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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Why is the Pentagon taking over the military’s independent newspaper?Today’s Big Question Stars and Stripes is published by the Defense Department but is editorially independent
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How Mars influences Earth’s climateThe explainer A pull in the right direction
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‘The science is clear’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
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Why Greenland’s natural resources are nearly impossible to mineThe Explainer The country’s natural landscape makes the task extremely difficult
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Iran cuts internet as protests escalateSpeed Reada Government buildings across the country have been set on fire
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US nabs ‘shadow’ tanker claimed by RussiaSpeed Read The ship was one of two vessels seized by the US military
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How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
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Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
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Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
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Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
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Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
