South Korean scientist fired
The scientist who stunned the medical world with claims he created the first cloned human embryos and extracted stem cells from them–research later found to have been faked–was fired Monday by South Korea’s most prestigious university. Seoul National University decided to dismiss Hwang Woo, saying he and his co-workers caused the school to lose honor.
At least 39 killed in Iraq
At least 39 people were killed by insurgents and shadowy sectarian gangs, police reported Monday–continuing the wave of violence that has left nearly 1,000 Iraqis dead since the bombing last month of a Shiite Muslim shrine. The discoveries marked the latest in a string of execution-style killings that have become an almost daily event as Sunni and Shiite extremists settle scores.
National strike day proposed
French unions and student groups called Monday for a national day of strikes March 28 to protest a youth jobs plan that already has provoked huge street demonstrations and paralyzed many universities. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin showed little sign of withdrawing the jobs plan and said he urges dialogue to prevent the country from reaching a standstill.
Scholars fight Charles’ honor
An Egyptian university’s plan to award Prince Charles an honorary doctorate was opposed by some Islamic scholars, who said Monday the heir to the British throne did not deserve the honor. Al-Azhar University decided to give Charles the award in appreciation of his interest in Islam and his promotion of greater understanding of Islam in the West.
AND FINALLY …
Is this hotel worth the weight?
A hotel in Germany has started charging its guests by their weight in kilograms (2.2 pounds to 1 kg) (this sentence as published has been corrected in this text). The owner said he hopes to inspire Germans to become healthier. The hotel turns no one away who refuses to step on the scales and charges no guest more than the going rate, which is around $47.
