This And That

Phelps beats Lochte again at US trials in 200 IM If this week in America's heartland is any indication, Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte are going to put on quite a show in London. more info...

Three Boy Scouts among five dead in Wyoming vehicle crash CODY, Wyoming (Reuters) - A head-on collision in northwestern Wyoming on Saturday killed three older Boy Scouts, a toddler and a man, authorities said. The crash occurred on Highway 120, less than 20 miles south of the town of Meeteetse. It appears a Honda Element SUV with the man, who was in his 50s, and the three Boy Scouts veered into the opposite lane and struck an oncoming recreational vehicle, said Wyoming Highway Patrol Captain Len Declercq. The four were killed, along with a 3-year-old boy in the RV, he said. ... more info... Stage set for Bolt vs. Blake, Part 2 The stage is set for Blake vs. Bolt, Part II. more info... Colombia volcano erupts, prompts evacuations BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia evacuated people from communities close to the Nevado del Ruiz volcano after an eruption on Saturday that spewed smoke and ash from its crater, bringing back

Phelps gets Lochte again, winning 200 IM at trials Michael Phelps won another duel with Ryan Lochte at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, edging his rival in their most stirring race yet to take the 200-meter individual medley. more info... Startup Stages Flash Mob for Social Media Day [VIDEO] Close to 500 people participated in a flash mob in New York City's Hudson River Park for Social Media Day. more info...

50 Digital Media Resources You May Have Missed Summer storms got you down? Have you forgotten how we used to pass the time before the days of , Netflix and Pinterest? Here's an idea: catch up on Mashable's features coverage from the last week and check out some resources you may have missed. more info... UK's Cameron attempts to woo eurosceptics on referendum LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister David Cameron has raised the prospect of a possible referendum on Britain's future relationship with the European Union, potentially threatening trade with the bloc and opening up another front against the Conservatives' coalition partner. Britain has had a long and painful history of infighting and changes of heart over how closely to integrate with the EU ever since it joined its precursor four decades ago. It has often proven divisive both within and among Britain's main political parties as well as the public. ... mor

Deadly storms leave millions without power in eastern U.S WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Nearly 4 million homes and businesses were without power on Saturday amid a record heat wave in the eastern United States after deadly thunderstorms downed power lines from Indiana to New Jersey. At least 11 people were killed. Statewide emergencies were declared in Washington D.C., Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia because of damage from overnight storms, which brought hurricane-force winds along a 500-mile (800-km) stretch. Forecasters predicted more severe thunderstorms as renewed heat blanketed the area on Saturday. ... more info... Williams' next Wimbledon opponent wins perfect set Absolutely perfect — 24 points played, 24 points won. more info...

Lawyer: Paterno didn't compromise investigation Emails show Penn State's former president Graham Spanier agreed not to take allegations of sex abuse against ex-assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky to authorities but worried university officials would be "vulnerable" for failing to report it, a news organization has reported. more info... Twitter Hashtag History Gets a Musical Tribute [VIDEO] Here's a funky little piece of weekend edutainment: the history of the hashtag as performed by horn player and music video maker . Raps interspersed with jazzy trombone interludes tell how the now-ubiquitous number sign followed by letters went from a random nothing on the social network to something tweeters today rely on to spread important news, tell jokes and tell they world they're #winning. more info...

Assad's fate unclear in world powers' Syria plan GENEVA (Reuters) - World powers agreed on Saturday that a transitional government should be set up in Syria to end the conflict there but they remained at odds over what part President Bashar al-Assad might play in the process. Peace envoy Kofi Annan said after talks in Geneva the government should include members of Assad's administration and the Syrian opposition and that it should arrange free elections. "Time is running out. The conflict must be resolved through peaceful dialogue and negotiations," Annan told reporters. ... more info... Predators Suter heads thin list of NHL free agents Don't blink, because you just might miss what few splashes are anticipated to take place in NHL free agency. more info... Website Posts Mug Shots, Then Offers to Delete Them For a Fee [VIDEO] A new site aims to deter crime by publicizing arrests.

Column: Baseball survives without instant replay This wasn't Little League, so Dewayne Wise wasn't about to fess up. Sportsmanship only goes so far when you're wearing pinstripes and playing in Yankee Stadium. more info... Surge in violence spurs new fears in Iraq A half year after the U.S. military left Iraq, dire predictions seem to be coming true: The country is mired in violence and the government is on the verge of collapsing. With no relief in sight, there's growing talk of Iraq as a failed state as al-Qaida's local wing staged near daily attacks that killed at least 234 people in June. more info... Eastern US storm hobbles servers for 3 websites Netflix, Instagram and Pinterest are using Twitter and Facebook to update subscribers after violent storms across the eastern U.S. caused server outages for hours. more info...

Yitzhak Shamir, hawkish Israeli premier, dies JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Yitzhak Shamir, the hawkish Israeli leader who balked at the vision promoted by the United States of trading occupied land for peace with the Palestinians, died on Saturday after a long illness. He was 96. The second longest-serving prime minister after Israel's founder David Ben-Gurion, Shamir clung to the status quo. Admirers saw strength and resolve in his position, while critics called him an intransigent naysayer who allowed Arabs to cast Israel as obstructing the road to peace. ... more info...

New Robin app for Android is a magnificent travel companion Robin is your imperfect Siri-like girlfriend available for free on your Android device. She likes to boss you around while driving and might even give you the wrong directions. But, Robin will take your feedback and patch up her problems unlike your perfect girlfriend. Hmmm… sounds interesting, right? If you enjoy trying apps while in beta, then Robin is just the kind of Android app you will want to play around with, especially while driving. more info... Storms leave 3.5 million without power in eastern U.S. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About 3.5 million customers were without power in the eastern United States on Saturday amid a record heat wave after deadly thunderstorms knocked down trees and power lines from Indiana to New Jersey. Statewide emergencies were declared in Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia because of damage from overnight storms, which brought hurricane-force winds along

Evans' comeback bid ends in 800 free at US trials Janet Evans finished 53rd out of 65 swimmers in the 800-meter freestyle preliminaries at the U.S. Olympic trials on Saturday, ending the former Olympic champion's comeback at age 40. more info... Belarus frees journalist, seen as gesture to Poland MINSK (Reuters) - Belarus officials conditionally released a Polish newspaper correspondent from jail on Saturday in a move seen as easing tensions before a likely meeting between Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko and his Polish counterpart at the Euro 2012 soccer final. Andrzej Poczobut, a Belarussian citizen who works for Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza and is a prominent activist for the rights of the Polish minority in Belarus, was arrested a week ago in his hometown of Grodno. ... more info...

New Moms Reveal the Truth About Postpartum Sex Starting up sex again after the birth of a child can be a fraught issue for new parents. Now, a new study finds that much of what drives women's desire in the postpartum period are not physical factors, but psychological ones. more info... Army hands over power to Egypt's first Islamist president CAIRO (Reuters) - Mohamed Mursi was sworn in on Saturday as Egypt's first Islamist, civilian and freely elected president, reaping the fruits of last year's revolt against Hosni Mubarak, although the military remains determined to call the shots. The military council that took over after Mubarak's overthrow on February 11, 2011, formally handed power to Mursi later in an elaborate ceremony at a desert army base outside Cairo. ... more info...

Merkel seen as big loser in euro zone showdown BERLIN/PARIS (Reuters) - Angela Merkel was portrayed across Europe as the big loser of a euro zone showdown in Brussels after the German chancellor was forced to accept the crisis-fighting measures championed by countries struggling with their debts. Newspapers in Spain, Italy and France on Saturday toasted the triumph of their leaders - Mario Monti, Mariano Rajoy and Francois Hollande - in pushing Merkel into a U-turn that would long have been unthinkable. ... more info... AstraZeneca hungry to refill medicine cabinet LONDON (Reuters) - Simon Lowth may only be the interim chief executive of AstraZeneca Plc but he is ready to sign off on bold deals. The decision to pair up with Bristol-Myers Squibb Co to buy diabetes specialist Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc shows the Anglo-Swedish drugmaker is stepping up its deal-making, despite the management hiatus at the top of the company. AstraZeneca is chipp

VidCon attracts online video makers and their fans A long line of teenagers has formed inside a cavernous convention center. more info... 5 iPhone Apps for Better Photos and Videos Rating: 4.5 starsPrice: $2.99If you want a powerful tool that packs the basics of a DSLR into your phone, spend the money on Camera Awesome from . It’s got everything Camera+ has, plus extra grids and a horizon tool that helps you keep your camera level. Furthermore, you can set up a timer and interval shots. Set up one function to ease camera shake, and another to shoot multiple photos at two different speeds with one click in “Burst” mode. You can even lock your white balance while shooting video. When you’re done, you can add one of nine effects filters. more info...

Use Caution When Exercising in Hot Weather SATURDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- During hot weather, people who exercise outdoors need to take steps to avoid heat injury, according to the American Council on Exercise. more info...

Happy Social Media Day 2012 [VIDEO] Happy from Mashable! more info...

Syria talks begin but no letup in violence GENEVA (Reuters) - International talks on a way to resolve the increasingly bloody conflict in Syria opened in Geneva on Saturday with world powers still in dispute over whether President Bashar al-Assad can have any role in a political transition. Kofi Annan, the former U.N. chief and the special international envoy on Syria, is hoping for consensus on a plan for a unity government that would exclude controversial figures from leadership - effectively meaning Assad would step down. ... more info... 3 Steps to a Flat Stomach Follow these three steps and you'll have a flat belly in no time. more info...

Mali Islamists destroy holy Timbuktu sites: witnesses DAKAR (Reuters) - Armed Malian fighters from the Ansar Dine Islamist group on Saturday destroyed mausoleums in the ancient trading city of Timbuktu, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, witnesses said. "They have already completely destroyed the mausoleum of Sidi Mahmoud (Ben Amar) and two others. They said they would continue all day and destroy all 16," local Malian journalist Yeya Tandina said by telephone of the 16 most prized resting grounds of local saints in the town. (Reporting and writing by Mark John in Dakar; Editing by Alison Williams) more info... EU ends police mission in Bosnia after a decade SARAJEVO (Reuters) - A European Union police mission in Bosnia ended on Saturday after a decade of training local police forces and overseeing law enforcement agencies that were rebuilt almost from scratch after the 1992-95 war. The pullout of some 130 European Union P

Mysterious African 'Fairy Circles' Stump Scientists In the sandy desert grasslands of Namibia in southern Africa, mysterious bare spots known as "fairy circles" will form and then disappear years later for no reason anyone can determine. A new look at these strange patterns doesn't solve the wistful mystery but at least reveals that the largest of the circles can linger for a lifetime. more info... Pessimism clouds start to Syria talks GENEVA (Reuters) - International talks on a way to resolve the increasingly bloody conflict in Syria opened in Geneva on Saturday with foreign powers in dispute over the fate of President Bashar al-Assad. Kofi Annan, the former U.N. chief who is special international envoy on Syria, has been hoping for consensus on a plan for a unity government that, by excluding from the leadership figures deemed too divisive, would effectively mean Assad stepping down. ... more info...

Arizona's Hill hits for a second cycle Arizona's Aaron Hill became the first Major League Baseball player since 1931 to hit for the cycle twice in a season as the Diamondbacks defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9-3. more info...

Storms hit mid-Atlantic region with power outages WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Powerful storms struck the mid-Atlantic states with hurricane-force gusts on Friday, knocking out power to more than one million people in the region and prompting the West Virginia governor to declare a statewide emergency. The U.S. National Weather Service posted a severe thunderstorm watch for portions of the District of Columbia, eastern Kentucky, western Maryland, southwestern Pennsylvania, much of Virginia and parts of West Virginia. ... more info...

China blocks Xi searches after Bloomberg report China blocked web searches on Saturday for the name of leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping, a day after cutting access to Bloomberg sites following the agency's publication of a report on his family's wealth. more info...

Storm hits Washington DC area, thousands without power WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A powerful storm hit the U.S. capital on Friday, downing trees with wind gusts of up to 79 miles per hour, topping hurricane force levels and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes in the Washington area. WJAL Television reported one fatality in Fairfax County, Virginia, after a tree fell on a car. Bands of rain lashed the city and winds toppled power lines and littered the streets with tree limbs as the fast-moving storm, which started in the Midwest after a day of severe heat, reached Washington and its suburbs late in the evening. ... more info...

NPD: Ultrabooks are saving the high-end notebook market For people who want super-thin computers and who don’t feel like paying more than $2,000 for a Retina MacBook Pro, ultrabooks are a blessing. And according to the NPD Group, ultrabooks are helping to keep the U.S. notebook market afloat as they “are off to a fast start capturing nearly 11 percent of all $700+ Windows notebooks sales at U.S. retail through the first five months of 2012.” What’s more, ultrabooks’ share of Windows notebooks costing at least $700 has steadily climbed month by month this year, going from just over 6% in January to more than 15% in May. NPD says strong ultrabook sales are welcome news for the Windows notebook industry, which has seen overall sales of laptops more info... Rookie Dillon rides No. 3 to Nationwide victory No one had driven the No. 3 car since Dale Earnhardt's death on the track at the 2001 Daytona 500. more info... Stole

Wieber halfway to London after 1st day of trials Get that passport ready, Jordyn Wieber. more info...

Bristol-Myers to buy Amylin for about $5.3 billion (Reuters) - Bristol-Myers Squibb Co has agreed to buy biotechnology company Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc for about $5.3 billion, or $31 per share, in cash, giving Bristol-Myers a stake in the future of diabetes drugs Byetta and Bydureon. Bristol-Myers said late on Friday it had also reached a follow-on deal with UK-based AstraZeneca Plc to collaborate on the development of Amylin's products once the buyout is completed. AstraZeneca will pay $3.4 billion in cash for these rights. The boards of directors at Amylin, Bristol and AstraZeneca have approved the two transactions, the companies said. ... more info...

Adrian wins 100 free, Jones takes 2nd at US trials Nathan Adrian has won the 100-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic trials, while Cullen Jones took the second spot for London. more info... Apple Gets Judge to Block Sale of Nexus, Google's Only Jelly Bean Phone It's not how Google would have wanted to end one of its best weeks ever. more info... China to lead talks on nuclear definitions WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China will lead talks among the five original nuclear-armed states to define arms control terms, the group said on Friday, a step that might ultimately bring greater clarity about its nuclear arsenal and strategy. A working group of the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China is expected to launch talks this summer on a glossary of nuclear terms, an arcane but necessary step for wider talks on disarmament. ... more info...

Obama pledges federal aid on Colorado wildfire visit COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Friday promised federal assistance for Colorado's worst-ever wildfire as he toured damage caused by the blaze, which has killed at least two people, destroyed hundreds of homes and forced the evacuation of 35,000 residents in and around the state's second-largest city. Obama began his three-hour visit to the area devastated by a still largely uncontrolled fire with a fly-over in Air Force One, surveying part of the Rocky Mountains where smoke could be seen rising from what officials say is the most destructive blaze in state ... more info... NY club heads toward reopening after celeb melee A New York City nightclub shut down after a celebrity-studded, bottle-tossing brawl is on track toward reopening next month. more info... Dora the Explorer Isn't Playing Around Anymore [VIDEO] We all k

Justice Department will not prosecute Holder over gun scandal (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said on Friday it would not prosecute Attorney General Eric Holder for refusing to turn over to Congress documents about a gun-running scandal to Mexico. Holder, who heads the Justice Department, was cited on Thursday for contempt of Congress by the Republican-led House of Representatives. The mostly partisan vote of 255-67 marked the first time a sitting attorney general and presidential cabinet member was cited for contempt by the full House. More than 100 Democrats walked out in protest and refused to vote. ... more info...

FDA Cites Dangers of Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants, but Balks at a Ban An advisory panel for the FDA has decided that the risks involved in using metal-on-metal hip implants in hip replacement surgery outweigh the benefits, yet shied away from actually banning the devices, according to reports by the Associated Press and other media outlets. The panel announced its conclusion on Thursday at the end of a 2-day inquiry into the implants' effectiveness and dangers. more info...

How to Tweet to Aliens Tonight Don't forget to contact aliens this evening. more info...

Greek militant group claims Microsoft attack ATHENS (Reuters) - A little-known leftist militant group claimed responsibility on Friday for an attack on Microsoft's Greek headquarters earlier this week. Hooded attackers rammed a van packed with gas canisters into the Microsoft building in Athens on Wednesday and then set the vehicle on fire, causing damage but no injuries. At least two people wielding pistols and a machinegun kept security guards away as they carried out the attack, police said. In a statement published on the Internet, the International Revolutionary Front said it singled out Microsoft to strike a blow at capitalism. ... more info...

German lower house approves EU's fiscal pact BERLIN (Reuters) - The lower house of Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, resoundingly approved on Friday the EU's new fiscal compact that sets tough budget rules championed by Chancellor Angela Merkel. The compact was backed by 491 votes, with 111 votes against and six abstentions, meaning Merkel easily won the required constitutional two thirds majority. The outcome of the vote was never seriously in doubt after opposition parties agreed to back the fiscal compact in return for growth and job creation measures. ... more info... Helen Mirren wins award as Czech film festival opens British actress Helen Mirren added a "crystal globe" to her collection of awards Friday as the Czech Republic's Karlovy Vary international film festival opened for its 47th edition. more info... Golf-Irish Open second round scores June 29 (Infostrada Sports) - Sec

The Cost of Keeping Your Kids Busy This Summer Keeping kids busy this summer will have some parents shelling out big bucks.  New research has found that the average family will spend $601 per child to send their children to summer camps and perform other activities to keep them busy. Among affluent families, the cost nearly doubles to $1,116 per child.  more info...

Tent-poles and tadpoles mark Hollywood's summer The audiences are proving far more unpredictable than the movies Hollywood has created to pack them into theaters this summer. more info... Flesh-eating bacteria patient to leave Georgia hospital ATLANTA (Reuters) - The Georgia graduate student who just weeks ago was fighting for her life after contracting a rare flesh-eating bacterial infection will be released from the hospital on Monday to continue her recovery at a rehabilitation center, her father said on Friday. Aimee Copeland, 24, has undergone amputations of her left leg at the hip, both hands and her remaining foot after being diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a bacterial infection that can destroy muscles, skin and tissue. ... more info... WikiLeaks: Julian Assange not leaving embassy WikiLeaks chief Julian Assange has defied a British police summons and won't be leaving the Ecuadorean Embassy

Twitter Literature [COMIC] [More from Mashable: ] more info...

Romney fundraising keeps spiking, small donors giving too WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney raised $4.6 million in the 24 hours following the Supreme Court's decision to uphold President Barack Obama's healthcare law. Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said via Twitter on Friday that the former Massachusetts governor had raised the money through 47,000 online donations. "Thanks for everyone's support for #FullRepeal!" she tweeted, referring to the candidate's vow to repeal and replace the healthcare law if he is elected president on November 6. ... more info... Finnish defense minister rejects Russia rhetoric HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland will not take orders from Russia on its defense strategy, the new defense minister said on Friday, rejecting comments from Moscow warning its small neighbor against joining or working too closely with NATO. Carl Haglund, who was appointed on Friday and

Sony group closes on $2.2B EMI publishing purchase A group led by Sony has closed on a $2.2 billion acquisition of British music company EMI Music Publishing from Citigroup. more info... Mary J. Blige says Burger King ad was a 'mistake' Singer Mary J. Blige says the Burger King commercial that caused major backlash for her was a "mistake." more info...

5 Ways to Instantly Connect With Doctors Discovering a new food allergy or waking up with the shakes is scary. But, being able to call or text doctors at night, on weekends and remotely, changes everything. New mobile health apps are springing up to save the day -- connecting doctors on standby with patients who need them the most. more info...

20 Worst-Named Phones and Tablets These days it’s just not good enough to give your phone or tablet an unassuming name like the RX-5050 or M3420e.  Instead, devicemakers spend their days masterminding memorable monikers that are supposed to generate buzz. More often, though, they cause static or confusion. Here are the very worst of the lot. more info... Stingy Spain worried about Italy, Balotelli Stingy as it may be, Spain's defenders are still a little worried about their rematch with Italy and Mario Balotelli in the European Championship final. more info...

Assad forces bombard northern towns, avoid Turkish border ANTAKYA, Turkey (Reuters) - Helicopter gunships bombarded a strategic town in northern Syria overnight and tanks moved close to the commercial hub of Aleppo, rebels said, but kept well clear of new Turkish air defenses installed to curb Syrian action near its frontiers. Turkish commanders inspected the missile batteries deployed on the border region on Thursday following Syria's shooting down of a Turkish warplane a week ago, which has sharply raised tensions between the two nations. ... more info... Supreme Court Ruling Sets Stage for Full Rollout of Health-Care Reform Law FRIDAY, June 29 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Supreme Court's long-awaited ruling Thursday upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act means that changes to the American health care system will roll out largely as planned when the bill was signed into law two years ago, experts say. mo

Taming the Psychopath Within Taming the Psychopath Within more info...

Health Tip: Reduce Your Risk of a Herniated Disk (HealthDay News) -- The spine is comprised of a series of hard bones called vertebrae. Sandwiched between them are soft, spongy pads called disks, which allows the spinal column to bend. more info...

Space Station Science at a Critical Point, NASA Says DENVER — It's time to get serious about science in space, and the International Space Station is the perfect place to start, NASA officials said Tuesday (June 26). more info...

Berry, Nava, Quintana providing unexpected lifts Just before he turned 27 last November, Quintin Berry signed with the Detroit Tigers as a minor league free agent. Little did anyone realize the path his career was about to take. more info...

Demand for iPads, e-readers lift John Lewis sales LONDON (Reuters) - John Lewis, Britain's biggest department store group, posted another strong rise in weekly sales, driven by strong demand for technology products and the start of its clearance sale. The employee-owned retailer, which has a bias to the south east of England, said on Friday its sales increased 9.9 percent year-on-year to 76.12 million pounds ($118.03 million) in the week to June 23. Sales of electricals and home technology items jumped 28.2 percent, fashion revenues rose 6.9 percent and homewares sales were up 1.6 percent. ... more info... Congressional finally provides US Open test Tiger Woods feels like he is making up for lost time by missing the U.S. Open last year. more info...

San Francisco sheriff testifies to keep elected post SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Embattled San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, seeking reinstatement to his job after his conviction in a spousal-abuse case, told a city ethics commission he could still lead his law-enforcement agency by the example of his "redeeming behavior." Mirkarimi testified before the panel on Thursday night in misconduct proceedings initiated against him by Mayor Ed Lee, who suspended the sheriff in March after the lawman pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of illegally restraining his wife. ... more info...

Illegal West Bank settlement outpost cleared Israel says it has finished evacuating some 30 settler families from an illegal West Bank outpost. more info... Worst wildfire ever in Colorado claims first victim COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Reuters) - A wildfire has killed at least one person, incinerated 346 homes and driven out 35,000 people on the edge of Colorado's second biggest city - the most destructive blaze in state history, officials said on Thursday. Lighter winds helped firefighters battling to contain the inferno, which roared unchecked on Tuesday night through residential neighborhoods in the northwestern corner of Colorado Springs and neared the U.S. Air Force Academy campus in town. ... more info... Japanese fans flock to meet S.Korea boyband Thousands of Japanese fans flocked to South Korea to see an exhibition dedicated to boyband JYJ and meet members of the K-pop group who have taken Asia by sto

China set to install new but disliked HK leader Chinese President Hu Jintao is in Hong Kong to install a new but already unpopular governor of the semiautonomous Chinese territory. more info... U.S. "Genius" visa attracts entrepreneurs and Playmates SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Shera Bechard, the Canadian-born former girlfriend of Playboy Enterprises founder Hugh Hefner, would not be an obvious candidate for the special visas that the U.S. government reserves for "individuals with extraordinary ability." Playboy magazine named Bechard Miss November in 2010, and she also started an online photo-sharing craze called "Frisky Friday." Neither seems quite on the level of an "internationally recognized award, such as a Nobel Prize," which the government cites as a possible qualification. ... more info...

Chinese astronauts parachute land after mission China's first female astronaut and two other crew members emerged smiling from a capsule that returned safely to earth Friday from a 13-day mission to an orbiting module that is a prototype for a future space station. more info...

Rumor: New 7-inch and 10-inch Kindle Fires on the way The big tablet news of this week was easily Google's new $199 Nexus 7 tablet, just announced at the 2012 Google I/O developers' conference. Given the device has the same basic size (7 inches) and price point as Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet, Google's … Continue reading → more info...

Flaming Lips break 24-hour record for live shows It's official: The Flaming Lips are the music world's road warriors. more info... Virtual lawyer software will help you build a case for a fraction of the cost Going to court can be a major hassle, even for those whose job it is to defend or prosecute the individuals who find themselves entangled in a legal web. Looking through hundreds, thousands, or even millions of pages of documentation about … Continue reading → more info...

North Carolina governor vetoes death row bias rollback RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) - North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue on Thursday vetoed legislation passed by the state's Republican-controlled Legislature to roll back a landmark law allowing death row inmates to use evidence of racial bias to challenge their sentences. The state's Racial Justice Act, passed in 2009, directs judges to cut a death sentence to life in prison if race is found to be a factor in jury composition or sentencing. Perdue, a Democrat, said it was a long overdue step to make sure racism did not infect the way the death penalty was carried out. ... more info... Hornets select Davis with No. 1 pick in NBA draft No one-and-done for Kentucky's kids in the NBA draft. The Wildcats instead became the first school to go 1-2. more info...

Mercosur won't slap sanctions on Paraguay, eyes China MENDOZA, Argentina (Reuters) - The Mercosur trade bloc, which includes regional heavyweights Brazil and Argentina, will not impose economic sanctions on Paraguay despite concerns over the ousting of the country's president, officials said on Thursday. Paraguay's Senate removed Fernando Lugo from office last Friday in an impeachment trial that lasted a matter of hours, prompting criticism in the region and beyond. Mercosur responded by banning Paraguay from attending a summit in Argentina this week. ... more info...