Bogus Harry Potter peddled in Chile
LONDON, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Two men have been charged with selling bogus Spanish-language copies of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" in Chile.
The Spanish version of J.L. Rowling's new bestselling novel is not due until the end of the year. But, that didn't stop pirates, according to the BBC.
"Not only is it illegal, not only is it a pirate copy, it's a really bad translation," said Eduardo Castillo, president of the Chilean Book Chamber business group.
He urged people not to buy the book, which has been selling for about $15.
Rowling's fifth Harry Potter adventure was released in June and immediately smashed sales records around the world. But it was only available in English.
Unauthorized versions of the book have been on sale in countries like Pakistan months before the official release. And fans in countries from China to Germany have put their own translations on the Internet.
High honor planned for 'salsa' queen
MIAMI, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Cuban music legend Celia Cruz, the "queen of salsa," could be the first Hispanic woman to receive one of the nation's highest civilian honors.
In September, Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Bob Menendez will introduce a resolution to the House of Representatives to posthumously award Cruz the Congressional Gold Medal, the Miami Herald reported.
"Although she was a superstar, she was giving and compassionate," said Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican from Miami. "She's transcended so many cultural and ethnic lines that she's well deserving of the award."
Cruz, who died in July of brain cancer, would join the ranks of the 300 entertainers, heroes, inventors, humanitarians and war heroes awarded the medal if the resolution is passed.
Tiny town hosts rock festival
MICHAEL, Ill., Aug. 8 (UPI) -- It's no Woodstock, but tiny Michael, Ill., is getting ready to rock and concert officials are wondering what to expect Saturday.
The Billy-Bob Palooza and Chia Boy II concert is set to begin at noon on the 500-acre estate of Jonah White, who made a fortune selling the popular Billy-Bob Teeth. For $20, concertgoers will get a chance to hear 10 bands, get free food and beverages and camp overnight if they choose.
Michael, population 51, is located about 45 miles north of St. Louis.
White, who advertised on the internet, is not sure how many folks to expect for his rock festival. More than 1,000, he is sure, or maybe as many as 3,000. Or 5,000, perhaps. He has hired private security officers.
"They say they have adequate security," said Calhoun County State's Attorney Charles Burch. "We're hoping they're right."
Blacks, Latinos make movie gains
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- There were more roles for black and Latino actors last year than ever before, SAG reports in its annual diversity report.
Women over 40 also made gains but the reverse was true for Asian-Pacific Islanders and Native Americans.
Together, the four minority groups accounted for 24.2 percent of all theatrical and television roles last year, a 2.1 percent gain over 2001, the Hollywood Reporter said.
While only adding 39 roles, a gain of about 1 percent, blacks accounted for 15.5 percent of all roles, exceeding the black population of the United States, which stands at a little less than 13.
Latino actors got cast in 379 additional roles last year, bringing their share up to 6 percent, a 1.2 percent increase. Latinos account for 13.6 percent of the U.S. population.
Native Americans' share dropped to 0.2 percent from 0.37. Asian-Pacific Islanders made no gains last year and still account for 2.5 percent of total roles.
