|
(Continued from page 31)
encounter between a pope and Orthodox patriarch in more than 500 years.
• ___
Consumers question safety of genetically modified foods as Vermont becomes first to label them
• WASHINGTON (AP) -- Genetically modified foods have been around for years, but most Americans have no idea if they are eating them.
• The Food and Drug Administration says they don't need to be labeled, so the state of Vermont has moved forward on its own. On Thursday, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed legislation making his state the first to require labeling of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.
• What about the rest of the country? And does labeling matter?
• There's a lot of confusion about genetically modified foods and their safety.
• Some people feel very strongly about GMOs. Opponents, who at times have protested in the streets, say consumers have the right to know whether their food contains GMOs. The Vermont law is their first major victory.
• ___
Loyal to actor-in-rubber-suit Godzilla, Japanese wary of Hollywood's computer-graphics monster
• TOKYO (AP) -- The big-screen Godzilla that scared and thrilled viewers in 1954 was an actor in a rubber suit with a zipper up its back. And many Japanese fans still prefer that monster over a Hollywood version made in terrifying, full 3-D computer-graphics glory.
• "American Godzilla is just a giant iguana freaking out," says Mudai Nozaki, 30, who believes Godzilla is Japan's greatest contribution to cinematic history next to "Seven Samurai" and "Kagemusha" director Akira Kurosawa.
• His reaction is surprisingly typical among Japanese who have seen the trailer of the film, titled simply "Godzilla," which premieres May 16 in the U.S. and in July in Japan. They wonder if the Warner Bros. remake will be a tribute or an embarrassment for Japan's monstrous legacy.
• Japanese Godzilla-lovers say their iconic hero falls into a special phantasmal category called "kaiju," which have more imaginary, far-fetched traits than what they see as more mundane monsters like King Kong or Frankenstein.
• And the Hollywood version is no kaiju, said Kazuya Haraguchi, who collects Godzilla goods, including a 100,000 yen ($1,000) complete DVD collection from Toho (Continued on page 33)
|
|
