Google Earth milestone gives birth to new website OneWorldManyStories

Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, the ocean and even galaxies in outer space.

Google Earth screengrab

That's how Google describes its amazing software Google Earth which on Wednesday has eclipsed 1 billion downloads since it was released in 2005. The number includes downloads of the mobile apps, plug-in and desktop client.

"Google Earth is probably one of the most downloaded applications of all time in terms of raw numbers," product manager Peter Birch told AFP.

In celebration of this stellar milestone, Google has launched a new Google Earth-centric site, One World Many Stories.

"Visit www.OneWorldManyStories.com to learn about people like Professor David Kennedy of the University of Western Australia, who’s used Google Earth to scan thousands of square kilometers in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Professor Kennedy has discovered ancient tombs and geoglyphs dating back at least 2,000 years, all without leaving his desk in Perth. Architect Barnaby Gunning, after the April 6, 2009 earthquake near L'Aquila Italy, encouraged his fellow citizens to start rebuilding the city virtually in 3D. Their online urban planning will aid city planners and architects. Retired English teacher Jerome Burg created Google Lit Trips, which uses Google Earth to match places in famous books to their geographical locations, encouraging students to create connections between the stories they read in school and the world they live in." Google writes.

Geography and Google Earth

The last time Google shared statistics on Google Earth was in 2009, when the company said Google Earth had been downloaded 700,000 times.

"The breadth of stories and discoveries over the last six years inspires us to keep making the product better. We look forward to seeing what comes out of the next billion downloads." said Brian McClendon, Keyhole founder and Google Vice President of Engineering.

Google Earth downloads surpass 1 billion mark

Google Earth lets you fly anywhere on Earth to view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, the ocean and even galaxies in outer space.

Google Earth reaches one billion downloads

That's how Google describes its amazing software Google Earth which on Wednesday has eclipsed 1 billion downloads since it was released in 2005. The number includes downloads of the mobile apps, plug-in and desktop client.

"Google Earth is probably one of the most downloaded applications of all time in terms of raw numbers," product manager Peter Birch told AFP.

In celebration of this stellar milestone, Google has launched a new Google Earth-centric site, One World Many Stories.

"Visit www.OneWorldManyStories.com to learn about people like Professor David Kennedy of the University of Western Australia, who’s used Google Earth to scan thousands of square kilometers in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Professor Kennedy has discovered ancient tombs and geoglyphs dating back at least 2,000 years, all without leaving his desk in Perth. Architect Barnaby Gunning, after the April 6, 2009 earthquake near L'Aquila Italy, encouraged his fellow citizens to start rebuilding the city virtually in 3D. Their online urban planning will aid city planners and architects. Retired English teacher Jerome Burg created Google Lit Trips, which uses Google Earth to match places in famous books to their geographical locations, encouraging students to create connections between the stories they read in school and the world they live in." Google writes.

Geography and Google Earth

The last time Google shared statistics on Google Earth was in 2009, when the company said Google Earth had been downloaded 700,000 times.

"The breadth of stories and discoveries over the last six years inspires us to keep making the product better. We look forward to seeing what comes out of the next billion downloads." said Brian McClendon, Keyhole founder and Google Vice President of Engineering.

Amanda Knox Verdict: Jury Overturn Murder Conviction

Amanda Knox verdict revealed. | Facebook Photo

Amanda Knox has been cleared of murder charges today after a jury of an Italian appeals court overturned her conviction. According to reports, Knox nearly collapsed when the judge announced her acquittal.

The jury, however, upheld Amanda Knox's conviction on the defamation charges after she accused club owner Patrick Lumumba of killing British college student Meredith Kercher in 2007 in Perugia. She implicated Lumumba in the murder after nearly 50 hours of interrogation by police.

The jury has also overturned the murder conviction of Knox's ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito. They will be both freed. Knox will be given time served for the defamation charge.

In December 2009, Knox, 24, and Sollecito, 27, were convicted in the murder of 21-year-old Kercher in 2007 that left the British university exchange student partially nude and bleeding to death from a slashed throat.

Knox and Sollecito have spent the last four years in an Italian jail and was likely to face life sentence depending on appeals court ruling today.

Crazy Ants: What do these invasive pests do?

Crazy Ants, more particularly the Rasberry crazy ants which were first discovered in Houston, Texas in 2002, have spread in other parts of Texas as well as in some areas in Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana, according to recent reports.

Rasberry crazy ants, which belong to a new exotic invasive pest ant species, are said to cause great annoyance to residents and businesses. Because one multi-queen colony can number in the millions, ants can blanket the ground and trees, creating uncomfortable situations that prevent residents from enjoying time outdoors. Pets and livestock may avoid the area due to the constantly crawling crazy ants.

Rasberry crazy ants have been found accumulating by the thousands in electrical equipment, causing short circuits and equipment failure. In some documented cases, the ants have caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage and remedial costs. Critical electrical and computer systems in traffic signals, businesses, schools, hospitals and airports could be affected.

Wildlife such as nesting songbirds is irritated by the Rasberry crazy ants. Masses of crazy ants covering the ground and trees likely affect ground and tree-nesting birds and other small animals and cause wildlife to move out of the area.

The ants are even displacing red imported fire ants in areas of heavy infestation. However, after experiencing the Rasberry crazy ant, most residents prefer the fire ant.

A related species of crazy ant has been a serious pest in South America, reportedly displacing all other ant species. In addition, the South American crazy ant pest caused chickens to die of asphyxia due to ants obstructing their nasal passages. Larger animals, such as cattle, have been attacked around the eyes, nasal area and hooves.

Do they sting?

Although these ants do not have stingers, worker ants possess a structure called an acidopore on the end of their abdomen which can excrete chemicals for defense or attack. The Rasberry crazy ants are capable of biting, and their bite causes a relatively sharp pain that quickly fades.

Controlling Rasberry Crazy Ants

For methods of control of Rasberry crazy ants you can read on this fact sheet provided by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service: http://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/pdf/RCA_control_fact_sheet.pdf

Source: http://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/

Crazy Ants: What Do They Do?

Crazy ants, particularly the Rasberry crazy ants (Nylanderia pubens), which were first found in Houston, Texas in 2002, are now infesting many parts of the US including Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana, according to recent reports. But what exactly are the effects of crazy ants?

Here's a discussion from the Department of Entomology of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Impact: What do they do?

In infested areas around the Houston area, large numbers of Rasberry crazy ants have caused great annoyance to residents and businesses. In some situations, it has become uncomfortable for residents to enjoy time in their yards. Companion animals may, in some cases, avoid the outdoors as well, and wildlife such as nesting songbirds, can be affected. The economic impact is currently unknown.

Biting and medical implications to people, livestock and wildlife: Rasberry crazy ants do not have stingers. In place of a stinger, worker ants possess an acidopore on the end of the abdomen, which can excrete chemicals for defense or attack. They are capable of biting, and when bitten, they cause a relatively sharp pain that quickly fades.

A related species in this genus, Nylanderia fulva, has been a serious pest in rural and urban areas of Colombia, South America. In this case, they reportedly displaced all other ant species and caused small livestock (e.g. chickens) to die of asphyxia. Larger animals, such as cattle, have been attacked around the eyes, nasal fossae and hooves. The ants also caused grasslands to dry out (dessicate) because the ants aggravated sucking insect pests (hemipterans) because the ants feed on the sugary "honeydew" produced by these plant feeding insects.

Electrical equipment: In areas infested by the Rasberry crazy ant, large numbers of ants have accumulated in electrical equipment, causing short circuits and clogging switching mechanisms causing equipment failure.

In some cases the ants have caused several thousand dollars in damage and remedial costs.

Agriculture: Todd Staples, Commissioner of Agriculture, suspects this to be a potentially serious agricultural pest (see Press Release). These ants show likelihood of being transported through movement of almost any infested container or material.Thus, movement of garbage (See image B below), yard debris (See image A below),bags or loads of compost, potted plants, bales of hay, can transport these ant colonies by truck, railroad, and airplane. No information is available on potential yield effects in infested lands.

Impact on Wildlife: Wildlife such as nesting songbirds is irritated by the Rasberry crazy ants. Masses of crazy ants covering the ground and trees likely affect ground and tree-nesting birds and other small animals and cause wildlife to move out of the area.

The ants are even displacing red imported fire ants in areas of heavy infestation. However, after experiencing the Rasberry crazy ant, most residents prefer the fire ant.

A related species of crazy ant has been a serious pest in South America, reportedly displacing all other ant species. In addition, the South American crazy ant pest caused chickens to die of asphyxia due to ants obstructing their nasal passages. Larger animals, such as cattle, have been attacked around the eyes, nasal area and hooves.

Source: http://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/ants/exotic_tx.cfm#impact

Ontario: Teacher lottery winner claims $21.4M jackpot prize

Ontario, Canada - A Toronto-area high school teacher has claimed the $21.4 Million lottery jackpot prize that he won, almost three months after the lottery date.

Craig Henshaw, a high school teacher, holding an over-sized $21.4M cheque at the office of Ontario Lottery and Gaming Tuesday | Photo courtesy of Ontario Lottery

Craig Henshaw, 42, was not aware that he had the winning ticket for the Lotto Max draw last July 8th. He reportedly pinned the ticket to his fridge and left for Europe with his girlfriend a few days later for a vacation. He said he was counting his pennies during his Euro trip not knowing that he had millions waiting for him at home.

"I had no idea I had $21 million sitting on my fridge at home," Henshaw said after being presented with a large cheque.

"I wouldn't have been living out of a backpack for two months if I'd known (about the money)," he added.

It wasn’t until Henshaw was back teaching at school that he decided to check a stack of tickets at a grocery store. At first he thought he won $21,000 which made him quite happy. But when he talked with a lottery official on the phone who said, no, it was $21 million, he dropped the phone.

Henshaw, who teaches wood shop and technology, plans to use the money that he won to pay for his nieces' and nephew's college education and bring his girlfriend back to Europe, in style this time, and possibly to tie knot with her. He is also planning to take a year off from teaching.

Fried Egg Nebula: Hypergiant star and shell resemble sunny side up

Fried Egg Nebula photo from ESO.

A yellow hypergiant star and its shell resemble a breakfast favorite, sunny side up, thereby named Fried Egg Nebula by astronomers from the European Southern Observatory (ESO) who captured the object for the first time.

Here's ESO's press release about Friend Egg Nebula:

Astronomers have used ESO’s Very Large Telescope to image a colossal star that belongs to one of the rarest classes of stars in the Universe, the yellow hypergiants. The new picture is the best ever taken of a star in this class and shows for the first time a huge dusty double shell surrounding the central hypergiant. The star and its shells resemble an egg white around a yolky centre, leading the astronomers to nickname the object the Fried Egg Nebula.

The monster star, known to astronomers as IRAS 17163-3907, has a diameter about a thousand times bigger than our Sun. At a distance of about 13 000 light-years from Earth, it is the closest yellow hypergiant found to date and new observations show it shines some 500 000 times more brightly than the Sun.

“This object was known to glow brightly in the infrared but, surprisingly, nobody had identified it as a yellow hypergiant before,” said Eric Lagadec (European Southern Observatory), who led the team that produced the new images.

The observations of the star and the discovery of its surrounding shells were made using the VISIR infrared camera on the VLT. The pictures are the first of this object to clearly show the material around it and reveal two almost perfectly spherical shells.

If the Fried Egg Nebula were placed in the centre of the Solar System the Earth would lie deep within the star itself and the planet Jupiter would be orbiting just above its surface. The much larger surrounding nebula would engulf all the planets and dwarf planets and even some of the comets that orbit far beyond the orbit of Neptune. The outer shell has a radius of 10 000 times the distance from the Earth to the Sun.

Yellow hypergiants are in an extremely active phase of their evolution, undergoing a series of explosive events — this star has ejected four times the mass of the Sun in just a few hundred years. The material flung out during these bursts has formed the extensive double shell of the nebula, which is made of dust rich in silicates and mixed with gas.

This activity also shows that the star is likely to soon die an explosive death — it will be one of the next supernova explosions in our galaxy [4]. Supernovae provide much-needed chemicals to the surrounding interstellar environment and the resulting shock waves can kick start the formation of new stars.

The Very Large Telescope mid-IR instrument, VISIR, captured this delicious image of the Fried Egg Nebula through three mid-infrared filters that are here coloured blue, green and red.

NFL Power Rankings - Packers still ranked No. 1 after 3 weeks

NFL Power Rankings | Photo: Packers

Several sports sites still rank Green Bay Packers as number 1 on their NFL Power Rankings for Week 4.

"The defending Super Bowl champions haven't lost a meaningful game since December 19th, 2010. Until they do, they will be sitting at the top of these power rankings." Daniel Charles of SBNation said.

Bleacher Report's Ryan Phillips said Green Bay is currently averaging 33 points per game (5th in the NFL) and 403.3 yards of total offense (8th in the league). While the team's pass defense is at 359.2 yards per game (31st in the NFL), the team's run defense is the best in the league with 55 yards per game average.

Meanwhile, take a look of WEEI radio's NFL Power Rankings for Week 4 below:
1. (1) Packers (3-0) — In a rematch of the NFC championship game, the Packers went into Chicago and got a huge win. Aaron Rodgers has done a great job utilizing all of his weapons on offense. The talented running backs, wide receivers and tight ends create major mismatches across the field. There are few defenses in the NFL that will have an answer for this elite offensive group.
2. (3) Saints (2-1) — Drew Brees and the Saints continued their offensive assault against the Texans. They put up 40 points for the second time in three games. The production from the run game has made a difference. Last year, the Saints running game was one of the worst in the league. This year, the collection of Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram has added an extra spark to the offense. As good as the offense has been, the pass defense has been subpar. Looks like the Saints will have to win most of their games this year in a shootout.
3. (5) Ravens (2-1) — No surprise the Ravens bounced back nicely after a humiliating loss to the Titans. The Ravens played great in all three areas. Joe Flacco had a career day and the Ravens defense was on attack mode all game. They sacked Sam Bradford five times, hit him 11 times and held the Rams to just 132 yards passing; much improved from the zero sacks and 358 passing yards allowed last week. 
4. (2) Patriots (2-1) — This is a team that obviously has issues stopping the pass. They had similar problems all of last year when they ranked 30th against the aerial attack. In order to be a Super Bowl team, Tom Brady will need the defense to pick him up every once in a while. Everyone talked about what type of numbers Tom Brady was on pace for after two extraordinary games. Well, just three weeks into the season, the Patriots are on pace to give up over 6000 yards in the air. Bill Belichick has a major problem he’ll need to resolve, the good news is that Belichick is probably the best fit for the task.
5. (6) Steelers (2-1) — Sunday night’s win over the Colts placed a giant spotlight on the Steelers’ offensive line. Three starters were taken out of the game due to injury. Ben Roethlisberger took a beating in the team’s 23-20 win and is one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL. Look for the Steelers to address that line because of the poor play and mounting injuries.
6. (4) Jets (2-1) — Joe Namath might have a point. Rex Ryan’s constant praise of his team might have his players thinking they’re better than they really are. The Jets looked unprepared for Darren McFadden, perhaps it was due to overconfidence. The Jets also have issues on the offensive line. Starting center Nick Mangold is out and they’re having trouble protecting Mark Sanchez.
7. (9) Lions (3-0) — There’s not much room left on the Lions bandwagon. For the first time since 1980, this franchise is 3-0. Lions fans are proud to have one of the best defenses in the game right now and a high-powered offense that can put points on the board in the blink of an eye. First-round selection defensive tackle Nick Fairley may be ready to play in Week 4 which will bolster an already strong defense. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are turning out to be one of the best QB/WR duos in the league.
8. (16) Bills (3-0) — It’s been eleven years since the last time the Bills made the playoffs. It’s too early to say the Bills will be a contender, but this team has shown signs they are certainly capable. The undefeated Bills have proven they are a resilient bunch. Back-to-back come from behind wins is tough to accomplish. When it’s against the Patriots, it’s even more impressive. The Packers, Patriots, and Saints all have scored fewer points this season than the Bills. This is a confident team that believes they can win no matter who they play or what the score is. That’s a sign of a strong team.
9. (14) Giants (2-1) — It’s amazing how quickly the tables can turn in the NFL. The Eagles are now looking up at the Giants in the NFC East. Eli Manning had his best game of the year and that was with limited offensive weapons. Manning threw zero interceptions for the first time in seven games. The last time Manning didn’t throw a pick was back on Nov 28th against the Jaguars. The most important thing the Giants can do now is build momentum after this huge victory and get key players healthy like Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham.
10. (13) Buccaneers (2-1) — Raheem Morris’s young team knocked off the defending division champs in a huge game. Tampa’s defense held Michael Turner to an astonishing 20 yards rushing. Turner was coming off a 114 yard performance but was stifled to just 1.8 yards per carry against the Bucs.

More of WEII's NFL Power Rankings  here: http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2011/09/27/weei-nfl-power-rankings-week-4-3/

NFL Power Rankings Week 4: WEEI ranks Packers, Saints and Ravens at top spots

NFL Power Rankings | Photo: Packers

Take a look of WEEI radio's NFL Power Rankings for Week 4 below:

1. (1) Packers (3-0) — In a rematch of the NFC championship game, the Packers went into Chicago and got a huge win. Aaron Rodgers has done a great job utilizing all of his weapons on offense. The talented running backs, wide receivers and tight ends create major mismatches across the field. There are few defenses in the NFL that will have an answer for this elite offensive group.
2. (3) Saints (2-1) — Drew Brees and the Saints continued their offensive assault against the Texans. They put up 40 points for the second time in three games. The production from the run game has made a difference. Last year, the Saints running game was one of the worst in the league. This year, the collection of Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram has added an extra spark to the offense. As good as the offense has been, the pass defense has been subpar. Looks like the Saints will have to win most of their games this year in a shootout.
3. (5) Ravens (2-1) — No surprise the Ravens bounced back nicely after a humiliating loss to the Titans. The Ravens played great in all three areas. Joe Flacco had a career day and the Ravens defense was on attack mode all game. They sacked Sam Bradford five times, hit him 11 times and held the Rams to just 132 yards passing; much improved from the zero sacks and 358 passing yards allowed last week. 
4. (2) Patriots (2-1) — This is a team that obviously has issues stopping the pass. They had similar problems all of last year when they ranked 30th against the aerial attack. In order to be a Super Bowl team, Tom Brady will need the defense to pick him up every once in a while. Everyone talked about what type of numbers Tom Brady was on pace for after two extraordinary games. Well, just three weeks into the season, the Patriots are on pace to give up over 6000 yards in the air. Bill Belichick has a major problem he’ll need to resolve, the good news is that Belichick is probably the best fit for the task.
5. (6) Steelers (2-1) — Sunday night’s win over the Colts placed a giant spotlight on the Steelers’ offensive line. Three starters were taken out of the game due to injury. Ben Roethlisberger took a beating in the team’s 23-20 win and is one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL. Look for the Steelers to address that line because of the poor play and mounting injuries.
6. (4) Jets (2-1) — Joe Namath might have a point. Rex Ryan’s constant praise of his team might have his players thinking they’re better than they really are. The Jets looked unprepared for Darren McFadden, perhaps it was due to overconfidence. The Jets also have issues on the offensive line. Starting center Nick Mangold is out and they’re having trouble protecting Mark Sanchez.
7. (9) Lions (3-0) — There’s not much room left on the Lions bandwagon. For the first time since 1980, this franchise is 3-0. Lions fans are proud to have one of the best defenses in the game right now and a high-powered offense that can put points on the board in the blink of an eye. First-round selection defensive tackle Nick Fairley may be ready to play in Week 4 which will bolster an already strong defense. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson are turning out to be one of the best QB/WR duos in the league.
8. (16) Bills (3-0) — It’s been eleven years since the last time the Bills made the playoffs. It’s too early to say the Bills will be a contender, but this team has shown signs they are certainly capable. The undefeated Bills have proven they are a resilient bunch. Back-to-back come from behind wins is tough to accomplish. When it’s against the Patriots, it’s even more impressive. The Packers, Patriots, and Saints all have scored fewer points this season than the Bills. This is a confident team that believes they can win no matter who they play or what the score is. That’s a sign of a strong team.
9. (14) Giants (2-1) — It’s amazing how quickly the tables can turn in the NFL. The Eagles are now looking up at the Giants in the NFC East. Eli Manning had his best game of the year and that was with limited offensive weapons. Manning threw zero interceptions for the first time in seven games. The last time Manning didn’t throw a pick was back on Nov 28th against the Jaguars. The most important thing the Giants can do now is build momentum after this huge victory and get key players healthy like Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham.
10. (13) Buccaneers (2-1) — Raheem Morris’s young team knocked off the defending division champs in a huge game. Tampa’s defense held Michael Turner to an astonishing 20 yards rushing. Turner was coming off a 114 yard performance but was stifled to just 1.8 yards per carry against the Bucs.

More here: http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports/newengland/football/patriots/2011/09/27/weei-nfl-power-rankings-week-4-3/

Rare crocodile spotted by Florida woman in St. Petersburg (Photo)

Rare crocodile spotted in Florida | Courtesy of Shondra Farner

A rare crocodile was found by a woman in St. Petersburg, Florida over the weekend. The said crocodile sighting was a first of its kind in Pinellas County, according to authorities.

The rare and endangered American crocodile was spotted by Shondra Farner in her backyard by the community pond Saturday. While crocodiles are common in Caribbean and South Florida, experts say it is extremely unusual to see them in central or north Florida. In fact, when Farner called to report her find, the wildlife official didn't initially believe her.

"He said, 'No, ma'am, you have an alligator,' and I said, 'No, I know the difference,'" Farner told Associated Press.

Farner can definitely recognize her reptiles. She and her husband recently went to a trip to Costa Rica which allowed them to see some very large crocodiles. She knew the one she spotted sitting on their back lawn the past weekend was no alligator.

"That big boy was just about 8 feet (2.5 meters) from our patio," said Farner. "It's terribly scary looking. And fast. When he turned to leave, I couldn't believe how quick he was."

Farner was able to take photos of the massive reptile, making it the first documented and confirmed sighting of an American crocodile in the Bay Area in years.

By Thursday, experts from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission came and set up a trap to catch the reptile.

Since the crocodile is an endangered species, it cannot be killed. Officials plan to implant a magnet meant to disorient the animal and prevent it from returning to neighborhoods and release it into Tampa Bay.

The gender of the crocodile has not been determined.

According to wildlife officials, the croc is about 20 years old and is one of only about 1,500 known to exist in Florida. Distinguishing it from a Florida alligator, officials said the crocodile's snout is distinctively more slender.

The rare crocodile is possibly the same reptile spotted south of St. Petersburg in 2008, a wildlife official said. The official added that the crocodile feeds on ducks that swim in the water.

Last Ford Crown Victoria rolls off Canadian assembly line

Last Ford Crown Victoria rolls off

The last Ford Crown Victoria, a four-door sedan that has been a popular police car and taxi cab model for three decades, has rolled off at Ford's St. Thomas Assembly plant in Ontario, Canada Thursday.

A Ford spokesperson told the New York Times that the last Crown Victoria, which is colored white and has the VIN number that reads 2FABP7CW8CX104292, will not join the numerous taxis in North America but will be exported to Mexico or Saudi Arabia.

With the end of production of the full-size rear wheel drive body-on-frame platform for the Crown Victoria and Lincoln Town Car, Ford is promoting the Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS flagships for consumers. Ford is also promoting the Transit Connect Taxicab to replace the Crown Victoria for urban taxi cab usage. Some taxi operators have expressed concerns about replacing the roomy Crown Victoria with smaller, more compact vehicles, due to a "bumpier, more cramped ride" and "knee-bumping back seats and flimsier frames". For police pursuit use, Ford is promoting the Ford Taurus Police Interceptor and the Ford Explorer interceptor to replace the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

Iran to free US hikers jailed for espionage and illegal entry

Iran to free US hikers | Photo: Jagran.com

Two American hikers held in prison in Iran since 2009 on charges of spying and entering country illegally will be released "in a couple of days," according to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"I am helping to arrange for their release in a couple of days so they will be able to return home. This is, of course, going to be a unilateral humanitarian gesture," Ahmadinejad told The Washington Post.

US hikers Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal were sentenced to an eight-year imprisonment last month after they were convicted of espionage by an Iranian court. The two were arrested near the mountainous Iraq-Iran border in July 2009, along with a third American, Sarah Shour, who was granted bail on humanitarian and medical grounds and was released in September 2010.

Conjoined twins separated successfully after 13-hour operation

Conjoined twins separated successfully | Photo: WREG

Conjoined twins Joshua and Jacob Spates were successfully separated during a life saving surgery in Memphis, recently.

The conjoined twins were born on January 24 and were separated during a grueling 13-hour operation at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital on August 29 in what hospital officials called the most complex procedure ever performed in the history of the facility.

Doctors reportedly waited until the twins were seven months old to perform the daring surgery so that they could simulate the surgery and rehearse the delicate procedure. The medical professionals reportedly practiced on beanie babies and cabbage patch dolls sewn together.

"Everyone laughed about the dolls ... but by the time the day of the surgery came, you would have thought we'd been doing it a long time," Joel Saltzman, director of pediatric anesthesiology at the hospital, told Associated Press.

The way Joshua and Jacob were joined makes them pygopagus twins, a rare form of conjoined twins in which the bodies are joined back to back at the pelvis and lower spine but each have their own heart, head and limbs. Pygopagus twins represent about 15 percent of all conjoined twins

After the surgery on August 29, doctors said the twins have health problems that will require ongoing treatment, but said they hope both will be able to walk with braces.

Joshua and Jacob were identified as conjoined twins prenatally through an ultrasound and were delivered via Caesarean section at 34th week to prevent further complications.

According to reports, conjoined twins account for only about one in 200,000 live births, and the vast majority of conjoined twins who survive long enough to be separated are girls.

White Castle sued by obese customer for booth size

White Castle, an American fast food hamburger restaurant chain, has been sued by a 290-pound man from New York, claiming that White Castle has repeatedly broke promises to make their booths bigger to fit persons of his size.

Martin Kessman | Photo: DailyWhat

Martin Kessman, a 64-year-old stockbroker, has filed a federal lawsuit against White Castle, 2 years after complaining to the corporate office about the size of the seats at a White Castle brach in Nanuet, N.Y.  He added in the lawsuit that he only received "condescending responses" along with free hamburger coupons and false promises to increase the booth size.

Kessman's lawsuit reportedly claims that White Castle could not accommodate a customer of his stature which is in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act. The suit seeks bigger chairs be made available in the restaurants and unspecified damages.

White Castle spokeswoman Jamie Richardson told the New York Post that Kessman could have asked a store manager for a regular chair.

82-year-old man celebrates his Bar Mitzvah

Bar Mitzvah

An 82-year-old Holocaust survivor who now resides in Florida held his Bar Mitzvah over the weekend.

Bar Mitzvah is a coming of age ritual traditionally extended to Jewish boys as they reach the age of 13.

Sol Laufer, however, missed his Bar Mitzvah 70 years ago since the Nazis placed him and his family into a Jewish ghetto during World War II. All of Laufer's family died in the Holocaust.

"I am doing this to proclaim to the Nazis that they did not succeed," 82-year-old Sol Laufer told ABC 7. "Here I am, after all of that. I am healthy, I have a nice family, and I am having a Bar Mitzvah."

Witnessed by his wife, three children, and six grand children, Laufer's Bar Mitzvah ceremony was reportedly held at the Chabad of Sarasota Saturday.

Alaska Volcano Observatory raises Aviation Color Code to Orange, Alert Level to Watch for Mount Cleveland

The Alaska Volcano Observatory has raised Cleveland Volcano's Aviation Color Code to Orange and the Alert Level to Watch following observations that the small lava dome in its summit crater has resumed growth and now fills the floor of the crater.

Alaska's Cleveland Volcano | Courtesy of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

Observers from the Alaska Volcano Observatory added that there is a persistent thermal anomaly that has been observed since September 3, probably marking the timing of resumed lava dome growth.

As of August 30, the size of the dome when it appeared to have stopped growing was approximately 80 meters (262 feet)in diameter. On September 6, the dome measured approximately 120 meters (394 feet) in diameter.

Scientists from the Alaska Volcano Observatory said that if dome growth continues, lava flows onto the flanks of the volcano may develop but would not be hazardous to aviation. They explained that the presence of the lava dome increases the possibility of an explosive eruption, but does not necessarily indicate that one will occur. Short-lived explosions could produce an ash cloud that exceeds 20,000 ft above sea level. These events can occur without warning and may go undetected in satellite imagery for hours, the scientists added.

Cleveland Volcano, a 1,730 m (5,676 ft) high land mass situated in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, is one of the most active of the 75 or more volcanoes in the larger Aleutian Arc. It has reportedly erupted at least 21 times in the last 230 years. Its most recent eruption was in July 2011.

65,000 calls made by Dutch woman to ex-boyfriend gets her arrested

65,000 calls send woman to jail | Photo: Tele111

65,000 calls (approximately 178 calls per day or 7 calls per hour). That's how many phone calls a Dutch woman made to her former boyfriend in the past year, prompting the latter to call the police for help.

The 62-year-old man from The Hague, Holland recently filed a police complaint due to non-stop phone calls from his 42-year-old ex-girlfriend.

The woman was already arrested and charged with stalking. Several cell phones of hers as well as her computers were also confiscated from her residence in Rotterdam.

At a preliminary hearing, the woman reportedly claimed that she had a relationship with the man and that the 62,000 calls were not excessive. However, the man refuted the claim.

The court had ordered her not to contact him again.

Seven dogs eat their owner in Indonesia

Skull of the man eaten by his dogs in Indonesia

Abandoned for two weeks, seven dogs ate their owner Andre Lumboga alive when he returned home, several news sites reported Wednesday.

The incident reportedly happened in Indonesia Wednesday last week. The dead body of the 50-year old man was discovered on Monday after a neighborhood guard smelt a foul odor and noticed that the luggage of Lumboga were still at the front of his house.

"His skull was found in the kitchen, and his body was found in the front of his house," Eriyana, a local police chief in Batam, an island off Sumatra, told VIVAnews website.

"We suspect that the dogs were hungry, so they attacked Andre, because they had not been fed for 14 days," the police added.

According to Reuters, Lumboga is a native of Sulawesi island, "a predominantly Christian area, where the local spicy diet is famous in Indonesia for including dogs, bats and forest rats."

IHOP Shooting: Gunman kills 4, self in Nevada

Eduardo Sencion, IHOP shooting gunman

The IHOP shooting incident in Carson City, Nevada Tuesday has left 4 people dead, including the gunman. Eight other individuals were reportedly injured in the shooting spree.

Carrying an AK-47-type assault rifle and reloading it at least once, Eduardo Sencion, 32, walked into the IHOP restaurant and opened fire, killing 4 and wounding 8. Among the dead were reportedly three National Guardsmen and a civilian female.

According to reports, Sencion then turned the rifle on himself eight minutes into the shooting. He was rushed to the Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead two hours later.

The motive of the gunman still remains unknown. One police officer said Sencion might have had some "mental issues." Investigation, however, is still undergoing.

At least 30 people were reportedly at IHOP and its vicinity when the shooting incident happened.

Happy Feet the penguin starts long journey home (Video)

Happy Feet, the lost emperor penguin who won the hearts of many people from all over the world, has been released Sunday after months of rehabilitation at the Wellington Zoo in New Zealand. Check out a video of the release of Happy Feet the penguin below:

Happy Feet penguin starts his swim home | Video courtesy of ITN News

On June 20, Happy Feet was found on a New Zealand beach, nearly 4,000 miles from his home in Antarctica.

He was sent to Wellington Zoo where he underwent three surgeries to remove stones and sticks from his stomach.

Regaining 18 pounds of weight after the medical procedures, Happy Feet was finally cleared for release over the weekend.

"It's very exciting for me to get him to this point where we can release him," zoo veterinarian Lisa Argilla told ABC News.

According to a CBS report, the release which happened on Sunday "went remarkably smoothly, given that the boat was being tossed about in 25-foot swells in the unforgiving Antarctic ocean."

A GPS tracker has been fitted to the penguin and fans can follow his progress online via the Zoo's website.