How a Used Car Sale Turned Into a Stunning Display of Community Spirit

A kind-hearted man has gone above and beyond to help four students from Nepal who recently moved to Canada to study. The students answered an ad Chris Delargy posted about selling his car, and after learning that the young men had almost no furniture in their apartment, Chris took it upon himself to start a furniture drive – and has so far succeeded in delivering a kitchen table, couch, bed frames and a TV stand. The roommates are extremely grateful for Delargy's generosity, saying they never expected such kindness from strangers.

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Bronze Statue To Honor Celebrity Cat Susie In Dorchester

She’s wandered through pubs, lounged in supermarkets, and charmed thousands along the way. Now Susie the cat, Dorchester’s most famous feline, is getting a statue in her honour. An anonymous donor has proposed a bronze sculpture of the adventurous cat, who has built a global fan base simply by strolling through the Dorset town like she owns it. If planning permission is approved, the statue will be installed in South Street and sculpted by Weymouth artist Ama Menec. Susie moved to Dorchester in 2023 with Linda and Michael Crow, who came to stay with their daughter Jenny Graves. Not long after, locals began spotting Susie all over town and calling in concerned that she was lost. That’s when Graves updated her collar to read: "Susie – Not lost, just adventurous." She hasn’t stopped exploring since. The Facebook group dedicated to Susie now has more than 11,000 members, who regularly post sightings of her tucked into shops, pubs, and even high-rise flats. Her owner, Jenny Graves, a hospital consultant, says Susie has unexpectedly brought people together. “We have people from all over the world following her so it's been a nice thing,” Graves said. “I get at least two patients in every clinic who mention her. I really like it – it's allowed me to meet all sorts of people who I would not have otherwise met.” The proposed statue will depict Susie wearing a Roman-style collar made of glass beads, with a Roman tile beneath her paws—an artistic nod to the town’s ancient roots. A similar tile with cat paw prints was found in nearby Gloucester, dating back to the Roman era. Fittingly, the statue will be set at a child’s eye level, resting on a plinth made of Portland stone embedded with Jurassic Coast fossils. Graves said the donor, who is also managing the project, wants to remain anonymous but is someone with a passion for Dorchester’s Roman history and a soft spot for Susie. “I don't want to offend anyone but it's completely crazy… in a good way,” she said. “If it increases footfall, it can only be a positive thing.” Susie’s fame has already sparked several community fundraising efforts. In 2024, a children’s book titled Not Lost was published to raise funds for People First Dorset, a charity supporting people with learning disabilities. The idea came after Susie paid a surprise visit to charity manager Laura Kerr’s fourth-floor flat. The book, created by Kerry Martin, William Parmiter and Emily Burr with illustrations by Catherine Owen, drew a crowd of around 100 people to its launch. Owen’s postcards of Susie have since raised additional funds for a cat rescue charity. Most recently, a 2026 calendar featuring photos of Susie, created by local resident Matthew Darvill, raised more than £2,600 for Samaritans. From Facebook fame to a children’s book, and soon a bronze statue, Susie’s laid-back wanderings have made her a beloved fixture in Dorchester—and soon, a permanent one.

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Scientists Say They've Unlocked a Breakthrough in Immune Cells for Cancer and Autoimmune Therapy

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have made a major leap in the field of cell therapy, successfully developing a method to reliably grow a key type of human immune cell—helper T cells—from stem cells in the lab. Published January 7 in Cell Stem Cell, the study solves a bottleneck that has long limited the scale and affordability of engineered immune treatments. The ability to mass-produce these cells could pave the way for off-the-shelf therapies for cancer, infections, autoimmune disorders, and more. “Engineered cell therapies are transforming modern medicine,” said Dr. Peter Zandstra, co-senior author of the study and director of UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering. “This study addresses one of the biggest challenges in making these lifesaving treatments accessible to more people, showing for the first time a reliable and scalable way to grow multiple immune cell types.” Cell-based therapies like CAR-T have shown dramatic results in treating aggressive cancers. These therapies work by reprogramming a patient’s own immune cells to attack disease, but the process is slow, expensive, and often inaccessible. One of the biggest hurdles is the reliance on each patient’s individual cells, which have to be harvested and modified separately—a time-consuming and costly process. “The long-term goal is to have off-the-shelf cell therapies that are manufactured ahead of time and on a larger scale from a renewable source like stem cells,” said co-senior author Dr. Megan Levings, a professor of surgery and biomedical engineering at UBC. “This would make treatments much more cost-effective and ready when patients need them.” While scientists have made headway in generating killer T cells—immune cells that attack cancer and infected cells—helper T cells have remained out of reach. These cells play a central role in coordinating immune responses, activating other immune cells and sustaining those responses over time. Without them, many therapies don’t work as well or last as long. “Helper T cells are essential for a strong and lasting immune response,” said Dr. Levings. “It’s critical that we have both to maximize the efficacy and flexibility of off-the-shelf therapies.” The UBC team cracked the code by fine-tuning a biological signal called Notch, which helps guide how stem cells mature into immune cells. Notch needs to be active early on to help start the process, but if it stays on for too long, it prevents the formation of helper T cells. “By precisely tuning when and how much this signal is reduced, we were able to direct stem cells to become either helper or killer T cells,” said Dr. Ross Jones, a co-first author and research associate in the Zandstra Lab. “We were able to do this in controlled laboratory conditions that are directly applicable in real-world biomanufacturing, which is an essential step toward turning this discovery into a viable therapy.” What’s more, the lab-grown helper T cells didn’t just look the part—they acted like fully mature immune cells. They carried diverse immune receptors, showed signs of full development, and could form specialized subtypes with distinct roles. “These cells look and act like genuine human helper T cells,” said co-first author Kevin Salim, a PhD student in the Levings Lab. “That’s critical for future therapeutic potential.” The ability to consistently generate both types of T cells—and control their proportions—could allow scientists to fine-tune therapies for different diseases and patients. “This is a major step forward in our ability to develop scalable and affordable immune cell therapies,” said Dr. Zandstra. “This technology now forms the foundation for testing the role of helper T cells in supporting the elimination of cancer cells and generating new types of helper T cell-derived cells, such as regulatory T cells, for clinical applications.” With this advance, the vision of accessible, off-the-shelf cell therapies for life-threatening conditions is no longer science fiction—it’s getting closer to clinical reality.

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Mother And Daughter Graduate Together, Proving It's Never Too Late To Learn

When Mehnaaz Fayaz told her daughter she was thinking of going back to school, she didn’t expect to end up as her lab partner. But that’s exactly what happened. The 46-year-old mother from Leicester recently completed a postgraduate degree in Cancer Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics alongside her 22-year-old daughter, Kauser. Both women earned distinctions and say they hope their story encourages others to rethink what’s possible—no matter their age. “They say once you get married and have kids you cannot study—you can, and you can study with your kids together,” Mehnaaz said. After both graduated from the University of Leicester with previous degrees, they decided to enrol in the same postgraduate course to support each other. It turned out to be more than just a smart academic decision—it became a shared journey neither of them will forget. “It was my passion to go more into cancer research and learn more about the molecular part of it, so that's why I chose to go back,” Mehnaaz explained. Kauser, now working as a writer for a medical device company, said studying with her mum was more than just convenient—it was inspiring. “She's my mum, she's my role model,” she said. “I hope mum's achievements will inspire other women, who might think they are too old to go to university, to pursue education – she's shown it's never too late.” The two often turned heads on campus, with classmates frequently mistaking them for sisters. Kauser didn’t mind. “It happens often,” she said. “It's quite nice though because it's nice to see that she's growing old gracefully!” Despite their close bond, the mother-daughter duo admits their study habits don’t quite align. “She's more of a bookworm,” Kauser said. “She likes to study a lot more than me, but I must say I did get a higher grade in our dissertations!” Their results speak for themselves. Both received distinctions—the highest grade available. Mehnaaz will soon begin an internship as a medical article writer, while Kauser has already started her professional career. The University of Leicester celebrated the achievement. Linda Ralphs, Pro Vice-Chancellor Education, said, “We welcome everyone. It is exactly that sort of story that really makes our day.” For Mehnaaz, the takeaway is simple: “I want to break the stereotype. It’s for everybody, there is no age to learn.”

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Retired Silversmith Turns Used Candles into Lifesaving Heat for War-Torn Ukraine

A retired silversmith from the UK has spent the last 18 months transforming discarded candle wax into a lifeline for people on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine. Mark Stevens, from Ludlow in Shropshire, has collected more than a thousand kilos of used candles from churches, cathedrals, and charity shops. He melts them down and recasts the wax into compact, portable stoves designed to provide both heat and light to Ukrainian civilians and military personnel living without electricity or heating. "It's the idea of being in a cold dark space with no light, no heat and it's something very simple," Stevens said. "People are throwing away candles every day so it's good recycling." The concept is simple but effective. A single wax stove can warm a room or a shelter, making a real difference for those facing harsh winters and frequent blackouts due to ongoing attacks on infrastructure. “This would heat a room,” Stevens explained, holding one of the candles. “It could be used in a shelter somewhere.” So far, Stevens has travelled to Ukraine four times to personally deliver the wax stoves and other supplies. He also ships them via a local charity. His efforts don’t stop at candles—he’s also helped supply generators and even vehicles to Ukrainians caught in the conflict. “It’s easy to ignore what’s going on on our doorstep and the destruction and the waste and the environmental hazard that is being created by a war,” he said. His work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Lesley Harling, a church warden at St Laurence’s in Ludlow, where Stevens collects many of his candles, called the project remarkable. “I think it's amazing. Apart from anything else, the sheer amount of work that goes into it.” The community of Ludlow has welcomed many Ukrainian refugees since the start of the war. Some now work at a café inside St Laurence’s Church. Yuliia Shapoval, one of the staff members, said Stevens’ actions have had a real emotional impact. “I really appreciate his work,” she said. “People need to feel like... somebody wants to help them.” Stevens continues to collect candle donations and encourages others to think about how simple, overlooked materials can be repurposed into something meaningful. In a war where supplies are often scarce and power outages common, a few ounces of wax and a wick can provide more than just heat—they offer hope, dignity, and a reminder that even small acts of kindness can reach across borders.

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Climate Change Is Coming for Your Coffee — But There’s a Plan to Save It

Coffee is in trouble. As global temperatures rise and weather patterns shift, nearly half of the world’s arabica coffee-growing regions could become unsuitable for cultivation by 2050. That’s not just bad news for morning routines. It's a looming crisis for the 25 million farmers and 100 million workers who rely on coffee for their livelihood — many of them earning just a few dollars a day. In countries like Burundi, where coffee makes up nearly 70 percent of exports, the stakes are even higher. “If half of global coffee goes bust … and millions of people go broke, it could trigger humanitarian disasters and maybe even civil unrest,” said Etelle Higonnet, founder and director of Coffee Watch. But there’s hope in an age-old technique: agroforestry. Instead of planting coffee as a monocrop, agroforestry mimics natural ecosystems by growing it alongside shade trees, fruit trees, and other crops. The result is a cooler, more stable microclimate that protects fragile coffee plants from temperature extremes, erratic rainfall, and soil degradation. Coffee, as Higonnet puts it, is “a very sensitive little plant.” It thrives in mountainous tropical areas but doesn’t cope well with too much heat or cold, or too much moisture or dryness. “It doesn’t like cold, but it doesn’t like hot. It doesn’t like dry, but it doesn’t like wet.” Agroforestry helps hit that elusive “Goldilocks zone,” while offering other benefits too. Healthier soils, greater biodiversity, and stronger yields are all part of the package. Companion crops can also provide food and income for growers, making farms more resilient. The challenge? Making sure farmers and governments know how to do it — and do it well. To solve that, Coffee Watch has launched what it says is the most comprehensive online library of agroforestry research ever assembled. It includes everything ever published on the topic and is freely available in multiple languages. “Companies don’t have to do a million stupid pilot projects and reinvent the wheel for 20 years that we don’t have,” Higonnet said. “They can just hoover up all this knowledge quickly, easily.” Guillermo Vargas Leitón, coordinator of education for agricultural sustainability at Café Monteverde in Costa Rica, called the move “a crucial step in ensuring that coffee farmers can find valuable data for their daily production needs.” Brazil and Vietnam together produce nearly half the world’s coffee — about a third and 18 percent respectively — but according to Higonnet, they’re not currently taking agroforestry seriously. “When those governments decide that they want to do agroforestry to climate-proof their coffee, save their economy and all those jobs … this [e-library] is there for them.” The initiative is not just about protecting plants. It’s about protecting people, economies, and entire regions that depend on the success of one of the world’s most beloved crops. And with time running out, the hope is that the Coffee Watch e-library helps fast-track the transition. Coffee may be a drink, but for millions, it’s also a lifeline.

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7-Year-Old Girl Hailed as Hero After Calling 911 When Dad Falls Unconscious

When Xavier Bates fell down the stairs and lost consciousness in his Lynwood, Illinois, home last week, help arrived faster than anyone could’ve expected — thanks to his 7-year-old daughter, Mia. The first grader didn’t panic. She grabbed the phone, called 911, and stayed on the line until paramedics arrived. “She’s a smart girl and brave,” said Bates, a 41-year-old railroad conductor. “She saved my life.” It happened on Wednesday, January 14. With Mia’s mom at work, Xavier was walking downstairs when he lost his footing. “I missed a foot or something and fell and hit my head,” he told WLS. He slammed his head on the stairs and collapsed, unconscious. Mia ran to his side. Seeing her father unresponsive, she acted immediately — dialing emergency services and giving clear instructions to the dispatcher. When paramedics arrived, she let them in and guided them to her dad. “It was, like, a little scary,” Mia said in a joint interview with her father. But she knew what mattered most. “He needed to go to a hospital where he could get better. I’m glad the ambulance helped him.” The Village of Lynwood praised her actions in a public statement, calling Mia’s “quick thinking” critical. “Her actions made all the difference,” they wrote. Mia plans to attend the next city council meeting to meet the paramedics who helped her dad. When asked how she feels about what she did, she put it simply: “I was brave.”

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Abandoned Overseas, Peamer the Kitten Finds New Life with Grieving U.S. Veteran

Peamer the kitten wasn’t supposed to survive. But thanks to a group of U.S. soldiers and a Vietnam War veteran halfway around the world, her story has turned into one of healing — for more than just her. She was born near a U.S. Army base in the Middle East alongside five siblings. Not long after, a wild animal attacked the feline family. The mother fled with four kittens, leaving behind Peamer and one sibling. Soldiers stationed at the base had been keeping an eye on the cat and her litter, and when they noticed the two tiny kittens had been left behind, they stepped in. The animals were too young to eat on their own, so the soldiers bottle-fed them in shifts. Despite their efforts, one of the kittens didn’t make it. But Peamer hung on. As she grew stronger, Peamer also formed bonds with the soldiers caring for her. But her health remained fragile, and the remote conditions offered few medical options. That’s when the soldiers reached out to Paws of War, a nonprofit that helps military members and veterans care for animals. The organization arranged for Peamer to be transported 16 hours across the region to the nearest veterinary hospital. Once there, she received weeks of medical care — all funded by the nonprofit — until she reached a healthy weight and was strong enough to travel. After making the long journey to the United States, the next step was to find Peamer a home. The soldiers had one request: that she be adopted by someone who would love and protect her. That someone turned out to be Anthony Bracchi, a U.S. Army veteran who had recently lost both his wife and his beloved cat. The grief had left him feeling hollow. “After losing my wife and my cat, the house was unbearably quiet,” Bracchi said. “Peamer didn’t just come into my life — she brought it back. I truly believe we found each other exactly when we were supposed to.” Paws of War arranged the introduction. The bond was instant. “She curled up with me right away,” Bracchi said. “I could feel her trust.” Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War, said this was exactly the kind of connection the organization works to create. “They both needed each other,” he said. “There couldn’t be a better match than this, and we love that we were able to help play a role in making it happen.” Peamer now lives in comfort, far from the dangers she was born into. She sleeps beside Bracchi, curls up on his lap during the day, and fills the silence that once haunted his home. “She’s not just a cat,” Bracchi said. “She’s family.”

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This Teen Roadhouse Cook Just Rescued a Couple From a Car Wreck, and it Earned Him a Scholarship

Juan Mendoza didn’t plan on being a hero that day. But when he saw a car spinning out on a rain-slicked Texas highway, the 19-year-old cook didn’t hesitate. “I’m going to get them out,” Mendoza said, recalling the moment he saw the vehicle left stranded in the middle of the road. His first thought, he said, was about his younger siblings. “They could have kids. And that thought came into me, rushing.” Inside the damaged vehicle were 80-year-old Juan O’Matta and his wife, Adriana, who were driving home from a doctor’s appointment. Another car had slammed into them, spinning their vehicle across traffic. As smoke began to rise, dozens of drivers passed by — but only one person stopped. “Nobody stopped,” O’Matta said. “He was the only one who stopped.” Security footage from nearby shows Mendoza running toward the car, clearing debris, and helping the couple get out safely. At the time, the O’Mattas didn’t catch his name. They just knew a stranger had saved their lives. “He was there at the right moment that we needed him,” Adriana said. “That’s why I say he was my angel.” The couple’s story soon gained attention, and CBS News contributor David Begnaud helped track down Mendoza for a surprise reunion at the Texas Roadhouse restaurant where he works. The moment, filled with hugs and tears, brought closure for the O’Mattas — and something else for Mendoza. Justin Back, president of Acadian Ambulance Service, was there too. He had seen the video and recognized something special in the young man. “We’re always looking for people, good people, who want to help others,” Back said. “That takes a big heart. It also takes a lot of intelligence and a lot of courage.” Back offered Mendoza a full scholarship to attend EMT school and a job offer, conditional on his graduation. Then came one more surprise. Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez stepped forward and declared an official “Juan Mendoza Day,” thanking the young man publicly. “Thank you for being their guardian angel,” Gonzalez said. For Mendoza, who lives near the Mexico border and works long hours in the kitchen, the attention has been unexpected. But he credits his parents for teaching him what to do when others need help. “They teach me to be humble and to help anybody,” he said simply. That lesson, passed down quietly at home, may have made all the difference for a couple of strangers on a rainy highway.

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Terrified Abandoned Puppy Makes Miraculous Recovery And Finds Loving Home

They were dumped, disfigured, and left for dead. But now, they're living proof that love can heal almost anything. Earlier this year, a terrified Cane Corso puppy was found wandering near a frozen canal in Oldham, Greater Manchester. Her skin was bald, bleeding, and raw from constant scratching. At just 14 to 16 weeks old, she was in such a severe state that vets said her condition was among the worst they’d ever seen in a dog so young. She was rescued by a local dog warden near Chadderton Hall Park and brought to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital. Vets diagnosed her with demodex mange — a painful and disfiguring skin condition that can take months to recover from. They named her Perla. For months, she endured intensive treatments to calm the itching, soothe the sores, and begin to regrow her fur. Her transformation was remarkable. Now, she’s not only healthy — she’s home. “She’s settled in really well and is so relaxed here,” said Sandra Hollows, who adopted Perla after her recovery. “There are still some patches of scarring where the fur hasn't grown back, but Perla has shown such resilience and has so much love to give. I don't know how anyone could have abandoned her in that state, but we feel incredibly lucky to have her.” RSPCA inspector Jess Pierce led the investigation into Perla’s abandonment. “It was heartbreaking to see a puppy in such an appalling condition,” she said. “Her head and front legs were bald and bleeding. She was covered in painful sores and scabs. When I saw the pictures of how she looks today, I couldn’t quite believe it was her at first.” Perla isn’t the only dog to pull off a miraculous recovery. Earlier this year, another rescue dog named Lola was found in Durham with skin so badly damaged that RSPCA workers couldn’t tell what breed she was. Her rescuer described her as looking like she’d been “dipped in concrete” — her body caked in thick, scabby patches caused by untreated skin infections. Lola, a Japanese Akita, was found living in filth. She needed eight days of medicated baths under sedation just to ease the pain. After being transferred to the RSPCA’s Felledge Animal Centre for long-term care, she finally started to heal. Six months later, she found her match in Alison Ranger, 65, who was surprised to see Lola still waiting for a home. “I just felt it was meant to be,” she said. “Despite an initially aloof nature, Lola soon came out of her shell, embracing affection, treats, and walks. She has brought so much joy to our lives. She is perfect and fits into our life so well.” Other animals haven’t been as high-profile, but their stories are no less moving. In Birmingham, a young Staffordshire bull terrier cross was found dumped in a pile of fly-tipped rubbish. Despite being abandoned like trash, she greeted rescuers with a wagging tail. They named her Merry — a nod to her friendly spirit — and she’s now living with a family in Redditch, Worcestershire. And then there’s Boris. The three-and-a-half-year-old tabby cat came into care with a misshapen face caused by an infected eye and a badly damaged nose. But his new owners didn’t see an ugly duckling — they saw a survivor. Boris has since been adopted by a couple who fell for his gentle nature. All of these animals had one thing in common: they were abandoned when they needed help the most. And thanks to months of care, the work of rescuers, and the compassion of new families, they’ve all been given a second chance.

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Board Games Can Boost Young Children’s Math Skills, Study Finds

Playing board games like snakes and ladders could be doing more than just passing the time—it might be helping kids become better at math. New research shows that short sessions of "linear number board games"—where children move pieces along a numbered path—can significantly improve early math skills, including counting, number recognition, and understanding quantity. “We selected this topic because early math skills are a powerful predictor of children’s later success in school, and number board games are easy to use and affordable,” said Professor Gena Nelson from the University of Oregon’s College of Education. The findings come from a systematic review of 18 studies involving children from preschool age through to eight years old. Published in the Review of Educational Research, the analysis found a 76% chance that these kinds of games will help kids improve numeracy skills. Numeracy refers to a child’s ability to understand and work with numbers—for example, counting in order, knowing not to double-count, and understanding that the last number in a count represents the total number of items. “Brief play sessions with linear-number board games can meaningfully improve foundational early math skills,” Nelson said. The idea is simple: kids learn by playing. As they move game pieces forward, they practise one-to-one counting and begin to recognize number patterns and sequencing. Dr. Marah Sutherland, from the University of Oregon's Center on Teaching and Learning, said the research is especially promising for families and educators looking for low-cost, effective tools to support learning at home or in the classroom. The team is now applying what they learned to design a new set of educational games and materials tailored for children with disabilities. These include original board games, storybooks with math themes, and conversation prompts for parents of three- to five-year-olds. “Something that we learned from our meta-analysis was the need for early math activities to be highly adaptable based on children’s readiness for learning about different numbers,” Sutherland said. To that end, the games they’re developing include optional challenges and multiple levels that parents can adjust depending on their child’s current skills. So far, parents trying out the materials at home have responded positively. “The response from parents about using the adaptable maths activities at home with their children with diverse learning needs has been overwhelmingly positive,” Sutherland said. The takeaway? A few minutes of a simple board game can go a long way in laying the groundwork for math success later in life. And all it takes is a roll of the dice.

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