News Bytes

Museum I: The Museum of Modern Art can go home soon

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has the highest-quality collection of 20th century art. The best paintings are currently still being displayed in Berlin's National Gallery. However, at home in New York, the stellar moment is being prepared. The expansion and reconstruction of the building that houses the richest collection of western modern art is almost done. The walls still have to be painted, lights and doors have to be installed. The new walls are still empty, the works of art will move into their new home in November, for MoMA's 75th birthday. And what a new home it is! The new MoMA is twice the size of the old one, the lighting is excellent, breathtaking halls display contemporary art, the top floor daylight halls will be used for temporary exhibitions, and the intimate rooms protected from direct light will be used for drawings and photos.

Museum II: From Bavaria to America

From June 24 to September 26, a traveling exhibition initiated by the Haus der Bayerischen Geschichte (Center of Bavarian history) can be seen in Nördlingen, Bavaria, with the notable title "Good Bye Bayern, Grüß Gott America." Apart from a number of exhibits (among them some from The American Dream), a website and a book about the subject have been published. Find comprehensive information about the exhibition on the website that includes several other useful links about the subject of "Emigration to the US," http://www.hdbg.de/auswanderung/deutsch/index2.htm

Law: lawsuits against foreign governments in the US

The US Supreme Court has decided that lawsuits against foreign governments are possible. This decision, however, only defines jurisdiction. The Justices agreed with 6 voices for and 3 against the ruling. The specific case - a Jewish Austrian woman who wants to sue Vienna and claims possession of some Klimt paintings. This is possible now, but according to Austrian attorney Toman has to be done according to Austrian law. However, the cases can always be dismissed by the US Department of State as the final authority. Previously, the US government had disapproved of such actions, because they were worried that it might harm international relations.

Sports: Surfing is now a school sport in Hawaii

On Thursday, the school authorities unanimously decided to make surfing a school sport. From now on, schools may have their own teams, which was previously only ossible for private organizations. The authorities, however, point out the danger of high waves, shark attacks, and collisions with other surfers. These also raise the question of who is liable in the case of accidents. In 2002 the Department of Justice had spoken out against the introduction of surfing teams. In the Hawaii area, about four shark attacks are recorded every year. A 13-year old girl lost an arm in such an attack.

Education: 68 percent of Florida's schools "very good" or "good"

Almost seven out of ten schools got an A or B in the annual rating in Florida, which would be a "very good" or "good" in Germany. Only nine percent of schools got lower grades. Out of the 2,652 schools in Florida, 1,259 got an A, 49 got an F. The rating is being conducted with the "Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test" in which students rate their schools. All schools that get an A or are able to improve their rating receive a prize of $100 per student.

Economy: Nissan most efficient in the US

The car manufacturer Nissan has the most efficient production plant within the US. Last year, the medium class model Altima has been produced in an average 15.33 hours in the plant of Smyrna, Tennessee. According to Harbour Consulting, plants of General Motors take up the remaining four spots in the top five of most efficient US car factories. In the US, building a car takes an average of 24.06 hours. In comparison, Wolfsburg car manufacturer VW needs about 20 hours for one Golf, with special equipment sometimes also more than 30.

Nature: Lake in the US disappeared

In the US state of Missouri, an entire lake drained in just a few days. According to residents of the area, all that remained of Lake Chesterfield was a giant mud hole. Geologists discovered that the lake's water had been drained through a sinkhole after heavy rainfalls. Now that residents of the area are calling for donations so they can recreate the lake in its original form.

Nature II: Snake kills power network

A snake, looking for a place to sleep inside a transformer of a power station in Marlow, Oklahoma, caused a fire and thus a blackout for 2,300 residents. The resulting fire was extremely hot and melted metal, but could be extinguished with fire extinguishers when discovered by policemen. The snake paid with her life for the unusual sleeping location. No other animals or people were hurt.

New trend: traveling gnomes

The newest trend in the US - sending gnomes to places around the world. A company in the US state of California produces the so-called "gnomads," a mix between gnome and nomad. Anyone can buy a gnomad and send it somewhere or take it on a trip. There are entire websites about the travels of gnomads, including photos and travelogues. (e.g. http://www.gnomads.net/index.php)

Recreation: Wig stops rollercoaster

In a New York amusement park, a wig stopped a roller coaster at a height of about 20 meters (65 feet). The roller coaster was the well-known Coney Island Cyclone. According to the British Sun, Jerry Meditto, the roller coaster's manager, said it was a woman's wig that must have fallen on the tracks during a previous ride. The passengers had to wait for about 30 minutes before they were rescued. So far, the wig hasn't been picked up by the owner.