NEWS IN BRIEF

World's oldest artwork uncovered in Indonesian cave: study

AFP,  Jakarta

An Indonesian cave painting that depicts a prehistoric hunting scene could be the world's oldest figurative artwork dating back nearly 44,000 years, a discovery that points to an advanced artistic culture, according to new research.

 Spotted two years ago on the island of Sulawesi, the 4.5 metre (13 foot) wide painting features wild animals being chased by half-human hunters wielding what appear to be spears and ropes, said the study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday.

 Using dating technology, the team at Australia's Griffith University said it had confirmed that the limestone cave painting dated back at least 43,900 years during the Upper Palaeolithic period.

French govt open to negotiate as unions pursue pension strike

AFP,  Paris

French officials said yesterday they were open to negotiating a plan that could push back many people’s retirement to 64, after unions vowed to maintain a transport strike through the year-end holidays unless the government backs down on its pension overhaul.

“There’s room for negotiating, over the terms for arduous jobs, over the methods for balancing the budget,” Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told France 2 television.

Unions have unanimously reected the government’s plan for a single pension system that maintains the legal retirement age at 62, but with reduced payouts unless a person works until at least 64.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Worlds oldest artwork uncovered in Indonesian cave: study AFP, Jakarta An Indonesian cave painting that depicts a prehistoric hunting scene could be the worlds oldest figurative artwork dating back nearly 44,000 years, a discovery that points to an advanced artistic culture, according to new research. Spotted two years ago on the island of Sulawesi, the 4.5 metre (13 foot) wide painting features wild animals being chased by half-human hunters wielding what appear to be spears and ropes, said the study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday. Using dating technology, the team at Australias Griffith University said it had confirmed that the limestone cave painting dated back at least 43,900 years during the Upper Palaeolithic period. French govt open to negotiate as unions pursue pension strike AFP, Paris French officials said yesterday they were open to negotiating a plan that could push back many peoples retirement to 64, after unions vowed to maintain a transport strike through the year-end holidays unless the government backs down on its pension overhaul. Theres room for negotiating, over the terms for arduous jobs, over the methods for balancing the budget, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told France 2 television. Unions have unanimously reected the governments plan for a single pension system that maintains the legal retirement age at 62, but with reduced payouts unless a person works until at least 64.