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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — NASA expects to soon end efforts to contact the Opportunity Mars rover, silent for more than four months after a major dust storm, but will continue to listen for signals from the spacecraft for months to come. Opportunity, which has been on Mars since January 2004, last contacted Earth June 10. A powerful globe-spanning dust storm blocked the sun and deprived the rover of solar power, putting it into a low-power mode. On Sept. 11, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory said that the optical depth, a measure of the haziness of Martian skies, had dropped to a level...

Texans like to talk all the time about how big Texas is, and how if you´re driving from the bottom of Texas to Canada, then you´re spending half of your time just getting through the state itself. So is that true? It´s pretty close. Texas really is gigantic. Redditor Armeleon put together a map that gives you a good idea of the massive size of Texas. Texas spans about 800 miles from north to south. Everything seen in red on the map is closer than 791 miles to Texas (the longest straight-line distance in Texas from north to south is

Hamas in Gaza has increased efforts to set up terrorist cells in the West Bank, and ordered new recruits to create and fire rockets at Israel from the West Bank, to kidnap and kill a soldier, and prepare suicide bombings, the Shin Bet [Israel Security Agency] said Wednesday. On the surface, the four-month truce between Israel and Hamas appears to be holding well since the cessation of last year's eight day conflict, but behind the scenes, senior Hamas officials in Gaza are increasing their efforts to carry out deadly attacks on Israelis, the Shin Bet added. The intelligence came partly...

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Nov. 20, 2009 – Afghanistan was among the issues that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay discussed during a bilateral meeting here today. In a speech to the Halifax International Security Forum here, Gates recognized the contributions and sacrifices that Canadian servicemembers have made in that country. “In Afghanistan, the Canadian military has more than distinguished itself in battle in some of the most dangerous parts of the country,” Gates said. Canada has more than 2,800 troops in the ground in Afghanistan, serving in Regional Command South, where Canadian generals have commanded...

AP) — WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama sought Friday to reassure Hispanics that swine flu won't lead to an epidemic of discrimination in the United States just because Mexico has been the epicenter of the outbreak. At a town hall-style meeting at the White House, Obama told about 130 Latino public health professionals and neighborhood volunteers that the nation's plan to fight the flu will not exclude their communities. Even if some residents are here illegally, they will still be able to get medical care for the flu, administration officials assured the group. "We're one country, we're one community. When...

WASHINGTON, March 17, 2009 – Though U.S. forces in Iraq have focused their efforts on building the nation’s self-sufficiency, they have not lost sight of the need for humanitarian assistance. Army Sgt. Ray Chavez and Army Pfc. Jonathon Ahrem treat an Iraqi boy during a joint U.S.-Iraqi humanitarian mission in Iraq’s Maysan province, March 8, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st. Class Mark Schenk  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. In recent days, U.S. forces have conducted humanitarian missions throughout Iraq to boost the quality of medical care and deliver health care and much-needed supplies to Iraqis. U.S....

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2008 – The United States will support the Afghan government in efforts to step up its reconciliation with the Taliban and other insurgents in Afghanistan, but not with al-Qaida or those who support it, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters today. "They are an independent, sovereign state," Morrell said of the Afghans’ stated interest in escalating reconciliation efforts. "If that's what they see is in their best interest, we fully support it, and we'll do whatever we can to help facilitate it." Morrell emphasized that U.S. support would be limited to those “willing to work for...

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez joined local and state Republican political leaders in Ontario on Friday as part of an effort to build support among Latinos for Sen. John McCain's presidential bid. In his speech to about 100 people at Ontario's Doubletree Hotel, Gutierrez focused on broad economic issues and McCain's experiences as a prisoner of war and in Congress to make the case for why McCain is a better choice for president than Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. Gutierrez did not stick to Latino-specific themes but talked instead about McCain's proposals on taxes, trade and energy. He said McCain, R-Ariz.,...

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says if an initiative to ban gay marriage qualifies for the November ballot, he's prepared to fight it. California's governor was in San Diego Friday speaking at the annual convention of the Log Cabin Republicans, the nation's largest gay Republican group. Schwarzenegger said he was confident that a ban would never pass in California but called the effort "a waste of time" - joking that he wished activists would focus on allowing naturalized citizens to run for president instead. A Schwarzenegger spokeswoman did not say what prompted the governor to shift his position. He has previously vetoed...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2008 – People in uniform who go out of their way to boost the morale of fellow troops could be rewarded for their positive attitude and hard work, thanks to a group dedicated to keeping members of the armed forces connected and entertained. “The SemperComm Award is designed to recognize and honor those servicemembers who are making personal contributions to boost the morale of their fellow men and women,” organization officials said in a recent news release. Up to three awardees will be chosen from all nominations received by Feb. 29. Any servicemember, including those serving...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2008 – More than 150 people attending the America Supports You National Summit here today received a quick overview of the American military as it fights the war on terror. This is the third summit for the Defense Department’s America Supports You program, through which hundreds of volunteer groups and corporations are reaching out to American servicemembers. Ham, who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2005, gave the group a quick tour of the world, starting with the United States and U.S. Northern Command, based in Colorado Springs, Colo. “It is the command tasked to defend our...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2007 – Iraqi forces are contributing to stabilizing their country even as they continue to train and improve, a senior U.S. officer involved in training and equipping Iraqi forces said today. “Even though the Iraqi army and our Army (are) in contact with the enemy here, they continue to train and equip while engaged in the fight. Although fighting continues, so does training at the same time,” Army Col. Al Dochnal, director of current operations for the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team, told online journalists and “bloggers” via teleconference from Baghdad. “The Iraqi army continues to fight...

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2007 – Most Afghans and Iraqis appreciate the efforts of U.S. troops deployed in their countries because they know the servicemembers are helping them obtain a better future, a veteran Army noncommissioned officer said. “They’re glad to see you. You know you’ve made a difference and an impact,” Army Sgt. Daniel Alvarado, 36, said of the attitudes of Afghans and Iraqis he met during back-to-back tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Alvarado is one of eight servicemembers who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Horn of Africa who have been selected to speak to...

Tribes unite to eliminate terrorists. By Multi-National Division–North Public Affairs TIKRIT, Iraq, Aug. 3, 2007 — Eighteen paramount tribal leaders representing 14 of the major tribes in Diyala province, Iraq, swore on the Quran and signed a peace agreement unifying the tribes in the battle against terrorism during a meeting at the Baqubah Government Center Aug. 2. "Let’s build this tent and live under it like one family – all the tribes and all the people of Diyala. You have to be one family." Ra’ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad Al-Tamimi, governor of Diyala The meeting, led by Ra’ad Hameed Al-Mula Jowad...

BAGHDAD — A press conference discussing the status of security in Iraq was held at the Combined Press Information Center in the International Zone Wednesday. Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman and Dr. Ali Al-Dabbagh, spokesman for the government of Iraq, talked about the progress that has been made and continuing efforts that will make Iraq a safer country. “Our commitment to help Iraq’s government secure progress and provide hope for its people is strong and clear,” Caldwell said. Coalition forces have been working hard with Iraqis to prepare them for their responsibility of protecting Iraq. “We’re...

BAGHDAD ¡X A press conference discussing the status of security and the ongoing reconstruction efforts in Iraq was held at the Combined Press Information Center in the International Zone Wednesday. Ambassador Daniel Speckhard, U.S. Embassy Baghdad chargeƒV d¡¦affaires, and Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesperson, , talked about the progress that has been made and the continuing efforts that will make Iraq a safer country. ¡§As you all know, the Multi-National Force is in a new phase of operations,¡¨ said Caldwell. ¡§We¡¦re working with the Iraqi people to secure progress and provide hope.¡¨ Although the additional Coalition...

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2007 – Although it’s too early to draw firm conclusions, the new combined Iraqi-U.S. security effort to reduce violence in Iraq’s capital city already seems to be bearing fruit, a senior U.S. military officer said today in Baghdad. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, deputy commanding general for maneuver, Multi-National Division–Baghdad, discusses ongoing security operations with Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Ali in Baghdad’s Sadr City section, March 5. Photo by Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl, USA  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, a spokesman for Multinational Force Iraq, talked with a...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2007 – The U.S. military is committed to supporting Afghanistan and the NATO International Security Assistance Force mission there, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said after a visit to Afghanistan on Feb. 4 and 5. “The United States is the single largest contributor to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization International Security Assistance Force. The U.S. currently has some 15,000 troops assigned and supplies the bulk of intelligence, a huge amount of logistics, tremendous enablers including communications and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms,” Navy Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani said Feb. 5 aboard an...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2007 – The new U.S. Africa Command, which President Bush announced today, will consolidate U.S. government efforts in Africa and the ability to work with partner nations, the officer in charge of the command’s transition team said today. The motivation behind creating AFRICOM, as it will be called, was the increasing importance of Africa strategically, diplomatically and economically, Navy Rear Adm. Robert Moeller, executive director of the U.S. Africa Command implementation planning team, said in an interview. “The view was that the time has come, in fact, with the increasing importance of the continent to the...

Some scientists fear global warming could stoke ferocious wildland fires in parts of the world, disrupting fragile ecosystems and hampering efforts to protect communities. Recent studies have tied rising temperatures to an upswing in widespread forest fires, particularly in the Western United States, which has experienced an unusually high number of severe wildfires in recent decades. "There's really no happy side to this," said Thomas Swetnam, who heads the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research at the University of Arizona. Battling wildfires is an arduous and expensive task that has been complicated by thick forest undergrowth and the increasing encroachment of people...