5 uplifting good news stories you might have missed this week

Did you miss any of these stories this week?Did you miss any of these stories this week?
Did you miss any of these stories this week?

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to dominate headlines, it can be easy to forget that good news still exists in the world.

Here are five uplifting stories from the past week which will make you smile.

Abandoned puppy starts new life as crime fighting police dog

Seventeen month old Rolo found himself in the care of the staff at the Newcastle Cat and Dog Shelter, where they feared he may never find a new home.

They were concerned that the young Springador puppy would be too boisterous for a family setting - so instead, staff decided to give the Northumbria Police dog unit a call, to see if he could be a good fit.

The force immediately saw potential in Rolo, and was introduced to his new handler, PC Dave Robinson.

Dorset palaeontologist Mary Anning to get her own statue

More than £80,000 has been raised via crowdfunding in the campaign for fossil hunter Mary Anning to receive her own statue.

The campaign was started in 2018 by schoolgirl Evie Swire, who, along with her mum, set up Mary Anning Rocks.

Mary Anning was an early pioneer of palaeontology, and was a self taught scientist who discovered the fossilised remains in the Blue Lias cliffs of Lyme Regis.

The Crowdfunder explains: “Even now, a hundred and seventy one years after her death, books still fail to list her as one of the greatest Palaeontologist of our time.

“It was always the male geologists who published the scientific descriptions of the specimens she found, frequently neglecting to even make reference to her name.”

It is hoped that the statue of Anning will now be placed in Lyme Regis on 21 May 2022, on the 223rd anniversary of her birthday.

Breakthrough discovery could reverse Motor Neurone Disease damage

Scottish researchers made a breakthrough discovery which could reverse the damage caused by Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Scientists were able to repair the damage using motor neurons grown from stem cells, which helped to reverse issues back to normal. The research team believes that they will be able to produce the same result from the lab in patients, by repurposing an existing drug.

A diabetes medication which is already licensed could be a promising candidate as it is known to increase mitochondrial activity.

The first ever rescue dog moves into the White House

As Donald Trump exits the White House, Joe Biden takes over the position as the US president.

As Biden makes his way back into the White House, following his run as Vice President alongside President Barack Obama, he brings with him his two German shepherds, 12 year old Champ and two year old Major.

Major will be the first ever rescue dog to live at the White House, after he was adopted by Biden and his wife Jill from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018.

Dominican Republic approves bill to end child marriage

This week, the Dominican Republic’s president Luis Abinader approved a bill which eliminates all legal grounds for child marriage - and safeguards the rights of children, especially girls.

Previously, children could be forced into marriage with parental consent, and permission from a judge.

Sonia Hernandez, Associate Director of Public Justice System Strengthening for International Justice Mission, said: “Through this law, a new stage begins in the country. Our girls and adolescents will be protected…and cannot be forced into marriage in their childhood or adolescence.”

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