From MSNBC.COM: 

Asteroid risk to Earth lowered, scientists say, Chances of impact move ‘in right direction,’ toward odds of 1-in-24,000

By Alan Boyle
 
After a fresh round of radar observations, astronomers said Thursday that the chances of a catastrophic asteroid impact in the year 2036 are lower than previously thought — and they’re hoping the threat will be completely ruled out once more readings are made.

The chances of collision with the asteroid Apophis in 2036 now stand at 1 in 24,000, said Steve Chesley, an expert on near-Earth objects at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. That’s a significant advance from the previous orbital predictions, which set the odds of impact at 1 out of about 6,000.

Chesley told MSNBC.com that there’s still a slim chance of catastrophe, due to the remaining uncertainties about Apophis’ orbital path, but “things are moving in the right direction.”

(more here)