[satish]

New French President Wants G-13, Not G-8.

Newly elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy thinks that the G8 needs to be expanded to become the G13 by adding the countries of China, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. He also stated in his first foreign policy speech this week that the United Nations Security Council should expand to include permanent representation by Germany, Japan, India, Brazil and fair representation from Africa. Additionally, Sarkozy rejects Turkey's membership in the European Union.

Sandstorms Eroding Great Wall of China.

Sandstorms in the Gansu Province of China are eroding the Great Wall of China and Chinese officials are reporting that the mud and brick section of the wall in this region may erode away within twenty years.
The Great Wall, a World Heritage site, has been rebuilt many times through the centuries, and many sections of it have been seriously damaged by man and weather.
The height of the wall has been reduced from more than 15 feet to less than six and a half feet in places, and the square lookout towers have disappeared completely,