The Guardian · 27 Apr, 05:42
Record bear sightings in Japan have caused alarm as hibernation ends, with authorities urging caution among people planning to spend the Golden Week public holidays in the countryside. The pace of sightings is outstripping that seen in 2025, a record year for bear attacks.
Bears emerging from hibernation in Japan are being spotted with surprising frequency in urban areas, particularly in the country's north-east. Authorities have issued warnings about the presence of Asiatic black bears in several prefectures, including Aomori, Iwate, and Fukushima. There has already been one possible fatal mauling and a police officer injured in a bear attack. Police have been called to populated areas following sightings near apartment buildings, a warehouse, and a railway station.
Why it matters: The sightings have raised fears of another year of anxiety among residents of north-east Japan and Hokkaido, the country's northernmost main island. Japan saw a record 238 bear attacks, including 13 deaths, in the 12 months from April last year. Most of the incidents occurred in the six prefectures that make up the Tohoku region of north-east Japan.
238 (record bear attacks in the 12 months from April last year), 13 (deaths from bear attacks in the 12 months from April last year), 2025 (record year for bear attacks), 2026 (year in which bear sightings are already outstripping 2025), 100-120kg (weight of bear involved in standoff with police in Fukushima)
Bears that previously ventured into human settlements may have learned that food can be found in places close to people. ... previous encounters with people – after which the animals returned safely to their natural habitat – may mean they no longer see humans as a potential threat. - Shinsuke Koike, professor of ecology at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
The Guardian · 27 Apr, 05:09
Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest person, called for immigrants' social media to be screened in a speech at an Anzac memorial service, citing national security concerns. She also criticized the government's handling of veterans' affairs and response to hate speech.
Gina Rinehart, Australia's richest person, delivered a speech at an Anzac memorial service on the steps of Sydney Opera House, attended by about 4,000 people. In her speech, she called for immigrants' social media to be screened as part of the country's immigration procedures. Rinehart also criticized the Australian government for wasting money, eroding freedoms, and running an ineffective defence force. She claimed that children are being taught to be ashamed of the Australian flag and that the government has done nothing in response to 'death chants'.
Why it matters: Rinehart's comments are significant because they reflect a hardline stance on immigration and national security. Her proposal to screen immigrants' social media has been echoed by some politicians, including opposition leader Angus Taylor. The speech also highlights Rinehart's continued influence and philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting veterans.
4,000 (attendance at the Anzac memorial service), $200m (commitment by Hancock Prospecting to buy properties for homeless Australian veterans)
Our immigration procedures must only allow immigrants who have been thoroughly checked – including their phones, iPads, laptops and social media. We need to protect our country – and welcome only peace-loving, contributing immigrants to our shores.
The Guardian · 27 Apr, 05:00
Victoria Bennett, a nature writer, moved to Orkney and created an apothecary garden that helped her heal and find peace. The garden, which features medicinal and culinary plants, taught her to accept the dominance of nature and relinquish control.
Victoria Bennett, a 54-year-old nature writer, moved to Orkney in 2022 with her husband and son. She struggled to adjust to the remote archipelago, but found solace in creating an apothecary garden in her backyard. The garden, which features medicinal and culinary plants, was initially challenged by the harsh Orkney weather, but Bennett learned to adapt and swap plants that couldn't survive the conditions. She fertilized the garden with foraged seaweed and observed the plants that flourished on the coastline to inform her gardening decisions.
Why it matters: Bennett's experience in Orkney and her apothecary garden taught her valuable life lessons about acceptance, compassion, and forgiveness. Her story highlights the importance of connecting with nature and finding peace in a challenging environment. The garden also serves as a reflection of Bennett's personal growth and healing journey.
9 sq metres (garden size), 51 years old (Bennett's age when she moved to Orkney), 54 years old (Bennett's current age), 2022 (year Bennett moved to Orkney), 2023 (year Bennett's nature book 'All My Wild Mothers' was published), 30 April (publication date of Bennett's memoir 'The Apothecary by the Sea')
I needed to be there, by the sea, in that strange, flat place.
NPR News · 27 Apr, 05:07
Monte Coleman, a linebacker who won three Super Bowls with the Washington team, has died at the age of 68.
Monte Coleman, a former linebacker for the Washington team, has passed away at the age of 68. He won three Super Bowls during his time with the team. Coleman later went on to coach at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Why it matters: Monte Coleman's death is significant due to his achievements as a player and coach. He was a key figure in Washington's success during the 1980s, winning three Super Bowls. His legacy extends beyond his playing career as he also contributed to the sport as a coach.
68 (age at time of death), 3 (number of Super Bowls won)
Ars Technica · 26 Apr, 17:20
Prime Video has released the full trailer for its upcoming live-action series 'Spider-Noir', starring Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly, a hard-boiled private investigator with a secret superhero identity. The series is set in 1930s New York and is based on the Marvel Comics 'noir' line.
Prime Video released the official full trailer for its upcoming live-action series 'Spider-Noir' at CCXPMX26 in Mexico City. The trailer was released in two formats: one in black and white and another in color, called 'True Hue'. The series stars Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly, a seasoned private investigator in 1930s New York who is forced to grapple with his past life following a personal tragedy. The show is set in an alternate universe and is based on the Marvel Comics 'noir' line, which reinterprets familiar Marvel characters in a 1930s US setting.
Why it matters: This series is significant because it offers a new take on the Spider-Man character, set in a noir-inspired universe. The use of black and white and color formats for the trailer adds to the show's unique aesthetic. The series' release is also notable for fans of Nicolas Cage, who has previously voiced the Spider-Noir character in animated films.
NPR News · 27 Apr, 05:09
Palestinian officials have held local elections in Gaza and the West Bank, marking a step toward a long-delayed presidential election. This is the first local election in Gaza in two decades and the first in the occupied West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
Local elections were held in a Gaza community and the West Bank. Palestinian officials view these elections as a step toward a long-delayed presidential election. The Palestinian Authority has not held a presidential election in 21 years. These local elections are significant as they have not been held in Gaza for two decades and in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began.
Why it matters: The local elections are significant as they mark progress toward a long-delayed presidential election. The Palestinian Authority's inability to hold elections for an extended period has been a point of contention. The resumption of local elections could potentially pave the way for a presidential election.
21 years (time since the last presidential election), 2 decades (time since the last local election in Gaza), 2026 (year in which the local elections took place)
Ars Technica · 26 Apr, 19:52
Paramount+ has released a teaser for the fourth season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which appears to have a more serious tone. The new season is expected to explore the aftermath of Pike's loss of his love interest, Marie Batel.
Paramount+ unveiled a new teaser for the fourth season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds at CCXP in Mexico City. The third season of the show had a mixed tone, with both serious and silly plot lines. The season concluded with the departure of Marie Batel, Pike's love interest, who gave him an illusory alternate life where they grew old together. The upcoming season is expected to deal with the aftermath of her loss.
Why it matters: The teaser is significant because it suggests a shift in tone for the new season, which may focus more on serious plot lines. The loss of Marie Batel is a major plot point that is likely to have a lasting impact on the character of Pike. Fans of the show are likely to be interested in seeing how the character develops in the new season.
NPR News · 27 Apr, 01:30
A Texas judge ordered the release of Hayam El Gamal and her five children, who had been detained for nearly a year, but they were re-arrested by ICE two days later.
Hayam El Gamal and her five children were ordered to be released by a Texas judge after being detained for nearly a year. However, two days later, their lawyers say that ICE re-arrested and attempted to deport them. The family had been held in detention for almost 12 months. The initial release order was made on Thursday.
Why it matters: This case highlights the complexities and challenges faced by families detained by immigration authorities. The re-arrest of the family just days after their release order underscores the ongoing issues with immigration detention policies.
nearly 1 year, 5 children
Ars Technica · 26 Apr, 11:09
Researchers at EPFL have developed Kinematic Intelligence, a framework that allows robots to learn and adapt skills from one robotic arm to another, making it easier to swap out old arms for new ones. This development could simplify the process of teaching robots new tasks.
A team of researchers at the Swiss École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has developed Kinematic Intelligence, a framework that enables robots to learn from demonstration and adapt to new robotic arms. Currently, when a new robotic arm is introduced, the skills it needs to perform tasks must be retaught from scratch. The new framework aims to change this by allowing robots to transfer learned skills to different robotic arms. This is achieved by teaching the robot a task on one arm and then having it perform the same task on a different arm.
Why it matters: This development is significant because it could greatly simplify the process of teaching robots new tasks and adapting to new hardware. By making it easier to swap out old robotic arms for new ones, Kinematic Intelligence could lead to more efficient and flexible robotic systems.