CowParade Lisboa 2006

Mais algumas das vacas da CowParade Lisboa 2006 espalhadas por esta cidade. Para votar na melhor das vacas vá ao LINK.

Pensamentos de Camillo

Pensamentos de Camilo Castelo Branco (3)

• "A cegueira do coração não deixa ver senão o que a ciência infere e a mão apalpa."
• "Toda a infelicidade é uma expiação. Expiar é satisfazer a justiça de Deus, e o perdão de Deus principia com o castigo. Quem nos perdoará, se não perdoarmos?"
• "O inferno é cá neste mundo. Quem nem tem que comer nem beber, nem umas palhas em que se deite, isso é que é o inferno."
• "Parece que neste mundo há perversos, que Deus se peja de julgar no seu tribunal...
• "E assim é que a penetração de ler em almas, e ver no sorriso as lágrimas, e no gesto meigo o arremesso do tigre, só pode dá-la muita experiência de dores próprias, muito estudar-se cada um em suas chagas e na indústria com que as escondeu de alheios reparos."
• "Os abismos só se cavam aos pé de quem os anda palpando."
• "Os homens que não descaem ou fingem não descair da mocidade tão depressa, assombram-se da mudança que dez anos fazem ao rosto e na alma das mulheres suas contemporâneas."
• "O que é felicidade senão sonho?"

Rio Luachimo

Vistas diversas do Rio Luachimo, Dundo, Angola, e de outras relacionadas com a Diamang.

A vertente do Zaire, no norte de Angola, com os rios Cuango, Cassai, e os seus afluentes: Cuilo, Cambo, Lui, Tchicapa e Luachimo, este último que deu lugar ao documentário, com 140 m, "Romance do Luachimo", de Baptista Rosa, Júlio Vilhena e Aquilino Mendes, e que é a história da Diamang desde a sua fundação, nos princípios do século XX, até à data em que foi realizado, em relação com o meio ambiente, flora, fauna, e o desenvolvimento social e industrial regional.

Como o tempo vôa! Já lá vão quase 50 anos, mas não podemos esquecer essa terra de longuras sem fim e de uma natureza viva e palpipante!

Deixamos, aqui um dos links que nos levam a essas maravilhosas terras SanzalAngola.

PAPUA

WEST PAPUA IS THE NEXT EAST TIMOR

Recent History

1511-12 Antonio d' Abreu and Francisco Serrano, Portuguese sailors, sight New Guinea but do not go ashore.

1526-27 The Portuguese Governor of Ternate, Jorge de Menezes, lands on Waigeo Island, takes shelter at Warsai on the Vogelkop for some months and names the region, "Ilhas dos Papuas".

1528 Hernan Cortez, Spanish conquistador in Mexico, sent Alvaro de Saavreda Ceron to relieve a Spanish outpost under siege from the Portuguese in Tidore. Lives for one month on the Schouten Islands (probably Biak) which he calls, "Isla de Oro".

1537 In Mexico, Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortez directs Hernan Grijalva to search for the 'Island of Gold' - mutiny and ship abandoned at Cenderawasih Bay. Seven survivors captured and enslaved by natives. Eventually ransomed by the Portuguese governor of Ternate years later.

1545 Ynigo Ortiz de Retes, Mexican-based Spanish captain, sailed along the north coast and plants the Spanish flag at a spot east of the mouth of the Mamberamo River on 20th June, taking possession of the island in the name of the King of Spain and names it "Nueva Guinea".

1569 New Guinea appeared on the Mercator world map.

1606 Luis Vaez de Torres, a Portuguese sailor in the service of Spain, explores the entire south and west coast and sails through the Torres Strait which he discovered and from whom Torres Strait is named. Willem Jansz, a Dutchman, sails along the west and south coast.

1616 Jacob Le Maire and Willem Schouten chart the north coast, including the islands in Cenderawasih Bay.

1623 Jan Carstensz sails along the south west coast and sees a "very high mountain range [that is] in many places white with snow". Report greeted with disbelief and ridicule in Europe, as no one believed there could be snow so near the Equator (4° South). The doubters did not check with the Spaniards about the Andes, and it was 200 years later before the snows on Kilimanjaro were sighted.

1660 Treaty between the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C.) and the Sultan of Tidore whereby the V.O.C. recognizes the Sultan's sovereignty over the "Papuan islands in general" but with an "internal alliance" which stipulated that all Europeans were forbidden in the area except the Dutch.

1678 First Dutch flag hoisted on west coast by Keyts.

1700 William Dampier sails along the North and West Coast. His voyage sparks the VOC again to activity.

1705 Jacob Weyland discovers and explores the Geelvink Bay.

1714 Treaty of Utrecht - Tidore empire rescinds New Guinea to the VOC (Dutch East India Company) and the British.

1750 Power of the VOC declines; Other nations appear in these regions.

1768 Louis de Bougainville sails along the north coast and names the Cyclops mountain range near Port Numbay / Jayapura.

1770 Captain James Cook travels along the south west coast during his round the world voyage. Lands at Cook Bay but hostile Asmat warriors force a hasty retreat. Cook lost 20 of his men to the Asmat. The Asmat practiced cannibalism.

1775 Thomas Forrest of the British East India Company lands at Doreri Bay near Manokwari, on Cenderawasih Bay, to search for an alternative supply of spices outside the Dutch sphere of control.

1780 Prince Nuku, Pretender to the Throne of Tidore, flees to the Papuan islands and commences guerilla warfare against the Dutch.

1791 John McCluer, a Briton, stopped on the southwest coast of West Papua. He mapped the gulf which almost cuts the Bird's Head from the body. It was named McCluer Bay and this name was changed to the present day Berau Bay after West Papua's integration into Indonesia. On the map this bay lies north of Fak Fak.

1793 The British Captain John Hayes established Fort Coronation at Doreri Bay, Vogelkop, the first European settlement. He named the settlement New Albion.

1795 April - Fort Coronation abandoned due to native hostility, lack of supplies, and disease. All men not taken as slaves by the natives were very ill. Disappointing quality of spices led the British East India Company to decline to recognise the settlement. Survivors spent 6 months as guests of Prince Nuku on Seram Island (Ceram), after which they were repatriated to Calcutta.

1826 Pieter Mercus, Dutch Governor of the Molluccas, sent an official expedition to claim the south coast of New Guinea up to the 141° parallel, on hearing false rumours of the existence of a British trading post somewhere in south west New Guinea. Expedition led by Lieutenant Kolff.

1829 Dutch Explorer de Rochemont lands briefly at Flamingo Bay.

1828 24th August - Dutch formally proclaim the south west coast as a Netherlands possession. Dutch government post and colony named Merkussoord established on Triton Bay. Fort du Bus was built of stone and named after the Belgian Viscount du Bus de Ghisignies, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies.

1838 Malaria finally forced the abandonment of Merkussoord colony and Fort du Bus.
1848 Netherlands Indies government lays claim to West New Guinea as far as the 141° parallel in the name of the Sultan of Tidore.

1855 5th February - The first German missionaries, C. W. Ottow and J. G. Geissler settle on Mansinam Island, Doreri Bay.

1862 Three Dutch missionaries of the Utrecht Mission Society arrive at Doreri Bay.
1875 Eastern boundary to 141° parallel determined.

1884 British flag raised at Port Moresby - South East New Guinea declared a British Protectorate. Germans claim North East New Guinea - Kaiser Wilhelmsafen.

1895 16th May - Treaty of The Hague signed whereby boundary with British New Guinea is determined which to today remains unchanged.

1898 Dutch government administrative posts established at Fak-Fak and Manokwari.
1902 Dutch government post opened at Merauke.

1905 Two Dutch Roman Catholic missionaries settle at Merauke. Dutch steamer Valk chugged 560 km (350 miles) up the Digul River from the south coast. Snow-crested peak sighted and dubbed Wilhelmina Top in honour of the Dutch Queen.

1907-15 Military explorative expeditions map all of West New Guinea except the interior mountain ranges.

1910 7th March - Dutch flag hoisted at Hollandia (now Port Numbay / Jayapura). Border with German New Guinea (north east New Guinea) settled this year also.

1913 Franssen Herderschee climbs the Wilhelmina Top (15,585 ft) from the south on 21st February.

1920 Van Overeem Expedition visits the Swart Valley.

1921 Kremer expedition reaches the Wilhelmina Top from the North after crossing the headwaters of the Baliem river.

1926 Dutch - American Stirling expedition to the upper Rouffaer regions, the first expedition to use air transport.

1928 Demarcation line between Protestant and Roman Catholic missions abolished. Franciscan mission founded at Fak Fak.

1929 The Moluccan Protestants (M.P.K.) commence work in south New Guinea.
1930 First expatriate settlers arrive at Manokwari and Hollandia (Port Numbay / Jayapura).
1935 Bijlmer expedition to the Charles Louis Mountains.

1936-7 Colijn, Dozy and Wissel climb some of the Carstensz Peaks. Ngga Pulu Top (16,530 ft) reached 5th December. Wissel discovers the lakes which bears his name, 31st December. Aerial mapping begun by the Netherlands New Guinea Petroleum Company.

1938 23rd June - American explorer Richard Archbold, travelling under the auspices of the American Museum of Natural History, discovers Baliem Valley (60km by 15km or 37 miles by 9 miles) from the seaplane Guba on his third expedition. First Dutch Government post opened in the Highlands at Enarotali, Wissel Lakes.

1939 Le Roux expedition to the Wissel Lakes region . C.A.M.A and Roman Catholic missionaries begin work at Wissel Lakes.

1942 Japanese seize all but the southeastern part of New Guinea. They arrive in Fak Fak on 1st April (April Fool's Day) and at Manokwari on 12th April.

1944 Hollandia (Port Numbay / Jayapura) recaptured from the Japanese 22nd April. General Douglas MacArthur devised his 'island-hopping' strategy whilst looking at the various islands dotted around Lake Sentani from his base at Ifar Gunung (Mount Ifar) at the foot of Mount Cyclops. Thus the Philippines were liberated and the Japanese eventually defeated in the Pacific War of WWII.

1949 All Dutch East Indies except Netherlands New Guinea (West Papua) handed over to the newly independent Republic of Indonesia. The Constitution of the Government of Netherlands New Guinea is established.

1951-1958 Various missions begin work around Hollandia, the Vogelkop area, the Baliem Valley and related locales. 20th April 1954 - Lloyd van Stone of CMA (Christian & Missionary Alliance) began preaching amongst the Dani tribes.

1959 Dutch expedition to the Star Mountains. Juliana Peak reached.

1961 October - Ist Papuan Congress held. 1st December - Nieuw Guinea Raad (West Papuan Parliament) set up. Nieuw Guinea Raad (West Papuan Parliament) set up. West Papuan State Symbols approved by the Dutch Governor of Netherlands Niew Guinea (West Papua) in the name of the Queen of the Netherlands. 20th December - Indonesia invades West Papua overnight. Paratroopers dropped all over West Papua. Papuan flag replaced with Indonesian flag.

1961 Harvard Peabody Expedition to Baliem Valley. 18th November

1962 U.N.T.E.A. (United Nations Temporary Executive Authority) replaces the Dutch Administration in West New Guinea October 1962 - transfer of sovereignty over West Papua from the Netherlands to Indonesia lasting to May 1963. Harrer expedition climbs Carstenz Pyramid on 13th February (17,000 feet). The Dutch defeat Indonesian naval attack which resulted in the loss of Admiral Yos Sudarso of the Indonesian Navy.

1963 1st May - Indonesia assumes full administrative control of West Papua (named West Irian) from the interim administrative control of the UNTEA (United Nations Temporary Executive Authority).

1968 Two Protestant missionaries, Australian Stan Dale and American Phil Masters, killed and eaten by cannibals while hiking from Koruppun to Nimia.

1969 A plebiscite, generally seen as rigged, formalised Indonesian rule of West Papua (rigged in that only 1,025 tribal leaders hand-picked by Indonesia voted under duress for integration with Indonesia lest they lose their lives otherwise - resulting in all 1,025 or 100% of them returning a vote in favour of Indonesian control of West Papua). Most of the 1,025 Papuans have since rescinded their vote.

1970 A seven (7) metre (23ft) estuarine crocodile which had taken 55 human victims killed near the Asmat village of Piramat.

1973 3rd March - West Papua renamed Irian Jaya (from West Irian).

1977 - Papuans refuse to vote in 2nd Indonesian general election. Indonesia uses this as an excuse for aerial bombardment of whole regions throughout West Papua. Many Papuans killed / lost relatives. Between 1977 and 1978 11,000 Papuans fled across the border into neighbouring Papua New Guinea.

1996 January - hostage crisis in Mapnduma - to internationalise the case of West Papua, the OPM led by the notorious Kelly Kwalik kidnapped 26 people including 7 European scientists (of which 4 were Cambridge University undergraduates) on a scientific expedition. Held for several months but eventually released.

1998 15th April - 16 people including a New Zealand national shot dead by a mentally disturbed member of the Indonesian Army's Kopassus Special Forces.

1999 26th February - Team of 100 Delegation of West Papuans presented statement to B.J. Habibie, the then President of Indonesia, and his Cabinet to discuss the matter of West Papua. 1st December - Theys Eluay raised West Papuan flag, Ist West Papuan independence celebration after 38 years.

2000 Millenium Day, 1st Jan. - Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid (popularly known as Gus Dur) gave his agreement that Irian Jaya be renamed Papua (or West Papua, to differentiate from independent Papua New Guinea, its immediate neighbour to the east). 29th May - 4th June - II Papuan Peoples Congress held in Port Numbay / Jayapura, the provincial administrative capital. 3000 participants representing all indigenous segments and tribes within West Papua voted to correct the history of West Papua, vehemently reject the 1969 Act of Free Choice, sever West Papua from Indonesia, and to pursue international recognition of the independence of West Papua as a sovereign nation since 1st December 1961. 6th October - At least 30 people, mostly settlers, die in a bloody riot in Wamena when Indonesian police cut down the Morning Star flag from its post, and ripped it to shreds in front of the Papuans before burning it. Not surprisingly, the Papuans went on a rampage. Mass exodus of transmigrants and non-Papuans from Wamena regency to Jayapura the provincial capital.

http://www.koteka.net/

Da Vinci Code

Samoa's Government Censor Bans Da Vinci Code Film

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=24194

"Samoa's principal censor has banned the screening of the film The Da Vinci Code from cinemas and all local television stations. The ban also applies to the hiring of videos and DVDs of the film.
The decision on the weekend comes after the government censor¹s office invited leaders of the Samoa Council of Churches to watch a preview of the film held in the country¹s only cinema.

The Archbishop of the Catholic Church in Samoa, Alapati Mataeliga, said after the film that it would affect the belief of young people whose faith was not strong. The owner of the Magik cinema, Maposua Rudolf Keil, says the decision to ban public screenings has denied people¹s fundamental human rights to watch such a film.

But the government principal censor says the country¹s constitution as well as the amendments of the Film Act 1978 have played a major role in his decision."

Source: Radio New Zealand International

PAPUA

WEST PAPUA

Western New Guinea is the western half of the island of New Guinea. It is currently internationally recognized as Papua, a province of Indonesia, and was previously known by various names, including Netherlands New Guinea (until 1962), West Irian (1962-1973), and Irian Jaya (1973-2000). The incorporation of western New Guinea remains controversial in some quarters, including some quarters within the area itself, and those who do not recognize the legitimacy of Indonesia's claim to Papua refer to the area as West Papua.

Papua was annexed by Indonesia under the controversial Act of Free Choice in 1969. In 2003, the Indonesian central government declared that the province would be split into three provinces: Papua Province, Central Irian Jaya Province, and West Irian Jaya Province. Opposition to this resulted in the plan for Central Irian Jaya province being scrapped, and even the designation of West Irian Jaya Province is still legally unclear. The independent sovereign state of Papua New Guinea (PNG) borders Papua Province to the east.

HistoryPapuans, the native people of New Guinea, are a Pacific Melanesian people, as are those of the Solomons, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji. Papuans have inhabited the Australasian continental island of Papua for over 40,000 years while Austronesians have been there for several thousand years. These groups have developed diverse cultures and languages in situ; there are over 300 languages and two hundred additional dialects in West New Guinea alone (See Papuan languages, Austronesian languages).

It is believed that the first Europeans to sight New Guinea were the Portuguese, but it was the Dutch vessel Duyfken which first recorded its travel along the southern coast of Papua in 1605. The Duyfken did not explore the coast of Papua, but sailed south into the Gulf of Carpentaria, landing in northern Australia.

"Hai Tanahku Papua" ("Oh My Land Papua"), HAI TANAHKU PAPUA Hai Tanahku Papua,Kau Tanah Lahirku,Ku Kasih Akan Dikau,Sehingga Ajalku. Kukasih Hutan-hutan,Selimut Tanahku,Ku Suka Mengembara,Dibawah Naungmu. Kukasih Pasir Putih,Dipantaimu Senang,Dimana Lautan Biru,Berkilat Dalam Trang. Kukasih Engkau Tanah,Yang Dengan Buahmu,Membayar Kerajinan,Dan Pekerjaanku. Kukasih Bunyi Ombak,Yang Pukul Pantaimu,Nyanyian Yang Selalu,Senangkan Hatiku. Syukur Bagi-Mu Tuhan,Kaubrikan Tanahku,Bri Aku Rajin Juga,Sampaikan Maksud-Mu. Kukasih Gunung-gunung,Besar Mulialah,Dan Awan Yang Melayang,Keliling Puncaknya. Papuan appeal UN recognition of self-determinationBy Press Release: Radio New Zealand InternationalMay 25, 2006, 14:53
Email this article Printer friendly page Press Release: Radio New Zealand InternationalPapuan leader appeals for UN recognition to self-determination

The leader of the Koteka Tribal Assembly of West Papua, Benny Wenda, says the UN should do the proper thing by recognising Papuans right to self determination.
A statement by Mr Wenda was presented during the current session of the UN’s Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues as he couldn’t get to New York because of visa complications.
He says the forum should ask the UN to carry out a review of the so-called 1969 Act of Free Choice, hold a genuine referendum on the right to self determination, and place Papua on the decolonisation list.

Mr Wenda says if the UN believes it is a organisation that protects choice and rights then it should behave like one in the case of Papua.
“We are like victimised by international law that we didn’t get an opportunity or right to self-determination and we know that UN itself broke its own rule.”

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00512.htm

Hai tanah ku Papoea,Kau tanah lahirku,Ku kasih akan dikau sehingga adjalku. Kukasih pasir putihDipantaimu senangDimana Lautan biruBerkilat dalam trang. Kukasih gunung-gunungBesar mulialahDan awan jang melajangKeliling puntjaknja. Kukasih dikau tanahJang dengan buahmuMembajar keradjinanDan pekerdjaanku. Kukasih bunji ombakJang pukul pantaimuNjanjian jang selaluSenangkan hatiku.

Kukasih hutan-hutanSelimut tanahkuKusuka mengembaraDibawah naungmu. Sjukur bagimu, Tuhan,Kau brikan tanahkuBri aku radjin djugaSampaikan maksudMu

Timor Crisis II

Australia could have taken earlier action

By Hamish McDonald, in The Age
May 27, 2006

"HOW were events in Dili allowed to get to this point?

Responsibility lies firstly with the East Timorese leadership. Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and his Fretilin party colleagues sat back while a third of the 1800-strong army walked off, with their weapons, over small grievances, and then were sacked.

President Jose Xanana Gusmao, the charismatic former resistance leader who has formal command of the military, has also been weak, strangely disengaged from the army split as it festered for three months.

Interior Minister Rogerio Lobato, a former Fretilin exile in Mozambique, where he was jailed for diamond smuggling and once tried to stab his colleague Jose Ramos Horta, runs a factionalised police force.

A whiff of internal Fretilin power play, perhaps an attempt to unseat Alkatiri, hangs around the actions of army rebel Major Alfredo Reinado, who is not entirely aligned with the main body of dismissed soldiers, recruits from the western part of the country.

But where was Australia's Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, when this crisis unfolded over three months? Where were the Australian military advisers who, with Portuguese counterparts, trained the East Timor armed forces through to independence in May 2002?

Why was the Howard Government so strongly opposed to the UN peacekeeping mission continuing when its mandate ran out a year ago, apparently persuading the US to support its view?

East Timor's Government was keen for a continuing UN security role. A modest UN presence, focused on guiding the young local army and police forces, might have helped nip this crisis in the bud.

Prime Minister John Howard and Downer have played it tough with the East Timorese since 1999 when an international force led by Australian troops quelled violence by Indonesian troops and pro-Jakarta local militias after the independence vote. The Australian Government screwed them to a hard bargain on the maritime oil revenues then departed too early from the security mission.

There are echoes here of the Howard Government's refusal to send a small body of police to the Solomon Islands in 2000 when requested by its then prime minister. Three years later it had to launch its $2 billion regional assistance mission to revive a collapsed system of government.

Obviously these are independent countries, and intervention has to be requested by their governments. A request from East Timor came only on Wednesday night, and even while the first Australian troops were landing, Alkatiri was haggling over the rules of engagement and force composition.

Alkatiri probably knows or suspects the Dili fighting is aimed at his leadership. The Australian-led intervention, even with the face-saving Portuguese and Malaysian additions sought by Alkatiri, could be a fatal blow.

Howard and Downer will insist on neutrality in politics, but the fact is that what Australia does now will have a big impact on the outcome of the leadership struggle, which might see both Alkatiri and Gusmao pushed into retirement.

Into the bargain, Australia is tying up 1300 soldiers from its overstretched army, which is ready for a sizeable and dangerous commitment to Afghanistan in less than two months as well as staying on in Iraq.

The Government would probably call it a kind of tough love: letting the adolescent nations get themselves into a quagmire of their own making so they then ask for help, rather than offering unwelcome advice. Maybe we could just be more interested. "

Hamish McDonald, a former Age correspondent in Jakarta, Tokyo and Beijing, has reported from East Timor several times since 1975.

Benin

BENIN, officially Republic of Benin, republic (2005 est. pop. 7,460,000), 43,483 sq mi (112,622 sq km), W Africa, bordering on Togo in the west, on Burkina Faso and Niger in the north, on Nigeria in the east, and on the Bight of Benin (an arm of the Gulf of Guinea) in the south. Porto-Novo is the capital and Cotonou is the largest city and chief port. Other principal towns include Abomey , Ouidah , and Parakou .

News:
Source:VOA News

Fuel Truck Blast Kills 35 in Benin

Officials in Benin say a tanker truck has exploded, killing 35 people who were stealing fuel when it ignited. Hospital workers say another 80 people were wounded in the accident Thursday, many of them seriously.

Reports say the truck had either broken down or run off the side of the road in the northern town of Porga, when villagers arrived to steal the fuel it was carrying. The truck then burst into flames. Officials say they counted the charred remains of more than 20 people at the scene.

Fuel explosions have long been a problem in West Africa, especially in neighboring Nigeria, where thieves often try to illegally tap into the country's vast network of oil pipelines.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

Montenegro

A coalition of pro-Serbian parties in Montenegro has filed a complaint

Woman casts ballot during mock referendum for independent Serbia in Belgrade's central square, Serbia and Montenegro, Sunday, May 21 A coalition of pro-Serbian parties in Montenegro has filed a formal complaint alleging voter irregularities in Sunday's referendum vote for independence from Serbia.

The coalition is seeking a repeat vote in more than 100 polling stations affecting nearly 120,000 voters in the tiny Adriatic republic. The referendum passed by fewer than 2100 votes.
The leader of the anti-independence faction, Predrag Bulatovic, has warned of what he called negative consequences if there is no probe of the reported irregularities. Bulatovic earlier said thousands of pro-independence voters were not eligible to cast ballots because they live outside Montenegro.

Observers from the United States and the European Union have called the vote free and fair Montenegro was the last republic in the union of states of the old Yugoslav federation to maintain ties with Serbia. Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia broke away during the 1990s.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

Timor Crisis

Australian peacekeepers have begun to deploy across East Timor

By Scott Bobb
Hong Kong
26 May 2006


"Australian peacekeepers have begun to deploy across East Timor and more are due to arrive following two days of violence. Fifteen people, including nine unarmed policemen, have been killed and at least 27 wounded in clashes between dismissed soldiers and government troops.

An Australian soldier mans a position as Timorese children watch at Dili's airport after arriving Friday, May 26, 2006 in Dili, the capital of East Timor . The first contingent of 1,300 Australian troops Friday fanned out across the East Timorese capital, Dili, to calm a nervous city where sporadic gunfire could still be heard.

Australian Defense Minister Brendan Nelson told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that rules of engagement had been agreed with East Timorese leaders.

"[It is agreed that] We will bring peace and security to East Timor, that we will work with the East Timorese authorities to disarm the rebel and rogue elements," said Nelson.

New Zealand, Portugal and Malaysia are also sending troops.

The crisis began one month ago after 600 dismissed soldiers, one-third of East Timor's army, rioted, complaining of discrimination. The government said it would investigate. "

Jerusalem Day

Israelis Celebrate Jerusalem Day


By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
25 May 2006

Fireworks explode as the Dome of the Rock Mosque, also known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is seen during Israel's Jerusalem Day celebrations Israelis are celebrating Jerusalem Day, 25 May, an annual holiday aimed at strengthening Jewish claims over the city at the heart of the Mideast conflict.

Thousands of Israelis marched through the streets of Jerusalem, celebrating the 39th anniversary of the reunification of the city during the Six Day War in 1967. They waved national flags, as they marched to the Western Wall in the disputed Old City, the last remnant of the biblical Temple.

The Palestinians want the Old City and the rest of East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, but the message of Jerusalem Day is that the city is Jewish.

"Well, we have to show that Jerusalem really belongs to Israel, and that it is the heart and soul of the Jewish people here," said Yaakov Friedman, who immigrated to Israel from New York 12 years ago. "Every year, we say, you know, at Passover time, 'Next year, we should be in Jerusalem. Oh, here we are,' you know, praying and hoping that Jerusalem stays united,"

Jerusalem remains one of the most intractable issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel says it will never relinquish the Temple Mount and Western Wall, the holiest places in Judaism.

But the mount is also home to the Mosque of al Aksa, the third holiest place in Islam. Palestinians say there will never be peace until Israel withdraws and the Old City returns to Muslim control.


Ehud Olmert
At a Jerusalem Day ceremony on a Six Day War battlefield, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made it clear that is not going to happen.

"Jerusalem was born Jewish," Mr. Olmert said, and, today, more than ever, he said, it is Jewish, complete and united.

Rock in Rio Lisboa 2006

O festival Rock in Rio Lisboa decorre entre os dias 26 e 27 de Maio e 2, 3 e 4 de Junho

O festival vai contar com as presenças de cerca de 40 bandas, entre as quais se destacam os nomes dos Guns n Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Shakira, Jamiroquai, Sting, Anastacia e Roger Waters, e será um Rock in Rio para a família. Esta é, pois, a proposta de um dos maiores festivais de música do mundo.

Rock in Rio tem sido, nos últimos anos, o maior evento musical ao nível planetário. Depois de três edições de sucesso no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, a organização escolheu a capital portuguesa para acolher o festival em 2004. Dois anos depois, o Rock in Rio regressa a Lisboa!

Nos 200 mil metros quadrados do recinto do evento, o Parque da Bela Vista (Lisboa), vão estar presentes 42 parceiros organizados por sete categorias de patrocínio (patrocinador principal, patrocinador, patrocinador social, parceiro social, 'media partners', apoio e apoio institucional).


Ao longo dos cinco dias do festival, vão passar pelo Parque da Bela Vista alguns dos maiores nomes da música nacional e internacional. A organização prevê mais de 500 mil pessoas, a uma média de 100 mil esperadas por dia, tendo definido que o evento não poderia ser apenas mais um festival de música, mas também uma forma de solidariedade social com a finalidade de contribuir para "Um Mundo Melhor".

Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica (INEM) vai ter 43 elementos de prevenção nos períodos de maior afluência do Rock in Rio Lisboa e garante estar preparado para resolver no recinto a maioria dos episódios clínicos que surjam, segundo a Lusa.

Rock in Rio Lisboa 2006 já definiu os nomes e datas de actuação dos artistas participantes:

• Shakira e Ivete Sangalo cantam na abertura ao lado do Jamiroquai e dos portugueses D’Zrt.
  
• Axl Rose e companhia tocam no segundo dia, junto com os ingleses do The Darkness e Xutos e Pontapés, de Portugal.
  
• No dia 2 de julho, é a vez do guitarrista mexicano Santana, o ex-Pink Floyd Roger Waters e do cantor português Rui Veloso.
  
• No quarto dia, tocam Red Hot Chilli Peppers, os cubanos Orishas, o grupo britânico Kasabian e os portugueses do Da Weasel.
  
• No último dia, a encerrar o festival, estará a cantora norte-americana Anastacia, Sting e Corinne Bailey Rae.

Serão 5 dias cheios de emoções, entre:

• o grandioso "Palco Mundo" - onde vão actuar alguns dos maiores nomes da música internacional;
  
• a "Tenda Electrónica" - com sets dos mais reconhecidos DJ's e VJ's nacionais e internacionais;
  
• o "Hot Stage" - onde se vai poder assistir aos concertos de bandas de sucesso e alguns promissores talentos quer nacionais quer de outros países;
  
• o "Espaço Kids" cheio de actividade para as crianças;
  
• o "Espaço Radical", com uma pista de neve verdadeira e workshops de snowboard;
  
• a "Tenda VIP" com ar condicionado, catering e outras opções de conforto.

Concurso dos bigodes

Uma bela amostra dos avantajados bigodes que há por esse mundo fora...  

Mundial Futebol 2006

Um orangutango, apoiante da selecção de futebol da Coreia do Sul, coberto pela bandeira do país.
  

Electri's Trojan

A implosão em Rainier, Oregon, da Portland General Electric's Trojan Nuclear Power Plant, a primeira grande central nuclear comercial a ser desactivada nos E.U.

  

Dafen Oil Painting Village

Numa pequena vila de 4 quilómetros quadrados, a Dafen Oil Painting Village, em Shenzhein, China, vivem 8.000 artistas. O quadro fixa a recepção feita pelo Presidente Bush ao Presidente Hu Jin Tao, na recente visita feita aos E.U.
  

CowParade Paris

Na Cowparade de Paris, a partir de 27 de Abril, foram expostas 110 vacas de fibra de vudro. Esta é a vaca do Mundial de Futebol 2006.
  

Montenegro

Foi votada a independência de Montenegro da Sérvia, com 55,3% a favor.
  

Portugal

Os braços do Rio Douro  

Amadora

Alfornelos

 
 
  

Angola

Dundo - Diamang - Velhos tempos

Inconsistent

Stupid product label

1. On a blanket from Taiwan NOT TO BE USED AS PROTECTION FROM A TORNADO.
2. On a helmet mounted mirror used by US cyclists REMEMBER, OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR ARE ACTUALLY BEHIND YOU.
3. On a Taiwanese shampoo USE REPEATEDLY FOR SEVERE DAMAGE.
4. On the bottle-top of a (UK) flavoured milk drink AFTER OPENING, KEEP UPRIGHT.
5. On a New Zealand insect spray THIS PRODUCT NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS.
6. In a US guide to setting up a new computer TO AVOID CONDENSATION FORMING, ALLOW THE BOXES TO WARM UP TO ROOM TEMPERATURE BEFORE OPENING.(Sensible, but the instruction was INSIDE the box.)
7. On a Japanese product used to relieve painful haemorrhoids LIE DOWN ON BED AND INSERT POSCOOL SLOWLY UP TO THE PROJECTED PORTION LIKE A SWORD-GUARD INTO ANAL DUCT. WHILE INSERTING POSCOOL FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, KEEP QUIET.
8. In some countries, on the bottom of Coke bottles OPEN OTHER END.
9. On a packet of Sunmaid raisins WHY NOT TRY TOSSING OVER YOUR FAVOURITE BREAKFAST CEREAL?
10. On a Sears hairdryer DO NOT USE WHILE SLEEPING.
11. On a bag of Fritos YOU COULD BE A WINNER! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.DETAILS INSIDE.
12. On a bar of Dial soap DIRECTIONS - USE LIKE REGULAR SOAP.
13. On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert(printed on bottom of the box) DO NOT TURN UPSIDE DOWN.
14. On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding PRODUCT WILL BE HOT AFTER HEATING.
15. On a Korean kitchen knife WARNING KEEP OUT OF CHILDREN.
16. On a string of Chinese-made Christmas lights FOR INDOOR OR OUTDOOR USE ONLY.
17. On a Japanese food processor NOT TO BE USED FOR THE OTHER USE.
18. On Sainsbury's peanuts WARNING - CONTAINS NUTS.
19. On an American Airlines packet of nuts INSTRUCTIONS - OPEN PACKET, EAT NUTS.
20. On a Swedish chainsaw DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STOP CHAIN WITH YOUR HANDS OR GENITALS.
21. On a child's superman costume WEARING OF THIS GARMENT DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO FLY.
22. On some frozen dinners SERVING SUGGESTION DEFROST.
23. On a hotel provided shower cap in a box FITS ONE HEAD.
24. On packaging for a Rowenta iron DO NOT IRON CLOTHES ON BODY.
25. On Boot's "Children's" cough medicine DO NOT DRIVE CAR OR OPERATE MACHINERY.
26. On Nytol sleep aid WARNING MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS.

Source: BIDZ.com

Citações célebres

"Todos os homens sonham, mas não da mesma maneira. Aqueles que sonham de noite, nos recantos poeirentos das suas mentes, descobrem de manhã que tudo não passou de uma ilusão; mas os que sonham de dia são homens perigosos, porque podem enfrentar os seus sonhos de olhos abertos e torná-los possíveis." - Thomas Edward Lawrence

Da Vinci Code

Filme "Da Vince Code", da Sony/Paramount

Um pouco por todo o mundo católico têm havido protestos contra a exibição do filme "DA VINCI CODE", de Ron Howard, como demonstram as fotos aqui registadas, encontradas na Net.















Focam para já, manifestações em França (Paris e Cannes), Estados Unidos (Culver City), Venezuela (Caracas), Coreia do Sul (Seul), Russia (Moscovo).

As pimeiras críticas vistas nos meios de comunicação, e em referência exclusiva à execução do filme, não parecem muito favoráveis ao seu realizador. As expectativas dos espectadores e, certamente, de muitos dos 40 milhões de leitores do livro do mesmo título,, não foram satisfeitas, pois estariam á espera de algo mais vibrante, mais dinâmico, com 'a chama', que lhe falta.

Juan Gris

Madrid, 1887 - Boulogne-Sur-Seine, France, 1727

Berlin

"Memories"




Foi em Berlim, há vários anos atrás, excelente espectáculo de Sascha Iljinskij/Emil Neupauer e música de Detlef Klemn.