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Baby sea turtles in the sand

Endangered sea turtles show signs of recovery in majority of places they’re found worldwide

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Endangered sea turtles are making a comeback in many parts of the world, according to a newly published global survey from researchers at Stanford University and other institutions. The study, featured in Endangered Species Research, found that threats to the marine animals—such as hunting, pollution, and coastal development—are declining in more than half of the areas examined. Although the findings offer hope, researchers caution that not all turtle populations are rebounding equally. Leatherback turtles, in particular, remain under severe threat.

Two parrots flying

One of the rarest parrot species in Brazil doubles in population in last 20 years

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Habitat loss and the illegal pet trade drove the red-tailed amazon, endemic to the southeastern Brazilian coast, to fewer than 5,000 individuals by the end of the 20th Century. Thanks to a project to install artificial nests on an island on the Paraná coast, the number of parrots has almost doubled in the last 20 years, taking the bird from “endangered” to “near threatened” status, the only case of its kind in Brazil. Although trafficking has decreased, it remains an active threat to the species’ survival.

Powerlines

Kenya has more than doubled access to electricity since 2013

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Kenya is progressing toward universal electricity access by 2030, bolstered by strong policy implementation and clean energy technologies, according to the International Energy Agency. Kenya has seen an increase in access, from 37% in 2013 to 79% in 2023, supporting poverty reduction, education, healthcare, and economic development. The Last Mile Connectivity Project has been instrumental in connecting nine million rural inhabitants to the grid. By the end of this year, the project aims to connect an additional 280,000 households nationwide.

Psilocybin mushrooms

New Mexico becomes third U.S. state to legalize psilocybin therapy

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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed SB 219 into law, effectively legalizing psilocybin-assisted therapy for qualifying patients across the state. The new law establishes a tightly regulated framework allowing for the medical use of psilocybin in treating conditions like treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life anxiety. Under the program, therapy will consist of preparation, guided psilocybin therapy, and follow-up integration sessions. However, for everyone outside the program, possession and use of mushrooms is still a crime.

Ukraine flag

Ukraine allies pledge €21 billion in fresh military aid

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The announcement came as members of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group met at Nato’s headquarters in Brussels to pledge air defences, missiles, and other gear as Europe sought to fill the gap left by the changed priorities of the U.S. under Donald Trump. More than half of the aid – €11 billion over four years – is coming from Germany. Support also includes a $590m package from the U.K. and Norway to fund radar systems, anti-tank mines, vehicle repairs, and hundreds of thousands of drones as the nation faces a brutal, unlawful invasion from Russia.

Cargo ship

Countries reach historic deal to cut shipping emissions

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After years of negotiations, the international community has reached a landmark deal to cut greenhouse gas emissions from global shipping, setting mandatory fuel standards and introducing a carbon pricing mechanism. The framework – agreed during a meeting of the U.N. International Maritime Organization – aims for net-zero emissions from the sector by 2050 and will come into force in 2027. It will apply to large ocean-going vessels over 5,000 gross tonnage, which account for 85% of carbon emissions from the marine shipping fleet.

Solar farm

Renewable energy now handles 40% of global electricity needs

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According to a new report from U.K. think tank Ember, clean energy accounted for 40.9% of electricity produced worldwide in 2024. The push past the 40% mark was fueled by an unprecedented growth in solar, significant contributions from wind, a recovery in hydropower, and a small rise in nuclear power. China and the E.U. demonstrated the most remarkable increases in clean electricity generation, meeting 81% and 71% of their new electricity demand from renewables in 2024, respectively.

Pangolin

Nigerian officials arrest Chinese pangolin trafficking ‘kingpin’

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Nigerian officials have arrested a Chinese national suspected of masterminding a transnational smuggling operation of pangolin scales, according to Dutch nonprofit Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC). The arrest is linked to the seizure of more than 7 tons of pangolin scales in August 2024. The investigation is part of wider efforts to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks in Nigeria, the main illegal wildlife trade hub in West Africa. WJC says the collaboration has enabled 37 arrests, seizures of more than 21.5 metric tons of pangolin scales, and 12 convictions since July 2021.

Garbage on the beach|the ocean cleanup plastic|

Australia sees nearly 40% decline in plastic pollution along major city coastlines since 2013

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A new study suggests that Australia has effectively implemented plastic pollution policies, including container deposit schemes and bans on single-use plastics. The study, based on 1,907 surveys conducted across six metropolitan regions, suggests that such policies, combined with local clean-up campaigns and public education, are reducing the volume of plastic entering the environment. Australia has pledged to phase out problematic and unnecessary plastics by 2025 and recycle or reuse all of its plastic waste by 2040.

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