News In Brief

KINDLY EXPLAIN WHAT THIS IS

What could a drug smuggler and the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe possibly have in common? Answer: harmonic convergence. To try to ensure that the affliction doesn't cross the sea, customs officials in Canada last week began an inspection of airline passengers arriving from England for possibly contaminated food items in their hand luggage. Almost immediately, one was arrested for trying to sneak 10,543 vials of steroids and other illegal substances into the country.

SO HAVE THAT SECOND HELPING

In Norway, the government's family affairs minister has a problem with how much fashion models should weigh. So young females won't harm themselves with drastic dieting to achieve the look photographers want, Karita Bekke-mellem Orheim wants agencies to set mandatory minimums - or face legislation that would require them to do so. "Unfair," griped one agency chief. "Shouldn't girls who are born skinny be allowed to work?"

Which of the 20th century's songs would you rank No. 1?

Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow" has been declared the top song of the 20th century by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts in a project to help educators in teaching how music has evolved. The top 10 and the artists who made them famous:

1. "Over the Rainbow," Judy Garland

2. "White Christmas," Bing Crosby

3. "This Land is Your Land," Woody Guthrie

4. "Respect," Aretha Franklin

5. "American Pie," Don McLean

6. "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," The Andrews Sisters

7. "West Side Story," Original cast

8. "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," Billy Murray

9. "You've Lost that Lovin Feelin," The Righteous Brothers

10. "The Entertainer," Scott Joplin

- Associated Press

(c) Copyright 2001. The Christian Science Monitor