From Science Monthly:

NASA CONFIRMS LARGE ASTEROID TO PASS THROUGH SOLAR SYSTEM

Top officials at NASA have confirmed that an asteroid roughly the size of Australia will pass through our solar system. Astronomers may be able to spot the big asteroid if they have powerful enough equipment in the coming months. When asked if there was any danger of the asteroid getting close to Earth, scientists stated that no, its gravitational arc would propel it away from Earth, but may cross over Mars’s orbital path before leaving our system and continuing into space beyond.

From The Modesto Bee:

MULTIPLE INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES REPORT IRREGULARITIES IN SERVICES

There have been a lot of dropped calls and weak wifi signals this week. Reports from several international telecommunications companies suggest that the problem isn’t just a local one, and that there have been a number of “black spots,” or areas of reduced signal reception, popping up across supposedly well-covered areas.

“I paid for the service, so why aren’t I getting it?” demanded Frank White, 54, from Ceres. He and many other customers have been calling their local telecom provider (or trying to) in an effort to get to the bottom of this.

“It’s not just one or two companies,” Shannon Smith from CaliCom services in Modesto said. “Several telecom companies in America and Canada and Mexico are reporting similar problems.”

Further research reveals that this “black out” problem could have a global scale. A report two days ago from the London Times stated that Great Britain had been experiencing lost connections and dips in bandwidth.

For now there’s no clear answer as to what may be causing the interference, but don’t go canceling your current monthly plan just yet. Chances are, the other companies are having the same issues.

From Le Monde [Translated from French]

LOCAL PASTOR AND WIFE FOUND MURDERED, CHILD MISSING

Local pastor Michel Duclaire and his wife Agathe were found brutally murdered in their home near Poigny, with signs of a break-in and their only child missing. The late pastor and his wife were well know in town for their work in and outside of their church. Their son, Jean, 19, who lived at home with them and volunteered at the church, was not found. Police say that there were signs of violence in the living room, kitchen, and Jean’s room. He is officially a missing person, and the police believe the victim of a kidnapping at this time. Any witnesses or those with information are urged to come forward and contact Inspector Bisset.

From The New York Times:

HOUSING PRICES EXPECTED TO SPIKE IN BROOKLYN, QUEENS BY YEAR’S END

Gentrification marches on and expands ever outward from Manhattan as local housing prices are expected to soar in the coming year. Those who are already just eking out a living in the historical boroughs may be forced to find new residences as real estate experts estimate prices to increase by as much as 75-180% in some areas.

“Eat the rich,” said one young woman in Bushwick who wished to remain anonymous.

From HeckYesScience.com:

SETI STATES SIGNAL FROM OUTER SPACE MAY BE SIGN OF INTELLIGENT LIFE

The Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) Institute reported some strange signals they have received from space. SETI has been listening to the deep reaches of space for years in the hopes of finding some sign of life among the stars, but to no avail.

Until this past week.

“It’s nothing concrete, and we’re not entirely certain it couldn’t be reflected radiowaves from Earth, or an orbiting satellite,” says Dr. Juno Reid. “It’s nothing conclusive, but maybe something is out there. We’re going to keep listening and trying to figure out the source. Until then, please don’t put anything salacious in your headline.”