Bombing Earth-bound Asteroids a Viable Option, Experts Say

The asteroid Itokawa, as seen by the Hayabusa spacecraft in 2005.
Sensor data courtesy JAXA, processed by National Geographic News

Saturn's Largest Moon Has Ingredients for Life?

Sunlight glints off Kraken Mare, a lake on northern Titan's northern hemisphere, in a July 2009 picture.

Picture courtesy NASA/JPL/University of Arizona/DLR

Victoria Jaggard in Pasadena, California

National Geographic News

Published October 8, 2010

The chemical "letters" used to write the basic code for life on Earth might exist on Saturn's largest moon, according to new research presented Thursday.

Last Chilean rescuer back to surface

SAN JOSE MINE, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The last Chilean rescuer was brought back to surface early Thursday, completing the rescue operation for the 33 trapped miners who had been staying underground for more than 2 months.

Dozens of Los Angeles residents charged in crackdown on medical fraud

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Los Angeles residents were charged on Wednesday for their roles in a Medical fraud that fleeced Medicare out of millions of dollars, authorities said.

9 killed in U.S. drone attack in NW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The death toll has risen to nine following a U.S. drone strike launched late Wednesday night in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of North Waziristan, reported local media.

Obama stresses benefits of college tax credit to U.S. families

President Barack Obama speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010, after meeting with college students and their families, to discuss the impact of the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday highlighted the benefits of an initiative to make college education more affordable, according to a statement from the White House.

Iranian president slams reports over Hezbollah's involvement in Hariri's murder

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad delivers a speech at the Al-Raya Stadium in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh, Lebanon, Oct. 13, 2010. Ahmadinejad on Wednesday slammed the "fabricated" claims that Hezbollah was involved in the assassination of Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri. (Xinhua/Koka)
BEIRUT, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Wednesday slammed the "fabricated" claims that Hezbollah was involved in the assassination of Lebanese former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.

Is Netanyahu trying to shift the focus with new offer?

JERUSALEM Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- The aftermath to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech on Monday, offering a possible extension on settlement construction freeze if the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state, has questions arisen regarding the timing and reason for the offer.

Acropolis hill blocked by Greek protestors over austerity measures

ATHENS, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Acropolis hill, the most famous archaeological site of Greece, was blocked on Tuesday by Greek employees of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in protest of austerity measures.

Landmarks of Berlin to be illuminated during Festival of Lights

The Brandenburg Gate is illuminated during the Festival of Lights in Berlin October 13, 2010. Several landmarks of the German capital, including boulevards, squares, towers, historical and modern buildings, will be illuminated during the festival. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)