Friday, 30 October 2009

Doors shut at last UK piano maker

The doors are due to shut at the UK's last remaining piano manufacturer after nearly 100 years of production.

Ninety jobs have been axed at Kemble and Co, as a result of its main shareholder Yamaha transferring operations to Asia.

More than 350,000 upright and grand pianos have been made at the Milton Keynes-based firm since 1911.

Article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/8333215.stm

Internet addresses set for change

The internet regulator has approved plans to allow non-Latin-script web addresses, in a move that is set to transform the online world.

The board of Icann voted at its annual meeting in Seoul to allow domain names in Arabic, Chinese and other scripts.

More than half of the 1.6 billion people who use the internet speak languages with non-Latin scripts.

It is being described as the biggest change to the way the internet works since it was created 40 years ago.

Article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8333194.stm

Wal-Mart starts selling coffins

The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, now plans to hold on to customers even after they die - by selling coffins.

Prices range from a "Mom" or "Dad Remembered" steel coffin for $895 (£540), to a bronze model at $2,899.

Article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8333198.stm

Saturday, 10 October 2009

Analysis: Barack Obama wins 2009 Nobel peace prize

peace prize

From the moment that President Barack Obama - who has won the Nobel peace prize - entered the Oval Office, he made clear that resolving the conflict in the Middle East would be a key priority of his foreign policy.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/6280293/Analysis-Barack-Obama-wins-2009-Nobel-peace-prize.html

World reacts to Obama peace prize

US President Barack Obama has won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for his "extraordinary efforts" to build diplomacy and promote nuclear disarmament.

Since coming to office in January, President Obama has pursued an international agenda that includes a push to restart peace talks in the Middle East and negotiations over Iran's controversial nuclear programme.

Here is a round-up of world reaction to the award as reported by news agencies.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8298802.stm

Obama wins 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

US President Barack Obama has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel Committee said he won it for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8298580.stm


Thursday, 8 October 2009

Nobel prize for literature: German writer Herta Muller wins 2009 award

The Swedish Academy, which decides the winner of the 10 million Swedish crown (£900,000) prize, recognised Muller, 56, for her ability to depict “with the concentration of poetry and the frankness of prose ... the landscape of the dispossessed”.

She is best known for describing the harsh conditions suffered in Romania under the totalitarian rule of the late communist dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu. She began work as a translator but was reportedly sacked after refusing to co-operate with the country’s notorious secret police.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/6271987/Nobel-prize-for-literature-German-writer-Herta-Muller-wins-2009-award.html

Sunday, 4 October 2009

Technology for Tomorrow

Where will the e-reader revolution take publishing?

Some experts believe the devices will change our reading habits and throw several industries into turmoil -- that is, just as soon as Apple gets into the game

Will it or won't it?

The Internet is burning up with speculation about Apple Inc.'s plans for an “iPad,” a potential new entrant in the e-reader market of low-power digital devices whose displays approach paper quality.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/next-big-thing/where-will-the-e-reader-revolution-take-publishing/article1288182/

Sony's PSP Go a visual delight but is price right?

The shift from physical to digital media will present as many headaches for consumers as it does opportunities, including the inability for existing PSP owners to transfer existing library of UMD games to the new device

If looks alone determined the fortunes of new gadgets, the PSP Go, Sony's newly upgraded handheld gaming system, might be the most successful device of its kind.

Available in pearl white and piano black, the PSP Go is about half the size and weight of the original PSP, which makes it roughly the same mass as a portly smart phone, and the first model in the PSP family to fit comfortably in one's trouser pocket.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/personal-tech/sonys-psp-go-a-visual-delight-br-but-is-price-right/article1307055/

British Airways chief says air fare increase inevitable as airlines cut flights

A rise in the cost of air travel is "inevitable" after two leading airlines announced cutbacks in the number of flights because of the rising price of fuel.

In an unprecedented move, British Airways and Ryanair both disclosed reductions to their winter schedules, blaming the sharp increase in oil over the last year.

Read this article:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/2403943/British-Airways-chief-says-air-fare-increase-inevitable-as-airlines-cut-flights.html


Saturday, 3 October 2009

International Translation Day

The 30th September is the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator who is considered the patron saint of translators, interpreters and librarians. The day celebrates and promotes translation as an essential activity in contemporary society. Translation services have become more popular over recent years as each country finds itself dealing with a multicultural society.

Each year the celebration has a theme. The theme for 2009 is “Working together” and as the International Federation of Translators explains it presents an opportunity to “take a fresh look at why and how it pays to join forces.” K International, a UK based translation services company, is always looking for new and exciting ideas to improve its services and join forces with other individuals and companies in its field to improve client services.

http://www.bloglingua.com/international-translation-day/

Friday, 25 September 2009

European Day of Languages

At the initiative of the Council of Europe, Strasbourg, the European Day of Languages is celebrated since 2001 on 26 September.

Throughout Europe, 800 million Europeans represented in the Council of Europe's 47 member states are encouraged to learn more languages, at any age, in and out of school. Being convinced that linguistic diversity is a tool for achieving greater intercultural understanding and a key element in the rich cultural heritage of our continent, the Council of Europe promotes plurilingualism in the whole of Europe.

http://edl.ecml.at/

The Oxford Experience Summer School 2009

The Oxford Experience is a very special summer school that is run by the University of Oxford's Department of Continuing Education.


Weblog:
http://the-oxford-experience.blogspot.com/

Doing Business Abroad?

Here you will find a series of reports on business customs, etiquette, cross-cultural communication, proper gifts, negotiating tactics, business culture, manners, business entertainment and much more.

http://www.businessculture.com/