This week's question: The U.S. military has begun taking numerous sightings of UFOs by its pilots seriously, and is trying to figure out whether these mysterious objects pose a threat. In seven words or fewer, please come up with a message that we could transmit to these possibly extraterrestrial craft that would explain the current state of life on Earth.
Click here to see the results of last week's contest: Vacation rental
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THE WINNER: "Forget the Prime Directive. Please help!"
James Pearson, Anaheim, California
SECOND PLACE: "We’re destroying this planet. No help needed"
Dianne Kogut, Raleigh, North Carolina
THIRD PLACE: Caution: Contains Nuts
Joseph Terrill, South Bend, Indiana
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
"Can you spare some ice?"
Barbara James, Bedford, Massachusetts
"Avoid the Strait of Hormuz!"
Jim Kulakoski, Port Orange, Florida
"Welcome! Have you had your measles vaccination?"
Kim Doyle, Woolwich, Maine
"Welcome! (Just don’t enter through southern border)"
Don Walker, Lexington, Massachusetts
"Keep flying over the cuckoo’s nest"
Barbara Harman, Concord, California
"Come join us; it’s warming up here"
Patty Oberhausen, Fort Wayne, Indiana
"Hold on while we tidy up"
Ken Liebman, Williston, Vermont
"I hope you have a round-trip ticket"
Mary Shaull, West Bloomfield, Michigan
"E.T. go home, for your own good"
George Pendergast, Weston, Massachusetts
"We were taken in by our leaders"
Laurel Rose, Pittsburgh
"We’re actually smarter than we act"
Linda Konrad, Vero Beach, Florida
"Come back later, we’re not ready"
Cary Rosenzweig, Palo Alto, California
"We can’t explain any of it either"
Lou Franzini, Jacksonville Beach, Florida
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President Trump: ‘waging war’ on ChicagoTalking Point Federal agents are carrying out ‘increasingly aggressive’ immigration raids – but have sanctuary cities like Chicago brought it on themselves?
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Sudoku medium: October 18, 2025The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
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Sudoku hard: October 18, 2025The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
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Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
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Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
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Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
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China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
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How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
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One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
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What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
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Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
