A giant asteroid bigger than Burj Khalifa passes Earth

The giant asteroid, bigger than Burj Khalifa, flew by Earth at a distance of roughly 1.98 million kilometres. The asteroid was classified as ‘potentially hazardous’ and ‘Near-Earth Object’ due to its proximity to the planet. The asteroid called 7482 (1994 PC1) was larger than any building on the Earth. Astronomers have been studying the asteroid for over decades and no threat has been deemed so far. At its closest distance, the asteroid will still be five lunar distances, five times the distance between the Moon and the Earth.

Roberta Metsola becomes new President of European Parliament

Roberta Metsola, Centre-right Maltese lawmaker, was chosen on January 18, 2022, to head the European Union Parliament. Metsola has become the only third woman to hold the position. She is also viewed as a political moderate despite the controversy over her anti-abortion stance.

Roberta Metsola, elected on the same day she turned 43, is the politician from the European Union’s smallest nation. She has also become the youngest president ever to run the chamber. Metsola takes over as the President of the European Parliament at a time of mourning for the legislature on the sudden demise of its speaker David Sassoli.