International News Briefs

$150K Darwin read in the loo

LONDON, Great Britain: A first-edition copy of Charles Darwin’s On the Origins of the Species sold for $174,000 at auction two weeks ago. The copy had been kept in a toilet bookcase for years. The book was initially bought for a few shillings 40 to 50 years ago. CBC News reported Christie’s auction house sold the book to an anonymous telephone bidder. The sale of the book also marks the 150th anniversary of the Origins’ publication. The seller’s family became aware of the valuable manuscript after the seller visited a Darwin exhibit and saw a similar copy of the book on display.

Breaking and entering in gingerbread town

OSLO, Norway: Police are trying to track down the vandals who destroyed the city of Bergen’s Christmas gingerbread town. Two weeks ago, vandals entered the tent sheltering the massive cookie city and crushed its buildings, spraying foam and paint. The gingerbread houses are a Christmas tradition in Bergen, boasted to be the largest and greatest gingerbread town. According to Reuters, police figured the culprits would be covered in cookie dust and smell of ginger.

Apple Inc. voids warranties of smokers

CUPERTINO, California: Apple Inc. is warning its warranties for Apple products may be void if owners are smokers. Consumerist Magazine reported customers were surprised to be told their warranties would not be honoured after Apple technicians found those products were in the presence of smoke. Recently, companies have been tightening up warranties and denying claims associated with owner damage. Apple Inc. has already stipulated it will not cover warranties where there is evidence of water or moisture damage in an Apple product.

Nobel Peace laureate’s medal held for tax evasion

TEHRAN, Iran: Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi was robbed of her award when Iranian authorities confiscated her medal last week. Ebadi won the peace prize in 2003 for her contribution to promoting democracy. The medal was seized from Ebadi’s safe deposit box at a bank in Iran. Her husband’s accounts were also frozen in the process, accompanied by the demand that the Ebadis pay $410,000 US in taxes for the monetary award, reported CBC News. A Nobel committee spokesperson criticized the government’s actions, deeming them unacceptable. Ebadi left Iran the day of the elections in June for a conference in Spain. She has not returned to her native country since. Ebadi was the first Muslim woman awarded a Nobel Peace Prize and the first female judge in Iran.

Missing Galileo fingers returned

FLORENCE, Italy: Two fingers cut from astronomer Galileo’s cadaver were donated to the Museum of the History of Science in Florence to accompany the other digit they already possess. The fingers were cut off the body in 1737 when Galileo’s body was relocated from a temporary monument to its final resting place. A tooth was also removed. The fingers and tooth were placed in a glass jar and had not been seen since 1905. CNN reported the fingers were purchased at auction by a seller wishing to remain anonymous. The removal of body parts, particularly fingers, was a common practice by worshippers of saints. Galileo was persecuted by the Vatican, claiming he was a heretic for publishing his scientific discoveries.

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