The Hubble Space Telescope has uncovered evidence of an alien planet forming strangely far from its host star. Astronomers have said the discovery could challenge the prevailing theory about how planets form.

Researchers with the Hubble program discovered a large gap in the planet-forming debris disk that surrounds TW Hydrae, a red dwarf star.

The gap was likely caused by a still unseen infant exoplanet between six and 28 times the size of Earth. The new planet is about 7.5 billion miles away from its host star. That equates to about twice the distance Pluto is from our sun.

But the new planet’s location far away from the sun it orbits poses problems for the current theory about planet formation. The theory suggests that worlds will grow slowly over tens of millions of years. The farther away the planet is from its sun, the slower it should grow.

But the numbers don’t add up. TX Hydrae is about eight million years old, but the planet would have taken longer than that to form, according to the current theory.

Because of the new planet found by Hubble, an alternative idea is suggesting that some planets can form within a thousand years if pieces of the planet-forming debris disk become gravitationally unstable and collapse on themselves. However, researchers still aren’t sure how such a low-mass planet can form so fast.

Astronomers hope that further study of TW Hydrae and its newly-formed exoplanet will help them figure out what is going on. They hope to discover if the system is unique or if the theory needs to change. Lead study author John Debes, who works with the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, released a statement saying:

“If we can actually confirm that there’s a planet there, we can connect its characteristics to measurements of the gap properties. That might add to planet formation theories as to how you can actually form a planet very far out.”

Along with the super fast formation of TW Hydrae’s exoplanet, the Atacama Large Millimeter Array in Chile was able to see that the system doesn’t have grains larger than a gain of sand more than 5.5 billion miles away from the star. This means that the planetary dust that created the exoplanet was smaller than the sand on our beaches.

[Image via NASA/JPL-Caltech]

Hubble Finds New Planet That Could Change Planet Formation Theories is a post from: The Inquisitr

Miss Utah certainly sent Twitter buzzing on Sunday night when she stumbled over her answer to a question during the Miss USA pageant on NBC.

The unfortunate flub by Miss Utah, Marissa Powell, came during the question and answer session of the program. While dressed in a beautiful evening gown, the beauty pageant contestant was asked:

“A recent report shows that in 40 percent of American families with children, women are the primary earners yet they continue to earn less than men. What does this say about society?”

Her response, according to many Twitter users, made her the perfect poster child for her response. Miss Utah gave a fairly jumbled answer, which contained the following phrase:

“… we need to try to figure out how to create education better so that we can solve this problem.”

The look on Marissa Powell’s face said it all. Miss Utah was sure she blew it. And she did, as the crown eventually went to Miss Connecticut, Erin Brady, instead.

On Twitter, Miss USA was ridiculed by users, who said things like, “If you’re having trouble sleeping like me… watch Miss UTAH say the dumbest thing ever to at least make you laugh!” Another user commented:

“Miss Utah is the reason why women earn less than men lololol.”

Deadspin’s Timothy Burke’s commentary on Miss USA’s flub was also passed around. In it, the Burke writes, “Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”

Miss Utah was likened to Miss Teen North Carolina, who in 2007 butchered her answer to a question on why one of every five Americans can’t locate the United States on the map. Much like with Powell, Caitlin Upton was ridiculed online. Instead of being frustrated, Upton took the teasing in stride.

Do you think Miss Utah will be able to recover from her answer during the Miss USA pageant on Sunday?

Miss Utah Fumbles Pageant Question, Gets Mocked On Twitter is a post from: The Inquisitr

The 2013 Miss USA winner is Erin Brady, otherwise known as Miss Connecticut. The 25-year-old, who lives in South Glastonbury, won the beauty pageant in Las Vegas on Sunday.

Now that she has been crowned Miss USA, Brady gets to keep her crown, along with a New York apartment, for one year. The beauty pageant queen is expected to spend the next year raising awareness about breast and ovarian cancer awareness, as well as holding speaking arrangements.

Along with wearing a white sparkly gown, Erin Brady also answered a question about the US Supreme Court’s decision to uphold widespread DNA tests. Brady stated that she agreed with the decision.

Along with the interview, the 2013 Miss USA pageant included a swimsuit competition where the women wore blue, gold, and orange bikinis. They walked across the stage in stilettos to the Jonas Brothers‘ live performance of “Pom Poms.” They also walked across the stage in evening gowns to Calvin Harris “Sweet Nothing.”

Unlike the Miss America pageant, Miss USA doesn’t include a talent show or ask its winners to choose a charity mission. Rather, the organization’s main cause is raising awareness for breast and ovarian cancer.

The judge’s panel that crowned 2013 Miss USA Erin Brady included Betsey Johnson, Bob Harper, and Mo Rocca. While backstage, Rocca shared his belief that the pageant is a perfect example of Americana. He added that he wanted to appoint a Miss USA winner who reminded him of Abraham Lincoln — without the beard, of course.

The pageant was held at the Planet Hollywood hotel and casino. Contestants stayed at the hotel during the lead up to the event. With her crown in place, Miss Connecticut will represent the United States as Miss USA in the Miss Universe pageant this winter. Last year’s winner, Olivia Culpo, also won the international crown.

Were you glad to see Miss Connecticut Erin Brady crowned Miss USA 2013?

Miss USA 2013 Crown Goes To Miss Connecticut, Erin Brady is a post from: The Inquisitr

Spurs guard Danny Green was the highlight during Sunday’s Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Green set the NBA Finals record when he made his 23rd 3-pointer of the series.

The former mark of 22 was set by Heat guard Ray Allen in 2008 when Allen played with the Boston Celtics. Green was modest about the accomplishment.

Rather than focusing on the potential of breaking the record, Green instead tried to keep his focus on helping the Spurs win a championship.

Danny Green deflected the attention from himself and the potential record recently when a reporter asked if he knew how close he was to making history. The Spurs guard responded, “No, I don’t want to be aware of it. But thanks.” Green also added:

I’m keeping focus on playing basketball. I’m not worried about catching any records. I’m worried about helping my team and playing well and helping us win a game. The numbers are things I don’t like to reflect on or look back on. I don’t want to jinx it, but at this point numbers really don’t matter.”

And that mentality doesn’t surprise Danny Green’s teammates. Should the Spurs win the series, he is a strong candidate to win the MVP award in the Finals.

Green was able to benefit from the Heat’s defensive focus on Tim Duncan and Tony Parker. He was able to connect on at least three 3-pointers during every game of the NBA Finals. Guard Gary Neal stated of Danny Green:

“That fits his personality. Danny is a humble guy, hard working. I’m pretty sure fore the rest of the series Danny will be locked and loaded. He’s not worried about any records or anything. He’s just worried about coming out and doing his job.”

Not only has Danny Green set the NBA Finals record, he is also ahead of LeBron James for scored points. The Spurs guard was surprised, commenting, “I never thought in a million years that would happen.”

Are you rooting for the Spurs or the Heat to win the NBA Finals?

[Image via Keith Allison]

Danny Green Sets NBA Finals Record is a post from: The Inquisitr

While Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have been silent about the reported birth of their daughter, Khloe Kardashian took to Twitter on Sunday, calling the baby girl a “miracle.”

The proud new aunt is the first in the Kardashian family to confirm the news of the birth. The girl, whose name has not been disclosed, was born about a month before her due date.

Khloe Kardashian added of her new niece:

“I can not even begin 2describe the miracle that is now apart of our family. Mommy/baby are healthy &resting. We appreciate all of the love.”

Khloe went on to say, “More info will come when the time is right! Thank you all for understanding! We love you all dearly! Overwhelmed with love right now ♥”

While there is no word on why Khloe called her sister’s baby a miracle, it could allude to the fact that the little girl was born five weeks before her due date. Despite assurances from the new aunt that baby and mom are healthy, the young one was likely much smaller and more fragile than a term baby.

It is a bit surprising that Kim Kardashian hasn’t talked about her baby on Twitter yet. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star hasn’t been shy about her first pregnancy and child with Kanye West.

But in recent days, the reality TV star has appeared to hide from the spotlight. On June 10, Kim lashed out at the paparazzi for the first time and for a good reason, according to the star. She wrote on Twitter:

“I wouldn’t let the paps get a pic of me today & they threatened my life & said if I continue to block shots then they will make my world dangerous to live in! How dare they threaten my life & my unborn child! This has gotten way out of control!”

Given the circumstances, it isn’t surprising that the public hasn’t heard a peep from the first time mom or her boyfriend about their baby daughter’s birth. Despite the lack of announcement from Kim and Kanye, stars took to Twitter to give the couple their congratulations.

While Khloe Kardashian confirmed the news, it is unclear when Kim Kardashian and Kanye West will confirm their daughter’s birth. It is also unknown when the celebrity couple will debut their baby girl to their waiting fans.

Why do you think Kim Kardashian and Kanye West haven’t confirmed their baby girl’s birth?

I can not even begin 2describe the miracle that is now apart of our family. Mommy/baby are healthy &resting. We appreciate all of the love.

— KhloéKardashianOdom (@KhloeKardashian) June 16, 2013

More info will come when the time is right! Thank you all for understanding! We love you all dearly! Overwhelmed with love right now ♥

— KhloéKardashianOdom (@KhloeKardashian) June 16, 2013

[Image via Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com]

Kim Kardashian’s Baby A ‘Miracle,’ Sister Khloe Says is a post from: The Inquisitr

The new Airbus A350 took off on its maiden flight on Friday in a move that stepped up the battle with arch-rival Boeing. The new jetliner will compete with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

The maiden flight was watched by over 10,000 staff and spectators in Toulouse, France. The aircraft’s curled wingtips helped the plane lift off into the clouds above the Airbus factory.

The Airbus A350 flew over the Pyrenees mountains with a crew of six people wearing orange jumpsuits and parachutes, in case the aircraft experienced problems.

The flight was a four-hour culmination of eight years of development that cost Airbus about $15 billion. British chief test pilot Peter Chandler, who spoke by radio from 13,000 feet, stated, “The airplane is behaving extremely well.”

French co-pilot Guy Magrin took control of the A350 for the 10:01 am local time take-off. Tom Enders, the head of Airbus parent EADS, commented after the lightweight airliner landed:

“It is a great day for Airbus. A maiden flight doesn’t happen that often. It is not like the auto industry, where you launch a new model every two years or even less.”

The maiden flight of the A350 was a milestone for Airbus as the company battles against Boeing’s Dreamliner for sales. Both aircraft represent a new generation of lightweight jets that are made from a carbon-plastic material. The new design is meant to save fuel and open up more long-distance routes.

Boeing was the first to launch the new carbon-composite technology. And the company’s Dreamliner has far outsold the A350 with current sales standing at 833 aircraft for 57 customers. But Airbus hopes to catch up.

The Airbus A350 that flew on Friday is the first of five test models that will be worked on before production begins next year. Meanwhile, Boeing is expected to announce a new version of the Dreamliner as a way to boost sales.

[Image via Don-vip]

Airbus A350 Takes Off On Maiden Flight is a post from: The Inquisitr

Billy Horschel’s octopus pants certainly made an impression at the US Open at Merion Golf Club this weekend. But despite the history of bad fashion in golf (polo shirts are the first that come to mind), many critics think Horschel’s pants were over the top.

Horschel, a rookie on the PGA Tour, is sponsored by Ralph Lauren. As a result, the golfer often wears the company’s golf line, RLX.

The octopus pants first appeared on Wednesday when Horschel tweeted out sketches of his outfits for this week’s US Open. They immediately caused a buzz, though there was no word on what the rookie actually thought of the outfit.

Having made it to the final round, the golfer posted a photo on Twitter of himself wearing the pants on Sunday morning. He commented,  ”Well here they are! The highly anticipated highly controversial….Octopus pants! Great outfits all week by RLX!”

Billy Horschel paired his octopus pants with a bright pink polo shirt. And while John Daly has long been considered the sport’s leader in bad fashion, we’re sure that Horschel could give him a run for his money.

The former University of Florida golfer teed off in eighth place on Sunday at 3-over par. He was four strokes behind Phil Mickelson, the leader of the final round.

Well here they are! The highly anticipated highly controversial….Octopus pants! Great outfits all week by RLX! pic.twitter.com/UrQwSYWZkB

— Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) June 16, 2013

As odd as Horschel’s octopus pants looked, there was more of a controversy surrounding them than you would expect for the rookie. He has often made strange fashion statements and, according to his PGA Tour bio, he is also a big fan of the Twilight series. Horschel’s bio adds that he is “a believe in Bigfoot and UFOs.”

Along with Horschel’s octopus pants, Englishman Ian Poulter, a frontrunner in strange golf fashion, has worn everything from the British flag to an old TV test pattern. There is also Rickie Fowler, who normally wears the same color from head to toe.

What do you think of Billy Horschel’s octopus pants? Were they a little bit out there, or were they on par for the rookie’s normal attire?

Billy Horschel’s Octopus Pants Make An Impression is a post from: The Inquisitr

Tampa Bay Rays’ Alex Cobb was released from the hospital on Sunday, just one day after he was hit in the right ear by a line drive during Saturday’s game against Kansas City.

There was no timetable for when Cobb will rejoin the rotation, though the team explained he will be placed on the seven-day concussion list.

Cobb was struck by a liner hit by Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer in the fifth inning. He remained conscious the whole time, but was taken off the field on a stretcher. The team later announced he was taken to the hospital.

The pitcher texted his teammates on Sunday morning, telling them he had a headache, but would be out of the hospital soon. Cobb also posted a message on his Twitter account, thanking Rays head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield, as well as the doctors at Bayfront.

Fellow pitcher Matt Moore, Hosmer, and 13 other friends and teammates of Cobb went to the hospital to see Cobb after Saturday’s game. Moore recalled, “I think he was very happy to see how many people wanted to come and see him.”

Alex Cobb’s hospital stint was much smaller than Brandon McCarthy’s last year. The Oakland A’s pitcher sustained a skull fracture last year that required surgery.

Saturday’s incident will likely spark more discussions on new pitching protection equipment to prevent injuries. Rays pitcher David Price explained, “It’s scary. We know about that. You think about it, and then you don’t think about it when you’re on the mound.”

Moore added that he would be willing to wear protective headgear to avoid another injury. He offered a cricket helmet as an example, adding that he would give his “best effort” to pitch with a protective helmet on, adding, “If I could prevent something like that by wearing something, without a doubt I would.”

Saturday’s incident involving Cobb was also the fifth time in as many months of regular and postseason major league play that a pitcher has been hit in the head by a liner.

However, McCarthy’s incident has by far been the most scary, as the pitcher sustained life-threatening injuries. What do you think the MLB should do to avoid more incidents like Alex Cobb’s on Saturday?

Can’t thank everyone enough for the prayers. Was the only way for me to make it out of there ok. Look forward to getting back out there.

— Alex Cobb (@Acobb53) June 16, 2013

[Image via Keith Allison]

Rays’ Alex Cobb Released From The Hospital is a post from: The Inquisitr

Tarvaris Jackson is officially with the Seattle Seahawks again. The team’s 2011 starting quarterback agreed to contract terms on Thursday with the signing being official the next day.

There was speculation that Jackson would return to the Seahawks after the Bills released him on Tuesday. The quarterback flew to Seattle on Thursday, underwent a physical, then signed his contract.

To make room on their roster for Jackson, the Hawks released quarterback Jerrod Johnson. Coach Pete Carroll expressed his excitement at the return of the former starter. Jackson will compete with Brady Quinn to be starting quarterback Russell Wilson’s backup.

On Thursday Carroll stated:

“I think it’s a great boost for us in a competitive sense. We thought of Tarvaris as a tremendously tough football player and competitive kid that battled for us.”

Jackson was signed by the Seahawks in 2011 when he was a free agent. He was named the starter after the 136-day lockout. Jackson’s knowledge of defensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s system gave the team a competitive edge.

But Jackson became expendable last year when Matt Flynn was signed and Wilson was added during the draft. The Bills re-signed Jackson this off season, only to release him soon after.

Flynn’s trade to the Raiders in April gave Quinn the opportunity to fill his role as the Seahawks’ backup quarterback. That gave Carroll the opportunity to again sign Tarvaris Jackson. The Hawks head coach added that the team decided to seize the opportunity to re-sign Jackson, adding, “And he’ll be able to help us.”

And Jackson will help the team. He will compete with Quinn to be the backup for starter Wilson. Jackson started 14 games, but he played the last half of the season with an injured pectoral in his passing chair. Jackson also passed for 3,091 yards and made 14 touchdowns.

Do you think Tarvaris Jackson is a good fit for the Seattle Seahawks?

Tarvaris Jackson And Seattle Seahawks Make It Official Again is a post from: The Inquisitr

The lost city of Mahendraparvata was discovered in the Cambodian jungle 1,000 years after it was last seen. The ancient city was built 350 years before the country’s precious Angkor Wat temple complex.

The medieval city was discovered by archaeologists using airborne laser technology. They also found that the majority of the city’s ancient temples were hidden by jungle. Because of this, they weren’t looted.

The archaeological find was immense, according to a reporter who accompanied the “Indiana Jones-style” expedition led by a French-born archaeologist.

The group hacked their way through landmine-strewn jungle in the Siem Reap region, the same area where Angkor Wat is located.

Using Lidar — light detection and ranging data — a helicopter flew in a criss-cross over a mountain north of the largest Hindi complex in the world for seven days. Using billions of laser pulses, the instrument peeled away the dense, misty jungle canopy to reveal structures in perfect squares.

The structures completed an almost perfect map of the ancient city of Mahendraparvata, which was built 1,200 years ago.

Expedition leader Jean-Baptiste Chevance, who works as director of the Archaeology and Development Foundation in London, explained that ancient scriptures told of a great warrior Jayavarman II, with a mountain capital. However, he added, “we didn’t know how all the dots fitted, exactly how it all came together.”

Using the new data from Lidar, as well as traveling to the area where the map was made, Chevance explained that the new data shows roads, canals, and dykes connecting the massive city. While archaeologists aren’t certain what caused the demise of the ancient Cambodian city, Damian Evans, director of the University of Sydney’s archaeological research center in Cambodia, had a theory.

Evans explained that imagery of the landscape shows it lacked vegetation. The finding could suggest that deforestation and dependence on water management led to the demise of the medieval city. He added, “Perhaps it became too successful to the point of becoming unmanageable.”

The trek to view the ruins in person involved dodging landmines, hacking through dense vegetation, traveling through rutted goat tracks, and wading through knee-deep bogs. It is not known how large the ancient Cambodian city actually is, because the search has been limited.

More funds will be needed to see how big Mahendraparvata actually is. Evans stated, “Maybe what we see was not the central part of the city, so there is a lot of work to be done to discover the extent of this civilization.”

Angkor Wat is considered one of the ancient wonders of the world. At one time, it was the largest pre-industrial city in the world. It was constructed by King Suryvarman from the early to mid 1100s.

It is unclear if Mahendraparvata is larger or smaller than the ancient Hindi temple.

[Image via ShutterStock]

Lost City Discovered In Cambodian Jungle is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea proposed high-level talks with the United States, in order to “ease tensions in the Korean Peninsula. The news was reported by the country’s state news agency on Sunday morning.

A statement from the North’s National Defense Commission added that the topics that will be up for discussion include changing a truce treaty to a peace treaty, easing military tensions, and North Korea’s nuclear program.

While the commission’s statement left some details, like where and when the talks would be held, to the United States, it insisted that the country shouldn’t respond with preconditions for talks with the North. The commission added:

“[The United States] should not lose the opportunity that is laid out and should actively agree with our resolute step and good intention.”

North Korea has been at odds with the United States for decades and has frequently threatened war on the South Korean ally. The majority of the conflict in recent years has stemmed from the North’s nuclear weapons program.

And while the nuclear program will be on the table for talks, there is no guarantee the United States will agree to talks unless North Korea first agrees to halt the program.

The offer of talks with the United States comes just days after North Korea called off the first high-level talks with the South in years. The meeting was supposed to start on Wednesday at a neutral location. However, the North called it off on Tuesday.

The North announced that it decided against the talks after it had a dispute with the South over who should be involved in the talks. Both sides alleged that the other wasn’t sending high enough level officials to the delegation. The North Korea-South Korea talks were supposed to be focused on returning to joint economic activities in the Kaesong Industrial Zone.

While North Korea offered talks with the United States and the potential denuclearization of the peninsula, the statement added that halting the country’s nuclear activities will only happen when the United States removes all nuclear threats in the region.

It is unclear if the United States will agree to high-level talks with North Korea. It is also not yet known if the North will back out of the proposed talks like it did with South Korea earlier this week.

North Korea Wants High-Level Talks With United States is a post from: The Inquisitr

The United States will arm Syrian rebels after announcing it believes there is substantial evidence showing chemical weapons were used by government forces.

CIA tests on blood, urine, and hair samples from dead and wounded rebel fighters showed the presence of sarin nerve gas supports previous claims made by British and French intelligence services.

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has denied that the government used any chemical weapons in the more than two-year-long civil war.

The White House released a statement on Thursday confirming the use of chemical weapons, which US President Barack Obama previously stated would be crossing a red line in the bloody conflict. The statement read, in part:

“Following a deliberative review our intelligence community assesses that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons, including the nerve agent sarin, on a small scale against the opposition multiple times in the last year.”

The statement added that between 100 and 150 people have died from chemical weapons attacks in the country so far, though casualty data is likely incomplete.

The assessments by the United States mean that Syria has crossed the red line. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has been one of the strongest proponents for US involvement in the Middle Eastern nation. He made a secret trip across the border last month to meet with Syria rebel leaders.

McCain revealed that he was told on Thursday President Obama will help the Syrian rebels by providing arms. While the exact types of weapons the US will provide are not yet known, some believe they will include small arms, ammunition, assault rifles, and some anti-tank weaponry.

The CIA will likely be tasked with teaching the revels how to use the weapons the White House agrees to supply.

Do you think the United States is right to supply the Syrian rebels with arms?

[Image via ShutterStock]

US To Arm Syrian Rebels After Confirming Chemical Weapons Use is a post from: The Inquisitr

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Thursday during the dedication of a new exhibit at former Nazi death camp Auschwitz.

The new exhibit will educate visitors about the Holocaust and the Nazi agenda to exterminate Jews. Auschwitz, along with the adjacent Birkenau, was the most notorious of a system of death and labor camps Nazi Germany built and operated during World War II.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau complex memorial to Jewish victims was created during the Communist era. But it sat ignored for decades as the exhibits and artifacts became dilapidated.

While the complex’s key artifacts went missing, the history presented in the exhibits and memorial was inaccurate and dominated with Soviet propaganda. It needed a change.

Plans to redesign the memorial were made in 2005 by then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. And on Thursday, Netanyahu joined Polish dignitaries, as well as a handful of Holocaust survivors, to dedicate the permanent exhibit in Block 27, called “Shoah.” During his speech, Netanyahu stated:

“I am standing here today with great pain and great pride. The leaders of the Allies knew full well what was happening in the death camps. They could have acted, but they didn’t. We, the Jews, know exactly what the lesson is.”

Netanyahu’s speech, according to many, was largely defiant. While the prime minister asserted that Israel will make sure no one forgets the Holocaust happened, he added that the country learned it cannot rely on any other country to protect it.

He alluded to Iran when he added that the anti-Semitism of the Nazi Germany era has been replaced with religious fanaticism of modern times. Netanyahu went on to say:

“This is a regime that is building nuclear weapons with the expressed purpose to annihilate Israel’s 6 million Jews. We will not allow this to happen. We will never allow another Holocaust.”

He also alluded to Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has several times questioned the true extent of the Holocaust, when he stated:

“We must not be complacent in the face of threats of annihilation. We must not bury our heads in the sand or allow others to do the work for us. If there are Holocaust deniers, have them come to Block 27 and go over one name at a time.”

The new Auschwitz exhibition was curated by Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. Its goal is to provide the background of the Holocaust, as well as Nazi Germany’s ideology for murder. It also includes survivor testimonies and drawings by some of the children who were killed in the attempted extermination of the Jews.

Do you think that Netanyahu’s speech at the Auschwitz exhibit dedication was defiant, or was it appropriate for the situation?

[Image via Nick1915]

Netanyahu Dedicates New Auschwitz Exhibit is a post from: The Inquisitr

Former South African president Nelson Mandela is responding well to treatment, according to his doctors. The former president has spent the last few days in the hospital fighting a recurring lung infection.

Mandela was rushed to the hospital six days ago, where he was admitted in serious condition. But after a few days of little word from doctors, they announced on Thursday that his condition has improved.

Meanwhile, the former South African president’s family spoke out for the first time since he was admitted to the hospital this time.

Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla, stated outside the family’s home in Houghton, Pretoria, “We appreciate the support we have received. We are particularly honored to have received all the prayers and messages.”

Mandla also expressed his thanks to everyone supporting Mandela through his, adding, “we appreciate the support we have received.” Along with Mandela’s family, current South African president Jacob Zuma also announced that Mandela was responding well to treatment.

Two sources within Nelson Mandela’s family added that they were optimistic about his progress and believed that the former president would return to his home soon. It is the third time this year that Mandela was admitted to the hospital with lung issues.

Mandela also spent several days in the hospital at the end of March for a similar issue. He spent more than a week there before doctors allowed the 94-year-old to go home.

The former president’s lung issues started while he spent 27 years as a political prisoner in South Africa. During that time, he contracted tuberculosis. The debilitating disease weakened his lungs, making them especially vulnerable to infection.

When he was released in 1999, Nelson Mandela took his fight against apartheid to the presidency, where he toppled the minority white leadership and became the nation’s first black president.

While friends and family filed in and outside of the hospital where Nelson Mandela is recovering, the media and supporters waited outside to hear updates on his condition.

Nelson Mandela Responding To Treatment is a post from: The Inquisitr

The jurors overseeing George Zimmerman’s second-degree murder trial will be sequestered for the duration of the proceedings. The decision was made by Circuit Judge Debra Nelson during Thursday’s jury selection.

Selection of jurors has been going on for four days, but no jurors have been seated as of Thursday afternoon. While Nelson announced the sequestration, she did not say how they will be sequestered once the jury panel is found.

Nelson added that the Zimmerman trial will last between two and four weeks. George Zimmerman is on trial for the February 2012 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

While Zimmerman alleged that the teen attacked him, forcing him to use lethal force, he elected not to use Florida’s controversial Stand Your Ground law.

During jury selection, attorneys from both sides have questioned potential jurors on what they already know in the case, which has periodically made national headlines for more than a year. Attorneys also questioned whether they reached any firm conclusions on Zimmerman’s guilt or innocence in the Sanford, Florida shooting.

Nelson announced the jury sequestration while attorneys were questioning potential juror K-80, a middle-aged white woman who said being sequestered for a long time was her “biggest fear.”

K-80 added that she believes the news focuses more on the gruesome. All she knows is that a “scuffle” took place between Trayvon and Zimmerman. The protests the case inspired, along with the case’s “racial undertones,” were described by her as “disturbing.”

It will likely be difficult to find jurors not familiar already with the case, which caused widespread protests and forced the Sanford police chief to resign. The case also prompted a review and discussion of Stand Your Ground laws across the United States.

George Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin’s accused killer, has also come under scrutiny by the media. While he was in jail at least two times regarding the case, he posted bail both times and is currently in hiding. The 29-year-old self-described neighborhood watch captain has received several death threats for his part in Martin’s death.

Zimmerman will be forced out of hiding for the trial, which will start as soon as jury selection is over. Do you think the judge in George Zimmerman’s case is making the right choice to sequester the jury?

Jury Sequestered In George Zimmerman Trial is a post from: The Inquisitr

The feared derecho largely failed to impress on Wednesday and Thursday as a massive storm system moved across the country. The storm caused widespread power outages and flash floods, but failed to live up to its forecast.

The National Weather Service issued warnings for the Washington, D.C., area to expect strong thunderstorms that have the potential to produce harsh winds and large hail.

But the storm failed to produce a strong derecho, a storm that last year caused $1 billion in damage from Chicago to Washington, D.C. The death toll from last year’s storm was 34.

Despite damage and flash floods, the storms appeared to cause less wind damage than was expected, according to Bill Bunting of the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center. Bunting added that the thunderstorms took longer to form into a long line that could cause more damage.

The storms also merged farther east than expected, limiting the potential to cause major damage to Illinois and Indiana, though both states still saw some severe weather and reports of tornadoes.

But the individual storms were still quite powerful, even before they merged together to form a weak derecho. The weather service received reports of hail larger than an inch in diameter and preliminary tornado warnings. Locations for the severe weather stretched from southeast Minnesota to Virginia.

The derecho did appear, with straight-line winds topping 70 mph. But even with two dozen tornado warnings, no twisters were confirmed. The US Open at Merion Golf Club outside Philadelphia was postponed, but play resumed about three hours later.

The weather service’s Storm Prediction Center still forecasted a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms on Thursday for some East Coast states. The major impact from the storms was expected by Thursday afternoon for Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New Jersey.

The Office of Personnel Management in the capital explained that federal agencies are still open, despite the derecho storm, but workers can work from home or take unscheduled leave if they don’t want to be out in the storm.

Have you felt the effects of the derecho in your area, or were the warnings worse than the actual storm?

[Image via Mongo]

Derecho Fails To Impress As Storm Heads Toward East Coast is a post from: The Inquisitr

Edward Snowden was wanted by the FBI for several days before the former contractor leaked documents about the US government’s secret surveillance programs.

Snowden has admitted to providing media organizations with details of the top secret programs. He worked at a Hawaii facility run by the National Security Agency (NSA) for four weeks before rpeortedly calling in ill to work.

But the contractor for Booz Allen Hamilton failed to show up for work again. Snowden’s employer searched for him first, but the company was eventually aided by the US government.

One report has added that Snowden was called a very gifted “geek” by his colleagues, who added, “This guy’s really good with his fingers on the keyboard. He’s really good.

As a systems administrator, Edward Snowden was given wide access to servers that contained the NSA’s classified information, along with possibly other US intelligence agencies.

While US officials are not yet sure what information Edward Snowden had access to, or the extent to which he probed the intelligence databases for information. They also do not know what secrets he may have downloaded before he left the United States for Hong Kong.

Snowden also claimed, “I, sitting at my desk, certainly had the authority to wiretap anyone, from you or your accountant, to a federal judge, to even the President.” Despite this, experts believe Snowden was not able to actively spy on people.

The 29-year-old joined Booz Allen in April, but he already had a Top Secret clearance that probably stemmed from his previous job at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He attended training sessions for his first week or two with the company. After that, he left for Hawaii.

Snowden reportedly claimed to be suffering from epilepsy when his employer called to ask how he was doing. But he failed to return after a long period of time and the company was unable to find him. Booz Allen notified intelligence officials, who began the search for him, because he holds such high security clearance.

But the FBI and other government agencies were not able to find Edward Snowden, despite several days of searching. While they learned of the leaks in The Guardian last week, it wasn’t until the whistleblower came forward on Sunday that they realized the source of the leaks.

While Booz Allen has announced it fired Edward Snowden for violating the company’s “code of ethics and firm policy,” there has been no further comments.

Edward Snowden Wanted By FBI Days Before NSA Leak is a post from: The Inquisitr

Jason Leffler was remembered by fellow NASCAR drivers on Wednesday night after the news broke that the 37-year-old died in a sprint-car race accident.

Leffler was rushed to the hospital by helicopter on Wednesday night, but was pronounced dead from his injuries at 9:02 pm local time. The NASCAR community mourned his loss, with the organization releasing a statement saying:

NASCAR extends its thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to the family of Jason Leffler who passed away earlier this evening. For more than a decade, Jason was a fierce competitor in our sport and he will be missed.”

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Jason Leffler raced both in NASCAR and in the IndyCar series, also gave their condolences to the driver’s family, including his young son who graduated from kindergarten last month.

While the racing business carries a higher risk of injury or death, the risk didn’t soften the blow to drivers like Kasey Kahne and Trevor Bayne, who turned to Twitter to mourn Leffler’s death. Kahne posted several tweets about his friend and fellow driver, saying:

“Very sad night. What a great guy we lost tonight. Rest in Peace Jason … Jason & I flew together this past weekend to Pocono. We talked sprint cars, cup cars and Charlie Dean. He loved racing & he loved his son!”

The Hendrick Motorsports driver later added, “Can’t stop thinking about @JasonLeffler #memories #lefturn.”

While Jason Leffler never did well in NASCAR’s premier Sprint Cup Series, he made 423 starts in the Nationwide and Truck Series races beginning in 1999. During that time, he won two Nationwide races and one truck race.

Fellow drivers Joey Logano and Trevor Bayne added of Jason Leffler’s death:

I’m completely devastated to hear a bout Jason Leffler. It doesn’t seem real. Pray for his family tonight

— Trevor Bayne (@Tbayne21) June 13, 2013

Extremely sad to hear about @jasonleffler. spent a lot of time racing with him. Gone way too soon. Prayers to his entire family. — Joey Logano (@joeylogano) June 13, 2013

Leffler’s friends and fellow racers used the hashtag “#LEFturn,” one of the NASCAR driver’s nicknames. While police have confirmed the death of Jason Leffler, his family has not yet released a statement. One spectator at Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey tweeted a photo of the driver’s mangled sprint car.

BREAKING: NASCARs Jason Leffler critical after horrific sprint car collision @christophetaitt bit.ly/11wRtC4 twitter.com/NewsBreaker/st…

— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) June 13, 2013

[Image via Action Sports Photography / Shutterstock.com]

Jason Leffler Remembered By Fellow NASCAR Drivers is a post from: The Inquisitr

Three wildfires in Colorado continued to burn out of control on Wednesday, forcing several thousand residents from Colorado Springs, Royal Gorge, and elsewhere to evacuate.

A wildfire near Colorado Springs prompted more than 7,000 residents to flee as it burned through 92 homes and damaged five more. The Royal Gorge fire also claimed at least 20 structures and cause 250 residents to evacuate.

Along with Colorado, wildfires were also burning in New Mexico, Oregon, and California. A smokejumper was killed in California while fighting one of several fires started by lightning.

The US Forest Service announced on Wednesday that it was mobilizing two Defense Department cargo planes to combat the fires because of how busy crew in the region are. That step can only be taken when all of the contracted tankers for the Forest Service are already in use.

The Colorado Springs fire broke out on Tuesday along the state’s Front Range. Officials have issued orders and pre-evacuation notices to more than 9,000 people, along with 3,500 homes and businesses. Flying embers were helping the fire spread into Colorado Springs, causing residents to prepare for evacuation.

Bits of ash and the smell of wildfire smoke also drifted into Colorado’s capital of Denver, about 60 miles north of the blaze. El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa stated that no injuries or deaths have been reported, though one person was missing on Wednesday.

Officials are trying to confirm the person’s whereabouts and firefighters attempted to reach their last known location. They were turned back when the region was too hot. Maketa added that he was worried people could choose to ignore evacuation orders, explaining,”One of my fears is that people took their chances and it may have cost them their life.”

The Colorado Springs wildfire is close to last summer’s Waldo Canyon Fire, which killed two people and destroyed 346 homes. Residents who lost their homes last year packed up quickly, not wanting to take their chances.

A third wildfire was also burning near Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, though there were no reports of damage to structures or evacuations.

Colorado Wildfires Burn Out Of Control is a post from: The Inquisitr

Concealed carry in Illinois has received the okay from a second county as a second prosecutor has decided to allow the county’s residents to carry concealed weapons.

The news comes as the state’s governor weighs whether or not to allow it statewide. A federal court tossed out the state’s ban on concealed carry in December.

Randolph County State’s Attorney Jeremy Walker announced on Tuesday that he will no longer prosecute the prohibition on guns in public. His decision comes just days after the state’s Madison County made a similar declaration.

Meanwhile, Clinton County’s sheriff has also said that armed residents from Illinois counties that allow concealed carry will not be arrested for carrying hidden weapons while in his jurisdiction.

Illinois concealed carry laws have been up in the air for months, since the Chicago-based 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the state’s ban on hidden weapons. The court also gave lawmakers until June 9 to come up with a measure that allows residents to carry concealed weapons.

But while the Illinois General Assembly has signed off on a bill, it is currently being weighed by Governor Pat Quinn, who hasn’t said whether he will sign it or not. The cutoff has been extended to July 9.

While he waited for Quinn, Walker decided to take matters into his own hands — at least in his county. On Wednesday, he insisted that it was “time to act” in his county, because the original deadline passed with no solution.

He added that he didn’t come to the decision because of Madicon County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons’ announcement, explaining:

“It’s definitely something I’ve been considering quite a while, and I think I’m on strong constitutional ground. I don’t want to do something just to get my name in the paper. But (state lawmakers) could have resolved this issue in January and had something in effect by now.”

The new Illinois concealed carry decision means that residents can carry a weapon is they have a valid firearm owners identification card and they are not otherwise barred from owning a weapon.

Do you think that Illinois should allow concealed carry?

[Image via ShutterStock]

Illinois Concealed Carry Gets The Okay In Another County is a post from: The Inquisitr

Left-hander Michael Kirkman was placed on the Rangers disabled list after a diagnosis for lymphoma (skin) cancer. The diagnosis was a recurrence from a previous issue in the same area in January 2012.

The cutaneous lymphoma is located on his right triceps. Kirkman explained that the new cancer is “about two millimeters outside of where the original spot was they had to radiate last year.”

And like last year’s, the skin cancer will be treated with radiation sessions, as well as intravenous therapy. It was discovered during a routine screening in May by the team’s doctors.

Kirkman added that he is not sure when his radiation treatment will begin, but that he will be on the DL for the time being to give himself a mental break. However, the player added that he hopes to continue playing baseball during the radiation treatment process.

He hopes to be back with the Rangers in a couple of weeks. Michael Kirkman also explained that he believes himself to be more prepared for the challenge of treatment while playing this time, since he has been through lymphoma cancer before. He added:

“I probably see it as less of a thing as it is. Other people see it as more than what it is. It’s just kind of one of those things. It’s kind of a blessing in disguise. I can take a step back, take a mental break and work some bugs out.”

Thad Levine, the Rangers’ assistant general manager, explained that Kirkman was having pitching issues after learning of the diagnosis. Because of his understandable concentration issues, the team was willing to go to what lengths they could to help their 26-year-old pitcher.

Levine added, “He reached out to us and asked if he could take some time down. He has had difficulty succeeding.” While Michael Kirkman is on the DL, the Rangers picked up Kyle McClellan from Round Rock and transferred Joakim Soria to a 60-day DL.

Michael Kirkman On Rangers’ DL For Lymphoma is a post from: The Inquisitr

Turkish police stormed Istanbul’s Taksim Square on Tuesday, clearing out anti-government protesters that have been occupying the park for almost two weeks.

Police used riot gear, water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to rid the square from protesters. In retaliation, some activists hurled fireworks, fire bombs, and stones back at police.

The Turkey protests began on May 31 when police took violent action against a peaceful protest against the government’s plans to demolish Taksim Square and Gezi Park to make way for a shopping center.

Since then, protests have spread from Istanbul to other areas of Turkey as the issue changed from Gezi Park to a general frustration with the government and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who they contend has grown more and more authoritarian during his almost 10 years in office.

Police briefly gained control of Taksim Square and Gezi Park on Tuesday afternoon, but they withdrew just minutes later after they were confronted with hundreds of demonstrators.

Clashes took place throughout the day on Tuesday and several protesters were injured. While Istanbul’s governor stated that the injuries were minor, the president of the Turkish Medical Association reported that hundreds of protesters were injured and some were in critical condition.

While police fought with protesters, Prime Minister Erdogan defended the intervention, saying that the environmental movement in Gezi was hijacked by people who wished to harm the country instead. He added, “What did the protesters expect? That we would kneel down before them?”

Police attacked #Gezi park due to “5 violent protestors”. Erdogan, people is not stupid anymore #OccupyGezi twitter.com/ILoveArctic/st…

— Anonymous (@AnonOpsLegion) June 11, 2013

Erdogan also appeared to contradict earlier statements by Istanbul’s governor, who earlier announced that police would not break up the protest in Gezi Park. Erdogan stated, “I invite them to withdraw from the park and I ask this as prime minister. I am sorry but Gezi Park is for taking promenades, not for occupation.”

Police have removed banners that the Turkey protesters hung from a building that overlooks Taksim Square. They replaced the banners with the country’s flag, as well as the portrait of Kemal Ataturk, the father of the Turkish state. It is unclear how long the protests in Turkey will continue, though some believe it is the beginning of the Turkish Spring.

Is this the end? Police reportedly moving into #gezipark using rubber bullets, teargas, noise bombs twitter.com/VOT99/status/3…

— ║░V☮ice ✪f Turkey░║ (@VOT99) June 11, 2013

[Image via Wikimedia Commons]

Turkey Protests Continue As Police Storm Taksim Square is a post from: The Inquisitr

Tim Tebow is being signed by the Patriots, according to a report, which adds that the team expects the quarterback to report to mini-camp on Tuesday.

Tebow has been teamless since he was dropped by the Jets earlier this year. For a while, many in the sports world wondered if his job loss would mean the end of his football career.

However, just a few days after New England coach Bill Belichick announced he had no hard feelings for the former Broncos/Jets quarterback, the Patriots apparently tapped Tebow.

Belichick’s comments came after a report by Yahoo!, which claimed that the Pats coach hated Tebow. The match could be good for Tebow and Belichick, as the coach has a reputation for making reclamation project players successful.

However, Belichick’s previous projects (Corey Dillon and Randy Moss, among others), had more problems off the field than on it. It was Tebow’s on-field performance that landed him on the bench, and ultimately without a job in the NFL.

The quarterback was drafted by the Broncos in the first round in 2010. After two seasons, Tebow was picked up by the Jets, where he fought for time on the field with two other QBs. While the Patriots deal is a promising sign for the once promising quarterback, Tim Tebow will likely still fight for field time behind Tom Brady and backup Ryan Mallett.

While the apparent job offer from the Patriots isn’t the first Tim Tebow has received since April, it is understandably his best option if he wants to compete in the NFL again. With Tebow aboard, the three-time Super Bowl championship team could have another shot at the title.

It is likely that Tebow will spend his time playing various roles on offense and special teams. The quarterback has 29 touchdowns and 15 turnovers in three seasons.

Do you think the Patriots’ decision to sign Tim Tebow is a good one?

Just filed to ESPN: The Patriots are signing QB Tim Tebow and expect him to be in minicamp tomorrow

— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) June 10, 2013

[Image via Rob Wilson / Shutterstock.com]

Tim Tebow Signed By Patriots [Report] is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Philadelphia building collapse is under investigation by a grand jury to determine if anyone, other than a heavy equipment operator, will face charges in the case.

The building, which was being torn down, had a four-story wall collapse onto an adjacent Salvation Army thrift store last Wednesday. The incident killed six people and injured 13.

The grand jury investigation was announced by Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams on Monday. It came after the operator, Sean Benschop, was arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter and other counts.

Williams explained that he would convene the grand jury on Monday, adding that the panel will investigate all aspects of the collapse, including city agencies and policies. The purpose will be “to determine if anyone in addition to Mr. Benschop should be held criminally responsible.”

Benschop was arrested on Saturday after he turned himself in to police. Along with manslaughter, the 42-year-old was charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment, one count of risking a catastrophe, and one count of causing a catastrophe.

The arrest was made after authorities received a toxicology report showing Benschop, who was operating a crane on the day of the Philadelphia building collapse, was under the influence of a controlled substance that day. Other evidence suggested that the man was operating the crane incorrectly.

Over the weekend, the operator’s attorney, Daine Grey, stated that Benschop “is being made a scapegoat” in the building collapse. Grey added:

“The victims here aren’t just those who died and their families. My client is a victim as well. He’s currently being looked at as the cause of everybody’s pain, but that just isn’t the case.”

Williams added on Monday of the grand jury formation, “I know Philadelphians demand action. I heard their voices loud and clear. We want Philadelphians to be patient as we gather all the evidence.”

City Council was also planning on announcing on Monday the formation of a special committee. The group will review the procedures and regulations surrounding licenses and permits, construction and demolition, the certification of workers, building maintenance, and other issues.

Philadelphia Building Collapse Investigated By Grand Jury is a post from: The Inquisitr

A Republican IRS official admitted to congressional investigators that he and a colleague decided to give conservative groups extra scrutiny for tax-exempt applications.

The news comes after the scandal broke that the government organization was unfairly targeting Tea Party and other conservative groups that applied for tax-exempt status.

An official transcript of the interview was released on Sunday by Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings. In it, the manager tells the investigators that the pair decided to give the groups extra scrutiny, because they appeared to pose a new precedent that could change future IRS filings.

Cummings is the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which is conducting the probe into the apparent targeting. Cummings also told CNN’s State of the Union program on Sunday:

“He is a conservative Republican working for the IRS. I think this interview and these statements go a long way toward showing that the White House was not involved in this.

The lawmaker added, “Based upon everything I’ve seen, the case is solved. And if it were me, I would wrap this case up and move on.” But that is not likely to happen, even when the Maryland Democrat releases the full transcript of the committee’s interviews with IRS officials later this week.

Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) has released his own excerpts of interviews with IRS employees related to the scandal, which has had some conservatives pushing for President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder to resign. In a statement released by his office, Issa said:

“I strongly disagree with … Cummings’ assertion that we know everything we need to know about inappropriate targeting of Tear Party groups by the IRS.”

While President Obama’s job is likely still safe, despite the scandal, the president has fired the IRS commissioner. The House oversight panel, several other congressional committees, and the FBI have all launched investigations into the targeting.

And while the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration released a report showing the IRS was the only department involved in the Tea Party-targeting, Republicans have raised questions about whether the scrutiny was politically motivated. They have also sought evidence that the White House could have been involved.

Do you think the Republican IRS official’s admission to starting the Tea Party-targeting means that the White House was not involved?

Republican IRS Official Helped Start ‘Tea Party’ Inquiries is a post from: The Inquisitr

Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Edrogan warned protesters on Sunday that “even patience has an end” and called again for the protests to stop.

Protesters have taken to the streets of several major cities to demand for Edrogan’s resignation. The prime minister compared the unrest with an army attempt to curb his power, which happened six years ago.

Sunday marked day 10 of the protests as riot police resorted back to tear gas and water cannons to disperse anti-government protesters from Ankara, just a few miles from where Erdogan spoke.

While the protests raged, Erdogan held six rallies during which supporters waved Turkish flags and shouted Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest) as the prime minister accused protesters of attacking women and desecrating mosques by taking beer bottles into them.

Tens of thousands of activists flooded the streets of Istanbul’s central Taksim Square (Gezi), where the protests emanated from. They began when police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a peaceful demonstration over plans to tear down the park and turn it into an industrial zone.

But police have since withdrawn from the area, leaving protesters camped out in tents in control. Roads approaching the square have been blocked with masonry, paving stones, and steel rods.

In his speech on Sunday, Turkey’s prime minister also urged his supporters not to resort to violence, saying:

“We won’t do what a handful of looters have done. They burn and destroy … They destroy the shops of civilians. They destroy the cars of civilians. They are low enough to insult the prime minister of this country.”

Instead of violence, Erdogan urged his supporters to fight against protesters democratically, explaining, “I want you to give them the first lesson through democratic means in the ballot box.”

While the protests in Turkey started as an environmental protest on May 31, they have grown into a general discontent toward Erdogan’s government. Several protesters have accused the prime minister of becoming more and more authoritarian in the past decade, saying he has tried to impose his conservative, religious views on the country, which is currently governed by secular laws.

But Ergogan has rejected the accusations, branding the protests as illegal efforts to tarnish his reputation.

[Image via Senat RP/Polish Senate]

Turkey’s Prime Minister Warns Protesters: ‘Even Patience Has An End’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Iran has apparently opened its first space monitoring center in order to track objects passing in orbit overhead. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was at the facility for its inaugural ceremony.

The country’s first space center is located near the town of Delijan, about 125 miles south of capital Tehran. Ahmadinejad explained that the center will allow the country to manage “activities of satellites,” though it can also monitor “very remote space.”

In recent months, Iran has made multiple claims of starting up a space program. The country claimed in January that it sent a monkey into space and back successfully. In February, Ahmadinejad announced he wanted to be the first Iranian in space.

However, space flight is still a ways off for the Middle Eastern nation, which has long pursued space ambitions. Along with putting its own satellite into orbit, the country has said that manned space flight is a goal.

The orbiting satellites would be used for monitoring natural disasters in the earthquake-prone country. But the US and its allies worry that the same technology used for space excursions could also be used to develop long-range missiles.

Defense Minister General Ahmad Vahidi stated that the new space monitoring center will be for the country’s space-related security only. He added that Iran will share the acquired data with other countries as well. Vahidi said:

“The base is aimed at securing the country’s space facilities and monitoring space objects especially satellites that pass overhead.”

Iran already has nine command and control ground stations for its developing space program. One such facility is located in Syria, the country’s main regional ally. The Delijan center will use radar, electro-optic, and radio tracking for satellites, and likely asteroids as well.

While the space monitoring center is active, it is likely that Iran is still years away from launching its first satellite into orbit — let alone its first manned spaceflight.

[Image via ShutterStock]

Iran Opens First Space Monitoring Center [Report] is a post from: The Inquisitr

NASA’s Opportunity rover sent back data to Earth showing that Mars once had benign, neutral-pH water flowing across its surface. That means that, at one time, the Red Planet had drinkable water.

The Opportunity rover, which landed on Mars in January 2004 along with its twin, Spirit, for three-month missions to search for signs of past water activity on the planet.

The robots, which are about the size of a golf cart, found the evidence, then kept exploring. Spirit stopped communicating with Earth in 2010 and was declared dead the next year. But Opportunity is still going strong.

The rover discovered clay minerals in an ancient rock on the rim of the planet’s Endeavour Crater. The minerals suggest that water was once present on Mars. Opportunity principal investigator Steve Squyers of Cornell University, explained, “This is water you could drink.”

Squyers added that the rock, called “Esperance,” stands out from other rocks, explaining:

“This is water that was probably much more favorable in its chemistry, in its pH, in its level of acidity, for things like prebiotic chemistry — the kind of chemistry that could lead to the origin of life.”

While the Opportunity rover has seen signs of clay in rocks before, this was the highest concentration it has detected so far. The neutral-pH water that once flowed over the rock and generated the clays likely existed during the first billion years of Martian history. However, it is almost impossible to find out exactly when the clay formed without bringing the rocks back to Earth.

At the current time, none of the rovers on Mars’ surface have the ability to bring back samples. However, the Mars Curiosity rover has an onboard laboratory that allows researchers to find out the compositions of rock and other samples the SUV-sized robot collects. Several countries hope to plan a mission soon that will allow rovers to bring back samples to Earth.

Until then, scientists will continue to glean all the information they can using the rovers riding around on the Marian surface.

[Image via NASA/JPL-CALTECH/CORNELL/ARIZONA STATE UNIV.]

Opportunity Rover Discovers Mars Had Drinkable Water is a post from: The Inquisitr

Cyndi Lauper scored her first ever Tony Award on Sunday night for the music in Broadway show Kinky Boots. The musical is an adaptation of a British film about a shoe factory in trouble. The factory reinvents itself by making boots for drag queens.

Sunday evening’s award makes Lauper one of few entertainers to achieve “GET” status, meaning they have won a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony award.

The pop queen was surprised to win the Tony Award, but was able to pull herself together and make it to the stage for her acceptance speech. Lauper stated:

“Ok … I can’t say I wasn’t practicing in front of the shower curtain for a couple of days for this speech. I gotta thank my mom for sharing all that wonderful music. I wrecked all her Broadway musicals when I was a kid, the cast albums. That’s how I learned to sing.”

Cyndi Lauper went on to thank the cast of Kinky Boots for the award and being great co-workers. The “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” singer got emotional again when she thanked “my family. My wonderful family. My son and my husband who inspire me … and everybody else in my category. I feel honored to be part of this community.”

Along with Cyndi Lauper, actress Judith Light also won an early Tony award during Broadway’s night to shine in New York City. Light won her award for The Assembled Parties, where she plays a Jewish wife and mother. Kinky Boots took home several awards of the 13 it was nominated for.

Included in the wins were best choreography, orchestrations, and sound design. The show, hosted at Radio City Music Hall, also featured performances by the casts of Kinky Boots, Matilda, and Pippin. Show host Neil Patrick Harris opened the ceremony with a lavish, satirical production.

Are you happy to hear pop singer Cyndi Lauper won her first Tony Award?

[Image via Featureflash / Shutterstock.com]

Cyndi Lauper Scores First Tony Award is a post from: The Inquisitr

A police officer was charged in the case of an apparent road rage murder in the shooting death of a man in Maryland. The officer, assigned to a county prosecutor’s office in New Jersey, is being held on $1 million bond.

The shooting happened on Saturday night, according to Maryland State Police. Joseph Walker, 40, allegedly killed Maryland resident Joseph Harvey Jr., 36, in an incident of road rage on Route 3 northbound near the intersection with Interstate 97.

Maryland State Police are still searching for the cause of the confrontation, which happened on the shoulder of the highway, south of Baltimore.

The apparent incident started about a mile south of where Walker allegedly shot and killed Harvey. While the victim was driving a green Honda Accord with one passenger, the police officer was driving a gold Kia minivan with his wife and three children.

Harvey and his passenger got out of the car and started walking toward the minivan, parked between 100 and 150 feet away. Walker fired and hit Harvey with a Glock .45-caliber handgun, according to a police statement.

Harvey was taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center by ambulance, but was pronounced dead there of three gunshot wounds. Meanwhile, Walker was taken to the same facility after he complained of chest pains.

It is not clear when the Eastampton, New Jersey man was taken into custody for the alleged road rage murder. He is scheduled to appear before a court commissioner on Monday morning. The police officer was charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in connection with the shooting.

Gene Rubino, a spokesman for the Hudson County prosecutor’s office where Walker works, stated that the office is aware of the shooting, as well as Walker’s arrest. The officer was off-duty at the time of the incident. Rubino did not comment further on the situation.

It is unclear what started the incident that led to the apparent road rage murder.

[Image via ShutterStock]

Police Officer Charged In Apparent Road Rage Murder is a post from: The Inquisitr

Kabul, Afghanistan — The Kabul airport was attacked on Monday morning by suspected militants, as gunfire and explosions were reported.

The attack was launched shortly after dawn by suspected suicide bombers. At least one large explosion was heard around 4:30 am local time, followed by a gunbattle with security forces.

The attack happened on the military side of the city’s international airport, which is home to a NATO headquarters, according to the Afghan army and police.

The airport has been closed to all civilian air traffic until further notice after the attack. The Kabul police announced that attackers were wearing suicide vests. They occupied a tall building on the airport’s west side and were firing at the military facility below.

Reports have also said that all diplomatic areas of the airport have been placed on lockdown, along with the civilian side of the airport. Insurgents were apparently targeting the US Air Force and narcotics areas of the Kabul airport.

Another report stated that the US embassy in Kabul sounded its “duck and cover” alarm, adding on loudspeaker that it was not a drill. Kabul’s police chief Hashmat Stanikzai, stated, “It’s an ongoing gunfight and blasts, and I can tell you that it’s a suicide group attack.” He added:

“Several armed men have attacked the western part of the Kabul airport. It started with a huge bomb explosion and heavy gunfire.

Several sirens went off at international compounds, in addition to at the US embassy. Foreigners were also cautioned not to leave their protected areas. The Kabul airport has several different areas within it, including a large area for American and other international forces. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to drive from the outer gates to the headquarters in that area, because it has a deep perimeter.

An ISAF spokesperson stated that the militants did not breach the perimeter of the airport. They also stated that the Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kabul Airport Attacked, Taliban Reportedly Take Credit is a post from: The Inquisitr

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) has announced she will back a bipartisan immigration overhaul plan in a move that will likely lend momentum to the measure currently being debated in the Senate.

Ayotte, who was elected to office in 2010, is the first Republican to endorse the bill, aside from its original backers from the Senate’s so-called “Gang of Eight.”

Ayotte is a former prosecutor and New Hampshire attorney general. She announced on CBS’s Face the Nation, “Our immigration system is completely broken. This is a thoughtful, bipartisan solution to a tough problem.”

The senator added that she hopes more high-tech workers will be admitted into the US to ensure that the country will have the “best and brightest here … to grow our economy.” She also praised the bill’s pathway to citizenship for immigrants who are already in the country, but don’t have legal status.

The pathway to citizenship, which Ayotte called “tough but fair,” would require illegal immigrants to “go to the back of the line, pay taxes, pass a criminal background check, learn English.”

Several amendments will face voting in the Senate, including a key test vote on Tuesday, before the legislative body votes on the final bill. That vote will likely happen at the end of June. At least 60 votes are needed for passage to keep the bill from being filibustered. Ayotte’s support of the immigration reform bill adds one more to the threshold needed.

But while the immigration bill has a chance of passing in the Senate, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) cautioned that the bill “has zero chances of passing in the House.” Paul added that he doesn’t like the bill’s cap on immigration workers. He also would not create a new path to citizenship for those who are already in the US on work visas.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte also explained her support of the sweeping immigration reform bill on her website, writing, “The status quo isn’t working. It’s de facto amnesty. We need immigration reform that serves the best interests of our country.” Under the new bill, the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the country would face a 13-year path to citizenship.

Do you agree with the immigration reform bill the Senate is currently debating? How would you like to see immigration work in the United States?

[Image via United States Senate]

Sen. Kelly Ayotte Backs Immigration Overhaul is a post from: The Inquisitr

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) wants to launch a class action challenge to the Supreme Court over the surveillance programs revealed in two separate leaks this week.

Paul announced his plans to sue the federal government on Fox News on Sunday, explaining:

“I’m going to be seeing it I can challenge this to the Supreme Court level. I’m going to be asking the Internet providers and all of the phone companies; ask your customers to join me in a class-action lawsuit.”

The controversy started this week after The Guardian and The Washington Postpublished reports that the NSA has been gathering phone records from Verizon for millions of people each day.

A second report stated that the NSA is also mining metadata from internet companies, like Google and Yahoo, in an effort to prevent terrorist attacks. Paul added of the lawsuit:

“If we get 10 million Americans saying, ‘We don’t want our phone records looked at’ then maybe someone will wake up and things will change in Washington.”

Rand Paul is already a vocal critic of the NSA’s surveillance programs, making his proposal on Sunday not surprising, given the scope of the reported surveillance. Paul added that the data collection revealed this week was more than a modest invasion of privacy. He went so far as to say that it could have even weakened the country’s counterterrorism efforts.

Paul added of the leaks, “I think the American people are with me and I think if you talk to young people who use computers on a daily basis, they are absolutely with me.”

The congressman was quick to say that he is for going after terrorists. However, he added that they should “get a warrant, go after a terrorist or a murderer or a rapist. But don’t troll through a billion phone records every day. That is unconstitutional, it invades our privacy.”

Would you join a lawsuit against the US government for the recent NSA leaks?

[Image via Gage Skidmore]

Rand Paul Wants Supreme Court Challenge Over Surveillance Program is a post from: The Inquisitr

The National Security Agency (NSA) is seeking a criminal probe into the program leaker that unveiled a pair of mass online and phone surveillance programs in two reports that shocked many Americans.

The highly secretive NSA has apparently asked the Justice Department to investigate the leak in a move some have called a “crimes report.”

The leaks were initially reported by The Guardian and The Washington Post earlier this week. The two papers claimed to have information on a program that collects telephone records of millions of Verizon customers every day, because of a secret court order.

According to the leak, the court order was granted by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court on April 25 and is active until July 19. The second leak involved an arm of the top-secret, controversial Stellar Wind program set up after 9/11. The program apparently allows the NSA and the FBI to tap into the central servers of nine internet companies, including Facebook, Yahoo, Google, and others.

The program, called PRISM, was started in 2007, according to The Washington Post, which broke the story on Thursday. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper released a statement about the leaks, saying that they were “reckless disclosures of intelligence community measures used to keep Americans safe.” He added:

“Our ability to discuss these activities is limited by our need to protect intelligence sources and methods. However, there are significant misimpressions that have resulted from the recent articles.”

The news of the NSA’s criminal probe request came hours before the source of the leaks, Edward Snowden, came forward. Snowden, a former CIA undercover employee, revealed himself as the leak source on Sunday in a Guardian article. The 29-year-old has contracted with the NSA in the past and works for the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton.

Snowden called the programs systematic surveillance of innocent civilians and added in an interview that “it’s important to send a message to government that people will not be intimidated.” The source of the leaks is apparently in a hotel in Hong Kong for the time being.

Do you think the recent NSA security leaks should result in a criminal probe?

[Image via ShutterStock]

NSA Seeks Criminal Probe Into Leaks is a post from: The Inquisitr

The excavator operator wanted in connection with the deadly Philadelphia building collapse surrendered to police on Saturday. The man, Sean Benschop, was accused of being high while operating the equipment.

Benschop was operating an excavator on Wednesday when the remains of a four-story building gave way. They toppled onto an attached Salvation Army thrift store, killing six and injuring 13.

Police issued a warrant for the man’s arrest on Friday after they searched his home in connection with the collapse. Benschop, who already has a lengthy rap sheet, will face six counts of involuntary manslaughter, 13 counts of recklessly endangering another person, and one count of risking a catastrophe in relation to the building collapse.

Benshop, who also goes by Kary Roberts, has been arrested at least 11 times since 1994. The charges range from weapons possession to drugs and theft. He was also sentenced to prison twice in the 1990s. His last arrest was on January 2012 fir aggravated assault. However, the charges were dropped.

Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison revealed on Friday evening that Benschop’s toxicology report showed evidence that the heavy machinery operator was high at the time of the accident. Police sources also stated that the operator admitted he took codeine and other prescription drugs that day.

He was seen in photographs being led by investigators with a red jacket covering his head and a soft cast on his right arm from fingertips to elbow. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter stated of the arrest:

“Sean Benschop finally turned himself in to authorities today. It is because of his reckless and irresponsible behavior that six people died and 13 people were hurt and buried under debris and bricks.”

Benschop’s attorney has said that his client maintains his innocence and “is not responsible” for the accident. Two survivors of the collapse have already filed lawsuits against the fallen building’s owner and the demolition contractor.

[Image via ShutterStock]

Excavator Operator Wanted In Philly Collapse Deaths Surrenders is a post from: The Inquisitr

A 1979 murder suspect was arrested on Friday after almost 35 years on the run. The man, Ata Yousef El Ammouri, 65, was arrested at O’Hare International Airport while trying to return to the country.

El Ammouri was apparently returning to the United States from Jordan, where he was living, to attend a grandchild’s graduation. But instead of attending the ceremony, the man was taken into custody.

Cook County sheriff’s spokeswoman Eleni Demertzis stated that she wasn’t sure where the graduation ceremony took place, but El Ammouri apparently had a connecting flight from O’Hare to an airport in Tennessee.

The fugitive is accused of murdering a shoplifter in 1979 on Chicago’s South Side. Joe Harris, 31, walked out of El Ammouri’s store on July 22, 1979 without paying for a can of beer.

El Ammouri was charged with murder but was able to post $100,000 bail. He disappeared and received additional charges for jumping bail in November 1979 when he didn’t show up for court proceedings. At the time, authorities believed he fled the country to avoid prosecution.

The 1979 murder suspect was taken to bond court on Saturday and ordered held without bail. His next court date will be on Monday. The operation to track and arrest El Ammouri involved the police, the US State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Custom’s Enforcement, and the US Embassy in Jordan.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart added that the fugitive’s arrest after more than three decades on the run “should send a message that the simple passage of time does not eradicate our commitment to bringing fugitives to justice.” Dart went on to say:

“I want to thank the State Department and the various state and federal agencies for their outstanding intelligence gathering throughout this initiative as well as our team on the ground for their patience and professionalism.”

The 1979 murder suspect was apparently previously in the country for nine months in 1998. It is unclear how he was able to enter and exit the country undetected by law enforcement.

[Image via ShutterStock]

1979 Murder Suspect Finally Arrested At O’Hare is a post from: The Inquisitr

New Orleans, LA — Missing teacher Terrilynn Monette’s car was discovered on Saturday submerged in a bayou in New Orleans. The car had a badly decomposing body inside, believed to be that of Monette.

The car and body were discovered in Bayou St. John by a diver with the Slidell Police Department. The man, police officer Mark Michaud, volunteered to dive the waterways to search for the missing teacher.

Detective Daniel Seuzeneau of the Slidell Police Department has said that the body is believed to be that of Monette. The popular teacher was last seen on March 2 when she left Parlay’s Dream Lounge in New Orleans. She was celebrating with friend her nomination for a “Teacher of the Year” award.

But she never made it home. The missing teacher’s mother, Toni Enclade, has been splitting her time between California, where Monette is from, and New Orleans, looking for her daughter. On Saturday, she stated of the possibility that the body found is Terrilynn’s:

“To know that she could have possibly been there for three months. I can’t even begin to go there right now. I’m in shock. I can’t believe this. I just can’t believe this.”

Michaud took his 17-foot boat equipped with sonar out on Saturday in Bayou St. John to look for the missing teacher and her car.

While scanning the waters, he found a submerged car close to a bridge at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Wisner Boulevard. The vehicle appeared to be pointed the way the missing teacher could have taken home from Parlay’s bar around 5 am on March 2.

So, Michaud grabbed his gear, dove in, and found a black Honda Accord — the same kind of car Monette drove. He also studied the license plate and confirmed it matched the missing teacher’s vehicle. When he saw a badly decomposed body in the driver’s seat, he presumed it to be that of the missing woman.

The night Monette went missing, she told friends she was going to sleep in her car for a while before she drove to her apartment. She left a bank parking lot next to Parlay’s around 5 am and headed toward Marconi Drive. Police believed that Monette turned onto Marconi, on the edge of City Park, because of red-light camera footage. But her car was found farther east, suggesting she actually went straight.

In a statement, New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas explained that the missing teacher’s car being discovered will lead the investigation in a new direction. Homicide detectives and the department’s fatality unit will search for evidence to find out how and why Monette’s car ended up in the bayou.

An autopsy on the body is scheduled for Monday. It is unclear when investigators will determine if the body is that of missing teacher Terrilynn Monette.

Missing Teacher Terrilynn Monette’s Car Found, Body Inside is a post from: The Inquisitr

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg took to his social media site on Friday to issue a statement about the site and PRISM — a secret NSA program that reportedly allows the government to spy on the American people.

Facebook, along with Google and several other popular internet sites were named in the leak as companies that participate in the program, which collects data like email, voice, and video chat from its partners.

It is alleged that everything on Facebook, including status updates, messages, and photos, are collected and stored by the NSA. But Zuckerberg denied the allegations, writing:

“Facebook is not and has never been part of any program to give the US or any other government direct access to our servers. We have never received a blanket request or court order from any government agency asking for information or metadata in bulk, like the one Verizon reportedly received. And if we did, we would fight it aggressively. We hadn’t even heard of PRISM before yesterday.”

He went on to add:

“When governments ask Facebook for data, we review each request carefully to make sure they always follow the correct processes and all applicable laws, and then only provide the information if is required by law. We will continue fighting aggressively to keep your information safe and secure.”

Mark Zuckerberg then pointed to a possible lack of transparency in the government as the possible cause for the “outrageous press reports” regarding PRISM. He added, “It’s the only way to protect everyone’s civil liberties and create the safe and free society we all want over the long term.”

Along with Mark Zuckerberg, the rest of the companies involved, including Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Paltalk, AOL, Skype, YouTube, and Apple, have issued statements denying participation in any government program that collects private data about Americans.

But the denial was not enough for some, who commented on Zuckerberg’s status update with their suspicions that the Facebook CEO was not being entirely truthful. One user, Will Ware, wrote, “C’mon Zuck, you can be straight with us. Everyone already took the red pill anyway, right?”

Another user added, “But if you WERE providing data to the federal government you probably WOULDN’T be allowed to admit it, would you.”

Do you believe that Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook status about PRISM is truthful?

Mark Zuckerberg Denies Facebook’s Involvement In PRISM is a post from: The Inquisitr

Chicago, IL — At least 13 people were shot in Chicago on Friday and early Saturday morning. Of the injured victims, two were in critical condition after gunfire erupted near a passing ambulance.

The shooting forced paramedics to duck and cover and call for help. Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford explained that the ambulance happened to pass through the area on Friday night when paramedics noticed people crouching.

They heard gunfire and realized they were entering into crossfire. Langford explained the paramedics ducked and reached a safe place, where they called for police backup.

The shooting, which happened on Chicago’s West Side, left one person with a bullet wound to the head, while another was shot in the chest. The paramedics who saw the shooting helped, along with a second ambulance crew. The injured were taken to a local hospital.

A man with gang affiliations was also critically wounded in the Uptown neighborhood in the evening. The 29-year-old man was apparently shot several times, including in the mouth after he stepped out of his four-door Volkswagen.

Two people apparently approached him and started shooting, according to Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Jose Estrada. Multiple shell casings and a small pool of blood could be seen in an alley way. The man remains in critical condition.

The ages of the 13 people shot in Chicago so far this weekend ranged from 15 to 33. As of Saturday evening, no names were released to the media. It appeared that the majority of the shootings were gang-related, as several of the victims had or have gang ties. All of the known victims have been male.

The 15-year-old boy was apparently shot in the left arm while he was standing on a street corner yelling gang slogans to an SUV full of rival gang members. The rivals apparently shot him after he shouted the slogans out.

It is not clear if any arrests have been made in relation to the 13 shot in Chicago so far this weekend.

[Image via ShutterStock]

At least 13 Shot In Chicago In Weekend Violence is a post from: The Inquisitr

Palace Malice beat out Orb and Oxbow to win the 2013 Belmont Stakes on Saturday. The win was surprising for the colt, who skilled the Preakness after finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby.

Malice’s win gave Todd Pletcher his second Belmont winner in six years and also vindicated his support of the three-year-old colt, who came into the final leg of the celebrated Triple Crown with just one win under his belt.

The victory was also the second for the colt’s jockey, Mike Smith, a Hall of Fame rider who guided Drosselmeyer to the win in 2010. Smith stated of Palace Malice, “The whole time he was just enjoying the trip. He was full of run turning for home.”

The Belmont Stakes is the gem on top of the Triple Crown achievement. But the crown hasn’t been claimed since Affirmed galloped to victory in 1978.

After Palace Malice crossed the line, Preakness winner Oxbow took second three and a quarter lengths back, while Derby winner Orb was in third. Smith spoke afterward about the difference between the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. He stated, “Blinkers off, honestly.”

While at the Triple Crown opener, the colt had blinders on. While he set the pace in the Derby, he fell to 12th place in the end. But this time, Smith stated, “He was just enjoying the trip, sucking all the air in.” He added that the race went just as planned, saying, “Today was our day.”

Trainer Pletcher spoke from the winner’s circle, calling the Belmont Stakes victory, “Huge.” He went on to add, “We always felt like he had a big one in him. He needed to put it all together. We were quietly confident coming in.”

Along with Palace Malice, Pletcher had a record four other entries in today’s Belmont Stakes. With those odds, it wasn’t surprising to see him standing in the winner’s circle when the race was over.

Did your favorite horse win the 2013 Belmont Stakes?

Palace Malice Wins 2013 Belmont Stakes [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

The giant asteroid named 1998 QE2 was captured on video during its flyby of Earth last week. The recently released video has revealed some key details about the massive space rock, along with its much smaller moon.

The asteroid sailed past our planet on May 31 at a distance of 3.6 million miles. The approach was the rock’s closest for the next two hundred years or more.

The new video released is comprised of 55 images NASA’s 230-foot-wide Deep Space Network antenna at Goldstone, California, took while the asteroid was roughly 3.75 million miles away. The resolution on the video is about 125 feet of asteroid per pixel.

Analysis of the Goldstone images have helped scientists narrow down their estimate of 1998 QE2′s size. The space rock’s width is about 1.9 miles, while its moon is about 2,000 feet wide.

Researchers added that the asteroid’s moon orbits once every 32 hours and shows just one face to the larger body (much like Earth’s moon always shows us its near side). While the moon rotates once every 32 hours, Asteroid 1998 QE2 completes a rotation on its axis once every five hours.

The space rock is one of the largest and slowest-spinning binary asteroids that radar instruments have ever observed. While it may sound strange that the massive asteroid has a moon, the multi-asteroid system isn’t uncommon. One of every six asteroids more than 655 feet wide that pass near Earth are either binary or triple systems.

The massive 1998 QE2 asteroid was first discovered in 1998 by astronomers at MIT’s Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research program in New Mexico. It is one of about 10,000 closely monitored asteroids that have been spotted so far. Astronomers estimate that unknown asteroids passing by Earth could number in the millions.

Despite the asteroid’s close flyby last week, there was no danger of QE2 actually impacting our planet. NASA officials will continue studying 1998 QE2 using the Goldstone facility, as well as the 1,000-foot Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, until Sunday.

[Image via NASA/JPL-Caltech/GSSR]

Asteroid 1998 QE2′s Close Flyby Caught On Video is a post from: The Inquisitr

North Korea restored its hotline with South Korea this week after the world’s most secretive nation invited Seoul officials to attend working-level talks in Kaesong.

In response, the South used the hotline to accept the North’s proposal. However, Seoul suggested the talks should be held at the Panmunjom truce village, which straddles the border between the two nations.

South Korea also suggested that the talks should include prep work for the ministerial-level meeting, which will take place soon. Restorations of the Red Cross link, which was severed by the North in March, is the latest signal that tensions in the region are calming.

North Korea significantly increased tensions in March by declaring an end to the truce between the two nations and severing the hotline. The country also test fired several weapons into the ocean and set up others for testing along the eastern coast.

But those weapons were removed from their launching positions last month — a signal that the North was backing down on its war rhetoric.

While the upcoming talks will include topics on how the two nations can agree to keep the peace, the North’s nuclear weapons program will apparently not be up for debate. Also expected will be negotiations on reopening the factory complex in Kaesong, located just north of the Demilitarized Zone that separates the two nations.

The decade-old complex is the product of an inter-Korean cooperation. But it was gradually shut down after Pyongyang cut off border communications and access in March. The country then pulled its 53,000 workers. The last South Korean managers left Kaesong last month.

The logistical talks between North and South Korea will be held on Sunday in Panmunjom. Later this week, the two countries will hold their first cabinet minister-level meeting in six years. The suggestion by North Korea was a surprise, given the country’s rhetoric in recent months.

Do you think the suggestion of talks from North Korea is a sign that the two countries could finally enter a long-term peace?

[Image via ShutterStock]

North Korea Restores Hotline With South, Suggests New Talks is a post from: The Inquisitr

This year’s Belmont Stakes will likely be wet, thanks to Tropical Storm Andrea, which is working its way up the East Coast. But despite the sloppy track, the race is sure to be exciting.

Despite there being no Triple Crown on the line, 14 horses will vie for the lead around the track on Saturday afternoon. The winners of the first two legs, Orb and Oxbow, could pull off the win. But the other 12 horses shouldn’t be counted out.

Rain pelted the historic race track all day on Friday and isn’t supposed to let up until around 4 am local time on Saturday. New York racing officials predicted up to three and a half inches of rain could accumulate.

Despite sunny skies and higher temperatures on Saturday, there is no guarantee the track will be quickly transformed into a fast and firm surface. That forecast will likely move the odds in favor of horses who perform well on a wet track. They include Orb, Oxbow, Freedom Child, and filly Unlimited Budget.

Orb, who won the Kentucky Derby last month, has already proven his strength on a sloppy track as jockey Joel Rosario steered him easily down the stretch of a very wet Churchill Downs racetrack. Shug McGaughey, Orb’s trainer, added, “This is his home track, and he’s shown he can handle off going. He’s ready.”

But despite the Derby winner’s 3-1 odds, other horses could still pull off an upset. While Oxbow, a proven frontrunner, led the Preakness from start to finish, is expected to be out of the gate quickly, Freedom Child, with 8-1 odds, will likely launch out of the gate just as fast.

Tom Albertrani, Freedom Child’s trainer, stated that he will not change his strategy for the coveted Belmont Stakes. Luis Saez will steer the colt clear of the gate as fast as possible to get in the clear before the first turn. Albertrani added:

“Depending on the pace, as long as we’re in control early on, if he runs anything like he did in Peter Pan, I think he’ll do it on the front end. ”

Albertrani also stated he believes Orb will be the main competition. But Unlimited Budget shouldn’t be counted out. The filly also has 8-1 odds for the Belmont and appears to love a wet racetrack. She won easily in her debut last November on an off surface. Trainer Todd Pletcher revealed he’s more worried about her endurance than he is about her ability to run the track.

Pletcher, who guided filly Rags to Riches to a Belmont win in 2007, explained, “She’s not as stoutly bred as I’d like to see. That will be her test. But you can say the same for most of these.”

Who do you think will win Saturday’s Belmont Stakes?

[Image via Dennis Donohue / Shutterstock.com]

Belmont Stakes Will Be Wet, Exciting Despite No Triple Crown Contenders is a post from: The Inquisitr

Covina, CA — A child porn sting in California got a popular middle school teacher arrested. The teacher, John David Boyle, was arrested after he met with an undercover agent under the guise of watching child pornography together.

Boyle, 49, allegedly spoke with the agent online, who he believed shared a sexual interest in young boys with him, according to Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for a US Attorney in California.

Mrozek added that the middle school teacher set up an in-person meeting with the undercover agent in his classroom last weekend. He added that Boyle believed “the purpose of the meeting was to engage in sexual activity while watching child pornography together.”

But the meeting did not go as the teacher planned. The undercover agent met Boyle in his classroom, where he offered the teacher child pornography. When Boyle took possession of the material, other agents entered the room to confront of him.

While Boyle was not initially arrested, he gave investigators permission to take over several social media and email accounts, including one that was allegedly used to distribute child pornography. Boyle’s Skype account also apparently had evidence that the teacher had sexual contact with minors.

Authorities arrested the Royal Oak Middle School teacher on Tuesday. Mike Henricks, Superintendent of the Charter Oak School District, stated on Friday, “Fortunately so far we have had no indication to believe that any of our students have been victimized.”

A US attorney’s office on Friday stated that videos depicting child pornography were found on the suspect’s computer. Boyle was arrested by special agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. If he is convicted, the middle school teacher could face a sentence of between five and 20 years in a federal prison.

The arrest of the teacher for child pornography was likely a shock to the student population. Boyle was a football coach at the school and also taught English. He was popular with students and was chosen to be the commencement speaker for the school’s graduation this year.

[Image via ShutterStock]

Child Porn Sting Gets Middle School Teacher Arrested is a post from: The Inquisitr

Cleveland, OH — Kidnapping suspect Ariel Castro was charged on Friday with 329 counts, including rape, kidnapping, and aggravated murder.

The charges stem from the alleged kidnapping of three women who Castro allegedly held captive for almost 10 years. The Cuyahoga County grand jury handed down the indictment charges on Friday evening.

Along with 139 counts of rape and 177 charges of kidnapping, Ariel Castro was also indicted on seven counts of gross sexual imposition, three counts of felony assault, and one count of possession of criminal tools dating from the time the women were taken until February 2007.

Castro was also charged as a “sexually violent predator” who also committed rape and murder in the course of a kidnapping. The murder charge stems from one victim’s fourth pregnancy.

The former school bus driver, who was fired from the job last year, is currently being held in the Cuyahoga County jail on $8 million bail. A judge is expected to arraign him early next week on the new charges.

The case of the missing women broke open last month when Amanda Berry and her daughter broke free from Castro’s home on the west side of Cleveland. Berry then led police to Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight. Berry’s daughter was born in captivity.

Castro allegedly chained Knight to a pole in the basement and raped her the day after she was kidnapped. He also allegedly taped Berry’s legs and mouth and sexually assaulted her after she attempted to escape. He also allegedly chained and assaulted DeJesus.

The new indictments only covered the period from August 2002, when the first of the three women disappeared, until February 2007. Ohio’s aggravated murder law includes the death of a fetus “with prior calculation and design.” Because of this, Castro could face the death penalty if convicted.

Knight told investigators that Castro got her pregnant by rape at least five times during the course of her captivity. Each time, he allegedly starved her for two weeks, then punched her repeatedly in the stomach until she miscarried. It is unclear if more charges will be handed down against Ariel Castro.

Ariel Castro Charged With 329 Counts, Including Rape, Kidnapping is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Vikings embarked on a voyage to Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland more than 1,000 years ago, according to new evidence unveiled this week.

The evidence was discovered through archaeological excavation and chemical analysis of two jasper artifacts that the Norse commonly used to start fires.

Kevin Smith, deputy director and chief curator of the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology at Brown University, stated:

“This area of Notre Dame Bay was as good a candidate as any for the first contact between the Old World and the New World, and that ‘s kind of an exciting thing.”

The jasper artifacts were discovered at L’Anse aux Meadows, where the Norse explorers likely set out from. The analysis suggests that the jasper used in the artifacts came from the area around Notre Dame Bay.

It is likely the Vikings voyaged south about 143 miles until they reached the bay. The area they likely landed at was well inhabited at the time with the ancestral Beothuk. Because of this, researchers concluded that the Vikings likely met the Beothuk, and also took in the beautiful landscape around the bay. Smith explained:

“For anyone coming from the nearly treeless islands of the North Atlantic, this would have potentially been a very interesting zone. There are a lot of trees; there’s a lot of opportunities for cutting things down; it’s a bit warmer; it’s an interesting mix of resources.”

Researchers do not yet know the specifics about contact between the Norse and the Boethuk, though they presume that it did happen. The possible meeting would be one of the earliest Old World-New World encounters.

The two jasper artifacts are keys that prove the Viking voyage happened. The larger one was the most recent and was discovered in 2008 just 33 feet from an ancient Norse hall. The chemical composition of jasper, which the ancient people used as a rudimentary match, varies based on where it is obtained. Because of this, researchers were able to match it with geological samples using a device that detects the chemical signature of jasper.

The results suggest that the jasper discovered in L’Anse aux Meadows originated from Notre Dame Bay. More specifically, the closest chemical match came from a geological sample in modern-day Fortune Harbor. The second piece of jasper was discovered in the 1960s in excavations by Helfe and Anne Stine Ingstad, who discovered the Meadows.

The excavations at L’Anse aux Meadows will continue, with the hopes of discovering more Viking voyages in the New World.

[Image via ShutterStock]

Evidence Suggests Vikings Voyaged To Newfoundland is a post from: The Inquisitr

A 2,500-year-old Egyptian mummy is getting a rare cleaning at a Boston hospital. The mummy, Padihershef, has been on display at Massachusetts General Hospital since 1823.

But on Friday Padihershef came out of his coffin, aided by a conservator trained in restoring ancient artifacts. The conservator will use cotton swabs dabbed in saliva to wipe away the salt deposits from the old mummy’s face.

The salt deposits are a result of the mummification process and seep slowly from his tissue. Mime Leveque, the conservator, will also use a tiny brush to wipe away the salt film. She has also used a small vacuum cleaner to take away the dust on the ancient mummy’s body. Leveque stated of the process:

“I guess you could say it was something very similar to a facelift, maybe more; maybe he is getting a facial in a spa, perhaps.”

But the 2,500-year-old mummy’s spa treatment is much different than ours. While Padihershef undergoes his restoration, experts will also do a minor repair and stabilization on his coffin. The whole process will take about three days.

After that, the Egyptian mummy and his coffin will be moved to a special horizontal case, where they will lie next to each other in the Ether Dome, a surgical amphitheater where William T.G. Morton demonstration the first public surgery using anesthesia in 1846.

Padihershef is one of the first complete mummies brought to the United States. He was a gift from a Dutch diplomat who was happy with Boston’s hospitality. The city donated him to the hospital as a medical oddity. No one knows exactly how the man lived or died, though experts are exploring those questions in a conservation project supported by the hospital and donors.

The ancient mummy was removed from his normal spot at the hospital in March and taken to the hospital’s imaging suites. There technicians subjected the 2,500-year-old man to full body X-rays and CT scanning. The study was intended to produce images to use as a comparison to those taken in 1931 and 1976.

Earlier tests showed that the mummy’s bones showed interrupted growth lines that indicated a severe illness he had as a child. The illness likely stunted his growth. The scans also showed that Padihershef still has his brain — a strange discovery, as the organ was typically removed to prevent decomposition.

Leveque, how specializes in Egyptian antiquities, stated of Padihershef, “He ws probably someone who was employed to open up the ground and to create the tombs for the kings in the Valley of the Kings. He was 40 when he passed away.

[Image via Daderot]

2,500-Year-Old Mummy Gets Rare Cleaning At Boston Hospital is a post from: The Inquisitr

While he did not say that Eric Holder needs to resign, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) suggested that the embattled Attorney General should consider handing in his resignation over controversies, including the Justice Department’s investigations into leaks.

Holder has been under fire for over a month, since it was revealed that the Department of Justice secretly obtained the phone records of Associated Press editors and reporters.

AP President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Pruitt sent a letter of protest to Holder about the situation, calling it a “massive and unprecedented intrusion.”

Manchin spoke about the situation on Bloomberg TV’s “Political Capital with Al Hunt,” saying:

“Le me just say that … any political official — no matter whether it be the attorney general or anybody in public office — whenever you feel that you have lost your effectiveness … to the detriment of the job that you do, even though you’re a good, honest, sincere, hardworking person, you have to evaluate that and make a decision.”

Manchin added, “And I think we’re at the time now where decisions have to be made.”

While he did not criticize Eric Holder and the actions of the Justice Department, Joe Manchin suggested, “… it might be the most well-intended person with the best of intentions, but if they’re not being effective and they’re not being received, how effective is it and how good is it for the country?”

But despite the suggestion from Manchin and calls from several other lawmakers, Holder has indicated he has no intention of stepping down, despite the controversies surrounding him and his department. Holder recently stated:

“There’s some things that I want to do, some things I want to get done. I’ve discussed that with the president. And once I have finished that, I’ll sit down with him and we’ll determine when it’s time to make a transition to a new attorney general.”

Do you think that Eric Holder should resign as Attorney General?

[Image via HHSgov]

Sen. Joe Manchin Suggests Eric Holder Should Consider Resigning is a post from: The Inquisitr

A new study on ocean floor garbage proves that just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. While the words “ocean pollution” normally trigger photos of turtles stuck in plastic rings and birds being choked by plastic bags, garbage is also littered across the ocean floor.

Researchers with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) have been studying the ocean floor from California to Canada and off the coast of Hawaii for 22 years.

During that time, researchers have found that the majority of garbage littering our oceans is recyclable. Scientists at MBARI have cataloged more than 1,500 pieces of debris in their area.

But after being sparked by a recent study on ocean trash off of the Southern California coast, the scientists decided to analyze their database to see what kind of trash they have seen in the ocean.

Their results, published on May 28 in the journal Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, showed that the most common type of ocean floor trash is plastic. Susan von Thun, a co-author of the study, stated:

“Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t so surprised. I’ve seen plenty of trash as I’ve been annotating video … It’s completely changing the natural environment, in a way that we don’t know what it’s going to do.”

Next to plastic bottles, the second biggest source of ocean trash in that area was metal, including soda and food cans. Other common debris types included rope and fishing equipment, glass bottles, cardboard, wood, and clothing. The majority of the trash found could easily have been recycled.

Von Thun added of the discovery, “The main way to combat this problem is to prevent all this stuff from getting into the ocean to begin with. We really have to properly dispose of items, reduce our use of single-use items and recycle.”

And the arrival of this trash is a huge change for sea life on the ocean floor, which is used to soft mud. Hard surfaces are rare and sea creatures have colonized the trash they found. One case is with a shipping container that fell overboard into Monterey Canyon in 2004. MBARI is documenting the effects the container is having on the environment below the sea surface.

Because the majority of the ocean pollution came from recyclable materials, von Thun and her colleagues hope their study will spur more people to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Are you surprised to learn how much of our trash goes into the ocean? Will you work to recycle more after learning about it?

[Image via ShutterStock]

Ocean Floor Garbage Is Mostly Recyclables [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Fourteen New Hampshire slaves were granted freedom 234 after their deaths during the Revolutionary War. They petitioned the New Hampshire Legislature for their freedom, but it was never granted.

A group of 20 slaves filed the petition on November 12, 1779 after fighting in the war. They argued that the freedom colonists were seeking should be extended to them. They maintained that “public tyranny and slavery are alike and detestable to minds conscious of the equal dignity of human nature.”

But the New Hampshire General Assembly never responded to the petition. Governor Maggie Hassan signed the bill to emancipate the remaining 14 New Hampshire slaves on Friday.

While the bill was largely symbolic, supporters hope it will encourage future generations to pursue social justice — something the slaves never received in their lifetimes.

Before signing the bill to emancipate the slaves, Hassan stated:

“Their plea fell on deaf ears. It is a source of deep shame that our predecessors didn’t honor this request. But today, more than 230 years too late for their petition, we say that freedom is truly an inherent right not to be surrendered.”

The original petition filed 234 years ago was discovered 30 years ago in the state’s archives. However, it wasn’t until this year when supporters pushed lawmakers to pass the bill. It was done in part to bring attention to an African-American burial ground in Portsmouth, where the city is raising money to build a memorial park to commemorate the location.

Excerpts from the New Hampshire slaves’ petition will be etched in stone as part of the memorial park. Portsmouth Mayor Eric Spear stated of the signed bill:

“When you think about slavery as ‘down there’ or ‘over there,’ it has a distance that doesn’t make it as real. All the future residents are going to know a little bit more about their own history, their own land and how slavery was a part of that.”

Valeric Cunningham, who wrote a book about the history of slavery in Portsmouth, noted that the New Hampshire slaves emancipated on Friday were not asking for money or just their own freedom. Rather, they were asking the state to completely abolish slavery.

[Image via ShutterStock]

New Hampshire Slaves Granted Freedom 234 Years Later is a post from: The Inquisitr