Humans may contact aliens within three years
And other stories from the stranger side of life
Life beyond our solar system may be detectable within two to three years, experts have said. Previously, researchers have mostly looked for planets of a similar size, mass, temperature and atmospheric composition to Earth. However, astronomers at the University of Cambridge now believe there may be other possibilities after recent work suggested that a “mini-Neptune” more than twice the radius of Earth and more than eight times as massive may be habitable.
‘Scrotum frog’ goes on show at UK zoo
A species of endangered frog dubbed the “scrotum frog” because of its saggy skin has gone on display at a British zoo. Lake Titicaca frogs spends most their life at the bottom of a lake, absorbing oxygen using their saggy folds of excessive skin. Locals in Peru and Bolivia use the frogs in smoothies, which they believe enhance virility and energy. Twenty of the rare creatures are now being cared for at Chester Zoo.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Model can’t sit down after bum lift
A model who splashed $20,000 (£14,500) on a Brazilian bum lift has said she is unable to sit down as a result of the surgery. Kazumi Squirts got liposuction, a boob job and a butt lift. The 24-year-old said: “Since getting the surgery I haven’t sat down on my butt. I do everything standing up, I learnt how to pee and poop standing up.” She says her new look has increased her earnings on OnlyFans.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Margaret Atwood’s ‘deliciously naughty’ memoirIn the Spotlight ‘Bean-spilling’ book by The Handmaid’s Tale author is ‘immensely readable’
-
Being a school crossing guard has become a deadly jobUnder the Radar At least 230 crossing guards have been hit by cars over the last decade
-
Crossword: November 4, 2025The Week's daily crossword
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
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
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
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
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
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
-
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