Meet The Housing Activist Fighting For Better Housing Conditions For Others

Kwajo Tweneboa describes himself as a social housing activist. He says his own experience of living with damp, mould and vermin has made him want to fight for others. He's trying to help social housing tenants get better living conditions by sharing their stories online.

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Canadian Mathematician Triumphs Over Scrabble Legend to Claim World Title

It took hours of drilling the dictionary and dissecting his own plays, but Ottawa’s Adam Logan has done what few others ever have: beat Nigel Richards in a best-of-seven Scrabble match. The 48-year-old mathematician and longtime word game prodigy was crowned World Scrabble Champion for the second time after defeating Richards — widely considered the greatest Scrabble player of all time — at the 2025 World Championships in Ghana. “It was a really wonderful feeling,” Logan told CTV’s Your Morning. “Nigel Richards is such a legend in the game that any time that you beat him, even in a single game, you feel that you’ve done something a little bit special, and to beat him in a best of seven matches is even more than that.” Logan previously won the world title in 2005. His latest win puts him in rare company — only three people have ever won the World Scrabble Championship twice. Richards, his opponent in the final, is often called the "Tiger Woods of Scrabble." He’s won the English-language world title five times and stunned the Scrabble community by also winning the French-language title in 2015 and 2018, without speaking French. He added the Spanish-language title in 2024, also without fluency. Beating a player like that, Logan said, required total focus — not on his opponent’s weaknesses, but on his own preparation. “It’s hard to find any,” Logan said of Richards’ game. “So I tried to concentrate more on mastering the dictionary and making the best plays I could.” His training involved using a computer program that gives scrambled letters in alphabetical order, forcing him to reconstruct words from memory. He also plays regularly against high-level opponents and analyzes the games using software and peer discussions. Logan has been competing in tournaments since the age of 10. A graduate of Princeton with a PhD in mathematics from Harvard, his tournament earnings are estimated around $110,000 USD. And while Scrabble may not pay like pro sports, the level of mastery required is similar. For beginners looking to improve, Logan recommends starting with the basics. “The first step has to be to choose a dictionary and to learn some of the basic words,” he said, “the two-letter words, which allow you to place your words on the board with the help of what is already there.” One of his favorites? “Qi” — a staple in competitive Scrabble and a handy way to score points with limited letters. As for his highest-scoring play? That would be “antiques,” which once earned him 275 points in a single move. “Many years ago,” he said, but clearly, the edge hasn’t dulled.

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New Tech is Helping Wheelchair-Bound People to Control Their Movement — By Blinking

Chinese researchers have developed a groundbreaking eye-tracking system that runs entirely on the energy produced from blinking — and they say it's as lightweight and comfortable as a pair of glasses. The self-powered device, unveiled by a team at Qingdao University, is designed to help people with severe mobility impairments control wheelchairs or other assistive technologies using just their eye movements. Traditional systems often require bulky equipment, external power sources, and good lighting conditions. This new system, by contrast, works in the dark, doesn’t need charging, and is compact enough to wear like regular eyewear or even contact lenses. “We’ve developed a self-powered eye-tracking system that harvests energy from blinking and can be used to detect eye movements with high precision,” said study author Professor Yun-Ze Long. “The system works in the dark, requires no external power source, and is as lightweight and comfortable as everyday glasses and contact lenses.” The device taps into a technology called triboelectric nanogenerators, which convert mechanical energy — in this case, the friction between eyelids and eyes during a blink — into electric power. These tiny generators allow the system to function without batteries, while also detecting eye movement changes as small as two degrees with 99 percent accuracy. The team was especially encouraged by how well the system performed in real-world conditions. “We were particularly surprised by how well the friction layer retained its charge in a biological setting on a rabbit’s eye,” Long said. “We were also impressed by the system’s ability to maintain high accuracy even in noisy electromagnetic environments.” For people with conditions like ALS, where eye movement may be one of the only remaining forms of communication, the implications could be life-changing. The device allows users to interact with the world through blinks and gaze shifts — with no wires, cameras, or invasive hardware. The research, published in Cell Reports Physical Science, also hints at wider uses beyond healthcare. The team envisions future applications in virtual reality, hands-free driving, and even space exploration — where controlling systems without using your hands is often a necessity. “Our system turns something as simple as a blink into a source of power and control,” Long said. “It’s an example of how technology can empower people and make daily life more accessible.”

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Wildfire Survivor Reunites With His Beloved Dog in Their Newly Rebuilt Home

When wildfires tore through Altadena, California, last year, Ted Koerner grabbed a few clothes, a pillow, two photos—and his dog. That dog, a snow-white golden retriever named Daisy Mae, had been by his side for 12 years. As flames from the Eaton Fire approached his home, Koerner fled with Daisy, unsure if either of them would ever return. “Those first few weeks were beyond devastating,” he said. Now, more than a year later, Daisy Mae is back doing what Koerner once feared he’d never see again—playing in the backyard under the massive 175-year-old Heritage Oak that somehow survived the fire. Koerner, who lived alone with Daisy Mae, spent months navigating insurance red tape and construction headaches to get his house rebuilt as fast as possible. His biggest fear wasn’t just losing the home, but losing Daisy before they could return. He liquidated much of his retirement savings to hire a builder quickly and keep construction moving. “I need to get home with my dog before she passes,” he told his mortgage servicing company. “If she passes, I don’t want to come here.” By the time Koerner first brought Daisy Mae back to the construction site, the house was framed and partly roofed. She didn’t hesitate. “She walked right over to where the front door was supposed to be, went right in the house, walked around… and sat down and got a big smile on her face and went, ‘OK, the house is still here,’” he said. In just over four months, construction was complete. Koerner’s home became one of the first rebuilt among the thousands destroyed by the Eaton and Palisades fires, which killed 31 people across the Los Angeles area. “I went into the house and cried a lot,” Koerner said. “It still has that effect. I’m actually home with my dog.”

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Rescuers Just Saved Two Men And a Dog Trapped By a Dangerous California River

Two men and a dog were rescued from the edge of a “deceptively dangerous” river in California, after they became trapped trying to reach the animal, according to fire officials in San Bernardino County. The incident happened on the evening of January 5 near the Mojave River Forks in Hesperia, where the river runs cold and fast, especially in winter. According to the San Bernardino County Fire Department, the two men crossed the river in an attempt to rescue a dog that had become stranded in a narrow canyon cut off by the water. The dog, officials said, had no access to flat land and was effectively boxed in by the river. While the men did reach the dog, they quickly realized they couldn’t get back. The current was too strong and the water too cold to safely cross again without equipment. They called 911. Responders arrived to find the trio—two men and one wet dog—trapped on the far side of the river, with night falling and temperatures dropping. According to the department, the area was too risky to attempt a traditional rescue. So they brought in their Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team and deployed an inflatable boat to make the crossing. Crews successfully ferried all three back to safety with no injuries. The department later noted that the USAR team had recently completed refresher training with the rescue boats back in November. Drone footage shared by the department showed the nighttime rescue effort, including shots of the inflatable boat reaching the men and bringing them and the dog back to the other side. Officials used the opportunity to issue a broader warning about moving water, especially in cold conditions. “Even shallow water can knock an adult off their feet, and currents can be stronger than they appear,” they wrote. “Entering moving water without proper training, personal flotation devices, and rescue equipment significantly increases the risk of drowning.” They encouraged the public to call 911 if they see a person or animal in distress near a river or stream, rather than attempting a rescue themselves. “Good intentions don’t stop fast moving water,” they said. The department also thanked the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for assisting with the rescue.

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Berlin Researchers Show How Intricate Patterns Solve Tough Mathematical Problems

Tessellations, long admired for their artistic beauty, are now gaining traction as powerful tools for solving some of mathematics’ toughest equations. A new study from mathematicians at Freie Universität Berlin reveals how these intricate patterns, created by repeating geometric shapes without gaps or overlaps, can help tackle complex boundary value problems that show up in physics and engineering. The research appears in the journal Applicable Analysis under the title "Beauty in/of Mathematics: Tessellations and Their Formulas," by Heinrich Begehr and Dajiang Wang. At the center of the study is a method called the parqueting-reflection principle. It involves taking a shape and repeatedly reflecting it across its edges to fill an entire plane — much like the style made famous by artist M.C. Escher. But this isn’t just about nice visuals. The researchers show that these reflections can be used to precisely solve problems like the Dirichlet and Neumann problems, which are central to areas like electromagnetism and fluid dynamics. “Our research shows that beauty in mathematics is not only an aesthetic notion, but something with structural depth and efficiency,” said Professor Begehr. “Using the parqueting-reflection method to generate new tessellations opens up new possibilities.” One of those possibilities is the ability to calculate exact formulas for kernel functions like the Green, Neumann, and Schwarz kernels. These are key tools for solving equations that describe things like heat flow, electric potential, and wave behavior. By linking the symmetry of geometric tiling to these formulas, the team bridges visual intuition and mathematical rigour. The approach combines insights from complex analysis, geometric function theory, and partial differential equations. Begehr and Wang believe their method could have real-world applications in mathematical physics and engineering, and even in computer graphics and architectural design. Interest in this method is growing. In the past decade, 15 doctoral or final theses at Freie Universität have focused on the parqueting-reflection principle, with another seven coming from researchers abroad. It’s not limited to flat surfaces either. The technique works in hyperbolic geometry — the kind used in certain models of spacetime in theoretical physics. Last year, Begehr published a separate paper demonstrating how the method could generate a harmonic Green function for a special triangle shape known as a Schweikart triangle, used to tile a hyperbolic disc. Wang said he hopes the work will resonate outside pure mathematics. “We hope that our results will... inspire ideas in fields like architecture or computer graphics,” he said. Begehr’s team has been exploring what they call “Berlin mirror tilings” for nearly two decades. These are based on a reflection method developed by Berlin mathematician Hermann Amandus Schwarz in the 19th century. The process starts with a circular polygon — a shape made of straight lines and circular arcs — and uses repeated reflections to fill space completely. These mirror-based patterns aren’t just beautiful; they also allow researchers to write explicit integral representations of functions — a powerful tool in solving boundary problems. “Mathematicians once had to use a three-part vanity mirror to produce an endless sequence of images,” Begehr said. “Nowadays, we can use iterative computer programs to generate the same effect — and we can complement this with exact mathematical formulas used in complex analysis.” One of the most fascinating examples appears in hyperbolic space, where tiling is done with Schweikart triangles. These unique shapes — with one right angle and two zero angles — allow for complete, regular tiling inside a disc. The resulting images are dramatic, but the math behind them is precise and demanding. The researchers say their work also reinforces an often-overlooked idea: that mathematics is deeply visual. Structure, symmetry, and aesthetics aren’t just decoration — they are part of the toolkit. With advanced graphics software and modern computing, those tools are becoming even more powerful. What began as a study of patterns might now help solve problems at the heart of modern science.

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Sea Turtle Found in Suburban Yard Gets Happy Ending in the Ocean

A sea turtle discovered in an unlikely place — a suburban front yard near Karratha — is back where it belongs, thanks to a little help from local police. Western Australia Police officers stepped in after the surprise find and safely released the healthy turtle into the ocean at Back Beach, Mulataga on Saturday afternoon. Footage of the rescue shows the turtle gliding into the water, injury-free and seemingly unfazed. The unexpected wildlife moment offered a feel-good twist to the weekend and highlighted the quick thinking and care of the officers involved. It’s not every day a sea turtle shows up on a front lawn, but this one got the ending it deserved — a safe return to the sea.

BC Farmers Embrace Robots and Laser Weeders, Thanks to $4.5M in Tech Grants

A barn that moves on its own. A robot that zaps weeds with lasers. It might sound like something out of science fiction, but it’s already happening on farms across British Columbia — and it’s being made possible by a provincial grant program that’s helping farmers adopt cutting-edge technology. Last year, Innovate BC’s On-Farm Technology Adoption Program (BCOFTAP) awarded more than $4.5 million in grants to 80 projects across the province. The goal? Help farmers save time and money by reducing labour through smart tech — and in some cases, completely transforming how farms operate. The program covers up to 65 percent of a farmer’s eligible tech project costs, up to $100,000. Administered by Innovate BC and jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments, it’s part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. For farmer Dave Semmelink, the funding made all the difference. Semmelink runs Lentelus Farms, with operations in Courtenay and Kelowna, and now uses a robotic poultry barn made by UKKÖ Robotics. Before getting the ROVA|BARN 400, moving his chickens to fresh pasture meant firing up a tractor and hauling the enclosure across the field by hand — a process that took at least an hour. Now, the barn moves itself. “They’re really excited every time the barn moves,” Semmelink said of his chickens. “They want to run onto fresh grass and look for bugs and look for new [grass] to chow down on.” The rotating barn not only makes the chickens happier, but it spreads their manure more evenly and improves soil quality. For Semmelink, that means better meat — and more time to focus on other parts of the business, which includes a butchery, slaughterhouse, farm market, and cattle operations. When BetaKit first tried to reach him for an interview, he was busy unloading cows. Michel Van Eeklen, another BC farmer, has seen the program from both sides — first as a recipient, then as a distributor. His family farm near Abbotsford applied for funding to purchase a robotic laser weeder called the Robot One, made by Dutch company Pixel Farming. The machine scans fields, identifies weeds, and vaporizes them with a laser, reducing the need for manual weeding and chemical herbicides. Van Eeklen estimates the robot is saving his farm around $60,000 a year. “It’s been a nice addition to the farm,” he said, noting that BC has often lagged behind other regions in adopting new agricultural tech. “The program helps balance it a little bit, in terms of getting technology onto farms in BC.” Through his company, M-Automation, he’s also sold similar equipment to other farmers using BCOFTAP support. Both Semmelink and Van Eeklen praised the program’s administrators. Van Eeklen said the application was “relatively straightforward,” while Semmelink called it “a little more involved” than others — but worth it. “They’re just really easy to deal with, but very thorough, which I appreciated as a taxpayer,” Semmelink added with a laugh. “That’s not always the case with government funding.” From autonomous crop propagation to GPS-tracked livestock, BC’s farms are becoming more tech-enabled — and programs like BCOFTAP are helping push that evolution forward. As Van Eeklen put it, these tools aren’t just gadgets. They’re becoming essential parts of farming in the 21st century.

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New Study Finds Exercising Can Be As Effective As Therapy In Fighting Depression

A growing body of evidence is backing up what many doctors and patients have long suspected: exercise can be just as effective as medication or therapy for treating depression — at least in the short term. A new review by Cochrane, a respected nonprofit research group, looked at 73 clinical trials involving nearly 5,000 adults with depression. The researchers found that exercise helped ease symptoms like low energy, insomnia, and feelings of hopelessness just as much as traditional treatments such as antidepressants or psychological therapy. “Our findings suggest that exercise appears to be a safe and accessible option for helping to manage symptoms of depression,” said Andrew Clegg, the lead author of the review and a professor at the University of Lancashire. The findings come as depression remains the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, affecting more than 280 million people, according to the World Health Organization. Clegg stressed that beyond effectiveness, it's crucial to find strategies that people are actually willing and able to stick with. “Exercise can help people with depression, but if we want to find which types work best, for who and whether the benefits last over time, we still need larger, high-quality studies,” he said. That’s one of the main caveats of the review: while the results are promising, many of the studies involved were small — with fewer than 100 participants — and offered limited insight into long-term outcomes. Still, the review adds to the growing support for exercise as a mainstream part of depression treatment, especially for mild to moderate cases. Several national and international health bodies already recommend it. In the UK, for instance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises weekly group exercise classes for at least 10 weeks, guided by a trained practitioner. The European Psychiatric Association encourages moderate to vigorous activity to boost both mood and fitness. In Canada, experts recommend exercise not just as a supplement, but even as a standalone treatment for some patients. The Cochrane review didn’t pinpoint a single type of workout that worked best, but it did highlight some patterns. People who did light to moderate-intensity workouts generally saw more benefit than those doing high-intensity training. Mixed aerobic and resistance workouts also appeared more effective than aerobic training alone. Those who completed between 13 and 36 sessions showed the most improvement, but the review didn’t analyze mind-body exercises like yoga or tai chi, which researchers said should be explored in future studies. Overall, the message is clear: exercise is a promising tool in the fight against depression — but more research is needed to fully understand its limits and strengths. For now, the advice from experts is straightforward. Whether on its own or alongside medication and therapy, physical activity can be a powerful part of mental health care — as long as it’s something people can realistically keep doing.

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Golden Retriever Rescued After Falling Through Ice in Massachusetts Pond

A golden retriever named Goose is back home and warming up by the fire after falling through the ice on a frozen pond in Chatham, Massachusetts. The incident happened on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 6, when Goose’s owner let him out for a quick play session. But the dog wandered out onto the ice of Goose Pond — a coincidence in name that turned into a dramatic rescue. About 200 feet from shore, the ice gave way and Goose plunged into the freezing water. According to a statement from the Chatham Fire Rescue Department, the owner saw Goose with their head and front paws on the edge of the broken ice and quickly called 911. Firefighters arrived at 3:20 p.m. and suited up in survival gear. Three ice rescue technicians were on the ice within ten minutes. By 3:32 p.m., Goose was safely back on shore. “It’s the kind of thing that we can think about when we’re coming on shift,” said Peter Hennigan, one of the firefighters involved in the rescue. “What are some possible calls that we might get due to weather.” Hennigan said the owner made the right call by staying on land and calling for help instead of trying to rescue Goose himself. Once the dog was back on dry ground, firefighters advised the owner to get Goose checked by a vet as a precaution. The dog showed no signs of serious distress and quickly settled in to warm up by the fireplace. Nick Ruggiere, another firefighter at the scene, said Goose was clearly grateful for the help — and so was the family. “They invited us inside the house after to see Goose,” Ruggiere told 7 News WHDH. “He is a very sweet dog. We got to love him up by the fireplace, it was nice. He was very thankful, too.” In a Facebook post after the rescue, Chatham Fire Rescue used Goose’s story to remind residents that “no ice is safe ice,” no matter how thick it appears. They warned that even seemingly solid ice can give way without warning, especially when pets venture out onto frozen lakes or ponds. Thanks to quick action and the team’s training, Goose’s story had a happy ending.

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11-Year-Old’s Hand-Drawn Beach Cards Raise Over £1,000 for Ocean Conservation

Harry from Newquay is just 11, but he’s already made a splash in the world of conservation. Armed with pencils, paints, and a deep love for the sea, he’s been creating his own line of greeting cards featuring hand-drawn spider crabs, lobsters, and tropical fish. He sells them at a local beach shop in Crantock, with all proceeds going to the Marine Conservation Society. So far, he’s raised more than £1,000. “I would like to raise as much as we need to save the ocean,” Harry said. “We need the ocean for so many things and we're destroying it.” The young artist says his inspiration came from Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, a children’s book series he loved growing up. But his focus has shifted from dinosaurs to marine life — and protecting it. His passion hasn’t gone unnoticed. Harry has received messages of encouragement from both Sir David Attenborough and wildlife presenter Steve Backshall. And he's already passing on the message to others. “I just think even picking up the tiniest bit of plastic you find on a beach — you could have just saved a fish's life,” he said. His mum Sarah says she’s now thinking about setting up a website to showcase his work. “I just couldn’t be prouder, I just think he’s awesome,” she said. “I just love the way kids now are so passionate and so informed. I don’t think I knew half as much as he knows at his age.”

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