WideWorld BULLETIN 6

News in brief

NASA ‘bombs’ the moon

NASA has smashed two spacecraft into the Moon’s surface, in an attempt to search for water.

The ambitious £49 million mission was hotly anticipated, both in the science world and by the general public. Millions watched as giant screens broadcast live telescopic images, expecting to witness the predicted six-mile dust cloud.

In the event, however, they were left distinctly underwhelmed. Amidst a general suspicion that there might not be the supply of water-ice expected, NASA has insisted conclusions must not be inferred at this stage. “We don’t anticipate anything about presence or absence of water immediately," a spokesperson said. "It’s going to take us some time.”

Summit for someone

This Monday registration opens for a 16-peak benefit climb series.

Summit for Someone 2010 is sponsored by Backpacker Magazine, and will see 150 climbers tackling some of North America’s most renowned peaks. As well as the alpine and glacier climbs included last year, 2010 will see climbing courses and a women-specific climb too.

A charity event, fundraising proceeds will go to Big City Mountaineers. The charity organizes guided climbs for underprivileged youngsters who would otherwise not have the chance to get involved in climbing.

For more info: www.summitforsomeone.org

Golf and rugby to become Olympic sports

The International Olympic Committee confirmed two sporting additions to its programme last week.

With strong majority votes, golf and rugby sevens will both be on the agenda at the 2016 Olympic Games, to take place in Rio de Janerio. The inclusion of the two sports has been welcomed by professionals in both, and has been hailed for creating new hopes for Britain’s medal-winning. Andy Hunt, British Olympic chief, spoke of a wealth of British talent developing in both sports. “We are very excited at the prospect of what these young athletes could achieve at Olympic level,” he said.

Both baseball and softball have been dropped from the 2012 London Games, but neither rugby nor golf was previously nominated to fill this gap.

Hands off Ayres Rock

A £12million viewing area has been opened at Australia’s most famous landmark in the hope that eager tourists will be put off climbing the natural sandstone formation.

The viewing area stands 3km from Ayres Rock – also known as Uluru - but boasts panoramic views of the imposing red formation, as well as surrounding dunes and desert oaks.

It’s estimated that fewer tourists have been climbing Uluru in recent years, thanks largely to an increased awareness of its spiritual association – for the local Anangu Aborigines the rock has been considered sacred for generations. However, an estimated third of visitors are still clambering to the 1142ft summit, a figure that the National Park chairman Harry Wilson hopes the viewing area will decrease further. “[The rock] looks beautiful from the new place, and hopefully it will discourage tourists from climbing,” he said.