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EARTH could collide with its deadly cosmic neighbour, Apophis, an asteroid 1,100ft (335m) wide, should a rare chain event occur, according to a new study.
Though it would be a one in a billion chance.
Researchers at ESA announced in July that they are sending out their Ramses mission spacecraft in 2028 to keep an eye on Apophis[/caption]The near-Earth object (NEO), which is larger than the Eiffel Tower, is scheduled to make an intimidatingly close flyby of Earth on Friday 13, 2029.
It is expected to pass around 19,800 miles (32,000km) of Earth, closer than some satellites, where some stargazers may be able to see it with the naked eye.
No asteroid is expected to come as close for a few thousand years.
New research has suggested that if Apophis, dubbed the “God of Destruction”, is hit by other space rocks in its journey around the solar system, it’s path may be diverted to collide with Earth.
However, the chances of such a chain event is very low, research author Paul Wiegert, an astronomer at the University of Western Ontario, told Space.com.
“The odds are essentially 1 in a million that an asteroid strike could deflect Apophis enough to put it in danger of a future post-2029 collision, and only 1 in a billion that it could send Apophis colliding with Earth in 2029,” he explained.
One of Earth's closest near-misses occurred only a few years ago.
Asteroid VT4, which is estimated to be just five to 10 metres in diameter, came as close as 383 km to the Earth’s surface in 2020.
Another close encounter happened on 31 March 2004, when meteoroid FU162 zoomed past just 6500km above Earth’s surface.
But as experts at the Royal Greenwich Observatory explain, both these asteroids would have been relatively harmless.
“FU162 is only 10m across, so if it had collided with the Earth it would almost certainly have exploded harmlessly in the upper atmosphere,” experts said.
Then in May 1996, asteroid JA1 passed the Earth 450,000km away – which is about as far away as the Moon.
Wiegert added: “I calculated the odds of asteroid Apophis, whose current path is computed to take it near but safely past our planet in 2029, being deflected onto a more dangerous path by an unexpected small asteroid impact.
“These are the same kind of small asteroids that occasionally appear in our atmosphere as ‘shooting stars’ or ‘fireballs’ and could strike Apophis just as unexpectedly.”
Wiegert noted that an asteroid roughly 60cm (24inches), if it hit Apophis, could push the giant space rock onto a future collision course with Earth, sometime after 2029.
But a second, larger, 3m (10ft) asteroid strike with Apophis could “put in danger of a collision in 2029,” said Wiegart.
“These kinds of collisions are extremely rare,” he concluded.
Apophis, named after the Egyptian serpent god of chaos and destruction Apep, was discovered in 2004 and sat atop the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) “impact risk list” and NASA’s Sentry Risk Table for nearly two decades.
But a close flyby of the asteroid in March 2021 showed Nasa scientists that Apophis won’t actually hit Earth for at least 100 years.
Researchers at ESA announced in July that they are sending out their Ramses mission spacecraft in 2028 to keep an eye on it.
The ESA are doubling down on efforts to secure Earth’s defences against future, potentially cataclysmic, space rocks, following the success of Nasa’s DART mission in 2022.
In 2023, Nasa rebranded its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to study the asteroid instead of being retired.
Now going by OSIRIS-APEX (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security – Apophis Explorer), the craft successfully returned samples from the space rock Bennu.
Its second mission will investigate Apophis before, during, and after its close pass.
Scientists, at both ESA and Nasa, are keen to know how the giant space rock is influenced by Earth’s gravity during such a close flyby.
Here's what you need to know, according to Nasa...
AMANDA Holden has shared Jamie Theakston’s powerful message to her and her co-stars after his shock cancer diagnosis.
On Tuesday morning, radio presenter Jamie, 53, revealed that he has stage 1 laryngeal cancer.
Amanda Holden shared Jamie Theakston’s powerful message he told his co-stars after his cancer diagnosis[/caption] Jamie revealed that he has stage 1 laryngeal cancer[/caption] Jamie told his co-stars that they need to ‘hold the fort’ while he’s away[/caption]The host, who presents on Heart Radio, took to Instagram to share a health update with fans.
Amanda said live on air today: “We share everything with you on this show, the ups and the downs.
“So, it feels only right that we get you completely up to speed with what’s going on.
“You might have seen on Jamie’s socials, he recently had an operation to remove a lesion from his vocal cords and we wanted to let you know that this biopsy has actually been identified as stage 1 laryngeal cancer.
“Even though it has been identified as cancer, it is not all bad news.”
Amanda continued: “He has told us that we have got to hold the fort and he has told us that the show must go on and absolutely that’s what we’re going to do.
“We’re going to do him proud. Him and Sophie and the boys, they’re listening at home and I know after this announcement all of those listening are going to be sending your best wishes to our King.
“Our lovely Jamie who is going to be better and back with us soon.”
Jamie’s vocal cord cancer was spotted by radio listeners after they noticed a change in his voice – and this led him to seek medical advice.
Jamie said: “Hi folks, as you know – I recently had an operation to remove a lesion from my vocal chords.
“The biopsy has identified this as Stage 1 Laryngeal cancer.
“So I have cancer but cancer doesn’t have me!
“The prognosis is very positive and I’m hoping to be back with you in October.
“Until then, I’ve been told to give my voice a rest and leave you in the mostly capable hands of JK and Amanda.
“Huge thanks to them and all the Global family who have been unbelievably supportive.
“Be thankful for this day, and when I see you next, I’ll have a great story to tell.”
The NHS have said there are six other key symptoms of laryngeal cancer to look out for:
Other signs also include: bad breath, unintentional weight loss, or fatigue (extreme tiredness).
According to the NHS website, laryngeal cancer is a type that affects your voice box.
The main treatments for throat cancer include radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy and targeted cancer medicines.
Jamie presents the breakfast show alongside Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden.
His co-star rushed to social media to share her love and support.
Amanda reshared his post on her story and added: “We love you @jamie_theakston.”
She added on her profile: “Our wonderful @jamie_theakston has been diagnosed with stage 1 laryngeal cancer.
“His prognosis is very good and he has an incredible team around him.
“Jamie. we love and miss you and look forward to seeing you very soon.”
It comes just weeks after Jamie revealed he was taking a break from his breakfast show to recover from surgery.
In a statement on social media, the 53-year-old revealed he had emergency surgery on his vocal cords.
He explained: “Sooo – a few of you listeners have noticed my voice hasn’t sounded right these past few weeks – I’ve got you to thank…
got it checked.
“Doctors found a lesion on my vocal chords which I’ve had removed this weekend.
“Thanks for all the kind messages should be back on my feet soon – in the meantime…”
Many friends and fans have taken to his recent post to share their get well soon messages.
Carol Vorderman said: “Sending best Jamie thank goodness your listeners spotted the change in your voice, all found early and you’ll be back keeping everyone happy very soon .”
Strictly’s Oti Mabuse added: “Get well soon.”
MAFS’ Mel Schilling wrote: “Sending all my love & cancer-kicking strength Jamie.”
Jamie has presented the Heart Breakfast show since 2005.
He is a TV presenter, producer and actor – and started off his career presenting Top of the Pops between 1998 and 2003.
There's a time and a place... and it seems like a train isn't it.
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ANGELA Rippon has revealed her Strictly partner Kai Widdrington banned camera crew from one element of rehearsals amid the show’s scandal.
The under-fire BBC dance series returned last week amid the probe into Giovanni Pernice’s conduct on set.
Beeb execs launched the investigation following a complaint from actress Amanda Abbington who was paired with the Italian dancer.
Included in Strictly’s new duty of care protocols is chaperones now accompanying the celebrities to rehearsals.
But Angela Rippon – who appeared on last year’s series – has revealed her pro partner Kai Widdrington was against filming one particular element of their practices.
The 79-year-old said Kai wanted the ending to their routines to be kept a surprise, so ordered the camera crew to leave.
She told The Express: “It wasn’t the couple’s choice, it was Kai’s choice.”
Angela’s impressive high kick which stunned viewers at home was one surprise Kai wanted kept for the live show.
She continued: “So I did it again and as I kick he caught my foot and he just kept pushing it and it got level to my nose, and he said ‘that’ll do’.
“You have camera crews in filming it. So when we were rehearsing, you would get to that part of the dance at the end and he wouldn’t do it. He never, ever wanted it filmed.”
Angela added: “We did the whole dance and everybody saw me do it for the first time. The reaction from the audience was extraordinary.”
Meanwhile, The Sun first revealed how Kai, 29, was left without a celeb partner for this year’s Strictly.
Kai has since broken his silence, telling the Daily Star: “Everyone wants to get a celebrity.
“Unfortunately it wasn’t my time this series. Two boys couldn’t have one this series and sadly I am one of them.
“Some of us don’t get partners and that’s the way it is.”
Here's who is matched with who this series...
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
ITV has recommissioned the beloved game show Wheel of Fortune, with household name Graham Norton returning to host the latest season.
The network’s decision to bring back the iconic show follows its successful revival earlier this year.
The Wheel of Fortune has been recommissioned by ITV[/caption] Graham Norton will return to head up the game show[/caption]It saw the Wheel of Fortune become ITV’s biggest entertainment launch since 2022, with a staggering 5.7 million viewers tuning in for the premiere.
The upcoming season promises even more thrills and excitement, including a Christmas celebrity special.
It will feature nine hour-long episodes, so fans can look forward to getting their fix.
Contestants will once again find themselves at the mercy of the show’s famous giant carnival wheel as they spin to win life-changing cash prizes.
However, winning isn’t simply about luck.
In true Wheel of Fortune style, players must solve word puzzles by selecting letters carefully, creating high stakes moments where strategy is key.
BAFTA winning presenter Graham Norton has expressed his excitement about returning to host the show, saying: “I’m thrilled we are coming back for a second series to challenge more contestants to solve more word puzzles and hopefully they come away with even more cash.
“It’s a game of skill and luck, so you just never know which way it will go and I’m excited to see who can hold their nerve against the wheel.”
Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s Head of Entertainment Commissioning, also shared her enthusiasm about the recommission, adding: “We are excited to bring back this iconic game show for a second series after a successful launch earlier this year.
“Graham with his wit and humour is the perfect host for this fun, exciting, fast paced game of luck and skill.”
Despite amassing millions of viewers, the season that aired in January 2024 was blasted by some fans who were annoyed by the behaviour of the contestants.
Viewers were quick to call out the contestants for shouting with one posting: “WHY ARE THEY SHOUTING…” and another blasting: “Why are the contestants so shouty”.
Others slammed them for being “thick”, with one harshly writing: “Is it a pre-requisite to be thick on this show???”
RUSSELL Watson was visibly emotional on The One Show after he received a heartfelt message.
The classical singer, 57, spoke to Alex Jones and Roman Kemp about his comeback to music following two life-threatening brain tumours.
Singer Russell Watson became visibly emotional on The One Show after receiving a special message[/caption] Russell is a renowned classical vocalist who has faced two life threatening brain tumours[/caption] He received a poignant message from an important person in his past[/caption]Having undergone 25 sessions of radiotherapy in 2008, Russell admitted the “impact is still there” and outlined his depressive state during recovery.
In a moving moment, The One Show team surprised the star with a message from his consultant, Mr Lackett.
Speaking in a video, the medical professional said: “Hello Russell.
“17 years on from that brave decision to have the surgery and look what a glittering career you’ve had in-between.
“I can’t tell you how much the team and I were so proud to watch you and your progress after that awful night when you were taken into hospital as an emergency.”
He concluded: “We’re thrilled for you. Well done, Russell.”
The acclaimed singer was left visibly teary after hearing Mr Lackett’s words.
Wiping his eyes with a tissue, Russell said: “Why did you do that?
“Oh deary me, what a man. And so lovely as well, so down to earth. Just a beautiful human being.
“I will be eternally grateful to him.”
Russell’s medical journey and subsequent return to music inspired his new memoir.
He told the hosts: “I’m singing better than I’ve ever sung and just loving life.”
Titled Encore: My Journey Back to Centre Stage, the memoir is reaching bookshelves this week.
Meanwhile, Hollywood star Will Ferrell was also on the green sofa.
He was discussing his new documentary Will & Harper, alongside writer and friend Harper Steele.
Will reminisced showing off his own vocal ability in his 2008 film Step Brothers, where he performed Por ti Volare
As a clip played, Russell joined in with his own vocals, admitting: “Every chance to sing, I’ll take it.”
The One Show airs weekdays at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Russell briefly sang with actor Will Ferrell[/caption] The vocalist was on The One Show to discuss his new memoir[/caption]A MAJOR fashion retailer with 364 stores in the UK has confirmed it is closing a “gorgeous” branch today.
New Look‘s store in Gillingham High Street, Medway, Kent, has been open for over 30 years – but is shutting for good today.
New Look is closing is store in Gillingham High Street, Medway, Kent, today[/caption]At the end of 2023, the unit hosting the branch at 118-120 High Street, near Poundland, was listed for let by estate agents Crosthwaite Commercial for £52,500 per year.
The listing was then taken down and New Look bosses confirmed the store will be closing down.
From tomorrow, customers in the Medway area can visit the store at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, which continues to operate as normal.
Customers can also shop online for the full range of products.
It is not yet known what will replace the New Look store in Gillingham High Street.
A spokesperson for the fashion retailer said: “Our store in Gillingham is closing on September 17.
“We would like to thank all of our colleagues and the local community for their support over the years.
“We hope customers continue to shop with us online at newlook.com, where our full product ranges can be found.”
New Look has other branches in Kent, including stores in Canterbury, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and Bluewater Shopping Centre.
The latest closure comes after B&M recently announced it would take over the former home of Wilko between Savers and Sports Direct in Gillingham High Street.
Other recent closures in the area included the Wilko stores in Strood, Rainham, and Gillingham closed in September 2023.
The Claire’s store at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre in Gillingham closed in February 2024.
The Debenhams store in Chatham Town Centre closed in January 2020.
It comes after Weird Fish, which has around 30 branches across the UK, confirmed it has closed its Canterbury store just two years since it first welcomed customers, located at Unit 5 of Marlowe Arcade.
The closure was a commercial decision due to the landlord of the store “redeveloping”.
A spokesperson from Weird Fish said: “The landlord is redeveloping this unit and the adjacent one, which meant they needed the space back which didn’t work for us commercially.
“We are however very keen to find another suitable site in Canterbury at the earliest opportunity. We also still have a store in Whitstable.”
RETAILERS have been hit by soaring inflation and a downturn in spending due to the cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking their toll.
Some high street shops have closed due to businesses opening up in different locations such as larger retail parks.
Shops may also close due to a number of other reasons, such as rising rents.
We explain which retailers are closing in 2024:
A number of retailers have been shutting stores across the UK in a hammer blow to shoppers.
Wilko, The Body Shop and Ted Baker have closed hundreds of branches between them after falling into administration.
Other retailers, including Poundland, Lidl and Iceland have closed single shops here and there too.
But plenty of chains have been expanding their presence on the high street and across retail parks.
Poundland, Lidl and Aldi have all been expanding, pouncing on shoppers’ appetites for cheap and good quality produce.
Health and beauty retailer Superdrug recently said it wants to open 25 new branches across the UK too.
Asda has been opening hundreds of convenience stores in recent months as it looks to rival major players Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
And B&M plans to open “not less than” 45 brand new stores across the UK in each of the next two consecutive years.
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