Wrapping up the week with a global bundle of positive news stories.
Downton Abbey 3
It has been announced that the third film in the small-screen turned big-screen franchise will open in cinemas globally in September next year. Written by Julian Fellowes, the scribe who created the acclaimed TV show that ran from 2010-15, and Simon Curtis is returning to direct after helming 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era. Fans will be pleased to know that all the most important members of the cast will be returning, and that one of the newcomers to Downton will be Joely Richardson. Downton Abbey 3 is currently in production in the U.K.
The Greatest Migration
An aerial survey conducted by wildlife NGO African Parks has revealed the largest land mammal migration on Earth. The Great Nile Migration of six million antelope from the Boma-Badingilo Jonglei Landscape in South Sudan to Ethiopia’s Gambella National Park is more than twice the size of the annual “great migration” of two million zebras, wildebeest and gazelle from Tanzania’s Serengeti to Kenya, reported The Guardian. “The migration in South Sudan blows any other migration we know of out the water,” said David Simpson, park manager for Boma and Badingilo national parks with African Parks, as The Guardian reported. “The estimates indicate the vast herds of antelope species… are almost three times larger than east Africa’s great migration. The scale is truly awe-inspiring.”
Historic Ruling in Peru
This is one of the most powerful conservation stories of the year. A group of Indigenous women in Peru have won a historic ruling recognising the legal rights of the Marañón River, the main source of the great Amazon. What makes this story ‘nearly transcendent’, says Common Dreams, is that after decades of patriarchy, it was a female judge of Indigenous descent who listened to the testimony of the women and ruled in favour of the river’s inherent right to life.
Bringing Down The ISS
Nasa has selected Elon Musk's SpaceX company to bring down the International Space Station at the end of its life - the contract for the work is valued at up to $843m. The California-based company will build a vehicle capable of pushing the 430-tonne orbiting platform into the Pacific Ocean early in the next decade. The first elements of the space station were launched in 1998, with continuous crewed operations beginning in 2000. It circles the Earth every 90 minutes at an altitude just above 400km (250 miles) and has been home to thousands of scientific experiments, investigating all manner of phenomena from the ageing process in humans to the formula for new types of materials.
The Lion King
The movie turned 30 this week, so Disney celebrated by releasing a sneak peek of the new prequel hitting cinemas in December. It's an all-new story called Mufasa: The Lion King.
Pimp My Ride
All images courtesy of Gulf Runner by Monarch Defender
You've probably never seen a Land Rover Defender like this. It's the Gulf Runner by Monarch Defender. So named for its use of the classic Gulf Oil racing colours, Project Gulf Runner is a recent offering from Iowa outfit Monarch Defender. The company is completely dedicated to Defender restoration, with a wide-ranging stocklist of upmarket one-off builds, including the classically styled Retroflux model and the forthcoming Nomad EV model. Uprated interiors, new engines (or battery packs) are just the start of the available upgrades. And, if you need to know the price, you probably can't afford it. Sorry.
Big Oil vs Big Solar
Who makes more energy: the seven largest oil companies or the seven largest Chinese solar panel manufacturers? If you guessed the oil giants, you’re wrong. When you break down how many joules of energy each one provides - and factor in resource efficiency - solar comes out on top, says Bloomberg, especially considering future investments and equipment longevity. Over the last two decades, solar pessimists have been spanked by reality over and over, yet somehow they never quit. Because solar became identified with environmentalists and the left, a lot of people decided to downplay it, lest they find themselves on the same team as a bunch of greenies (the horror!). Sadly, reports The Economist, they've missed out on the coolest thing happening this century.
“The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office.” Robert Frost
On This Day
28 June 1762: Russian Tsarina Catherine II (known as Catherine The Great) seizes power, declaring herself sovereign ruler of Russia.
Today's Articles
Great Granny Graduates: Virginia Hislop, aged 105, recently walked across the stage at Stanford University to receive her master's of education - 83 years after she left.
Mood Boosting Video
What If Animals Were Round? Very silly (but surprisingly funny) two minute video.