NASA announces that the danger of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth has dropped to nearly zero.

Happening in the World: President Vladimir Putin states that he is ready to offer the US a deal that would allow access to rare minerals and mining in Russia, some of which are in Russian-occupied Ukraine. This comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s attempts to negotiate with Ukraine for access to their mining minerals. Putin said that Russia is ready to work with outside partners and is not concerned with the possibility of a US-Ukraine deal and is open to collaborative aluminum production between the US and Russia. In the past, the Kremlin has kept access to Russia’s natural resources limited to Russia itself. (BBC)

Happening in the US: NASA scientists announced that the probability that asteroid 2024 YR4 will hit Earth has dropped to almost zero. The odds of the asteroid hitting Earth rose from 1.2% to 3.1% between January and February, but the odds began to drop last week and have today decreased to a one in 59,000 chance of impact on Earth. NASA is monitoring the possibility of 2024 YR4 hitting our moon, and the odds are currently at 1.7%. (NYT)

Happening in NYC: Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the first battery-and-electric powered trains in the country will be installed on the New Haven Line of the Metro-North Railroad and provide access to Penn Station. The MTA Board will meet tomorrow to discuss approval of purchasing 13 battery-and-electric trains. The new trains are expected to cost between $20.3 and $23.4 million and installation will begin in January 2029. (Gothamist)

Happening in Our Community: A pop-up concert featuring Egyptian-American pianist Wael Farouk is happening today at 6 pm in Miller Theatre. Doors open at 5:30 pm, admission is free, and seating is first-come, first-serve. Find out more here. 

Asteroid via Flickr