October 04, 2009

New technology allows production of water and electricity from wind power

Eole Water SAS Chief Executive Officer Marc Parent poses next to a windmill turbine, which produces drinking water by condensation from dampness of the air, in Sainte Tulle, southeastern France, October 9, 2009. This new technology allows a production of water and electricity coming from wind power.

A windmill turbine, which produces drinking water by condensation from dampness of the air, is seen in Sainte Tulle, southeastern France, October 9, 2009. This new technology allows a production of water and electricity coming from wind power.

Eole Water SAS Chief Executive Officer Marc Parent poses next to a wind mill turbine, which produces drinking water by condensation from dampness of the air, in Sainte Tulle, southeastern France, October 9, 2009. This new technology allows a production of water and electricity coming from wind power.

(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

A collage of famous Chinese painting made out of stamps

Citizen Yao Shaowu (L) displays his art works with the pattern of "Along the
River During the Qingming Festival", a famous Chinese painting, in Wuhan,
capital of central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 9, 2009. It took Yao nearly one
year to make the 5.38-meter-long and 0.27-meter-wide artworks.

Photo taken on Oct. 9, 2009 shows part of Yao Shaowu's art works with the
pattern of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", a famous Chinese
painting, in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 9, 2009.

Citizen Yao Shaowu shows the making process of his stamp collage with the
pattern of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", a famous Chinese
painting, in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 9, 2009.

Citizen Yao Shaowu (R) displays his collage with the pattern of "Along the
River During the Qingming Festival", a famous Chinese painting, in Wuhan,
capital of central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 9, 2009.

(Xinhua Photo)

Local star Peng wins women's doubles title with Hsieh at China Open

Peng Shuai (R) of China and Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei kiss the trophy
during the awarding ceremony for women's doubles at China Tennis Open Tournament
2009 at National Tennis Centre in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 10, 2009. Peng/Hsieh
beat Alla Kudryavtseva/Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 2-0.

BEIJING, Oct. 10 -- Local star Peng Shuai partnered Hsieh Suwei of Chinese
Taipei to win the women's doubles title of the WTA China Open at the Olympic
Green National Tennis Center here on Saturday.

The 53rd-ranked Peng had an exciting giant-killing run in the singles match,
upsetting defending champion and former world number one Jelena Jankovic of
Serbia and three-time grand slam winner Maria Sharapova of Russia before losing
to Russia's Nadia Petrova in the quarterfinals.

Peng and Hsieh beat Russian pair Alla Kudryavtseva and Ekaterina Makarova 6-3,
6-1 to win the title.

Alla Kudryavtseva (L)/Ekaterina Makarova of Russia react during the awarding
ceremony for women's doubles at China Tennis Open Tournament 2009 at National
Tennis Centre in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 10, 2009. Kudryavtseva/Makarova
lost to Peng Shuai of China and Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei in the final
match 0-2.

Peng Shuai (R) of China and Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei hold the
trophy during the awarding ceremony for women's doubles at China Tennis Open
Tournament 2009 at National Tennis Centre in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 10,
2009. Peng/Hsieh beat Alla Kudryavtseva/Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 2-0.

Peng Shuai (R) of China and Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei compete during the
final match of women's doubles against Alla Kudryavtseva/Ekaterina Makarova of
Russia at China Tennis Open Tournament 2009 at National Tennis Centre in
Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 10, 2009.

Peng Shuai (L) of China and Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei communicate during
the final match of women's doubles against Alla Kudryavtseva/Ekaterina Makarova
of Russia at China Tennis Open Tournament 2009 at National Tennis Centre in
Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 10, 2009. Peng/Hsieh won 2-0.

Peng Shuai (R) of China and Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei celebrate after the
final match of women's doubles against Alla Kudryavtseva/Ekaterina Makarova of
Russia at China Tennis Open Tournament 2009 at National Tennis Centre in
Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 10, 2009.

Peng Shuai (Front) of China and Su-Wei Hsieh of Chinese Taipei celebrate
after the final match of women's doubles against Alla Kudryavtseva/ Ekaterina
Makarova of Russia at China Tennis Open Tournament 2009 at National Tennis
Centre in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 10, 2009.

(Xinhua/Gong Lei)

Penelope Cruz covers 'Vanity Fair' November 2009

35-year-old actress Penelope Cruz poses for cover which was photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott for November 2009 issue of Vanity Fair.

Miley quits Twitter, raps she's "done tryin' to please"

Singer Miley Cyrus, one of the featured Divas, arrives for the VH1 Divas show in New York, September 17, 2009.

LOS ANGELES - Teen star Miley Cyrus used a rap video on Friday to tell a curious world just why she had abruptly deleted her popular Twitter account.

"I'm done tryin' to please, I ain't livin' for tabloids, I am living for me," the 16 year-old Disney Channel actress and singer sang in a "Goodbye Twitter" rap posted on YouTube.

Cyrus, a busy Tweeter with a following of more than one million people, made headlines on Thursday by suddenly putting a stop to her habit.

Fans around the world quickly launched an online campaign -- on Twitter -- to try and get her back.

In one of her last Twitter posts, Cyrus said her current boyfriend, actor Liam Hemsworth, did not have a Twitter account "and wants me to delete mine with good reason."

But in Friday's YouTube rap video, the "Hannah Montana" actress denied that her friend was the cause and said she was fed up of the media turning her 140-character remarks into news.

"The rumors are true, I deleted my Twitter," she sang, saying she had started "tweeting about pimples", had stopped "living for moments" and instead had "started living for people."

"Everything that I type, Everything that I do, some gossip site makes it news," she added.

In recent months, celebrity news sites have seized on Cyrus's remarks about her weight and her boyfriends and turned them into news stories.

With her "Hannah Montana" Disney Channel show, a movie and several best-selling albums, Cyrus is currently one of the biggest teen stars in the world.
[Agencies]

Nicole Kidman visits the Omega flagship boutique in NY

Actress Nicole Kidman visits the omega flagship store to donate her signed omega constellation timepiece, in New York City,on wednesday, oct. 7, 2009.[

Actress Nicole Kidman visits the omega flagship store to donate her signed omega constellation timepiece, in New York City,on wednesday, oct. 7, 2009.

Nicole Kidman

Omega CEO Stephen Urquhart and Nicole Kidman

Nadal knocked out of 2009 China Open

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during the men's singles semifinal match against
Marin Cilic of Croatia at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Oct. 10,
2009. Nadal lost the match 0-2.

Rafael Nadal of Spain greets the audience as he leaves the court after the
men's singles semifinal match against Marin Cilic of Croatia at the China Open
tennis tournament in Beijing, Oct. 10, 2009.

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during the men's singles semifinal
match against Marin Cilic of Croatia at the China Open tennis tournament in
Beijing, Oct. 10, 2009.

Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during a break in the men's singles semifinal
match against Marin Cilic of Croatia at the China Open tennis tournament in
Beijing, Oct. 10, 2009.

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during the men's singles semifinal match against
Marin Cilic of Croatia at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Oct. 10,
2009.

(Xinhua/Gong Lei)

China's Peng Shuai stopped by Petrova at China Open

Peng Shuai of China reacts during the quarter-final match of women's singles
against Nadia Petrova of Russia at China Tennis Open Tournament 2009 at National
Tennis Centre in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2009. Peng lost 1-2.

BEIJING, Oct. 9 -- China's Peng Shuai did not continue with her giant-killing
run at the 6.6 million U.S. dollars China Open as she was stopped by Russia's
13th seed Nadia Petrova 6-7 (5),6-3, 6-2 in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Peng went off with a flying start to a noisy audience, breaking Petrova's first
serve for a 2-0 lead in the opening set, but Petrova broke back in the fourth
game to level the match.

At 6-5, Petrova threatened to close up the set earlier while forcing a break
point in the 10th set on Peng's serve, but the 23-year-old Chinese girl, who
produced impressive baseline work, held serve and won the following tiebreak at
7-5.

Peng, who beat top seeds Jelena Jankovic and Maria Sharapova on her road to the
last eight, called medical timeout at 1-1 in the second set, which did not help.
The Russian broke in the seventh and ninth games to pull back one set at 6-3.

Nadia Petrova of Russia celebrates after winning her quarter-final match of
women's singles against Peng Shuai of China at China Tennis Open Tournament 2009
at National Tennis Centre in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2009. Petrova
won 2-1.

Petrova, physically in good shape after battling through second seed Serena
Williams in the last round only 15 hours ago, became confident in the final set
and was never really troubled before securing the set at 6-2.

Coming up next for her will be Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, who beat compatriot
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-3, 6-3.

Nadia Petrova of Russia hits a return to Peng Shuai of China during the
quarter-final match of women's singles at China Tennis Open Tournament 2009 at
National Tennis Centre in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 9, 2009. Petrova won
2-1.

In the men's quarterfinals, world number four Novak Djokovic reached the last
four after defeating fifth seed Fernando Verdasco6-3, 1-6, 6-1.

Coming into the match on a four-match winning streak, the 22-year-old Djokovic
had to overcome a worrying second set before wrapping up the match in one hour
and 44 minutes.

The Serbian will surpass Andy Murray and return to No. 3 in the world rankings
if he reaches the final on his debut in Beijing this week.

"I had ups and downs in today's match," said Djokovic. "Verdasco used these
chances in the second set when he broke and he had control over the match. I had
to save energy in the second set for the refreshing start of the third and I was
fortunate enough to do so."

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball during the men's singles
quarterfinal match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain at the China Open tennis
tournament in Beijing, Oct. 9, 2009. Djokovic won the match 2-1.

Djokovic next will face sixth seed Robin Soderling who beat Croat Ivan Ljubicic
7-6 (3), 6-4.

In an earlier match, world No. 15 Marin Cilic from Croatia also earned a place
in the semifinals after victory over Nikolay Davydenko of Russia 6-4, 6-4.

(Xinhua)

Pusan Int'l Film Festival kicks off in S Korea

South Korean actress Jang Seo Hee poses on the red carpet during the Pusan
International Film Festival in Pusan, South Korea, Oct. 8, 2009. The 14th Pusan
International Film Festival (PIFF), which South Korea praises as its largest
international film event, opened Thursday, inviting top-rank moviemakers and
celebrities around the world.

BUSAN, Oct. 8 -- The Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), which South Korea
praises as its largest international film event, opened Thursday, inviting
top-rank moviemakers and celebrities around the world.

Welcoming the press guests with its opening film, South Korean-produced "Good
Morning, President," the festival began its nine-day run.

Later in the evening, a grand opening ceremony was held at an open theater here
in the peninsula's southern port city, attended by world-famous celebrities,
including Josh Hartnett, and Han-ryu, or the Korean wave, stars like Jang
Dong-gun and Lee Byung-hun.

Famous Chinese celebrities, such as Fruit Chen and Terri Kwan, also appeared in
the ceremony's photo zone, receiving a warm welcome from thousands of South
Korean movie lovers.

Jia Zhangke, Cui Jian, and Li Bingbing are also scheduled to visit Busan during
the festival, with the Li-starred movie to be presented as the closing film.

This year's PIFF, marking its 14th event, is screening a total of 355 films from
70 countries, breaking its last record it set last year, 315 movies from 60
nations.

Among the participant films, 98 chose to world-premier, or showcase for the
first time in the world, at the PIFF, which is also a record-high number.

For screening, the PIFF organization has prepared a total of 269,332 seats at 36
screens, or 6 major theaters.

The festival runs multiple awards, including the New Current Award, for which
Oscar-nominee Jean-Jacques Beineix serves as the jury head, and the Sonje Award
for short films, and the newly-launched Flash Forward Award targeted for
emerging directors from non-Asian regions.

In addition to the prize-competing events, the fest offers diverse programs,
such as conferences, forums, academies, concerts, and photo exhibitions.

In particular, on sidelines of the PIFF, the Asian Film Market 2009 is held from
Oct. 11 to 14, in which 72 companies participated as sales office exhibitors and
potential buyers from 17 countries registered.

The Pusan Promotion Plan, which the PIFF organization claims as the largest
project market in Asia, is part of the film market, providing a pre-market venue
where promising filmmakers and producers meet with potential co-producers and
financiers.

The PIFF also prepares for a 900 million-won, or around 720,000-U.S. dollars,
funding program, or the so-called Asian Cinema Fund.

"The fund aims at helping activate more independent film productions and to
provide a stable production environment, while playing a role as a cornerstone
of a pan-Asian network for Asian filmmakers," the organization said.

Named after the city name Busan in the old Romanization system, the PIFF was
launched in 1996 and has seen expansion in both size and participant number by
breaking pre-set records every year.

The PIFF has now grown into one of most influential film fests in Asia, focused
on discovering new films and first-time directors from across the region, South
Korea's Yonhap News Agency evaluated.

Amid the fear of the fast-spreading A/H1N1 virus, the fest is expected to be
visited by more than 200,000 people.

Chinese actor Guo Tao (3rd R) walks on the red carpet during the Pusan
International Film Festival in Pusan, South Korea, Oct. 8, 2009. The 14th Pusan
International Film Festival (PIFF), which South Korea praises as its largest
international film event, opened Thursday, inviting top-rank moviemakers and
celebrities around the world.

South Korean actress Ha Ji Won poses on the red carpet during the Pusan
International Film Festival in Pusan, South Korea, Oct. 8, 2009. The 14th Pusan
International Film Festival (PIFF), which South Korea praises as its largest
international film event, opened Thursday, inviting top-rank moviemakers and
celebrities around the world.

South Korean actress Soo Ae and actor Kim Nam-gil pose on the red carpet
during the Pusan International Film Festival in Pusan, South Korea, Oct. 8,
2009. The 14th Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), which South Korea
praises as its largest international film event, opened Thursday, inviting
top-rank moviemakers and celebrities around the world.

Chinese actress Zhang Jingchu poses on the red carpet during the Pusan
International Film Festival in Pusan, South Korea, Oct. 8, 2009. The 14th Pusan
International Film Festival (PIFF), which South Korea praises as its largest
international film event, opened Thursday, inviting top-rank moviemakers and
celebrities around the world.

South Korea's actor Jang Dong-gun poses on the red carpet during the Pusan
International Film Festival in Pusan, South Korea, Oct. 8, 2009. The 14th Pusan
International Film Festival (PIFF), which South Korea praises as its largest
international film event, opened Thursday, inviting top-rank moviemakers and
celebrities around the world.

(Xinhua)

Italian captain Cannavaro fails doping test after emergency treatment

Fabio Cannavaro, captain of the Italian soccer team, kicks the ball during a
training session in Attredgeville outside Pretoria June 9, 2009.

ROME, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro is being investigated for
failing a doping test after receiving emergency treatment on an insect bite, his
club Juventus said on Thursday.

"Juventus's medical department specifies that it acted in respect of health
procedures and ethical rules in an emergency intervention in August following
the deterioration of the clinical condition after an insect bite," read a
statement on the club website (www.juventus.com).

"On this occasion a pharmacological therapy was administered that was
indispensable to prevent complications, including lethal ones."

The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) said Cannavaro had requested an exemption
after being treated for the bite but did not receive it before he was tested.

Cannavaro, Italy's most capped player and the cornerstone of their 2006 World
Cup-winning side, has been summoned to a hearing with CONI's anti-doping
prosecutor Ettore Torri.

The Juventus defender had been expected to join the Italy squad this weekend for
next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Cyprus in Parma. He is suspended
for Saturday's match against Ireland in Dublin, when a draw will suffice to book
the Azzurri's place in South Africa next year.

(Xinhua)

Maradona says he will not leave national team

BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 8 -- Argentine soccer icon Diego Maradona told
media on Thursday he will not leave his post as coach of the national soccer
team and hinted that Pablo Aimar, Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain will lead the
attack for the Argentina-Peru World Cup qualifier due on Saturday.

"I am neither quitting nor going," he said, quashing several days of media
speculation after it was reported that he had to seethe president of the
Argentine Football Association, Julio Grondona.

Argentina's national soccer team coach Diego Maradona visits the Rosario
Central stadium ahead of their 2010 World Cup qualifier match against Brazil in
Rosario, 310 km (192 miles) north of Buenos Aires, August 18, 2009. Maradona was
granted permission by soccer authorities to move the venue of their September
5th World Cup qualifier against arch-rivals Brazil away from the River Plate
stadium in Buenos Aires to the more compact Rosario Central stadium in
Argentina's second city.

"I am not speaking bout quitting, I am speaking about a chat with Grondona about
what I don't like. If all goes well I will stay, if not we will see."

Speaking to media in Ezeiza training grounds on the outskirts of Buenos Aires,
Maradona complained about media treatment of his statements and said it would be
much easier to leave the job and observe everything from his home "smoking a
cigar".

He described Messi as "his ace that will always play" and said he was not
interested in criticism of Messi's poor performance in comparison with his
performance at Spanish league giant Barcelona.

Barcelona coach Josep "Guardiola has more time to work with than we do. The idea
is to surround Messi with good players. I am not interested in criticisms. They
come in one ear and go out the other."

He also called Airmar, who plays for Portuguese giant Benfica, "is a delicacy"
and praised Higuain, who plays for Spain's other dominant team Real Madrid, who
he called up for the first time. Higuain is "way ahead" of other forwards for
the Peru match.

Argentina will play Peru in the Monumental Stadium, River Plate's home stadium
in Argentine capital Buenos Aires. The match is in the penultimate round of
South American qualifying for 2010 South Africa World Cup.

Argentina is in fifth place with 22 points, which would mean it has to face a
central American team for a place in the Cup.

Next Wednesday, Argentina will play Uruguay in the Centenario Stadium in
Montevideo. That game is the last chance for Argentina, which won the Cup in
1978 at home and in 1986 in Mexico.

(Xinhua)

Djokovic cruises into semifinal at 2009 China Open

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball during the men's singles
quarterfinal match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain at the China Open tennis
tournament in Beijing, Oct. 9, 2009.

Fernando Verdasco of Spain returns the ball during the men's singles
quarterfinal match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the China Open tennis
tournament in Beijing, Oct. 9, 2009.

Fernando Verdasco of Spain reacts during the men's singles quarterfinal match
against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing,
Oct. 9, 2009.

(Xinhua/Luo Xiaoguang)

Rogge re-elected as IOC president

Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC),
presents the final document and completes the IOC Congress at a news conference
at Bella Center in Copenhagen October 5, 2009. Rogge was re-elected as the IOC
president here on Friday at the 121st IOC Session.

COPENHAGEN, Oct. 9 -- Jacques Rogge was re-elected as the IOC president here on
Friday at the 121st IOC Session.

Rogge, 67, met no challenge at all as he was the only candidate who joined the
campaign. Then he claimed his final four-year term with an 88-1 vote for his
re-election.

The Belgian has been taking office for eight years since 2001 and told his
colleagues on Friday that "we have much more to do".

"We will narrow the gap in sport between the developed and the developing
worlds; and between men and women. We will redouble our efforts to place sport
at the service of mankind -- to inspire young and old alike; to give athletes
the opportunity to lead by example; and promote the Olympic values of fair play,
respect, solidarity and the pursuit of excellence."

When Rogge formally announced his bid for re-election last October, he said he
wanted to fight as hard as possible against doping, considering brings over
5,500 tests at the 2012 London Olympics. "It is for me priority No. 1 in the
world of sports."

Rogge reported on Wednesday that the number of out-of competition tests and
those at the Games has doubled over the last eight years. "We were the first
organization to keep samples for eight years."

During the Beijing Olympic Games, a total of 4,770 tests took place including
3,801 urine and 969 blood tests. Then, the IOC reanalyzed a total of 948 samples
from Beijing after new lab tests for CERA and insulin became available following
the Olympics.

The IOC also witnessed solid and increasing financial resources under the charge
of Rogge.

The TOP programme, a global sponsorship programme managed by the IOC, generated
a total of 663 million US dollars in 2001-2004 and the figure increased to 866
million in the following four-year term. So far, the TOP programme is worth 883
million US dollars and negotiations are still under way to finalise it. It has
also secured 563 million US dollars from five sponsors for the 2013-2016 term.

Besides, the IOC's television rights revenue totaled 2.2 billion US dollars for
the period 2002-2004 and 2.6 billion for the period 2006-2008. The figure is a
stunning 3.8 billion US dollars for the period 2012-2012.

The financial sound IOC managed to provide greater financial support to the
Olympic sports. A total of 767 million US dollars were given to the Winter and
Summer Sports International Federations over the past eight years. The 2006
Turin Winter Olympics and 2008 Beijing Olympics respectively enjoyed a 421 US
dollars financial assistance from the IOC.

(Xinhua)

Nadal beats Blake 2-1 at China Open

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during the men's singles second round
match against James Blake of the U.S. at the China Open tennis tournament in
Beijing, Oct. 8, 2009. Nadal won 2-1.

James Blake of the U.S. returns the ball during the men's singles second round
match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the China Open tennis tournament in
Beijing, Oct. 8, 2009. Blake lost 1-2.

James Blake of the U.S. returns the ball during the men's singles second
round match against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the China Open tennis tournament in
Beijing, Oct. 8, 2009. Blake lost 1-2.

James Blake of the U.S. reacts during the men's singles second round match
against Rafael Nadal of Spain at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing,
Oct. 8, 2009. Blake lost 1-2.

(Xinhua/Luo Xiaoguang)

olympic spirit