the year in 2002 and 2008.
(Xinhua)

Craftsman makes world's unique two-faced car

BEIJING, April 24 -- Vasyl Lazarenko, 39, from Chernivtsi, western Ukraine, has been working as a craftsman for more than 20 years.

He decided to build the "split personality car" as he could not reach a final decision over its style.

Vasyl's dream machine is made from the left side a modern saloon and from the right side of a convertible from the 1930s.

The undated photo shows Vasyl's two-faced car, made from the left side a modern saloon and from the right side of a convertible from the 1930s, in Chernivtsi, western Ukraine.

The car's exterior is made completely from sculpted mosaic of wood pieces and took Varsyl more than a year to meticulously carve and assemble with bolts and glue.

The two-faced vehicle is a world's first in wood.

There are a couple of wooden cars in the world, but they are made as copies of modern cars.

The undated photo shows Vasyl's two-faced car, made from the left side a modern saloon and from the right side of a convertible from the 1930s, in Chernivtsi, western Ukraine.(Photo:

"My car is unique and my own design, "said Vasyl.

The car is made of oak and is fitted with all modern accessories, including leather seats and CD player. The chassis of the vehicle is a standard Opel Askon.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com/Agencies)

This image provided by NASA Tuesday April 21, 2009 shows a peculiar system of galaxies known as Arp 194. This interacting group contains several galaxies, along with a 'cosmic fountain' of stars, gas, and dust that stretches over 100,000 light-years. The most striking feature of this galaxy troupe is the impressive blue stream of material extending from the northern component. This 'fountain' contains complexes of super star clusters, each one of which may contain dozens of individual young star clusters. The blue color is produced by the hot, massive stars which dominate the light in each cluster. Overall, the 'fountain' contains many millions of stars. This picture was issued to celebrate the 19th anniversary of the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1990. During the past 19 years Hubble has made more than 880,000 observations and snapped over 570,000 images of 29,000 celestial objects. The Space Shuttle Discovery placed the Hubble Space Telescope into Earth orbit on April 25, 1990. (Photo: NASA)

South Korean singer and actress Jang Nara (R) and actor Jun Kim perform on the runway as guest models during the 2009 South Korean Fashion and Textile Expo in Shanghai, east China, April 22, 2009.

South Korean actor Jun Kim performs on the runway as a guest model during the 2009 South Korean Fashion and Textile Expo in Shanghai, east China, April 22, 2009.

DPRK to put two U.S. journalists on trial

·DPRK will put two detained American journalists on trial, KCNA said on Friday.
·The KCNA said the investigation about the two journalists was completed.
·The report didn't say what the two Americans were charged with.

Journalists Euna Lee (L) and Laura Ling are seen in undated handouts in this combination photo. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will put two detained American journalists on trial, the official news agency KCNA said on Friday.

PYONGYANG, April 24 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will put two detained American journalists on trial, the official news agency KCNA said on Friday.

The KCNA said the investigation about the two journalists was completed and the DPRK decided to put them on trial.

But the report didn't say what the two Americans were charged with.

The DPRK said it detained two American journalists on March 17 as they were "illegally intruding into the territory of the DPRK by crossing the DPRK-China border."
(Xinhua)

These little arrivals are so lifelike and appealing that they have captured hearts around the world.

BEIJING, April 24 -- The babies, from just over an inch to 4in high, are the work of artist Camille Allen, who sculpts them from polymer clay using dentist's tools and toothpicks.

The clay babies are cured to a hard porcelain-like finish in an oven and final details are then carefully added: fine mohair is glued in place, strand by strand, and paints are applied to make them come alive.

Once completed, the dolls usually go on to private collections as one-offs, but some babies go on to be made into a limited editions or production dolls.

These little arrivals are so lifelike and appealing that they have captured hearts around the world.

The 28-year-old lives in Powell River, British Columbia, Canada. She learned the art of doll-making from her husband's grandmother six years ago, sculpting large lifesize dolls.

A year later, she formed some leftover clay into a miniature baby and hasn't looked back.

She has received press coverage in countries as diverse as Sweden, India and Spain.

Originals of her creations can sell for more than 3,000 British pounds (4,407.6 U.S. dollars) on the internet.

These little arrivals are so lifelike and appealing that they have captured hearts around the world.

These little arrivals are so lifelike and appealing that they have captured hearts around the world

These little arrivals are so lifelike and appealing that they have captured hearts around the world.

These little arrivals are so lifelike and appealing that they have captured hearts around the world.
Source: chinadaily.com.cn/Agencies

David Nalbandian of Argentina hits a return to Nicolas Almagro of Spain during their match at the Barcelona Open tennis tournament April 23, 2009.

David Nalbandian of Argentina returns a ball to Nicolas Almagro of Spain during their match at the Barcelona Open tennis tournament April 23, 2009.

David Nalbandian of Argentina returns the ball to Nicolas Almagro of Spain during their match at the Barcelona Open tennis tournament April 23, 2009.

Sampdoria players celebrate after Sampdoria qualified for the final during a second leg semifinal Italian Cup soccer match between Inter Milan and Sampdoria, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Thursday, April 23, 2009. Inter Milan won the match 1-0 but Sampdoria advances to the final 3-1 on aggregate.

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho of Portugal reacts during a second leg semifinal Italian Cup soccer match between Inter Milan and Sampdoria, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Thursday, April 23, 2009. Inter Milan won the match 1-0 but Sampdoria advances to the final 3-1 on aggregate.

Inter Milan's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (rear) vies for the ball during a second leg semifinal Italian Cup soccer match, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Thursday, April 23, 2009. Inter Milan won the match 1-0 but Sampdoria advances to the final 3-1 on aggregate.

Palestinian boys look at a one-week-old calf which was born with two noses at their farm in the West Bank village of Dhahiriya, near Hebron, April 22, 2009.

A Palestinian farmer feeds milk to a one-week-old calf which was born with two noses at his farm in the West Bank village of Dhahiriya, near Hebron.

A Palestinian man takes a photograph of a one-week-old calf which was born with two noses on a farm in the West Bank village of Dhahiriya, near Hebron.

A Palestinian boy stands near a one-week-old calf which was born with two noses at his family's farm in the West Bank village of Dhahiriya, near Hebron.

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a ball to Frederico Gil of Portugal during their match at the Barcelona Open tennis tournament April 22, 2009.Nadal set the perfect winning example with his 6-2, 6-2 opening victory over Gil.

Tommy Robredo of Spain hits a return to Gaston Gaudio of Argentina during their match at the Barcelona Open tennis tournament April 22, 2009. Robredo brought Gaudio back down to earth with a thud through a 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 victory.

Gaston Gaudio of Argentina hits a return to Tommy Robredo of Spain during their match at the Barcelona Open tennis tournament April 22, 2009.

David Nalbandian of Argentina returns a ball to Igor Kunitsyn of Russia during their match at the Barcelona Open tennis tournament April 22, 2009. Nalbandian, the number seven, advanced over Kunitsyn 7-5, 6-4.

Igor Kunitsyn of Russia returns a ball to David Nalbandian of Argentina during their match at the Barcelona Open tennis tournament April 22, 2009.
Xinhua

The Remembrance Flame burns during a commemorative ceremony on the occasion of the Shoah (Holocaust) Remembrance Day in front of the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva April 20, 2009. Israel on Monday night mark the annual memorial day commemorating the six million Jews killed by Nazis in the Holocaust during World War Two.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the opening ceremony of the annual Holocaust Memorial Day at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem April 20, 2009. The central theme of this year's ceremony is Children in the Holocaust. Some 1.5 million Jewish children were killed by the Nazis

A holocaust survivor attends a ceremony marking the Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, on April 21, 2009

Participants light candles during a commemorative ceremony on the occasion of the Shoah (Holocaust) Remembrance Day in front of the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva April 20, 2009

People attend a ceremony marking the Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, on April 20, 2009. Israel paused Monday night in memory of the six million Jews who perished from 1933 to 1945, as the Jewish state marked the start of the Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Visitors look at a display of pictures at an exhibition in Tel Aviv April 20, 2009, showing Jewish soccer players at the Theresienstadt ghetto in the Czech Republic during World War Two.

A twin sisters of holocaust survivors attend a ceremony marking the Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, on April 20, 2009.

olympic spirit

Iceland's coalition gov't wins general election

WHO declares swine flu outbreak "public health emergency"

Baby, let's fight together!

Miley Cyrus attends "Hannah Montana:The Movie" premiere in Munich

Vitas caters to fans wtih songs in five languages

Austrian swimmer breaks European record of women's 200m breaststroke

Craftsman makes world's unique two-faced car

Hubble Space Telescope captures "cosmic fountain"

Jang Nara performs in fashion show

DPRK to put two U.S. journalists on trial

Hello dolly: The tiny tots made of clay that sell for $4,408

Nalbandian beats Almagro at Barcelona Open

Inter Milan fails to reach Italian Cup final

Calf born with two noses

Barcelona Open Tennis tournament

Israel marks Holocaust Remembrance Day

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