Free Republic

Beijing, one of the fabulous cities of antiquity, is experiencing late-life growing pains as it feverishly struggles to look more modern for the 2008 Olympics. The trip-hammers, cranes and concrete mixers are going full throttle to build what the city confidently promises to be the best stadiums, swimming pools, gymnasiums and playing fields to host the international games since their revival in 1896. But the process of tidying up a city steeped in history but hurtling toward the future threatens to wipe out one of Beijing's unique architectural and social jewels, the hutong. Narrow lanes which lead to the walled...

Jan. 27, 2004 — In a prehistoric battle for survival, Neanderthals had to compete against modern humans and were wiped off the face of the Earth, according to a new study on life in Europe from 60,000 to 25,000 years ago. The findings, compiled by 30 scientists, were based on extensive data from sediment cores, archaeological artifacts such as fossils and tools, radiometric dating, and climate models. The collected information was part of a project known as Stage 3, which refers to the time period analyzed. The number three also seems significant in terms of why the Neanderthals became extinct....