Meteorite hits central Russia, more than 500 people hurt

CHELYABINSK, Russia (Reuters) - More than 500 people were injured when a meteorite shot across the sky and exploded over central Russia on Friday, sending fireballs crashing to Earth, shattering windows and damaging buildings.

People heading to work in Chelyabinsk heard what sounded like an explosion, saw a bright light and then felt a shockwave according to a Reuters correspondent in the industrial city 1,500 km (950 miles) east of Moscow.

A fireball blazed across the horizon, leaving a long white trail in its wake which could be seen as far as 200 km (125 miles) away in Yekaterinburg. Car alarms went off, windows shattered and mobile phone networks were interrupted.

"I was driving to work, it was quite dark, but it suddenly became as bright as if it was day," said Viktor Prokofiev, 36, a resident of Yekaterinburg in the Urals Mountains.

"I felt like I was blinded by headlights," he said.

No fatalities were reported but President Vladimir Putin, who was due to host Finance Ministry officials from the Group of 20 nations in Moscow, and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev were informed.

A local ministry official said such incidents were extremely rare and Friday's events might have been linked to an asteroid the size of an Olympic swimming pool due to pass Earth at a distance of 27,520 km (17,100 miles) but this was not confirmed.

Russia's space agency Roscosmos said the meteorite was travelling at a speed of 30 km (19 miles) per second and that such events were hard to predict. The Interior Ministry said the meteorite explosion had caused a sonic boom.

Russia's Emergencies Ministry said 514 people had sought medical help, mainly for light injuries caused by flying glass, and that 112 of those were kept in hospital. Search groups were set up to look for the remains of the meteorite.

"There have never been any cases of meteorites breaking up at such a low level over Russia before," said Yuri Burenko, head of the Chelyabinsk branch of the Emergencies Ministry.

WINDOWS BREAK, FRAMES BUCKLE

Windows were shattered on Chelyabinsk's central Lenin Street and some of the frames of shop fronts buckled.

A loud noise, resembling an explosion, rang out at around 9.20 a.m. (12:20 a.m. ET). The shockwave could be felt in apartment buildings in the industrial city's center.

"I was standing at a bus stop, seeing off my girlfriend," said Andrei, a local resident who did not give his second name. "Then there was a flash and I saw a trail of smoke across the sky and felt a shockwave that smashed windows."

A wall was damaged at the Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant but a spokeswoman said there was no environmental threat.

Although such events are rare, a meteorite is thought to have devastated an area of more than 2,000 sq km (1,250 miles) in Siberia in 1908, smashing windows as far as 200 km (125 miles) from the point of impact.

The Emergencies Ministry described Friday's events as a "meteor shower in the form of fireballs" and said background radiation levels were normal. It urged residents not to panic.

Chelyabinsk city authorities urged people to stay indoors unless they needed to pick up their children from schools and kindergartens. They said what sounded like a blast had been heard at an altitude of 10,000 meters (32,800 feet).

The U.S. space agency NASA has said an asteroid known as 2012 DA14, about 46 meters in diameter, would have an encounter with Earth closer than any asteroid since scientists began routinely monitoring them about 15 years ago.

Television, weather and communications satellites fly about 500 miles higher. The moon is 14 times farther away.

(Additional reporting by Natalia Shurmina in Yekaterinburg and Gabriela Baczynska in Moscow, Writing by Alexei Anishchuk and Timothy Heritage, Editing by Michael Holden)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/possible-meteor-shower-reported-eastern-russia-052833588.html

sag aftra mega mill power ball april fools pranks livan hernandez soledad o brien mega ball

Wall Street ends slightly down, S&P positive for seventh week

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The S&P 500 dipped in a late decline on Friday as Wal-Mart dropped following a report of a weak start to February sales, though the index just barely extended its streak of weekly gains to seven.

Equities were little changed for much of the session, with investors finding few reasons to make big bets following an extended rally on Wall Street, but stocks turned lower in afternoon action.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc dropped 2.1 percent to $69.30 after Bloomberg News reported a weak start to February sales, citing internal company e-mails. The stock was the biggest decliner on the Dow, while the S&P retail index <.spxrt> fell 0.5 percent.

"When a retailer of this size comes out with this kind of lousy news, the whole market can fall off, especially on a Friday afternoon," said Mike Shea, trader at Direct Access Partners in New York. "However, I'm not worried that this is indicative of any larger macro issue with retail."

Equities have struggled for direction recently, with major indexes moving only slightly in the past several sessions. The S&P didn't end a session with a move greater than 0.2 percent at all this week.

The benchmark index, up 6.6 percent so far this year, is facing strong technical resistance near the 1,525 level. But investors, expecting the index to advance further in the quarter, have held back from locking in profits.

"There's no news that suggests the strong underpinning for stocks isn't appropriate. We may have gotten ahead of ourselves, but there's also an absence of bad news," said Mark Luschini, chief investment strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott in Philadelphia.

Many investors are starting to look ahead to a debate in Washington over sequestration, automatic across-the-board spending cuts put in place as part of a larger congressional budget fight. The cuts are due to kick in March 1 unless lawmakers agree to an alternative.

"This had been far enough out to not yet become an impediment for stocks, but it will start to move into the forefront and cause people to take a bit of a jaundiced eye towards the market," said Luschini, who helps oversee about $54 billion in assets.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.dji> was up 11.27 points, or 0.08 percent, at 13,984.66. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.spx> was up 0.32 points, or 0.02 percent, at 1,521.70. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.ixic> was up 1.51 points, or 0.05 percent, at 3,200.17.

For the week, both the Dow and Nasdaq fell 0.1 percent while the S&P rose 0.1 percent in its seventh straight week of gains, a period during which the index rose 8.4 percent. The last such seven-week run was between December 2010 and January 2011.

The New York Federal Reserve said manufacturing in New York state expanded for the first time in seven months, while Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan's preliminary reading of consumer sentiment rose from the prior month and beat expectations.

But U.S. manufacturing fell in January after a rise in the prior month.

Wall Street's gain thus far in 2013 has largely been driven by strong corporate earnings, while data indicated some weakening in economic conditions.

A surge in merger and acquisition activity, with more than $158 billion in deals announced so far in 2013, has given further support to the equity market as it points to healthy valuations and bets on the economic outlook.

Herbalife shares cut earlier gains to rise 1.2 percent to $38.74. Late Thursday, billionaire investor Carl Icahn said in a regulatory filing that he now owns 13 percent of Herbalife and was ready to put it in play.

MeadWestvaco Corp climbed 12.5 percent to $35.65 as the biggest percentage gainer on the S&P index after activist investor Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management LP said it had bought about 1.6 million shares of the packaging company.

Burger King Worldwide shares gained 4.7 percent to $17.36 after it beat estimates with a 94 percent rise in fourth-quarter profit, thanks to new menu additions.

Oil service stocks declined, weighed by a 5.1 percent drop in shares of Transocean to $56.26, after the rig contractor reported its fleet update and Deutsche Bank cut its rating on the stock to "sell." The PHLX oil service sector <.osx> lost 1.5 percent.

Slightly more stocks fell than rose on the New York Stock Exchange while about 50 percent of Nasdaq shares ended lower. About 6.69 billion shares changed hands on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq and NYSE MKT, above the daily average so far this year of about 6.48 billion shares.

(Editing by Nick Zieminski)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/stock-futures-tick-down-ahead-production-consumer-data-124023979--sector.html

mark zuckerberg maurice jones drew Yash Chopra George McGovern braxton miller braxton miller Whitney Heichel

High Court Disqualifies Judge For Facebook Friendship With Prosecutor

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) ? Judges, take note: you cannot be Facebook friends with the prosecutors in your cases.

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld an appellate court ruling saying that a judge?s Facebook friends can be used to disqualify the jurist from presiding over a trial, the News Service of Florida reported Friday.

A motion to disqualify the trial judge in his case was made by defendant Pierre Domville after the man discovered the judge was ?friends? on Facebook with the prosecutor.

The trial judge ruled against Domville but the Fourth District Court of Appeals disagreed, saying the judge?s cyber connection could lead a reasonable person to conclude that a conflict could exist.

The appellate court then asked the Florida Supreme Court to weigh in.

In a 5-2 decision, the high court said it wouldn?t step in. ?Judges do not have the unfettered social freedom of teenagers,? wrote appellate Judge Robert M. Gross in his request for high court review.

(TM and ? Copyright 2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.)

Source: http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/02/16/fla-high-court-disqualifies-judge-who-is-facebook-friends-with-prosecutor/

aipac vanessa minnillo super tuesday epidemiology total eclipse of the heart jionni lavalle earthquake san francisco

NFL: San Francisco 49ers' Aldon Smith getting his kicks

SAN JOSE -- Aldon Smith's once-worrisome left shoulder looked great as he made his foray into mixed martial arts training Friday, less than two weeks after the 49ers' Super Bowl defeat.

"We lost the game, and that's why I'm here," Smith said at San Jose's American Kickboxing Academy. "You lose and you have two choices: You either complain about it or you train for next season."

Smith, selected by his teammates as their MVP last season, sparred for nearly an hour with Daniel Cormier, a two-time Olympic wrestler and current UFC fighter.

Although Smith produced a franchise-record 19?1/2 sacks in his second season with the 49ers, he had none in the final six games (including postseason), a drought he blamed mostly on opponents' tactics. As for the shoulder injury that limited him in practice the final two months, he traced it to a "bad stinger" -- or nerve injury -- suffering during his 5?1/2-sack game Nov. 19 against the Chicago Bears.

"It's doing good," Smith said. "I was on the mat, playing around and doing fine."

Aside from lifting weights at the 49ers facility, Smith plans to continue training this offseason at AKA with Cormier, who began Friday's tutorial by shadow boxing with Smith. Their sparring session ended with Smith executing tap-out, choke holds on Cormier, a move Smith assured he "won't be breaking out in a game."

Smith followed up the 49ers' 34-31 Super Bowl loss to the Baltimore

Ravens by taking a six-day vacation to San Diego. No other extended trips are on his offseason itinerary. Nor does he see envision further off-field incidents such as that shadowed him last year.

"If anything, I learn from my mistakes," Smith, 23, said. "I'm definitely a lot more focused this offseason. I know things to do and what not to do."

Last year's travails included getting arrested for allegedly drunken driving in Miami in January, getting stabbed at his own house party in June, and sustaining a cut above his eye in a September car accident while riding as a passenger.

Smith said he didn't need a reminder from his coaches to stay safe this offseason, adding: "It's something I knew. I heard enough about it. I'm good now."

Improving his hand-to-hand combat skills and staying in shape brought him to Cormier, whom he met last summer and watched fight at HP Pavilion.

"You can get all of your emotions out in this sport," Smith said of mixed martial arts.

Cormier came away impressed by the 6-foot-4 Smith's athleticism. "It shows he's ready to improve himself in different ways," said Cormier, who will face Frank Mir on April 20 at HP Pavilion in "UFC on Fox 7."

"I'll get him in crazy shape," Cormier added of Smith. "You see how he was huffing and puffing? I'll get him in shape so he can go 10 plays in a row without needing a break."

Smith actually showed plenty of endurance last season. He became an every-down linebacker instead of just a situational pass-rusher, which was his role during a 14-sack rookie season.

His 19?1/2 sacks last season were one shy of league leader J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans. Smith said opponents frequently double-teamed him or slid their protection to his side.

"If that's going to keep happening where I get that many guys blocking me, I need to take myself to the next level so nothing can stop me," Smith added.

It was the Ravens who stopped the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, and Smith still can picture Joe Flacco escaping the 49ers' pass rush a couple times to complete deep passes.

"There's no reason we can't contend for the Super Bowl next season," Smith said.

Rather than pinpoint one area the 49ers need improvement, Smith said "everything" must get better.

One of the 49ers' most pressing storylines is to determine the fate of backup quarterback Alex Smith, who stands to make $8.5 million next season if he's on the roster April 1. "I personally like Alex, but I also want what's best for him," Aldon Smith said. "So if there's an opportunity for him to start somewhere else, then I think he should go with it."

Source: http://www.willitsnews.com/ci_22600632/san-francisco-49ers-aldon-smith-getting-his-kicks?source=rss_viewed

college football recruiting bjork national signing day 2012 landon collins dorial green beckham mike kelly kristen bell

Cogliano scores 2 in 3rd, Ducks beat Red Wings 5-2

DETROIT (AP) ? It was a game of turnovers. The Detroit Red Wings made them and the Anaheim Ducks took advantage.

Andrew Cogliano and Bobby Ryan scored less than a minute apart early in the third period, and Cogliano added an empty-net goal in Anaheim's 5-2 victory Friday night.

Viktor Fasth made 26 saves to become the first goalie in seven years to win his first seven career starts. The 30-year-old Fasth is considered a first-year player and not a rookie by the NHL because he is older than 25.

"He's been our most valuable player," Ryan said. "He has come in and given us a chance to win every game. He's a true professional."

Cogliano snapped a 2-all tie just 1:02 into the third and Ryan connected 48 seconds later. Both goals were the result of neutral-zone turnovers by Red Wings defensemen.

Niklas Kronwall turned it over on Cogliano's goal, and Ian White committed the gaffe on Ryan's tally ? his second turnover of the game that led to a goal.

"When they do make mistakes, you have to make sure you capitalize," said Cogliano, who capped the outburst with his fourth of the season at 18:11.

Matt Beleskey and Corey Perry each had a goal and an assist for Anaheim, which won its third straight and seventh in eight games. Ryan Getzlaf added two assists.

Joakim Andersson got his first career goal and added an assist, and Tomas Tatar also scored for Detroit, which was without top-six forwards Pavel Datsyuk (bruised shoulder day- to-day) and Johan Franzen, who missed his second game because of a sore hip flexor. Jimmy Howard stopped 33 shots.

"It was two turnovers that ended up in our net. It was tough. I think we, until that time, played a good game," Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said. "We battled good the first period and took over the game in the second. We felt good going out for the third but unfortunately those two quick ones kind of killed the game."

Cogliano and Ryan scored 48 seconds apart early in the third period.

Cogliano tipped in a pass from Saku Koivu off a give-and-go play, and Ryan fired in his own rebound for his fifth goal at 1:50.

Perry capitalized on a turnover in the Detroit zone by putting in his own rebound 7:32 into the second period to tie the score at 2. White fanned on a pass from behind his own net and the puck went to Beleskey, who made a cross-slot pass to Perry.

Tatar's power-play goal gave Detroit a 2-1 lead 6:32 into the middle period. He put in a rebound for his second goal, both in the last two games.

Andersson opened the scoring 3:01 into the second by beating Fasth from the bottom of the right circle. Beleskey tied it 26 seconds later with his second goal. He beat Howard with a snap shot from the slot.

The first period was scoreless as Anaheim outshot the Red Wings 14-6.

NOTES: Former Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, who retired after last season, was back in Detroit for an autograph signing on Saturday. He and friend Tomas Holmstrom, who also retired after last season, visited their former teammates at the morning skate and attended the game. ... The Red Wings placed forward Todd Bertuzzi on injured reserve. He missed the previous three games with a sore back. ... Detroit recalled center Gustav Nyquist from its AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. ... Anaheim goalie Jonas Hiller, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, could return Saturday in Nashville. ... It was Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau's 400th game as an NHL head coach.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-02-15-Ducks-Red%20Wings/id-fa0eb6cabc674a3bb5ba4b9d7ae70c9e

jon bon jovi jon bon jovi Kliff Kingsbury Amish Mafia Dave Grohl 121212 Cal State Fullerton

Fire Forces Family From Home | WNEP.com ? Scranton / Wilkes ...

Posted on: 5:41 am, February 15, 2013, by Mike Vojtko, updated on: 09:00am, February 15, 2013

JACKSON TOWNSHIP?? The Red Cross is providing shelter for a family after a fire late?Thursday night?in Monroe County.

Firefighters rushed to the home on Mountain Road in the Tannersville area?just before midnight.

The chief said the flames started in the chimney and spread to the second floor.? The heat melted some of the siding.

Six people, including four children live in the home.

No one was hurt.

Source: http://wnep.com/2013/02/15/fire-forces-family-from-home-2/

Thanksgiving Day cooking a turkey toysrus how to carve a turkey ipad 2 wal mart happy thanksgiving

Lawmaker: Russian fireball highlights asteroid threat

The dramatic meteor explosion over Russia Friday (Feb. 15) highlights the need for more attention to be paid to the threat of near-Earth asteroids, an influential American congressman says.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), vice chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, responded to the Russian fireball by saying the event should serve as a wakeup call.

?We have been looking forward to the close pass of asteroid 2012 DA14, which will pass between the Earth?s surface and our communications satellites this afternoon," Rohrabacher said on Friday, referring to the 150-foot-wide (45 meters) space rock that came within just 17,200 miles (27,000 kilometers) of our planet that day.

"We have calculated that there is no chance this asteroid will impact the Earth, and that we will get an opportunity for a close-up view as it flies past," he added. "Unfortunately, we didn't see the one that exploded over Russia until it happened."

Rohrabacher said that the United States has been spending millions to find and track asteroids and comets, but the object that exploded over Russia was apparently so small "that we aren?t even looking for objects of this size."

Astronomers estimate that the Russian meteor was caused by a 50-foot-wide (15 m) object that weighed about 7,000 tons.

?What concerns me even more, however, is the fact that we have no plan that can protect the Earth from any comet or asteroid," Rohrabacher said. "So, even if we find one that will hit us, we might not be able to deflect it."

Change may be in the offing, however. The House science committee announced today that it will hold a hearing in the coming weeks on how to deal with the threat posed by potentially hazardous asteroids. ?

??This is the only preventable natural disaster, and we have mounting evidence that this a real and tangible danger,? Rohrabacher said. "Our heartfelt prayers go out to all those affected by this [Russian] event, and this shows that we must protect ourselves, and the planet, from this clear danger.

Leonard David has been reporting on the space industry for more than five decades. He is former director of research for the National Commission on Space and a past editor-in-chief of the National Space Society's Ad Astra and Space World magazines. He has written for SPACE.com since 1999. Follow SPACE.com on Twitter?@Spacedotcom. We're also on?Facebook?&?Google+.?

Copyright 2013 SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/russian-fireball-highlights-asteroid-threat-lawmaker-says-132111833.html

derek jeter Red Bull Stratos Redbull Stratos steve mcnair vice presidential debate Martha Raddatz Chris Lighty