Briefly

AUSTRALIA

2-million-year-old skull unearthed

An international team of researchers have unearthed the earliest known skull of Homo erectus－an early ancestor of modern humans similar in their anatomy and behavioral aspects. The fossilized skull was pieced together over a five-year period from 150 individual fragments found in the Drimolen cave system north of Johannesburg in modern day South Africa. Lead researcher said that the age of the skull shows that Homo erectus existed 100,000 to 200,000 years earlier than previously thought.

TURKEY

Istanbul in blue for Autism Awareness Day

Istanbul on Thursday lit well-known buildings blue to mark World Autism Awareness Day. The city's historical buildings, bridges and towers were illuminated to draw attention and raise an awareness for autism as part of a global campaign dubbed as "Light It Up Blue". The three bridges connecting the European and Asian parts of the city and the Galata Tower were among the illuminated monuments. The day is designated by the United Nations to encourage countries to take further steps in research, diagnoses, treatment and acceptance of those affected by the disorder.

Xinhua