The Weekly Happy Edit

1. Russian backed Syrian forces recapture Palmyra from ISIS and host a concert

The Kremlin’s favourite conductor, Valery Gergiev, has performed a triumphal concert in the theatre of Palmyra in Syria, following the complex’s recapture in March by Russia-backed Syrian forces. He said “We protest against barbarians who destroyed wonderful monuments of world culture. "We protest against the execution of people here on this great stage.”

2. Amazing genetic find for breast cancer

Scientists say they now have a near-perfect picture of the genetic events that cause breast cancer.

The study, published in Nature, has been described as a "milestone" moment that could help unlock new ways of treating and preventing the disease."It is a step closer to personalised health care for cancer."

3. Krispy Kreme is opening a hole in the wall which dispenses Nutella doughnuts

Krispy Kreme are now doing Nutella doughnuts. No idea why this didn’t happen sooner. They are the perfect bedfellows. Anyway, in even more exciting news, to launch the new limited edition flavour, Krispy Kreme is opening up a magical hole in the wall which will dispense doughnuts to hungry customers day and night.

4. Bored businessman makes hilarious hotel requests

A travelling businessman amuses himself by making diva-like requests while he is away for work - and incredibly staff cater to his bizarre whims. Jnut731 posted a series of images capturing his funny stunts on Imgur, writing: 'Ridiculous and hilarious hotel requests, fulfilled. One way my friend entertains himself while travelling on business.' These include asking staff for a fortress made of pillows and to draw a picture of him from their imagination.

5. Peaky Blinders is back

Peaky Blinders is back and even better on our screens. Are Tommy Shelby's cheekbones the new Cara's eyebrows? On every Thursday 9pm on BBC Two. If you haven't seen it, get started on Netflix this second!

The Weekly Happy Edit

The 5 happy things showcased in the news this week...

1. Shrek and Smurf: The Rescued Coloured-in Kittens 

These two gorgeous little kittens were rescued by police when investigating a house in Bradford. They are now being cleaned well cared for and well be ready for happy new homes very soon!

2. Paralympian's Stolen Bike Returned

Tim Farr is a British paralympian with a huge personality. So, it is no wonder that when his £5000 specially-made bike was stolen from outside his house, a crowdfunding site for a new one raised nearly £2000. Well, this money will now be donated to charity as his bike has been recovered from a pawn shop after being sold for just £150.

3. Gene Therapy Reduces Sight Loss

Sight-loss is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult disability to deal with. A new and recently proven therapy now represents hope for thousands of those who would otherwise become blind from the rare disorder called 'choroideremia'. A treated patient said of the therapy 'it has opened a new chapter of my life for me when I thought that the book was about to close'. 

- Jonathan Wyatt

4. Mother Reunited with her Kidnapped Son 22 years on

Zou Qixiu was reunited with her son who disappeared from their home in 1994 at the age of four years old. He was abducted my human traffickers and sold to another couple. After recently having his own child he thought about the anguish his mother must have suffered and still be suffering. He got in contact with 'Baby come home' website and tracked down his mother. His parents were illiterate so could only do what they could to track him down which including going door to door. There were huge celebrations on his return.

5. Disney to make Maleficent, Mary Poppins and Jungle Book Sequels (and Cruella)

Any release of a Disney movie is good news to me! Fortunately, we have four to keep us busy. There will be a Marry Poppins sequel starring Emily Blunt, a Jungle Book and Maleficent sequel (starring their original casts including Angelina Jolie) amd to top it all of a brand new 101 Dalmations spin-off called Cruella. They also confirmed further future releases- in 2017, 2018 and 2019 which should be more than enough to keep our thirst for Disney quenched.

Have you had any happy news this week?

ARW x

3 places to go in London that you've not yet heard of

Pictured: Petersham Nurseries

Just to clarify, the fact that they all begin with the letter P was completely unintentional, but a cool coincidence nonetheless! 

I once read somewhere that London is the perfect mix between New York and Paris. I am not sure if I 100% agree with that romanticised statement but the thing with all of those three cities is that you have to really delve into the internet to get the best out of them, and even then your stumbled-upon artsy coffee shop is probably filled with photographing tourists. Scouring the internet can really be a full-time job so I have done that for you, and present to you three new P-places that you should visit now.

1. POP Bakery

The craze for cake pops may have died down a little bit but I mean who can really say that they don't find the idea of a beautifully iced cake on a stick appealing? At the pop bakery (who by the way bespokely designed cake pops for Vogue), you can sit in with a large cup of tea and paint your own cake pops for just £15. They also stock beautiful party props and stationery by local London designers.

The Pop Bakery
348 Kilburn Lane
W9 3EF
London, UK
02089607018
clare@popbakery.co.uk

2. Petersham Nurseries

Petersham Nurseries is an internationally acclaimed garden centre. They house a beautiful little gift shop where you can source antiques and a glasshouse restaurant serving seasonal Italian food and homemade cakes. They also host regular unique events, upcoming ones include growing and arranging your own wedding bouquet, a Thai cookery course, a wild food walk and a 'magical evening'.

Petersham Nurseries
Church Lane (signed posted 'St Peter's Church')
Off Petersham Road
Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7AB
020 8940 5230
info@petershamnurseries.com

3. Pidgin

I am pretty sure I am one of the most indecisive people you will ever meet when it comes to food. My problem is there is nothing I won't eat. I am the least fussy eater you will ever meet and despite being every one of my friend's mother's favourite children to have over for dinner when I was younger, I am now the bane of my boyfriend's life when it comes to going out for dinner. London has brought me and you (if you are like me) the perfect solution. Pidgin does not give you a choice, instead it provides you with an unchangeable (except for dietary requirements) four-course menu. The food is modern and fresh, as are is the simple grey industrial interior. For only £35, you get more than value for your money and the accompanying weekly-changing drinks menu is reasonable too. This week's menu includes: bone marrow with chickpea, sourdough and pickled sea aster, kataifi (sweet Greek pastry) with fermented honey, anise ice cream, beetroot and sorrel and a spicy black pepper and grapefruit G&T. 

Pidgin
52 Wilton Way
London
E8 1BG
020 7254 8311
info@pidginlondon.com

ARW x