🐱 Stray Cats Land Job at Train Station

Good morning. Let’s start with some fantastic felines: three stray cats found a new purpose on a historic UK railway line as rodent hunters.

In Albania, a remarkable Roman tomb discovery is shining new light on the country’s ancient past, while in Borneo, an orangutan named Popi begins a new life in the wild after years of dedicated rehabilitation.

—Stephanie S

The North Yorkshire Moors Heritage Railway in the UK has welcomed three new feline staff members after discovering a trio of black stray cats sleeping rough near Grosmont Station. These cats, named Titch, Clinker, and Ash, have taken on the important role of keeping the rodent population in check among the station’s many nooks and crannies.

The tradition of having “shed cats” at the station goes back many years, and the new arrivals are already charming both staff and visitors. When not in training for their mousing duties, the cats enjoy plenty of affection from railway guests.

The railway runs through one of the UK’s oldest national parks, making it an ideal home for both rodents and their feline controllers. The cats even have a cozy retreat off-station, complete with beds and a space heater.

Their story is a heartwarming reminder of how a little kindness can transform lives, both for animals and the people who care for them.

Popi, a female orangutan rescued as an infant from illegal captivity, has been released into the wild after nine years of rehabilitation in Borneo. Her journey included learning vital survival skills at Jungle School and forming bonds with other orphaned orangutans.

Popi’s release is a testament to the dedication of the Borneo Orangutan Rescue Alliance and partners. She was joyfully reunited with friends Mary and Bonti, highlighting the importance of social connections.

This milestone offers hope for orangutan conservation and the future of these remarkable apes in their natural habitat.

Singapore is tackling its clean energy challenge by building an 86-megawatt floating solar farm on its largest reservoir. This innovative project, led by Sembcorp Solar Singapore, will be the third floating solar installation in the city-state.

Floating solar panels benefit from the cooling effect of water, boosting efficiency. Together, Singapore’s floating and rooftop solar projects now generate over 1,000 megawatt-hours of clean energy.

This creative use of limited space highlights Singapore’s resourcefulness and commitment to sustainability.

Archaeologists in Albania have uncovered the country's first-ever Roman noble’s tomb, a 29-by-19-foot mausoleum near the village of Strikcan. The tomb, filled with grave goods like glass plates and gold-lined fabric, belonged to a Roman named Gelliano.

Greek inscriptions line the walls, still awaiting full translation. The discovery has excited locals and highlights Albania’s rich but often overlooked Roman heritage.

This find is expected to boost interest in Albania’s ancient history and growing tourism sector.

Many happy returns to a brilliant Brit, Tom Hardy, who turns 48 today. The London actor got his start in Black Hawk Down before cementing his reputation with high-intensity roles in Inception, The Dark Knight Rises, and Mad Max: Fury Road. He won a BAFTA Rising Star award and earned an Oscar nomination for The Revenant, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.

Hardy has called Gary Oldman his acting “hero” and studied his performances while at drama school. Beyond Hollywood, he’s an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust youth charity and an avid Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor, even winning tournaments as recently as 2022.

Other notable September 15 events:

301: San Marino, the world’s oldest republic still in existence, was founded by Saint Marinus.

1254: Marco Polo, Venetian merchant whose Travels inspired generations of explorers, was born.

1982: USA Today, the colorful and easy-to-read national newspaper, published its first edition.

1998: Google.com was registered by Stanford PhD students Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

🚗 Canada: After surviving cancer and facing steep hospital parking fees, Krystyna Locke now raises funds to cover parking costs for other cancer patients at her local treatment center.

🛹 USA: Brooke Johnson became the first woman to skateboard across the United States while raising $50,000 for spinal cord research.

🦴 Australia: Scientists have developed a 3D-printing "glue gun" that can repair bone fractures during surgery by filling gaps around jagged edges.

⛸️ UK: A hockey player made a boy with severe cerebral palsy beam with joy by taking him for a spin on the ice in his wheelchair.

✈️ USA: Descendants of a heroic WWII B-17 bomber crew were reunited for the first time after 80 years, discovering their shared legacy thanks to Ancestry.com.

— Dick Dale

Daily advances and bright moments show us how incredible life is. Here are five reasons today is the best time to be alive:

🎨 Art Without Borders: Global art collaborations are fostering cultural exchange, breaking down barriers through creativity.

📱 Learning Anywhere: E-learning apps are enabling children in remote areas to access quality education on tablets and phones.

🌪️ Predicting Storms: Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing disaster prediction, helping governments prepare for extreme weather.

📱 Remote Support: Telehealth platforms are providing mental health support in crisis regions where therapists are scarce.

🏞️ Play for All: Inclusive playground designs now allow children of all abilities to play together, fostering empathy early.

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