Photo: charlesdeluvio/Unsplash (CC0)
In today’s edition: a global vaccination campaign has delivered 100 million doses to children, a high-volume “marathon” of eye surgeries in South Africa has restored sight for more than 130 patients, and an anonymous school safety tip programme launched after the Sandy Hook tragedy has now received nearly 400,000 reports.
A global effort led by the WHO, UNICEF and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance has delivered more than 100 million vaccine doses to 18.3 million children across 36 countries since 2023, as part of “The Big Catch-Up” to close immunisation gaps. The multi-year campaign targets children who missed routine vaccinations, including more than 12 million who had never received a single dose.
Source: Forbes
A man in Toronto who had lived with HIV for 27 years is now in remission after receiving a bone marrow transplant from a donor naturally resistant to the virus. If his condition remains stable for another two and a half years, the 36-year-old could be considered cured. His case would place him among a small group of just 10 people worldwide believed to have beaten HIV.
Source: The Canadian Press News
A free cataract surgery “marathon” aimed at reducing long backlogs in the public health system has restored the sight of 130 patients. The initiative brought together medical teams to perform high-volume procedures in a short time, offering care to those waiting months or years.
Source: AP News
An anonymous reporting system has received nearly 400,000 tips, helping authorities intervene in potential threats across the U.S. The initiative, called Say Something, trains students to recognise warning signs and report concerns anonymously or to trusted adults. Since its early days in Columbus, the programme has expanded nationwide, flagging issues from planned violence to bullying and mental health crises.
Source: AP News
The tool guides players through realistic scenarios, encouraging them to consider preferences, health factors, and conversations with partners and providers. The intention of the game is to improve understanding of contraceptive options and support more informed decisions.
Source: Good Good Good
Ticketmaster Canada says fans will no longer be able to resell tickets above their original purchase price starting next week, following new rules in Ontario. The changes stem from amendments to the 2017 Tickets Sales Act, making it illegal to resell tickets for more than the total “all-in” cost, including fees and taxes.
Source: CTV News
As the country faces risks to large, centralised power plants, communities and planners are adopting decentralised solar projects that can be deployed quickly and restored easily. The move is helping keep energy flowing to homes and essential services while reducing dependence on vulnerable infrastructure.
Source: Deutsche Welle
Once evacuated due to radiation, the vast contaminated area is now home to species such as Przewalski’s horses, wolves, and even returning brown bears as human absence has let ecosystems rebound.
Source: Euronews
The move aligns with broader urban planning goals to integrate nature into daily life and encourage community use. Early signs show increased foot traffic and changing routines, letting residents enter freely from multiple directions and spend more time outdoors.
Source: Vietnam News
The EinDollarBrille scheme has created an ultra-affordable pair of spectacles designed to make vision correction accessible to millions. Built from flexible spring steel wire and durable, shatterproof plastic lenses, the glasses are made to be easily assembled, adjusted, and repaired, with lenses that can be removed and replaced as needed.
Source: Reasons To Be Cheerful
