Today's Good News | OGN Daily

Kick-starting the week with a global round up of positive news stories.

Tower Bridge, London — Thames flowing beneath Tower Bridge

Remarkable Recovery

The Thames river, 60 years ago declared “biologically dead,” is now one of the world’s cleanest rivers, and there's more good news to come. Oceanographic reports that the Transforming the Thames coalition has just put together a $5 million mission to restore key habitats across the estuary, including marshes and seagrass meadows, and to protect wildlife like the critically endangered European eels, water filtering oysters, porpoises, seahorses, and lapwings.

Nonagenarian Podcast

With his podcast "Ninety and Counting," Alberto Chab, 97, of Argentina gives seniors the chance to discuss life with other members of their generation. The podcast began after Chab's granddaughter posted a video of him asking other people his age to share their stories, and he received over 1,500 emails in response. Now, Chab meets with other 90-somethings every two weeks to record a show about "everything that comes to mind," he said to CNN.

1970s camera system found in Loch Ness — Credit: NOC

The Search Continues

An underwater camera set up 55 years ago to try and photograph the Loch Ness Monster has been found by accident by a robot submarine. The ocean-going yellow sub - called Boaty McBoatface - was being put through trials when its propeller snagged the mooring for the 1970s camera system. It is believed it was lowered 180m (591ft) below the loch's surface by the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau, a group set up in the 1960s to uncover the existence of Nessie in the waters. No footage of Nessie has been found on the camera, but one of the submarine's engineers was able to develop a few images of the loch's murky waters.

"Exemplar"

Hailed as “exemplar” by the United Nations, India’s efforts to reduce preventable child deaths have saved millions of lives through strategic investments in its health system - achieving a 70 percent reduction in child mortality among children under five years old. In addition to providing every pregnant woman free delivery and free infant support care, the UN specifically highlighted Ayushman Bharat, which is the world’s largest health insurance program, providing annual coverage of almost $5,500 per family per year. The UN said India’s example proves that with “political will, evidence-based strategies, and sustained investments,” these results can be achieved around the world.

Pair of eaglets named Sunny and Gizmo in their nest — Credit: Friends of Big Bear

Naming Contest

It's official! The eaglets living in the San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California now have names, following a contest that saw over 54,000 submissions. The Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that runs 24/7 livestream cameras of the famous bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow and their two chicks, announced in a Facebook post that the "Bigger Chick is now named Sunny and Smaller Chick is now named Gizmo." The nest-cam went viral earlier this year when eggs were spotted in the nest for the first time.

Almost Coal-Free

Finland is almost coal-free four years ahead of schedule. The country has virtually eliminated coal power, dropping to less than 1 percent of its energy mix. Wind energy has more than doubled since 2020, now supplying a quarter of the country's electricity while reducing consumer prices. The transition has cut Finland's emissions by 5 percent and boosted energy independence by ending reliance on Russian imports.

Britain's Old Coal Mines Now Provide Green Energy: Once at the heart of the Industrial Revolution, north-east England is now leading the way on this alternative energy source.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah — Female head of state

Extra Pressure

Namibia's new president has been sworn in to lead a country facing high rates of unemployment, inequality and poverty. And she will be dealing with it with the additional burden of being only Africa's second-ever directly elected female president and Namibia's first female head of state. "If things go well then it will be seen as a good example," Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told BBC's Africa Daily podcast. "But if anything then happens, like it can happen in any administration under men, there are also those who would rather say: 'Look at women!'" The 72-year-old won November's election with a 58 percent share of the vote.

“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” Fred Rodgers

On This Day

7 April 1933: Some eight months before Prohibition was repealed, low-alcoholic beer became legal in the United States; the day subsequently was celebrated as National Beer Day.