Astronomers: Earth-like planets could be found

hAstronomers: Earth-like planets could be found

WASHINGTON — Astronomers say they are on the verge of finding planets such as Earth orbiting other stars, a key step in determining if we are alone in the universe.

A top NASA official and other leading scientists say that within four or five years they should discover the first Earth-like planet where life could develop, or may have already. A planet close to the size of Earth could even be found sometime this year if preliminary hints from a new space telescope pan out.

At the annual American Astronomical Society conference this week, each discovery involving so-called “exoplanets” — those outside our solar system — pointed to the same conclusion: Quiet planets such as Earth where life could develop probably are plentiful, despite a violent universe of exploding stars, crushing black holes and colliding galaxies.

Nelson says he wants Medicaid deal for all states

OMAHA, Neb. — Sen. Ben Nelson said Thursday he has asked Democratic leadership to extend to all states the extra Medicaid funding promised to Nebraska in the health-care reform bill. The Democrat wouldn’t say who he has spoken to regarding the so-called “Cornhusker Kickback” but that he would see to it that Nebraska doesn’t get a special deal.

“At the end of the day, whatever Nebraska gets will be available to all states,” Nelson said during a conference call with reporters.

Nelson provided the crucial 60th vote that brought the reform bill to the full Senate after winning concessions to limit the availability of abortions in insurance sold in newly created exchanges. Among other things, he was promised federal funding to cover Nebraska’s entire cost of a Medicaid expansion included in the bill. Other states will have to begin picking up a portion of the added expanse beginning in 2017.

Disgruntled worker kills three at St. Louis plant

ST. LOUIS — A disgruntled worker embroiled in a pension dispute with his company showed up at the plant and opened fire Thursday, killing three people and wounding five before apparently killing himself. The shooting spree at ABB Group’s plant sent frightened co-workers scrambling into closets and to the snow-covered roof for safety.

Fire officials identified the shooter as 51-year-old Timothy Hendron of Webster Groves, a St. Louis suburb. Police said a man believed to be the gunman was found dead inside the plant from an apparent self- inflicted gunshot wound, but they would not release his name.

Prosecutors: Anti-Muslim images are free speech

MINNEAPOLIS — Two Minnesota prosecutors say they won’t file charges against a man who investigators say admitted posting anti-Muslim images in front of a mosque, a Somali-owned store and other spots. They say the cartoons are protected under the First Amendment.

The posters put up last month in the St. Cloud area depicted images such as the Prophet Muhammad engaged in bestiality and an Islamic crescent with a swastika inside it. Some in the community say there should be legal consequences. But the chief prosecutors in both counties where the cartoons were found said they must be considered free speech.

China kept tainted-milk problem secret for a year

BEIJING — Chinese authorities secretly investigated a dairy for nearly a year before announcing the company had been producing milk tainted with an industrial chemical, reflecting the country’s unease with the transparency needed to restore public confidence in food safety.

The Shanghai dairy had been part of one of China’s worst food-safety crises, the 2008 tainted milk scandal in which six children died and more than 300,000 fell sick after drinking baby formula contaminated with an industrial chemical. Dairy and local officials were accused of keeping the scandal quiet until after the Beijing Olympics.

Associated Press