Wild chimpanzees filmed by scientists bonding over alcoholic fruit

Footage of apes consuming fermented breadfruit leads researchers to ask if it may shed light on origins of human feasting

Humans have gathered to feast and enjoy a tipple together for thousands of years, but research suggests chimpanzees may also bond over a boozy treat.

Wild chimpanzees in west Africa have been observed sharing fruit containing alcohol – not in quantities to get roaring drunk but, possibly, enough for a fuzzy beer buzz feeling.

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Vets exposing shocking animal welfare breaches at Australian export abattoirs face ‘enormous risk’

Lawyers urge government to protect veterinarian whistleblowers who monitor animal welfare and food safety for trading partners such as the US and EU

Lawyers and animal welfare advocates have urged the government to protect veterinarian whistleblowers who revealed shocking animal welfare breaches and oversight failures at Australia’s export abattoirs.

The Australian government relies on a workforce of veterinarians placed inside export abattoirs to monitor animal welfare and food safety, largely to satisfy the requirements of major trading partners such as the US and EU.

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Irish Freemasons apologise for hosting Conor McGregor interview at Dublin hall

Organisation says it regrets renting premises for event with US commentator Tucker Carlson and will give fee to charity

The Freemasons of Ireland have apologised for hosting an interview between Conor McGregor and the US commentator Tucker Carlson at the organisation’s premises in central Dublin.

Philip Daley, the grand secretary of the Irish Freemasons, said the organisation regretted renting its hall for the event last week and would donate the fee to charity.

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Berlin reports rise in attacks on refugees amid surge in far-right crime

Call for greater protection for asylum seekers and policies targeting rightwing violence as report sounds ‘alarm bell’

Berlin has reported a marked increase in attacks on asylum seekers and refugee shelters, amid a sharp rise in far-right crime and a hardening of German migration policy.

Official figures provided at the request of two local Green party lawmakers showed there were 77 assaults on asylum seekers and refugees in 2024 and eight instances of deliberate damage to residences housing them.

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NatWest investors to scrutinise pay in last AGM before full privatisation

UK government expected to sell remaining stake in bailed-out bank in coming weeks

This week, NatWest will hold its last annual shareholder meeting before returning to full private ownership, with the government expected to sell its remaining stake in the bailed-out bank in the coming weeks.

The bank, formerly known as Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), will host shareholders on Wednesday at its sprawling Gogarburn campus in Edinburgh, the £350m complex that became a symbol of the excesses that led to RBS’s £46bn bailout in 2008.

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