SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:57 P.M. ET: 

AIRLINER – The Australian team running the search for the missing Malaysian airliner has just announced that the Australian ship Ocean Shield reacquired the "pinger" sounds heard over the weekend, and that analysis of these "pings" indicate that they are consistent with those sent by a flight data recorder carried by airliners.  The impression given is that the aircraft has been located within a specific search area.   There will now be an attempt to narrow that area.  After that, search equipment is expected to be lowered to scan the ocean floor for aircraft debris.

SPINE IN WASHINGTON? – Hard to believe it, but the Obama administration is actually showing a little spine in responding to Iran's choice for its new UN ambassador.  From AFP:  "WASHINGTON — The United States said Tuesday it had told Iran the selection of a UN ambassador who is allegedly linked to the 1979 American embassy hostage crisis was 'not viable.'   The disclosure from the White House came a day after the US Senate passed a resolution that would deny the diplomat, Hamid Aboutalebi, a US visa. 'The US government has informed the government of Iran that this potential selection is not viable,' White House spokesman Jay Carney said."  I hope they'll now refuse to give the guy a visa, and not cave in.

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH NEWS – From London's Daily Mail:  "New York researchers say they have found a link between people likely to forgive themselves for mistakes and damage to their bodies caused by stress.  The key to a long and happy life, they say, is to 'cut yourself some slack.'"  Based on this research, Obama will probably go to 120.

SOMEONE'S BEEN THERE? – From SFGate.com:  "A NASA camera on Mars has captured what appears to be artificial light emanating outward from the planet's surface.  The photo, beamed millions of miles from Mars to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., was taken last week, apparently by one of two NASA rovers on the red planet."  Watch.  The Environmental Protection Agency will send a rocket up there to be sure they're using energy-efficient bulbs.

April 8, 2014