February 18th

On this date

The discovery of Pluto

In the quest to find planet X, or what was then called the "ninth planet",  young astronomer Clyde Tombaug systematically imaged the night sky in pairs of photographs taken two weeks apart and examined each pair to determine whether any objects had shifted position. On February 18, 1930 after nearly a year of searching, he identified Pluto. 

Ecuador’s President Re-elected.

After 6 years in office, Rafael Correa has won an unprecedented third term. Mr Correa, 49, who’s approval ratings have remained consistently above 50% has centred his politics on boosting social spending, building  and hospitals. Income of the poorest Ecuadoreans, and poverty levels have dropped from some 38% in 2006 to 29% today, according the World Bank. Mr Correa describes himself as "left-wing - not from the Marxist left, but rather a Christian left".

Meteorite fragments found in Russia’s Ural region.

Thousands of people and volunteers have been helping in the clear-up and rescue operation and scientists have found some fragments around a frozen lake near Chebarkul, where the meteorite is believed to have landed. Viktor Grohovsky, of the Urals Federal University, told Russian media that the material contained about 10% iron and also said it is most likely going to be named “Chebarkul meteorite”.