NASA discovers supermassive black holes

03/09/11 09:37 CET

world news

| |

NASA astronomers have discovered the closest pair of supermassive black holes ever seen to Earth.

With a mass millions of times that of the sun, they are said to be in a spiral galaxy similar to the Milky Way about 160 million light years away.

They are the likely result of what is known as a “minor merger” where one galaxy gets gobbled up by another.

More about: NASA, Space research, USA

| |

Spanish bank bailout plan spooks markets

The Spanish government’s reported plan for rescuing the country’s fourth-largest lender Bankia unsettled the financial markets Monday. Sources said Madrid was thinking of raising money to…

Bankia share price plummets

Greek polls soothe euro exit fears

Six new opinion polls all hand Greece’s pro-bailout parties victory in next month’s…

Greek anger at Lagarde tax avoidance comments

Egypt: Mursi to face Shafiq in presidential run-off

An Islamist will take on a former prime minister in Egypt’s presidential election run-off…

Egypt: two candidates in presidential run-off

Russia and UK united in criticising Syria

Britain and Russia have joined the international condemnation of the latest massacre in Syria, in which over 100 adults and children lost their lives. Hopes are now pinned on the success of the…

DR Congo rebels 'supported and trained' by Rwanda

The UN has evidence that rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo are being supported and trained by Rwanda, according to a report in the British media. A BBC journalist said he has seen an…