Welcome back to the Abstract! These are the studies this week that searched for the ur-animals, wandered the poles, rained on Mars, and destroyed the solar system. First, scientists present new evidence that the first animals appeared more than 800 million years ago, a truly ancient origin that suggests our ...
Day: October 3, 2026
Libyan unity talks upended as warlord’s son linked to drone attacks on fuel facilitiesLibyan unity talks upended as warlord’s son linked to drone attacks on fuel facilities
Western Libya’s GNU say working with Saddam Haftar ‘impossible’ as US-backed merger plan breaks down Allegations that the son of the Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar oversaw a “terror cell” that launched drone attacks on fuel storage facilities and power stations in western Libya have upended plans for the Tripoli-based government ...
‘It’s been hard’’: families await the return of the USS Abraham Lincoln‘It’s been hard’’: families await the return of the USS Abraham Lincoln
Sailors’ relatives are relieved as the ship is expected to dock in San Diego this week after a record-breaking 250-plus days at sea A mother in San Diego is counting down the days until her son comes home. “I had a big sign made, welcoming him back,” she said. “I ...
Flydubai co-pilot used crash axe to attack captain, says UAEFlydubai co-pilot used crash axe to attack captain, says UAE
Attorney general says ‘terrorist attack’ was attempted by suspect who is said to have been barred from flying by Oman because of extremist views The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 used a crash axe to attempt to carry out a “terrorist attack” during the flight, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor ...
What is Zionism and why do some critics describe it as racist?What is Zionism and why do some critics describe it as racist?
Green party debate over the motion ‘Zionism is racism’ comes amid renewed arguments over the meaning and history of a contested term Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green party, has said he is an anti-Zionist. As his party conference prepares to debate a motion that “Zionism is racism”, what ...
‘Elon is my prophet’: how Musk’s Doge team took a wrecking ball to Washington‘Elon is my prophet’: how Musk’s Doge team took a wrecking ball to Washington
When the new ‘department of government efficiency’ sent young techies to disrupt federal agencies, not everyone complied. Here’s what happened when one worker fought to protect immigrant data In the early hours of Saturday 22 February 2025 the following email landed in the inboxes of the entire US federal workforce: ...
Comedy wildlife photography award finalists 2026 – in picturesComedy wildlife photography award finalists 2026 – in pictures
A caiman wearing a wig, two brown bears laughing and a leopard doing a handstand feature in the selection of finalists from this year’s Nikon Comedy Wildlife awards. Winners will be announced on 8 December Continue reading… ...
Blind date: ‘He asked if my disco ball tattoo was an onion’Blind date: ‘He asked if my disco ball tattoo was an onion’
Shahar, 29, a graphic designer and music label manager, meets Stephen, 34, a product designer What were you hoping for? I’d never been on a blind date, so a good story, and a new connection. Continue reading… ...
‘My hips can’t help but move’: readers on the songs that always get them dancing‘My hips can’t help but move’: readers on the songs that always get them dancing
From Northern soul and 90s bangers to disco classics and indie anthems, readers share the floorfillers that never fail to start the party My now-husband and I attended a wedding. The reception was boring. No one was dancing and people were wondering if it was too early to leave. We ...
‘People are deserting it’: why are London mansions struggling to sell?‘People are deserting it’: why are London mansions struggling to sell?
For decades, the capital’s house prices raced ahead of the national average – but now they are falling in prime areas An elegant Georgian facade, a full-width balcony and an exclusive address in South Kensington just steps from the Natural History Museum and the V&A. Yet the listing price of ...