Usually Reasons to be Cheerful goes out around lunchtime, but today family commitments kept me away from the keyboard. Today, I’m happy it did as I got to hear hope being offered to thousands of child refugees.

However, my favourite news is the release of a political prisoner. In terms of iconic images for freedom of speech and people power, it is hard to beat the image of a lone man standing in front of a tank. A long time coming but, here’s to freedom.

May be there really is a little more of the Force running around today.

• China Releases Last Tiananmen Square Protest Prisoner
• UK to Resettle Unaccompanied Child Refugees in Europe
• Embryo Study shows ‘Life’s First Steps’
• Yemeni Peace Talks Resume
• Overweight Labradors give Genetic Obesity Clue
• Professor who saved 9 Species receives Conservation Award
• Powys Osprey returns to Nest in UK First
• Blizzard invite Legacy Sever Team for Talks
• 2 Children Safe after M25 Car Theft
• 5-Year-Old saved after almost Choking on a Grape
• Hynd & Mullen win Golds at IPC Swimming European Championships