Andrew Reiff

National

Summary- Blast lowers profile for Virgin Galactic

About a month ago there was an explosion in the hanger of Scaled Composites, LLC. Many recall the X prize, a commercial race into space that was won by Scaled Composites and its designer, Burt Rutan. The accident was not flight related, it was a test of nitrous oxide that was done without the rockets firing. Three workers died in the explosion and three were injured. Scaled Composites has partnered with British billionaire Richard Branson to build the first commercial spacecraft, to be named SpaceShipTwo. A trip into space would cost only around $200,000, and would feature four minutes of weightlessness.

Opinion

Having followed the X prize race into space very closely, I know a lot about Burt Rutan and his efforts for commercial space flights. I believe that Scaled Composites is a flexible company, and a very innovative one, and they will find a way around this accident without very much delay to their customers, already numerous.

International

Summary- Palestinian cops rescue Israeli soldier

In the West Bank an Israeli soldier accidentally drove his car into the town of Jenin and it was destroyed by a crowd as Palestinian police pulled him into their headquarters and later released him back to Israel. The town of Jenin is known as a militant stronghold. Many people see today's rescue as a positive sign that the Palestinians are becoming more moderate.

Opinion

That is a pretty major mistake on the soldier's part to go to the wrong town. Good for the cops who pulled him from his car and escorted him through the crowd, who probably would have killed him. Sure the police are getting more moderate but what about the crowd? They destroyed his car and all he was doing was pretty much asking for directions back to Israel. I believe that there will not be peace in the Middle East until every citizen lets go of their hate. Peace otherwise will not be achieved by a treaty between governments, as the people will still think of the other side as their enemy.