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Journalism of Courage
Costliest beetle sold
TOKYO: A giant stag beetle measuring 80 millimeters long has been sold for a record 10 million yen 90,000 dollars at a Tokyo store specialising in insects, store representatives said on Thursday. The price is said to be the highest ever paid for a giant stag beetle, whose scientific name is dorcus hopei. According to the representatives at the Tokyo store, a 36-year-old company president bought the male insect. The insects are distinguished by a large set of pincer-like jaws. Last year, a beetle 79 millimeters long reportedly sold for 5 million yen.
Artefacts returned
KATHMANDU: Four ancient Nepali sculptures smuggled to the United States have been returned to the Himalayan kingdom, a government official said on Thursday. The art pieces recovered from a private collector in Los Angeles include an eighth century statue of a standing Buddha and three sculptures of different Hindu gods and goddesses from the 10th and 14th centuries. quot;This is a big achievement,quot; said Prakash Darnal, an archaeologist with the government8217;s Department of Archaeology. quot;Historically and archaeologically they are highly valuable,quot; he said. Department officials did not say how the pieces were recovered nor how they were smuggled out.
