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Journalism of Courage
WORLD8217;S OLDEST PERSON FAILS TO MAKE IT TO NEW YEAR
ALLENTOWN: American Sarah Knauss, listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world8217;s oldest person, died on Thursday at the age of 119, just missing the new millennium, media reports said. Knauss died of natural causes in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where she had lived for a decade, the Morning Call of Allentown reported.
Born on September 24, 1880, in the Coal Town of Hollywood, Pennsylvania, when Rutherford B. Hayes was the President of the United States, Knauss lived a quiet life running a home and working in the insurance business. She was 20 when the 20th century started.
Her relatives, who have not released a statement on her death, attributed her longevity to her being a calm person who was not surprised by events.
THOUSANDS TIE THE KNOT IN THAILAND ON MILLENNIUM EVE
BANGKOK: Around two thousand couples declared their undying love in Bangkok on Friday in a mass wedding to mark the new millennium. The wedding went on eventhough many foreign couples were forced to pull out as their flights to Thailand were cancelled due to fears over the millennium computer bug. Organisers called in couples from a waiting list last week when it became clear some foreigners would have to stay away.
8220;The religious ceremony is nearly finished and we will next have a ceremony of pouring lustral water,8221; Sunetra Aim-wattana, Assistant Managing Director of organisers Wedding Business Consultants, told Agence France Presse. It was decided that lustral water, blessed by Buddhist monks, would be poured on the hands of the brides and grooms. There were about 1,700 Thai couples and 300 foreign couples participating in the ceremony near Bangkok8217;s international airport.
MILLENNIUM WHEEL RIDES CALLED OFF FOR SAFETY FEAR
LONDON: Organisers on Thursday cancelled the inaugural ride on London8217;s Millennium Wheel, which was due to take place on New Year8217;s eve, because of safety fears. The 135-metre-high ferris wheel, which gives visitorsspectacular views over London, was due to carry its first 250 passengers on Friday evening, as part of the British capital8217;s countdown to 2000.
However, British Airways, which runs the 35-million-pound attraction, known as the London Eye, said: 8220;During one of the very rigorous tests today Thursday one of the wheel8217;s 32 capsules in which passengers ride did not perform to total satisfaction. Safety is paramount and the preview ride has therefore been postponed.8221; However, organisers said the official opening ceremony, by Prime Minister Tony Blair, with a laser and firework display, would still go ahead at the site next to the River Thames in central London.
65 JAPANESE TO CELEBRATE 108TH BIRTHDAY IN 2000
TOKYO: The new millenium will see 57 Japanese women and eight Japanese men celebrate their 108th birthday, including Japan8217;s oldest twin sisters Kin-San and Gin-San. According to a government survey released yesterday, these 108 people belong to the ten million people born in the year ofthe dragon. The survey also indicated that 1.6 million Japanese turned 20 in 1999, some 60,000 fewer than in 1998.
