In the news

WORLD

WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the first time, astronomers have discovered a planet outside our solar system that is potentially habitable with Earth-like temperatures. Researchers described this find Tuesday as a big step in the search for “life in the universe.”

The planet is just the right size, might have water in liquid form and, in galactic terms, is relatively nearby at 120 trillion miles away. The star it closely orbits, known as a “red dwarf,” is much smaller, dimmer and cooler than our sun.

There’s still a lot that is unknown about the new planet, which could be deemed inhospitable to life once more is known about it. Scientists’ requirements for habitability count Mars in the “hospitable” category, which implies a size relatively similar to Earth’s with temperatures that would permit liquid water. This planet is the first outside our solar system that meets those standards.

“It’s a significant step on the way to finding possible life in the universe,” said University of Geneva astronomer Michel Mayor, one of 11 European scientists on the team that found the planet. “It’s a nice discovery. We still have a lot of questions.”

The results of the discovery have not been published but have been submitted to the journal, Astronomy and Astrophysics.

NATION

CHICAGO – Authorities arrested a suspect Wednesday morning in the case of two pipe bombs that were mailed to financial companies in Chicago and Kansas City, Mo., along with threatening letters signed “The Bishop,” federal officials said.

Lori Groen, a U.S. Postal Service inspector, did not release any further details, but said the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago would have a news conference later.

Investigators have said “The Bishop” mailed more than a dozen letters to financial institutions for 18 months and appears to have ties to the Chicago area.

The letters include references to heaven and hell and threatened recipients if the prices of certain stocks moved to certain levels, often $6.66; the number ‘666’ is associated with Satan.

The two pipe bombs mailed to companies in Chicago and Kansas City in January included threatening letters with phrases such as “Bang you’re dead” and “Tic-toc.”

Authorities have declined to discuss specifics of the bombs, but they have said each contained all the components of a workable device. Both were mailed in white cardboard boxes in late January from a post office in the Chicago suburb Rolling Meadows.

STATE&LOCAL

LONDON – Queen Elizabeth II will pay tribute to the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings when she visits the state next month, Buckingham Palace said Tuesday.

Though it was not immediately clear what sort of ceremony will be held, a trip to the campus was ruled out, a palace spokeswoman said, on condition of anonymity in line with royal rules.

“As the queen is visiting so shortly after the tragedy, it is important that it be recognized,” the spokeswoman said. “It’s a significant and terrible tragedy in the state.”

The queen, accompanied by her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, will be in the United States to mark the 400th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in the New World. The visit includes a trip to Jamestown, the site of England’s first successful American colony, an appearance at the Kentucky Derby, and a state dinner with President George W. Bush in Washington, D.C.

She will also visit NASA’s Goddard Center and the World War II National Memorial in Washington.

Her journey to the United States will be her fifth in 50 years – but it will be first in which the carbon dioxide released by the queen’s transports will be offset by a donation to an environmental organization, the palace said.