World Vignettes

What all the homosexuals have in commonLONDON: A British scientist studying the roots of male sexuality Has discovered that homosexual men's...

What all the homosexuals have in common

LONDON: A British scientist studying the roots of male sexuality Has discovered that homosexual men8217;s fingerprints are more similar to women8217;s than heterosexual men8217;s, a report said Sunday. In a two-year study, Professor Richard Green of London8217;s Charing Cross Hospital and the Institute of Criminology at Cambridge University found that although finger prints are unique to each individual, said the Sunday Times, both men and women have more ridges on their right hand than on their Left. The paper said the study added weight to the theory that homosexual men have a genetic disposition to their sexuality.

Mushy Mandela

JOHANNESBURG: South African President Nelson Mandela has paid moving tribute to his sweetheart, 52-year-old Mozambican Graca Machel, in an interview broadcast on a public TV network. 8220;The point is that I8217;m In love with a remarkable lady,8221; Mandela said on Sunday. 8220;She has changed my life.8221; The 79-year-old president saidhe did not regret 8220;the reversals and setbacks I8217;ve had,8221; referring to his two failed marriages 8211; 8220;because late in my life, I am blooming like a flower because of the love and support she has given me.8221; Machel is the widow of Mozambican President Samora Machel, who died in 1987 in an airplane crash.

Chickens back

BEIJING: Despite high prices, Hong Kong residents have re-discovered the joy of savouring their favourite chicken dishes for the first time in six weeks following the deadly bird flu outbreak. 8220;Fresh chickens were sold out in two hours yesterday, despite prices remaining almost 50 per cent higher than before the outbreak, Hong Kong papers said. Hawkers got up as early as three am to queue for the 35,000 birds at Cheung Sha Wan temporary poultry wholesale market. Freshly slaughtered birds re-appeared in Hong Kong markets shortly after dawn on Sunday, following the lifting of the six-week ban on import from mainland China.

Millenium bug

LONDON: British PrimeMinister Tony Blair is mobilising world leaders behind a campaign for urgent action against the 8220;millenium bug8221; after a warning that it could cost 250 billion pounds reports said on Monday.

Programmers predict that the date change will result in chaos for many computerised systems, such as those covering hospital registration, banking activities etc. Following a discussion last week with US President Clinton, it was agreed to put the issue on the formal agenda for the next summit of the G-8 nations in England in May.

Animal art

NAGANO: An ant weighing two tons and a beetle of similar size. Giant dragonflies and swans. It may sound unbelievable. But they are now in display at Nagano. These are part of a collection of striking metal sculptures that have drawn crowds of visitors to the outer compound of Nagano8217;s historic Zenkoji temple where Daido Nakajima8217;s work has been on display since last Monday. The giant dragonflies and swans were created to commemorate the last olympic winter gamesof this century. The 53-year-old artist8217;s sculptures, which represent 15 years of work, are divided into four themes including the olympic theme, a sexually-oriented theme and the world as micro- and macro-cosm.