Astronomers have warned that contact with aliens could result in “the end of all life on Earth”. In an op-ed for The Washington Post, physicist Mark Buchanan writes: “Chances are, we should all be grateful that we don’t yet have any evidence of contact with alien civilisations.” He continues that “attempting to communicate with extraterrestrials, if they do exist, could be extremely dangerous for us”. Joe Gertz, another astronomer, adds that alien contact could result in “the reckless endangerment of all mankind”.
Cocaine parcels found in banana delivery
A supermarket chain says employees at one of its Warsaw stores have found parcels of cocaine in a delivery of bananas. Police said the packages contained over 160 kilograms of cocaine worth 30 million zlotys (£5.7m). The grocery firm says the workers “immediately notified the police, who quickly secured the batch of goods and started an investigation that is currently underway”.
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Prehistoric crocodile discovered
A new species of giant prehistoric crocodile that roamed south-east Queensland’s waterways millions of years ago has been discovered. According to the researchers, the new species, named Gunggamarandu maunala, is “one of the largest crocs to have ever inhabited” the continent”. Researchers wrote: “The results hint at a potential ghost lineage between European and Australian tomistomines going back more than 50 million years.”
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‘The worry is far from fanciful’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
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How are Americans bracing for the end of SNAP?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Millions depend on supplemental federal food funds that are set to expire this month, as the government shutdown begins to be acutely felt
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Book review: ‘Joyride: A Memoir’Feature A journalist’s story of how she chased and accomplished her dreams
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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
