This week, the world lost Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Tributes are continuing to pour in from across the globe, and this renewed awareness of her incredible work will hopefully lead to more great changes being made in her honour.
In this week’s hump day news, we present more heart-warming deeds from around the world.
Song Off
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You might remember the story we reported on a few weeks ago about the drum off between Dave Grohl and 10-year-old Nandi Bushell. Well, their interactions didn’t stop after Nandi was crowned winner! Grohl decided to write Bushell her very own rock song, which he has labelled her superhero theme tune. Looks like ‘round two’ has begun…
Have a Nice Day
#gofundmehttps://t.co/0YDx5jkayR pic.twitter.com/VyEA3FHxHS
— Sebbie Hall (@ashhamiltonhall) June 9, 2020
Since lockdown forced his school to close in March, 17-year-old Sebbie Hall decided to try and raise money for children who might be affected by loneliness and who don’t have devices with which they can keep in touch with their friends. He pledged to perform 100 acts of kindness in ten days, and his work included gardening, car washing, and handing out packets of Nice biscuits to lift people’s spirits. The teenager, who has learning and physical difficulties, has raised £4500 so far for young peoples’ charities.
Pay it Forward
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When Adrian Leake from Staffordshire was hit by a pickup truck and broke his spine, he was told he’d only have a 5% chance of walking again. After months of recovery and rehabilitation, Leake is – incredibly – on his feet once again, and now he wants to help others. He’s aiming to complete 280 miles in a wheelchair on paths around his home in Rugeley to raise £1000 for others with spinal injuries.
Rebuild the World
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We bring you more Lego news this week! In 2015, the toymaker pledged to make all its products from sustainable materials by 2030, and it has just announced that it will switch from plastic bags to paper bags from 2021. The company is also researching alternative materials for its bricks, which includes the continuation of bio-brick production (those made partly of sugarcane).
Scottish Power
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Scotland has launched a sustainability scheme that will see hydrogen extracted from water using electrolysis, in order to be used as a climate-friendly source of power, in place of fossil fuels. One of the first things on the list for Scottish Power Renewables – the company behind the scheme – is to clean up Glasgow’s diesel transport system.
Forgive and Reflect
One of the many consequences of lockdown has been picked up on by a charity dedicated to helping people forgive. Based in Scotland, the Global Forgiveness Initiative website is now being visited ten times more than it was in 2019. The founder of the charity believes that lockdown may have made many people reflect on their lives and relationships with estranged friends and relatives that could possibly be mended.
The Booker Prize 2020
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The shortlist for the 2020 Booker Prize for Fiction has been announced, and it is pleasingly one of the most diverse line-ups the award has ever had. Four of the authors are women, and four are writers of colour. The full list is: The New Wilderness by Diane Cook (Oneworld Publications), This Mournable Body by Tsitsi Dangarembga (Faber & Faber), Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi (Hamish Hamilton, Penguin Random House),The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste (Canongate Books), Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart (Picador, Pan Macmillan) and Real Life by Brandon Taylor (Originals, Daunt Books Publishing). The winner will be announced in November.
And Finally…
We’re not just bringing you penguin news this week, we could actually help you enjoy the company of these fluffy friends almost every day – and get paid for it! Chester Zoo is hiring a full-time keeper to join its bird team, which includes caring for penguins, parrots, passerines and pigeons. If you’re interested (and qualified), you can apply here.
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