World Vignettes

Fighting Aids

WASHINGTON: US researchers have found a third genetic mutation that gives people some resistance to Aids, offering clues in the search for a cure. The researchers, who reported their findings in the journal Science, said on Thursday that people with two copies of the mutation who were infected with HIV developed Aids seven to 10years latter than normal. The two mutations previously discovered to offer protection against progression to Aids are in genes known as CCR2 and CCR5.

French Oscar

PARIS: Prolific Director Jean-Luc Godard is to receive an honorary Cesar 8211; the French version of the Oscar 8211; for his contribution to cinema, the cable TV station showing the ceremony, Canal, said on Thursday. The Swiss-born director has more than 50 films to his credit.

Truly national8217;

LAUSANNE: A Swiss law student has sung his way into the Guinness Book of World Records, performing 188 national anthems in 75 different languages in six hours. At Lausanne8217;s Olympic Museum, Michael Sauser, 25, sang the first verse of each anthem ON Thursday, accompanied at the piano by Belgian Gilbert de Greeve.