Birthrate dropped after lockdown

The birthrate fell across Europe nine months after the first Covid lockdown, reported The Times. In England and Wales there were 13% fewer births than expected in January 2021, and 14% fewer in Scotland. Many had predicted a surge in births, as couples passed the time during lockdowns. However, said Leo Pomar of the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, the results are “similar to what has been observed in previous major crises” and suggested the “fear of an underlying crisis and the stress induced on couples” is responsible.

Goldfish do have good memories

Experts have proven that goldfish do have good memories and are able to navigate their surroundings. A team from Oxford University trained nine fish to travel 70cm (2.3ft) and back, receiving a food reward at the end. They said it showed the fish could accurately estimate distance, disproving the long-held belief that they have poor memories. Goldfish appear to use the number of contrast changes experienced en route, said the BBC.

Vegan fined over ‘pet’ mice

A vegan who failed to deal with a mouse infestation at her home has been fined by a court, reported Sky News. Margaret Manzoni, 73, from Essex, “considered the mice her pets” and “said they would not go to her neighbours because she looked after them”. At a hearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, she was told that while the court “respected her beliefs as an ethical vegan, others saw mice as vermin”. She was fined £1,500, with the court awarding the council costs of £2,395 and imposing a victim surcharge of £150.

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