Study of more than 600 animal and plant species finds genetic diversity has declined globally

Analysis by dozens of scientists internationally notes urgent conservation efforts could halt or even reverse losses

Genetic diversity in animals and plants has declined globally over the past three decades, an analysis of more than 600 species has found.

The research, published in the journal Nature, found declines in two-thirds of the populations studied, but noted that urgent conservation efforts could halt or even reverse genetic diversity losses.

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‘Groundbreaking’: scientists develop patch that can repair damaged hearts

Cells taken from blood and ‘reprogrammed’ into heart muscle cells may help patients with heart failure

Damaged hearts can literally be patched up to help them work, say researchers, in what has been hailed as a groundbreaking development for people with advanced heart failure.

According to a recent study, heart failure affects more than 64 million people worldwide, with causes including heart attacks, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.

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Israel’s ban on Unrwa a catastrophe, UN Palestinian agency warns – BBC.com

  1. Israel's ban on Unrwa a catastrophe, UN Palestinian agency warns  BBC.com
  2. Fear hits east Jerusalem as Israel moves to close UN Palestinian refugee agency  The Associated Press
  3. ‘We will suffocate’: Palestinian refugees in Gaza fear UNRWA ban  Al Jazeera English
  4. Unrwa closure imminent as last-bid attempts to stop Israeli ban fail  The Guardian
  5. Fact Check: US UNRWA funding already halted in 2024, not by Trump 2025 order  Reuters
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Mahakumbh Mela: Thirty killed in crush at India’s Kumbh Mela festival – BBC.com

  1. Mahakumbh Mela: Thirty killed in crush at India's Kumbh Mela festival  BBC.com
  2. Bodies, clothes, bags lie on ground after stampede at mass Hindu gathering in India  Yahoo! Voices
  3. News Wrap: At least 30 killed in India during stampede at religious festival  PBS NewsHour
  4. Police say at least 30 people have died in a stampede at the massive Maha Kumbh festival in India  The Associated Press
  5. Sea of Devotees Overwhelms World’s Biggest Religious Festival With Deadly Results  The Wall Street Journal
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Just Stop Oil protestors appeal against ‘draconian’ prison sentences – Euronews

  1. Just Stop Oil protestors appeal against 'draconian' prison sentences  Euronews
  2. Five years in prison for nonviolent protest: it’s plain wrong, and Keir Starmer knows it | Caroline Lucas  The Guardian
  3. UK environmental activists appeal against prison sentences they say are unduly harsh  ABC News
  4. Mass court appeal puts UK climate activism clampdown in spotlight  Financial Times
  5. UK climate protesters challenge jail sentences in landmark appeals  Reuters UK
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EU launches ‘simplification’ agenda in effort to keep up with US and China

Ursula von der Leyen announces plans to cut red tape and boost innovation in second term as head of European Commission

The EU executive has announced “an unprecedented simplification effort” to cut regulations and boost innovation in an attempt to reverse Europe’s economic decline and better compete with China and the US.

In her first major policy announcement since starting a second term as the European Commission president last month, Ursula von der Leyen outlined policy proposals intended to boost Europe’s flagging economy.

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Trump reiterates Gaza expulsion plan – and stokes security fears – FRANCE 24 English

  1. Trump reiterates Gaza expulsion plan – and stokes security fears  FRANCE 24 English
  2. Under Trump's Plan, Egypt Sees an Opportunity to Rebuild Both Gaza and Itself  Haaretz
  3. US's Bernie Sanders lone senator to oppose Trump's call to 'clean out' Gaza  Middle East Eye
  4. Trump wants Egypt and Jordan to take in Palestinians from Gaza. Here's why the idea is rejected  The Associated Press
  5. Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion  CBS News
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Renewables break record for share of Australia’s main energy supply in December quarter, data reveals

Australian Energy Market Operator also reports coal-fired power plants’ contribution fell below 50% for the first time

Renewable power reached a record share of Australia’s main electricity supply in the December 2024 quarter, with the contribution of coal-fired generation dipping below 50% for the first time, the Australian Energy Market Operator said.

Renewable energy sources accounted for 46% of the overall supply mix in the national energy market (NEM), driving quarterly total emissions and emissions intensity to record low levels.

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Inflation data isn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Labor – as Biden and Democrats will attest

While a pre-election rate cut is widely seen as positive for incumbent governments, it doesn’t necessarily represent a path to victory in itself

The Reserve Bank of Australia is designed to be independent of government, but that does not mean its decisions do not have political consequences.

After Wednesday’s better-than-expected inflation reading, there is now broad consensus among economists that the RBA will cut interest rates next month.

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Stampede at Maha Kumbh festival claims at least 30 lives as millions gather for holy dip – ABC NEWS 4

  1. Stampede at Maha Kumbh festival claims at least 30 lives as millions gather for holy dip  ABC NEWS 4
  2. After Maha Kumbh Mela Stampede, Concerns of Cover-Up  The New York Times
  3. ‘Inevitable’: how joy turned to horror as Kumbh Mela festival crowd crush unfolded  The Guardian
  4. At Least 30 Dead, 60 Injured After Religious Event Ends in Stampede: 'There Was No Chance for Escape'  PEOPLE
  5. Exclusive Pics From Space Capture Maha Kumbh Hours After Stampede In Which 30 Died  NDTV
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“A City of Ghosts” — Returning to Rafah to Find Death and Destruction – Drop Site News

  1. “A City of Ghosts” — Returning to Rafah to Find Death and Destruction  Drop Site News
  2. This is what one family in Gaza returned home to after 15 months of war  The Associated Press
  3. Returning Gazans Take Stock of Destruction After Cease-Fire  The Wall Street Journal
  4. Gazans return to ruined homes, communities and lives  The Washington Post
  5. Joy turns to despair as Gaza returnees struggle to settle in enclave's north  Reuters
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