A Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton will be auctioned off to a private seller next month after going on display in Singapore.
"It's a sad thing that dinosaurs are becoming collectible toys for the oligarch class and I can only hope this fad ends soon," Steve Brusatte, a paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh, told AFP.
He said the remains belonged in museums and private sales were "bad news for science".
The 1,400-kilogram skeleton will be the first T-rex skeleton auctioned in Asia, according to auction house Christie's.
The T-rex, called Shen — or god-like — will be on display for three days before being shipped to Hong Kong next month to be sold.
The adult dinosaur, which is 4.6 metres tall and 12 metres long, is made up of about 80 bones. It was excavated from private land in the US state of Montana in 2020.
Shen, thought to be male, lived during the Cretaceous period about 67 million years ago.
Christie's gave no price estimate for the lot.
A T-rex known as Stan was sold for $31.8 million by Christie's in 2020.
In July, the first skeleton of a Gorgosaurus went under the hammer for $6.1 million in New York.
"None of the 20 T-rex that exist in the world are owned by either an Asian institution or an Asian collector," said Francis Belin, president of Christie's Asia Pacific.
"We really wish that Shen will find a new home among our Asian collectors here."
But the trend for prehistoric auction lots has some experts concerned.
Thomas Carr, a paleontologist from the US, described such sales as "unquestionably harmful to science" even if the skeletons had been studied before being sold.
"A secure, permanent collection ensures that the observations that a scientist makes of a fossil can be tested and replicated — and a commercially held fossil has no such assurance," Mr Carr said.
Mr Belin said he hoped a public institution would buy Shen. He said the whole skeleton had been fully researched, recorded in 3D and "all the elements of the skeleton will be made available for the public to research".
"We strongly hope that the new owner, whether it's an institution or private, will ensure that it's being seen by the public," he said.
"I've never seen a real-life fossil before ... It makes me feel in awe because it's quite majestic," said Lauren Lim, 33, who went to view the exhibit.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
liverpool youngsters
Ki-Jana Hoever
The only one of this squad to have scored for Liverpool, the versatile Dutchman impressed on his debut at Wolves in January. He can play right-back, centre-back or in midfield.
Herbie Kane
Not the most prominent H Kane in English football but a 21-year-old Bristolian who had a fine season on loan at Doncaster last year. He is an all-action midfielder.
Luis Longstaff
Signed from Newcastle but no relation to United’s brothers Sean and Matty, Luis is a winger. An England Under-16 international, he helped Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup last season.
Yasser Larouci
An 18-year-old Algerian-born winger who can also play as a left-back, Larouci did well on Liverpool’s pre-season tour until an awful tackle by a Sevilla player injured him.
Adam Lewis
Steven Gerrard is a fan of his fellow Scouser, who has been on Liverpool’s books since he was in the Under-6s, Lewis was a midfielder, but has been converted into a left-back.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
