The Starting Point: Discoveries online and in Central Park

The Starting Point is a snapshot of the news stories that occurred overnight. Look for updates throughout the day on Yahoo! News and in the news box on Yahoo.com.

Top story overnight: Fresh protests erupted in China's restive Xinjiang region, with both Han Chinese and Uighur groups facing off with riot police. To "avoid further chaos," the government reportedly declared a curfew from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. Click here to view pictures of the ethnic riots that have killed at least 156 people in the past two days.

In other news: Suspected U.S. missiles hit a Taliban training camp in Pakistan near the Afghan border. According to The Associated Press, two missiles hit the camp, which was run by Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud. At least 12 militants were killed in the missile strike.

Lear Corp has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Reuters reported. The auto parts maker's business suffered due to steep production cuts by General Motors and Ford. "We intend to proceed on an expedited basis and expect to submit the plan to the Bankruptcy Court within 60 days," Lear Chief Executive Bob Rossiter said.

Finally, Michael Jackson's memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Click here to watch it live. Yahoo! News will have reporters on the scene as well; you can view their tweets @YStartingPoint.

Most-read stories overnight: Researchers at Carnegie-Mellon University said they can now predict some Americans' Social Security numbers using public records, social networks and prediction models, The AP reported. Social Security spokesman Mark Lassiter said the public should not be alarmed by the report; however, "the agency has been developing a system to randomly assign SSNs. This system will be in place next year." Considering the increased risk of identity theft, do you believe the U.S. government should issue new identification numbers to the public? Click here to share your thoughts.

Readers were also interested in this AP story about a wallet stolen by a pickpocket 27 years ago. The wallet, which was owned by Ruth Bendik, disappeared in 1982 while she watched the New York City Marathon. Last week, a tree-care supervisor for the Central Park Conservancy found the blue leather billfold inside a dying cherry tree. Although $20 in cash was missing, Bendik's credit cards and ID were still inside.

Looking ahead: Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya will fly to Washington D.C. to discuss the political crisis in his country with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Al Franken will be sworn in at 12:15 p.m. today as the freshman senator from Minnesota. And a South Florida judge is expected to decide whether former New York Yankees star Jim Leyritz should await his upcoming DUI manslaughter trial behind bars.

Yesterday's poll: Do you think Sarah Palin's decision to resign will help or hurt her chances of becoming the Republican's presidential contender in 2012? Seventy percent of respondents said quitting her job has hurt her chances.

Today in history: Four years ago, terrorist bombings in three London Underground stations and on a double-decker bus killed 52 victims and four suicide bombers.

Birthdays: Figure skater Michelle Kwan, 29. Actress Kirsten Vangsness, 37. Basketball player Lisa Leslie, 37. Actress Cree Summer, 40. Actress Jorja Fox, 41. Comedian Jim Gaffigan, 43. Singer Vonda Shepard, 46. Musician Mark White (Spin Doctors), 47. Actor Billy Campbell, 50. Actress Shelley Duvall, 60. Singer David Hodo (The Village People), 62. Actor Joe Spano, 63. Musician Ringo Starr, 69. Author David McCullough, 76. Bandleader Doc Severinsen, 82.

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--Jade Walker is the overnight editor of Yahoo! News. News doesn't stop when the lights go out, and neither does Jade.

**Yahoo! News bloggers compile the best news content from our providers and scour the Web for the most interesting news stories so you don't have to.