Rihanna wrapped in barbed wire on the cover of her new single "Russian Roulette," debuting on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Def Jam)
Kanye West isn’t dead. West is the latest victim of celebrity death rumors on the Internet, but no worries, the self-obsessed rapper is alive and well, most likely making a list of everyone in the world who has ever wronged him, real or imagined.
We’re not alone! Maybe. Thirty-two exoplanets—planets outside our solar system—have been discovered outside Earth’s solar system, adding evidence to the theory that the universe has many other places where life can be sustained. There are currently about 400 known exoplanets in more than 30 planetary systems. These planets are giants, five times the mass of Earth.
Researchers think of it as something like a Match.com or a Facebook site, only for making scientific connections instead of romantic or social ones. Cornell University and six other collaborating institutions will use a $12.2 million economic recovery grant to develop a new type of networking system to link researchers across the country. Participants say by making it easier for scientists to find each other, researchers will be able to improve their ongoing studies and forge collaborations that could lead to new discoveries.
Following the “balloon boy” chaos, investigators are pressing charges. They believe amateur storm chasers Richard and Mayumi Heene called 911 saying they thought their son, Falcon, was aboard the large helium balloon that floated away from their yard in Fort Collins in a bid to get publicity for a reality TV show. The Heenes face charges of conspiracy, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, making a false report to authorities, and attempting to influence a public servant. The most serious charges are felonies and carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison.
Call it twine? Yes, the people at Twitter are getting into the wine business, putting together an ambitious project aimed at raising money for literacy. The project, which launches Thursday, is the first official attempt by Twitter as a company to raise money for a cause. The project began after a few Twitter employees got involved with Crushpad, a facility that allows enthusiasts to create their own barrels of wine without having to own a vineyard. Crushpad provides grapes, equipment, expertise, storage and bottling. Clients get as involved as they want to, checking in on their wines physically or through Internet messages and videos. The wines, a chardonnay and pinot noir to be released next summer, will be called Fledgling. Early next year, there will be a barrel tasting with tasters tweeting their opinions. The finished wine will sell for $20 a bottle, with $5 of that going to Room to Read.
