Here’s some of the stories that have captured Life & Soul Magazine’s attention this week:

‘A testimony that we existed’: Benin receives looted art from France – Twenty-six works of art seized by French colonial soldiers in 1892 has returned to Benin, a landmark in the long fight by African countries to recover looted artefacts, Reuters reports.

Disaster-resilient New Orleans apartment complex is also affordable – In August, Hurricane Ida knocked out power across New Orleans. Many people lived without air conditioning and refrigeration for days or weeks. But at a new apartment building, solar panels and battery storage provided residents with about eight hours of electricity each day, according to Yale Climate Connections.

Could a UK hemp revival help win the race to net zero? – Business Live finds out how a Devon farm, Good Hemp, owned by cinema-photographer Henry Braham, is pioneering the hemp revival and examines the barriers holding it back.

50 cheap or free activities for autumn – The Green Parent has put together a list of fun and free/cheap activities to enjoy in your own home or locally. Inspiration for those long and snuggly days ahead, for the whole family to enjoy together.

World-leading Environment Act becomes law – Legislation that will protect and enhance our environment for future generations has now passed into UK law. The Environment Act includes a new legally binding target on species abundance for 2030, which will help to reverse declines of iconic British species like the hedgehog, red squirrel and water vole, according to a Gov.uk press release.

Image Credit: Good Hemp

Rosa Medea is Life & Soul Magazine’s Chief. She writes about lifestyle including sustainable and green living