U.S. returns fossils to China<\/p>\n
CHINA: The United States has returned to China 14 tons of fossils
\nthat were illegally smuggled to the United States last year, the
\nstate press said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The artifacts included the nearly intact fossilized remains of
\na five-meter long ichthyosaur, a large fish-like lizard that
\nroamed what is now China's southern Guizhou province some 250
\nmillion to 300 million years ago, the Beijing Morning Post said.<\/p>\n
Ten \"Guizhou dragons\", a similar animal to the ichthyosaur,
\nwere also returned. Both were believed to have gone extinct in
\nthe Mesozoic Era and both were unique to the Guizhou region, the
\npaper said.<\/p>\n
The fossils were seized by U.S. customs officers in San Diego,
\nCalifornia, and were returned in accordance with an agreement
\nwith China, it said. --AFP<\/p>\n
;REUTERS;KOD;
\nANPAu..r..
\nATW-Korea-politics
\nS.Korea opposition wins bellwether local polls
\nJP\/10\/ATW<\/p>\n
S. Korea opposition wins local polls<\/p>\n
SOUTH KOREA: Exit polls showed South Korea's conservative
\nopposition Grand National Party (GNP) swept most key local
\ngovernment elections on Thursday, in a crucial test of the public
\nmood ahead of December's presidential election.<\/p>\n
In an election that faced stiff competition for voter
\nattention from the World Cup soccer finals being cohosted with
\nJapan, a record low turnout of 43.9 percent hurt the ruling
\nMillennium Democratic Party of President Kim Dae-jung.<\/p>\n
The GNP, which attacked ruling camp scandals, captured at
\nleast five and probably six of nine provincial governorships,
\nexit polls on South Korean television channels showed.<\/p>\n
The party won mayoral races in six of seven major cities,
\nincluding the capital Seoul.<\/p>\n
South Korea's 34.7 million voters will choose a successor to
\nPresident Kim on Dec. 19. Kim, 77, is not up for reelection
\nbecause the constitution bars him from seeking a second term when
\nhis five-year tenure ends next February. --Reuters<\/p>\n
;AFP;KOD;
\nANPAi..r..
\nATW-France-auction-people
\nStars' snaps snag 53,000 euros for media freedom at Paris auction
\nJP\/9\/ATW<\/p>\n
Stars' snaps snag 53,000 euros<\/p>\n
FRANCE: Hundreds of snapshots taken by celebrities went under the
\nhammer in Paris this week, raising 53,000 euros (US$50,000) for
\nmedia freedom in the world -- and curiosity as to what the photos
\nshow.<\/p>\n
The sale, which took place late on Wednesday, was an unusual
\nevent dreamed up by Reporters Without Borders, an organization
\nstanding up for journalists' rights.<\/p>\n
The group handed out throwaway cameras to 95 personalities
\nfrom the world of entertainment and sport and left them free to
\nphotograph whatever they wished over a two-month period.<\/p>\n
Director Robert Altman, actor Jean-Marc Barr, actress
\nCharlotte Rampling, fashion designer (and professional
\nphotographer) Karl Lagerfeld and supermodel Laetitia Casta were
\namong those encouraged to take part.<\/p>\n
The camera wielded by actress Juliette Binoche fetched the
\nhighest price -- 4,500 euros -- despite the fact there was no
\nindication what the star of The English Patient might have shot.
\n--AFP<\/p>\n
;REUTERS;KOD;
\nANPAi..r..
\nUN-health-tobacco
\nUN sees more smokers despite anti-tobacco drive
\nJP\/10\/ATW<\/p>\n
More smokers despite antitobacco drive<\/p>\n
UNITED NATIONS: The UN sought on Wednesday to defuse industry and
\ngovernment opposition to its antismoking proposals, saying the
\nnumber of smokers in the world would increase even if the health
\ncampaign met its most optimistic goals.<\/p>\n
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the number of smokers
\nwould grow to 1.34 billion around the world by 2050 from the
\ncurrent 1.28 billion -- due to normal population growth -- even
\nif antitobacco drives enjoyed a \"formidable success\" and
\npersuaded 1 percent of smokers a year to quit.<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization, an arm of the United Nations,
\nand its 191 member nations have been working for years on a
\nFramework Convention on Tobacco Control, designed to curb the
\nspread of tobacco-related disease.<\/p>\n
But the United States and others have blocked agreement on a
\ntreaty, arguing that steps such as higher tobacco taxes,
\nadvertising bans and smoking restrictions could harm tobacco
\nfirms and other economic interests. --Reuters<\/p>",
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