600kg of mammoth tusks seized in Russia’s Far East February 11, 2013 - 18:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Police in Russia’s Far East Amur Region have seized some 600 kilograms (1,320 pounds) of mammoth tusks from residents of the neighboring Republic of Yakutia, the regional interior affairs department said on Monday, Feb 11, according to RIA Novosti. “Police found 71 tusks weighing about 600 kilograms at a warehouse [in Blagoveschensk],” the department said, adding three men were planning to sell the tusks to Chinese nationals. Police are currently investigating whether the fossils were obtained legally. The world market price of mammoth tusk is almost equal to the price of silver. One kilogram is worth 5,000 rubles ($166) at international auctions in Yakutsk, capital of Yakutia. Some 90 percent of the mammoth remains found so far have come from Yakutia. The region’s extreme weather conditions and permafrost allow scientists to find their remains largely intact. Partner news  Top stories The bomber set off his explosives outside the gate of the United Nations Development Program base before attackers ran inside. Hamid Karzai accused Washington of mixed messages regarding peace talks with the Taliban, his spokesman said. The deal is estimated at $700mln-$1bln, Vedomosti newspaper reported citing sources in the Russian defense industry. Ahmadinejad will be replaced by Hassan Rowhani as president on August 3 following presidential elections last week.   Partner news |  Latest news Parliament approves amendments to law on minimum wage rate  Besides, new scale of salaries will be introduced, according to which the minimum wage rate will be doubled by 2017.FBI head admits use of drones for surveillance in U.S. The use of such drones is politically charged and civil-rights advocates say there are no clear privacy rules governing their use.Bombs flatten police station in Libya’s Benghazi Last month the station was set on fire in a possible act of revenge for the killing of a man in an attack on police nearby.New safety requirements for Japan atomic plants formally approved The new requirements approved by nuclear watchdog will take effect on July 8, when operators will be able to apply for inspections. |
