LONDON (AP) – It’s a spelling mantra that generations of schoolchildren have learned – “i before e, except after c.”
But new British government guidance tells teachers not to pass on the rule to students, because there are too many exceptions.
The “Support For Spelling” document, which is being sent to thousands of primary schools, says the rule “is not worth teaching” because it doesn’t account for words like ‘sufficient,’ ‘veil’ and ‘their.’
Jack Bovill of the Spelling Society, which advocates simplified spelling, said Saturday he agreed with the decision.
Einstein photo sells for $74K
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – One of the original signed prints of Albert Einstein sticking his tongue out at photographers has been sold by a New Hampshire auction house for $74,324.
Bobby Livingston, of RRAuction.com in Amherst, says the picture was taken in 1951 after a 72nd birthday celebration for the physicist.
Einstein had nine prints made. He signed the print that was auctioned on Thursday and gave it to journalist Howard K. Smith.
In his inscription, Einstein said his gesture was aimed at all of humanity. Moderate quake shakes California
PASO ROBLES, Calif. (AP) – A moderate earthquake has jolted part of central California’s San Luis Obispo County.
County Sgt. Steve Himmelrich says several people called and reported alarms going off after the quake shook the area early Saturday.
But he said there were no reports of damage or injury.
The U.S. Geological Survey said preliminary reports estimated the quake at magnitude 4.6.
Red panda at N.D. zoo has triplets
FARGO, N.D. (AP) – The Red River Zoo in North Dakota has welcomed a rare new set of red panda triplets.
The new babies are two females and one male. They were born June 11 at the zoo in Fargo. Zoo executive director Paula Grimestad said triplets are rare for red pandas and are especially welcome because the animals are considered endangered.
The zoo’s panda keeper, Marcy Thompson, says it’s been 10 years since the last Chinese red panda triplets were born in the Western Hemisphere.
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