Scientists ready rover for martian soil analysis
LOS ANGELES -- Scientists fixed a glitch that froze the robotic arm on the Mars rover Opportunity and then prepared the robot explorer to dig a narrow trench in the martian soil, NASA said Saturday. Scientists hoped the patch of soil, dubbed "Hematite Slope," would prove to be rich in the iron-bearing mineral, which typically forms in water. Opportunity's explorations had been delayed on Friday because the rover failed to properly stow its robotic arm. Engineers sent instructions to the rover that fixed the problem, the mission manager said Saturday.
Schwarzenegger losing favor over cigar smoking
SACRAMENTO -- Anti-tobacco groups on Saturday protested Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's efforts to return the smoke-filled room to California's political lexicon. To comply with the state's strict smoking laws, the cigar-loving Schwarzenegger is converting the Capitol's interior courtyard into an all-weather "smoking plaza" where he can entertain lawmakers and other power brokers. "It's a more positive environment where they can all be on an equal footing, as opposed to everyone going into the governor's office where he's behind his desk," Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Terri Carbaugh said.
-- From wire reports