‘The last plant left’: can Rapa Nui’s extinct tree be resurrected?

Seeds from the last toromiro, unique to remote Easter Island, were taken away in the 1960s. Now, after a crucial discovery gave hope for its survival, it is making a return

In the Mataveri Otai nursery on the island of Rapa Nui, Estefany Paté cradles a bag of soil with a 10cm sprout like it is a baby. She caresses its leaves. “It’s been so emotional to have it here,” says Paté, who works for Chile’s National Forest Corporation (CONAF).

“It was here before us; it was here before the moai,” she says, referring to the megalithic statues that dot the island. “It has a sentimental value.”

Topics

‘She acted as a mother to me growing up’: My stepmother remarried after my father died — and I’m left out in the cold. How can I claim my inheritance?

“Her intention is to bequeath her properties and investments to her current new husband.”
MarketWatch - 9h
A.I. Is Prompting an Evolution, Not an Extinction, for Coders

A.I. tools from Microsoft and other companies are helping write code, placing software engineers at the forefront of the technology’s potential to disrupt the work force.
The New York Times - 17h
‘Breathing in the fragrances of the Atlas cedar trees’: readers’ favourite places in Morocco

From unexpected city charms in Rabat to the dunes of the Sahara and a festival celebrating nomadic life, our tipsters share their best discoveries. The calm city of Khenifra is well worth a ...
The Guardian - 3h
This Founder Left OpenAI to Launch a Competitor. It Aims to Bring AI to the Masses

Mira Murati, OpenAI’s former CTO, has taken the wraps off her new company, Thinking Machines Lab. Here’s what to know about its goals.
Inc. - 1d
Samsung Galaxy S25 review: the smallest top-tier Android left

Compact phone has flagship chip and buckets of AI, but hasn’t changed much from predecessors. The smallest and cheapest of Samsung’s new Galaxy S25 line might be the one to buy, offering top ...
The Guardian - 3h
NIH Research Grants Lag Behind Last Year’s by $1 Billion

After weeks of disruption to scientific federal grants, the National Institutes of Health has fallen behind in funding research into treatments for deadly diseases.
The New York Times - 2d
Hong Kong’s last major pro-democracy party moves to disband

Hong Kong’s Democratic Party said late on Thursday it would start preparations to disband and wind up its affairs after a meeting of its leadership, amid a years-long national security crackdown in ...
NBC News - 1h
Mavericks' Anthony Davis 'making good progress,' will miss another 2 weeks with left adductor strain

Davis suffered the injury in his Mavericks debut on Feb. 8.
Yahoo Sports - 15h
Let’s not leave the baby-making debate to Musk and Vance – the left has a stake in this too | Gaby Hinsliff

Rightwingers calling for higher birthrates may be disturbing, but having children is the ultimate gesture of confidence in the future for us all. Roses are red, violets are blue. Rightwing ...
The Guardian - 4h
Can I Fire Someone For Being Racist?

I did, and I’d do it again.
Inc. - 19h

More from The Guardian

Middle East crisis live: Shiri Bibas remains mixed with others after airstrike, Hamas claims after Israel says wrong body returned

Israel has demanded the return of Shiri Bibas after it said testing showed that one of the four bodies released by Hamas did not belong to any other hostage. Full report: Israeli military accuses ...
The Guardian - 19m
Macron and Starmer to lead Europe’s Trump charm offensive when they travel to US – Europe live

French president and UK prime minister are due to meet Donald Trump next week. Pope Francis is showing improvement, is alert and doing some work, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff ...
The Guardian - 21m
Taiwan holds its breath as Trump turns on Ukraine and upends US foreign policy

The mood in Taipei is one of wariness as the new US president takes a blowtorch to diplomatic norms and assurances. It’s a bustling morning at the Dongmen wet market, in inner-city Taipei. Mr Yu is ...
The Guardian - 8h
‘What a lie’: Danish astronaut responds to Musk claim that Biden abandoned ISS pair on purpose

Musk claimed without evidence that Nasa’s Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were left stranded on the orbital outpost for ‘political reasons’. Elon Musk has got into a heated row with a Danish ...
The Guardian - 8h
Commercial flights diverted as Chinese warships undertake apparent live-fire drill in sea between Australia and New Zealand

Three Chinese vessels currently in international waters notified Australia’s defence department before the drill. Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news ...
The Guardian - 3h

More in World

Gazans Returning Home to Jabaliya Embrace Reopened Market

A single image of a farmer’s market sprouting back up in devastated northern Gaza tells the story of loss and, perhaps, eventual rebirth.
The New York Times - 11m
Russia Closes In on Another Ukrainian Region, Even as Peace Talks Pick Up

Russian troops are three miles from Dnipropetrovsk, a region they have never invaded. If they cross into it, the advance would be a morale blow to Ukraine and complicate any territorial negotiations.
The New York Times - 11m
Sweden is investigating a cable break in the Baltic Sea

Swedish authorities are investigating a damaged cable that was discovered in the Baltic Sea, according to Swedish news agency TT
ABC News - 14m
The Man Who Broke Germany’s Government Wants a Chance to Fix It

Christian Lindner triggered early elections last fall with a move meant to save his party. It brought chaos at an inopportune time. But will it work out?
The New York Times - 15m
Middle East crisis live: Shiri Bibas remains mixed with others after airstrike, Hamas claims after Israel says wrong body returned

Israel has demanded the return of Shiri Bibas after it said testing showed that one of the four bodies released by Hamas did not belong to any other hostage. Full report: Israeli military accuses ...
The Guardian - 19m