Huge spider

A huge asteroid the size of a cruise liner will whizz past the Earth this week. NASA said 2016 QE45 is estimated to be between 120 and 270 metres in width, which makes it almost as big as the Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner. The RMS Queen Mary 2, the largest ocean liner ever built, was christened by her namesake's granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II on January 8, 2004. As of 2020, Queen Mary 2 is the only passenger ship operating as an ocean liner. https://t.co/CBeHBsoQTy pic.twitter.com/g2fun8wM41 — Trivia Encyclopedia (@edpearce080759) January 8, 2020 ​The celestial body will swoosh past our planet on 24 April. Despite its proximity, amateur astrophysicists won’t be able to see it with their telescopes due to the asteroid’s enormous speed as well as distance, which NASA estimates will be thousands of miles. Space experts say 2016 QE45 won’t pose any risk to our planet, unlike 2010RF12, which the European Space Agency (ESA) said has a probability of crashing into earth … [Read more...] about Huge Asteroid the Size of a Cruise Liner to Make Close Approach to Earth This Week

Rania Khalek , producer and host for Breakthrough News, and contributor to Truthout, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, Al Jazeera America, The Nation, Salon, and others, joins us to talk about Anthony Blinken’s statements at the UN Security Council regarding human rights, with a particular emphasis on the situation in Syria, how this alleged concern obfuscates the situation on the ground, and how it is more reflective of realpolitik concerns over influence in the region while ignoring domestic basic human rights issues. Chris Jenkins , journalist, filmmaker, political strategist, and creator of the documentary  “Trapped: Cash Bail in America,” joins us in a conversation about the state of cash bail in the country, the California Supreme Court saying courts cannot require cash bail payments as a condition of release before trial, how this a step forward but is only part of a huge repressive apparatus that includes financial indebtedness and significant disparities in sentencing, … [Read more...] about Blinken on Human Rights; Cash Bail in America; Multilateralism under Biden

Jules Gill-Peterson , Associate Professor of English and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, and author of the book “Histories of the Transgender Child,” joins us in a conversation about the latest battles to protect trans youth and trans rights that have come under assault in the states of Arkansas and South Dakota, with several other GOP led initiatives targeting trans communities. We also talk about how these are narrowly identified and represented along with class and racial lines in the mainstream media and within dominant liberal narratives, the need to broaden definitions to be more inclusive and representative, and how right-wing groups use these attacks as a cudgel that threaten to erase trans people from history. Dr. Jack Rasmus , economist, radio show host & author of 'The Scourge of Neoliberalism: US Economic Policy from Reagan to Trump,” joins us to talk about President Biden’s new infrastructure bill, how it aims to save … [Read more...] about Trans Youth Under Attack; Biden’s Infrastructure Plan and US Capitalism

This morning, CBS News continues its series "Eye on Earth: Our Planet in Peril," a week of special coverage on our changing planet, leading up to Earth Day this Thursday, April 22. In a new CBS News poll , 56 percent of Americans say climate change is urgent and should be addressed "right now." Rising sea levels are among the most visible effects of climate change. With water covering more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface, it is key to our survival. We sent Mark Phillips out to the English Channel, to report on how this force of nature affects us all. Let's start this with a confession: this may be the most self-indulgent story I've ever done. But it's in a good cause. They said they wanted to focus this series on the climate change crisis in a way that people can relate to. They said, let's look at specific ways in which lives are being affected. Let's look at what is happening, for example, with... water. So I said, "Water? I know where to find some." Once … [Read more...] about How the Earth’s oceans protect us from climate change — and how that may “come back and bite us”

Jennifer Lopez parted ways with Alex Rodriguez and said that the duo is better off as friends. Despite one week into the split,  JLo still has not returned her engagement ring. TMZ reported the Latino singer does not plan to give back the huge sparkler anytime soon. This is because the two exchanged 'massive amounts of jewelry' during the four years they were together. While A-Rod gave her a gorgeous ring worth $1.8 millio, the Hustlers actress added to the MLB star’s watch collection over the years. So to say, they may just keep each other's gifts and call it even. At the time of announcing their breakup, JLo and A-Rod said that they wish to remain on amicable terms. We have realized we are better as friends and look forward to remaining so. We will continue to work together and support each other on our shared businesses and projects,” the two said in a statement on April 15. … [Read more...] about Why Jennifer Lopez hasn’t returned engagement ring to Alex Rodriguez