Celebrating the start of the weekend with a collection of upbeat news stories.
Dinner Time
Underwater photographer Wayne Lai captured the moment a Cape gannet (Morus capensis) dived straight into a circular shoal of sardines off the coast of South Africa, using a strobe light to illuminate the murky waters. The fish had been driven to the surface by dolphins circling underneath, providing a perfect snacking opportunity for the seabird. The shot won the People’s Choice Award in the 2024 Big Picture: Natural World Photography competition.
Strange But True
A Greek woman started fires because "she enjoyed watching firefighters and flirting with them", said Greek Reporter. The 44-year-old suspected arsonist could face a 36-month prison sentence after she was accused of being responsible for causing fires on farmland, intentionally and repeatedly. The woman "wanted to meet a man in uniform", according to reports. The fires affected only small plots of land, because the fire department responded promptly.
Way of The Shepherd
Yale Environment 360 has been running a contest to recognize the best environmental documentaries for over a decade, highlighting work that has yet to reach broad audiences. This year, a film about a Peruvian shepherd nabbed first place. Christian Cordova Aliaga, along with his 150 goats and a couple of sheepdogs (Shakira and Chalupa), graze overgrown vegetation in California’s East Bay to prevent wildfires and fertilize the land. Head over to YE360 to watch Way of the Shepherd (9 mins.)
Lucky Strike
A "remarkable" Pictish ring thought to be at least 1,000 years old has been discovered by a volunteer on a dig in Moray, Scotland. It is thought the settlement was a significant seat of power within the Pictish kingdom between AD500 and AD1000. The man who found it, a delighted John Ralph - who described himself as an "enthusiastic volunteer" - was on a dig being led by the University of Aberdeen. He felt like a "striker scoring a goal" with the find. The ring is now with the National Museums of Scotland’s post-excavation service for analysis.
Approval Granted
The Australian government has approved plans for a giant solar farm that could deliver up to 6 gigawatts of green electricity to Singapore annually by the early 2030s. The electricity would be transmitted 500 miles via overhead transmission line from a remote area of northern Australia to Darwin, before traveling to Singapore through 2,600 miles of submarine cable. "This massive project is a generation-defining piece of infrastructure," Australian Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said, and will "help turn Australia into a renewable energy superpower."
Hydrogen or Battery?
The German company that broke a Guinness World Record this year with its all-hydrogen train has just announced another world first. Stadler Rail has developed a fleet of train cars that can run on either hydrogen or battery power for branch rail services. The RS Zero, a zero-CO2-producing train that can run on either electric or hydrogen power (or a combination of both), is particularly targeted at rail operators who run branch lines – smaller feeder lines that connect with larger main rail tracks. Because over one third of rail lines in Germany remain unelectrified, the new cars should be a welcome zero-emissions addition to the country's rail transport system.
“You are not fully dressed until you wear a smile.” Evan Esar
On This Day
7 September 1936: Boulder Dam (now Hoover Dam), on the Colorado River, between Nevada and Arizona begins operation.
Today's Articles
Serendipity: In a piece of unexpected good fortune, tiger sharks enable researchers to discover the world's largest blue carbon sink.
Mood Boosting Video
Dance Moves: Demo of England's northern soul shuffle.
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