Space and astronomy

Although there is currently no solid evidence to suggest the existence of aliens, a number of supposed incidents in the past have led many to believe we are not alone in the universe. From an alien spaceship crash to abduction tales, the internet and newspaper archives are awash with stories of close encounters. Three close encounters in the particular have continued to elude even the most ardent of sceptics for several decades. Here are three purported close encounters that to this day remain unexplained. Want the latest updates on close encounters, mysterious sightings and fascinating insights from scientists ? Sign up to the Daily Star's Spaced Out newsletter HERE. Roswell, 1947 The modern world’s fascination with aliens largely stems from the famous ‘Roswell incident’ in 1947, when a ‘flying saucer’ allegedly crashed into a US Army airfield near Corona, New Mexico. For decades afterwards, conspiracy theorists claimed the US government has … [Read more...] about Three unexplained close alien encounters from ‘flying saucer’ crash to ‘abductions’

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano that devastated Tonga after a massive eruption on 15 January is unlikely to erupt again, say scientists from New Zealand's National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa). Niwa research vessel RV Tangaroa arrived back from a maritime expedition to Tonga last week. Three people were killed and hundreds of homes destroyed from tsunamis generated from the massive eruption, estimated to be 500 times more powerful than the atom bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. "The likelihood of another violent eruption happening anytime soon is quite low," said Kevin Mckay, who led Niwa's expedition to Tonga on board the RV Tangaroa. READ MORE: Scientists to set sail for Tonga to map sea floor following eruption The undersea volcano northeast of New Zealand that may have caused a 'significant' tsunami 6300 years ago "Just looking at the general cycle of these volcanos, they seem to have a two-and-a-half to three-year eruptive cycle. In my … [Read more...] about Deadly Tongan volcano unlikely to erupt in near future, say Niwa scientists

The Reverend John Lowe II ended Sunday's church service with a confession to his congregation. "I committed adultery," he told churchgoers at New Life Christian Church & World Outreach in Warsaw, Indiana, United States. Lowe, who has been with his wife for more than 45 years, said his infidelity happened 20 years ago with one person, continued for "far too long" and was kept secret from his family and his flock. "I sinned. I need to say that, and you deserve to hear it." READ MORE: Ex-member of Arise Church told she was 'choosing to be depressed', she says The media and the megachurch The Detail: David Farrier on Arise Church Lowe, 65, got a standing ovation for coming clean. But moments later, a woman came to the lectern, took the microphone and told her side of the story, starting with a correction: It happened 27 years ago, not 20, she said. The woman, now in her 40s, also added an important detail. "I was just 16 when you took my virginity on your … [Read more...] about A US pastor confessed to ‘adultery’, the woman cried out: ‘I was just 16’

Tucked a few streets back from the lapping waves on Waikanae Beach on the Kāpiti Coast, Kieran Haslett-Moore is busy brewing European-style beers with a Kiwi twist. Haslett-Moore has been head brewer at independent North End Brewery since 2013. Then, it was a contract brewery, but after commissioning its own space in 2015, the business now brews a wide range of beers, including contemporary Kiwi ones alongside its Belgian and English-style classics. This year, North End’s Belgian-style saison, Bones of the Land, made it into the New World Beer & Cider Awards’ top 30. Also known as farmhouse ale, saison has a rich history in Belgium, where it was brewed at the end of the harvest season for the following summer. READ MORE: Small beer: Ale and arty, then a ripple on the sour side in the lower North Island The hour for sour: The rise and rise of barrel-aged beers Beervana: a one-stop shop for everything beery Saison: a brisk and effervescent ale Craft brewery set to … [Read more...] about North End: A classic Belgian brew on the Kāpiti Coast

Neil Travis is looking sheepish as he stands in the entrance lobby of Amazon’s vast logistics centre in Kegworth near Derby. The regional director has just set off the “social distancing” siren for the third time in as many minutes. “Stay safe,” bellows a voice around the lobby. “Please adhere to the two metre distancing.” “That was young Wayne’s voice there," shouts Travis apologetically, as he nods at one of the security team sitting behind a perspex screen. The announcements, he explains, are triggered by cameras fitted with artificial intelligence technology to monitor when workers are within two metres of each other for more than three seconds. It is just one of many safety measures put in place at Jeff Bezos's sprawling empire to protect itself from a Covid outbreak. After all, Amazon has no time for a shutdown. Even before the pandemic, Amazon was already a huge force in ecommerce - responsible for one third of all online sales in the UK. Since March, it has ballooned … [Read more...] about Inside Amazon’s new UK warehouse as the e-commerce giant gears up for a blow-out Christmas

China needs a “hard kill” weapon to destroy Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites, a state university with close links to the country’s communist regime has said. Researchers from the Beijing Institute of Tracking and Telecommunications Technology called Starlink a threat to China’s national security because of its “huge potential for military applications”. Starlink is Elon Musk’s global connectivity project, consisting of thousands of satellites in a near-Earth orbit paired with ground terminals giving its users high speed internet access. In a paper published in China’s Modern Defence Technology journal, the five-strong team of academics say Starlink could be used by the US military and called for China to develop weapons to destroy the internet connectivity network. The paper said: “It is necessary to further develop related technologies and form disposal capabilities.” They add that China should “vigorously develop countermeasures” and be prepared to “use a combination of soft … [Read more...] about China must destroy Elon Musk’s satellites with ‘hard kill’ weapon, say academics

Moscow: Fire at Russian Orthodox church beside the Kremlin Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Video footage has emerged on social media of the Saints Peter and Paul church in Moscow in flames. Plumes of black smoke can be seen billowing in to the sky as the fire continues to burn. Related articles Putin sabotages Ukraine aid with sick claim Russia continues to be hit by random accidents as transformer substati The cause of the fire at the Orthodox church is unknown. It comes after a spate of mysterious fires across Russia sparked speculation Ukraine is targeting infrastructure in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir … [Read more...] about Moscow in FLAMES: Roof of Orthodox Christian cathedral collapses after blaze

Ukraine: Russian journalist reveals position of heavy mortar Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Russia's invasion of Ukraine is into its third month, and the fighting is showing no sign of relenting, with the Ukrainian Defence Ministry spokesman saying on Tuesday that “now we are observing the most active phase of the full-scale aggression”. Moscow's forces have taken control mostly in the south and southeast of Ukraine, with violence in the city of Mariupol resulting in particularly harrowing stories. But Ukraine's defiant defence has meant that the capital Kyiv, and the second biggest city Kharkiv, remain under Ukrainian control. After failing to take … [Read more...] about Russian forces ‘literally hammered’ in east of Ukraine as Putin’s war plan in tatters

Putin ally calls Russia a 'continent of sanity' on state radio Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Ukraine existing as a functioning democracy in Russia’s “backyard” could continue the fragmentation within Russia which began during the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, according to Bohdan Vititsky. Mr Vititsky is a former Resident Legal Advisor at the US Embassy in Ukraine and Special Advisor to Ukraine’s Prosecutor General. Related articles Putin set to declare a ceasefire once Donbas is occupied by Russia Putin's torture squad lose Ukrainian prisoner as they drive over mine Putin could see a functioning democracy … [Read more...] about Putin existential panic forces huge ‘gamble’ -all guns blazing bid to save Russia collapse

May 25, 2022 - 10:50 BST The Queen will make her first appearance on the balcony at Buckingham Palace since 2019 as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations – discover its history here The royal family's appearance on Buckingham Palace 's balcony is one of the highlights of Trooping the Colour each year, and is set to happen again as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June. GALLERY: The Queen's Buckingham Palace home she'll never return to The event will mark the first time in three years that the balcony appearance has taken place due to the coronavirus pandemic, and will feature a smaller selection of working members of the royal family after careful consideration from the Queen . Loading the player... WATCH: Inside the royal residences The balcony is also where many royals have stood to greet crowds at royal weddings, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Queen and … [Read more...] about The Queen’s Buckingham Palace balcony history revealed – ahead of first appearance in 3 years