Irish explorer sets sail for US on bamboo raft

Article Abstract:

Tim Severin is a 56-year-old Irish researcher and explorer who hopes to prove that Chinese mariners could have sailed across the Pacific 2,000 years ago and reached the New World. He will test this hypothesis by trying to sail a bamboo raft from Hongkong to the US, with the expedition due to embark in mid-May 1993. Severin has designed the raft to resemble as closely as possible the sort of vessels that were once commonly used in East Asia. He has named the raft the Hsu Fu after a Chinese mariner who set out on a voyage of exploration in 221 BC.

Research, Column, Biography, Discoveries (in geography), Discovery and exploration, Voyages to the Pacific coast, Severin, Tim

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The great divide: how many Christians in China? Depends on who you ask

Article Abstract:

Official Chinese Christian church sources estimate that China has 10 million Protestants and 5 million Catholics, but some evangelical groups claim that Christians in China may number 90 million. Regional differences and suspect methods of estimating are blamed for the widely divergent figures. Official church organizations may have an incentive to underestimate their following to keep from alarming the government. The higher figures are questioned by many because these religions simply do not appear that prevalent.

Statistics, Christians, Religious aspects, Christians in China

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Down but not out

Article Abstract:

The outbreak of bird flu in Hong Kong continues to pose serious challenges for disease experts. They are particularly worried by the fact that the H5N1 virus has a very high mortality rate and that it seems to have been transmitted directly from birds to humans. Authorities in Hong Kong report that the outbreak is now under control, but observers believe that it will be at least a year before the H5N1 virus can no longer be regarded as a threat.

Analysis, Prevention, Influenza, Influenza research

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