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Nasa's Curiosity Rover Drills Into Mars Rock

Written By Unknown on Senin, 11 Februari 2013 | 00.27

The Mars rover Curiosity has penetrated a rock on the red planet and collected a sample for the first time, Nasa has announced.

Using a drill at the end of its robotic arm, Curiosity bore a hole 1.6cm wide and 6.4cm deep into the rock, generating powder which will be analysed.

"The most advanced planetary robot ever designed now is a fully operating analytical laboratory on Mars," said agency official John Grunsfeld.

"This is the biggest milestone accomplishment for the Curiosity team since the sky-crane landing last August, another proud day for America."

The rock Curiosity targeted was described as flat and veiny and is believed to hold evidence about "long-gone wet environments," Nasa said.

The rock has been named "John Klein" in memory of a Mars science laboratory deputy project manager who died in 2011.

This color full-resolution image showing the heat shield of NASA's Curiosity rover was obtained during descent to the surface of Mars on Aug. 5 The rover landed on the red planet in 2012

Over the coming days ground controllers will command the rover's arm to carry out steps to process the sample.

Beforehand, some of the powder will be checked for contamination that may have made it onto the hardware while Curiosity was still on Earth.

Creating a tool that could handle "unpredictable" Martian rocks was difficult, Nasa said.

"To get to the point of making this hole in a rock on Mars, we made eight drills and bored more than 1,200 holes in 20 types of rock on Earth," said engineer Louise Jandura.

The $2.5bn (£1.6bn) mission, set to last at least two years, aims to study the Martian environment to prepare for a possible future manned mission.

US President Barack Obama has set a goal of sending humans to the planet by 2030.


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Chris Brown Crashes Car In 'Paparazzi Chase'

Singer Chris Brown crashed his car into a wall after claiming he was being chased by paparazzi, Beverly Hills police have confirmed.

The 23-year-old, who was unhurt, told officers he had lost control of his black Porsche Turbo while trying to get away.

Lieutenant Lincoln Hoshino said officers would be investigating the crash.

A statement from Beverly Hills Police Department said: "On February 9, 2013 at approximately 12:03pm, entertainer Chris Brown was involved in a solo, non-injury traffic collision in the 600 Block Bedford Drive/Camden Drive alley.

"Mr. Brown was the driver of the vehicle and collided with a wall.

"Brown stated that he was being chased by paparazzi causing him to lose control of his vehicle. Brown's Black Porsche was towed from the scene at his request."

It is not clear whether the paparazzi allegedly involved in the incident have been identified.

The crash came a day before the Grammy Awards, held at LA's Staples Center on Sunday, where Chris Brown has been nominated for best urban contemporary album.

The incident marks another unfortunate event for the US R&B star.

Earlier this week, court records claimed Brown threatened to shoot singer Frank Ocean during a fight over a parking space last month.

The report was included in a prosecution motion seeking to have Brown's probation revoked over discrepancies in the records of his 2009 community service order for beating his girlfriend Rihanna.


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New Orleans Mardi Gras Shooting: Four Injured

Four people have been shot in New Orleans' famed Bourbon Street during the city's annual Mardi Gras celebrations.

One man was critically injured and has undergone surgery after he was shot in the abdomen, thigh and pelvic area.

Another man and two women are said to be in a stable condition, following the shooting as crowds gathered for the festivities.

Revellers pack the streets for Mardis Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Crowds pack the streets ahead of the shooting

Police have obtained a bystander's video which shows revellers partying in costumes before an apparent argument between the most seriously injured male and two other men.

Four rapid shots can then be heard and then screams.

The shooting happened on Saturday just before 9.30pm local time in the crowded French Quarter.

Bars and other establishments immediately closed for several hours while police sealed off the crime scene.

An ambulance arrives following a shooting during Mardis Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Paramedics arrive at the scene after four people are wounded

Patrick Clay, 21, told The Times-Picayune he was standing on the corner of Bourbon Street when suddenly he saw a crowd running and people screaming that there was a shooting.

"Everyone immediately started running and the cops immediately started running toward where people were running from," he said.

"I was with a group of about seven people and at that point we all just kind of grasped hands and made our way through the crowd as soon as possible."

Early on Sunday, crowds packed the city's French Quarter once again to continue the celebrations that each year build to a climax on Mardis Gras - French for Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday - which falls on February 12 this year.

It is one of the city's signature events, along with Jazz Fest and major sporting events such as the recent Super Bowl.


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Charlie Sheen's Video Message To Wanted Cop

Charlie Sheen has released an online video urging an ex-cop accused of three killings to call him, after the actor was named in the man's chilling online manifesto.

Police are hunting for Christopher Dorner, a former Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer who threatened to go on a murder spree against police and their families to avenge his sacking five years ago.

In a rambling online statement - in which Dorner threatened "unconventional and asymmetrical warfare" against the LAPD - he at one point describes Sheen as "awesome".

Sheen - who was fired from the hit US sitcom Two And A Half Men in 2011 and has a long history of hard partying and scandal - addressed Dorner directly in a brief video posted on celebrity website TMZ.com.

"Christopher Dorner? Charlie Sheen," the actor says.

"You mentioned me in your manifesto, so thank you for your kind words.

"I am urging you to call me. Let's figure out together how to end this thing. Call me, I look forward to talking to you."

Dorner, 33, is wanted for the killings of Monica Quan, the daughter of a former LAPD captain and her fiance, Keith Lawrence. They were found shot in their car at their apartment in Irvine on February 3.

Christopher Dorner An undated photograph of Dorner

Authorities also said Dorner opened fire early on Thursday on police in cities east of Los Angeles, killing one officer and wounding another.

Police found weapons in his burnt-out pick-up truck in the San Bernadino mountains, around 80 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

They also revealed the truck had a broken axle, but it was unclear whether it had broken down or was set on fire as a diversion.

Dorner singled out various celebrities and prominent people in his online manifesto, including Sheen, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and Kate Winslet.

As the manhunt continues, the LAPD said it would reopen the investigation that apparently led Dorner to seek revenge against former LAPD colleagues who he believed cost him his career.

Police chief Charlie Beck said the department would thoroughly re-examine Dorner's allegation to assure the public that the LAPD is fair and transparent. 

He said that if Dorner wants to surrender, the LAPD will "be happy to hear what he has to say".


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Bahrain Unrest: Crisis Talks Set To Begin

Opposing factions in Bahrain are set to begin talks in a bid to ease unrest and mistrust in part of an Arab Spring conflict that has gone on for nearly two years.

Ahead of the second anniversary of the Shiite-led uprising that shook the Gulf kingdom, the national dialogue is aimed at ending political deadlock.

The country's Sunni rulers - supported by the West and other Gulf allies – are seeking to bring the main Shiite factions back into the political fold in the hope of starting a gradual reconciliation.

A statement from Al Wefaq, the biggest Shiite political group, said the talks must seek a "big political project that seriously represents the peoples' demands."

Bahraini officials have called the dialogue a chance for a "national consensus," but have been unclear on whether they would consider any reforms that would weaken their direct control over the country's affairs.

An anti-government protester walks with molotov cocktails and a gas mask prior to clashes with riot-police in Budaiya An anti-government protester walks with molotov cocktails and a gas mask

A key challenge could be opposition calls to replace Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, an uncle of the king who has been in office since Bahrain's independence in 1971.

Al Wefaq withdrew from a similar round of talks in July 2011 but said in December that it was ready for new dialogue.

The talks comes amid week-long protests to mark two years since the uprising against the Sunni monarchy began on February 14, 2011.

Hundreds of supporters of Al Wefaq marched near the capital of Manama over the weekend demanding reform.

Supporters of a more radical youth movement took to the streets in several Shiite villages, chanting: "The people want to overthrow the regime" and "No, no to dialogue."

Protesters hold banners and Bahraini flags Protesters hold banners saying 'No U Turn' meaning 'No Returning Back'

Bahrain has been shaken by unrest since its forces crushed Shiite-led protests in March 2011.

The unrest has so far left 80 people dead, according to the International Federation for Human Rights.

Bahrain's Shiites account for about 70% of the kingdom's more than 550,000 native-born citizens. But while they are the majority, they claim they face systematic discrimination and are effectively shut out of top-level government and military roles.

Their protests for a greater political voice have flared up periodically during the past decades, but the current unrest is the longest and most threatening to the ruling system.


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Afghanistan: New General To Oversee Withdrawal

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

A new man takes control of Isaf forces in Afghanistan today.

A ceremony in Kabul will mark the end of General John Allen's 19 months in the job as he hands over to fellow US Marine General Joseph Dunford.

He becomes President Obama's fifth commander of the war in Afghanistan but it's expected that with the planned withdrawal of forces from the country, starting later this year, General Dunford's command will be the last.

General Dunford's appointment late last year coincided with General Allen fighting a scandal about his potentially inappropriate connections with a woman in Florida.

General Allen, whose career future was in doubt, has since been cleared to become Nato's supreme allied commander in Europe.

Body Of Army Sergeant Killed In Afghanistan Returns To Dover Air Force Base The Afghanistan conflict is America's longest-running war

His farewell message to all Isaf troops was both bullish in its praise but also spoke of the ongoing challenge for his successor.

"This campaign is, and always has been, about winning. And we are winning," he wrote. "Our victory may never be marked by a parade of point in time when victory is declared.

"This campaign will be won when the population is protected by its own forces and recognises its government as legitimate and representative of the democratic will of people.

"It is then that Afghanistan will be a free and sovereign state, and terrorists will no longer find safe haven within its borders."

General Dunford is highly thought of in the US Marines. He has been variously described as calm and thoughtful and has experience as a Commander in Iraq.

Afghanistan General Allen becomes supreme allied commander in Europe

But his high military profile does not match his public reputation - he is largely unknown, having preferred a quiet, assured progression to the top.

At a recent Senate hearing, former Presidential candidate John McCain questioned General Dunford's appointment on the grounds of his limited experience in Afghanistan.

Military officials have downplayed this by pointing out that General Dunford's work has taken him to Afghanistan many times and reminding all that General David Petraeus - former head of the CIA and widely considered one of the foremost Isaf commanders in Afghanistan - had little previous experience in the country before assuming his role.

General Dunford's primary task will be to oversee the drawdown of Isaf troops from Afghanistan.

Washington is yet to formalise its own itinerary but the UK government has already committed to pulling around 3,800 of its 9,000 personnel back by the end of this year.

The US has considerably more troops in the country - 60,000 - but questions persist over how many will remain in a training and oversight capacity post-2014. President Obama is expected to reveal some details in his upcoming State of the Union address.

US officials have played down the prospect of a "zero-option" which would see all American troops leave the country by the end of next year.

General Dunford was chosen over better known candidates, such as General David Rodriguez because his instinct to think outside the box has previously impressed Washington.

He will need to be astute but equally mindful that this skill might run contrary to the job description as the final commander: to carry out President Obama's withdrawal plan without fuss or controversy.

What might stand him in good stead and endear him to an Afghan government that has had previous and numerous disagreements with Washington, is his intense study of Afghan history since being appointed to the role.

Isaf forces will cede the majority of operations to their Afghan partners this spring and their ability to cope during the next fighting season might have a bearing on wider drawdown plans.

Recently the preparedness of Afghan soldiers has been questioned.

General Dunford will have to decide how aggressive his soldiers should be in fighting a threat that is still present.

The post-2014 mission will focus on training, counter-terrorism and supporting diplomatic and development operations.

Towards the end of the conflict in Iraq, Baghdad and Washington failed to achieve an agreement on post-operation security for the remaining forces.

That led to a quicker than expected withdrawal of troops form the country, something that has been criticised in retrospective analysis.

Such a bilateral agreement must be reached between Presidents Obama and Karzai if an equivalent scenario isn't to be repeated.

:: Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has told Sky News that Britain must act "whenever the threat of al Qaeda arises".

In an interview on the Murnaghan programme, he reaffirmed the UK's commitment to send troops to other African states in a training capacity and invoked the memory of 9/11 to justify any future military activity on the continent:

He said: "Let's be clear, these operations around Mali, Somalia, Afghanistan are responding to direct threats to Britain's national security. We all remember what happened in 9/11, we must act wherever we see a threat to our national security arising.

"We will provide training to English speaking African troops preparing to go into Mali.

"But it's the French who have done the heavy lift and it's the Africans who will do the follow up."

Sky News understands that the much-talked about EU training mission to Mali is on hold because of a disagreement over which country will provide force protection for the trainers.

The UK Government has explicitly ruled out the idea of British troops providing force protection fearing that would be interpreted as putting 'boots on the ground'. But it is looking possible that other European countries such as Belgium and Sweden could provide this service.


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Country Music Set To Take Grammy Stage

Country music artists will share the spotlight with rising stars and veteran performers at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.

Organisers are aiming to bring attention back to the music this year after the death of singer Whitney Houston on the eve of last year's awards ceremony.

This year's categories are dominated by male artists, with British folk band Mumford & Sons, indie-pop trio FUN and R&B singer Frank Ocean going into the show with six nominations each.

Ed Sheeran In Concert - New York, NY Ed Sheeran, seen performing in New York, will perform with Elton John

They will be among dozens of performers including US rock band The Black Keys and former White Stripes frontman Jack White.

After paying tribute to electronic dance music last year, the Grammys are highlighting country in 2013.

Country music will be represented by nominees Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Hunter Hayes.

Veterans Tim McGraw and Faith Hill will also hand out awards.

British performers Elton John and Ed Sheeran are set to perform a duet at the ceremony, at the Stapels Center in Los Angeles.

But much of the attention would be on Rihanna and Chris Brown, who both received nominations, and who recently resumed their romance four years after Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting the singer on the eve of the 2009 Grammy Awards.


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Nigeria: Three Foreign Doctors Killed At Home

Three North Korean doctors have been killed, one of them beheaded, in northeastern Nigeria.

A gang armed with machetes is believed to have carried out the attack on the men at their flat in Potiskum, a town in Yobe state.

Sunday's attack comes just days after gunmen on motorbikes shot dead nine women administering polio vaccinations in Kano, a major northern city.

The victims of the latest attack had no security guards at their residence and travelled around the city via three-wheel taxis without a police escort, officials said.

The Koreans, whose bodies were found by neighbours, had been working in the city since 2005.

Police arrived at the scene to find two of the victims had their throats slit, the third beheaded, and all bearing what appeared to be machete wounds. Their wives had been spared.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, though it is thought a radical Islamic sect known as Boko Haram may be behind the killings.

The attacks have raised questions over whether the sect, targeted by Nigeria's police and military, has picked a new soft target in its guerrilla campaign of shootings and bombings across the nation.

There are also fears that the sect may have splintered into smaller, independently operating terror groups.

"It is still premature to point any accusing fingers but we have commenced an investigation to unravel the killings," said Yobe State police commissioner Sanusi Rufa'i.

In a statement on Friday, Nigerian President Goodluck condemned the killings of the polio workers as "dastardly terrorist attacks" and vowed to track down the perpetrators.

He also pledged that efforts to cut child mortality would not be stopped by "mindless acts of terrorism".

Four Chinese construction workers were shot dead by gunmen in two separate attacks in October and November last year in Borno state, which neighbours Yobe.

In December, militants in Pakistan killed at least nine workers on a polio vaccine campaign. There, the Taliban has accused health workers of acting as US spies and claimed the vaccine makes children sterile or impotent.


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US Blizzard: Warnings Of Flash Flooding

A major clear-up is under way after a blizzard battered the northeast US.

People in New England began the job of digging out from as much as a metre of snow, while emergency crews used snowmobiles to reach shivering motorists stranded overnight in New York's Long Island.

Many now fear heavy flooding when the snow begins to melt, and some residents in Massachusetts are being told to evacuate their homes.

In the town of Hull, a mandatory evacuation order for coastal areas was issued.

At least eight deaths have been were blamed on the storm, including three in Canada.

About 345,000 homes and businesses were still without power on Sunday, with utility companies predicting areas would remain in the dark until at least Monday.

Roads across the New York to Boston corridor of roughly 25 million people were impassable, while many cars remained stuck in drifts.

The snow was so deep that some people could not open their front doors.

"It's like lifting cement," said Michael Levesque, from Quincy, Massachusetts. "They say it's two feet, but I think it's more like three feet."

County official Steven Bellone, of Long Island where hundreds of drivers were caught on highways on Friday during the fast-moving storm, said: "We've never seen anything like this."

At least 11 deaths in the US and three in Canada have been blamed on the snowstorm, including an 11-year-old boy in Boston who was overcome by carbon monoxide as he sat in a running car to keep warm while his father shovelled snow.

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee said that while the snow had stopped, the danger had not passed.

"People need to take this storm seriously, even after it's over. If you have any kind of heart condition, be careful with the shoveling."

However, the storm was not as bad as some of the forecasts led many to fear.

In New York, around 30cm of snow was recorded in Central Park. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city had "dodged a bullet".


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Falling Lifeboat Kills Five In Canary Islands

Five people have been killed after a lifeboat fell from a cruiseliner and capsized in the sea, trapping its victims in the Canary Islands.

It happened during a safety drill this afternoon while the vessel was docked at the pier of the port of Santa Cruz in La Palma.

Those killed during the exercise were all reported to be crew, including three Indonesians, a Filipino and a man from Ghana.

A further three suffered injuries -  two Greek nationals and a Filipino - and received treatment at a hospital on the holiday island, west of Tenerife.

Thomson Cruises issued a statement, saying it was "aware of an incident involving the ship's crew on board Thomson Majesty".

"We are working closely with the ship owners and managers, Louis Cruises, to determine exactly what has happened and provide assistance to those affected by the incident," the statement added.

Spanish national broadcaster RTVE said the lifeboat fell while staff were conducting an evacuation drill on the cruise ship.

Television images showed a small, white two-hulled lifeboat capsized beside the ship.

Officials have not confirmed if there were any passengers on board the cruiseliner at the time.

However, one passenger, who did not wish to be named, told Sky News that passengers were being asked to stay off the deck.

He said the lifeboat was still in the sea, and that he had seen two bodies pulled from the water.

The 40,000-tonne cruise ship was due to sail to Funchal, the capital of Madeira, at 3pm, but is now being held in the dock.

More follows...


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