Photo: Benjamin R./Unsplash (CC0)
In today’s edition: new research from Argentina suggests the country’s homicide rate has dropped to the lowest level since records began, new legislation in Italy gives those under 25 the chance to break free from intergenerational mafia recruitment, and El Salvador officials eliminates trachoma as a public health issue.
New data suggest Argentina saw only 3.6 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025 – the country’s lowest rate on record. Argentina has now received the highest international rating for the quality of its crime statistics. The figure places Argentina among the least violent countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, a region that continues to record some of the world’s highest homicide rates.
Source: Buenos Aires Times
Children and young adults raised in mafia families will be given a chance to break away from organised crime under a new law to stop the intergenerational recruitment of gangsters. In an effort to sever the family chain, the Italian state will offer those under 25 and other close relatives of mafia bosses a chance to start over: a new home in another city, a new school and, if necessary, a new identity.
Source: The Guardian
El Salvador has become the first country in Central America to eliminate trachoma, following validation by the World Health Organization. The achievement comes thanks to improved sanitation, expanded eye screening and better access to clean water, making it the 64th country worldwide to eliminate a neglected tropical disease.
Source: WHO
The number of oral cancer cases is rising across the globe and it can be deadly if left untreated. A newly developed non-invasive test could help doctors identify cancer earlier and monitor patients with persistent pre-cancerous lesions more effectively.
Source: Science Alert
A man who was paralysed from the chest down in a swimming accident six years ago has been able to feed himself and drink from a cup thanks to a brain implant that bypasses his spinal cord injury. Keith Thomas can move his arms and hands, and feel sensation of touch after months of training.
Source: The Guardian
A poll by The Week Junior found that 97% of young readers believe they can make a positive difference in the world, while 63% are hopeful about the future. Younger children were more optimistic than older respondents.
Source: Positive News
The numbat, Western Australia’s animal emblem, is making a steady recovery after more than 40 years of conservation efforts. Once endangered, the population has grown to an estimated 2,000-3,000 animals, according to the IUCN.
Source: Mongabay
A routing app developed by HeiGIT is helping people in Heidelberg and Worms find cooler, shaded walking routes during hot weather. The tool can also be adapted for other cities, offering a practical way to reduce heat stress as temperatures rise.
Source: Reset
A randomised controlled trial suggests salsa could potentially reduce depression and anxiety. Researchers at the University of Oxford and the Oxford Health NHS trust studied 121 young adults with mild to moderate depression and anxiety who were randomly assigned to a salsa dance programme or a control group.
Source: The Guardian
The world’s first “community powered” sauna heated by food waste from residents of the neighbouring housing estate is set to open in London. R-Urban Poplar is a “living lab” where locals can experiment with ways of taking charge of their food supply.
Source: The Guardian
