| S. Korea re-invites foreign bids for fighter jet purchase project
SEOUL, April 23 (Yonhap) -- The defense procurement agency on Monday issued a public notice for its plan to invite foreign bids again on its plan to procure 20 advanced combat aircraft by 2012.
The move came after Boeing Co. of the United States has turned out to be the only company that has shown interest in the US$2.4 billion contract.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said that it will hold a formal explanation session for the project next Monday at its office in Seoul.
"Firms interested in it will have to submit bid proposals by 3 p.m. on May 10," a DAPA official said.
Initially, the bid had been expected to become a three-way competition, but Lockheed Martin and Eurofighter stayed away, apparently because they believed their chances of winning it were low.
Prices jump at mammoth auction in Paris
PARIS: The skeleton of a 15,000-year-old Siberian mammoth was snapped up at auction in Paris on Monday for over one-and-a-half times the estimated price. Dubbed "The President", the 3.8-metre-high tusked mammoth was sold for 260,000 euros ($NZ475,231) to an unknown bidder by Christie's in Paris, compared to a 150,000-180,000 euros guide price. The skeleton of a woolly rhinoceros dating back some 10,000 years also beat its estimated price to sell for 100,000 euros, while rare bird and fish fossils went under the hammer along with a meteorite. The widespread media coverage of the auction has caused mixed feelings among some scientists. Pascal Picq, a palaeontologist at the College of France, told France Info radio the risk of a commercialization of fossils could cause their decline.
Smith bids Hawkeyes farewell
Shortly after Todd Lickliter was introduced as the new Iowa men's basketball coach, star player Tyler Smith was asked if he would return to Iowa next season. Smith, a 6-foot-7 forward from Pulaski, Tenn., wasn't very convincing, which caused speculation he would transfer. The speculation became fact Friday afternoon when the University of Iowa announced that Smith had been granted a release from his scholarship. "Tyler asked to be released, expressing his desire to be closer to his family," Lickliter said in a statement. "We respect his decision to be near his family and will grant the release in order for Tyler to further his education closer to home." Smith's father, Billy, lives in Tennessee and suffers from lung cancer. Smith also has a baby daughter who lives in Tennessee.
Bidding starts Monday for first rides on Maverick
Rollercoaster enthusiasts, get out your checkbooks and wallets. The auction for Maverick's inaugural seats begins Monday. The Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross and Cedar Point amusement park/resort are conducting an auction for thrill-seekers who want to be among the first on the park's new Maverick roller coaster. "We've had a lot of interest," said Ron Rude, executive director of Firelands Red Cross. "There's a lot of excitement out there." The Red Cross is auctioning seats on Maverick to the 72 highest bidders, with bids starting at $75. A winning bid will include a continental breakfast at the park, commemorative medallion, the inaugural ride on Maverick and complimentary admission to Cedar Park on opening day, May 12. In previous years bids have poured in from all over the country, including New York and California, as well as overseas.
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