Contraceptives used to control grey squirrels
And other stories from the stranger side of life

Scientists are using oral contraceptives to control grey squirrel populations in the UK, the BBC reported. Grey squirrels, which are accused by the government of “untold damage” to woodland ecosystems and native red squirrel populations, are lured into feeding boxes only they can access, using pots containing hazelnut spread, which are spiked with contraceptives. Grey squirrels have driven the UK’s native red squirrel to the verge of extinction across much of the country.
Asparagus prediction turns out to be wrong
A fortune teller who uses asparagus to predict the future has suffered a knock to her credibility after the man she said would be the UK’s next prime minister ruled himself out of the Tory leadership race. The Mirror reported that Jemima Packington, known as “Mystic Veg”, said Ben Wallace would be the next PM. However, since her prediction Wallace has said “after careful consideration and discussing with colleagues and family, I have taken the decision not to enter the contest for leadership of the Conservative party”.
Building blocks of life found in Milky Way
The likelihood of life on other planets has been raised after the building blocks of life were found floating near the centre of the Milky Way. Experts have discovered that organic molecules, known as nitriles, are common in interstellar clouds, boosting the theory that similar life-sparking particles “hitchhiked a ride to Earth,” said The Telegraph. The scientists said their findings raised the prospect of life evolving “in other places in the galaxy under favourable Earth-like planetary environments”.
Subscribe to 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.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - March 29, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - my way or Norway, running orders, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 tactically sound cartoons about the leaked Signal chat
Cartoons Artists take on the clown signal, baby steps, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Roast lamb shoulder with ginger and fresh turmeric recipe
The Week Recommends Succulent and tender and falls off the bone with ease
By The Week UK Published
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff Published
-
The New Jersey 'UFO' drone scare
In the Spotlight Reports of mysterious low-flying aircraft provoked outlandish theories, but old-fashioned hysteria appears to have been to blame
By The Week UK Published
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK Published
-
Romania's election rerun
The Explainer Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published