But it is very important for people to rely on their historic experience and remember how things used to be, because sometimes, in the midst of the commotion, there is a sense that something is disintegrating, that something is oppressive. Let's remember what we had before, and what direction we are moving in. That puts things into perspective very quickly. Incidentally, this is something we absolutely need to talk about, and to the younger generation too.
When I talk with my son, I understand that there are many things he simply doesn't know because he has never seen them. He has never seen empty shelves in stores, he has never seen a black and white TV screen showing the Vremya [Time] news programme and the Secretary General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the USSR speaking, and he has never seen a local Communist Party Committee in his life. I am not saying that these things are necessary, but these are certainly things that people need to know about the things that we have gotten away from. Hence anyone who says that we are currently living in a totalitarian system is either dodging or has a terrible memory.

The State honors citizens and organizations making brilliant contributions to scientific and technological development with the Science and Technology Award. Since 2000, a total of 27,772 people have won this award, and among them 16 prominent scientists won the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award of China. China has two titles for academicians: One is Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the highest title in the field of science and technology, and the other is Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the highest title in the field of engineering and technology. By the end of 2009 there were 1,143 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and 861 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, all of whom won the title by way of assessment and selection. Since 1990, China also practices a system of special government allowances.

Designers have presented their respective spring 2004 collections at New York Fashion Week. As expected, a variety of chic styles and charming colors were on display in the Big Apple, Samantha Critchell and Francine Parnes report.
Jay Gatsby was in the front row at Kenneth Cole's fashion show, the opening of New York Fashion Week.
Robert Redford, who starred in 1974's ``The Great Gatsby,'' met Cole backstage before the presentation of the designer's spring 2004 collection. The spring preview for retail buyers and editors ended yesterday at the fashion tents and other venues.

"We are absolutely thrilled to honor Robin Roberts and recognize all her accomplishments, both on and off the court," said WNBA President Donna Orender. "Through her extraordinary leadership in the news industry as GMA's co-anchor, to her humanitarian efforts in helping Hurricane Katrina victims to her courageous public battle with breast cancer, her integrity and passion continues to inspire millions of young girls."
"I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition from the WNBA," said Robin Roberts. "All the women in this league are a true inspiration. I appreciate the sterling example they set each and every day for us all."
Due to the league's one-month hiatus for the 2008 Olympic Games, a WNBA All-Star Game will not be played this season, and the Luncheon will also serve as a final send-off for American WNBA athletes heading to Beijing this summer in hopes of returning with the United States' fourth gold medal in women's basketball. Sue Bird, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Tina Thompson and other players will be on hand for a special ceremony during the event.

This could be a further evolution of the trouser trend that has taken hold among the fashion-forward set for fall.
The Vena Cava girls took a tour through the 1980s with inspiration from Memphis, an Italian design movement dating back to the 1980s known for bold colors and geometric shapes.
Designers Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai showed a collection heavy on black, red, aquamarine green, rust and bright yellow. Beige culottes were paired with a black zip-up jacket. Netting was used on the back of a beige romper and on a cream cotton dress, tied with a rope belt and worn under a beige blazer.
"They are almost like disco silhouettes, some of them. They're clothes that you could just dance all night in, that you feel totally comfortable doing anything in," said Mayock.