Oldest fossils found

Oldest fossils found
Ian Burch, a researcher at Macquarie University in Australia, stands next to one of the odd-shaped, rocklike mounds in western Australia that are actually fossils created by microbes 3.4 billion years ago. The 6.5-foot high fossil pictured is known as "crocodile back." The strange geologic structures -- which range from smaller than a fingernail to taller than a man -- are exactly the type of early life astrobiologists are looking for on Mars and elsewhere. Known as stromatolites, they are believed to be the oldest fossils on Earth, researchers said.
More sex-assault charges
PICKENS, S.C. -- A registered sex offender suspected of strangling a Clemson University student with her bikini has become a suspect in at least two other recent sexual assaults, in Alabama and Tennessee, authorities said Wednesday. Jerry Buck Inman has been talking to investigators since his arrest late Tuesday near his parents' home in Dandridge, Tenn., Jefferson County, Tenn., Sheriff David Davenport said. Inman, 35, was arrested on warrants for murder, rape and kidnapping in the death of Clemson student Tiffany Marie Souers two weeks ago. DNA from her apartment led authorities to Inman.
Millipede rediscovered
LOS ANGELES -- The world's leggiest creature is missing-in-action no more. A scientist found a rare species of millipede, last seen 80 years ago in central California, and has collected several of the inch-long bugs for study. This millipede has more than 600 legs, about twice the average millipede -- despite the name which means "thousand-legged." Of the estimated 10,000 species, only one, I. plenipes, comes close to living up to its name and thrives only in California.
Dispatchers charged
DETROIT -- Two 911 dispatchers who authorities say wrongly assumed it was a prank when a 5-year-old boy called to report that his mother had collapsed have been charged with neglect of duty. By the time an officer arrived, the boy's 46-year-old mother was dead. Sharon Nichols, 43, and Terri Sutton, 47, could get a year in jail if convicted of the misdemeanor. Robert Turner, now 6, called 911 twice on Feb. 20 to report that his mother had collapsed and needed medical care. No police car was sent after Nichols took the first call. The boy called again three hours later, and Sutton reacted by sending police out to discipline the child.
Guilty in Ohio scandal
COLUMBUS -- A former senior official at Ohio's $15 billion insurance fund for injured workers pleaded guilty to federal and state charges Wednesday, admitting that he took bribes in exchange for government investment opportunities. Terrence Gasper, 59, also said he was working with prosecutors in their continuing investigation into the state scandal. Gasper, the first official of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation to be charged in the investment scandal, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Akron to one count of racketeering for accepting a gift for business deals, then entered a plea to ethics and other charges in Franklin County Common Pleas Court in Columbus.
Indecency fines times 10
WASHINGTON -- Congress gave notice to broadcasters Wednesday that they will pay dearly for crossing the line with offensive material such as Janet Jackson's 2004 Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction," passing legislation that would multiply indecency fines 10 times. The 379-35 House vote on the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act sends the bill to President Bush for his signature.
Associated Press