Photo: Steve Franklin/Unsplash (CC0)
From a massive national park to protect Koalas in Australia to a historic decline in murder rates in the US and Jamaica: here’s our recap of the best and most importantant constructive news and stories from the past month.
New South Wales has established the Great Koala National Park along Australia’s east coast, creating a substantial refuge for koalas and 66 of other threatened species. Conservationists say the move could help slow the species’ rapid decline as habitat loss and intensifying wildfires put growing pressure on native forests.
Source: Mongabay
The UN has voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution backing a world court opinion that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change, with the US – the world’s biggest historical emitter – among the small group opposing it. Secretary general, António Guterres said the general assembly vote underscored that governments are responsible for protecting citizens from the “escalating climate crisis”.
Source: The Guardian
From January until April, 76 murders were reported, breaking the previous record of 86 set in 2018. April marked a record low with just 19 murders. Shooting incidents fell sharply, down 18.6% and 19.3% from last April, while overall major crime dropped 9.5% citywide. The trend extended to public housing, which saw the safest-ever start to a year, with the fewest murders, shootings, victims, and robberies.
Source: CBS News
Baltimore recorded just four homicides in April – the city’s lowest monthly total since at least 1970. The milestone points to a broader decline in violent crime, with both homicides and non-fatal shootings down compared to the same period last year. As of May 1st, the city had reported 33 homicides and 89 non-fatal shootings – decreases of 10.8% and 11.9%, respectively.
Source: CBS News
Jamaica is seeing a sharp decline in murders alongside a dramatic rise in anonymous crime tips to police. Deputy Prime Minister Horace Chang credits growing public cooperation and says the country is beginning to see a “peace dividend” through social and economic gains. Most tipsters, however, never claim rewards.
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
French universities have begun offering €1 (86p) meals to all students regardless of income in a measure designed to address financial hardship. Student unions have been pushing to extend the €1 rate – down from the usual €3.30 – for a three-course meal to all students, which was previously only available to those with low incomes or receiving financial aid.
Source: The Guardian
Encouraging rural high school graduates to enroll at some of the US’s most selective colleges is the next step in a campaign that started three years ago with a push to get them simply to apply. Called the STARS College Network, the movement aims to raise the low numbers of this demographic delaying or not attending university.
Source: Hechinger Report
The biggest changes to investment taxes this century are intended to help young people break into the competitive housing market, along with offering a level of cost-of-living relief. The proposals limit capital gains tax discounts and negative gearing on assets, policies that have long skewed home ownership towards older, wealthier investors and away from first-home buyers.
Source: Reuters
The HPV vaccine was developed in Australia, and the country has been a global leader in how to eliminate the cervical cancer the virus can lead to. The first country to start a nationwide vaccination programme, it critically began giving it to boys as well in 2013. There have been no new cases of the cancer there in 25 years.
Source: BBC
Despite decades of research and huge advances in slowing progression of the disease, scientists have yet to develop a treatment capable of repairing the damaged nerve tissue left behind by multiple sclerosis, also known as MS. Now, a study has triggered the regrowth of myelin, the protective coating that lets nerve cells communicate properly.
Source: SciTechDaily
A new study suggests taking part in creative and artistic activities could help slow the body’s biological aging process. Researchers say arts engagement may support healthier aging and improve long-term wellbeing alongside diet and exercise.
Source: NPR
Global electricity output rose by about 850 terawatt hours between 2024 and 2025. Nearly all of that increase came from solar and wind, and although gas use edged up slightly, larger declines in coal and oil more than compensated, pushing overall fossil generation downward.
Source: Our World In Data
Nearly a decade after bottom trawling and dredging restrictions were introduced off Scotland’s coast, scientists have recorded a strong recovery in seabed ecosystems. Protected areas in the South Arran Marine Protected Area now support far greater biodiversity and marine abundance than nearby fished waters.
Source: Oceanographic
With the global plastic pollution crisis showing few signs of slowing down, researchers have developed a non-toxic plastic alternative, Bisphenol A, derived from the hemp plant. Avoiding the negatives of standard plastic materials, the new thermoplastic can extend up to 1,600% of its size, and has a high “glass transition temperature,” a quality that lets plastics stay dry and durable when coming into contact with boiling water.
Source: Phys.org
Lagos’ chronic traffic congestion is costing commuters time while worsening pollution and air quality. Now, a network of electric ferries is set to alleviate the burden on local transport. As a result, travel times on many routes will drop from two hours to 30 minutes. The batteries are charged using solar energy.
Source: DW
Housing shortages have begun to ease in most US states since 2020 as new apartment and home construction outpaced population growth, according to newly released census data. Increased supply has helped lower median rents and improve affordability for some homebuyers.
Source: Stateline
Because three-quarters of new apartment buildings are heated electrically, they’re often described as “an almost automatic form of building decarbonisation.” US politicians across the spectrum want more housing: green multi-family housing units might be a bipartisan way to do that.
Source: Grist
The number of people worldwide without electricity has fallen dramatically this century, dropping from 1.35 billion to 675 million. Although population growth must be taken into account, Sub-Saharan Africa has also made substantial gains, with millions more households gaining access to power each year.
Source: Our World In Data
Known locally as the khulan, the Asiatic wild ass is showing clear signs of re-establishing a regional population after an absence of more than 65 years. Fencing along the Trans-Mongolian Railway restricted movement of migratory species, but safe crossing points are now allowing animals to move more freely across this barrier.
Source: Good News Network
Europe’s first large-scale elephant sanctuary is opening to offer a more natural environment for some of the 600 animals still held in captivity across the continent. Julie, Portugal’s last circus elephant, will be moved next month to the animal charity Pangea’s multimillion pound sanctuary in the Alentejo.
Source: The Guardian
Human-wildlife conflict remains a challenge across Africa, threatening both predators and farmers’ livelihoods. Conservationist Dr. Paula Kahumbu of WildlifeDirect has found a simple solution: lights rigged to blink in sequence, mimicking human movement. To lions in the dark, it appears someone is patrolling – and the attacks stop.
Source: All Africa
Researchers are using tiny GPS “backpacks” attached to hedgehogs’ spines to track their movements and better understand their declining populations across Europe. In Ireland, a specially trained detection dog is helping locate the elusive mammals, giving conservationists new tools to protect the species from extinction.
Source: BBC News
Instead of separating infants from their mothers shortly after birth, the Breann Leath Maternal Child Health Unit is part of a small group of prison nursery programmes nationwide where mothers and babies can live together for up to 30 months. Participants must meet strict eligibility and behavioral requirements while receiving parenting support, substance use treatment and mental health care.
Source: The Marshall Project
For 14 years, Krista Richard’s Bikes and Trikes for Everyone programme has collected and repaired donated bikes for free community giveaways. The initiative has helped thousands of children – and increasingly parents – enjoy the outdoors and connect with their neighbours.
Source: CBC
