This Malaysian Theatre Group is Giving Refugees a Voice Through Performance

As the lights go out and darkness envelops the hall, three young girls walk onto the stage under three bright lights to talk to the audience and tell the stories of three refugee girls from countries far apart, yet similar. This scene is a part of a play by the refugee-led theatre group Parastoo, which has been performing in Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur for five years. Parastoo uses theatre as a means to promote social and political change and engages the audience in the play by inviting them to analyse and discuss what they see.

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Firefighters Come to the Rescue in a Classic Case of a Cat Stuck in a Tree

Firefighters came to the rescue in a classic case of a cat stuck up a tree in Ukiah Valley, California. The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority said that they rescued the cat, Bucky, after positioning a ladder between trees and carrying him down to safety. “A-shift was able to prevent a CATastrophe and is happy to report that Bucky is home, safe and sound with his family,” they said. 📸 Ukiah Valley Fire Authority via Storyful

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South Korean Scientists Just Developed a Spray-On Powder That Stops Bleeding in One Second

A team of South Korean researchers has developed a new spray-on powder that can stop life-threatening bleeding in just one second — a breakthrough that could save lives on battlefields, in disaster zones, and during emergency medical procedures. The fast-acting substance, created at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon, was designed to work in harsh, unpredictable environments. According to the scientists, it forms a gel-like barrier the instant it contacts blood, effectively sealing wounds almost immediately. “By implementing characteristics that allow instant hardening even under extreme conditions... immediate emergency treatment is possible,” said Army Major and PhD candidate Kyusoon Park, one of the study’s co-lead authors. Published in Advanced Functional Materials, the study outlines how the powder — called AGCL — combines natural, biocompatible materials like alginate, gellan gum, and chitosan. These substances rapidly react with calcium ions in the blood to create a robust hydrogel seal, both physically and chemically halting the flow. Unlike traditional flat patch-type bandages, which can struggle to treat deep or irregular wounds, the powder can be applied freely to a wide range of injury types, including those caused by bullets or shrapnel. And while many existing hemostatic powders simply absorb blood to create a barrier, AGCL both absorbs and reacts to it — boosting its speed and effectiveness. “It reacts with cations such as calcium in the blood to turn into a gel state in one second,” said Professor Steve Park, another co-lead author. “It can absorb blood amounting to more than seven times its own weight... and showed superior sealing performance compared to commercial agents.” In tests, the powder not only sealed wounds under high-pressure bleeding, but also showed impressive antibacterial effects — 99.9% — and promoted faster healing. In surgical experiments on liver injuries, animals treated with AGCL had less bleeding, faster clotting, and returned to normal liver function within two weeks. No toxic side effects were found. Another key benefit: the powder remains stable for up to two years, even at room temperature and in high humidity. That makes it ideal for military field kits, disaster response units, and remote or underserved regions with limited medical access. “The core of modern warfare is minimising the loss of human life,” said Major Park. “I started the research with a sense of mission to save even one more soldier.” He and the team hope the powder will eventually be used in both national defense and civilian emergency medicine. While initially designed with combat in mind, the implications go far beyond the battlefield. For patients in car accidents, natural disasters, or rural clinics, the powder could one day mean the difference between life and death.

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Ireland Launches Groundbreaking Program to Provide Weekly Income for Artists

Ireland is making a bold bet on its artists — and it’s paying off. The country has become the first in the world to launch a permanent basic income program for artists, offering €325 a week to 2,000 eligible creators over three-year cycles. The move follows a successful pilot that not only improved artists' wellbeing and productivity, but also returned more to the economy than it cost. “This is a gigantic step forward that other countries are not doing,” said Culture Minister Patrick O’Donovan at the launch in Dublin on Tuesday. “We now have, on a permanent basis, a basic income structure that will really revolutionise how we value culture and creativity.” The Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) program emerged from a pilot run between 2022 and 2025, originally introduced to help artists weather COVID-related shutdowns. Participants were randomly selected from more than 8,000 applicants, with the goal of giving them stable, no-strings-attached income so they could focus on their work. The results, according to a government-commissioned study, were striking. Artists on the pilot spent more time creating and less time in unrelated jobs. Reports showed lower levels of anxiety and financial deprivation, and reduced reliance on other welfare programs. The €72 million pilot effectively paid for itself through increased cultural activity, higher productivity, and economic ripple effects across the arts sector. “It was a real-world test of what happens when people are given stability instead of precarity,” said Peter Power of the National Campaign for the Arts. “Many became better able to sustain themselves through their work alone.” The new program will continue to select 2,000 artists per cycle through a random draw. Artists will be eligible to receive support for three out of every six years. For example, a recipient in the 2026–2029 cycle would have to sit out the next round, but could apply again for the 2032 cycle. Applications open this May, with payments scheduled to begin in September. The first permanent cycle is backed by an €18.27 million budget. Full guidelines are expected to be published in April. While the weekly €325 payments are not designed to replace a full-time income, researchers say they offer vital breathing room. “It’s a win for all,” said Maynooth University sociologist Jenny Dagg, who studied the pilot. She cautioned, though, that artists still face wider cost-of-living pressures, especially in housing. Rents in Dublin have doubled since 2013, pushing many younger artists to remain with their families or leave the city altogether. Still, the program is being celebrated as a major breakthrough for arts policy — and one that could set an international precedent. A more vibrant arts sector, Power noted, means more than just cultural output. It brings broader social benefits: stronger communities, better mental health, and more innovation. As Ireland leads the way, other countries may soon follow its example — proving that investing in creativity doesn’t just enrich lives. It makes economic sense, too.

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World's Number One Darts Player, Who is Still A Teenager, Stuns Pub Crowd with Surprise Visit

Pub-goers in Lichfield got the shock of their lives on Monday night when world number one darts player Luke Littler walked through the door — and challenged them to a match. The 19-year-old sensation made an unannounced appearance at the Feathers Inn after the venue won a competition run by KP Nuts. The catch? Littler’s visit had been kept under wraps since October. "It's been a mixed reaction, some shocked, some excited," Littler told BBC Midlands Today during the event. "But we're going to have a good night." The reigning world number one and two-time PDC World Champion recently added a World Masters title to his growing list of accolades. He said reaching the top of the sport has been “massive” for him. “Any player wants to be at the top and I obviously want to try and stay at the top, be the best and be the man to beat,” he said. Littler also reacted to praise from fellow star Luke Humphries, who recently called him the “greatest ever” darts player — a claim Littler was quick to downplay. “It’s crazy for him to be saying those sort of things,” Littler said. “I rightly said Phil Taylor will always be the best.” Throughout the night, Littler threw darts with pub regulars and members of the Feathers Inn darts team. He even joined in for a few casual rounds, showing off the same relaxed confidence he brings to the big stage. Landlord Tracy Kingston called the evening “unreal” and admitted it had been “very difficult” keeping the news secret for so long. Her husband Mike, who co-runs the pub, described the atmosphere as electric. "It was the most surreal, incredible experience I think we've ever had," he told BBC Radio WM. “He wasn’t phased in any way, shape or form. He came in and took over the whole pub.” Fans at the event shared the sentiment. For one night only, a local pub became the centre of the darts universe — and Luke Littler proved he’s just as comfortable under pub lights as he is under the TV spotlight.

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Wild Beavers Return To The UK For First Time In 400 Years

Wild beavers are back in Cornwall for the first time in four centuries. Two pairs of these industrious animals have been released by Cornwall Wildlife Trust at a nature reserve in mid-Cornwall, marking a significant moment for local ecology. This is the county’s first fully licensed release, following three years of detailed planning and consultation with government bodies. Once common across Britain, beavers were hunted to extinction 400 years ago. Today, they’re being recognized as crucial keystone species that can reshape entire ecosystems. Their return has come at an important time; conservationists report that one in six species is at risk of disappearing from Great Britain. Matt Walpole, CEO of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, highlighted the importance of this event: “Today’s release is a landmark for conservation in Cornwall and a testament to over a decade of dedication from our team, supporters and partners.” Beavers are known for their ability to create wetlands through their natural behavior. They build dams and lodges that slow down water flow. This helps reduce flooding during heavy rains while storing water during drier periods, increasing drought resilience. These newly created wetlands filter pollutants and sediments, improving water quality and supporting more diverse wildlife. Cornwall Wildlife Trust has spent over ten years working toward the return of beavers to Cornish rivers. Evidence shows that beaver activity can significantly boost biodiversity: tripling pond plant diversity, increasing frogspawn abundance by over 6,000 percent, boosting bird species up to 100 meters away from their sites, raising bat activity by nearly 400 percent, enhancing moth diversity by 24 percent, and increasing dragonfly species sevenfold. Dr. Roisin Campbell from Beaver Trust emphasized the significance of reintroducing beavers into the wild. “Carefully planned reintroductions like this help move beavers from isolated pockets towards healthy, connected populations,” she said. This collaboration between Beaver Trust and Cornwall Wildlife Trust aims to restore resilient environments while tackling biodiversity decline. The wild beaver releases have been made possible due to support from local business St Eval and generous donations to the Trust’s Wild Beaver Appeal. Dr. Rob Stoneman from The Wildlife Trusts noted the broader implications of this project: “This is a historic moment... it paves the way for more to follow.” If other projects proceed as planned, The Wildlife Trusts hope to release around 100 beavers into seven rivers throughout this year.

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Scientist Successfully Fights Virus With Self-Brewed 'Vaccine Beer'

Scientist Brews ‘Vaccine Beer’ in His Kitchen—And Claims It Works A U.S. virologist may have found the most unusual way yet to immunize against disease: by drinking beer. Christopher Buck, a cancer researcher by day and homebrewer by hobby, has created what he calls “vaccine beer”—a pint infused with genetically engineered yeast designed to trigger an immune response against BK polyomavirus, a virus linked to kidney, bladder, and brain conditions. The experimental beer, brewed in his own kitchen, contains live yeast carrying instructions to make virus-like particles. Buck drank a pint a day over five days last May, gave himself two booster rounds seven weeks apart, and says blood tests later showed his body had produced antibodies targeting two strains of the virus. “It was one of the best homebrews I ever made,” Buck told The Times (London). The beer was described as “delicious” in his blog post. But this wasn’t just about taste. “The idea is to just take living yeast, which are what makes beer, and put a vaccine inside the living yeast,” Buck said in a video. “You can actually get the yeast to cause an immune response.” So far, the results are unverified and unpublished in any scientific journal. Buck uploaded the data to Zenodo, an open-access repository, in December. The work has not been peer-reviewed. What makes the idea so radical is how simple it is. Buck and his brother, who co-authored the study, say edible vaccines using brewer’s yeast could make immunization cheaper, easier, and more accessible—especially for people with needle anxiety or limited access to healthcare systems. The idea stems from earlier experiments in mice. Buck’s team fed them genetically engineered yeast producing virus-like proteins. The yeast seemed to shield the proteins from stomach acid, allowing the immune system to recognize and respond to them in the gut. The mice developed protective antibodies. Inspired by that result, Buck—who’s been homebrewing for 30 years—took it a step further. Unable to test on humans through his official role at the National Cancer Institute (due to NIH ethics restrictions), he launched his own nonprofit, Gusteau Research Corporation, to self-experiment as a private citizen. The name Gusteau is a nod to the fictional chef in Ratatouille whose motto was “Anyone can cook.” In Buck’s case, the motto might as well be: “Anyone can vaccinate—at home, in a pint glass.” But the DIY approach has raised eyebrows in the scientific community. “This is not the place for do-it-yourself,” said Arthur Caplan, a medical ethicist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. He warned the concept could fuel vaccine skepticism if it appears reckless or unserious. Virologist Michael Imperiale of the University of Michigan also questioned the lack of formal safety testing, saying it wasn’t clear what side effects the team was even monitoring. Buck maintains that he experienced no significant side effects and says the goal was never to launch a consumer product, but to prove the broader idea of food-based vaccines. The team hopes to expand to other diseases, including COVID-19, flu, herpesviruses, and adenovirus. “Food-based vaccines are dramatically faster, easier and cheaper to produce,” the authors wrote in their report. “For some populations, edible vaccines may also be more acceptable and accessible.” Whether this pint-sized breakthrough becomes a serious pathway for public health remains to be seen. For now, it’s one man’s kitchen experiment with bold ambitions and a very strange brewing twist.

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Tiny 4-Month-Old Gorilla Dwarfed by Celery Snack

An adorable four-month-old endangered gorilla was spotted snacking on a stalk of celery that was taller than he was at his home in the Cincinnati Zoo. This video published on Monday, February 9, shows Mboka Jo, a critically endangered western lowland gorilla, snacking on the treat on Sunday, February 1. “Mboka Jo has been exploring more solid foods lately,” the zoo wrote on X. 📸 Cincinnati Zoo/Sue Meyer via Storyful

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Florida Man Rescues Pregnant Woman from Sinking Car — Hours Later, She Gives Birth

A terrifying car crash in Florida turned into a story of heroism, survival, and new life — all in a single day. Logan Hayes was driving to work near Interstate 95 in Martin County when he saw something strange: a car sinking in a nearby pond. Without hesitation, he pulled over, dove into the cold water, and swam 30 meters toward the vehicle, which was quickly filling with water. “I could see her sitting in the driver's seat and just kind of looking around like what do I do,” Hayes later told local media. “And I just said, ‘You have to come to me.’” With seconds to spare, Hayes opened the back door and pulled the woman out. As he helped her to shore, he realized something else. “I grabbed her, I knew immediately… ‘Oh my God, this lady is pregnant.’” The woman was 34 weeks pregnant. Her name is Sheldy Apollon, and she had been suffering from preeclampsia when she lost control of her car that morning. She said she began feeling dizzy while driving and tried to pull over — but instead ended up in the pond. “I started to feel some water on my feet, so I started to panic a little,” Apollon said. Paramedics arrived moments later and rushed her to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital. That same day, just hours after her rescue, Apollon gave birth to a baby girl — Ivory Atara Sulley. Weighing just under 1.8 kilograms, baby Ivory was born on her mother’s birthday — February 5 — the same day as the crash and the rescue. “Now that we share our birthday — our bond is just tighter than ever,” Apollon said. Her fiancé, Woodley Sully, called the series of events nothing short of divine. “The only way I can explain this is God,” he said. “You just have to believe… my girls are here, so I’m grateful.” Hayes, whose actions likely saved two lives, said he’s still trying to take it all in. “All the things that are positive, it's just like wow,” he said. “Crazy to feel like I'm a part of something like this.” Apollon is expected to be released soon, while baby Ivory remains in the NICU for a short stay as she gains strength. Apollon said the first time she got to hold her daughter was unforgettable. “Having her hands touch me and feeling her heartbeat, it was surreal,” she said.

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This Runner Tackled an Entire Metro Network on Foot, and Raised £12K for Children’s Charity

After nearly 19 hours of pain, determination, and unwavering support from strangers, Paul McDougal finally crossed the finish line at St James Metro station in Newcastle — completing his mission to run the entire length of the Tyne and Wear Metro system. The 35-year-old, originally from Cramlington but now living in Vietnam, covered 73.5 miles (118 km) in 18 hours and 40 minutes on Sunday. His goal? Raise £12,000 for the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, a UK charity that supports children growing up with parents struggling with addiction. “I’m relieved and so pleased that I managed to get to the end of this run,” McDougal told BBC Radio Newcastle. “I'm looking forward to a nice sit down now.” The route, mapped to follow the Metro's yellow and green lines, began at South Hylton station in Sunderland and snaked its way through Pelaw, South Shields, Gateshead, Newcastle, the airport, and then around the coastal loop through North Tyneside before ending at St James. McDougal tracked the line using nearby paths and roads, turning the regional rail network into a grueling ultramarathon. The hardest stretch, he said, came in the dead of night around mile 35, between South Gosforth and Newcastle Airport. “My knees were on fire… I was in so much pain I thought I was going to vomit,” he recalled. What got him through it was support — not just from family and friends, but from total strangers who showed up at Metro stations with food, cheers, and handmade banners. “If it wasn’t for them, I would have never got the job done,” McDougal said. “When I came up with this stupid idea about nine months ago, I was going to do it completely alone. That would have been ridiculous.” Now that it’s over, McDougal says he’s humbled by the response and proud of what the money will mean for others. “It’ll be amazing for so many children,” he said. Lynne Dickinson, station delivery manager at Nexus, called the effort an “incredible feat of endurance” and said the transport team was thrilled to see him complete the challenge in under a day. After a monumental run that covered nearly every corner of the Metro network, McDougal has earned exactly what he’s looking forward to next: a long, well-deserved rest.

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Meet Tyrannoroter heberti, a 307-Million-Year-Old Veggie-Lover With a Ferocious Name

It may sound like a prehistoric predator, but Tyrannoroter heberti had more in common with a salad bar than a meat locker. This newly described species lived about 307 million years ago and was among the first known land animals to try out a mostly plant-based diet. At just 25 centimetres long, Tyrannoroter wasn't terrorizing other creatures — unless you were a fern. “This is one of the oldest known four-legged animals to eat its veggies,” said Arjan Mann, an evolutionary biologist at the Field Museum in Chicago and co-lead author of the study, published in Systematic Palaeontology. “It shows that experimentation with herbivory goes all the way back to the earliest terrestrial tetrapods — the ancient relatives of all land vertebrates, including us.” The fossil was discovered inside a tree stump in Nova Scotia, Canada. Using high-resolution micro-CT scans, researchers examined its skull and found something unexpected: an extra set of grinding plates — called dental batteries — hidden inside its mouth. These bony structures, located on the roof of the mouth and lower jaw, were similar to those seen in later herbivorous animals, including some dinosaurs. “We were most excited to see what was hidden inside the mouth of this animal once it was scanned — a mouth jam-packed with a whole additional set of teeth for crushing and grinding food, like plants,” said Hillary Maddin, a paleontologist at Carleton University and senior author of the study. Despite its strong lean toward leafy greens, Tyrannoroter was probably an opportunistic omnivore, happy to snack on insects or other arthropods when it could. But its dental structure suggests it was making an evolutionary leap into a new kind of diet — one that tapped into the abundant plant life that had already been thriving on land for over 100 million years. It may not have been the first tetrapod to chew on a leaf, either. Once researchers identified the herbivorous traits in Tyrannoroter, they went back and looked at other specimens from the same group of early animals, known as pantylids. They found similar features in fossils as old as 318 million years — pushing the origins of herbivory further back than previously thought. “The pantylids are from the second phase of terrestriality, when animals became permanently adapted to life on dry land,” said Mann. There’s even a theory about how these plant-based diets evolved. Early tetrapods may have started by eating insects, whose tough exoskeletons required heavy-duty teeth. Over time, those same crushing tools proved just as effective on fibrous plants — and the insects may have passed along the gut microbes needed to digest them. So while Tyrannoroter heberti may not have been a fearsome hunter, it was a pioneer in its own right — quietly reshaping the food chain one chewed leaf at a time.

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