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