What Caught My Eye Today

Astronomy - For the first time astronomers have discovered a planet outside our solar system that is potentially habitable, with Earth-like temperatures. The planet is just the right size, might have water in liquid form, and in galactic terms is relatively nearby at 120 trillion miles away. But the star it closely orbits, known as a "red dwarf," is much smaller, dimmer and cooler than our sun. There's still a lot that is unknown about the new planet, which could be deemed inhospitable to life once more is known about it. The discovery of the new planet, named 581 c, is sure to fuel studies of planets circling similar dim stars. About 80 percent of the stars near Earth are red dwarfs. The new planet is about five times heavier than Earth. Its discoverers aren't certain if it is rocky like Earth or if its a frozen ice ball with liquid water on the surface. Great news! With real estate prices soaring here, maybe I can find a deal there.

Virginia Tech - Some more developments...

More than a week after Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people during an early morning rampage at Virginia Tech, investigators have yet to find a motive, despite examining his computers, e-mail and cell phone records. Authorities have found no evidence that could begin to explain the massacre that ended when Cho took his own life or any link between the 23-year-old loner and his victims. So like what qualifies as motive with these guys?

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said on Sunday that armed students have successfully stopped killers in the classroom and suggested that armed students may have been able to stop Cho before he killed 32 students and faculty members. You boob.

2008 Presidential Campaign - Republican Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) will lay out his case for the presidency Wednesday, claiming he has the experience to lead a nation at war as he seeks momentum for his troubled campaign. "I know how to fight and how to make peace. I know who I am and what I want to do," he said. Good for you, spark plug. As I see it, you knowing what you want to do isn't the problem. It's that no one agrees with what you want to do. That could be a problem on election day.

Iraq - Vice President Dick Cheney accused Democratic leader Harry Reid on Tuesday of personally pursuing a defeatist strategy in Iraq to win votes at home — a charge Reid dismissed as President Bush's "attack dog" lashing out. The particularly harsh exchange came just hours after Bush said he would veto the latest war spending bill taking shape in Congress, which includes a timetable for withdrawing from Iraq. Who else besides me wants to see these two guys duke it out in a real life version of 'Celebrity Deathmatch'?

Mexico - Mexico's capital legalized abortion on Tuesday, defying the church but delighting feminists in the world's second-largest Roman Catholic country. Mexico City lawmakers voted 46 to 19 to pass a leftist-sponsored bill allowing women to abort in the first three months of pregnancy. The vote split Mexico and prompted a letter last week from Pope Benedict urging Mexican bishops to oppose abortion. Look at it this way, Your Holiness, you might be losing your grip on Mexico, but thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court you made up ground here. All things considered, I'd say you came out ahead.

Yachting - Half way through the first round robin of the America's Cup qualifier, the Louis Vuitton Cup, USA-98 (designation for the Oracle BMW Racing boat) is the only undefeated entry after 5 races. Say it with me now, 'Loo-EE Vi-Tone'. It'll make you smile. Seriously, try it.