ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´

Taiwan locked out

Taiwan has again been refused observer status at the World Health Organization. On Monday, member states voted by 133 to 25 against debating the island’s inclusion. Taiwan’s health minister, Chen Chien-Jen, says the decision will weaken global measures to combat the spread of infectious diseases.

Dinosaur goes cheap

Tyrannosaurus rex just isn’t worth as much as it used to be. The second fossil of the fearsome predator to go under the hammer sold for just $93,250 at auction on 16 May. Though it is only 20 per complete, this is still a pittance compared to the $8.3 million paid for the nearly complete specimen known as Sue in 1997.

They know where you live

The names, addresses, phone numbers and birth dates of transatlantic airline passengers are to be shared between the European Union and the US under a deal signed by European foreign ministers and Washington on 17 May. The anti-terrorist measure is supported by the European Commission – which says privacy will be protected by EU data laws – but opposed by the European Parliament, which says it will undermine privacy.

Nuclear subs plea

Russia wants more money to dismantle its ageing fleet of nuclear submarines. The country has 96 subs waiting to be scrapped that could sink, break up, or have their nuclear materials stolen unless more aid money is available to safeguard them, says Russia’s deputy atomic energy minister, Sergei Antipov.

Whale hunt to resume

Norway is set on a return to large-scale whaling. As New ÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ went to press on Tuesday, its parliament was about to approve plans for an annual quota of 1800 minke whales – three times the current take and equal to catches before a worldwide moratorium on whaling began in 1986.