Europe’s PLATO Wants To Find Earth-like Planets

Posted on February 24, 2014 by alicia mitchell

The European Space Agency will be launching a new mission called PLATO (Planetary Transits and Oscillations of Stars); the program is putting out 34 telescopes into space. The telescopes will be scanning millions of stars in search of habitable planets. This might sound similar to NASA’s Kepler mission which has already discovered over 200 confirmed exoplanets, but PLATO plans on only focusing on the more important ones that show signs of rocky terrain and liquid water. PLATO will also have more telescopes with cameras than Kepler, which will give it a wider area for a longer period of time to certain planets. It will also determine the mass and size of each planet that will then determine if the planet is rocky or not.

            The mission will cost around $1 billion, and will launch in 2024 and last for six years. This mission sounds amazing, but is it really worth the time and money? $1 billion is a lot of money to find planets that we won’t be able to explore for the next 20 or so years. We could use that money and explore the moon or Mars, or do some man missions to either. Even if Europe didn’t use the $1 billion on this project for some other space program they could use it on something for the planet we live on. They could use it to create better living environments. There are devices that are being created that can help with pollution and why not invest in doing something like that?

            I love space and knowing that there are thousands of planets, but do we really need to find them all?

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United States Fall Short in Olympics

Posted on February 24, 2014 by marissanclark

The 2014 Winter Olympics have finally come to a close in Sochi, Russia after weeks of fantastic finishes. The United States surprised quite a few people this week by not receiving not just the gold medal but any medal in hockey.

After an impressive first round blow out by the American team, the team then went on to upset Russia as well. Next they received a bye for the next round until they played Czech Republic. The United States quickly made fast work of them even with one of the greatest players ever to play hockey on the Czech side, Jaromír Jagr. The U.S next played their toughest opponent next Canada.

Canada is the reigning gold medal winner for the Olympics and they are the rival for the U.S based on physical boundaries. Canada took down the States in this match and ended up going on to win the gold medal again. The States lost to Canada to a score of 1-0.

With Canada once again being crowned, the United States were left to play for the bronze medal. They lost to Finland by a score of 5-0.

I just couldn’t believe that a team like the United States had could be stopped, and so easily stopped based off the score of the bronze medal game. The U.S hands down one of the best programs in the world for hockey so losing 5-0 to a team that doesn’t have such great players is ridiculous. I just hope that the players learn from their mistakes and take their experiences home with them to their respected teams in the NHL.

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After years on run, Sinaloa cartel chief ‘El Chapo’ Guzman arrested

Posted on February 23, 2014 by jumarshall17

After years of evading capture for more than 12 years, notorious Mexican drug lord and cartel chief Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was captured in a surprise raid on a seaside hotel-condominium tower in a bustling Mexican beach resort, according to CNN reports. The Sinaloa Cartel is one of the world’s most powerful and deadly drug trafficking organizations and has been blamed for its role in the bloody drug war that has plagued Mexico in recent years, leaving tens of thousands of people dead. “El Chapo”, as he is infamously known, escaped from a high-security prison in a laundry cart in 2001.

A U.S. law enforcement official told CNN that Guzman, accompanied by a female, was captured in a joint operation of Mexican marines and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents that was in the works for four or five weeks. The pressure pipe essentially about burst as Mexican officials have been killing or capturing the cartel’s most dangerous lieutenants in recent months. Each operation led to the discovery of new information and evidence including a cell phone that assisted authorities in tracking El Chapo down. Guzman moved around in various homes that had escape tunnel systems and steel-enforced entrances that made it possible for him to effectively escape before marines could break down the doors. In addition to the escape tunnels, Guzman also avoided being captured over the years due to his immense power and his ability to corrupt Mexican officials.

His arrest delivered a significant blow to the drug operation that had expanded from the Americas to Europe. When the news reached in Washington, D.C, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder hailed the arrest “a landmark achievement, and a victory for the citizens of both Mexico and the United States.” Although there is more work to be done to bring down the rest of the cartel members, U.S. and Mexican officials are off to a running start.

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Traveling is Good For the Soul

Posted on February 23, 2014 by ljthom

Growing up, I had many opportunities provided for me to travel. It was instilled in my brain, that if you don’t travel outside your comfortable range, no growth would happen in your life.

For the past five years, I have gone to visit my family in San Francisco, California, during spring break or in the summertime. As a Florida girl, California has its sunny similarities, but noticeable differences.

California has character. How is it reasonable for my godmother to tell me to pack a week’s worth of clothes for the snow and the beach? Living in proximity to both types of climates is unimaginable and amazing to a Floridian. Our only two climates are either rain or sunshine. And even in the sunshine, you can still expect rain.

California has standards. In a little town called Castro Valley, California, the people there promote local restaurants and detract from chain corporations. It took awhile before they got their first Starbucks within city limits. I think that is an amazing characteristic to have in a city. In Florida, there’s a McDonalds or Burger King on every corner. What kind of standards does that send forth?

California is aesthetic. Yes, Florida has some of the nicest beaches and springs in the world, but nothing compares to California’s beaches, wine country, hills and mountains. When I land in California, I anticipate driving on the highway just for being able to see the hills. The scenery is so serene and breathtaking. While I’m there I feel so stress free and calm.

Sometimes you don’t discover yourself until you discover new things. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” Traveling to California has broadened my horizons and made me feel as though I belong.

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Pet Rescue by Judy Expands to a Bigger Location

Posted on February 23, 2014 by aspiringauthor

I recently encountered this non-profit pet shelter known as Pet Rescue by Judy. Pet Rescue by Judy is a no-kill shelter, which offers options like fostering a pet and adoption. It was founded by Judy Sarullo when she and her husband, Tim, went to a local adoption shelter to help out with an event in 1986. Tim tried desperately to get an Old English sheepdog adopted because it was clear to him that if he did not, it would soon be euthanized. Unfortunately, by the end of that day the dog had not been adopted. Tim soon felt for the dog and asked Judy if they could adopt it. The dog went on to live for another 8 years.

The shelter also accepts several animals that have disabilities.Some of these pets are blind, deaf, and a number of cats have the feline immunodeficiency virus along with a number of other illnesses. These creatures require a lot of special needs, which the shelter provides to the animals.

While meeting with the owner, Judy, she discussed how they were expanding to a new location.The new shelter is expected to have natural light, something the current location does not have. Some of the animals in the current shelter have not even seen light in several years. During my visit to the shelter I noticed that there were about 50 cats and 50 dogs. The new facilities are also expected to be much larger and allow for around 50-80 dogs and up to 150 cats, which is great for a shelter that does not euthanize the animals. The shelter also has a lot of trouble keeping a great amount of animals because they provide the animals with top of the line medical treatments, spaying/neutering, micro-chipping, and proper care of the animals such as proving them dietary needs and exercise.

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Rock Band KISS to be inducted into Rock and Roll hall of Fame

Posted on February 23, 2014 by keegan.kennedy

The Rock N’ Roll hall of fame is an organization which every year honors musicians who have influenced the course of rock music. Artists/musicians can be nominated 25 years after their musical efforts are released. The Rock n Roll hall of fame has received much criticism over their choices of who to induct and who to leave out. People often mention how it is unfair that pop artists like Madonna have been inducted but influential rock bands from the 70s are left out. One of those bands that has long been left out is KISS. Known for their make up and stage theatrics, they’ve had a successful career spanning almost 4 decades. Some people argue that they don’t deserve a place in Rock history as their career was largely focused on marketing and profiting of their image. However, most agree that for better or worse KISS has undoubtedly influenced a whole generation of bands that came after them.

In this years ceremony of the Rock n’ Roll hall of fame, KISS will finally be inducted; however they have decided they will not perform at the ceremony. As of now we can’t be sure why they’ve chosen not to perform. They might be bitter at the organization that left them out for so many years. Another theory is they can’t agree on which lineup should perform. As with many rock bands, KISS has had numerous members who don’t seem to get along. Many of their fans, known as the KISS “army”, were hoping for a reunion of the four original members of the band; they haven’t played together in almost 2 decades.

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A Member of the University of Central Florida’s Kappa Delta Sorority- “Brooke Dawkins” Was Involved In An Accident Early Sunday Morning.

Posted on February 23, 2014 by rboniniv

A member of the Greek community and a sister of the Kappa Delta sorority was involved in an accident on Sunday morning. The crash happened at 2:33 a.m. on Alafaya and Gemini. The Florida Highway Patrol says Brooke Dawkins, 19, is currently in critical condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
“According to the trooper the pedestrian walked out into the direct path of a 2007 Toyota Pickup truck driven by 35-year-old Reginald Smith from Geneva,” said Sgt. Kim Montes of the Florida Highway Patrol.
The sorority has taken it to Twitter thanking the Greek community for their support for their sister. Members of the Greek community have used “#PrayForBrooke” to show their support.
In recent news, as she remains in critical condition, tank tops are being sold by he sisters to help raise money. Kappa Delta sorority sisters have started selling “#BrookeStrong” tanks to help the Dawkins family with medical bills, less than 24 hours after a tragic car accident hospitalized Brooke Dawkins. The shirts are being sold for $15 each, with $10 going directly to the cause.
According to one of the sisters she states that, “These tanks that have been made are in honor of helping Brooke and her family pay for the medical bills and out-of-pocket costs associated with the surgeries she will have to undergo and for the weeks that she will remain at the hospital,”.
Also, there is no word on the driver being intoxicated. Unfortunately, it seems as if she walked into the drivers direct pathway. There might be a possibility that she was intoxicated. it is a very tragic situation. However, this isn’t the first time someone has walked into the road and got hit by a car at the University of Central Florida. I believe that the University of Central Florida should consider making better walkways for students on Alafaya.

I placed the website down below if anyone whats to donate to help Brook: http://brookestrong.bigcartel.com/product/brooke-strong-tank-top
For any questions or concerns please contact Jessy Grabowski at (224) 639-6665.

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Euromaidan: The Bloody Revolution on The Streets of Kiev

Posted on February 23, 2014 by samsheres

The peek of the Ukrainian revolution has reached its peek during this past month. As the world news are reporting daily, the situation in Ukraine has worsen, and thousands of protesters have decided to invade the public street in order to raise their voice and fight for their rights.

The name of the accumulation of these protests that started in November 2013 has already made a political impact, such as other similar movements that happened during the past years, for example the 15-M in Ireland, Spain, Greece or Italy.

Furthermore, analyzing the reasons of the protest, the issue comes up when the population of Ukraine is spited in two groups, according to political beliefs. The big majority of the population is anxious for the final agreement on the association of Ukraine to the European Union, however the government of Viktor Yanukovich is doing his best in order to mislead the process, and aside with Russia. He also ordered to in-prison Yulia Tymoshenko, the leader of the opposition back in November. However she has been released two days ago. The EU had told Ukraine that no agreement would be issued until an improvement or modification will be made into Ukraine’s laws, as well as resolving its internal problems. Since one more weakened country entering the European Union could also harm the rest of the countries. (As it has happened with Greece or Spain)

The protest started with students and mainly young generations, today, more than 700,000 protesters occupied the streets of Kiev, and nothing but violence and aggression from the Ukraine police has been present. There are already around a hundred of deaths and thousands injured. This, show the courage that innocent people are giving away in order to change the situation, and get rid of the infinity corruption.

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Parents Want Miley Cyrus to Cancel Her Tour

Posted on February 22, 2014 by amanda decarlo

The title says it all.  Parents are enraged over Miley Cyrus’ Bangers tour. In fact, they are so angry that they want her to cancel her tour, or at least a refund. One parent even took their nine-year-old child to see the show, and was furious at the level of sexuality presented. The complaints are a result from the show being too racy and raunchy. Miley is twerking more than ever, and she even pantomimes a sexual gesture to a figure that is supposed to resemble former President of the United States, Bill Clinton.

Should Miley Cyrus uphold some role model behavior, or should she just be allowed to express herself however she chooses? This is America, and she is protected by the constitution. She isn’t doing anything illegal (well, publicly). Plus, parents should know that  Ms. Cyrus is no longer  “Hannah Montana.” She has decided to shed that alter ego, and has tried to make it blatantly obvious that she doesn’t want to be admired by children. Although, when she was “Hannah Montana,” there was this sense (partly because of Disney) that she wanted young girls to emulate her. The past years of devotion that she has received from her younger fans, cannot be turned off like a light switch. That could possibly explain why the antics are so over the top, and most likely because sex cells.

So what is the solution? Parents should be parenting their children. There is so much sexual influence in the media (especially the internet) that Miley seems rather tame in comparison. If I had the money, I would go see the tour.

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Sinaloa Cartel Drug Lord ‘Chapo’ Guzman’ Arrested in Mexico

Posted on February 22, 2014 by joecool12

Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman was arrested Saturday in Mexico. He was known as a chief running one of the most strong drug trafficking operations, which gave him the title of an ‘elusive legend’.

Guzman was accompanied by a female on Saturday when he was arrested by the Mexican marines and Drug Enforcement Administration, where Guzman was spotted at a hotel in a beach resort located in Mazatlan.

When looking at this story, the first thing that came to my mind was how long was this drug lord living free in Mexico. It could relate to his power of reigning in the drug world. Afterall, drug lords are always on the “downlow” to keep their cover from authorities. Guzman should of rethink his decision being in a public beach resort where authorities can spot him easily.

A senior administration stated that this was a huge arrest that was done by a Mexican operation, but help was provided by the U.S. government.

Actions performed through Guzman’s life included the death and destruction of many individuals through the use of drug addiction, violence, and corruption.

It is good to see America help another country crack down on a serious issue such as this one. Drugs are a worldwide phenomenon that takes a lot of involvement, sometimes requiring more than one source.

What Guzman did to many people is cruel and he is ultimately thinking of himself. In other words, Guzman wants to gain his goals, particularly drug-related to benefit himself. But one can see this arrest as his end to all the non-sense he has created and furthermore ruined many innocent people’s lives.

 

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