Spaceport Colorado One Step Closer to Reality

Spaceport Colorado gained a step closer to becoming reality.

Over the last couple of weeks private and public donors have pledged or given $660,000.

Matched with money already granted, by the Federal Aviation Administration, it puts funding closing in on a million dollars.

The next steps will be hiring consultants and then planning out the whole deal so that they can apply for a spaceport license.

Front Range Airport is to be the home for the future spaceport.

Located six miles east of Denver, the airport is already one of the largest general aviation airports in the country, and it has nothing but room to grow, out on the plains.

Currently plans are on pace for the spaceport to be finished within ten to fifteen years.

David's Sling Successfully Tested

Israel has successfully tested David's Sling.

During the latest conflict with Hamas, Israel's Iron Dome missile defenses became well known, around the world.

Iron Dome is however only meant to target short range missiles.

To further protect Israel, they have developed David's Sling to protect them from mid range missiles.

David's Sling has a range of twenty-five to two hundred miles.

It was created in a joint effort between Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and US contractor Raytheon, who call it the Magic Wand.

Goals are for Israel's Sling to be fully operational by 2014.

In 2016, Israel expects it's Arrow long range missile defense system to be ready to go, as well.

Homeland Security and Interpol Seize 132 Websites

Police in at least six countries took place in an international domain name seizure, on Monday.

One hundred and thirty-two domain names were shut down for selling counterfeit merchandise.

Homeland Security led the investigation, but was joined by Interpol and authorities from Belgium, France, Denmark, Romania, and the UK.

Investigators confirmed the sites were illegal, after checking with copyright owners.

Supreme Court Orders Another Look at Constitutionality of Obamacare

On Monday, the Supreme Court ordered the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a case.

That case is Liberty University's challenge against Obamacare.

The university challenges that the mandated health care is unconstitutional, as it requires employers to pay for birth control.

Some forms of birth control, such as morning after and week after pills are seen as immoral by most religious communities.

Many have argued that forcing employers of religious organizations to do something against their faith, is a violation of their first amendment guarantee of religious freedom.

In 2010 a federal judge had rejected the claim and the appellate court later rejected it as well.

The Supreme Court's order gives new life to the claim, and once again brings awareness to the unconstitutionality of Obamacare.

Miami International Airport Evacuated

Concourse J of the Miami International Airport was evacuated for part of Monday.

A man claimed to have luggage filled with dynamite, causing the evacuation.

The bomb squad was called in, but they found no explosives.

Police say the man recanted his dynamite statement, after he was arrested.

One outgoing and several incoming flights were delayed by the scare.

None of the airport's other concourses were affected.

Miami International has since resumed full operations.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak Resigns

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak gave a major surprise announcement, on Monday.

The seventy year old announced that he will be resigning from politics after the elections, but will continue his post until his replacement is sworn in.

He said that he wishes to spend more time with his family.

Elections are scheduled for January 22.

Barak has served either in the military or in politics for over fifty years.

He served in the Israeli Defense Forces for thirty-six years, rising from draftee to Chief of Staff.

From 1999-2001, he served as Prime Minister, the shortest term ever for an Israeli PM.

Some have called him the man "everyone loves to hate", but he is widely respected, especially for his insight into his enemies.

Rumors of who will replace him are circulating widely, including some thought that he may stay on in an advisory position.

Fire Kills Fourteen Disabled Workers in Germany

Fourteen people were killed and six injured in a fire in Titisee-Neustadt, Germany, Monday afternoon.

The fire struck a facility, run by the Catholic Church's Caritas Foundation, which provides disabled people with trade jobs.

Around one hundred and twenty people have jobs there, including metalwork, woodwork, and electrical installation.

Over one hundred fire fighters were called to battle the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Thousands Strike in Bangladseh After Second Factory Fire

Thousands of workers strike in Bangladesh after second factory fire.

Just two days after a clothing factory fire killed one hundred and seventeen people, another clothing factory was engulfed in flames.

The second fire took firefighters over four hours to control, but killed no one and injured a dozen, early Monday morning.

Garment district workers struck on Monday, protesting the unsafe environments which led to the two fires.

Fire safety is of very little concern in Bangladesh, until something goes horribly wrong, then it suddenly becomes a huge issue, for a little bit of time.

Factory owners often promise the government that they'll improve conditions, but rarely actually do, so as to keep costs low.

Mosri Backs Down From Power Grab

According to the latest reports out of Egypt, President Morsi has backed down from his Thursday decrees.

His decrees would've made him unchallengeable in the government, and some had even said it made him a new pharaoh.

After his decrees were made public, the country was racked with violent protests.

Two people were killed in them and over five hundred were injured.

Morsi backed down Monday night, after judges and lawyers throughout the country went on strike, for a second straight day, in protest of his illegal moves.

Late Monday it was announced that Morsi and the Supreme Judicial Council had come to an agreement on things.

No details were released other than that Morsi would not be usurping the powers he had said he would.

Supporters, of the President, said that Tuesday would see protests from them, but they've now cancelled those plans.

Preview: The Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker ballet opened up Saturday at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, in Denver.

It promises to "dazzle audiences with glittering snowflakes, shimmering sugarplums, unforgettable characters and stunning costumes and scenery".

Ever since Tchaikovsky composed the Nutcracker, audiences have been amazed by it's wonders.

This is the fifty-second year of the performance, for Colorado.

We went last year, loved it, and will be repeating our visit this year.

You can purchase tickets for showings through December 24.

If you're not in Denver, be sure to look for a performance in your area.