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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Seren Morris

Good news of the week: Taylor’s Grammy success and AI guide dog hope

Despite the doom and gloom, there are a few reasons to smile this week. 

In science news, an AI robot guide dog could soon help visually impaired people, while scientists may have found a way to treat severe childhood epilepsy.

In the world of showbiz, Taylor Swift has broken a Grammy record while Olly Alexander has teased his Eurovision single. 

So for a quick pick-me-up this weekend, keep on reading to find out the good news of the week. 

AI-powered robot guide dog in development

The RoboGuide is being developed at the University of Glasgow (University of Glasgow/Chris James/PA)

University of Glasgow experts are developing an AI-powered four-legged robot dog that could one day be used to help blind and partially sighted people find their way around indoors.

The robot dog could help visually impaired people move freely around indoor public spaces like museums, hospitals, and shopping centres. 

Taylor Swift makes Grammys history with record win

Swift is overcome at the 66th Grammy Awards (John Shearer / Getty Images for The Recording A)

Good news for Swifties everywhere: Taylor Swift has made Grammys history by becoming the first person to win the Album of the Year award four times. 

She was previously tied with Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, and Paul Simon, who each won the accolade three times. 

Scientists may have found a way to treat severe childhood epilepsy

Scientists may be able to cure CDD (David Davies / PA Wire)

Scientists have discovered that they may be able to treat a debilitating form of childhood epilepsy by replacing a “lost” enzyme in the body. 

Researchers at London’s Francis Crick Institute found that by boosting an enzyme called CDKL2, they may be able to compensate for an enzyme called CDKL5, which is missing in CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD).

West African restaurant Chishuru wins first Michelin Star

Adejoké ‘Joké’ Bakare is self-taught (Chishuru)

West African restaurant Chishuru has won its first Michelin Star, less than six months after moving to the West End.

Self-taught Adejoké ‘Joké’ Bakare first opened Chishuru in Brixton Village in 2020. She had won a local cooking competition and ran a successful supper club.

Olly Alexander teases Eurovision single

Olly Alexander will represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest (Aaron Chown / PA Wire)

Olly Alexander, the actor and Years and Years singer, has teased his Eurovision entry, Dizzy.

The full single will be released on March 1. Alexander said: “I actually can’t wait to perform this on the Eurovision stage.”

Dire Straits star Mark Knopfler leads charity record

Mark Knopfler has brought together 60 of the world’s most famous guitarists (Fiona Hanson/PA) (Fiona Hanson / PA)

Dire Straits star Mark Knopfler is bringing together several superstars, including Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, and Ronnie Wood, for a charity record. 

The guitar heroes will come together to record Going Home: Theme Of The Local Hero for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Longest-surviving heart-transplant patient breaks world record

Janssen has survived 39 years so far with his transplanted heart (Bert Janssen / PA Wire)

Bert Janssen, 57, has become the longest-surviving heart transplant patient, after receiving a donor heart at age 18. 

Mr Janssen said he is “still grateful for the incredible gift” his donor gave him and hopes his story will be an inspiration to others.

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