For many years, astronomers have predicted that the Andromeda Galaxy, the closest large galaxy to us, is approaching the Milky Way. It is widely believed that this will result in an inevitable collision and merger between the two galaxies in about 4.5 billion years. The outcome of this event is expected to be the formation of a new, massive elliptical galaxy. However, in this scenario, the Milky Way would cease to exist in its current form, and the Solar System, along with its planets, would occupy a completely different position in the new galaxy, potentially leading to unpredictable changes in its structure. However, a new study published on the arXiv preprint server suggests that the collision between the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy might not be inevitable, and a cosmic catastrophe could be avoided. The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy around 13.6 billion years old with large pivoting arms stretching out across the cosmos. Our home galaxy’s disk is about 100,000 light-years in diameter and just 1000 light-years thick, according to Las Cumbres Observatory. For over 100 years, astronomers have observed the Andromeda Galaxy, located 2.5 million light-years away. For decades, predictions have suggested that this large galaxy is gradually moving towards the Milky Way, likely resulting in a head-on collision. Such collisions are not uncommon in the Universe and often lead to the formation of new galaxies. It is believed that the merger of the two galaxies will produce a gigantic elliptical galaxy. Several years ago, scientists using data from the Hubble Space Telescope determined that the Andromeda Galaxy is moving towards the Milky Way at a speed of approximately 400,000 km/h. This led to the conclusion that a cosmic collision could occur in about 4.5 billion years. After the collision, as modeling suggests, the two galaxies would continue to merge over the next 2 billion years. In the new study, researchers analyzed the movements of the largest galaxies in the Local Group using data from the Gaia and Hubble space telescopes. These galaxies include the Andromeda Galaxy, with roughly 1 trillion stars; the Milky Way, with about 100-200 billion stars; the Triangulum Galaxy, with around 40 billion stars; and the Large Magellanic Cloud, with approximately 20 billion stars. These galaxies have different masses, and thus, different gravitational influences. Scientists believe that the gravitational interactions between these galaxies could alter their trajectories over the next 10 billion years, as simulation data suggests. Astronomers now estimate that there is only a 50% chance that the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way will collide and merge during this period. In other words, the scenario of an inevitable collision, as suggested by past studies, is not certain. The study’s authors propose that the Milky Way could avoid such a fate and continue to exist as a separate galaxy. Nevertheless, there remains significant uncertainty in these calculations, and astronomers will continue to observe nearby galaxies to refine their understanding. Even if the collision between the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way does occur in 4.5 billion years, by that time, the Sun may have already reached the end of its life cycle, transforming into a red giant and potentially destroying the Earth. By then, humanity may have already left our planet and settled other worlds—perhaps not even within the Solar System, as its structure may be disrupted by the merging galaxies. The post Milky Way vs. Andromeda: New Study Suggests Collision May Be Avoided appeared first on Anomalien.com.

MRC has officially launched the new online home for making MRC’s exclusive CensorTrack database campaign central for censorship as CensorTrack surpasses 7,000 documented cases of Big Tech censorship.  The Media Research Center is increasing the pressure in the fight against Big Tech’s anti-free speech tactics with the launch of the Free Speech America division website. The new site combines the hard-hitting pro-free speech studies and reporting you have come to expect from MRC’s researchers along with its signature Big Tech censorship-tracking database, CensorTrack. The MRC Free Speech America site centralizes all of the content produced in pursuit of its mission statement to be the recognized leader winning the battle against online censorship, Big Tech interference in elections and anti-Americanism from Silicon Valley-related entities. This content includes in-depth investigations, studies and reports focused on the schemes Big Tech platforms are using to silence speech and influence elections as well as insightful blogs examining all aspects of anti-free speech policies, actions and statements. MRC Free Speech America has become a known expert in helping to protect free speech. As a result, lawmakers provide exclusive comments for our reporting on government actions to protect Americans from Big Tech companies’ Orwellian censorship efforts and even government’s efforts to collude with Big Tech in opposition to free speech. MRC Free Speech America brings the fight to Big Tech regularly with bombshell studies and reports that expose the worst offenses committed by social media platforms working to push their leftist agenda and suppress Americans’ freedom of speech. Some examples include: 41 Times Google Has Interfered In US Elections Since 2008 39 Times Facebook Interfered in US Elections Since 2008 STUDY: X Is Giving Congressional Dems a BOOST Before the 2024 Election Exposing Gemini: 10 Responses Showing Google AI’s Anti-American Bias BREAKING REPORT: How the Biden Administration Pushed German Censorship to American Teachers EVEN WORSE! MRC Exposes NewGuard for Leftist Bias Third Year in a Row MRC Free Speech America EXPOSES 9 Federal Agencies Pressuring Big Tech to Censor Americans CAUGHT: Google News Does Not Try to Hide Bias Against March For Life Featured on the new MRC Free Speech America website is MRC’s exclusive CensorTrack database. This unique database, launched in 2019, contains more than 7,000 documented cases of Big Tech censorship. Information pulled from this database features prominently in some of MRC Free Speech America’s key studies into censorship, including actions taken by Big Tech platforms such as TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter), Google AI Gemini (formerly Bard), Twitter (pre-Musk) and Facebook. MRC’s researchers have used the data to highlight Big Tech’s rampant censorship of specific topics including election interference, so-called transgenderism and COVID-19. MRC CensorTrack data has even been cited numerous times in the Congressional Record.  Meta platform Instagram has made itself part of the 7,000th entry documented in CensorTrack. The social media platform suspended notable de-transition advocate Chloe Cole’s account temporarily with no apparent explanation. Cases such as Cole’s underscore the fact that Big Tech continues to target those who have values and beliefs that diverge from the leftist narrative. Cole’s brief biography on X explains that she began using testosterone and puberty blockers at age 13, had her breasts removed at age 15 and chose to de-transition at age 16. Cole, therefore, opposes the idea that children should be allowed to make permanent changes to their bodies, and Big Tech has on more than one occasion acted to minimize her influence. MRC Free Speech America documents such cases utilizing CensorTrack to hold Big Tech accountable for its actions. Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment and provide an equal platform for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using MRC Free Speech America’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.

Have you ever wondered, given how much Joe Scarborough despises Donald Trump, if there were any Democrat Scarborough wouldn't support over the Don? Scarborough went a long way in answering that question on today's Morning Joe, saying: "If Mike Pence were president or Bernie Sanders were president, I'd worry much less than if Donald Trump were president." Scarborough went on to say that he believes that Madisonian democracy, checks and balances, and the separation of powers would ensure that "we could survive four years of somebody who's very conservative or very liberal." The key, according to Scarborough, is that both Pence and Sanders respect "constitutional boundaries," whereas Trump, in Scarborough's view, does not.  So, since Scarborough prefers Bernie Sanders over Trump as president, might he push the envelope even further? Sadly, Ilhan Omar's out of the running, not being a natural-born citizen [but hey!—constitutional amendment, anyone?] Rather than Trump, how's about a President AOC, Joe? Or why not Rashida Tlaib as Commander-in-Chief? Just how far would Joe go in his fearless defense of democracy? None of this recognizes that the "Green New Deal" or other socialist takeovers of the economy aren't respectful of "constitutional boundaries."  Scarborough claimed that there are "quite a few Republicans I've talked to that like the authoritarian streak in Donald Trump. They like the strongman approach." I must be running in the wrong Republican circles, not having heard anyone express such a view. Note: Scarborough's comments came in response to a New York Times column by David French, the Never Trumper guest on the show, entitled, "To Save Conservatism From Itself, I Am voting for Harris." French's reasoning is that if Trump is defeated, "conservative Americans will have a chance to build something decent from the ruins of a party that was once a force for genuine good in American life." That's a perfect summation of the MSNBC Republican. Here's the transcript. MSNBC Morning Joe 8/13/24 6:17 am EDT WILLIE GEIST: You've got a new piece out for the New York Times,  David, titled "To Save Conservatism From Itself, I Am voting for Harris."  . . .  "I'm often asked by Trump voters," David writes, "if I'm still conservative. And I respond that I can't vote for Trump precisely because I am conservative. The only real hope for restorin ga conservatism that values integrity, demonstrates real compassion and defends our foundational constitutional principles isn't to try to make the best of Trump, a ma who values only himself." "If he wins again, it will validate his cruelty and his ideological transformation of the Republican party. If Harris wins, the West will still stand against Vladimir Putin, and conservative Americans will have a chance to build something decent from the ruins of a party that was once a force for genuine good in American life." . . .  JOE SCARBOROUGH: I, I have explained to people before, I've explained, Katty, when Donald Trump was president, that, that I've always had great faith in America. And, and many people say--and they do--many people say that I'm too optimistic, I'm, I'm, it's too glass-half-full.  But my feeling has always been that Madisonian democracy rounds off the sharp edges. That's why I said, when Donald Trump was president, and people come up to me and go, oh, you just, you're, this is all about, you know, ideology. I said, no, no, no. You don't understand. I said, it's about respecting constitutional boundaries. I'm, I'm fairly confident that everybody from Mike Pence to Bernie Sanders would, would respect constitutional boundaries.  And if Mike Pence were president, or Bernie Sanders were president, I'd worry much less than if Donald Trump were president, because, again, Madisonian democracy, checks and balances, separation of powers, that rounds off the sharp edges.  We could survive four years of somebody who's very conservative or very liberal. Our problem here is someone who just doesn't respect constitutional boundaries. And brags about being authoritarian to his supporters.  And, you know, the truth is, I agree with David. There are a lot of people who think that this is like Clinton versus Dole in 1996. But there are quite a few Republicans I've talked to that like the authoritarian streak in Donald Trump. They like the strongman approach.

Times may change, but one thing remains the same. According to Dave Rubin of "The Rubin Report," that one thing is Jon Stewart. “He still sucks," Rubin jokes. Stewart recently took it upon himself to attack intellectual powerhouse Ben Shapiro — and he did not come out on top. The talk show host teed himself up by playing a clip of Shapiro commenting on Kamala Harris’ accomplishments. This, Shapiro pointed out, was more of a lack of accomplishments. “She’s never earned or won anything. Like, she was legitimately handed her original post in California state government because she was sleeping with Willie Brown, and then he backed her in the race for San Francisco,” Shapiro said in the clip. “Okay 'Squeaks,'” Stewart commented sarcastically, adding, “I don’t know, guys, you’re being awfully subtle here.” While he looked and sounded incredibly smug, what he actually accomplished was setting Shapiro up to destroy him. “He’s 61 years old and still doesn’t know most basic things but pretends he’s smart by making the same obnoxious snarky faces my 10-year-old sometimes makes,” Shapiro says. “I am 5'9", and John Stewart is a midgetly 5'7". He’s also a complete cynical boob.” “By this, I mean that his entire game is to ignore issues in favor of cheap insults. That’s literally what he does, like, all the time. There are never any arguments,” he adds before pulling his own clip of Stewart on CNN’s "Crossfire." In the clip, Stewart yells at Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala, who were arguing differing views on the show, and tells them what they’re doing is ruining America. “Stewart is largely responsible for having turned all of American politics into that exact same game,” Shapiro adds, disgusted. Want more from Dave Rubin?To enjoy more honest conversations, free speech, and big ideas with Dave Rubin, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Busan is the cleanest city I've ever seen: not a cigarette butt or gum wrapper on the ground. No garbage pails either. I'm told that if people see litter on the ground, they pick it up and put it in their pocket until they can throw it away. Last month, I was in Korea's second-largest city for the 2024 Busan International Motor Show, which has been held biennially since 2001. Starting this year, it has a new name: the Busan International Mobility Show, which better reflects the wider range of transportation innovation it hopes to showcase. [Hyundai] has built every vehicle it makes to be either hybrid, gas, or electric. The company was smart enough to say, 'Let's make this like Lego: same body, different drive line underneath.'I didn't see any flying cars, but my visit did give me the chance to reflect on the rise of the Korean automobile industry in the last two decades. Korean cars have been in the United States market since 1986, with the Hyundai Excel. That car was a huge hit with American consumers, but quality issues over the long run gave it and other Hyundai models a bad reputation. In 1998, Hyundai decided to change its poor reputation abroad by making massive investments in design, quality, and marketing. It looked at how the Japanese were offering packaged trim levels and did the same. It also looked at the typical U.S. three-year, 32,000-mile warranty and decided to more than triple that: 10 years, 100,000 miles, including basic maintenance. To this day, no other manufacturers have tried to compete on warranty. The Germans have extended their warranties to four years, 50,000 miles, which hasn't kept Hyundai from taking a big chunk of their market. Hyundai also began manufacturing in America. It 2005, it opened a factory in Montgomery, Alabama; followed by a Kia factory (Hyundai has been Kia's parent company since 1997) in West Point, Georgia, in 2010. The latter expects to roll its five millionth car off the assembly line sometime in 2025.Last year Hyundai's luxury brand Genesis began producing the Electrified GV70 SUV in the Montgomery plant, the first Genesis model to be manufactured in America. I spoke to Hyundai head Jay Chang about their EV strategy. While vehicles the Kia EV9 have gotten a lot of acclaim, I asked him point blank what happens if the market for EVs collapses? His answer was simple: we'll make electric vehicles if people want them. Unlike us, Hyundai doesn't have an EV mandate; moreover, it's realized electric cars aren't the answer. So instead of going all in, it's built every vehicle it makes to be either hybrid, gas, or electric. The company was smart enough to say, "Let's make this like Lego: same body, different drive line underneath." And now that the Genesis line is competing with luxury vehicles Lexus and Mercedes, it's beginning to go after the performance market — vehicles like BMW's M series and Audi RS — with its Magma line. I spoke a little with Hyundai Motor Group president and chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke about this, and the company has assembled some top-notch talent, including veteran Porsche engineer Manfred Harrer as well as BMW veteran (and recent Hyundai head of R&D) Albert Biermann.While in Korea I was also able to visit Ulsan and tour the largest car factory in the world. No cameras allowed, unfortunately, but I did watch as vehicles were loaded onto a ship with unbelievable grace and precision: It was like one big musical number. They loaded 12 floors of cars (over 10,000 vehicles in all) in six hours. It's important to note here that not only is Hyundai half-owned by the Korean government, but it's very well vertically integrated. Hyundai owns a steel company as well as a chip company — the latter, MegaChip, gave Hyundai a huge advantage during the supply-chain crisis. See below for some of my video from the 2024 Busan International Mobility Show: - YouTube www.youtube.com

How do you get Star Wars Outlaws early access? We're not saying we're impatient, but when we hear about an upcoming game we can't wait for, our first question is always: how early can we play? As long as you don't mind paying a bit extra, and that is certainly the case for Star Wars Outlaws. Described as GTA meets Star Wars, that comparison alone makes us want to jump on our Speeder and joyride across space. Star Wars Outlaws has been firmly on our radar since it was first announced by Ubisoft. With the Star Wars Outlaws release date in our sights, it's time to find out whether we can play this Star Wars game ahead of time. Here's everything you need to know about Star Wars Outlaws early access. Continue reading How to get Star Wars Outlaws early access MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best Star Wars games, Star Wars Outlaws release date, Best open world games

Keep your Unreal Engine 5, your ray-tracing, and your 4K resolutions - videogames have never looked better than Rollercoaster Tycoon and SimCity 2000. It’s not about fidelity. It’s the colors, the lines, and the intricate details juxtaposed with the playful abstractions of pixel art. Metropolis 1998 is a visual throwback, antithetical to the complex, realistic visuals of Cities Skylines 2, but it’s maybe the most gorgeous game I’ve seen this year. A city builder in the classic Maxis style, and directly inspired by Chris Sawyer’s epochal amusement park sim, with a new demo available now, PCGamesN speaks exclusively to Metropolis 1998’s creator about marrying beautiful retro graphics with modern systems and original mechanics. Continue reading Metropolis 1998 is a new ‘sequel’ to SimCity and Rollercoaster Tycoon MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best city building games, Best old games, Best strategy games

If you want to treat yourself to the Microsoft Xbox Elite Series 2 controller but don’t feel you can justify spending so much, there's a deal for you. Walmart has discounted the controller by $40 - putting it at its lowest price since Amazon Prime Day. The best PC controllers revolutionize your gameplay, with mappable buttons and triggers to make you a faster, more responsive player than you might be with even the best gaming keyboards. The Elite Series 2 Xbox controller from Microsoft is a premium option with a premium price, but right now it's discounted to $139.99 from $179.99. I don't know how long this deal will last, but I do know it's a good one. Continue reading Get the Xbox Elite Series 2 for its lowest price since Prime Day MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Microsoft DirectX Raytracing, Microsoft Hololens hands-on, Windows Game Mode preview

On this day, we commemorate and mourn the tragedies of our history. This year, it no longer feels like history.

Girl, Woman Stabbed in London as Right-Wing Activists Fuel Disturbances