Wrapping up the week with an eclectic bundle of positive news stories.
Keir's Cat Flap
"The problem we've got is that the only door out of our new flat is bomb proof. And therefore, getting a cat flap is proving a little bit difficult." Keir Starmer, Britain's new Prime Minister tells the BBC about the challenges faced by his family after getting a Siberian kitten to join their Downing Street household.
Celebratory Moment
Completing the largest dam removal project in U.S. history, crews just finished demolishing the last of four dams on the Klamath River on the Oregon-California border. It was an especially “celebratory moment” for tribal nations in the region who have been fighting for decades to restore the river and its surrounding ecosystem - specifically to allow its salmon population to swim freely for the first time in over a century along the 400 miles of the river.
The Three Sisters
Ancient cropping techniques offer hope for the future. 'Milpa' is an ancient Mayan farming tradition that mixes crops - typically maize, beans, and squash (the "Three Sisters") - to improve yields, reports Science. The benefits of plant mixing are well known, but new research suggests that intercropping also decreases pest damage: “The more we understand, the more we will be in a better position to come up with cool innovation solutions for agriculture.”
More Than Half of All Life Dwells in Soil: New research shows that 59 percent - double what was previously thought - lives beneath our feet.
Epic Heist
A burglar in Italy was caught after sitting down during a raid to read a book about the Iliad. The man was allegedly robbing a flat in Rome when he saw the book lying on a table. Intrigued, and presuming the flat to be empty, he put his feet up and started to read it. At some point, the flat’s owner woke up, found him engrossed - and called the police. The book’s author, Giovanni Nucci, is now hoping to give the man a copy, so he can finish it. "It's a surreal story, but also full of humanity," he added.
The Chilli App
Chilli is the world's mobile app to take collective action for climate change. This means you can urge politicians, corporations and the media to take climate change seriously from your phone. With simple 30-second online actions you can support frontline climate defenders and help push for big climate solutions. If that's of interest, you can download the chilli app here.
Green Ammonia
World’s first green ammonia plant is now open for business in Denmark. The new plant is said to be capable of producing 5,000 tons of green ammonia per year, entirely from solar and wind energy - preventing 8,200 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Gray ammonia production - which uses fossil fuels - is currently the norm around the globe, and accounts for about 1.2 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions.
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.” Dalai Lama
On This Day
6 September 1916: The first true supermarket, the "Piggly Wiggly" is established by Clarence Saunders in Memphis, Tennessee.
Today's Articles
Complete Surprise: Elderly woman blissfully unaware that her 'rock doorstop' was worth over one million dollars.
Flower Power: Study shows plants can ‘hear’ the humming of nearby pollinators and increase their sugar content in response.
Mood Boosting Video
Brain Teaser: Had your morning coffee? Try these 5 matchstick puzzles.