Happy New Year, everyone! Here are some news to kick off the year.

Cate Blanchett makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of SolarAid. She has been a patron of SolarAid since 2008.

Warwick Thornton’s The New Boy is out in cinemas in Portugal on 11 January. No official announcement yet but in Nine.com interview with Thornton there was a mention that the film will be out on Easter in the UK, Signature Entertainment acquired the UK and Ireland rights for the film.

Disclaimer (working title: Augustus) is slated for a release this year. AppleTV+ is scheduled on 5 February at TCA Winter Tour so hopefully the cast and crew will be part of the panel and they will give us the first official look on the 7-episode limited series.

Cate returned to voice Hela in the animated series, What If…?, she voiced Hela in episodes 7 (What If… Hela Found the Ten Rings) and 9 (What If… Strange Supreme Intervened?). The series is now available to stream on Disney+.

SolarAid Appeal

SolarAid works to tackle poverty and climate change. Millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to light. When the sun sets, life comes to a halt. A solar light changes this instantly, creating brighter futures for people and the planet.

To Give:
– UK Freephone 0800 404 8144
-You can donate online at bbc.co.uk/appeal/radio4
– Freepost BBC Radio 4 Appeal. (That’s the whole address. Please do not write anything else on the front of the envelope). Mark the back of the envelope ‘Solar Aid’.
– Cheques should be made payable to ‘Solar Aid’.
Please note that Freephone and online donations for this charity close at 23.59 on the Saturday after the Appeal is first broadcast. However the Freepost option can be used at any time.

Charity Number 1115960

Women at the forefront
As the primary users of household energy and trusted members of the community, women are best placed to bring renewable energy to the most remote areas. That is why we started the Mayi Walas programme to support women entrepreneurs.

Shining Mother Liness Friday
Liness used to burn straw for light at night, but when she joined the Mayi Walas group, everything changed for her family and community. Through using and selling solar lights, she now has clean light in her home and a sustainable income.

Transforming communities
The impact of the Shining Mothers creates a ripple effect throughout the community. To date, the groups have reached over 45,000 people with clean, safe solar light meaning parents can earn, children can learn and the planet can breathe a bit easier.

More info about SolarAid here or you can donate through the donation link on their site.

What If…?