Wrapping up the week with some tasty good news nuggets.
SS United States
An ocean liner renowned for - among other feats - being the largest passenger ship ever built in the United States could soon add another achievement to its lengthy resume. The SS United States is slated to become the biggest artificial reef in the world. But first, it must go against its nature and sink. In a tentative deal, officials in Florida’s Okaloosa County approved a contract to intentionally drown the 72-year-old vessel to the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, where it would ideally support a treasure trove of marine life and become the crown jewel of artificial reefs, the Associated Press reports. An alternative to scrapping the historic ship, this move would harness its sheer size (over 100 feet longer than the Titanic) to support conservation efforts and provide an attraction for divers, a potential boon for local tourism.
'It's Hugely Moving'
Along the sandy shores of Sekania, on the Ionian island of Zakynthos, conservationists are celebrating. The beach, long described as the Mediterranean’s greatest “maternity ward” for the Caretta caretta loggerhead sea turtle, has become host to not only record numbers of nests, but record numbers of surviving hatchlings as the species makes an extraordinary resurgence. “The message sea turtles are sending is very clear,” said Charikleia Minotou, who coordinates the WWF programme in the protected area. “And that is the measures we have taken over the past 25 years to ensure conditions are right for the marine turtles to nest here are working … It’s fantastic.”
Upside Down Cans
Heinz has launched 'upside down' baked beans to encourage shoppers to store the cans with the ring pull down. Heinz says that the limited edition cans were designed so bans "slip out with ease" when opened. More than 40 percent of people in Britain eat baked beans at least once a week, but nearly 9 in 10 people have issues gettig all of the beans out of the can, says Heinz.
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd has reportedly reached a deal with Sony to sell their music catalog, as well as their name and likeness, for about $400m. The British rock band agreed to sell the rights to their recorded music catalog, their name and their likeness, but not the rights to their songwriting, according to the Financial Times.
Need For Speed?
Car & Driver reports that the 2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT is the first vehicle to blast to 60 mph in less than two seconds. That's quicker than the previous champ, the Ferrari SF90, as well as the Taycan's key competitors - the Lucid Air Sapphire and Tesla Model S Plaid. Notably, this Turbo GT did not have the Weissach package, which saves a claimed 165 pounds. So, that spec could go even quicker.
Marathon Winners
London Marathon runners raised a world record £73.5 million ($98.3m) for charity at this year’s race. They surpassed the previous world record of £66.4 million set in 2019 and brought the cumulative total raised to more than £1.3 billion since the first event in 1981. “We salute every single participant who has contributed to this world record-breaking total of £73.5m for the thousands of charities which provide essential services to so many,” the London Marathon’s chief executive, Hugh Brasher, said.
"It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err." Mahatma Gandhi
On This Day
4 October 1582: Pope Gregory XIII conquers Julius Caesar as today was the last Julian calendar day in Spain, Portugal and pontifical states. To sync to the Gregorian calendar, 10 days are skipped and the next date is 15 October.
Today's Articles
Anonymous Donor: Someone put $180,000 in cash in a cardboard box and sent it to a college physics professor.
Mood Boosting Video
New Official Trailer: Paddington in Peru brings the world’s most beloved bear back to his roots, his homeland Peru. In cinemas from 8 November.