An eclectic round up of positive news stories from around the world.
Et Tu Brute
A gold coin depicting Marcus Junius Brutus - the Roman senator who assassinated Julius Caesar, fatally stabbing him 23 times with a group of co-conspirators - has sold for €1.98 million (just over $2 million), nearly doubling its pre-auction estimate. The front of the coin features Brutus’ profile bordered by a laurel wreath. The back depicts a breastplate, helmet, shield and spears - a collection of equipment celebrating military victories. Known as an aureus, a type of gold currency used in ancient Rome, it was issued in 43 or 42 B.C.E., soon after Caesar’s murder in 44 B.C.E. “This aureus of Brutus is one of the rarest and most significant of all ancient coinage and represents a moment that shaped the history of the Roman Empire,” says Alain Baron, the founder of the auction house Numismatica Genevensis SA.
Free For Children
The Milwaukee Art Museum will now be free for kids age 12 and under through an anonymous gift of $3.54 million. The gift will enable the museum to establish a endowment that will fund the admission waiver in perpetuity. “It just is one of these gifts that I’m just beyond words, so deeply grateful, and so excited that this will impact generations of kids to come,” says Amy Kirschke of MAM. “It’s so exciting. It’s anonymous donor, but to the generosity of spirit, and having been inspired by their own childhood experiences at the museum, and wanting to share that with the community in perpetuity is again just such a tremendous gift.”
Record Breaker
Australia’s national record for the fastest 200-meter sprint has been broken - by a 16-year-old. Teenager Gout Gout ran the length in a mere 20.04 seconds this month at the Australian All Schools Championships in Brisbane, breaking the record set by Peter Norman (20.06 seconds) at the 1968 Olympics. “It’s pretty crazy,” Gout told the BBC. “I’ve been chasing that record, but I didn’t think it would come this year.” Beyond the national title, Gout’s historic run also makes him the speediest sprinter in Oceania and the fastest 16-year-old 200-meter runner in the world.
Last Chance
Online platforms must begin assessing whether their services expose users to illegal material by 16 March 2025 or face financial punishments as the UK's Online Safety Act begins taking effect. Ofcom, the regulator enforcing the UK's internet safety law, has published its final codes of practice for how firms should deal with illegal online content. Platforms have three months to carry out risk assessments identifying potential harms on their services or they could be fined up to 10 percent of their global turnover. Ofcom head Dame Melanie Dawes told BBC News this was the "last chance" for industry to make changes.
Avalanche Rescue Dogs
Though they’re luckily rare occurrences at resorts, avalanches do happen, and the sliding sheets of snow can be deadly. That’s why teams of specially trained rescue operatives are on staff at most American resorts, and judging by the wagging of their tails, they’re happy to help - these search-and-rescue canines locate people trapped under snow. There are five labradors currently on the roster in Taos, New Mexico, and the official website hilariously lists nicknames, hobbies, and dreams for each pup, such as “Finn dreams of a world where all objects are tennis balls waiting to be thrown and chased”. The practice of enlisting pups for this role is thought to date back to the 18th century, when St. Bernards accompanied monks on rescue missions though a treacherous section of the Alps connecting Italy and Switzerland.
Devotion
Every December, John Reichart goes from house to house in his Iowa neighborhood, decorating each one with light-up trees, snowflakes and other holiday decor - customized to each neighbour's liking - in order to bring joy to his wife, Joan. He started the tradition after Joan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's four years ago. "She wanted Christmas so I gave it to her," Reichart told CBS News. "I'd do anything to make her happy." Neighbors appreciate his devotion, with one saying it shows "what love is."
EVangelism
November marked another record-breaking month for EV sales with 1.8 million units sold globally - with China accounting for two thirds of the total - according to a report by EV research-house, Rho Motion. November overtook the previous record set in October 2024 by 100,000. Overall, 15.2 million EVs have been sold globally so far this year, growing by 25 percent year-to-date, according to Rho Motion.
“Fun is taking time to celebrate being alive.” Melody Beattie
On This Day
17 December 1903: On this day in 1903 near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful sustained flights in an airplane - Orville first, gliding 120 feet (36.6 metres) through the air in 12 seconds.
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