World's most powerful supergun 'can obliterate targets from 100 miles'

The "supergun" can destroy a target from 100 miles away using a bullet that fires at five times the speed of sound.

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The shot fired at the Naval Surface Warfare Centre in Dahigren, Virginia generated 33 megajoules of force out of the barrel.

This is the highest amount ever measured for muzzle energy - the kinetic energy of a bullet as it is expelled from a firearm - and more than three times that previously recorded in January 2008.

The makers claim the electromagnetic railgun fires a 20lb bullet with pinpoint accuracy.

Electrical energy generates the force with which the bullet is fired. At speeds approaching Mach 8 the bullet does not explode on impact but obliterates the target through sheer power.

Military chiefs hope that it will allow warfare to be conducted at greater distances.

Rear Adm. Nevin Carr, chief of naval research, said:"The 33-megajoule shot means the Navy can fire projectiles at least 110 nautical miles, placing sailors and marines at a safe standoff distance and out of harm's way and the high velocities achievable are tactically relevant for air and missile defense.

"This demonstration moves us one day closer to getting this advanced capability to sea."

Tax Cuts Package Poised to Pass in Senate

WASHINGTON -- The tax package negotiated by President Barack Obama and GOP lawmakers   is headed toward passage in the Senate even as House Democrats consider changes to the estate tax.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky. meets reporters on Capitol Hill

The bill could be passed and sent to the House by Tuesday. The Senate voted 83-15 Monday evening to advance the package, which would provide a two-year reprieve from tax increases scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1 at all income levels.

"This proves that both parties can in fact work together to grow our economy and look out for the American people," Obama said. "I recognize that folks on both sides of the political spectrum are unhappy with certain parts of the package and I understand those concerns. I share some of them. But that's the nature of compromise."

House Democrats are scheduled to meet in a closed-door caucus Tuesday evening to discuss the package. Last week, House Democratic leaders said they would not schedule a vote on the tax bill without changes to make it less generous to the wealthy.

This week, several Democratic leaders said they may settle for a vote on an amendment that would impose a higher estate tax -- a vote that would face an uncertain outcome.

"I think we're going to have a vote on the Senate bill, with possible changes," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. "We may have it with amendments. We'll see what the process is.

"The most sweeping tax cuts in a generation, enacted under former President George W. Bush, are scheduled to expire Jan. 1. The $858 billion package negotiated by Obama would extend them for two years.

It would also renew a program of jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed that is due to lapse within days and enact a one-year cut in Social Security taxes.

"It is a substantial victory for middle-class families across the country who would no longer have to worry about a massive tax hike come Jan. 1," Obama said. "It would offer hope to millions of Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own by making sure that they won't suddenly find themselves out in the cold without the unemployment insurance benefits that they were counting on. And it would offer real tax relief for Americans who are paying for college, parents raising their children and business owners looking to invest in their businesses and propel our economy forward."

At the insistence of Republicans, the plan includes a more generous estate tax provision: The first $5 million of a couple's estate could pass to heirs without taxation, and an additional $5 million for the spouse. The balance would be subject to a 35 percent tax rate.

The lower estate tax infuriated some Democrats who were already unhappy with Obama for agreeing to extend tax cuts for individuals making more than $200,000 and couples making more than $250,000.

The estate tax was repealed for 2010. But under current law, it is scheduled to return next year with a top rate of 55 percent on the portion estates above $1 million -- $2 million for couples.

House Democratic leaders want to bring back the 2009 estate tax levels. That year, individuals could pass $3.5 million to their heirs, tax-free. Couples could pass $7 million, with a little tax planning, and the balance was taxed at a top rate of 45 percent.

Senate Republicans, however, warned that any changes to the estate tax provisions could unravel the deal.

"If the House Democratic leadership decides to make partisan changes, they will ensure that every American taxpayer will see a job-killing tax hike on January 1," said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.

Women’s basketball adds two wins at Classic

Western women’s basketball senior guard Amanda Dunbar won tournament MVP after the Vikings won both games at the 14th Annual WWU Lynda Goodrich Women’s Basketball Classic on Nov. 26 and 27

Senior Lauren Hefflin breaks through two defenders and heads for the basket against Montana State University-Northern Nov. 27. Hefflin scored five points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Dunbar scored a game-high 16 points to help the Vikings defeat Montana State University-Northern 59-36 on Nov. 27, and also scored a game-high 11 points against Cal State University-East Bay as Western went on to win 68-39 on Nov. 26.

Dunbar and teammate Gabby Wade earned all-tournament honors. “I thought [Dunbar] played great,” sophomore center Britt Harris said. “She’s an awesome player and an [important] piece of our team.”

After making six 3-pointers over the tournament, Dunbar is now three 3-point field goals away from tying former Western women’s basketball player Jodie Kaczor’s career 3-point shooting record of 210.

“Being a shooter, you have to keep shooting,” senior center Lauren Hefflin said. “She had a tough time, but she kept shooting, so it got better for her.”

Against Montana, the women earned the rebounding edge 40-25. Hefflin had a game-high nine rebounds and Wade grabbed eight.

“I think rebounding, especially when we’re shooting a bad percentage, gives us second chances,” Hefflin said. “I think keeping the other team off the boards is a good way of limiting their shots. It definitely had a big impact on the win.”

Along with Dunbar’s 16 points, senior guard Megan Pinske tallied 12 points while sophomore guard Corinn Waltrip and junior forward Kristin Schramm both had nine points.

At halftime, Western led 26-18 after being down 10-12 earlier in the half. In the second half the Vikings pulled away, connecting on seven 3-pointers.

In the first game of the Lynda Goodrich Classic, Western defeated Cal State.

Pinske and Dunbar led all scorers with 11 points each, while Waltrip added to the balanced offense with 10 points.

After having a 24-2 run in the first half, Western held a 39-20 halftime lead. In the second half, Cal State could not lower Western’s margin to more than 15 points.

Western once again dominated the boards, out rebounding Cal State, 47-30. Hefflin led all players grabbing  a game-high 10 rebounds.

Even with the rebounding edge in both games, Harris said the team relies on its defense to win games.

“I think our defense determines how we’re playing our game,” Harris said. “Once our defense gets going, our offense kind of follows.”

After winning both games, Western shared the tournament title with Saint Martin’s University.

Western is now 4-0 and is ranked 24th in the latest USA Today/ESPN/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division II Top 25.

Western begins conference play in their next game against Montana State University-Billings at 7 p.m., Dec. 4, at Carver Gym as the Vikings look to stay undefeated.

“It’s a big game.  It’s our first league game,” Hefflin said. “Montana State-Billings has some pretty good players, so were excited to be prepared and play a tough game.”

Leaked documents further indict Iran

A national defense analyst believes the latest release of classified information by an Internet website could force the Obama administration to take more decisive action against the Iranian regime.

The release of more than 250,000 classified State Department documents by WikiLeaks revealed, among other things, that Iranian Red Crescent ambulances were used to smuggle weapons to Lebanon's terrorist group Hezbollah during its 2006 war with Israel. The cables said that the IRC shipments of medical supplies "served also to facilitate weapons shipments."

Lt. Col. Bob Maginnis (USA-Ret.) says these latest leaks could compel the Obama administration to move the issue of Iranian nukes to the front burner.
  

Bob Maginnis

"Certainly these revelations may prompt political pressure on the president to stop the rhetoric and recognize that diplomacy is not going to work with the Iranians," says the Pentagon advisor. "That doesn't mean the Iranians themselves might not decide to stop the program and open up, but that's not likely."

The released documents also revealed that King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia repeatedly urged the U.S. to attack Iran to destroy its nuclear program -- to "cut off the head of the snake," the king requested. Maginnis is not surprised by that revelation.

"It confirms what many of us have been saying for a long time," he comments. "That Iran is involved deeply in terrorism, it's very close to North Korea, it has every intent of having nuclear weapons -- and the Arab world is very concerned [about that]."

Still, Maginnis says it is hard to tell how the Obama administration is going to respond to international pressure to deal strongly with Iran.

London's latest transit strike hobbles commuters

LONDON — Britain's biggest city was plunged into disarray and confusion Monday by a 24-hour strike that slashed service on the famed Tube network, one of the world's biggest and busiest subway systems. 

Commuters forced to take to their cars created traffic jams that nearly paralyzed parts of down town London as thousands of union workers stayed home. Bewildered tourists wandered subway and railroad stations. And some people trying to get to work gave up in disgust.

"I could take a bus, but it would take me hours," said London resident Shadie Allyn, a telephone operator who spent five hours trying to get to work before deciding she'd had enough. "Everyone depends on the Tube. They shouldn't be allowed to strike. It's ridiculous."

Monday rush-hour foot traffic hoofs across the London Bridge

By the afternoon, fewer than half of the usual trains were running and dozens of stations were closed, in a network that provides roughly 3.5 million trips a day. 

Seven of the city's 11 subway lines were at least partially closed, requiring passengers to switch lines repeatedly or squeeze into packed buses. University student Elizabeth Bajomo normally would have taken the Tube to a downtown railway station to catch her train. 

Shunted onto the bus Monday, she gave herself 90 extra minutes for the trip — and still missed her train, because buses showed up infrequently and then crawled through congested streets.

"The traffic was horrible," she said. "The Tube is so important. ... It's like the blood of the city."

London's transit system brought in extra buses, deployed an army of staffers to guide passengers and stepped up the water buses that ply the Thames River.

Among those who couldn't turn to the bus was sales manager Matt Matthews, who arrived in London from Paris by train at 10 a.m. and was still trying to get to work three hours later.

"I'm hoping I can get straight to work with no hesitations, but there's lots of traffic," he said, noting that his boss was mad.The strike was the fourth to hit the Tube in the past three months. 

Two labor unions have called the strikes over plans to cut staffing at ticket offices at some Tube stations.Many Londoners now rely on debit-card-like Tube passes that can be charged at automated booths, rather than on tickets purchased from a clerk. 

The union says the job cuts would jeopardize passenger safety and increase the risk of muggings.

"Can't believe the rail unions," London Mayor Boris Johnson tweeted when the latest negotiations broke down Friday.Bob Crow, leader of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, would not rule out the possibility of two- or even three-day strikes in 2011. 

He scoffed at the claims by the transit agency Transport for London that disruption was minimal. "If you believe what is on the TfL website, then you believe in Father Christmas," Crow said Monday. "They are using propaganda to mislead the public."

Transport for London spokesman Ben Pennington dismissed Crow's allegations as "nonsense." At the height of rush hour at 8:30 a.m., 40% of the usual 427 trains were in operation and dozens of stations were closed. While leaders traded blame, Londoners showed patience.

The Tube station close to the north London home of Vishnu Tiwan, a stay-at-home dad, was closed, so he took the bus down town to run errands and then spent at least 35 minutes waiting for his bus home.

The buses are "packed, there are too many queues, too many argumentative people," he said, but he denied he'd been significantly affected. "Londoners have gotten used to it. ... You just crack on with it."

Sen. Lisa Murkowski mounting write-in bid for Senate

Sen. Lisa Murkowski at a June news conference.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she'll mount a write-in campaign in Alaska in an effort to hold onto her seat after last month's stunning Republican primary loss to Joe Miller.

Murkowski made her announcement Friday evening at a rally in Anchorage while surrounded by supporters chanting: "Run, Lisa, Run!"

Murkowski had gone back and forth on whether to re-enter the race since conceding the GOP primary to Miller on Aug. 31. She has said she entertained the possibility of a write-in campaign only after receiving an outpouring of encouragement from Alaskans.

During the primary campaign, the Tea Party-supported Miller cast Murkowski as part of the problem in an out-of-control Washington.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin urged Murkowski on Twitter Friday afternoon to recognize that the state's primary voters demonstrated their support for Joe Miller in last month's election.

"Listen to the people, respect their will," said Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee. "Voters chose Joe instead."

The convention center where the rally is being held featured signs reading "Let's Make History," and had a table where people could sign up to help Murkowski's campaign. Prominently displayed, too, was a photo of the late Sen. Ted Stevens with his arm around Murkowski.

Stevens is beloved in this state for bringing billions of dollars in federal aid and project to Alaska, and he was one of her biggest cheerleaders before his death last month.

The decision to launch a write-in bid follows Murkowski's surprise defeat by Miller last month.

Murkowski has said she has considered her options since conceding the race to Miller and following an outpouring of encouragement from Alaskans stunned by her loss.

Earlier this month, she told The Associated Press she wasn't a quitter and "still in this game." On Thursday, she told reporters that while there's a lot of risk involved in a run, success was possible.

"And I think this is the hope that Alaskans have been sharing with me," she said, "that if it is possible, Lisa, will you give it a try? Will you give us a choice?"

 In running, Murkowski would face long odds. Historians and election officials can think of no Alaska candidate who has successfully run as a write-in.She also has lost support from within the Republican establishment with some leaders urging her either to wait to challenge Alaska's Democratic Sen. Mark Begich in 2014 or to join them in supporting Miller, the self-described "constitutional conservative" who also has been endorsed by Sarah Palin. Murkowski also would have just has over six weeks to gear up a campaign and turn out the vote.

But she also enjoys widespread name recognition, and her campaign estimates she has about $1 million left in the bank. Plus, the race features a "kind of perfect storm of the things you need for a write-in to be successful," pollster Ivan Moore said. Among those, he said: a vast middle of Alaskans — "tens of thousands" — looking between Miller and Democrat Scott McAdams and questioning their choices.

The largest bloc of registered voters in Alaska are nonpartisan and undeclared.Heather Handyside, a spokeswoman for McAdams, said McAdams welcomed Murkowski to the race. She said the campaign didn't see how it was "statistically possible" for Murkowski to win and that her entry doesn't change McAdams' strategy at all.

"He still respects Sen. Murkowski but he knows it's impossible for her to win," she said.Political observers say that, to win, Murkowski would have to be far more aggressive than she was in the primary, when she touted the benefits of her seniority for Alaska and ran largely on her record. Miller cast her as part of the problem in an out-of-control Washington, and the California-based Tea Party Express, which reported spending more than $550,000 in support of Miller, called her a liberal Republican in name only and repeated stated in seemingly ubiquitous ads claims that she opposed repeal of the federal health care overhaul — claims she called false but didn't challenge until late.

Murkowski recently called the Tea Party Express an "extremist" group and said it has "hijacked" the state GOP. The group responded that it would work twice as hard as it did in the primary to defeat her if she ran as a write-in.To successfully run, Moore said, she "has to attack ... forcibly in both directions," pushing Miller "relentlessly to the far right" and painting McAdams, a small-town mayor as "not ready for this."

Carl Shepro, a political science professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage, said she would have a good shot at victory, despite what history shows.

"No question it's going to be a tough thing, it's not going to be easy at all," he said. "But, hey, at some point, somebody has to be able to do it even though the arguments are pretty much in the opposite direction."

Obama names Warren to set up consumer protection agency

President Obama announces the appointment of Elizabeth Warren as assistant to the president and special adviser to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner in the Rose Garden of the White House.

WASHINGTON — President Obama named Wall Street critic Elizabeth Warren a special adviser Friday and tasked her with setting up an agency to look out for consumers in their dealings with banks, mortgage companies and other financial institutions.

Calling Warren "one of the country's fiercest advocates for the middle class," Obama said she would ensure the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ends abusive practices.

"Never again will folks be confused or misled by pages of barely understandable fine print that you find in agreements for credit cards or mortgages or student loans," he said, standing alongside Warren and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner in the Rose Garden.

THE OVAL: More on Obama's appointment

Obama credited Warren with developing the concept of the consumer agency, and said, "It only makes sense that she should be the architect."

Obama did not nominate Warren to be the bureau's director, however.Instead he is creating a role that allows her to avoid a lengthy confirmation fight with Senate Republicans who view her as too critical of Wall Street and big banks. 

The business and banking community also opposed Warren as director, believing she would make the agency too aggressive.

Warren designed the advisory role during long conversations with White House officials, a person familiar with her thinking said. The person insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The 61-year-old Harvard professor can assume her duties immediately, leading a team of Treasury officials already laying the groundwork for the bureau. Obama said Warren would eventually help him choose the agency's chief.

The financial regulation law creating the bureau gives the Treasury Department authority to run it while the nomination of its director is pending. The bureau won't write rules restricting mortgages or credit cards until it assumes power from other agencies — a move planned for July 21, 

2011, according to a memo Friday from Geithner.

Until then, it will be hiring staff, creating the new offices and conducting research to inform later rule-making activities, the memo says. That means Warren may not get much say in the two bureau powers banks fear the most: onsite monitoring of the largest banks, and writing rules to restrict products deemed unfair or deceptive.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, who had questioned whether Warren would have enough support to win confirmation, said Thursday the White House was within its rights to name Warren as an adviser and expert.

But he added on Bloomberg television, "We need a director. We've got to have someone who is confirmable. The law requires that there be a director of this bureau of consumer financial protection and that that nominee be confirmed by the Senate."

Asked whether Warren would effectively be serving in that capacity, Dodd replied: "You can't do that. You'll end up with too much opposition. ... I'd be totally opposed to someone on a backdoor operation here."

Warren has spent the past two years running the Congressional Oversight Panel, charged with monitoring the Treasury Department's handling of the $700 billion bank rescue fund known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program. She stepped down from the panel just after Friday's Rose Garden announcement.