‘That’s my son – he’s the world champion’
Good news stories from the past seven days
Jake Wightman became the United Kingdom’s first 1500m world title winner in nearly 40 years this week – as his father, a former athlete himself, commentated on the race, at a stadium in Oregon. Wightman, 28, was considered such an outsider in the race that UK Athletics hadn’t left time in his schedule for the medal ceremony. As the small British contingent at the World Championships began celebrating, the stadium cameras cut to the stadium announcer. “That’s my son,” Geoff Wightman told the crowd. “I coach him. And he’s the world champion.”
Hi-tech recycling for tatty charity shop clothes
Huge quantities of the clothes donated to charity shops are too tatty to sell; now the Salvation Army is planning to use a hi-tech scanner to ensure that as many of them as possible are recycled instead. The machine uses infrared to sort the garments into wool, cotton, polyester and viscose. The wool items can then be sent to a textiles mill in Huddersfield, to be turned back into fresh yarn, and the aim is that the rest of the fabrics will be recycled by factories in Europe.
‘Emotional’ release of bison at rewilding project
Bison are roaming the British countryside for the first time since the Ice Age, thanks to a rewilding project in Kent. The three mammals have been sent over from Europe to help revitalise an ancient woodland. The hope is that the bison, which were bred from zoo herds, will crash through the forest and allow a wider variety of species to thrive. Paul Whitfield, of the Wildwood Trust, said their release had been “emotional”. “They came out, they were relaxed, had a snack, and then they [went] into the woods to do their thing.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Romania's election rerun
Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
People celebrate the end of the Assad regime in Umayyad Square in Damascus
Today's Big Question Fall of Assad regime is a 'historic opportunity' and a 'moment of huge peril' for country and region
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
The best non-alcoholic fizz for Christmas
The Week Recommends Add some quality, booze-free sparkle to your festive drinks list
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Dignity in defeat
Opinion Chicago White Sox players during a baseball game in Detroit, Michigan
By Theunis Bates Published
-
Raygun: heir to Eddie the Eagle?
Talking Point Australian Olympic breakdancer Rachael Gunn has become 'a worldwide meme'
By The Week UK Published
-
Graham Thorpe obituary: 'chameleon' batsman with 100 England caps
In depth Cricketer's 'bottle in abundance' endeared him to fans
By The Week UK Published
-
Boxing at the Olympics: the row over sexual differences
Talking Point Controversy over Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting shines a spotlight on the murky world of gender testing – and the IOC's inaction
By The Week UK Published
-
Gareth Southgate's England: a bittersweet swan song
In Depth History books will favour football manager who transformed culture of football in England
By The Week UK Published
-
A brief history of the modern Olympics – and the winner's curse
Paris 2024 will be the 30th instalment of the summer Games
By The Week UK Published