Each week, we scour the worlds of innovation, tech for good and social impact to bring you seven of our top stories…

1. NASA has finally announced the release date for its James Webb space telescope that will launch into space on December 18th. When active, the revolutionary telescope will allow astronomers to look back into the history of the universe more than ever before.
2. The countries most vulnerable to climate change are calling for an ‘emergency pact’ to agree radical steps to avoid ‘climate catastrophe’ at the upcoming COP26 meeting.
3. The Scouts movement has launched ‘Squirrel Scouts’ aimed at four- and five-year-olds to encourage young children’s interest in trying new things after eighteen months of Covid-19 restrictions.
4. The world’s first trial of shopping companion robots is underway in Newcastle, to promote a healthier lifestyle among the elderly as they walk out to shop more frequently.
5. A prison contracting giant have obtained a patent for a system that uses virtual reality to give prison inmates a flavour of freedom, outside or away from a controlled environment.
6. Airbnb offers temporary housing to 20,000 Afghan refugees fleeing their homes.
7. NASA is currently trialling an air taxi with a flight range of up to 150 miles that commutes people across cities in just minutes.