Announcement of 2016 Olympics Host Expected Shortly

The announcement of what city will host the 2016 Olympics is expected in just a few hours. President Obama flew to Copenhagen to help stump for Chicago as the host city and Chicago is considered the frontrunner, but it is facing competition from Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, and Madrid. If Rio wins the bid, it will be the first South American city to host the summer games, New York Times.

Late night host David Letterman revealed last night that he was the target of a $2 million extortion attempt. Letterman admitted he had sexual relations with female staffers and that a CBS employee was blackmailing him in exchange for not telling the media of the relations. The employee is 48 Hours producer Joe Halderman, who was arrested yesterday, CBS News.

Somali pirates have seized a Spanish fishing boat with 36 people on board in the Indian Ocean. The boat, the Alakrana, sent out a distress call, which alerted the EU to the hijacking, and military planes confirmed armed gunmen on board, BBC News.

Scientists have revealed a 4.4 million-year-old fossil of a human ancestor, one older than the famous “Lucy” fossil. The find is believed to be the closest link between the common ancestor of both humans and chimps. The fossil has been nicknamed “Ardi” and was found in Ethiopia, NPR.

Helicopter and Small Plane Collide Over Hudson River

Nine people, including a child, are believed to be dead after a tour helicopter and small plane collided over the Hudson River in New York City. Three bodies have been recovered so far. The helicopter was carrying five Italian tourists and a pilot, and the plane was carrying a pilot, an adult, and a child, CNN.

At least 17 people were killed on the coast of Somalia overnight when gun battles broke out between rival clans. The fight allegedly started because of land disputes and the apparent rape of a young woman. A pirate told Reuters he was worried the fighting could affect piracy activities, BBC News.

The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery says they are close to recovering DNA evidence that proves famed aviator Amelia Earhart crashed on Nikumaroro Island in the Pacific Ocean. Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared in 1937 while attempting to fly around the world, ABC News.

Hot Topic: Separating Fact From Fiction In Health Care Debate.

Netanyahu Says Israel Dedicated to Peace Process

The world watched as U.S. President Obama and Israel’s P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu met for the first time since both took office. In a visit to the White House, Netanyahu was pressed on agreeing to a two state solution to help bring peace to the Middle East. The Prime Minister did not say he would support a Palestinian state, but did affirm he was devoted to the peace process, BBC News.

Sources say the Obama administration is set to announce a new law tomorrow that will require new cars to have 30% better gas mileage by 2016. The change would make the standard for cars 42mpg, MSNBC.

Mali is moruning the loss of young elephants who are dying in wells because of the lack of water. The elephants fell into the wells in search of water and, unable to crawl out, die in the hot Mali sun. Six elephants have been found dead and four have been saved, but this is a large amount when one considers only 350 to 400 elephants remain in the area, CNN.

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