News Bytes

Memorial Day on May 31

Every year on the last Monday in May - the Memorial Day - the US commemorate their dead. Originally, this was the day to honor the fallen soldiers of the American Civil War, their graves were being decorated with flags and flowers. But today, this day is for all the dead and fallen alike.

Smoking ban on the beach of Los Angeles

The city council of the Californian city of Los Angeles has unanimously decided to put a smoking ban on the entire 21 kilometers (13 miles) of beach of the metropolis. After the smoking ban on restaurants and bars 10 years ago, smokers are now losing their most attractive refuge. Councilman Jack Weiss, initiator of the smoking ban, explained that the beaches were the most precious natural heritage and should be the most unspoiled recreational area.

NASA is planning media archive

At present, NASA has various archives with about 115,000 videos and films, as well as millions of still images. Now, an online version is supposed to provide a condensation and combination. The space agency is hoping to find a cooperation partner that will take care of designing the website, do the necessary programming and take care of digitalizing the material. To keep the price low, NASA is planning to leave all rights for commercial use to the potential partner. The agency says the project is to run for about 60 months.

Estée Lauder dead

The founder of US cosmetics company Estée Lauder died at the age of 97. According to the New York Times, Estée Lauder died in her Manhattan apartment. Her son Leonard told the paper that she had died of heart and lung failure. She had retired from business only nine years ago.

Sony opens luxury store

In May, Japanese company Sony will open its first luxury store in the US in Manhattan, New York, selling high-end products of the electronic entertainment variety with the luxury brand of "Qualia." Prices for the products offered in the store range from $3,900 for a digital camera to a $30,000 home-cinema projector. A Qualia stereo system is available for the price of $15,000.

Accident saves man's life

It was a blessing in disguise when a man from the US state of Georgia totaled his truck in an accident last Friday. The accident saved his life.

The driver had choked on a piece of his food, was about to suffocate and lost consciousness. On a highway near the town of Hickory, his truck collided with the trailer of a tractor.

The food was ejected from his throat. After the collision, he crawled out of his truck, only lightly injured. He had regained consciousness in the accident as well. The only charges against him are careless and unobservant driving.

Psychologist is Miss USA

This year, the most beautiful woman of the US is from Missouri - on Monday, 25-year old Shandi Finnessey was crowned Miss USA in Los Angeles. The blond who won against four other competitors in the final competition has a degree in psychology and already published a children's book.

Find more information on missusa.com.

Disney raises entrance fees - new attractions

As of April, visitors to the Disney World in Orlando, Florida, are paying higher entrance fees. Instead of $52, they now have to pay $54.75. Furthermore, a cheap year-pass has been announced, it will be valid weekdays. Disneyland in California raises the entrance proce as well by $2.75, to $49,75 for persons ten years or older. The reason - investments in the theme parks. There are a number of new attractions such as the musical ‘Snow White' in Disneyland and the ride Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror in the Californian adventure park, which will open to the public on May 5.