Photo: Pascal Bernardon/Unsplash (CC0)
In today’s edition: only four months into the year, New York City sees historic lows in murder rates; captive elephants are rehomed in Europe’s first sanctuary, and tiny GPS “backpacks” are helping track hedgehogs to protect the species.
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
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
The injectable form of pembrolizumab can be used for several types of cancer and is administered in under two minutes. It kills cancer cells by blocking a protein called PD-1, which acts as a brake on immune responses, letting the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.
Source: The Guardian
The US Supreme Court on Monday restored broad access to the abortion pill mifepristone, blocking a lower-court ruling that had threatened to restrict one of the main ways abortions are provided. The pill can be obtained through pharmacies, the mail, or telehealth, without needing an in-person doctor’s visit.
Source: AP News
During the programme’s first year, it will be offered at about 65 to 75 hospitals that handle about a quarter of births in the state and largely serve low-income patients, Newsom’s office said. The initiative will expand to more hospitals statewide, with the state partnering with the non-profit Baby2Baby to manufacture the diapers under the label “Golden State Start”.
Source: The Guardian
Global tropical forest destruction eased in 2025, falling 36% from the previous year. Last year, 4.3 million hectares (10.6 million acres) were lost, largely to Brazil’s aggressive deforestation crackdown under President Lula.
Source: Reuters
Staavia dodii, a plant once extinct in the wild, is now thriving in Tokai Park, a section of South Africa’s Table Mountain National Park. Known for its unique blooms, this rare species’ revival is a result of targeted conservation efforts and the restoration programmes working to protect the region’s endangered flora.
Source: Africa News
Seattle’s “little free pantries” and community fridges provide millions of pounds of food yearly, but availability is unpredictable. UW researchers are testing an internet-connected map to show what’s stocked and help donors target the most-needed items.
Source: Washington EDU
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
Nearly 200 journalists have been killed outside conflict zones over the past five years. Tamia Villavicencio is investigating her father’s murder, and to protect herself and her reporting, she relies on a digital security system called SafeBox.
Source: BBC News
