Free Republic

PITTSBURGH - Private landowners are reaping billions of dollars in royalties each year from the boom in natural gas drilling, transforming lives and livelihoods even as the windfall provides only a modest boost to the broader economy. In Pennsylvania alone, royalty payments could top $1.2 billion for 2012, according to an analysis by The Associated Press that looked at state tax information, production records and estimates from the National Association of Royalty Owners. For some landowners, the unexpected royalties have made a big difference...

The South Korean Navy has recovered debris that could have come from its space rocket that may have exploded during ascent, the government said Friday. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said that debris was picked up from international waters south of Jeju Island. No details have been given as to what type of debris was collected from the water or what time it was found. Because the outer shell of the rocket is 2 millimeters thick, there is a chance that some parts of the rocket may float. The Naro-1 rocket made with Russian cooperation blasted off from...