Physicist Brian Cox has said there could be as many as 200 billion alien civilisations in the universe. As speculation grows that we are not alone, the space expert said: “There have to be other civilisations in the universe. I can’t imagine we are the only one.” Speculating on what form these civilisations may take, he added: “We’d all like ET to be real. We’d like ET to arrive. But we don’t want Darth Vader coming down.”
Worms survive 24,000 years in Siberian frost
A microscopic worm-like creature, which has thrived for millions of years without having sex, has now been shown to endure for at least 24,000 years in Siberian permafrost before reproducing. Experts say the bdelloid rotifers, which have a complete digestive tract that includes a mouth and anus, survive by halting all activity and almost entirely arresting their metabolism. Their persistence has led to them being dubbed an “evolutionary scandal”.
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Massive dinosaur discovered down under
A new species of dinosaur discovered in Queensland has been officially recognised as the largest ever found in Australia and among the biggest in the world. It is believed that the Australotitan cooperensis, a plant-eating dinosaur of the family known as titanosaurs, lived between 92 million and 96 million years ago. Experts said the colossal creature would have been up to 6.5m (21ft) tall and 30m long, or “as long as a basketball court”.
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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
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Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
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'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weaponsThe Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
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The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarrayIn the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
