'Supermoon' Visible This Weekend

A supermoon is a new or full moon that happens to coincide with a close approach of the moon to the earth. Saturday's full moon will be the closest it has been to Earth in 18 years, according to Spaceweather.com.

The distance between the Earth and the moon during the event will be about 221,567 miles, as compared to the average distance of 238,000 miles, according to Space.com.

That may not seem like much of a difference (and compared to the distance it's not), but the diameter of the moon is only 2,159 miles. That means the moon will be over 7.5 diameters closer to Earth than average.

While many believe the 'supermoon' can be linked to natural disasters (namely the Japan earthquake), Space.com says that's not the case.
It was astrologer Richard Nolle who linked the full moon of March 19 to natural disasters. He claimed that this "supermoon" would trigger massive earthquakes, volcanoes and powerful storms when it arrived. But scientists assure that this is not the case.
[Noted NASA scientist Jim] Garvin, for example, said the moon's effects on Earth have been the subject of extensive studies.

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Britney Spears ‘Good Morning America’ Concert Teaser

“Day 1 of the #TTWE Videoshoot. Just wrapped my first big dance number,” the 29-year-old pop singer tweeted. “Taking a well deserved break people!”

Britney Spears: ‘Till The World Ends’ Video Preview

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Odd Future & Wiz Khalifa To Perform AT MTVU Woodie Awards

Wiz Khalifa and Odd Future will take to the stage to perform at the 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards. Should be a crazy show with Wiz Khalifa who is up for Woodie of The Year, given to the years best act. OFWGKTA is emerging from the new LA rap scene and should definitely follow up with a crazy performance. The 2011 mtvU Woodie Awards will air live on MTV, MTV2 and mtvU from the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, March 16, at midnight ET/PT.

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UN Security Council allows 'all necessary measures' to protect Libyan civilians

The United Nations Security Council voted Thursday to approve a resolution authorizing international military intervention in Libya to protect civilians from harm.Forces loyal to Col. Muammar Qaddafi have been overrunning one opposition stronghold after another and are close to crushing the rebellion that has threatened his 41-year reign. Now the rebels have the backing of the international community, including the United States, if it is not too late.

The resolution, which was drafted by France, Britain, and Lebanon, goes beyond a no-fly zone. It authorizes states to take “all necessary measures” to enforce a ban on flights and protect civilians from harm. That could include targeted air strikes on Libyan military forces, but excludes a ground invasion or occupation force. The resolution passed by a vote of 10 to 0, with five nations abstaining: Russia, China, Germany, India, and Brazil.

IN PICTURES: Qaddafi: A look back

Initially, the United States was reluctant to support even just a no-fly zone over Libya, until the Arab League came out in support of one last Saturday. Once an international consensus began to form, the US did an about-face. In deliberations at the UN, the Obama administration had called for the authority to use force by land, sea, and air, on the condition that Arab governments be centrally involved.

Speaking in Tunisia, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday that a no-fly zone would include “certain actions taken to protect the planes and the pilots, including bombing targets like the Libyan defense systems.”

“Qaddafi must go,” she added.

The Security Council voted as Mr. Qaddafi’s forces prepared for a major offensive against the rebel stronghold of Benghazi in eastern Libya. Thursday evening, Qaddafi went on state television and warned rebel forces, “We are coming tonight.”

Even as the Security Council took action, concerns grew that the measure was too late to stop Qaddafi from fully reasserting control over the country.

France, however, insisted it was not too late. Its prime minister said action could come within hours of the vote, according to the Associated Press.

And in Benghazi itself, the mood shifted in an instant to one of triumph as the Libyan opposition lit up the sky with celebratory gunfire within 2 minutes of the resolution passing.

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Michael Gough, Batman's Alfred, dies aged 94

The actor had not been well for the past year and passed away at home surrounded by family, his agent said.

Gough appeared in more than 150 films and TV shows during his 65-year career.

He continued to work with Burton, starring in Sleepy Hollow and also providing voices in Corpse Bride and Alice in Wonderland.

"Tim Burton was a huge fan of Mick from the Hammer Horror films of the 60s, so he tried very hard to include him in everything he did," said Gough's agent.

"We've lost a very treasured and beloved friend and somebody who made a magnificent contribution to the world of theatre and films," she added.

Born in Kuala Lumpur, Gough started his career in the 1946 television movie Androcles and the Lion.


Gough starred as the Celestial Toymaker in a 1965 episode of Doctor Who opposite William Hartnell
In the early 1960s he starred in a number of TV series including The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Count of Monte Christo and The Saint.

The next two decades saw him appear in more cult series including The Avengers, The Champions, Colditz and Blake's 7.

He was also known to Doctor Who fans after appearing in a 1965 episode entitled The Celestial Toymaker and again in the 1980s in an episode opposite the fifth Doctor, played by Peter Davison.

But Gough will be best remembered for his role as Alfred Pennyworth in the four-film Batman franchise, starring opposite Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney.

He is survived by his fourth wife, Henrietta, daughter Emma and sons Simon and Jasper.

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Yale killing suspect admits murder, gets 44 years

A Yale University lab technician pleaded guilty Thursday to murder and attempted sexual assault in the killing of graduate student Annie Le in 2009.

Raymond Clark III will be sentenced to 44 years in prison as part of the plea agreement.

In court Thursday, prosecutors described injuries to the victim and evidence of attempted sexual assault.

Le, 24, was strangled to death. She had a broken jaw and collarbone, the prosecution said. Clark's DNA was "all over" the crime scene, including in her underwear, the state charged.

Le's body was discovered inside a wall of a Yale lab building four days later after an extensive search by the FBI and police.

Clark, 26, admitted the facts as the prosecution presented them but pleaded guilty under a legal precedent that allows him to do so while still officially protesting his innocence.

He entered Judge Roland Fasano's packed courtroom handcuffed, winking at his father as he walked in. His handcuffs were removed for the proceedings.
2009: Slain Yale student remembered
2010: Yale student murder evidence
RELATED TOPICS

* Annie Le
* Raymond Clark
* Murder and Homicide
* Yale University

"This is not the Ray we know," Clark's father said tearfully outside the court after the hearing.

"I want you to know Ray has expressed remorse from the beginning," he added, saying how difficult it was "to imagine your child did the unthinkable."

"My family and I send deepest sympathy to the Le family," said Clark's father, also called Raymond.

Clark pleaded guilty under the Alford doctrine, which allows a defendant to assert that he is innocent but plead guilty when he "intelligently concludes that his interests require a guilty plea and the record strongly evidences guilt."

Clark had pleaded not guilty in January 2010.

Le was pursuing a doctorate in pharmacology at Yale when she went missing September 8, 2009.

She had planned to marry Columbia graduate student Jonathan Widawsky on the day her body was found.

Clark was not a Yale student but had worked as a lab technician at the university since 2004, after graduating from high school. He lived with his girlfriend, who also is a Yale lab technician, according to police.

A Yale faculty member described Clark's job as maintaining colonies for animals used in research.

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NCAA Tournament First Round 2011: March Madness Live Updates

March Madness is finally here! The first round of the 2011 NCAA tournament kicks off Thursday at 12:15 ET with the No. 5 West Virginia going up against No. 12 Clemson. At 12:40, No. 9 Old Dominion squares off against No. 8 Butler. You can watch the games on CBS and TruTV. Vote on which teams will come out of the East, West, Southwest and Southeast regions. We will be providing live updates from the first round action so get your brackets ready!

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