The Asher Report
Welcome to The Asher Report, a student-led newsletter created by Rosehill College’s own Asher Moratuwa. Covering the latest in global events, science, entertainment, and local happenings, this newsletter delivers insightful stories with a fresh perspective. Stay informed, stay curious, and enjoy the latest edition!
The 2% Gamble: Earth’s Brush with an Asteroid?
A newly discovered asteroid, 2024 YR4, has a 2% chance of hitting Earth in 2032. Though the risk is low, astronomers are closely monitoring the space rock’s orbit and size.
First spotted on 27 December 2023 by the ATLAS telescope in Chile, 2024 YR4 is between 40 and 90 metres wide. While smaller than the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs, it could still cause significant regional damage. In 1908, a similar-sized asteroid flattened 2,000 square kilometres of Siberian forest, and in 2013, another asteroid injured over 1,000 people in Chelyabinsk.
Astronomers are tracking it with telescopes in Hawai‘i, Chile, and New Mexico, and the James Webb Space Telescope will provide more precise data. If it remains a threat, 2024 YR4 will be reassessed in 2028, when it returns to Earth’s vicinity.
Although 3,000 near-Earth objects are found yearly, mid-sized asteroids like this one are harder to detect—only 12,000 out of an estimated 600,000 have been identified.
Tensions at Sea: Chinese Warships Conduct Live-Fire Drills Near Aotearoa and Australia
Chinese warships have carried out live-fire exercises in international waters of the Tasman Sea, raising concerns in Aotearoa and Australia.
The drills, conducted approximately 340 nautical miles southeast of Sydney, prompted airspace warnings, with planes advised to steer clear of the affected zone.
Aotearoa’s Defence Force confirmed that its navy warship, HMNZS Te Kaha, observed live rounds being fired from the Chinese vessel Zunyi. The Chinese navy had previously announced its intention to conduct live-fire exercises, and Aotearoa officials say they are keeping a close watch on the situation.
Australia’s Airservices agency also issued alerts to airlines, forcing at least three flights to alter their routes. Among those impacted were passengers on an Emirates flight from Sydney to Christchurch, after a direct warning from the Chinese navy instructed them to avoid the area.
Both Aotearoa and Australia continue to track and monitor the movements of the Chinese vessels amid growing regional tensions.
Egg Heist Leaves Cops Scrambling for Clues
A daring thief made off with 100,000 eggs from a trailer in Antrim Township, Pennsylvania, leaving police with a real egg-sistential mystery.
The Saturday night theft has investigators hard-boiled for leads, but so far, no cracks in the case. Trooper First Class Megan Frazer of the Pennsylvania State Police urged the community to shell out tips. “We’re relying on witnesses. Hopefully, someone saw something,” she said.
Authorities are reviewing footage and questioning potential witnesses to hatch a plan. Even Frazer, a 12-year veteran, admits, “I’ve never heard of 100,000 eggs being stolen. This is a rare breed of crime.”
Experts suspect the crime is tied to rising egg prices, driven up by bird flu outbreaks. With Easter around the corner, demand is soaring, and egg costs are expected to rise another 20% this year.
The stolen haul, worth about $80,000, makes this a felony. Pete & Gerry’s Organics LLC, the affected company, vows to help crack the case. “We take this seriously and are committed to finding the thief,” the company said.
The Critic
The Truman Show (1998) – A Brilliant Examination of Reality
The Truman Show, directed by Peter Weir and starring Jim Carrey, remains a relevant critique of media control and free will. Truman Burbank unknowingly lives his entire life as the star of a reality show, slowly uncovering the unsettling truth.
The film explores surveillance, fate, and autonomy, paralleling modern reality TV and social media. Jim Carrey delivers a heartfelt performance, while Ed Harris embodies the show’s manipulative creator.
With thought-provoking themes and emotional depth, The Truman Show is a timeless classic.
Rating: 5/5.
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