Galapagos Islands welcome vermilion flycatcher chicks
Good news stories from the past seven days
An effort to save the tiny bright birds known as Darwin’s flycatchers seems to be bearing fruit. When Charles Darwin visited the Galápagos Islands nearly 200 years ago, he noted that they were teeming with little vermillion flycatchers. By the 2010s, however, the birds’ numbers had fallen so low there were fears that they could become extinct. Since then, conservationists have worked to trap the rodents that were preying on the birds, and cut back thickets to help them reach food – and the approach seems to have worked: the birds have had their best breeding season yet, with 12 chicks recorded on one island.
Syrian 10-year-old is Cornwall’s chess champion
A 10-year-old from Syria has become Cornwall’s youngest-ever chess champion. Rami Taleb, who in his home country held the title of Arab champion under six, fought off adult competitors to win the Cornwall County Chess Association’s open contest last month. He told the BBC he had started playing at the age of four, and that he had not been expecting to win, but got “lucky this time”. His father said he was “very proud” of Rami. “For him chess means the whole world,” he added.
Artificial rock pools create habitats for marine life
Concrete sink-like structures that were attached to harbour walls and other infrastructure on the south coast in 2020 have become home to a variety of sea creatures, raising hopes that these artificial rock pools could be used to create habitats for marine life in other urban coastal locations. The 114 pools were installed at three sites in total. In and around the 45 pools on a sea wall near Poole, researchers counted 65 species, including crabs, barnacles and sea squirts, whereas there were only 40 species on the harbour wall.
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
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'New arrivals are more than paying for themselves'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
6 stylish homes in Portland, Oregon
Feature Featuring a wall of windows in Collins View and a historic ballroom in Portland Heights
By The Week US Published
-
What's next for US interest rates?
The Explainer Stubborn inflation forestalls anticipated rate cuts
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published
-
The week's good news: Sept. 21, 2023
It wasn't all bad!
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Woman reunited with egg she signed in 1951
It Wasn't All Bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published
-
The week's good news: Sept. 14, 2023
It wasn't all bad!
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
American rescued after 12 days in Turkish cave
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published
-
Ukrainian military has ‘shown how the Russian army can be beaten’
Talking Point Recent Ukrainian frontline advances may offer hope for its counter-offensive
By The Week Staff Published
-
The week's good news: Sept. 7, 2023
feature It wasn't all bad!
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Lives transformed by swimming with Newfoundland dogs
feature Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published