This week the recently spotted asteroid 2024 YR4 had its odds of missing us “spectacularly” slashed by 1 percentage point. Still nothing to worry about maintains Patrick Michel of the International Asteroid Warning Network, and he expects that with better tracking data in the next few months (even courtesy of the JWST) that tiny chance of collision will fall further. However, as he explains, it’s very comforting to know that we now have such a sophisticated tracking network, and even better, thanks to NASA’s DART mission, even a demonstrable method for doing something about it if the numbers go the other way…
But other extraterrestrial bombardments are harder to detect at all. This week scientists of the KM3NeT collaboration report in the journal Nature their detection of the most energetic neutrino ever noticed. Almost countless numbers travel through the earth – and us – every second, but this little beauty arrived from deep space, plummeting through hundreds of miles of rock and sea (via Malta) to collide with a single molecule of water in the Mediterranean sea. As Paschal Coyle of Aix Marseille University happens to run a cubic kilometre of neutrino observatory in that area explains their huge instrument was barely begun when the record breaker smashed through the area in February 2023.
Finally, years of breeding rice cultivars for higher yield may have subtly changed the plants relationship with the microbes in the paddies in which they grow, inadvertently boosting the amount of methane released into our atmosphere. New research, including 3 years of field trials in China have produced a new cultivar, breeding in some of the older stocks, with just as high yields yet up to 70 percent lower methane released. This could make a serious difference to global methane emissions, as Microbiologist Anna Schnürer of Uppsala BioCenter in Sweden describes.
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Alex Mansfield
Production Coordinator: Josie Hardy
(Photo: Asteroid 2024 YR4 as observed by the Magdalena Ridge 2.4m telescope Credit: AFP/NASA/New Mexico Institute of Technology)
In which a veiled, fume-huffing priestess tells the ancient world what to do for over a millennium, and John only knows what time it is from his truck clock. Certificate #25192.
Dating app companies are seeing a decline in demand, so they’re looking to recruit a new matchmaker: AI. WSJ’s Belle Lin reports on Grindr’s big bet that its new AI “wingman” will help its users find love. And we talk to someone who tried it.
Conservatives across the country might be supporting leftist causes through their investments but have no idea they are doing so. A new investment services consulting company is working to change this.
“Prospr Aligned is committed to equipping institutional investors with the tools, insights, and partnerships necessary to ensure their investments deliver reliable returns and reflect the values of their investors and beneficiaries,” according to Derek Kreifels, the company's CEO.
Through Prospr Aligned, Kreifels says he helps “institutional investors across the country make sure that their assets are being managed in a way that is actually aligned with their values.” While this might sound simple, Kreifels says, “you would be surprised how many investors are not aware of how asset managers are voting their shares.”
Prospr Aligned advises both clients of private and public investment funds on the best investments they can make, placing the priority of financial returns first, while also ensuring investments are not in contradiction with a client's values.
Before launching Prospr Aligned, Kreifels headed the State Financial Officers Foundation for 12 years and served as the Assistant State Treasurer of Kansas for the five years prior. Kreifels joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to discuss values-based investing and the unique mission of Prospr Aligned.
The latest price moves and insights with Jennifer Sanasie and TMX VettaFi Investment Strategist Cinthia Murphy.
To get the show every day, follow the podcast here.
TMX VettaFi Investment Strategist Cinthia Murphy joins CoinDesk to discuss the optimistic future for crypto ETF products in the current administration as President Trump has showed a friendlier stance towards digital assets. Plus, which among Litecoin, XRP and Doge will be the first to get a green light on its ETF?
This content should not be construed or relied upon as investment advice. It is for entertainment and general information purposes.
-
From our sponsor:
In Chinese, belief means trust. For 10 years, Consensus has united those who believe in building a new internet where everyone has value. Join us at Consensus Hong Kong February 18 - 20, 2025 where belief becomes real. Connect with global leaders, innovators, and investors shaping the future of Web3, and experience the power of collaboration at the industry's most influential event. Register now: https://go.coindesk.com/3BeigBq
-
This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie. “Markets Daily” is produced by Jennifer Sanasie and edited by Victor Chen. All original music by Doc Blust and Colin Mealey.
While Elon claims he's storming the government to cut waste, he's also getting himself a big fat check for $400 million from the State Department for Tesla armored vehicles—though administration officials are now trying to hide the grift because the Trump glow does not extend to the weird dude. Meanwhile, McConnell may have voted against confirming RFK Jr, but he's the one who drew up the blueprint for breaking the rules. Plus, the asymmetry in passion between MAGA and the resistance, and Alex's new podcast looks at how people are being affected by the policies and promises of Trumpism.
As of Tuesday, President Donald Trump has signed seven executive orders or proclamations related to DEI.
They include ending virtually all such programs in the federal government, calling them "illegal," and "Ending racial indoctrination in K through 12 schooling."
According to the Trump administration, that includes teaching "gender ideology and critical race theory" in the classroom.
A number of private companies and institutions are following suit. Target, Google, Meta, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, and PBS are just a few now changing or eliminating their DEI initiatives following Trump's orders.
We explore what DEI actually means, and what happens when we just get rid of it.
On this episode of "The Federalist Radio Hour," Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama joins The Federalist's Senior Elections Correspondent Matt Kittle to discuss how the Trump administration is changing the narrative on the Russia-Ukraine war, share an update on his uphill battle against taxpayer-funded abortions in the military, and analyze the problems with the college sports transfer portal frenzy.
If you care about combating the corrupt media that continue to inflict devastating damage, please give a gift to help The Federalist do the real journalism America needs.
Ahead of German elections, Mark Leonard from the European Council on Foreign Relations reflects on Germany's significance within the wider European project. We investigate the murky world of underwater stealth sabotage. The German town of Meiningen fosters a cultural oasis in the middle of an AfD stronghold. And Alice in Orbanland: AfD leader Weidel pays a visit to Hungary.
