The Dutch national museum said Thursday that one of its prized possessions, a rock supposedly brought back from the moon by U.S. astronauts, is just a piece of petrified wood.

The museum acquired the rock after the death of former prime minister Willem Drees in 1988. Drees received it as a private gift on Oct. 9, 1969 from then-U.S. ambassador J. William Middendorf during a visit by the three Apollo 11 astronauts, part of their 'Giant Leap' goodwill tour after the first moon landing.

Posted: 12:18:26 PM  

Feast your eyes on these latest visualizations of The Shard (aka London Bridge Tower), a 1017ft skyscraper actually under construction. When finished in 2012, it will be the tallest building in the U.K, and one of the tallest in Europe.

Designed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the 72-story tower has several twisting glass facets on its exterior, and inside, will have offices, apartments, restaurants and a 15-story observation gallery.

It looks amazingly sci-fi, but every time I hear the word "shard", I can't help but think of Dark Crystal.

W I K I on Shard

Posted: 12:14:39 PM  

Dutch put 13-year-old sailor under state care

Dekker, an experienced sailor who raised his daughter on a yacht for the first four years of her life, had supported Laura's plan to begin a round-the-world voyage next month.

But Dutch social workers had argued that Laura Dekker is too young to weigh up the dangers of the trip, and psychologists said the isolation would be damaging at an important time for a young teenager's development.

Boy sails round the world

British boy becomes youngest to sail round the world, while a Dutch girl is challenged in her efforts by the courts.

Posted: 12:02:04 PM