WASHINGTON (AP) - Their research, appearing in Thursday’s issue of the journal Nature, adds to the growing push to explore further the moon Enceladus, as one of the solar system’s most compelling places for potential life.

Using images from NASA’s Cassini probe, astronomers had already figured that the mysterious plumes shooting from Enceladus’ icy terrain contain water vapor. New calculations suggesting the gas and dust spew at speeds faster-than-sound make the case for liquid, said study lead author Candice Hansen of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in California. Her team calculated the plumes travel more than 1,360 mph.

Reaching that speed “is hard to do without liquids,” Hansen said. While her paper offers more evidence building on what others have found, she added that her research is not the final proof of liquid water on Enceladus (pronounced en-SELL-ah-dus).

Other planetary scientists, such as Andrew Ingersoll at the California Institute of Technology, said the research is good, but that it is possible to achieve such speeds with ice particles and at cooler temperatures. So Hansen hasn’t proven her case yet, he and other scientists said.

Carolyn Porco, the head of the Cassini camera team and an astronomer who didn’t take part in Hansen’s research, said “the evidence in my mind is building on liquid water.” That moon, one of 60 circling Saturn, “has become the go-to place” for exploration in the outer planets, she said.

Europa, a moon of Jupiter, may have a liquid ocean beneath its frozen surface. But Enceladus, thought responsible for producing one of Saturn’s rings, is more accessible, Hansen said. “Enceladus is sort of helpfully spewing out its innards,” she said.

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran has successfully launched a rocket, Iran’s state television reported on Wednesday.

The report follows an announcement earlier this month that Iran had test-fired a new generation of surface-to-surface missile. The news comes amid tension between Iran and Israel and the West over Tehran’s disputed nuclear work.

Television did not give any further details of the launch of the “Kavosh 2,” which means “Explorer 2″, saying they would be announced later.

Iran caused international concern in February by testing a domestically made Explorer 1 rocket as part of its satellite program. Tehran said it needed two more similar tests before putting a domestically made satellite into orbit.

On August 17, Iran said it had put a dummy satellite into orbit on a domestically made rocket for the first time. U.S. officials said the attempted launch was a failure.

As a recent devotee of the HBO vampire show True Blood, I confess there is something morbidly appealing about the cousins of Dracula. And heaven knows I’m not the only one. My 24-year-old daughter is one of the mobs of young women who are totally addicted to the best-selling vampire love story Twilight (BusinessWeek, 7/31/08) from author Stephenie Meyer, a series of novels that feature a 17-year-old girl who falls in love with a teen boy who just happens to be a vampire. So you have to hand it to tiny Summit Entertainment, which only a year back was jump-starting its movie business by arranging for $1 billion in new funding, for coming up with what could be one of the biggest hits of the year.

If you don’t know the name Summit Entertainment, don’t worry. Until recently, it hasn’t had its name on too many brand-name flicks, choosing instead to go for low-budget fare while distributing films for other small studios. (Didn’t catch the studio’s 2007 flick P2 about a psychopath on the loose in a parking garage? No wonder that one grossed an underwhelming $3.9 million.) Its big hit until recently? This spring’s bloodthirsty martial arts flick, Never Back Down, which grossed a mere $24 million.

But Twilight, the film adaptation of the publishing sensation, will likely change all that. If Hollywood wags are right, it should have a major first week when it opens on Nov. 21. The whispering is the flick could do maybe $30 million or more on its first weekend, and it’s darn near a lock to hit the $100 million mark by playing straight through Thanksgiving and Christmas. Already, Fandango, the online ticketing site, says the film has sold out opening shows at some 100 theaters across the country, a pace that Fandango says puts it on par with the site’s tracking of Disney’s (DIS) megahit High School Musical.

So how did Summit find itself in such fast company? Chalk it up to some good fortune?and some heady connections. Back in 2006?before Twilight became a phenomenon, selling more than 25 million copies?Summit CEO Rob Friedman, a former top executive at Viacom’s (VIA) Paramount, was tipped that his former studio had decided against making the film. So, with another of his executives, Friedman says he read the script?and two “stale scripts” (Hollywood-speak for scripts that were found lacking)?and took a chance. “I saw something that had franchise potential if we did it right,” says Friedman.

Keeping Costs Down

Still, Summit being Summit, they made it on the cheap?as in $37 million?while spending another $30 million or so to market the movie, also a little light for a Hollywood blockbuster wannabe. To write the script, Summit turned to Melissa Rosenberg, who wrote Showtime’s odd serial killer-turned-cop TV show Dexter, and veteran indie film writer Catherine Hardwicke.

Next a little luck came into play. For starters, Twilight became a huge hit. Then in August, when the Twilight movie was complete, Warner Bros. (TWX) decided to move its big holiday release, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, to next summer. Friedman moved the premiere of Twilight from Dec. 12, where he had it originally to avoid going up against Harry Potter, to the Nov. 21 slot, giving it more of a shot to catch the Thanksgiving and Christmas crowd.

The movie is now up against Disney’s animated film Bolt, which is unlikely to lure the teen girls that should be Twilight’s core audience. Of course, to make it a big hit, Summit needs to expand the audience to the girls’ dates, which it intends to do by pegging one of its ads to guys. That ad, one of three the studio has made, features the bad vampires taking on the good ones and it’s showing up on outlets such as ESPN, where guys tune in.

Summit has been plowing this ground for months. In April it put trailers on MySpace (NWS) that have been seen by some 4 million viewers, and sent its two stars, Kirsten Stewart and British heartthrob Robert Pattinson, on the talk-show circuit. Entertainment Weekly put the stars on its cover and is planning to do so again for its holiday movie issue. Even the soundtrack is selling well. Throw in some fairly aggressive use of MTV.com and the Twilight books’ 300-odd fan sites, and I’m gonna bet there isn’t a 17-year-old girl in America who doesn’t know this flick is coming.

All of which shows that sometimes you don’t have to be a megastudio like Warner or Disney to have a franchise to crow about. Yeah, yeah, Robert Friedman says he isn’t counting his sequels yet. “I’m going to wait until the day after it opens to worry about sequels.” Sure, Rob. Start lining up the film crew.

You are not totally free from identity theft. This form of fraud, I think, is one of the most insidious one because you have already been cheated out and much damage have already been doen before you get to discover it. With the advent of technology and with the coming of more sophisticated schemes, you may not be aware that you credit cards are being utilized by other people and unauthorized charges accrued from unatuhozied users. Apart from that, others may be using your identity to secure a loan or a mortgage or to consummate transactions which you never did and probably never will. The end result, you ended up heavily burdened with debts which you never contracted.

Make some prompt actions. Know your credit score. How doen? Drop a visit at totallyfreecreditreport.org. This site allows you to avail of totally free credit report. Gain insights and info about your credit standing by obtaining a free credit score using the three major credit reporting agencies namely Trans Union, Experian, and Equifax. Your credit report tells you what transactions you have done in the past and gives an impression whether you are creditworthy or not. Banks, loan firma and other financial entities rely on the credit reports being provided by the three major credit reporting agencies just mentioned. A running credit score is very valuable in making right decision and smart choices for your future actions.

Want to learn more? Just visit www.totallyfreecreditreport.org.

Although the spirit of giving should be in our hearts all year round, it is this time of the year when most of us think of giving back to the less fortunate. In fact, we should always remember the words of Jesus: “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me.”

A person who is heavily burdened with debts fares no better than a person being tortured in the Purgatory. Contracting debts is not bad in itself. Almost everybody incur debts for some urgent reasons. Some incur debts to finance their important projects; others apply for contractual loans to help resuscitate their business and keep it from its total ruins. But, more often than not, most people find themselves in terrible situation when they fail to settle debts promptly causing some serious repercussions. It’s hellish when your creditors run after you to collect or when a collecting agency serves you a demand letter asking for the immediate settlement of your debts or when an attorney’s voice over the phone is filled with some tune of civil suit and damages. Too bad if you can not do something out of this hellish situation.

But worry not. For al most every problem has its own solution under the sun. Try this very effective device in dealing with your debts. Those who tried this method testified that they put an end to half of their worries once they started getting under way using this method. They call it debt consolidation. There are certainly lots of reasons to consolidate debt and certainly debtors like the majority of us do. Get valuable information from this reputable site—debtconsolidationbenefits.com. The site offers debt counseling and gives you valuable advice on debt settlement and debt consolidation. Get a help from a debt consolidator and you will realize that you can have power over your debts.

That time of the year is here once again. Merry tunes are beginning to fill the air and multicolored lights now twinkle in the night. Soon the usual Christmas rush will become apparent.

Christmas means different things to different people. Generally, it is the season for gift-giving; hence, shopping for things to give away. This time, still several weeks away before the Christmas season goes full blast, is about the best time to shop.

If you already have shopping money and are willing to spend time going around, you can find really good bargains. Some stores are already offering Christmas discounts. If not, the sidewalk stalls downtown are good places to look in for nice, inexpensive items.

Next week will be December already, people will begin to overcrowd in shopping centers. As many workers have received their thirteenth-month pay and Christmas bonus, stores will try to outdo one another in slashing down prices. It is hard to search for good items or make wise purchase decisions when you have to wade your way through a sea of people.

It will be hard to carefully check on quality, too. Shoppers who can’t stand rubbing bodies with other shoppers will be in so much hurry to get out of the store, and just grab whatever they can put their hands on. And, in their hurry, they’re likely to forget some necessary items and will need to make the trip back again another time, and go through the same – or worse – discomfort all over again.

Going for good quality is very important. Especially when buying electrical decors. Look for a “PS” mark on items you pick which run on electricity, like Christmas lights. At least, you have basic assurance that these products have passed standard requirements on safety of use.

Closer towards the week of Christmas, the situation is sure to get more chaotic. Store displays will be so topsy-turvy from the sheer number of customers turning items over and over, for certain sizes or certain colors. The sales clerks will be so overwhelmed by the influx of people, and will likely turn somewhat unenthusiastic, or outright uncooperative, to assist shoppers.

Another hassle, of course, is having to put up with heavy vehicular traffic. With the throngs of people racing to the stores, it’s expected for traffic, especially on the main streets, to frequently come to a gridlock. To avert this possible annoyance, it is wise to choose going outside of the known rush hours.

And, still, there’s the grim possibility of falling victim to criminal elements that lurk around shopping centers. As we know, when the community goes into a shopping frenzy, snatchers and pickpockets will also have their field day. Shoppers coming out of the stores hands-full with purchases are very easy preys.

Some of us, though, may have no choice but just to wait. Some employers wait until very close to Christmas in releasing their workers’ bonuses. In that case, we may as well use the waiting time to plan our shopping in advance, like figuring out what we want to buy and where to find them.

We will save both time and money if we make a shopping list and compare prices at different stores, beforehand. We will know just where to go straight to, and not have to dizzy ourselves crisscrossing shopping districts. An added saving – and quite a major one – would be saving ourselves from debilitating stress and fatigue.

Greet the world with a new sight by wearing the $ 8 Complete Rx Eyeglasses at Zenni Optical. You heard it right dude! At very low prices you can choose classy and stylish eyeglasses from the popular online eyeglasses shop—Zenni Optical. Classy and durable, the Holiday Glass Frames From Zenni optical are beyond compare. Be among the first to acquire cool eyeglasses at Zenni Optical.

As you get together with friends and family for holidays or birthdays, why not celebrate the environment too? Here are some simple ideas for greening up your festivities. As an added bonus, many of them are as kind to your wallet as they are to the planet!

1. Choose eco-friendly gifts. Look for gifts made with the environment in mind (such as shade-grown chocolate or coffee; or items made with recycled glass, metal, plastic, or paper). Or give gifts that get used up, like soap, food, or candles.

You could also give gifts that help people cut down on waste. Reusable grocery or produce bags and refillable water bottles do more than just save landfill space — they also save the resources used in making and transporting the disposable versions.

There’s nothing to wrap or throw away when you donate to a person’s favorite cause. Making a gift donation in someone’s name is a good choice for parents or grandparents who don’t need more “stuff.” Or give the gift of your time, such as coupons for babysitting or computer help.

2. Green up your gift wrap. Instead of spending money on store-bought wrapping paper that ends up in a landfill, make your own wrapping from newspaper, magazines, or catalogs. Or use fabric items to wrap gifts, such as wrapping a cookbook in a dishtowel, or clothing in a scarf. Reusable gift bags are another eco-conscious way to present gifts — they’re also easier to use than wrapping paper!

3. Decorate with the planet in mind. Holiday lighting can be a big energy user, so try to find efficient lighting (such as LED lights). Turn outdoor lighting displays off when you go to bed or if you’re not at home. If you light candles, choose natural ones made with beeswax or soy instead of petroleum-based ingredients.

If you buy a Christmas tree, consider a live tree that can be replanted after the holidays. Decorate it the old-fashioned way, with popcorn and cranberry strings — then hang these out for hungry birds to enjoy when the holiday is over. Decorate your table or home with biodegradable natural items, such as pinecones.

4. Send greetings that really care. Create your own holiday cards using your computer or art supplies and recycled paper. Some people cut the pictures out of holiday cards they received the year before and use these to make new cards or gift tags. Better still, go paperless with e-cards.

5. Reuse and recycle. As you plan your holiday celebrations, keep in mind ways to reduce waste, such as using rechargeable batteries in electronic items. If you receive gifts you can’t return or use, pass them on to someone who can — or donate them to a charity resale shop. (You can also do this with any old items that this year’s gifts replace.) After Christmas, use a chipper to turn your cut tree into mulch for the garden.

Aren’t you wondering why there are some people who catch the attention of most guys or girls out there though their personality is not that dazzling? Yeah, there are certain factors that can enhance a person’s personality. One of these is the proper selection of clothes that you wear on various occasions.

The type of dress that you wear simply reflects the kind of personality you have. It can not be denied that a person who knows how to match and mix color, design , style and other things of consideration in choosing a dress suited to the occasion is one leap ahead of those who do not have any horse sense on fashion. You can emphasize certain physical features of your appearance by choosing the right color or design of a dress. So, no wonder most people place a high premium in choosing the type of dress for various occasions. They do not only consider the cut of the dress but the total make-up of the dress which include the color, style, fabric and the quality of materials used.

Inasmuch as you consider your personal apparel as important in creating positive impressions to other people, it therefore becomes more imperative that you make a wise decision when purchasing your brand of clothes whether you are considering to acquire your new uniform, work wear or a corporate attire. If you are looking for the most dependable firm for clothing and apparel in the market today, do not fail to visit sandhuniform.com. High visibility clothing, uniform, work wear and apparel—the firm provides a wide range of choices at low-cost prices. Chef uniforms in sandhuniform.com are elegant, professional-looking, classy and stylish. Their clothing material is far superior to any other dealers in the net today.

To increase your chance of meeting your career goals, you may also engage in a leadership development program where you can gain valuable ideas on how to acquire executive qualities that will lead you to success. Leadership development is one key to unlocking your potential towards achieving your goals in life.

Certainly, your dream for a better tomorrow starts here! So wear your way to success.