NASA spacecraft finds possible Mars caves
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An orbiting spacecraft has found evidence of what look like seven caves on the slopes of a Martian volcano, the space agency NASA said on Friday.
The Mars Odyssey spacecraft has sent back images of very dark, nearly circular features that appear to be openings to underground spaces.
"They are cooler than the surrounding surface in the day and warmer at night," said Glen Cushing of the U.S. Geological Survey's Astrogeology Team and Northern Arizona University.
"Their thermal behavior is not as steady as large caves on Earth that often maintain a fairly constant temperature, but it is consistent with these being deep holes in the ground."
The holes, which the researchers have nicknamed the "Seven Sisters," are at some of the highest altitudes on the planet, on a volcano named Arsia Mons near Mars' tallest mountain, the researchers report in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
"Whether these are just deep vertical shafts or openings into spacious caverns, they are entries to the subsurface of Mars," said USGS researcher Tim Titus.
"Somewhere on Mars, caves might provide a protected niche for past or current life, or shelter for humans in the future."
But not these caves.
"These are at such extreme altitude, they are poor candidates either for use as human habitation or for having microbial life," Cushing said. "Even if life has ever existed on Mars, it may not have migrated to this height."
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Irish defence forces eyed UFOs for 37 years
Thu Sep 20, 5:43 AM ET
DUBLIN (AFP) - Ireland's defence forces maintained a dossier on unidentified flying objects (UFOs) for 37 years, according to details released Thursday under the country's freedom of information laws.
The documents dating back to 1947 that were released to the Irish Times newspaper log a range of strange sightings.
Descriptions of UFOs that were reported range from being like fried eggs to a household iron with fins at the back, according to the newspaper.
An early entry in the file from a shopkeeper and farmer in County Kerry in the southwest of the country in 1947 says he told police he saw a circular object moving "faster than a motor car" through the sky.
"It was flat and was like a big wheel or large plate... the rim was white and it was hollow in the centre."
A spokesman for the defence ministry told the newspaper that since 1984 the UFO dossier was no longer maintained.
The dossier is similar to one compiled by Britain's defence ministry on reports of UFO sightings. Declassified last May, it found that none of the recorded incidents in the last 30 years was actually a flying saucer.
In March this year, France opened its files on UFOS, revealing 1,600 alleged sightings over five decades.
Thu Sep 20, 5:43 AM ET
DUBLIN (AFP) - Ireland's defence forces maintained a dossier on unidentified flying objects (UFOs) for 37 years, according to details released Thursday under the country's freedom of information laws.
The documents dating back to 1947 that were released to the Irish Times newspaper log a range of strange sightings.
Descriptions of UFOs that were reported range from being like fried eggs to a household iron with fins at the back, according to the newspaper.
An early entry in the file from a shopkeeper and farmer in County Kerry in the southwest of the country in 1947 says he told police he saw a circular object moving "faster than a motor car" through the sky.
"It was flat and was like a big wheel or large plate... the rim was white and it was hollow in the centre."
A spokesman for the defence ministry told the newspaper that since 1984 the UFO dossier was no longer maintained.
The dossier is similar to one compiled by Britain's defence ministry on reports of UFO sightings. Declassified last May, it found that none of the recorded incidents in the last 30 years was actually a flying saucer.
In March this year, France opened its files on UFOS, revealing 1,600 alleged sightings over five decades.
Monday, September 17, 2007
very cool
New bat species discovered in Philippines
MANILA (AFP) - A new species of flying fox or fruit bat has been discovered on an island south of Manila, it was reported Monday.
The orange-coloured bat with a distinctive white-stripped face was discovered in a protected wildlife area on Mindoro Island, the Philippine Star newspaper said quoting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The discovery was a result of joint research between the University of Kansas' Biodiversity Research Center and a team from the Comparative Biogeography and Conservation of Philippine Vertebrates (CBCPV), the paper said.
Known as the Mindoro Stripe-Faced Fruitbat for its striking facial features the bat was discovered by accident when it was caught in a net set by the researchers.
One of the Filipino researchers, Jake Esselstyn, told the paper that the bat was found during a survey of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians in Sablayan region on the west coast of the island.
Details of the finding were published last week in the Journal of Mammalogy.
The discovery of the new fruit bat species brings the number of bat species in the Philippines to 74 with 26 unique to the Philippines, the paper said.
i hope this sticks
O.J. Simpson ordered held without bail
LAS VEGAS - O.J. Simpson's arrest may be the start of a new legal odyssey for the fallen football star, one that could reopen the possibility of prison time more than a decade after his acquittal on murder charges.
Police arrested Simpson on Sunday, saying he was part of an armed group that burst into a Las Vegas hotel room and snatched memorabilia that documented his storied career.
Simpson said it was merely a confrontation with no guns. He said autographed sports collectibles, his Hall of Fame certificate, a photograph with former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover and video from his first wedding were all his, and that they were stolen from him and were about to be fenced by unethical collectors.
Police said they were not sure who owned the memorabilia. But they say the manner in which the goods were taken was under investigation.
"Whether or not the property belonged to Mr. Simpson or not is still in debate," Lt. Clint Nichols said Sunday. "Having said that, the manner in which this property was taken, we have a responsibility to look into that, irregardless of who the property belonged to."
After being whisked away in handcuffs, Simpson was booked at the county jail Sunday night on two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy to commit a crime and burglary with a firearm, police said.
The district attorney said he expected Simpson to ultimately be charged with seven felonies and one gross misdemeanor.
If convicted of the booking charges, Simpson would face up to 30 years in state prison on each robbery count alone.
A judge ordered Simpson be held without bail, Sgt. John Loretto said. A court date was set for Thursday.
Simpson attorney Yale Galanter told The Associated Press late Sunday that he would fight the charges vigorously.
"We believe it is an extremely defensible case based on conflicting witness statements, flip-flopping by witnesses and witnesses making deals with the government to flip," Galanter said.
Simpson was taken away from The Palms hotel-casino by plainclothes officers around 11 a.m. Sunday, a day after the arrest of a golfing buddy who police say accompanied him with a gun in the Thursday night holdup. Handcuffed and wearing a golf shirt and jeans, Simpson was placed in an SUV.
"He was very cooperative, there were no issues," Capt. James Dillon said.
Simpson, 60, told The Associated Press that he did not call the police to help reclaim the items because he has found the police unresponsive to him ever since his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were slain in 1994.
"The police, since my trouble, have not worked out for me," he said, noting that whenever he has called the police "It just becomes a story about O.J."
Police did not allege that Simpson carried a weapon in the incident.
"We don't have any information to lead us to believe he was armed even based on those charges," Nichols said.
Police said they seized two firearms involved in the robbery along with sports memorabilia, mostly signed by Simpson. They also said they recovered collectible baseballs and Joe Montana cleats at private residences early Sunday after serving three search warrants.
Walter Alexander, 46, of Mesa, Ariz., was arrested Saturday night on two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery and burglary with a deadly weapon. Alexander, who was described as one of Simpson's golfing buddies, was released without bail Saturday night.
"Walter was one of the two subjects who had a gun," Dillon said.
Robert Dennis Rentzer, a Los Angeles lawyer representing Alexander, said he was able to arrange his client's release from custody, but wasn't familiar with the allegations.
Police are seeking four other men: Las Vegas residents Clarence Stewart, 53, and Michael McClinton, 49; Tom Scotto, of unknown age and hometown, and another man who was not identified.
Simpson, a Heisman Trophy winner, ex-NFL star and actor, lives near Miami and has been a tabloid staple since his ex-wife and Goldman were killed. Simpson was acquitted of murder charges, but a jury later held him liable for the killings in a wrongful death civil suit. He was ordered to pay $33.5 million.
Goldman's father, Ron Goldman, welcomed the possibility that Simpson could go to prison.
"He's believed for years, decades, that he's entitled to do anything he wants, and the legal system and society has basically agreed with him," Goldman said. "This time, hopefully, he'll get what he deserves. He'll get jail time."
Simpson said auction house owner Tom Riccio called him several weeks ago to say some collectors were selling some of his items. Riccio set up a meeting with collectors under the guise that he had a private collector interested in buying Simpson's items.
Simpson said he was accompanied by men he met at a wedding cocktail party, and they took the collectibles.
"It's like a bad dream," said Alfred Beardsley, one of the memorabilia collectors who was in the hotel room. "I'm sad that O.J. is in custody."
Beardsley said he blames the whole thing on Riccio, who he claims told Simpson that his property was in the room in Las Vegas.
"If they don't charge Riccio I will be very upset. That guy lied to O.J. and got him all pumped up," he said.
Beardsley said the people that should be blamed are Riccio and Mike Gilbert, the former Simpson agent who he alleged stole memorabilia from Simpson.
Simpson's arrest came just days after the Goldman family published a book that Simpson had written under the title, "If I Did It" about how he would have committed the killings of his ex-wife and Goldman had he actually done it.
After a deal for Simpson to publish it fell through, a federal bankruptcy judge awarded the book's rights to the Goldman family, who retitled it "If I Did It: The Confessions of the Killer." During the weekend, the book was the hottest seller in the country, hitting No. 1 on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.
LAS VEGAS - O.J. Simpson's arrest may be the start of a new legal odyssey for the fallen football star, one that could reopen the possibility of prison time more than a decade after his acquittal on murder charges.
Police arrested Simpson on Sunday, saying he was part of an armed group that burst into a Las Vegas hotel room and snatched memorabilia that documented his storied career.
Simpson said it was merely a confrontation with no guns. He said autographed sports collectibles, his Hall of Fame certificate, a photograph with former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover and video from his first wedding were all his, and that they were stolen from him and were about to be fenced by unethical collectors.
Police said they were not sure who owned the memorabilia. But they say the manner in which the goods were taken was under investigation.
"Whether or not the property belonged to Mr. Simpson or not is still in debate," Lt. Clint Nichols said Sunday. "Having said that, the manner in which this property was taken, we have a responsibility to look into that, irregardless of who the property belonged to."
After being whisked away in handcuffs, Simpson was booked at the county jail Sunday night on two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy to commit a crime and burglary with a firearm, police said.
The district attorney said he expected Simpson to ultimately be charged with seven felonies and one gross misdemeanor.
If convicted of the booking charges, Simpson would face up to 30 years in state prison on each robbery count alone.
A judge ordered Simpson be held without bail, Sgt. John Loretto said. A court date was set for Thursday.
Simpson attorney Yale Galanter told The Associated Press late Sunday that he would fight the charges vigorously.
"We believe it is an extremely defensible case based on conflicting witness statements, flip-flopping by witnesses and witnesses making deals with the government to flip," Galanter said.
Simpson was taken away from The Palms hotel-casino by plainclothes officers around 11 a.m. Sunday, a day after the arrest of a golfing buddy who police say accompanied him with a gun in the Thursday night holdup. Handcuffed and wearing a golf shirt and jeans, Simpson was placed in an SUV.
"He was very cooperative, there were no issues," Capt. James Dillon said.
Simpson, 60, told The Associated Press that he did not call the police to help reclaim the items because he has found the police unresponsive to him ever since his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ron Goldman, were slain in 1994.
"The police, since my trouble, have not worked out for me," he said, noting that whenever he has called the police "It just becomes a story about O.J."
Police did not allege that Simpson carried a weapon in the incident.
"We don't have any information to lead us to believe he was armed even based on those charges," Nichols said.
Police said they seized two firearms involved in the robbery along with sports memorabilia, mostly signed by Simpson. They also said they recovered collectible baseballs and Joe Montana cleats at private residences early Sunday after serving three search warrants.
Walter Alexander, 46, of Mesa, Ariz., was arrested Saturday night on two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit robbery and burglary with a deadly weapon. Alexander, who was described as one of Simpson's golfing buddies, was released without bail Saturday night.
"Walter was one of the two subjects who had a gun," Dillon said.
Robert Dennis Rentzer, a Los Angeles lawyer representing Alexander, said he was able to arrange his client's release from custody, but wasn't familiar with the allegations.
Police are seeking four other men: Las Vegas residents Clarence Stewart, 53, and Michael McClinton, 49; Tom Scotto, of unknown age and hometown, and another man who was not identified.
Simpson, a Heisman Trophy winner, ex-NFL star and actor, lives near Miami and has been a tabloid staple since his ex-wife and Goldman were killed. Simpson was acquitted of murder charges, but a jury later held him liable for the killings in a wrongful death civil suit. He was ordered to pay $33.5 million.
Goldman's father, Ron Goldman, welcomed the possibility that Simpson could go to prison.
"He's believed for years, decades, that he's entitled to do anything he wants, and the legal system and society has basically agreed with him," Goldman said. "This time, hopefully, he'll get what he deserves. He'll get jail time."
Simpson said auction house owner Tom Riccio called him several weeks ago to say some collectors were selling some of his items. Riccio set up a meeting with collectors under the guise that he had a private collector interested in buying Simpson's items.
Simpson said he was accompanied by men he met at a wedding cocktail party, and they took the collectibles.
"It's like a bad dream," said Alfred Beardsley, one of the memorabilia collectors who was in the hotel room. "I'm sad that O.J. is in custody."
Beardsley said he blames the whole thing on Riccio, who he claims told Simpson that his property was in the room in Las Vegas.
"If they don't charge Riccio I will be very upset. That guy lied to O.J. and got him all pumped up," he said.
Beardsley said the people that should be blamed are Riccio and Mike Gilbert, the former Simpson agent who he alleged stole memorabilia from Simpson.
Simpson's arrest came just days after the Goldman family published a book that Simpson had written under the title, "If I Did It" about how he would have committed the killings of his ex-wife and Goldman had he actually done it.
After a deal for Simpson to publish it fell through, a federal bankruptcy judge awarded the book's rights to the Goldman family, who retitled it "If I Did It: The Confessions of the Killer." During the weekend, the book was the hottest seller in the country, hitting No. 1 on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.
what an idiot
Man in China dies after three-day Internet session
BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese man dropped dead after playing Internet games for three consecutive days, state media said on Monday as China seeks to wean Internet addicts offline.
The man from the southern boomtown of Guangzhou, aged about 30, died on Saturday after being rushed to the hospital from the Internet cafe, local authorities were quoted by the Beijing News as saying.
"Police have ruled out the possibility of suicide," the newspaper said, adding that exhaustion was the most likely cause of death. It did not say what game he was playing.
China, worried about the spread of pornography and politically incorrect content, has banned the opening of new cybercafes this year and issued orders limiting the time Internet users can spend playing online.
In April, President Hu Jintao launched a campaign to rid the Internet of "unhealthy" content and make it a platform for Communist Party doctrine.
BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese man dropped dead after playing Internet games for three consecutive days, state media said on Monday as China seeks to wean Internet addicts offline.
The man from the southern boomtown of Guangzhou, aged about 30, died on Saturday after being rushed to the hospital from the Internet cafe, local authorities were quoted by the Beijing News as saying.
"Police have ruled out the possibility of suicide," the newspaper said, adding that exhaustion was the most likely cause of death. It did not say what game he was playing.
China, worried about the spread of pornography and politically incorrect content, has banned the opening of new cybercafes this year and issued orders limiting the time Internet users can spend playing online.
In April, President Hu Jintao launched a campaign to rid the Internet of "unhealthy" content and make it a platform for Communist Party doctrine.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
lock her up and throw away the key
Haltom City Mom Allegedly Set 3 Girls On Fire
Sep 15, 2007 4:58 pm US/Central
(CBS 11 News) HALTOM CITY A woman in Haltom City has been accused of setting her three daughters on fire.
The incident took place in their home, located in the 3400 block of Edith Lane. Reports indicate that 29-year-old Alysha Green, the mother, intentionally threw gasoline on her three girls.
All four suffered burns and were rushed to the burn center at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Two of the burned daughters were transported by air ambulance.
Friends of the family said that the mother was in the process of getting a divorce from her husband, 27-year-old Adam Green.
According to John Flowers, Adam Green's stepfather, Alysha had recently been diagnosed with psychosis and refused to take her medication on some occasions.
Flowers also said that the youngest child may not survive.
Authorities have reportedly responded to the couple's home once before in May 2007 to investigate a domestic violence call. There were no allegations of abuse to the children at that time.
And, something needs to be done about the stepfather since he knew she had not been taking her meds. The only time this woman should be allowed to see her children is when they come visit her while on the other side of the glass. It's for their own safety. And, that will be a possibility given the fact that the youngest may not survive.
Sep 15, 2007 4:58 pm US/Central
(CBS 11 News) HALTOM CITY A woman in Haltom City has been accused of setting her three daughters on fire.
The incident took place in their home, located in the 3400 block of Edith Lane. Reports indicate that 29-year-old Alysha Green, the mother, intentionally threw gasoline on her three girls.
All four suffered burns and were rushed to the burn center at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Two of the burned daughters were transported by air ambulance.
Friends of the family said that the mother was in the process of getting a divorce from her husband, 27-year-old Adam Green.
According to John Flowers, Adam Green's stepfather, Alysha had recently been diagnosed with psychosis and refused to take her medication on some occasions.
Flowers also said that the youngest child may not survive.
Authorities have reportedly responded to the couple's home once before in May 2007 to investigate a domestic violence call. There were no allegations of abuse to the children at that time.
And, something needs to be done about the stepfather since he knew she had not been taking her meds. The only time this woman should be allowed to see her children is when they come visit her while on the other side of the glass. It's for their own safety. And, that will be a possibility given the fact that the youngest may not survive.
Monday, September 10, 2007
BREAKING: It's Official:
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Thanks to two separate Cinematical readers, they informed us that Shia Labeouf apparently announced to the world the official title of Indiana Jones 4 during the MTV Music Video Awards tonight. And, in case you haven't figured it out yet, the title will be Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This was indeed one of the six titles rumored to be in the running back in August when six names registered by Lucasfilm were leaked online. It also happens to be one of the titles I didn't like so much, mainly because it reminded me of He-Man for the some reason.
Although I wasn't watching the awards show myself (Curb premiere, as well as Giants game on), SpielbergFilms.com is also confirming this to be true. Besides, it would be pretty odd if two random people emailed us the exact same tip ... and lied. And if Shia was fibbing, it's also an odd title to fib about. Regardless, this is what they're going with -- and it seems to mesh with all of the plot speculation, blah blah, about skulls and Gods and pyramids and kingdoms. Personally, I'd rather this be the last bit of info we receive prior to the first teaser for the film. I don't want to know anything except for the fact that this Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will play a major role. Even if I do somewhat expect Skeletor to now be the film's main villain. So what do you think -- good title? Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will arrive in theaters on May 22, 2008.
Thanks to two separate Cinematical readers, they informed us that Shia Labeouf apparently announced to the world the official title of Indiana Jones 4 during the MTV Music Video Awards tonight. And, in case you haven't figured it out yet, the title will be Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This was indeed one of the six titles rumored to be in the running back in August when six names registered by Lucasfilm were leaked online. It also happens to be one of the titles I didn't like so much, mainly because it reminded me of He-Man for the some reason.
Although I wasn't watching the awards show myself (Curb premiere, as well as Giants game on), SpielbergFilms.com is also confirming this to be true. Besides, it would be pretty odd if two random people emailed us the exact same tip ... and lied. And if Shia was fibbing, it's also an odd title to fib about. Regardless, this is what they're going with -- and it seems to mesh with all of the plot speculation, blah blah, about skulls and Gods and pyramids and kingdoms. Personally, I'd rather this be the last bit of info we receive prior to the first teaser for the film. I don't want to know anything except for the fact that this Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will play a major role. Even if I do somewhat expect Skeletor to now be the film's main villain. So what do you think -- good title? Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will arrive in theaters on May 22, 2008.
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