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Soundbites

“The situation is out of control, it is dramatic, it is worrying.â€

Narciso Mota, municipal president of Pombal, Portugal, on the forest fires sweeping southern Europe (AFP, 4 August)

“It’s different from writing for a science journal. That has to be right. In a movie, I wouldn’t say it doesn’t have to be right, but it’s different.â€

Martin Gunderson, one of 15 scientists being taught to write and sell screenplays by the American Film Institute (The New York Times, 4 August)

“I think these results suggest the world is even less prepared than more prepared.â€

Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, on news that a newly developed vaccine for H5N1 bird flu will require massive doses, making global production difficult (The Globe and Mail, Toronto, 9 August)

“Even if they issue a resolution tomorrow we won’t accept it, and will carry on with our work.â€

Mohammed Saeedi, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, on the threat of UN sanctions following his government’s decision to resume work at a uranium enrichment plant (The Sydney Morning Herald, 9 August)

“I don’t think magic potions exist outside of Astérix. But it has been revolutionary.â€

Isabelle Sauguet of French humanitarian nutrition company Nutriset, whose peanut-butter food sachet Plumpy’nut has been hailed a lifesaver by aid agencies tackling famine in Niger (The Independent, London, 9 August)