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Rich circus man says space tripworth $35 million (AP)
(Yahoo! News: U.S. News)
Submitted at 10/6/2009 9:09:26 AM
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –The rich circus showman whobought a $35 million ticket to theInternational Space Station saidTuesday it's been worth everypenny — and more.Canadian billionaire GuyLaliberte, the founder of Cirquedu Soleil, said from orbit thatriding a rocket and visiting thespace station has been an amazing journey so far. He launched intospace last Wednesday fromKazakhstan.The former stiltwalker and fire-eater said the best stunt he's pulledso far in space is hitting his headthree times on the same day,while trying to navigate inweightlessness."I promise that I will be betterwithin the next couple days," hesaid.As for the high cost, "yes, it'sworth every penny and more, Ibelieve, because over and abovedoing it for myself, there's a lot of other stuff that's going on,"Laliberte said at a newsconference. He has organized aworldwide performance Fridaynight to draw attention to theplanet's water crisis, and will takepart by videotape. Participatingfrom Earth will be former VicePresident Al Gore and musiciansU2, Peter Gabriel and Shakira,among others.Laliberte — the firstprofessional artist to fly in space— sighed when a journalist askedif his mission was a $35 millionpublicity stunt. He calls it a"Poetic Social Mission" — thewords were emblazoned on thewhite T-shirt he wore for the TVcameras."I never denied this was amoment to create awarenesstoward the situation of water inthe world, toward foundation OneDrop," he said, referring to theorganization he created two yearsago. "I don't have 25 years, theworld doesn't have 25 years toaddress the situation of water, so Ithink this was a great opportunityto combine a personal dream also,and having a greater benefit than just coming in space."By the time Laliberte leaves thespace station Saturday, he willhave spent eight days at theorbiting outpost. He will return toEarth on Sunday aboard a RussianSoyuz spacecraft with twoprofessional spacemen, a Russianand an American who have spentsix months up there.Laliberte, 50, said there's noway he could spend six months upthere, even if he wanted to,"because I have to go back andcreate a show." He hinted that hemight return for a shorter stay."There's so much to learn.There's so much to discover.There's so much to look at. ... It's just a great environment. So yes, Iwill spend more time, notprobably six months, but thoseguys are the professionals, I'mnot, eh?"Canadian astronaut RobertThirsk said he's glad to haveLaliberte on board. He's certainlylivened things up in orbit. OnMonday, all nine space fliers puton the red clown noses thatLaliberte took up and posed forpictures."Guy has the gift of being able toconvey the magic part of being inspace," Thirsk said. "We can talk about the benefits ... about thescience and the engineering thatwe're doing here. But Guy tells usand relates very well theexcitement, the emotional aspectof being here."Even the former streetperformer, though, has haddifficulty coming up with theright words, right now."Every moment I live right now,I don't have the time to processeverything I'm experiencing, themagic of it," he said. "Right now,I'm absorbing everything. Rightnow, I have a big smile up to myears."___On the Net:NASA:http://spaceflight.nasa.govOne Drop Foundation:http://www.onedrop.org
Switzerland deniesPolanski bail
(BBC News | Americas | World Edition)
Submitted at 10/6/2009 6:17:33 AM
Film-maker Roman Polanski hasbeen denied bail ahead of hispossible extradition to the US, theSwiss Justice Ministry has said.Ministry spokesman Folco Gallisaid the government maintainsthere is a high risk Polanski mayflee if released from custody.Polanski is being held inSwitzerland over his 1977conviction for unlawful sex with a13-year-old girl.He left the US in 1978 before hecould be sentenced and has neverreturned.Polanski was detained inSwitzerland on 26 September ashe travelled from France to collecta lifetime achievement award atthe Zurich Film Festival.Release call"In our view, there is still a veryhigh risk that he will flee and thata release on bail or other measuresafter a release cannot guaranteePolanski's presence in theextradition procedure," Mr Gallisaid.Polanski's legal representativesare also asking Switzerland'shighest criminal court to freePolanski.Mr Galli said the JusticeMinistry has submitted a letter tothe tribunal explaining why itopposes release.The arrest of Polanski, who wonan Oscar in 2002 for The Pianist,a harrowing story of Nazi-occupied Warsaw, has promptedan outcry among some politiciansand Hollywood heavyweights.But last week, CaliforniaGovernor Arnold Schwarzeneggersaid the film-maker should not getspecial treatment because he is a"big-time movie director".A petition has been signed byfilm-makers including PedroAlmodovar and Stephen Frears,and actors including MonicaBellucci and Fanny Ardant,expressing dismay at Polanski'sarrest.Other Hollywood luminaries,including film producer HarveyWeinstein, have called forPolanski's release.His victim, Samantha Geimer,sued Polanski in December 1988,alleging sexual assault, inflictionof emotional distress andseduction.The film-maker agreed to payher $500,000 five years later.But in January this year MsGeimer asked a US court to dropcharges against Polanski, sayingthe continued publication of details "causes harm to me, myhusband and children".Print Sponsor
Gold price reaches record high
(Financial Times - US homepage)
Submitted at 10/6/2009 8:02:10 AM
Gold prices hit a new recordabove $1,040 an ounce onTuesday as the dollar lost groundfollowing reports that the UScurrency’s critical role in globaloil trading was coming underscrutiny.Gold reached a record$1,043.45, racing past its previouspeak of $1,030.80 set last Marchwhen Bear Stearns, the USinvestment bank ran into trouble.
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