By Marcus Lavergne

INTERNATIONAL

Scientists retrieve mystery space junk in India

Saturday morning, scientists from the International Astronomical Center of Abu Dhabi collected what they believe to be part of a rocket booster that fell to Earth Friday night.

The Center, which organized the collection with the United Arab Emirates Space Agency, said the debris fell off the coast of Sri Lanka. The Catalina Sky Survey at the University of Arizona sighted the object in 2013, but according to the European Space Agency, the object was just named WT1190F on Oct. 3 of this year.

Although there have been no reports of important findings among the wreckage, the scientists are calling the response effort a success. Those involved said the effort was a positive test of mechanisms that could protect Earth from, or at least lessen destruction from, a large asteroid strike.

The debris’s return to Earth has sparked controversy involving the vast amount of space junk outside the atmosphere. NASA administrator Charles Bolden voiced concerns about the trash and the potential danger it poses to the planet.

Bolden spoke at the Council of Foreign Relations last Thursday, making it clear that more countries need to invest money into ”debris removal development.” NASA officials believe there could be around 500,000 pieces of trash larger than a marble surrounding the planet, along with more than 100 million smaller junk fragments.

NATIONAL

Weapons stolen from Army Reserve Center

The FBI reports that weapons were stolen from the Lincoln Stoddard Army Reserve Center in Massachusetts Saturday night.

Unknown assailants broke into the center in Worcester, making off with over a dozen weapons including M4 assault rifles. According to the FBI and Worcester police, the weapons were taken after the assailants entered through the roof of the building.

At this time, officials do not know who broke into the Army Reserve Center. After Saturday’s terrorist attacks devastated parts of Paris, France, resulting in a death toll of over 150 people, U.S. cities made efforts to tighten security, but the FBI stated the act doesn’t seem to be tied to any terrorist organization.

The weapons’ information is in a national database and both the FBI and local police are in the earliest stages of the investigation.

LOCAL

Holland Project to remain on Vesta Street

Reno’s well-known arts and music initiative, The Holland Project, raised enough money during a fundraiser to buy the building it currently occupies. The initiative desires to do so before a rent increase negatively impacts its goals.

The organization raised 90 percent of the $600,000 necessary to buy the building through partner donations. Some of the money will go to much-needed renovations.

The Holland Project relied on community support during its Grounded for Life campaign to raise the final 10 percent. The initiative managed to collect over $61,000, surpassing its original $60,000 goal.

Marcus Lavergne can be reached at mlavergne@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @mavergne21.