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How Theatre is Providing a Safe Escape for Young Children in Haiti
In Haiti, 12-year-old Juliana St. Vill and her classmates find solace in acting as a way to escape the violence surrounding their lives. Despite facing challenges like hunger and shelter insecurity, they immerse themselves in drama classes that provide a safe haven for self-expression. Juliana dreams of becoming a policewoman one day, inspired by the bravery she witnesses around her. As Haiti grapples with ongoing gang violence and political turmoil, these children cling to hope through creativity and community support.
Score (97)
Three Rescued Orangutans Returned to the Wild After Years of Rehabilitation in Borneo
Three critically endangered orangutans have been released back into the forests of Borneo, marking a hopeful step for a species on the brink. Badul, Korwas, and Asoka were transported to Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park in Indonesia after years of rehabilitation. Each has a backstory shaped by habitat destruction and the illegal wildlife trade. Badul spent years in a zoo enclosure, living next to animals like porcupines and sun bears, before entering a forest school to relearn how to survive in the wild. Korwas was rescued after being advertised for sale on social media by wildlife traffickers. And Asoka, taken from the wild as an infant, spent a decade in care before proving ready for release. All three were under the care of the YIARI Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, run in partnership with Indonesia’s wildlife protection agency, BKSDA. At the centre, they were taught vital survival skills including foraging, nest building, climbing, and social behaviour. “Every orangutan successfully returned to the forest is the result of a long process: rescue, rehabilitation, and routine care by dedicated teams,” said Silverius Oscar Unggul, chairman of YIARI. “The release of these three orangutans is not only good news for YIARI but also for the future of Indonesia’s biodiversity.” Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park was chosen as the release site due to its dense forest cover, ample food supply, and relatively low human impact. A team from YIARI and the park authority will now monitor the orangutans to make sure they adapt well to their new home. That includes tracking their ability to build nests, forage, and maintain natural behaviours. Gavin Bruce, CEO of the UK-based International Animal Rescue (IAR), which partners with YIARI, said the release is the result of years of work. “Without this intervention, their story would have been very different, and they would have been lost to the population,” Bruce said. “YIARI will now monitor these newly reintroduced orangutans to ensure they thrive in the wild and help rebuild the population.” Bornean orangutans are critically endangered, with numbers in decline due to widespread deforestation for palm oil, mining, and agriculture, as well as poaching and wildfires. Conservation groups say restoring individuals like Badul, Korwas, and Asoka to the forest is vital — but only part of a much larger effort to protect their habitats before it’s too late.
Score (98)
Community Rallies Around 10-Year-Old Jam Maker After Stall Theft
When James and his grandmother Kate set up a jam stall outside their home, they never expected it to be targeted by thieves. But after their entire stock — including more than £40 worth of homemade preserves and cash — was taken overnight, their small village has come together to turn things around. James, 10, has been making jam with his grandmother for two years. Every jar sold was part of his savings plan — he’s hoping to buy a motorbike when he turns 16. But the theft on 8 January hit hard. “I went out in the morning just to put the eggs out and noticed everything was gone,” Kate told BBC Radio Somerset’s Charlie Taylor. “You get the odd pot going missing but to take the whole lot, it was a bit of a shock.” Despite the setback, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Neighbours, friends, and strangers online have rallied behind James, raising more than £200 in donations and dropping off jars and fresh fruit to help him restart the business. Kate said she was “quite shocked” by the theft, but her grandson didn’t stay down for long. “He is 10, so generally they do bounce back quite quickly from things like that,” she said. “He’s up for the challenge of starting it all again.” James said the community’s support has made a lasting impression. “I felt like I had a nice community around me,” he said. With the help of local donations, they’ve now installed a new shed, a light, and even a security camera to prevent future thefts. Kate said they’ve received over 300 supportive messages through social media, many from people offering donations, supplies, and words of encouragement. “People have been really kind,” she said. What started as a sour moment for the young entrepreneur has turned into something far sweeter.
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Score (97)
Cosmonaut Shares 'Incredible' Video of Aurora From Space Station
The dazzling northern lights were captured by a cosmonaut from the International Space Station on January 19. Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, who is currently on a mission aboard the ISS, posted the footage on Instagram describing the sight as “incredible.” “Yesterday’s solar flare triggered an incredible aurora borealis. In addition to the familiar green glow, a red one appeared as well, which usually occurs at altitudes of 300–400 km. This is what it looks like when you fly right through it!” he wrote.
Score (97)
Coldplay's Chris Martin Serenades Teen on Stage, Helps Shine Light on Scoliosis
A teenager’s dream became a reality — and turned into something much bigger — when she shared the stage with Coldplay in front of 83,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, using the moment to raise awareness for scoliosis. Fourteen-year-old Isla, from Plymouth, has been living with scoliosis — a curvature of the spine — for the past 18 months. Her treatment requires her to wear a back brace for 20 hours each day, something she admits has been both painful and difficult. But when her favourite band came to town, Isla saw an opportunity. The concert had been on her calendar for a year — coincidentally, the exact same amount of time since she picked up her first back brace. Determined to use the moment for good, she made a vow: “I'm going to get on that stage and raise awareness of scoliosis.” She kept that promise. Wearing her brace proudly over her clothes so the massive crowd could see it, Isla was invited on stage by Coldplay’s frontman Chris Martin. Martin, who is from nearby Devon, asked Isla to sit with him as the band performed two songs. Videos of the moment show Isla smiling alongside Martin, singing as tens of thousands looked on. Afterwards, Isla shared the video online as part of her campaign to educate others about scoliosis. The response was immediate. She said the video racked up more than 200,000 views and prompted messages from other young people facing similar challenges. “I feel like I helped quite a lot of people that day,” Isla said. Despite the physical discomfort, Isla wears her brace every day in the hope of avoiding surgery. It hasn’t been easy, but she’s embraced it. “I've come through a lot of challenges with it [scoliosis] and I've tried to spread awareness,” she said. Getting serenaded by Martin, she added, was “unbelievable. I can't believe it happened.” The moment also sparked a change in her own confidence. “It made me realise I didn’t mind wearing the brace outside of my clothing,” she said. Isla’s mother, Leanne, said the experience meant more than Martin could possibly know. “I don't think he will realise what he did that day. It's incredible,” she said. Through one night on stage, Isla not only met her hero — she became one to others.
Score (97)
Amsterdam to install tiny canal staircases to help save drowning cats and wildlife
Amsterdam is taking a new step—literally—to help save its cats. Following a spike in drownings among the city’s stray cats, officials have approved a plan to install dozens of small wooden staircases along canal walls to give trapped animals a way out. These “fauna exit points” will be built using €100,000 in previously unused city funds, after a push from Dutch councillor Judith Krom of the Party for the Animals. In just the first six months of 2025, 19 cats drowned in Amsterdam’s canals, prompting alarm among local residents and animal welfare advocates. While the city’s historic waterways draw millions of tourists every year, they pose a hidden danger for animals—particularly cats, who often fall in by accident. “It often happens due to a startle reaction,” said Maggie Ruitenberg, a behavior and welfare specialist at the Dutch Cat Knowledge Center. “A cat is sitting on the edge of the quay, gets startled by a dog or a person, jumps backward, and falls into the water.” And in some cases, it’s not an accident. “Unfortunately, some people find it funny to throw a cat into the water,” she said. Krom’s proposal followed a similar move in the nearby city of Amersfoort, which began installing 300 wildlife exit ladders along its own canals. At first, Amsterdam’s alderman Zita Pels said there wasn’t enough money to fund the project. But Krom combed through the municipal budget and uncovered €100,000 in unallocated funds. That money will now be used to build and install the staircases—not just for cats, but for hedgehogs, frogs, and birds as well. Eelco Miedema, operational manager of Animal Ambulance Amsterdam, said his team is already keeping track of hotspots where animal incidents are most common. “It’s quite a puzzle,” he said, explaining how the current of the canal water means animals are often found far from where they fell in. Still, he supports the plan. “Every cat that can be saved by this is one less cat [lost],” he told de Volkskrant. Cats are strong swimmers, but they tire quickly—especially when their fur becomes waterlogged. “A cat ladder can then truly be life-saving,” said Ruitenberg, “provided they are placed every few meters.” She also explained why placement is so important. In a panic, cats tend to swim toward the nearest dark and sheltered space. “For example, under a bridge,” she said. “That feels safer for them than being in the middle of the open canal.” In addition to the staircases, Ruitenberg has recommended installing floating platforms in high-risk areas. “That significantly increases their chances of survival,” she said. Installation sites are being chosen with input from Animal Ambulance data, local ecologists, and residents who have witnessed animal emergencies. Ruitenberg has also offered advice to the city on where and how the staircases should be installed for maximum effectiveness. The project is a rare mix of data-driven planning and grassroots compassion. And if it saves even one life, animal advocates say, it will have been worth it.
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James Webb Captures Stunning ‘Eye of God’ Image, Offering a Glimpse of the Sun’s Future
Astronomers have gotten their clearest view yet of the Helix Nebula — one of the most iconic and recognizable sights in space — thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The new image, taken with JWST’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), reveals remarkable detail in a structure that has fascinated scientists for centuries. Nicknamed the “Eye of God” for its striking ring-like shape, the Helix Nebula is the remains of a star that once resembled our own sun. Located around 650 light-years from Earth in the constellation Aquarius, it's one of the closest and brightest planetary nebulas visible from our planet. The nebula formed when that sun-like star exhausted its nuclear fuel and shed its outer layers, sending waves of gas and dust into space. What’s left behind is a white dwarf — the dense, collapsed core of the original star — surrounded by glowing shells of material. While the white dwarf itself isn’t visible in the JWST image, the light and radiation it emits continue to energize the gas nearby, creating the eerie, glowing structures captured in the new photo. The image reveals hot stellar winds bursting outward from the white dwarf, colliding with colder gas and dust that was ejected earlier in the star’s life. It shows a dramatic contrast between searing hot gases near the center and much cooler pockets farther out. At the nebula’s outer edges, astronomers also spotted clumps of cold molecular hydrogen — regions cold and dense enough to support the formation of complex molecules. These dusty zones are potential incubators for future planetary systems, suggesting that even in death, stars like this can contribute to new cycles of cosmic creation. That’s not just a poetic idea. In fact, the Helix Nebula may offer a preview of what lies ahead for our own sun. Scientists estimate that in about 5 billion years, the sun will burn through its hydrogen fuel and undergo a similar transformation, eventually becoming a white dwarf surrounded by a planetary nebula of its own. The Helix has been observed many times before — including by the Hubble Space Telescope — but JWST’s infrared capabilities allow it to pierce deeper into the dust and gas, exposing more structure than ever seen before. First spotted before 1824 by German astronomer Karl Ludwig Harding, the Helix (also known as NGC 7293 or Caldwell 63) continues to reveal new secrets centuries later. While the image resembles a glowing cosmic lava lamp, astronomers say it’s also a kind of crystal ball — offering a look not only at our solar system’s future, but perhaps also a reflection of its ancient past, when the dust and gas left behind by older stars coalesced to form the planets we know today.
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‘Red as a Lobster’: P.E.I. Boy Lives NHL Dream with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins
When 10-year-old Myer Gallant from O’Leary, Prince Edward Island, was granted a Make-A-Wish, he took his time deciding. A pool? A Disney cruise? Maybe. But after weighing his options, Myer knew exactly what he wanted: to meet Sidney Crosby and Ryan Graves, and watch a Pittsburgh Penguins game in person. “It’s just really cool,” he said simply. “I just figured it out somehow.” Myer has spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic condition that affects his muscles and mobility. He’s been a devoted Penguins fan for the past three years. Last week, his dream came true as he travelled to Pittsburgh with his mom, Jaclyn Ellis, and cousin Rowan Rennie — and got far more than he imagined. From the moment they arrived, the Penguins organization went above and beyond. At a team practice, Myer walked into the locker room to find his own stall waiting: helmet, hockey bag, and a personalized #87 jersey with his name on it. Then, the big moment. “Sidney Crosby came in, we shook hands and all that and we just talked for a while,” said Myer. “I actually had to do a little interview like this.” And then it got official. “I signed a contract to be on the Pittsburgh Penguins for a day,” Myer said. “I was red as a lobster, sweating.” He fist-bumped players as they hit the ice and even read out the starting lineup before the game. “It was really cool, but stressful too at the same time,” he said. For Myer’s mom, watching it unfold in person was unforgettable. “Make-A-Wish, they do an incredible job,” Ellis said. “But Myer’s experience was completely over the top, and that was because of the Penguins. They surpassed any potential expectation that we had for the trip.” The family didn’t show up empty-handed either. As a thank-you, they brought gifts from the Maritimes — snacks and treats that NHL players don’t get every day. Both Crosby and Graves are Nova Scotians, and the gesture hit home. “Funny story,” Myer said. “We told [Graves] there’s just a couple like treats in there. And he’s like, ‘Is there Cow’s chips in here?’ And the first thing he pulled out was Cow’s chips.” That Maritime connection came through again later. After practice, Graves ran into the family outside the arena and invited them back into the dressing room before the next game — something that wasn’t part of the original plan. “Ryan had said: ‘They’re fellow Maritimers and we’re the players and we want them to come down,’” said Ellis. One of the highlights for Myer was sharing the experience with his cousin and best friend, Rowan. Myer’s brother even stepped aside so Rowan could go instead. “They’ve been best friends since they were born,” said Ellis. “There’s a little less than a year in between them and their relationship is just so special. They’re cousins, but they’re also besties.” That bond didn’t go unnoticed. Near the end of the trip, Crosby handed Myer a gift — but it wasn’t just for him. “I opened this thing and then I saw two jerseys,” Myer said. “I looked at it and it said ‘Rowan,’ and I was like, ‘Rowan?’” Rowan remembers the moment clearly. “I was so excited and then I dropped to my knees. Like, what is happening?” he said. Two Olympic Team Canada jerseys — home and away — one for each of them. For the boys, it was the perfect ending. For Ellis, the trip was more than a dream fulfilled — it was a rare chance to watch her son be fully seen, included, and celebrated. “From a parent’s perspective, to be able to watch your child have this experience and be present to watch his facial expressions and see how all of these players treated not just Myer, but Rowan too. It was just an exceptional experience.”
Score (88)
Bats Use Doppler Effect to Navigate Cluttered Forests, Study Finds
Bats are known for their ability to navigate in total darkness using echolocation, but how they manage to avoid obstacles in dense, chaotic environments has puzzled scientists for decades. A new study may have finally cracked the mystery. Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the research reveals that bats rely on the Doppler effect—the shift in sound frequency caused by motion—to make sense of the barrage of overlapping echoes bouncing off leaves, branches, and other objects as they fly. “Imagine being at a party with hundreds or even thousands of people all talking at once,” said Marc Holderied, a sensory biology professor at the University of Bristol and co-author of the study. “That’s comparable to what a bat may be dealing with as the animal zooms around a dense forest.” To test their theory, researchers built what they dubbed the “bat accelerator” — an 8-metre tunnel lined with about 8,000 plastic leaves, each stapled on by hand. The tunnel functioned like a treadmill, simulating motion through dense foliage. By adjusting the direction of the moving leaves, scientists could manipulate the bats’ perception of speed. When the foliage treadmill moved in the same direction as the bats’ flight, the bats sped up. When the leaves appeared to move toward them, the bats slowed down. The researchers believe the animals were responding to the perceived change in pitch caused by the Doppler effect, using it to adjust their speed. “We tricked them into thinking that their speed is different,” Holderied said. “This Doppler shift, in this complex echo of thousands of reflectors, carries information.” Some bat species are known as Doppler specialists, adapted specifically to use this effect. But pipistrelle bats—small, common bats found across Europe—are not among them. The study’s findings suggest the Doppler effect plays a broader role in bat navigation than previously thought. The implications go beyond bats. Athia Haron, a co-author and medical engineering researcher at the University of Manchester, said the findings could inform the design of better navigation systems for drones and self-driving cars, which often struggle in similarly cluttered environments. “If that pans out,” Haron said, “that would benefit a lot of navigation systems that fail in these kinds of cluttered environments.” By uncovering how bats use subtle changes in sound to move through their world, researchers are not only solving an old biological mystery—they may be paving the way for smarter, more adaptable machines.
Score (98)
This Off-Duty Officer Just Saved a Man’s Life with 45 Minutes of CPR at a Train Station
An off-duty police officer in Greater Manchester has been praised for saving a man's life after performing CPR for 45 minutes at a train station. Chief Inspector Michael Parker was waiting for a train at Salford Crescent station on 6 June last year when he saw a man collapse and stop breathing. Relying on his police training, Parker began chest compressions immediately and kept going until emergency crews arrived. “I just did what any member of the public would have done,” he said. “It is just a coincidence I was there at that time as an off-duty police officer.” Parker, who works in Greater Manchester Police’s roads policing unit, continued CPR for 10 minutes on his own before paramedics arrived. Once on scene, medical staff began administering additional life-saving treatment while Parker carried on with compressions for another 35 minutes. When an air ambulance arrived, medics confirmed that the man had regained a pulse — something Parker said took him by surprise. “I was shocked to hear that he had regained a pulse as I have done CPR several times earlier on in my career and sadly, they have never made it,” he said. “So, to hear that this man would be able to see his family again was the most important thing.” Despite the outcome, Parker refused to take credit. “Ultimately, I don’t see myself as a hero,” he said. “I just focused on giving him the best chance of survival possible until further help arrived.” His efforts were recognised at Greater Manchester Police’s long service awards, where he received a Chief Constable’s commendation. A spokesperson for GMP said Parker’s actions had directly led to the man’s survival. “He gave him the best chance he could have had,” the spokesperson said.
Score (98)
For 50 Years, Hospital Radio Volunteers Have Brought Comfort to Patients
At Ipswich Hospital, a small team of volunteers has been quietly making a big difference for more than five decades — broadcasting music, stories, and conversation to patients through Hospital Radio Ipswich. The station, run entirely by volunteers, first went on air in 1971. Today, it still operates 24 hours a day, and thanks to the internet, it now reaches listeners far beyond the hospital walls. John Alborough is one of the longest-serving members of the team, having joined in 1974. For him, the most meaningful part of the job hasn’t changed in 50 years: talking to patients at their bedside. “I absolutely love, and still love, going around and talking to patients,” he said. “You could almost write a book of all the stories of where people have had such a pleasure from listening to their favourite piece of music and talking to people.” Alborough believes those personal connections matter more than anything. “I’ve always said talking to people at their bedside is more important than coming away with a request... it’s fantastic,” he said. Over the years, the station has seen major changes — in technology, music, and even how long patients stay in hospital. With hospital stays now averaging just two days, Alborough said it’s harder to build a lasting audience. “You’ve got to constantly work to remind people that we’re there,” he said. “Some people are of course in for weeks, so we’ve always got this challenge of mixed duration, mixed ages, mixed taste in music, and reminders that we exist.” Still, he believes the station offers something uniquely valuable — especially in an era when patients have access to countless streaming services and independent radio stations. “We now find that there is such a world of independent radios out there… some very good and some not so good, but that’s enabled us to really be identified as a special service that is different to other people,” he said. What sets Hospital Radio Ipswich apart, Alborough believes, is the human connection. Volunteers don’t just broadcast; they visit, listen, and bring a sense of community to people in unfamiliar, often stressful circumstances. It’s also why he encourages others to volunteer. “I went to Hospital Radio Ipswich at least once a week and met a different group of people to my family and friends... I think that’s the beauty of volunteering,” he said. “You come out of yourself, you go to a different world, you make good friends in a different world and then you go back to your own world again. I think that’s one of the strengths of volunteering.” After more than 50 years, the mission remains the same: make patients feel seen, heard, and a little less alone.