Don Deane

After an eight month journey, NASA’s multi-billion dollar rover Curiosity made a successful landing on Mars early this morning. Mission controllers cheered after the six-wheeled, one-ton machine made a perilous seven-minute landing involving a parachute, rocket pack and sky crane.

As one-half of the legendary team also starring Misty May-Treanor, Kerri Walsh-Jennings is instantly recognizable as one of the greatest beach volleyball players in the world. Together, they’re defending Olympic champions who won gold medals in both the 2004 and 2008 games, and they’re looking to repeat their success for a third time in London this year.

While soccer isn’t nearly as popular here as it is in other parts of the world, it seems to get its due in the US during the Olympics, at least. And when the women’s national soccer team won gold after a hotly-contested battle against Brazil at the 2008 Games in Beijing, its members became superstars.

Like most tourists in Florida, Gus Hertz was probably just hoping for some relaxing time in the sun. Instead, the Virginia man became a hero after rescuing three people in two separate incidents over a two day period. Well, that puts us to shame. The most we ever managed on vacation is a mean case of sunburn.

Energy and sports drinks may be a great way to get a pick-me-up, but a new study published in the journal General Dentistry says they may be doing permanent damage to your teeth, as well.

You’ll need no more evidence than the videos below to prove that the world is full of people who can’t drive. We’ve gathered 10 examples of cars crashing into stores, homes and even a swimming pool. Convenience stores and gas stations, in particular, seem to bear the brunt of bad drivers. So, definitely keep your eyes peeled next time you pick up a slushie or top off your tank. (Note: Some footage

On Wednesday in Minnesota, Mitt Romney found himself on the receiving end of a glitter bomb. But this wasn’t, as he later tried to spin it, a form of celebration for his recent Florida primary win.

Eleven-year-old Jared Flanders willfully disobeyed his father and left his Massachusetts home one day last week without an accompanying adult. But Jared had a good reason to defy his dad, since his objective was to attend a funeral for a firefighter killed during the line of duty.

On Monday, thousands of people marched through the streets of North Korea’s capital and wept openly at the death of leader Kim Jong-il, who died on Saturday at 69 from a heart attack.

In Auckland, New Zealand, a helicopter became entangled in wires and crashed while installing a Christmas tree on the local waterfront. That’s a sure-fire way to dampen your holiday spirit.