In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re talking about eleven Asian and South American countries banding together to help protect the world’s six surviving species of river dolphins from extinction, a boom in scientific breakthroughs in medicine, and a unique programme that guides people from homelessness, incarceration and foster care directly into entry-level jobs in film and TV.
11 Asian and South American nations unite to save endangered river dolphins
The Global Declaration for River Dolphins was formally endorsed in the Colombian capital of Bogota. The WWF issued a statement underscoring the urgent need for action, citing an alarming and seemingly irreversible decline in river dolphin populations worldwide.
“Golden age of medicine” marks a groundbreaking new chapter in research
An exciting surge of breakthroughs is reshaping the landscape of drug development – from the revival of the long-overlooked ‘forgotten organ’ within the human body to promising prospects for curing diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and HIV.
Prison-to-Hollywood pipeline provides opportunity to the formerly incarcerated
In a society where individuals with a history of homelessness and incarceration can face daunting challenges in securing employment, one industry is extending a warm welcome.
The Netherlands offers eight days of postpartum support for new mothers
In the Netherlands, every new mother is entitled to kraamzorg, a comprehensive postpartum support system that covers everything from breastfeeding guidance to household chores.
Record increase in applications from disadvantaged students for top uni spots
A growing trend is emerging as an increasing number of students hailing from underprivileged regions within the UK are seeking admission to the most competitive and selective university courses.
Non-formal learning centres re-engage pupils who have paused their education
These centres offer children the opportunity to participate in lessons, conducted in both Hausa and English, three days a week. This initiative aimed to equip them with essential knowledge, enabling a seamless return to the public school system in Gidan-Yaro.
Indian schoolboy invents affordable smart spoon for trembling hands
A 17-year-old with a passion for robotics has produced a cheaper utensil that uses sensors to cancel out hand tremors – with a mass-market prototype now undergoing trials in Bengaluru.
10-year-old Malawian eco-pioneer takes the lead in environmental conservation
Tabitha Malata is spearheading an ambitious project to combat plastic waste – revolutionising the use of plastic bags by repurposing them into containers for cultivating crops.
Carbon credits revolutionise cooking to save lives and forests
Every year, four million lives are lost due to diseases linked to the use of wood or charcoal for cooking at home. Now companies are increasingly turning to carbon credits to fund the development of safer, more efficient cooking methods that not only protect human health but also play a vital role in preserving forests.
Reviving brown bears in the Pyrenees: France’s conservation success
Through dedicated biological monitoring and extensive community engagement efforts, the Pyrenees region has seen the resurgence of nearly extinct brown bears as they freely roam the mountains once more.
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