Après Petra, une nouvelle tempête sur le Nord-Ouest After Petra, a new storm on the North-West

Après Petra, une nouvelle tempête sur le Nord-Ouest

 

[caption id="attachment_11910" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Une vague à Ploemeur, en Bretagne, dans la tempête, le 5 mercredi février 2014 le Roman (AFP, Frank Perry)) (A wave Ploemeur, Brittany, in the storm, 5 Wednesday February 2014 The Roman (AFP, Frank Perry))[/caption]

 

De Anne MEYER (AFP)

 

Rennes — Après la tempête Petra mardi, une nouvelle tempête hivernale s'apprête à déferler jeudi et vendredi sur un large quart nord-ouest du pays, où 29 départements sont en alerte orange, le Finistère étant même passé au rouge pour les crues.

 

Ce nouvel épisode tempétueux, avec des vents violents "pouvant occasionner des dégâts", de fortes précipitations sur des "sols déjà saturés" dans certains départements bretons et un phénomène de "vagues submersions" sur le littoral, doit débuter vers 13H00 ce jeudi et se poursuivre jusque vers 11H00 vendredi.

 

La Bretagne, les Pays de la Loire, la Normandie, l'Ile-de-France, ainsi que les départements de la Charente-Maritime, des Deux-Sèvres, de la Vienne, d'Eure-et-Loir, d'Indre-et-Loire, de Loir-et-Cher et du Loiret sont concernés.

 

Des rafales de vent à 90/110 km/h dans les terres et 120 km/h sur les côtes sont attendues par Météo-France, qui prévoit des cumuls de pluie importants, de l'ordre de 30 à 50 mm, et localement 60 à 70 mm sur le nord du Finistère.

 

De fortes vagues et une élévation du niveau de la mer (élévation) risquent aussi de submerger des parties du littoral, fragilisé par les coups de vent qui se succèdent depuis le mois de décembre.

 

Les pluies devraient d'abord s'intensifier jeudi, en particulier sur l'ouest de la Bretagne avant de se décaler vers la Normandie et le Centre vendredi matin.

 

Le vent, lui, se renforcera sur les côtes des Pays de la Loire et du sud de la Bretagne jeudi soir, avant de progresser vers le Nord-Est, la Normandie et l'Ile-de-France en deuxième partie de nuit, relève Météo-France.

 

Tempêtes en rafale

 

A la pointe de la Bretagne, le Finistère a une nouvelle fois été placé en alerte rouge pour les inondations, les prévisionnistes s'inquiétant de crues potentiellement importantes de la Laïta, à Quimperlé, et de la rivière de Morlaix, deux petits fleuves côtiers.

 

"Une réaction hydrologique rapide et importante est attendue" jeudi sur la rivière de Morlaix, prévient le service de prévision des crues, soulignant que les niveaux atteints "pourraient être similaires, voire supérieurs" à ceux de Noël dernier, quand la basse-ville avait été subitement envahie par les eaux.

 

Idem pour Quimperlé où la Laïta, qui traverse la basse-ville, devrait réagir "de façon importante" aux fortes pluies prévues, entraînant "des débordements dommageables".

 

"Tout fonctionne normalement pour le moment", a indiqué jeudi midi la maire de Morlaix, Agnès Le Brun.

 

Mais si la pluie tombe autant qu'annoncé, "ce serait vraiment très embêtant car l'eau monterait jusqu'à 2m10 et la rivière déborde à 1m80", a-t-elle expliqué, ajoutant que le pic était attendu à partir de 16h00.

 

Cette dépression suit de près la tempête Petra qui a déjà frappé la côte Atlantique mardi.

 

Conséquence spectaculaire de cette tempête, un cargo espagnol s'est encastré dans une digue à Anglet (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), se coupant en trois et entraînant une fuite de gasoil.

 

Jusqu'à 40.000 personnes ont aussi été privées d'électricité, principalement en Bretagne.

 

Depuis le 15 décembre, cinq épisodes significatifs d'intempéries ont été recensés en Bretagne par la direction interrégionale Ouest de Météo-France à Rennes, selon un rapport provisoire.

 

"On ne décèle pas d'évolution significative du nombre d'événements tempétueux depuis 1950, mais une grande variabilité d'une année sur l'autre", assure le service études et climatologie.

 

"En terme de fréquence et d'intensité de tempêtes, on reste pour l'instant très loin de la période de référence de janvier et février 1990", quand une dizaine de tempêtes majeures s'étaient abattues sur la région, souligne l'organisme.

 

En revanche "les submersions marines répétées lors des grandes marées de début janvier et début février 2014 peuvent d'ores et déjà être considérées comme exceptionnelles".

 

Copyright © AFP 2014. Tous droits réservés.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 6 jeudi février 2014 le Roman)

 

 

After Petra, a new storm on the North-West

 

Anne MEYER (AFP)

 

Rennes - After the storm Petra on Tuesday, a new winter storm is about to break on Thursday and Friday on a wide northwest quarter of the country, where 29 departments are orange alert, Finistère even being turned red for floods.

 

This new episode stormy with winds "that can cause damage," heavy rainfall on "soil already saturated" in some departments of Brittany and the phenomenon of "waves flooding" along the coast, should take place around 13:00 on Thursday and continue until about 11:00 on Friday.

 

Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Normandy, Ile -de- France, as well as the departments of Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres, Vienne, Eure-et-Loir, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher and Loiret are concerned.

 

Wind gusts to 90/110 km/h in land and 120 km/h on the coast are expected by Météo- France, which provides significant accumulations of rain, 30 to 50 mm, and 60 locally 70 mm in the north of Finistère .

 

Strong waves and rising sea level (elevation) are also likely to submerge parts of the coast, weakened by the gales which follow from the month of December.

 

The rains should intensify first Thursday, particularly western Britain before shifting to Normandy and the Centre on Friday morning.

 

The wind, it will become stronger on the coasts of Pays de la Loire and southern Britain on Thursday evening, before progressing to the North East, Normandy and Ile-de-France in the second half of the night, falls Météo-France.

 

Storms burst

 

At the tip of Brittany, Finistere has once again been placed on red alert for flooding, forecasters worrying about potentially significant flood Laïta to Quimper and Morlaix River, two small coastal rivers.

 

"A rapid and significant hydrologic response is expected" Thursday on the river of Morlaix, prevents flood forecasting servic, noting that the levels "could be similar or superior" to those of last Christmas, when the lower town had was suddenly flooded with water.

 

Ditto for Quimper where Laita, which crosses the lower town should respond "significantly" to heavy rains due, causing "harmful excesses."

 

"Everything works normally for the moment,” said Thursday afternoon the mayor of Morlaix, Agnès Le Brun.

 

But if the rain falls as announced, "it would be really annoying because the water would rise up to 2m10 and 1m80 river overflows," she said, adding that the peak was expected from 16:00.

 

This depression closely Petra storm has already hit the Atlantic coast Tuesday.

 

Spectacular result of this storm, a Spanish freighter is embedded in a dike in Anglet (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), intersecting at three and causing a leak of diesel.

 

Up to 40,000 people were also without electricity, mainly in Britain.

 

Since December 15, five of significant weather events were recorded in Britain by the Interregional westbound Météo France in Rennes, an interim report.

 

"We did not detect any significant change in the number of stormy events since 1950, but a large variability from one year to another," says the studies and climatology service.

 

"In terms of frequency and intensity of storms, there remains yet very far from the period of January and February 1990," when a dozen major storms had lashed the region, said the agency.

 

However "marine repeated flooding during high tides early January and early February 2014 can already be regarded as exceptional."

 

Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 6 Thursday February 2014 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 6 Thursday February 2014 The Roman)

Further IT glitch hits UK bank customers

Further IT glitch hits UK bank customers

 

London (AFP)

 

Britain's Lloyds banking group apologised on Sunday after many of its debit card customers were left unable to access their money following a server hitch.

 

The financial institution, Britain's largest retail bank group, later said it had it had fixed the problem that left customers of its members -- Halifax, Lloyds, Bank of Scotland and TSB -- unable to use debit cards or automated teller machines (ATMs).

 

"We apologise that earlier today, between 3 pm and 6 pm, some customers were unable to complete their debit card transactions," said a tweet from Lloyds Banking Group.

 

"Although the majority of transactions were unaffected, we are very sorry for the inconvenience that this will have caused.

 

"At the same time, some customers encountered problems at approximately half of our 7,000 ATMs. This was resolved by 7.30 pm, and all of our ATMs are now working."

 

TSB chief Paul Pester earlier took to Twitter to apologise for the glitch.

 

"I'm working hard with my team now to try to fix the problems," he said, explaining that two of the seven servers used to process the bank's debit card payments had malfunctioned.

 

"It'll take a while to sort the backlog," he added.

 

"Sorry. Customers may have problems for an hour or so."

 

IT problems have recently plagued UK banks.

 

Shortly before Christmas, a technical fault meant around 750,000 Royal Bank of Scotland customers were unable to use their credit and debit cards.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 26 Sunday January 2014 The Roman)

 

 

Il giapponese del Milan, Honda ha giocato le sue prime tre gare con in panchina tre allenatori diversi e cambiando due moduli. Lui vorrebbe giocare centrale, ma Seedorf... The Japanese Milan, Honda played his first three races with three different coaches on the bench and changing two modules. He would like to play a central, but Seedorf ...

Il giapponese del Milan, Honda ha giocato le sue prime tre gare con in panchina tre allenatori diversi e cambiando due moduli. Lui vorrebbe giocare centrale, ma Seedorf...

 

[caption id="attachment_11267" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Getty Images)[/caption]

 

C'è un giapponese a Milano...

 

No non è l'inizio di una barzelletta.

 

E' la situazione che sta vivendo in questi primi giorni di Milan il nipponico Keisuke Honda.

 

Dopo lunghe vacanze natalizie nella terra del sol levante, l'ex Cska Mosca, arrivato in Italia in pompa magna è stato subito gettato nella mischia nonostante le note controversie sulla tematica del jet lag.

 

Uno scampolo di partita a Reggio Emilia con il Sassuolo con in panchina Allegri; un match intero in Coppa Italia contro lo Spezia con Tassotti come supervisore; un'ora circa con il Verona con il nuovo che avanza, Clarence Seedorf e il suo 4-2-3-1.

 

Questa sera, contro l'Udinese, Honda tirerà il fiato.

 

"Sono solo al 50 per cento, voglio dare di più - aveva detto il giapponese al termine del match contro il Verona - ma non è semplice il mio inserimento se continuo a cambiare allenatore.

 

Io e Seedorf ci capiamo molto bene, parliamo in inglese, ma adesso lui dovrà spiegarmi cosa vuole esattamente da me, devo capire il suo calcio".

 

Insomma, il caratterino non gli manca.

 

Per lui, che arriva dall'esperienza olandese e russa dove ritrmi, tattica e valore specifici degli avversari sono totalmente differenti di quelli delle squadre della Serie A, è già pronto un piano personale: psicologico e fisico.

 

Ultimo, ma non ultimissimo, c'è l'equivoco tattico: che Honda ami giocare centrale dietro una o due punte non è un mistero.

 

Il 4-2-3-1 targato Seedorf richiede ai tre fantasisti tanto movimento ma soprattutto continui scambi di posizione.

 

Toccherà a Honda adattarsi, difficile che lo faccia Clarence.

 

(Goal.com, 22 mercoledi gennaio 2014 Il Roman)

 

 

The Japanese Milan, Honda played his first three races with three different coaches on the bench and changing two modules. He would like to play a central, but Seedorf ...

 

There is a Japanese in Milan ...

 

No it is not the beginning of a joke.

 

It's the situation he is experiencing in these early days of the Japanese Keisuke Honda Milan.

 

After a long Christmas vacation in the land of the rising sun, the former CSKA Moscow, who arrived in Italy in full regalia was immediately thrown into the fray despite the known controversies on the issue of jet lag.

 

A remnant of Reggio Emilia with the game on the bench with Sassuolo Allegri, an entire match in the Italian Cup against Spezia with Tassotti as a supervisor, about an hour with the Verona with the new advances, Clarence Seedorf and his 4-2-3-1.

 

Tonight, against Udinese, Honda will pull the breath.

 

"I'm only at 50 percent, I want to give more - said the Japanese at the end of the match against Verona - but it is not easy my input if I keep changing coaches. Seedorf and I understand each other very well, we speak in English, but now he will have to explain exactly what he wants from me, I understand his football."

 

In short, the temper he lacks.

 

For him, that comes from experience where Dutch and Russian ritrmi, tactics and specific value of the opponents are totally different from those of the teams in Serie A, has already prepared a personal level : psychological and physical.

 

Last, but not very last, there is the tactical mistake : that Honda loves to play center behind one or two strikers is not a mystery.

 

The 4-2-3-1 weblog Seedorf takes three playmakers so much movement but mostly continuous exchange of position.

 

It's up to Honda fit, hard to do it Clarence.

 

http://www.goal.com/

 

(Goal.com, 22 Wednesday January 2014 The Roman)

(Text Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 22 Wednesday January 2013 The Roman)

Merkel makes first appearance on crutches after ski fall

Merkel makes first appearance on crutches after ski fall

 

[caption id="attachment_11021" align="alignnone" width="720"] (German Chancellor Angela Merkel stands with crutches during a meeting with young Carol singers as part of the traditional Epiphany charity "Three Kings Action" at the Chancellery in Berlin on January 7, 2014 (AFP, Odd Andersen))[/caption]

 

(AFP)

 

Berlin — German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared publicly on crutches Tuesday for the first time since it emerged she had fractured her pelvis in a ski accident, to join children for carol singing.

 

Smiling broadly and looking relaxed, the 59-year-old chancellor, dressed in a smart teal jacket and dark trousers, negotiated a few steps to stand, leaning on her two crutches, among the 100 or so youngsters from across Germany.

 

The annual event at the chancellery, in which youngsters don "Three Wise Men" costumes and sing carols as part of an Epiphany fundraising effort for needy children, is one of only a couple of appointments that Merkel will keep this week.

 

After a fall over the Christmas holidays while cross-country skiing in Switzerland, Merkel suffered a fractured pelvis and has been advised by doctors to remain lying down as much as possible for three weeks, her spokesman revealed Monday.

 

She will work mainly from home while she recovers, he said.

 

Merkel is however also due to lead the first cabinet meeting of 2014 of her hard-won, new "grand coalition" Wednesday, but a scheduled foreign trip and meetings with the Polish and Luxembourg prime ministers later this week have been called off.

 

Merkel, who was re-elected chancellor for a third term by deputies in December following September's elections, sang along while a girl wearing a costume crown and cloak held the words and music for her to follow.

 

The German leader referred to the fact that she cannot stand too well due to her injury and is supposed to lie down more as she spoke to the youngsters, whose fundraising will go towards helping refugee children around the world.

 

Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 7 Tuesday January 2014 The Roman)

E-3D Royal Air Force Sentry crew

E-3D Royal Air Force Sentry crew

 

[caption id="attachment_10847" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo Royal Air Force)[/caption]

 

 

Royal Air Force

 

@RoyalAirForceUK

 

On the eighth day of Christmas the RAF gave to me…

 

Eight 8 Squadron E-3D Sentry crew.

 

pic.twitter.com/DROu87MIfe

 

(Royal Air Force, 20 Friday December 2013 The Roman)

(Edited: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 20 Friday December 2013 The Roman)

 

Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 3: match report

Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 3: match report

 

Read a full match report for the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on Sunday, December 15 2013.

 

[caption id="attachment_10783" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Celebrations: Manchester United players congratulate each other after scoring against Villa (Photo ACTION IMAGES))[/caption]

 

David Moyes walked slightly nervously towards the away dug-out for the first half, politely declining a request for an autograph from a lady in an Aston Villa beanie.

 

Making the same touchline journey for the ­second period, Moyes was far more relaxed, signing that autograph and shaking hands, having watched his much-criticised Manchester United side dominate Villa, scoring twice through Danny Welbeck.

 

By the end, Moyes was really smiling, having seen more sublime passing from Wayne Rooney and having admired Tom Cleverley crown a hard-working display with a well-taken goal, a moment that will do much for the midfielder’s confidence.

 

Moyes knows he will face far more robust challenges than this from an anaemic Villa side but this Premier League win, a first in five, still felt like a real tonic for the United manager.

 

The headlines will froth with less angst and abuse.

 

The phone-in polemics will simmer down.

 

Hysteria has left the building (for the time being).

 

Christmas now resembles a time of goodwill.

 

United have West Ham United at home followed by trips to Hull City and Norwich City.

 

They will certainly be buoyed by this visit to the Midlands.

 

Other pluses included the performances of Antonio Valencia and Rafael, who linked well and crossed impressively; 48.1 per cent of United’s moves came down the right compared to 25.7 per cent through the centre and 26.2 per cent via the left.

 

Darren Fletcher came on for his first game since Boxing Day 2012 after battling ulcerative colitis and his every touch was cheered by the United throng.

 

Phil Jones and Jonny Evans were rarely troubled at the back because Villa were so poor.

 

As potential ambushes go, this proved more of a welcome mat.

 

Seven points from a possible 24 at home is an alarming return for Villa and the Holte End was admirably restrained at the final whistle.

 

Barring an enterprising opening 10 minutes when Marc Albrighton twice tested David De Gea, Paul Lambert’s side were outclassed.

 

They lacked leadership on the field, ideas and defensive cohesion.

 

Only Albrighton seemed prepared to take on the champions with the requisite levels of invention and poise.

 

Villa were again handicapped by Christian Benteke’s loss of the swagger that made him such a potent force last season.

 

Benteke’s goals helped to keep Villa up and they urgently need him back in the old defence-shredding routine to prevent any slide and also dispel any suggestion that the Belgian looks a transfer request waiting to happen.

 

Gabby Agbonlahor was briefly influential but otherwise cautioned, ruling him out of the trip to Stoke City next Saturday.

 

Experienced Villa observers voiced their frustration.

 

“I just despair at times,’’ said their former striker Dean Saunders, who was covering the game for Radio Five Live.

 

“I know there’s a difference in budget but I watch the strikers and Agbonlahor, Benteke and [substitute Libor] Kozak have not put enough into it.’’

 

Saunders was particularly annoyed by the lack of effort closing down opposing players.

 

“I remember when I was a kid and I didn’t chase the goalkeeper and my youth coach sent me home for a week and told me not to bother coming back until he phoned me. As a striker you’ve got to run and they don’t work hard enough.”

 

Villa were outwitted in midfield.

 

They lined up 4-3-3 but United coped easily with Karim El Ahmadi, Ashley Westwood and Yacouba Sylla in midfield because the exceptional Rooney constantly dropped back to help Cleverley and Ryan Giggs.

 

Villa were either passed through or simply bypassed.

 

United’s speed down the right brought Welbeck’s brace.

 

With Robin van Persie out for a month and Javier Hernandez injured in training, Welbeck took his opportunity emphatically, starting after 15 minutes.

 

Rafael sent in a cross, rising towards Adnan Januzaj, whose header against the post rebounded across goal.

 

Welbeck reacted quickest, volleying the ball in.

 

“We are staying up,’’ came the laughing chant from the visiting fans, mocking reports of their demise.

 

Within three minutes, they were singing “champions” as United tore Villa’s obliging defence apart again.

 

Cleverley was gifted the ball by Nathan Baker in midfield.

 

This time Valencia delivered the ball in for the sliding Welbeck to double the visitors’ lead.

 

Villa were like their manager’s jacket: too short at the back.

 

United were in command.

 

Rooney and Welbeck shot just wide while Januzaj embarked on a couple of dazzling runs before the interval.

 

So Moyes willingly stopped to meet local requests before resuming his position in the dug-out, celebrating a third goal within five minutes.

 

Cleverley exchanged passes with Rooney, whose return was exquisite.

 

Struck with the outside of his right boot, Rooney delivered the ball behind Villa’s defence for Cleverley to run on and shoot past Brad Guzan.

 

Villa were beaten.

 

Matthew Lowton ploughed through Januzaj after 64 minutes and was fortunate that Lee Mason deemed it only a yellow.

 

Four minutes later, Moyes removed Januzaj and later called on referees to protect the winger from aggressive tackling.

 

As well as Lowton, El Ahmadi and Westwood caught Januzaj.

 

Each time, Januzaj got up, making light of the fouls.

 

Januzaj and Giggs were replaced by Ashley Young, who was booed by his former supporters in the Holte End, and Fletcher.

 

“Anybody who returns from an illness to play professional football on this kind of stage for a club like Manchester United shows a lot about the boy himself,” Moyes said.

 

“He’s had to be on his own, he’s been in and out of hospital, had operations.

 

“Today was a big message to a lot of people: if you’re not well then keep believing that you can get yourself right. More importantly he came on and didn’t look out of place. He stroked the ball about. I don’t think he gave the ball away. He was really good. I don’t want to put pressure on by saying ‘that is Darren Fletcher back’ because you just never know. It is definitely great for him because if you’ve been someone with maybe your career in jeopardy, to get back out there with the players and put the strip on and play is great. Actually he should have scored with a header and I told him that!’

 

The cloud over Moyes really had lifted.

 

(The Telegraph, 15 Sunday December 2013 The Roman)

 

News: Paris Christmas light

News: Paris Christmas light

 

[caption id="attachment_10541" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Miguel Medina)[/caption]

 

Christmas in Paris

 

View of lights along the Champs Elysees in Paris.

 

(AFP - Miguel Medina)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 4 Wednesday December 2013 The Roman)

(Edited: R.S.F. tohiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 5 Thursday December 2013 The Roman)

 

 

News: Berlin Christmas market

News: Berlin Christmas market

 

[caption id="attachment_10509" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - John MacDougall)[/caption]

 

Christmas in Berlin

 

The entrance gate reads "Berlin Christmas market" in front of a Ferris wheel at a Christmas market in Berlin's Alexandrplatz.

 

(AFP - John MacDougall)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 2 Monday December 2013 The Roman)

(Edited: R.S.F. tohiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 4 Wednesday December 2013 The Roman)

 

News: The opening day of Strasbourg's Christmas market

News: The opening day of Strasbourg's Christmas market

 

[caption id="attachment_10456" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Frederick Florin)[/caption]

 

Mulled wine

 

A vendor pours mulled wine into a cup on the opening day of Strasbourg's Christmas market, the largest and one of the oldest Christmas markets in France.

 

(AFP - Frederick Florin)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 30 Saturday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F. tohiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 1 Sunday December 2013 The Roman)

 

 

News: Sony PlayStation 4

News: Sony PlayStation 4

 

[caption id="attachment_10450" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Joel Saget)[/caption]

 

Accros

 

Des gens font la queue devant un magasin parisien pour la sortie de la console PS4.

 

Addicted

 

People line up outside a store in Paris for the release of the console PS4.

 

(AFP - Joel Saget)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 30 Saturday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F. tohiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 1 Sunday December 2013 The Roman)

 

 

News: Christmas tree at Paris

News: Christmas tree at Paris



[caption id="attachment_10428" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP)[/caption]



Etincelant



Un arbre de noël aux Galeries Lafayette à Paris.



Sparkling



Christmas tree at Galeries Lafayette in Paris.



(AFP)



(Agence France-Presse, 29 Friday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F. tohiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 29 Friday November 2013 The Roman)

News: Christmas tree at Berlin

News: Christmas tree at Berlin

 

[caption id="attachment_10421" align="alignnone" width="320"] (Photo DPA/AFP - Ole Spata)[/caption]

 

 

Weihnachten im Kanzleramt

 

Ganz schön weihnachtlich sieht es bereits im Kanzleramt in Berlin aus, wo Kanzlerin Merkel und Amtschef Pofalla eine Delegation des THW empfangen.

 

Das Hilfswerk hat gleich drei Weihnachtsbäume für dem Amtssitz der Kanzlerin dabei.

 

Christmas in the Chancellery

 

Pretty Christmas it looks already at the chancellery in Berlin, where Chancellor Angela Merkel and bureau chief Pofalla received a delegation from the THW.

 

The Fund has three Christmas trees for the official residence of the Chancellor there.

 

(DPA/AFP - Ole Spata)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 29 Friday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F. tohiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 29 Friday November 2013 The Roman)

 

Christmas Illumination at Kumoji in The Kingdom of Ryukyu

Christmas Illumination at Kumoji in The Kingdom of Ryukyu

 

 

(Ryukyu Shimpo, 28 Thursday November 2011 The Roman)

(Edited: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 29 Friday November 2013 The Roman)

News: Christmas at the old port of Marseille

News: Christmas at the old port of Marseille

 

[caption id="attachment_10327" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Boris Horvat)[/caption]

 

Christmas market

 

People shop at a Christmas market at the old port of Marseille in southern France.

 

(AFP - Boris Horvat)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 27 Wednesday November 2013 The Roman)

(Translaed: R.S.F. tohiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 27 Wednesday November 2013 The Roman)

 

News: Figurines

News: Figurines

 

[caption id="attachment_10200" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Philippe Huguen)[/caption]

 

Bientôt Noël

 

Des santons au marché de Noël de Lille, dans le nord de la France.

 

It's almost Christmas

 

Figurines Christmas market in Lille, in northern France.

 

(AFP - Philippe Huguen)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 24 Sunday November 2013 The Roman)

(Edited and Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 25 Monday November 2013 The Roman)

 

Sony: 1 million de PlayStation 4 vendues Sony: PlayStation 4 to 1 million sold

Sony: 1 million de PlayStation 4 vendues

 

Sony a annoncé dimanche avoir vendu un million d'exemplaires de sa nouvelle console de jeu vidéo PlayStation 4 au cours de la première journée de commercialisation aux Etats-Unis et au Canada.

 

La PS4, grâce à laquelle le groupe japonais espère relancer ses activités d'électronique grand public, est arrivée vendredi chez les détaillants nord-américains et sera lancée en Europe et en Amérique latine le 29 novembre.

 

Le chiffre de ventes annoncé dimanche n'est pas une surprise puisque Sony avait déjà annoncé avoir enregistré plus d'un million de réservations.

 

Mais il marque une première étape dans le match qui opposera au cours des prochains mois Sony à l'américain Microsoft, dont la nouvelle console, la Xbox One, sera mise en vente vendredi prochain.

 

Le japonais s'est fixé pour objectif de vendre cinq millions de PS4 d'ici la fin de son exercice fiscal, le 31 mars.

 

(Le Figaro, 18 lundi novembre 2013 la Romaine)

 

 

Sony: PlayStation 4 to 1 million sold

 

Sony announced Sunday that it had sold a million copies of its new PlayStation 4 console video game during the first day of marketing in the United States and Canada.

 

The PS4, through which the Japanese group hopes to restart its business of consumer electronics, arrived Friday in North American retailers and will be launched in Europe and Latin America on November 29.

 

Net sales on Sunday is not a surprise since Sony has already announced that it saved more than one million reservations.

 

But it marks a first step in the match between the months ahead to U.S. Sony Microsoft, the new console, Xbox One, will go on sale next Friday.

 

Japanese has set a target to sell five million PS4 by the end of its fiscal year on March 31.

 

(Le Figaro, 18 Monday November 2013 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 18 Monday November 2013 The Roman)

'MTV Unplugged - Live In Athens' — Release date: November 29th 2013

'MTV Unplugged - Live In Athens' — Release date: November 29th 2013

 

The greatest delight for the Scorpions fans, of which there are several million throughout the world, is the fact that there is no end in sight for the Farewell World Tour, even though this has been continuing for three years now.

 

Scorpions still are Germany’s internationally most popular rock band ever in the history of music, and of the 38 countries where farewell shows are planned, only 23 have been covered to date.

 

On top of this, the band has found the time and energy to bring to life a very special event: their first MTV Unplugged show.

 

On 11 and 12 September 2013, Klaus Meine (vocals, guitars), Rudolf Schenker (guitars, vocals), Matthias Jabs (guitars), Pawel Maciwoda (bass) and James Kottak (drums) played two fantastic acoustic sets in the Lycabettus theatre of Athens.

 

The open-air theatre, which was designed by the Greek architect Takis Zenetos in 1965 – and thus is just the same age as the story of the Scorpions – is situated on Mount Lycabettus, at 300m height, and offers an impressive view of the Greek metropolis.

 

But the spectacular scenery is not the only reason that convinced the Scorpions to choose Athens for the first ever open-air show in the history of MTV Unplugged.

 

‘When we were approached with the idea of playing an unplugged show, we immediately thought of Greece,’ Klaus Meine recalls.

 

Matthias Jabs adds, ‘We have fabulous fans all over the world, but the Greeks are absolute die-hard fans.’

 

Concerning the choice of venue, the Lycabettus theatre, Meine explains, ‘We played here many years ago. It is a beautiful place. I can remember that even back then the fans climbed onto the surrounding rocks. Of course we played some of the greatest classics this time, but we also performed a few new songs as well as material that we had never played live up to then. Those are songs which are very popular with the fans but which somehow never made it onto the set lists.’

 

More than ten years ago, the Scorpions had already played a few acoustic sets, the result of which, ‘Acoustica’, was released on CD and DVD in 2001, with great international success.

 

However, the current programme, including a total of two dozen songs, is virtually completely different.

 

First of all, we have the band’s brand new songs, whose stunning live debut filled the audience with instant enthusiasm.

 

Alongside ‘Dancing With The Moonlight’ and ‘Rock'n'Roll Band’, both of which can be easily imagined in perfect rock versions, Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker and Matthias Jabs presented one song each penned by every artist himself.

 

The instrumental track ‘Delicate Dance’ with Matthias Jabs as leader is based on guitar spheres which could easily settle in between the psychedelic glamour of Pink Floyd and the boogie folk of Led Zeppelin.

 

’Love Is The Answer’ is a ballad for which Rudolf Schenker took over as lead vocalist – a feat that does not happen very often.

 

And immediately after this, Klaus Meine surprises us with the world premiere of ‘Follow Your Heart’, another power ballad destined for the charts.

 

The show is opened by ‘Sting In The Tail’, arranged in Cajun style.

 

This song, taken from the eponymous album of 2010, bears witness to how deeply the Scorpions are rooted in rock'n'roll and blues, virtually the topsoil and nurture of hard rock.

 

The same applies to the set of classics that follow, such as ‘Pictured Life’, ‘Speedy's Coming’ or the hymnal ‘Born To Touch Your Feelings’, in which the Greek actress Dimitra Kokkori surprises with a truly heart-wrenching spoken-word part.

 

It goes without saying that the beautiful lady is not the only guest starring at this exceptional event.

 

On the nights featured here, the five Scorpions can count on the relentless support of the Swedish musicians and producers Mikael Nord Andersson (guitars, mandolin, lap steel, vocals) and Martin Hansen (guitars, harmonica, vocals), who are also responsible for the arrangements made specifically for the MTV Unplugged Show, and who also produced the latest Scorpions studio album.

 

Further Swedish support comes in the shapes of Ola Hjelm (guitars, vocals) and Hans Gardemar (keyboards, accordion, vocals), as well as from percussionist PiTTi Hecht from Hannover, who is renowned as one of the best percussionists in Europe.

 

To round off this magnificent cast performing at the Lycabettus theatre, there is a string ensemble consisting of eight Greek ladies, whom Klaus Meine introduces as ‘The Strings from Heaven’.

 

Indeed, a truly heavenly performance is offered by Klaus Meine and Hamburgbased CÄTHE with their version of ‘In Trance’.

 

CÄTHE, who released her second album, ‘Verschollenes Tier’, this summer, shows all her charisma in this true seventies classic.

 

‘Rock You Like A Hurricane’, one of the most popular rock songs by the Scorpions, and frenetically applauded by the audience, features Revolverheld’s Johannes Strate as guest vocalist battling with Klaus Meine, and the ultimate world hit ‘Wind Of Change’ offers a unique aha-experience in its own right when Morten Harket comes on stage for this encore.

 

Throughout its two-and-a-half hours, the show captivates with its numerous intimate moments and infectious adrenaline rushes (such as during a percussion solo).

 

And there are even more nuggets from the sheer endless stock of hits – such as ‘Still Loving You’ and ‘Big City Nights’, ‘No One Like You’ and ‘When The Smoke Is Going Down’ – as well as a few welcome surprises to dazzle the connoisseur.

 

‘When You Came Into My Life’, where Rudolf Schenker plays a sitar, is one of those tracks which the Scorpions had never before played live, as are ‘Where The River Flows’ and ‘Passion Rules The Game’.

 

In view of this unplugged marathon with the stunning emotional momentum it conveys, it is difficult to pinpoint single highlights, but what can be stated with certainty is that the Scorpions evidently enjoyed this musical rollercoaster ride through their own history.

 

It is equally obvious that both rock songs and power ballads display their class and style even when rendered as acoustic versions.

 

The melodies maintain their timeless compositional appeal and the quality of the performance proves time and again that the Scorpions are blessed – this time especially by the Greek gods, it seems.

 

Let us glance into the future: MTV Unplugged will be released in 50 countries and promises to be yet another success story in the sheer limitless Scorpions saga.

 

Fans can also look forward to the documentary motion picture ‘Big City Nights’ by Katja von Garnier, whose band portrait will be shown in cinemas before it is later released on DVD.

 

‘MTV Unplugged’ by the Scorpions is released on 29 November 2013, available as double CD, DVD, Bluray and in various other digital and physical configurations.

 

Tracklisting:

 

1. Sting In The Tail

2. Can't Live Without You

3. Pictured Life

4. Speedy's Coming

5. Born To Touch Your Feelings

6. The Best Is Yet to Come

7. Dancing With The Moonlight

8. In Trance (with CÄTHE)

9. When You Came Into My Life

10. Delicate Dance (Matthias Solo)

11. Love Is The Answer (Rudolf Solo)

12. Follow Your Heart (Klaus Solo)

13. Send Me An Angel

14. Where The River Flows

15. Passion Rules The Game

16. Rock You Like A Hurricane (with Johannes Strate)

17. Hit Between The Eyes

18. Drum-Athenica, PiTTi vs. James

19. Rock 'n' Roll Band

20. Blackout

21. Still Loving You

22. Big City Nights

23. Wind Of Change (with Morten Harket)

24. No One Like You

25. When The Smoke Is Going Down

 

http://www.the-scorpions.com/english/

 

(Scorpions Official Website)