The Big Melt: An enormous portion of the West Antarctic ice sheet is melting and it may be irreversible, according to scientific reports released yesterday. Eric Rignot, a glaciologist at the University of California, Irvine said, “It has passed the point of no return.” It could take hundreds of years, but the loss of this one ice sheet could cause ocean levels to rise three or four feet, the scientists said. The resulting higher water could destabilize other ice sheets, resulting in ocean levels rising as much as 10 feet, they said. They attribute the change to global warming caused by human activity.

Not Found: In a major Internet privacy development, The European Court of Justice ruled that people have a right to have information about them deleted from the Internet. The decision comes on a lawsuit brought against Google by a Spanish man who wanted to delete newspaper articles about the repossession of his home 16 years ago. The decision establishes a different privacy standard in Europe from the US.

World: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was sentenced to six years in prison for taking bribes while he was mayor of Jerusalem. He was convicted of taking money in connection with the construction of a luxury housing development. He’s the highest-ranking official in Israeli history to be sent to prison.

>American reconnaissance aircraft are flying over Nigeria in the hunt for nearly 300 girls kidnapped by the Muslim militants Boko Haram. Thousands of Nigerian troops have been sent to a remote region where US and British advisers are helping with the search.

Ukraine: In the wake of a referendum, pro-Russians in eastern Ukraine yesterday called for independence and annexation to Russia. Unlike Crimea, which was quickly absorbed by the Russian Federation, Moscow has not declared its intent to take portions of eastern Ukraine. This sets up a situation in which the Ukraine government will have to talk to its eastern rebels, and Moscow, to work out a peaceful future while the country hovers on the brink of civil war.

Econ 101: Retail sales in April were tepid suggesting only modest economic growth in the second quarter of the year. Sales of furniture, electronics and appliances declined. But the stock market is hitting record highs again today.

Big Deal: AT&T is making a move to take over the satellite television company DirectTV for what could end up being $50 billion. We can only hope that if they do the service will be better than their cellphone coverage.

Nation: Former American Idol star Clay Aiken suddenly became the frontrunner to be the Democratic candidate for congress when his opponent fell and died at home. Crisco, 71, was trailing Aiken by less that 400 votes in a race that was considered too close to call.Aiken has suspended his campaign.

Sports Page: The rookie jersey of gay defensive end Michael Sam is outselling the jersey for the number one draft pick on NFL.com. Sam was drafted 249^th in the last round, but his jersey is selling second only to “Johnny Football”, quarterback Johnny Manziel, who was picked 22^nd. Go ahead, name the number one draft pick.

Insert Foot: LA’s colorful NBA owner Donald Sterling dug himself deeper in his interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, trashing Magic Johnson in the city where the former Laker great is revered. Sterling apologized for previous racist comments, claimed he’s not a racist, then slammed Magic. “What kind of guy goes to every city and has sex with every girl and catches AIDS?” Sterling said. Johnson has had HIV more than 25 years. Sterling said, “I don’t think he’s a good example for the children of Los Angeles.”

With both feet firmly in cement, Sterling then stuck in his head saying, “Has he done everything he can do to help minorities? I don’t think so.” One thing everyone else knows about Magic, he’s done a lot. 

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