Washington - A NASA rover on Mars has discovered a toxin in soil on the north pole, diminishing the likelihood of finding life on the Red Planet, space agency officials said Tuesday.
The Phoenix lander several weeks ago scooped up the dirt samples and extensive analysis confirmed the existence of perchlorate, a highly oxidizing substance that would harm life.
"This is surprising since an earlier ... measurement of surface materials was consistent with but not conclusive of the presence of perchlorate," said Peter Smith, the principal investigator at the University of Arizona.
Washington - The US Defence Department on Wednesday formally reopened bidding for the contract to build the next generational of Air Force tanker refuellers, a spokesman said.
Washington - Britain is in for an "extended period" of high inflation and lower growth that will test the government's policy of fiscal restraint, the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday.
Washington - Freddie Mac Wednesday reported 821 million dollars in second-quarter losses amid record foreclosures and a US housing slump that has threatened the home mortgage giant with collapse.
Washington - Republican White House hopeful John McCain made his sharpest divide yet from US President George W Bush, declaring in a new television advertisement Tuesday that the state of the nation has worsened over the last four years.
Washington - Women hold an important key to winning the US presidential elections in November because neither Democrat Barack Obama nor Republican John McCain has yet won a majority of women voters into their corner, according to a poll released Tuesday.
