Europe's biggest, most sophisticated spaceship is about to bring its six-month mission to an end by plunging into the Pacific in a ball of flames.

America's lefty agitprop-meister has an interesting take on the US bad debt crisis – he suggests that the number one cause of people declaring bankruptcy is medical bills, and with universal healthcare in place the mortgage collapse may never have happened.

What a shame this failed – a Frenchman has been unable to cross La Manche in his pedal-powered airship because weather conditions were wrong. Stephane Rousson described the trip as "both totally unnecessary and a very eloquent statement on human nature". He'd like to try again but will probably be prevented due to the cost of the endeavour.