Latest news with #UniversityoftheAndes
The Irish Sun
23-07-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Lethal 15-FOOT prehistoric croc ‘chomped' gigantic ‘terror bird' taller than a human in shock attack 12million years ago
FOSSILISED bite marks on the leg of an ancient "terror bird" have been traced back to a massive crocodile that roamed Earth 12million years ago, a new study suggests. A "terror bird" - also known as Phorusrhacids - was an apex predator that would have towered over humans at over 9ft tall. Advertisement 2 The indentations showed no signs of healing - suggesting the bird did not live long after, or was already dead Credit: Julian Bayona Becerra/Biology Letters) Evidence of the tussle was unearthed at the La Venta fossil site in Colombia - one of the most fossil-rich areas in South America. After analysing the fossilised remains, a team of archaeologists concluded that a 15-feet-long caiman was likely responsible for the marks. I n the journal , the team suggested that La Venta's largest ancient caiman species, Purussaurus neivensis, was behind the bite. Although it seems like the monster responsible would not yet have been fully grown. Advertisement READ MORE ON ARCHAEOLOGY Adult specimens of the Purussaurus neivensis could grow up to a whopping 33 feet long. While the flightless "terror birds" had little to fear on land , the new research suggests they were at risk around water. "We have learned that terror birds could also be preyed [upon] and that even being an apex predator has risks," study lead author Andrés Link , a paleontologist and biologist at the University of the Andes in Colombia, told But the scene archaeologists have painted requires some imagination. Advertisement Most read in Science Latest Breaking It's always possible that the terror bird simply died near a body of water and became food for a nearby caiman. Without evidence of a caiman with a belly full of "terror bird", the findings represent an anecdotal account of an aquatic apex predator feasting on a land apex predator during the middle of the Miocene epoch some 23 million to 5 million years ago. The terror bird fossil was first unveiled in a study , where researchers suspected a crocodilian creature killed the bird. However, the study's authors had not yet published an analysis of the four tooth marks found on the bone. Advertisement For the most recent study, the researchers created detailed 3D images of the fossil to get a closer look at the bite mark. The indentations showed no signs of healing - suggesting the bird did not live long after, or was already dead. The size and shape of the marks were also consistent with those delivered by a caiman that was around 15.1 to 15.8 feet (4.6 to 4.8 m) long, according to the study. "In my opinion this study contributes to understanding the diet of Purussaurus, the landscape of fear near the water bodies [at] La Venta during the middle Miocene and the complex ecological interactions in the protoAmazonian ecosystems of [tropical] South America," said Link. Advertisement 2 While the flightless "terror birds" had little to fear on land, the new research suggests they were at risk around water Credit: Julian Bayona Becerra/Biology Letters)
Scottish Sun
23-07-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Lethal 15-FOOT prehistoric croc ‘chomped' gigantic ‘terror bird' taller than a human in shock attack 12million years ago
Adult specimens of the crocodile creature could grow up to a whopping 33 feet long FOSSILISED bite marks on the leg of an ancient "terror bird" have been traced back to a massive crocodile that roamed Earth 12million years ago, a new study suggests. A "terror bird" - also known as Phorusrhacids - was an apex predator that would have towered over humans at over 9ft tall. 2 The indentations showed no signs of healing - suggesting the bird did not live long after, or was already dead Credit: Julian Bayona Becerra/Biology Letters) Evidence of the tussle was unearthed at the La Venta fossil site in Colombia - one of the most fossil-rich areas in South America. After analysing the fossilised remains, a team of archaeologists concluded that a 15-feet-long caiman was likely responsible for the marks. In the journal Biology Letters, the team suggested that La Venta's largest ancient caiman species, Purussaurus neivensis, was behind the bite. Although it seems like the monster responsible would not yet have been fully grown. Adult specimens of the Purussaurus neivensis could grow up to a whopping 33 feet long. While the flightless "terror birds" had little to fear on land, the new research suggests they were at risk around water. "We have learned that terror birds could also be preyed [upon] and that even being an apex predator has risks," study lead author Andrés Link, a paleontologist and biologist at the University of the Andes in Colombia, told Live Science in an email. But the scene archaeologists have painted requires some imagination. It's always possible that the terror bird simply died near a body of water and became food for a nearby caiman. Without evidence of a caiman with a belly full of "terror bird", the findings represent an anecdotal account of an aquatic apex predator feasting on a land apex predator during the middle of the Miocene epoch some 23 million to 5 million years ago. The terror bird fossil was first unveiled in a study published last year, where researchers suspected a crocodilian creature killed the bird. However, the study's authors had not yet published an analysis of the four tooth marks found on the bone. For the most recent study, the researchers created detailed 3D images of the fossil to get a closer look at the bite mark. The indentations showed no signs of healing - suggesting the bird did not live long after, or was already dead. The size and shape of the marks were also consistent with those delivered by a caiman that was around 15.1 to 15.8 feet (4.6 to 4.8 m) long, according to the study. "In my opinion this study contributes to understanding the diet of Purussaurus, the landscape of fear near the water bodies [at] La Venta during the middle Miocene and the complex ecological interactions in the protoAmazonian ecosystems of [tropical] South America," said Link.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Miguel Uribe Turbay, the Colombian presidential hopeful shot at a public rally?
Colombian Presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe shot at Bogotá rally; Shooter arrested Colombian senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay was critically wounded during a campaign rally in Bogotá on June 7, 2025. The attack occurred in the Fontibón neighborhood, where Uribe Turbay was addressing supporters when assailants opened fire from behind. He sustained two gunshot wounds to the head and one to the knee. A 15-year-old suspect was apprehended at the scene, armed with a Glock pistol. Two other individuals were also injured during the incident . Who is Miguel Uribe Turbay? Miguel Uribe Turbay, born on January 28, 1986, in Bogotá, Colombia, is a prominent figure in the nation's political landscape. At 39, he is a senator for the right-wing Centro Democrático party and a leading contender in the 2026 presidential race . Uribe Turbay hails from a distinguished political lineage. He is the grandson of Julio César Turbay Ayala, a former president of Colombia, and the son of Diana Turbay, a journalist who was tragically murdered during a rescue operation in 1991. His mother's death, orchestrated by the Medellín Cartel, deeply influenced his worldview and commitment to public service . A graduate in law from the University of the Andes, Uribe Turbay furthered his studies with master's degrees in Public Policy from the University of the Andes and Public Administration from Harvard University . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo His academic background laid a strong foundation for his political endeavors. Uribe Turbay is married to María Claudia Tarazona, and they have a son named Alejandro. Uribe Turbay's political journey began in 2012 when, at 26, he was elected as a councilor for Bogotá. He quickly gained recognition for his leadership, becoming the youngest president of the Bogotá City Council . In 2016, he was appointed Secretary of Government of Bogotá, a position he held until 2018. In 2019, he ran for mayor of Bogotá as an independent candidate supported by various political groups but was defeated by Claudia López. Undeterred, he returned to the political arena and, in 2022, was elected to the Senate as the head of the Centro Democrático's list, receiving the highest number of votes in the country. In March 2025, Uribe Turbay announced his candidacy for the 2026 presidential elections. He positioned himself as a staunch critic of President Gustavo Petro's policies, particularly on issues of security and economic management . His campaign emphasizes restoring order and combating the resurgence of violence in Colombia. As of now, Uribe Turbay, has been taken to the Santa Fe Foundation hospital for emergency neurosurgery. His wife has publicly appealed for prayers, highlighting the gravity of his condition. This incident recalls the tragic history of political violence in Colombia, notably the assassination of presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán in 1989. The country's political landscape has long been marred by such acts, underscoring the persistent threats faced by public figures.
Washington Post
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Colombia's president sends congress referendum proposal that could overhaul labor laws
BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Thursday pressed on with his struggling plan to overhaul the country's labor laws, sending Congress a referendum proposal whose questions for voters include whether workdays should be limited to eight hours and whether workers should receive double pay if they work during holidays. With much of his agenda repeatedly blocked by Congress, Petro is now betting that the same lawmakers who twice rejected his labor reform will allow voters to decide whether they want his proposed changes. Congress has one month to approve or reject the 12-question referendum. Petro, Colombia's first ever leftist president, sought to rally support for his project by participating in a union demonstration in the capital, Bogota, marking Labor Day. 'The people of Colombia want to vote for their fundamental rights, for their dignity,' Petro said before thousands of demonstrators, asking them to not vote to reelect any lawmaker who votes against the referendum. If approved by lawmakers, Petro will have to issue a decree summoning Colombians to the polls within three months. Questions for voters would include whether daytime workdays should end at 6 p.m. and whether open-ended contracts should be offered to workers to prioritize job stability. But overcoming Congress is not Petro's only concern in seeing his project become a reality. He needs referendum participation to exceed 13 million – that's more than the number of votes he obtained to become president – and more than half of those votes must be in favor of his proposal. Analysts agree that Petro has the upper hand in several scenarios, even if Congress does not approve the referendum or if he fails to obtain the necessary votes at the polls. In the former scenario, Sandra Borda, political science professor at the University of the Andes, said lawmakers would give Petro's government the tools to 'play the victim' and strengthen its rhetoric against Congress. 'The message the government has constantly tried to send is that Congress is no longer an entity that represents the interests of the people... but rather defends the interests, as they call them, of the private sector oligarchies,' Borda said. On the other hand, if voters end up going to the polls, the government could consider itself the winner by securing support from its electoral base, said Javier Garay, a political science professor at the Externship University of Colombia. He noted that the referendum's underlying purpose is to test the government's electoral support ahead of the 2026 presidential election. Union members who were among the thousands of people demonstrating Thursday in Bogota expressed support for the referendum. 'The referendum is a vindication of workers' rights, which have been a struggle for decades and were taken away from us by previous far-right governments,' said Jesús Parra, 53, one of the protesters.
Associated Press
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Colombia's president sends congress referendum proposal that could overhaul labor laws
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Thursday pressed on with his struggling plan to overhaul the country's labor laws, sending Congress a referendum proposal whose questions for voters include whether workdays should be limited to eight hours and whether workers should receive double pay if they work during holidays. With much of his agenda repeatedly blocked by Congress, Petro is now betting that the same lawmakers who twice rejected his labor reform will allow voters to decide whether they want his proposed changes. Congress has one month to approve or reject the 12-question referendum. Petro, Colombia's first ever leftist president, sought to rally support for his project by participating in a union demonstration in the capital, Bogota, marking Labor Day. 'The people of Colombia want to vote for their fundamental rights, for their dignity,' Petro said before thousands of demonstrators, asking them to not vote to reelect any lawmaker who votes against the referendum. If approved by lawmakers, Petro will have to issue a decree summoning Colombians to the polls within three months. Questions for voters would include whether daytime workdays should end at 6 p.m. and whether open-ended contracts should be offered to workers to prioritize job stability. But overcoming Congress is not Petro's only concern in seeing his project become a reality. He needs referendum participation to exceed 13 million – that's more than the number of votes he obtained to become president – and more than half of those votes must be in favor of his proposal. Analysts agree that Petro has the upper hand in several scenarios, even if Congress does not approve the referendum or if he fails to obtain the necessary votes at the polls. In the former scenario, Sandra Borda, political science professor at the University of the Andes, said lawmakers would give Petro's government the tools to 'play the victim' and strengthen its rhetoric against Congress. 'The message the government has constantly tried to send is that Congress is no longer an entity that represents the interests of the people... but rather defends the interests, as they call them, of the private sector oligarchies,' Borda said. On the other hand, if voters end up going to the polls, the government could consider itself the winner by securing support from its electoral base, said Javier Garay, a political science professor at the Externship University of Colombia. He noted that the referendum's underlying purpose is to test the government's electoral support ahead of the 2026 presidential election. Union members who were among the thousands of people demonstrating Thursday in Bogota expressed support for the referendum. 'The referendum is a vindication of workers' rights, which have been a struggle for decades and were taken away from us by previous far-right governments,' said Jesús Parra, 53, one of the protesters.
