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NASA tracks a new asteroid that has a ‘small chance’ of hitting Earth on Valentine’s Day 2046

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:13:55 GMT

(CNN) — NASA’s Office of Planetary Defense is tracking a new asteroid that has “a very small chance of hitting Earth” 23 years from now, on Valentine’s Day 2046.The asteroid, named “2023 DW,” is 50 meters in diameter, about the size of an Olympic swimming pool, and has a 1 in 625 chance of hitting Earth, according to the European Space Agency.Although the space rock currently tops NASA’s risk list, it only scores 1 out of 10 on the Torino scale, meaning “the probability of a collision is extremely unlikely, without cause for public attention or concern.”Asteroid deflection proves to be an effective method of planetary defense, according to NASAAs astronomers learn more about this asteroid, concerns around it could be reduced significantly.NASA’s Office of Planetary Defense explains that “often when new objects are first discovered, several weeks of data are needed to reduce uncertainties and adequately predict t...

GM offers buyouts to most US salaried workers to trim costs

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:13:55 GMT

DETROIT (AP) — General Motors is offering buyouts to most of its U.S. salaried workforce and some global executives in an effort to trim costs as it makes the transition to electric vehicles.The Detroit automaker wouldn’t say how many workers it is targeting, but confirmed that the move is aimed at accelerating attrition to meet a previously announced goal of $2 billion in cost cuts by the end of next year. GM has about 58,000 salaried workers in the U.S.The company says the offers also are designed to avoid any possible firings at a later date.Offers will go to white-collar workers with at least five years of service, and global executives with who have been with the company at least two years.U.S. salaried workers are being offered one month of pay for every year of service, up to 12 months. They’ll also be offered health COBRA health care and part of the bonuses they would receive this year.

Woods facing legal clash with ex-girlfriend as Masters nears

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:13:55 GMT

Tiger Woods’ former girlfriend wants to nullify a nondisclosure agreement she signed with golf’s biggest star in a legal dispute that involves allegations of an abrupt breakup after six years together.The court documents have come to light a month before Woods, whose comeback from injuries has restored his popularity, returns to Augusta National to play in the Masters.Attorneys for Woods’ ex-girlfriend, Erica Herman, are asking for clarity on what she can and cannot say, according to documents filed in Martin County Circuit Court in south Florida.Woods lives in Hobe Sound in Martin County, north of West Palm Beach, and the complaint said Woods and Herman had been living together.According to the complaint, a trust controlled by Woods is trying to silence Herman with an NDA she signed while involved in a “personal and professional relationship” with Woods.The complaint argues it should be nullified under the “Speak Out Act,” which became federal law in December and prohibits an...

Norfolk Southern brings apology, aid to derailment hearing

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:13:55 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Norfolk Southern’s CEO is apologizing to Congress on Thursday and pledging millions of dollars to help East Palestine, Ohio, recover from the fiery hazardous materials train derailment as senators investigate rail safety and the Biden administration’s response to the disaster.“I am deeply sorry for the impact this derailment has had on the people of East Palestine and surrounding communities, and I am determined to make it right,” CEO Alan Shaw said in prepared remarks released ahead of the Senate Environment and Public Works panel hearing.Shaw says the railroad will do “the right thing” with a $20 million commitment to help the community recover.The company has announced several voluntary safety upgrades. Senators, however, have promised a pressing inquiry into the derailment, the company’s safety practices and the emergency response to the toppling of 38 railcars, including 11 carrying hazardous materials. Federal regulators have also said Norfo...

Labour urges ‘realism’ on UK’s Indo-Pacific military ambitions

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:13:55 GMT

LONDON — A Labour government would be more realistic about the role Britain can play in the Indo-Pacific, according to the party’s shadow defense secretary.In an interview with POLITICO, John Healey — who could become Britain’s next defense chief if polls continue in Labour’s favor ahead of a likely 2024 election — said the U.K. under the leadership of his boss Keir Starmer would remain a strong ally of countries such as Australia and New Zealand.But, he argued, Britain can’t be a strong military force in the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic simultaneously, and said the country needed to fill a “Europe-shaped hole” in its foreign and defense policy.“Alliances with like-minded nations in the Indo-Pacific are important. We can contribute strongly with technology, capability, diplomacy, to the Indo-Pacific, but there needs to be a realism about military commitments into the Indo-Pacific,” he said. “Our armed forces are ill-served by leaders who pretend that Britain can do everyt...

WhatsApp boss to UK, EU: Don’t break encryption

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:13:55 GMT

LONDON — Western democracies are becoming increasingly autocratic and are threatening people’s fundamental rights, according to Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp, the encrypted-messaging service.The longtime Meta executive on Thursday said new online content proposals in both the United Kingdom and the European Union represented an existential threat to how people communicated privately online. That includes London’s Online Safety Bill and Brussels’ proposals linked to combating child sexual abuse material, including requirements for platforms to proactively search and remove that material, even on encrypted services. If passed, the collective rules could set an unhealthy precedent, after which more authoritarian regimes could copy such proposals in ways that would undermine people’s ability to speak freely worldwide.Cathcart specifically called out the U.K.’s Online Safety Bill — an upcoming online-content proposal that may require encrypted services l...

BU brings Boston landmark to the stage with ‘Make Way For Ducklings’ musical

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:13:55 GMT

Boston University’s Wheelock Family Theatre is bringing one of the city’s most popular landmarks to the stage with “Make Way For Ducklings the Musical.”The musical, based on the children’s book by Robert McCloskey, had a lot of setbacks because of the pandemic. However, it finally made its world premiere last month. “A classic story for all ages, this New England premiere musical celebrates family, Boston, children and the beings who make an unfamiliar place a home,” the show description says. “Make Way For Ducklings” runs through March 12. To purchase tickets, click here.

Uber is making it easier to find your ride at the airport

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:13:55 GMT

(CNN) — Uber on Tuesday unveiled some new product features that aim to make it easier for you to find your ride at the airport.The ride-hailing company said it was adding step-by-step instructions in the app to guide people through the airport and get them smoothly from the gate to their Uber pick-up location. The new instructions, which are available at over 30 airports around the world to start, feature photos that display what you will be seeing in the airport as you navigate to your ride.In addition to helping riders and drivers find each other at the right place, the update also aims to reduce traffic congestion and idle time for drivers at the curb. Some of the US airports where this feature will be available include all three of New York City’s main airports (John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty), as well as Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Miami Internatio...

FTC says it’s conducting an investigation into Twitter’s privacy practices

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:13:55 GMT

(CNN) — The Federal Trade Commission has acknowledged a wide-ranging investigation into Twitter’s privacy practices after a House subcommittee on Tuesday disclosed a dozen letters from the agency to the company seeking information about its operations under new CEO Elon Musk.The acknowledgment marks a rare public confirmation of a probe linked to alleged violations of an FTC settlement, which Twitter first signed in 2011, and which was designed to force the company to improve its protection of user data. It also highlights the intense scrutiny surrounding both Twitter and its regulator as officials try to determine whether violations of the settlement may have occurred under Twitter’s new management — which could broaden the company’s already vast legal exposure.The probe could have huge repercussions for Twitter’s business at a time when Musk is slashing staff and rushing out new paid features to offset sharp losses in ad ...

Former NBA star Shawn Kemp arrested on drive-by shooting charge

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 08:13:55 GMT

Shawn Kemp, a retired six-time NBA All-Star, was arrested in Washington state on a felony drive-by shooting charge, jail records show.Kemp, who played eight of his 14 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, was booked at a Pierce County jail just before 6 p.m. local time Wednesday, hours after police say they responded to a report of shots fired at the Tacoma Mall in Tacoma, Wash.“Responding officers determined an altercation had occurred between two parties in vehicles,” the Tacoma Police Department said. “One of the drivers fired off several rounds at the occupants of the other vehicle. The victim vehicle fled the area.”No injuries were reported.“Officers located the suspect who had fired off the shots on Tacoma Mall property and detained him without incident,” police said. “A firearm was recovered from the scene.”Kemp, 53, has not publicly commented, but sources close to him claim he fired a gun in self-defense, according to the Tacom...