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You can reach the person managing the list at [EMAIL PROTECTED] When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Medianews digest..." Today's Topics: 1. Mars-probe failure 'human error' (Greg Williams) 2. 'Tiny Bubbles' singer Don Ho dies at 76 (Greg Williams) 3. U.S. TV viewers miss end of Canucks game (Greg Williams) 4. Coming to Chicago in 2016: The Olympics (Greg Williams) 5. Astronaut Suni Williams to start her marathon on time (Greg Williams) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 00:36:17 -0400 From: Greg Williams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Medianews] Mars-probe failure 'human error' To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Mars-probe failure 'human error' The US space agency, Nasa, has said that human error was to blame for the failure of the $154m (?77.5m) Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. Engineers lost contact with the probe in early November and later admitted it was lost and irrecoverable. Nasa said that faulty changes made to the spacecraft's computer memory caused the battery to overheat. The 10-year-old craft had sent thousands of images of Mars back to Earth, suggesting water once flowed. "The loss of the spacecraft was the result of a series of events linked to a computer error made five months before the likely battery failure," said Dolly Perkins, of Nasa. Mapping mineralogy During its last communication with Global Surveyor on 2 November, engineers ordered the craft to adjust the position of its solar panels. But during the craft's shift of one of its panels, it exposed one of two batteries to the heat of the sun. The spacecraft was lost within 12 hours, Nasa says. Mars Global Surveyor was launched in November 1996, operating longer than any other Martian craft. Carrying a powerful camera, it returned some 240,000 images, mapping the mineralogy of Mars and surveying potential landing sites for future surface missions. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/6554525.stm -- Greg Williams K4HSM [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.twiar.org http://www.etskywarn.net ------------------------------ Message: 2 Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 21:58:29 -0400 From: Greg Williams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Medianews] 'Tiny Bubbles' singer Don Ho dies at 76 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed 'Tiny Bubbles' singer Don Ho dies at 76 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070415/ap_on_en_mu/obit_ho_9 By JAYMES SONG, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 41 minutes ago HONOLULU - Legendary crooner Don Ho, known for his raspberry-tinted sunglasses and catchy signature tune "Tiny Bubbles," has died, his publicist said Saturday. He was 76. ADVERTISEMENT Publicist Donna Jung confirmed the singer's death, but had no details. He had suffered with heart problems for the past several years. Ho had a pacemaker installed last fall and also underwent an experimental stem cell procedure on his ailing heart in Thailand in 2005. -- Greg Williams K4HSM [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.twiar.org http://www.etskywarn.net ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 22:01:25 -0400 From: Greg Williams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Medianews] U.S. TV viewers miss end of Canucks game To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed U.S. TV viewers miss end of Canucks game By CP http://torontosun.com/Sports/Hockey/2007/04/13/4002463-sun.html NEW YORK -- Some U.S. hockey fans found themselves watching an infomercial instead of the finale of the marathon NHL playoff game in Vancouver that ran into yesterday morning. Versus, which carries the bulk of NHL games in the U.S., said it was looking into what happened to the Dallas-Vancouver game in some regions. "Versus has received reports that last night's Dallas/Vancouver game was switched to an infomercial in the fourth overtime," the network said in a statement. "We are obviously very disappointed to hear that some fans in a few select markets have reported that they did not see the end of this great game. "The game did run in its entirety on the Versus network feed, but based on the information we have received we are currently working with our affiliates in the affected markets to find out what caused the problem and to make sure that this doesn't happen again during the playoffs." The game, a 10 p.m. ET start, ended at 18:06 of the fourth overtime when Henrik Sedin scored to give the Canucks a 5-4 win in the opening game of the Western Conference quarter-final series. -- Greg Williams K4HSM [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.twiar.org http://www.etskywarn.net ------------------------------ Message: 4 Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 22:10:04 -0400 From: Greg Williams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Medianews] Coming to Chicago in 2016: The Olympics To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_104152432.html Chicago Wins Olympic Bid Los Angeles Edged Out To Represent U.S. In 2016 Games (CBS) WASHINGTON Chicago is the United States' pick to host the 2016 Olympic Games, and will now go on to compete with other cities worldwide. The U.S. Olympic Committee announced on Saturday afternoon in Washington, D.C., that they had picked Chicago over Los Angeles. Chicago organizers have raised more than $32 million to help finance the bid. Immediately after the announcement, Mayor Richard M. Daley emphasized the potential importance of the Olympics -- not just to Chicago, but to the United States and the world as he thanked the USOC. "This is an experience that I think every city should do because it brings out the best in your city," the mayor said. "This is an opportunity to realy educate all of America and all the world how important -- moreso today -- what the Olympic movement brings," he added. Mayor Daley also pointed out the importance of popular support for the Olympics. "People really want us to succeed in the Olympic movement ? older people, younger people ? it's 'we,' it's not Mayor Daley, it's not one person, it's 'we,'" the mayor added. In awaiting the decision, Daley said, "I was very, very nervous, and that's why I jumped right out of the seat. I was like a little kid watching the Olympics." Chicago 2016 chairman Pat Ryan praised Los Angeles officials for making Chicago work hard. "They've put us through our paces. It was good for the process, and we're just very proud to have competed with Los Angeles," he said. Ueberroth said there was no specific selling point that led the committee to vote for Chicago, and he said the vote was close. "It was not necessarily a landslide vote. Both cities got votes and we're not going to divulge anything more than that, but it was a very competitive bid," Ueberroth said. But one major factor that stood out for the committee, Ueberroth said, was "the enthusiasm of the average person on the street. We get contacts from all over the world, and all over the sudden this area of the country kind of awakened to the Olympic movement and stepped up so aggressively, it caught our attention.... "But I think that in the end it was a close vote," he continued. "I'd like to speak for myself ? I will tell you that I was convinced that both cities had a chance to go and take what they manufactured in this bid and take it and internationalize it with a humble approach, and go to the rest of the world." Ueberroth also said Chicago would bring a unique landscape to the Olympics. "Personally I love the idea of the athletes on the lakefront. I don't think that's ever happened, and that would be great," Ueberroth said. Ueberroth said Chicagoans should focus on learning about people of the world in advance of the Olympics. "I think many people would tell the people of Chicago to brush up on their foreign languages, brush up on their knowledge and respect for all of the 200-plus countries that come to the Olympic games," and maintain an understanding of diversity, Ueberroth said. He added there was no reason to believe Chicago would end up in the red. "A city would have to be a blitering idiot to put on an Olympic Games and not have a surplus," Ueberroth said. When the U.S. Olympic Committee expressed concerns about the city's ability to finance the Olympics, the City Council voted to offer a financial guarantee of $500 million in local tax dollars. Under that plan, taxpayer funds would only be used as a last resort if the city came up in the red after the games. Before making the announcement, Olympic officials expressed praise for both Chicago and Los Angeles. "Both of these two cities have performed very well over the last 12 months? they've demonstrated an ability to envision an Olympic Games that would be meaningful to the athletes of the world, meaningful to our country, and meaningful to their cities and staes," said USOC Vice President Bob Ctvrtlik. "If I had all power? I would take the map and merge the two cities, because if you could take the mayors of these two communities and have them run our countries, we would all be better off," added USOC Chairman Peter Ueberroth. "Either city can win. We wouldn't have gotten into this race if we hadn't thought so." Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Chicago's win was a proud moment for the United States. "Let me just say how proud I am to be an American. What an honor this process has been. I said to you earlier that there were two great American cities? and I, of course, want to congratulate the great City of Chicago," Villaraigosa said. "This is a proud moment for every Chicagoan, but it's a proud moment for Americans as well." He also called cited Mayor Daley's leadership as a factor that could help Chicago. "I said to everyone from the beginning never ever count Richie Daley out," Villaraigosa said. "This is a man who has no peer among American cities. He is without question a great mayor, and we are very fortunate to have him leading the American bid." U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) said Chicagoans should be proud that their metropolis was selected. Obama believes having the games in Chicago "can help restore our nation's standing as a source of hope and opportunity around the globe." Mayor Daley and other city officials have been working for more than a year to envision a plan to host the 2016 Games. Last year, the mayor criss-crossed the world, visiting Beijing, Athens and London to explore how they bid successfully for the Olympics. After further planning by the mayor and Chicago 2016 Chairman Pat Ryan, a blueprint that featured a brand new stadium in Washington Park and an Olympic Village near McCormick Place were unveiled. Chicago will now compete with Madrid, New Delhi, Prague, Rio de Janeiro, Rome and Tokyo, which are among the other world cities that have expressed interest in landing the 2016 Games. The final decision will be made in 2009. "This is a historic day for the City of Chicago and for the State of the Illinois," said Gov. Rod Blagojevich. "Chicago is a world-class city, a great sports town and the perfect place to host the Olympics. It's a city filled with immigrants from all over the world, and the logical location for athletes from around the world to compete in the ultimate international sports event. But this race is a marathon, not a sprint. The State of Illinois will continue working closely with Mayor Daley and the Chicago 2016 committee to do everything we can to bring the Olympics to Chicago." Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. commended Daley. Jones said that if Chicago is chosen as the site by the international Olympic committee in 2009, the entire region will benefit from Chicago hosting the games. "Millions of people will travel to our great state from all over the world, and will bring millions more in revenue. It will be an incredible boon for state and local economies and will add greater dimensions to the growth and vitality of the new and emerging south side." -- Greg Williams K4HSM [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.twiar.org http://www.etskywarn.net ------------------------------ Message: 5 Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2007 22:11:40 -0400 From: Greg Williams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Medianews] Astronaut Suni Williams to start her marathon on time To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed Astronaut Suni Williams to start her marathon on time By Associated Press Friday, April 13, 2007 - Updated: 04:59 PM EST http://sports.bostonherald.com/marathon/view.bg?articleid=194669 BOSTON - All systems are go for astronaut marathoner Suni Williams. Williams, who qualified for the Boston Marathon before learning she would be stuck at the international space station on race day, was cleared for a 26.2-mile simulated run at 10 a.m. EDT on Monday - just when the real event will be leaving Hopkinton down on Earth. That will allow the U.S. Navy Commander to run at the same time as her sister, Dina Pandya, fellow astronaut Karen Nyberg and about 24,000 other runners who are expected to face heavy rain and headwinds on their way to Boston?s Back Bay. Williams will run the equivalent distance at the space station, in low orbit about 210 miles above Earth, while tethered to a treadmill by bungee cords so she doesn?t float away. Williams qualified for the Boston race by finishing last January?s Houston Marathon in 3 hours, 29 minutes, 57 seconds. But she left on the shuttle Discovery on Dec. 9 and has spent the last five months in space. Due to the demands of Williams? sleep and work schedule, NASA had considered having her run on Sunday evening. But spokeswoman Eldora Valentine confirmed on Friday that Williams would be able to run at the same time as the main event. -- Greg Williams K4HSM [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.twiar.org http://www.etskywarn.net ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ Medianews mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://twiar.org/mailman/listinfo/medianews_twiar.org End of Medianews Digest, Vol 234, Issue 1 *****************************************