Mt. Tongariro Erupts in New Zealand

Just before midnight, on Monday, Mt. Tongariro erupted in New Zealand.

Witnesses reported seeing smoke, super heated rocks, and bright flashes as they heard loud explosions.

The eruption seems to be centered at the Te Mari Craters area of the mountain.

Some residents have voluntarily evacuated the area, but no official ones have been called for.

By Tuesday, the eruption had calmed down, vulcanologists warn that it could start up again at any time.

Small earthquakes had been recorded in the area, for the last couple weeks, but it is unusual for a volcano to go from dormant to active, so quickly.

Authorities are warning people to be wary of the spreading ash cloud, especially if they have any breathing issues.

NASA Employs Curiosity

The latest Mars Science Laboratory project has officially kicked off. The rover, codenamed Curiosity, landed in the early hours of August 6th. (2232 5 AUG 12 Pacific time, 0032 6 AUG 12 Central, 0132 Eastern) Within two hours, the rover began sending images from the Mars surface. Over the duration of the mission, you will be able to track images and progress at the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission pages at NASA's website.

The primary mission of Curiosity and the project are to determine if Mars ever held life or will be capable of sustaining life in the future. Scientists postulate any evidence will exist closest to any found liquid water.

Gale Crater on Mars

Curiosity is set to explore, record, image, and sample the planet's surface for the next 98 weeks. Its capabilities include 10 precision scientific instruments and 17 total cameras:  Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer, Chemistry and Camera, Chemistry and Mineralogy, Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons, Mars Descent Imager, Mars Hand Lens Imager, Mast Camera, Radiation Assessment Detector, Rover Environmental Monitoring Station, and Sample Analysis at Mars Launch.

98 weeks is also the length of a single Martian year. The mission is set to last just 6 weeks short of two Earth years. That is one week less than current federal laws grant unemployment handouts to those who lost their jobs.

The landing was an act of remote-controlled precision, setting the lander down near the base of Mount Sharp, just inside Gale Crater. It was lowered into position using a remote controlled sky crane, that lowered the rover, then flew away.

The cost of the project, so far, has been $2.5 Billion, $1.8 for just the development and deployment of the spacecraft.

More facts, figures, numbers, data, and mission information is available in .pdf format.

Here is NASA's official video of the landing and deployment:

Original Article on Mental Aikido

Sixteen Egyptian Border Guards Killed

Sixteen Egyptian border guards were killed by masked gunmen, on Sunday.

Israeli troops blew up the vehicles of the attackers, after they drove into Israel.

Egypt has responded by shutting down their border crossing with Gaza.

Both Egypt and Gaza have sent extra security forces to the border.

The attack occurred near the congruence of the Egyptian, Israeli, and Gaza borders.

Egypt and Israel have blamed the attack on Islamist militants.

President Morsi, of Egypt, said that the "cowardly" attack will not go "without a response" and that "those who carried out this crime will pay dearly".

Missouri Set to Vote on Prayer Amendment

On Tuesday, Missouri voters will vote on the proposed Amendment 2, nicknamed the "Prayer Amendment".

The amendment is meant to better define freedom of speech for Missourians, and protect people's right to pray or hold Bible studies.

Opponents say that it simply will only bring more lawsuits, and cost tax payers more money.

Others accuse supporters of attempting to place Christianity above other religions or of trying to end separation of church and state.

Voters seem to disagree, as a recent poll found that eighty-two percent of the state's voters would vote for it.

When it does pass, it will undoubtedly face challenge in federal courts, and eventually the Supreme Court.

Red Cross Attacked in Libya

Unknown assailants attacked the International Red Cross buildings in Misrata, Libya on Sunday.

Gunfire was joined by rockets and grenades and the buildings were severely destroyed, but luckily no one was hurt.

This makes the fifth time in less than three months that attacks have been made on the independent aid agency.

The head of their Libyan delegation, Ishfaq Muhamed Khan, stated that they would temporarily vacate from Misrata and Benghazi.


"We are appalled by this latest act and by the deliberate targeting of our staff: they have put their lives at risk to serve the Libyan people both during and after the conflict," Khan said.

Shooting at Sikh Temple in Wisconsin

On Sunday morning, a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin was attacked by a lone gun man. Seven people, including the shooter, were killed, and at least three more were injured. The injured were taken to Froedtert Hospital, all of who are adult males in critical condition.


One of the wounded was the first police officer who arrived on the scene, he is in surgery, but expected to survive. A second officer then shot the gunman, killing him. Both officers are being credited with keeping the situation from being worse than it could have been.

Investigators are searching the home of the, as of yet, unidentified shooter. They are telling us that he was using a 9 millimeter, semi automatic handgun; and that he had extra ammunition in his BDU pants. Police are planning to release more information and details on Monday morning.

Aleppo Besieged

As Syrian forces eliminate the rebel remnant in the capital of Damascus, they mass on Aleppo. The largest city in the country has seen some of the heaviest fighting in the conflict.

Intel suggests that at least twenty thousand Syrian troops are near, around, and in the city. Artillery, tanks, helicopters, jets, and all the conventional means of modern warfare are at use.

National troops have been fighting in the southern and eastern districts, of the city, for some time. Anywhere that rebels occupy has been shelled and bombarded, killing many civilians. Rebel forces have continued to bring their own reinforcements to the city, making it look like Aleppo could be the crucial battle in the war.

At least twenty thousand Syrians have lost their lives during the seventeen month long fighting.

On Saturday, forty-eight Iranians were kidnapped from Damascus, by rebel groups. Iran is demanding the release of their citizens, calling them pilgrims. The rebels however say that some of their number are members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard.

Lakewood Residents Trying to Keep Deaf School Out

Lakewood, Colorado residents are attempting to block the building of a Rocky Mountain Deaf School, in their neighborhood.

The ten acre plot is currently vacant, and was rezoned in June by the city council, allowing for the school to move in.

Homeowners in the area are against the school coming in, some wishing it to remain open space.

For the Rocky Mountain Deaf School the move would be an important change, as they currently meet in a strip mall.

Residents are attempting to gain three thousand signatures, on their petition, by August tenth.

If they can accomplish that, the city could be forced to put the decision up for a special city wide vote.

121 Structures Burned by Oklahoma Fires

At least 121 structures have been burned down by wildfires in Oklahoma.

Saturday saw temperatures over 100 degrees for the nineteenth straight day.

Thousands have been evacuated, including the entire town of Glencoe.

Thirteen fires are burning across the state, at least one of which was the work of arson.

Oklahoma has asked neighboring states for help, but very little has been sent, as they are all fighting fires of their own.

Conditions have been extremely dry throughout much of the United States.

More than half the US is in the worst drought the country has seen since at least 1956.

Phelps Career Ends in Gold

Phelps and his team took gold in the 400 meter medley relay, barely missing the Olympic record.

It gave Phelps his twenty-second overall medal, and his eighteenth gold.

He has gained six medals in the London Olympics.

Some have called him the greatest Olympian of all time, due to his twenty-two medals being the most of anyone for any sport.