From record‑clean electricity in Britain to Spain’s surge in travellers and classroom resilience lessons, it has been a week of practical progress. Here are the stories worth your time.
This is The News You May Have Missed — your two‑minute lift of good news for the week ending 13 September 2025.
There’s quite a lot to unpack this week, all of which you can read about on madblackcat.com, such as record‑clean electricity in Britain, Spain’s travel boom, classrooms learning real‑world resilience, and Europe’s next planet hunter gears up.
I’m Mark Nolan, by the way, and so, let’s have a look at the snippets, almost like the news headlines, if you will, but without the bongs!
Cleanest quarter on record: Britain’s grid hit its lowest‑ever carbon intensity over the past three months, powered by record solar and steady wind.
Alzheimer’s blood test trial: A £100 blood test enters NHS trials to speed and simplify diagnosis across UK memory clinics.
Blood moon over Britain: A total lunar eclipse delighted skywatchers — a shared, free spectacle after sunset.
Spain’s airports soar: Aena reports almost 39 million August passengers, with Barcelona setting a monthly record.
Resilience in the classroom: Spain adds compulsory lessons on flood, wildfire and earthquake safety, plus spotting misinformation.
13.5 billion euro for stronger grids: Spain opens consultation on a decade‑end electricity‑network investment framework to accelerate electrification.
Nature restoration push: Europe’s Biodiversa+ launches a 40 million euro call to reconnect habitats and restore ecosystems.
Plato arrives at ESTEC: ESA’s exoplanet mission reaches the test centre for final integration ahead of launch preparations.
So, there we have it, lots of good news for this planet and beyond, a break from the bleakness, clean power records, practical health and education advances, strong travel numbers, funding for nature — and a space mission to spark imaginations.
That was The News You May Have Missed. See you next week on madblackcat.com for more constructive headlines.
Jump Straight In
United Kingdom
Britain logs its cleanest quarter on record for electricity
New analysis shows Britain’s power system delivered its lowest‑ever carbon intensity across a three‑month period, driven by record solar output and strong wind. Analysts say the figures keep the 2030 clean‑power goal within reach.
Why it matters: Cleaner, cheaper power underpins household bills, energy security, and industrial competitiveness.
£100 blood test for Alzheimer’s moves into NHS trials
A simple blood test that detects key biomarkers of Alzheimer’s entered a major UK trial across memory clinics this week. The study will assess whether earlier, easier diagnosis speeds access to treatments and better care planning.
Why it matters: Early, accurate diagnosis can change the course of support for patients and families.
A red‑tinged treat for skywatchers
A total lunar eclipse — the “blood moon” — graced UK skies on Sunday evening, with best views from locations with a clear eastern horizon. Astronomy groups reported strong turnout at public viewing sessions.
Why it matters: Shared moments under open skies are a free, unifying lift for communities.
Spain
Spain’s airports handle almost 39 million passengers in August
Airport operator Aena reported close to 39 million passengers in August, keeping 2025 on track for a landmark year. Barcelona posted a new monthly record as late‑summer travel remained robust.
Why it matters: Tourism remains a pillar of jobs and growth, with gains spreading beyond peak months.
Schools add practical climate and disaster‑readiness lessons
Spain is introducing compulsory age‑appropriate lessons on flood, wildfire, earthquake and volcanic safety from this school year. The programme also covers misinformation in emergencies and can be tailored by region.
Why it matters: Teaching calm, actionable responses saves lives and builds community resilience.
Green‑grid plan goes to public hearing
The energy ministry opened consultation on a multi‑year electricity‑network investment framework worth more than €13.5 billion to decade’s end. The plan targets faster electrification, stronger grids and industrial competitiveness.
Why it matters: Modern grids are the backbone of Spain’s renewables leadership and future industry.
Europe / Global
Europe launches €40m research call to restore ecosystems
The Biodiversa+ partnership opened a transnational call for projects that reconnect habitats and reverse ecosystem degradation. Proposals will fund applied research with clear routes to on‑the‑ground impact.
Why it matters: Nature restoration is climate policy in practice — cutting risk while creating local jobs.
Europe’s new planet hunter reaches ESA test centre
ESA’s PLATO spacecraft arrived at the ESTEC test facility in the Netherlands for final integration and checks. Designed to find Earth‑like exoplanets using 26 cameras, PLATO is a key step toward launch readiness.
Why it matters: Ambitious science missions inspire, train talent and spin out technologies to the economy.
Pocket Snapshot
- Clean power: Britain posts its cleanest three months on record.
- Health: Blood test trial could streamline Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
- Skywatching: Blood moon captivates observers across the UK.
- Travel: Spain’s August passenger numbers near 39 million.
- Education: Spanish pupils to learn hands‑on emergency skills.
- Energy systems: Spain consults on €13.5bn grid investment.
- Biodiversity: Europe funds ecosystem restoration research.
- Space: PLATO moves into test phase at ESTEC.
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