Bite-sized chunks of upbeat news stories to ensure that the first week in December gets off to a bright start.
First Female Chair
Dame Katherine Grainger has become the first female chair of the British Olympic Association in its 119-year history. The rowing champion said it was a "huge honour" to take on the role after Team GB announced her success. Dame Katherine is the only British woman to win medals in five successive Olympic games. She posted a statement on social media after the news was revealed: “The Olympics has been central to my life for nearly 30 years. As an athlete I felt first-hand the incredible influence and impact sport has on people’s lives."
No New Motorways
A plan to expand Switzerland’s motorway network has been rejected by Swiss voters in a referendum framed as a win for the climate. The left leaning Greens and Social Democrats favour using the money saved to improve public transport, while the right-wing Swiss People’s Party want to use the funds to maintain existing roads. Either way, the Swiss people have spoken: it’s a ‘no’ to new motorways.
Oldest US Firearm
A bronze 'wall gun' recently recovered by researchers in Arizona appears to be the oldest known firearm ever found in the continental United States. According to experts, analysis indicates the 40 lbs weapon was likely owned by one of history’s most famous and notorious conquistadors: Vázquez de Coronado. The 42 inch weapon required two people to operate it. In 1539, Coronado mortgaged his wife’s belongings and took out massive loans to finance an expedition to North America. The Spanish conquistador and his 350 soldiers intended to locate the legendary (and nonexistent) Seven Cities of Gold somewhere north of Mexico. But it well went horribly wrong.
Oldest Stone Tools Ever Discovered in The US: Discovery is further proof that Indigenous people have been in the Americas longer than archaeologists once thought.
Wrapathon
People across the UK have wrapped about 25,000 Christmas presents to be delivered to young people in Ukraine, organised by The Plant and Hire Aid Alliance. "A lot of people are now seeing less about Ukraine on the news but the suffering continues and it's important we don't forget them," said Jeremy Fish, CEO of Ardent Hire Solutions and founding member of The Plant & Hire Aid Alliance. "We're a humanitarian organisation. We try and bring a bit of comfort and joy to children and families. We've got to do something," he added.
Aussie Social Media Ban
Australia has taken an unprecedented step in taking on Big Tech: within a year, children under 16 will be banned from using social media, following the Senate's approval on the world’s first law of its kind. The bill comes amid mounting concerns about the negative impact of social media - a “scourge,” as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described it - on teens’ mental health. Any company in breach - such as TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and X - could be fined up to 49.5 million AUD (US$32.2m) if found to be in violation of the new law.
Focaccia Isn't Italian
Focaccia has been a staple of Italian meals since at least ancient Rome, but new research indicates the flatbread’s origins date as far back as the Neolithic Era. According to some archeologists, Mesopotamian communities may have even started baking large loaves of shared bread between 7,000 and 5,000 BCE - thousands of miles away from their modern Roman associations. The new findings have been published in the journal Scientific Reports and focus on evidence recovered across the Fertile Crescent in what is now Syria and Turkey.
"Good advice is always certain to be ignored, but that's no reason not to give it." Agatha Christie
On This Day
2 December 1804: Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France in the presence of Pope Pius VII.
Today's Articles
Unclaimed Baggage: The big lost baggage emporium in the sky. Well, for Americans, it's actually in Alabama. And online. Bargains galore!
Mood Boosting Video
Funny Talking Animals: Hilarious clips with comedy voice-overs.