NewsWatch

Jupiter: The Mighty Guardian of Earth

ICR.org, 3/13/25, “Jupiter: The Mighty Guardian of Earth” [Excerpts]:NASA’s Juno spacecraft recently unveiled breathtaking images of Jupiter during its 66th flyby of the colossal planet. Juno has been exploring Jupiter and its surroundings, including its rings and numerous moons, to uncover the planet’s secrets. According to a NASA statement, understanding Jupiter could provide valuable insights into understanding the entire solar system.

Did you know that Jupiter plays a significant role in making life on Earth possible? This massive gas giant, sometimes called the “protector of Earth,” has a profound influence on our planet. Let’s dive into the ways Jupiter helps us live safely and thrive.

One of Jupiter’s most important jobs is to act as a cosmic shield. Because of its massive size and strong gravity, Jupiter can pull in or deflect many asteroids and comets that might otherwise collide with Earth. Imagine Jupiter as a giant vacuum cleaner sucking up debris that could cause catastrophic effects on our planet.

Jupiter also plays a crucial role in influencing the asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter. This region contains numerous rocky bodies that could potentially be a danger to Earth. Jupiter’s strong gravitational field helps to keep many of these asteroids in their place, preventing them from drifting into the inner solar system where they could pose a threat to Earth.

Jupiter’s gravity doesn’t just protect us from space debris; it also helps keep the solar system stable. The giant planet’s gravitational pull affects the orbits of other planets, including Earth’s. This gravitational influence helps maintain the relatively stable orbits that we observe, which is essential for a stable climate on our planet. Accordingly, a stable climate means Earth can support diverse ecosystems and, thus, life.

Another vital role Jupiter plays is in protecting Earth’s atmosphere. When comets and asteroids are deflected by Jupiter, they are often flung out of the solar system or into the sun rather than colliding with Earth. This protection helps preserve our atmosphere. A stable atmosphere is critical for maintaining the conditions necessary for life, such as an optimal temperature and protection from harmful space radiation.

https://bit.ly/43pJ5OQ

How Middle East Conflicts Challenge International Law 

JPost.com, 12/5/24, “Statehood and sovereignty: How Middle East conflicts challenge International Law—comment” [Excerpts]: One of the favorite claims of the UN rapporteur for human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, is that, according to her reading of international law, Israel has no right to self-defense against Hamas since Hamas is a non-state actor and international law permits “orderly” states the right to self-defense only when attacked by other “orderly” states.

The same envoy who just two years ago implored Hamas leaders, “You have the right to resist,” is now spreading the doctrine that Israel has no right to self-defense against Hamas. In other words, Hamas should attack, and Israel should never have the right to retaliate.

Even if we do not follow Albanese’s distorted approach, which calls on the aggressor to kill and decrees that the attacked must remain silent, it is clear that the so-called “international law” falls short of providing legal tools to deal with a situation like Israel’s, and more broadly, of all law-abiding states in the West (since most non-democratic countries do not follow international law anyway).

https://bit.ly/426eGUt

Biological Sex Is “Natural Reality”

TheCollegeFix.com, 12/4/24,“Biological sex is ‘natural reality’ scholars tell Supreme Court” [Excerpts]:The Supreme Court should allow states to protect minors from transgender drugs and surgeries, a group of scholars said.

[On December 6], the Court [heard] arguments in U.S. v. Skrmetti, a case concerning Tennessee’s and Kentucky’s prohibitions on minors receiving drugs and surgeries to change their physical appearance to look like the opposite sex.

Current and former professors, many of whom are known to readers of The College Fix, argued that sex is a “natural reality,” in an amicus brief.

They drew on their experience as scholars of science, theology, history, and philosophy, to make their argument.

https://bit.ly/4iur1at