A mother elephant seal can pick out her baby’s voice just two days after a pup is born, according to research led by the California-based scientist. However, the discovery has only served to create a new mystery: why do female seals often feed each other’s pups? “Females fast for the entire month they are nursing,” said a researcher. “So it makes no [evolutionary] sense for them to use their resources on another mother’s pup.”
Minister swims all day after crash
A Madagascan government minister swam for about 12 hours to shore after his helicopter crashed off the island’s north-east coast, authorities said. Serge Gelle, the country’s secretary of state for police, and another man reached land in the seaside town of Mahambo separately on Tuesday morning, apparently after ejecting themselves from the aircraft. “My time to die hasn’t come yet,” said Gelle, describing himself as cold but not injured. A search is continuing for two other passengers.
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Dinosaur embryo discovered in China
Scientists have discovered a perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo that was preparing to hatch from its egg. The embryo, discovered in Ganzhou in southern China, is estimated to be at least 66m years old. It is believed to be a toothless theropod dinosaur, or oviraptorosaur. Researcher Dr Fion Waisum Ma said it is “the best dinosaur embryo ever found in history”. It is hoped the find will lead to a greater understanding of the link between dinosaurs and modern birds.
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Syria’s strange post-Assad electionThe Explainer Sunday’s limited vote ‘suited the phase Syria is undergoing’, says interim president
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Why did the China spying case collapse?Today’s Big Question Unwillingness to call China an ‘enemy’ apparently scuppered espionage trial
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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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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
