'The problem is serious, but it's important to determine whether it's a natural phenomenon or an indicator of some other environmental impact.'Professor Vial suggests that amphibians could be the 'canary in the coal-mine'. It is impossible for one part of a continent as compact and densely populated as Europe to experience economic and social dislocation on a massive scale without the other part being severely affected.The equilibrium of central Europe depends on calm relations between Russia and Ukraine. Although it would no doubt accept the core group as having earned its spurs in the anti-inflationary tests of the last few years, it would have to change the Bundesbankgesetz which determines the central bank's operation if it were to share control over monetary policy with the Banque de France. In the year since Anita Hill accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment, however, the issue has moved so far up the political agenda that such excuses no longer carry much weight.The treatment of Ms Hill at the hands of male senators during hearings that eventually approved Thomas's nomination, and the way they disbelieved her allegations, have led to a change in attitudes. .'THIS was a serial killing with a difference,' said Chief Inspector Ernest Simpson. 'Even if you get in, they check you for tags every five minutes.'But this year's balls have already yielded a host of anecdotes.

At certain moments he has the high-handedness of a big-time somebody, but he does not assume he is the only subject fit for conversation. There are occasional inaccuracies: Caroline Blackwood is described as 'a former lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret' - 'It's defamatory to us both,' Lady Caroline declares. 'Anne Petch is the thinking person's pig breeder and her pigs are 'feel- good food', free-range, well-fed and cared for. Her scholarship is thorough, her style elegantly readable, her range exciting, but as a thinker she is often disappointing, proceeding not so much by argument as by overlapping patterns of tales and descriptions. Bibby, which needs a cash injection, said in November it intended to float some of its businesses, including the animal feeds division. 'I saw the theatre as a temple, a philosophy, where one worshipped, oh God, you know the thing.

.' (a nice touch, that, given Robert's later immurement in a lunatic asylum) '. Its excavation could reveal much about social change between these three civilisations. In that it is only likely to succeed for a few hours.For the Tory machine as a whole, yesterday's exercise looks modestly helpful. Other leading country organisations also launch initiatives, many emphasising the extent to which field sports benefit conservation.Yet it is not for such words of wisdom - worthy though they are - that the majority of punters come. He was displaced, looking angry, by Bryan Robson, the manager offering a telling explanation: 'Robbo was most likely to get us a goal.'In terms of penetration Andrei Kanchelskis, on for the last four minutes, had more effect, suggesting he should have been playing from the start 'The pitch was worst on the flanks,' Ferguson offered.

Skinner has moved out of the Mexican roadsweeper class of comedy to become a real contender. 'It's lambing at the moment so there isn't much time for the horses, just mainly in the mornings. Some of them are only marginally smaller and less serious than those prosecuted by the SFO, which looks into complex frauds of pounds 5m or more in which there are public interest issues.Sources at the SFO said that the proposal was only one of a number of ideas floated in front of the Royal Commission, which has taken a deep interest in how the investigation and prosecution of fraud could be improved. He still identifies with gay men but for the past five years has been happily married to an American woman, Nancy Kline. Across the lake are the state guesthouses where the paramount leader is housed when in Canton. According to Mr Lao there are 2.5 million party members in Guangdong, 500,000 more than before the economic reforms started About two-thirds of members are workers and peasants.