NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden may be in isolation in Russia, but that didn't stop him from calling into Neil deGrasse Tyson's StarTalk podcast via robot video link Friday. The two science nerds discussed a wide range of topics — including alien life forms.

Snowden described how aliens could be communicating with us this very second, even though we have no clue it's happening:

So if you have an an alien civilization trying to listen for other civilizations, or our civilization trying to listen for aliens, there's only one small period in the development of their society when all of their communication will be sent via the most primitive and most unprotected means. So when we think about everything that we're hearing through our satellites or everything that they're hearing from our civilization (if there are indeed aliens out there), all of their communications are encrypted by default. So what we are hearing, that's actually an alien television show or you know a phone call...is indistinguishable to us from cosmic microwave background radiation. [StarTalk]

Mind. Blown.

Snowden also spoke openly about dropping out of high school, enlisting in the military, and getting skeptical about U.S. programs. Listen to the full interview below. Julie Kliegman

Hillary Clinton raised eyebrows on Tuesday when she told the hosts of The View that she "absolutely" thinks a person can identify as both feminist and pro-life, The Washington Examiner reports.

"They're not mutually exclusive?" co-host Candace Cameron-Bure asked following Clinton's response to the question.

"No, absolutely," Clinton said. She went on to explain that, "The reason why being pro-choice is the right way to go is because it is a choice and hopefully a choice that is rooted in the thoughtfulness and the care that the women bring to this decision. So, of course you can be a feminist and be pro-life."

Not everyone agreed — the backlash on social media was swift:

Watch the whole interview below. Jeva Lange

The Queen has spoken: Beyoncé defended herself against claims that she is anti-police in a rare interview given to Elle. While most of the questions in the interview centered around the creation of her new athletic fashion line, Beyoncé also addressed criticisms that first arose after the release of her music video for "Formation."

The video, set in New Orleans, features Beyoncé perched atop a half- submerged police car and shows a child dancing in front of police wearing riot gear. The song was also performed during Beyoncé's Super Bowl halftime show and was slammed by members of the National Sheriff's Association; the Miami Fraternal Order of Police even urged a boycott of Beyoncé's world tour for what was preceived as an anti-police Black Lives Matter message.

But Beyoncé says her critics have it all wrong:

What do you feel people don't understand about who you really are, and in particular about the message you've put forward with "Formation"?

I mean, I'm an artist and I think the most powerful art is usually misunderstood. But anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken. I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of officers who sacrifice themselves to keep us safe. But let's be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things. If celebrating my roots and culture during Black History Month made anyone uncomfortable, those feelings were there long before a video and long before me. I'm proud of what we created and I'm proud to be a part of a conversation that is pushing things forward in a positive way. [Elle]

Read the full interview in Elle. Jeva Lange

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) signed a bill into law Tuesday that allows for the refusal of service to gay couples on the grounds of religious beliefs. The Protecting Freedom of Conscience From Government Discrimination Act could reportedly allow the denial of housing, wedding-related goods, adoption services, marriage licenses, or space in homeless shelters to individuals, businesses, and government employees, the Advocate reports.

The bill prompted outcry from many critics, including Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin, who wrote in a press release that, "We call on Gov. Bryant to veto this discriminatory and deplorable bill, that would put his own constituents at risk of harassment and discrimination where they work, in their schools and in their communities. Gov. Bryant has a clear choice — and if he wants to lead his state forward, he should follow the example of Republican Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who understood that discrimination in any form is unacceptable."

"There is no way you can justify passing this bill," agreed Rep. Steve Holland (D-Miss.), who called it the worst bill he has seen in three decades in office. Jeva Lange

Icelandic Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson resigned on Tuesday after being named in the massive Panama Papers leak, which revealed he and dozens of other world leaders harbored money in secret offshore accounts. After the papers from the Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca, were leaked over the weekend, Iceland was rocked by protests calling for Gunnlaugsson to resign. Gunnlaugsson he will remain the Progressive Party's chairman.

According to The Guardian and local media, Gunnlaugsson's resignation needs to be approved by both the right-wing Independence party and the president, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, before it can be deemed official.

Among the 143 politicians found to be using offshore tax havens, 12 are current or former national leaders, or are their family members or associates. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were among other major leaders named in the docments. Jeva Lange

What do actress Susan Sarandon, academic Cornel West, documentarian Michael Moore, musician Ani DiFranco, country singer Willie Nelson, and ice cream maker Ben Cohen (the Ben of Ben & Jerry's) have in common? In the 2000 election, they endorsed Green Party candidate Ralph Nader. In 2016, they're all backing Bernie Sanders.

But the shared celebrity endorsements aren't the only similarities between Nader 2000 and Sanders 2016. Though Sanders is currently running as a Democrat, both candidates are best known for working outside the two-party system. They agree on key issues, like opposing the 2003 invasion of Iraq and supporting universal health care. And Sanders and Nader have both been cast as left-wing spoilers for the Democratic Party's presumed nominee — in 2000, Al Gore, and in 2016, Hillary Clinton.

Intriguingly, Sanders himself enthusiastically backed Nader in 2000, but turned against him in 2004. "[O]ur main task right now is to defeat Bush," Sanders said at the time to explain his decision, "and I think Nader’s effort could have some impact in dividing up that vote and that’s a negative thing." Bonnie Kristian

Some 91 percent of Donald Trump's supporters believe their "beliefs and values are under attack" in modern America, finds a new Quinnipiac poll released Tuesday. Some more stats from that poll:

• 90 percent of Trump voters believe "public officials don't care what people like me think"
• 85 percent say "America has lost its identity"
• 84 percent agree that "what we need is a leader who is willing to say or do anything to solve America's problems"
• 80 percent say "the government has gone too far in assisting minority groups"
• 78 percent report they're "falling further and further behind economically"

In each and every case, Trump voters assented to these statements at a significantly higher rate than voters in general and self-identified Republicans in particular.

"Trump supporters are true stand-outs," notes Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz. "They want a leader who is very different from the leader sought by other voters, explaining the mystery many see behind Trump's support." Bonnie Kristian

Erik Bauersfeld — the voiceover artist best known for voicing Admiral Ackbar in the Star Wars franchise — has died at his home in Berkeley, California. He was 93.

Admiral Ackbar didn't appear in the Star Wars franchise until Return of the Jedi, but he quickly became a fan favorite for his strange, lobster-like appearance and his gurgled delivery of the line "It's a trap," which has since become one of the internet's most durable memes.

In the years following Return of the Jedi's release, Bauersfeld was pleased but confused by Ackbar's popularity, which didn't even earn him a screen credit. "The fans who write say they'll never forget 'It's a trap!,'" he told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2011. "I don't even remember how I said it."

Though his appearance in the film was brief, Ackbar was beloved enough that an extended biography was eventually filled in by contributors to the Star Wars Expanded Universe, from his birth on the water planet Mon Cala to his retirement following the events of Return of the Jedi. (You can read all about it on Wookieepedia.) Fans were delighted when Ackbar turned up as one of Leia's allies in last year's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, voiced once again by Bauersfeld. Scott Meslow