Things aren't as bad as they seem.

New insights show that spending time outdoors in the rain can lift mood and support brain function. Cooler air, sensory stimulation and a break from routine help boost alertness, while natural light and movement contribute to improved mental clarity and emotional balance.

A walk in the rain brightens your mood and sharpens your mind

A walk in the rain brightens your mood and sharpens your mind

22.04.2026

Heading layer

A walk in the rain brightens your mood and sharpens your mind

20.04.2026

Solar panels help grow tomatoes while saving water and energy

Using agrovoltaic systems and reduced irrigation, the approach lowers water use while maintaining efficient yields. Solar panels reduce evaporation by providing shade, and help plants cope with heat, allowing land to produce both food and clean energy at the same time.

20.04.2026

Liverpool FC first club to earn certification for sustainable food

From plant-based menu options to cutting food waste across stadium operations, the club is embedding sustainability into matchday experiences. The milestone highlights how major sports organizations can influence supply chains and inspire fans worldwide through everyday choices around food.

20.04.2026

Brazil opens rehab center to protect rare lion tamarins

A new initiative is supporting the recovery of endangered golden-headed lion tamarins by combining veterinary treatment in a rehabilitation center, habitat restoration, and long-term monitoring, strengthening conservation efforts for a species found only in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, which is increasingly affected by human activity.

20.04.2026

Sperm whales’ clicks reveal a language of surprising complexity

Off Dominica in the Caribbean, scientists studying nearly 4,000 sperm whale codas found the animals combine click patterns in ways strikingly similar to human speech. Their “vowel-like” sounds shift in tone and timing, creating rich structures that may carry meaning — a major step toward understanding one of Earth’s most social species.

20.04.2026

Coal comeback fears fade as global energy shift holds steady

New electricity data shows no global surge in coal use despite recent energy pressures.Seaborne coal trade fell 3% to its lowest level since 2021, while total fossil fuel power declined 1% year on year. With gas generation also down 4%, the figures point to a steady transition as cleaner energy continues to expand across major economies.

20.04.2026

Louis Vuitton unveils plant-based fur at Paris fashion week

17.04.2026

Rare butterfly returns after forests were planted and restored

A rare heath fritillary butterfly has been spotted at Victory Wood in Kent, southeast England, after years of woodland restoration. Since 2004, conservationists have planted native trees, widened sunlit paths and reconnected ancient woodland. The butterfly’s return shows how patient habitat work can bring fragile species back.

15.04.2026

Human urine could help grow food with less energy

Researchers in the UK have shown that human urine could become a low-energy source of crop nutrients instead of being flushed away. Using forward osmosis, they concentrated urine into a fertilizer-rich stream while removing water efficiently. The approach could cut wastewater strain, save energy and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

15.04.2026

New bike bell cuts through headphones to make streets safer

A new bicycle bell uses a carefully tuned 1,000Hz tone that can be heard even through noise-canceling headphones, helping cyclists warn distracted pedestrians earlier. In London tests, it gave people up to five extra seconds to react. The open design could help make city streets safer worldwide.

15.04.2026

England makes school meals standards healthier

England is overhauling school food standards for the first time in 13 years, cutting deep-fried meals and limiting sugary desserts while adding more fruit, vegetables and wholegrains. The reform also curbs daily fast-food style options, helping millions of children build healthier habits at school.

15.04.2026

South Africa returns sacred Zimbabwe bird after 140 years

South Africa has returned Zimbabwe’s sacred Chapungu soapstone bird and ancestral human remains taken during colonial rule more than a century ago. Handed over in Cape Town, the return restores a national symbol carved at Great Zimbabwe and helps families and communities reconnect with heritage long denied.

15.04.2026

Study finds migratory birds largely avoid offshore turbines

Two new studies suggest offshore wind farms can expand without putting migratory birds at major risk. Over 18 months, researchers tracked more than four million bird movements using radar and AI cameras and found that more than 99.8% reliably avoided turbine blades, showing clean energy and wildlife protection can work together.

15.04.2026

Ghana creates first marine protected area

Ghana has created its first marine protected area, covering 703 square kilometers around Cape Three Points on the country’s southern coast. The reserve protects a vital spawning and nursery ground where fish can recover. A no-fishing core zone will safeguard the most sensitive habitat, while surrounding waters stay open to regulated use.

13.04.2026

Art films shown to sharpen creative thinking in new study

Compared with people who watched purely entertaining videos, viewers of artsy films performed better on tasks requiring flexible ideas and fresh connections . The findings add strong evidence that art can do more than stir emotions: even brief cultural experiences may help people think more openly, solve problems differently and bring new ideas into daily life.

13.04.2026

First-ever papal visit to Algeria opens a new chapter in dialogue

Pope Leo XIV began the first papal visit ever to Algeria this week, opening his Africa tour with meetings in Algiers and Annaba. The two-day visit highlights Christian-Muslim dialogue, shared history, and Algeria’s role as the birthplace of St Augustine, linking faith, memory and modern cooperation.

13.04.2026

California backs new housing with 145.4 Million USD as homelessness drops

The latest funding follows California’s first drop in unsheltered homelessness in 15 years and will support rapid rehousing, rental help, youth services, shelter upgrades and long-term housing across various counties. More than 100,000 people have already been helped into permanent housing through the wider program, with stricter accountability measures now tied to results.

13.04.2026

Reversible, nonhormonal male birth control moves a step closer

Scientists at Cornell University have shown that sperm production can be safely switched off and later restored using a nonhormonal compound. After three weeks of treatment, sperm stopped completely. Within six weeks of stopping, fertility returned, and healthy offspring were born, marking a major step toward male contraception.

13.04.2026

Blue-and-yellow macaws return to Rio after two centuries

After 200 years, blue-and-yellow macaws are flying again over Rio de Janeiro’s Tijuca National Park. Four rescued birds have already been released as part of Brazil’s wider rewilding effort, restoring seed dispersal and ecological balance in one of the world’s largest urban forests.