What better way to wrap up the week than with some concise, upbeat news stories?
And The Winner Is...
A dreamy photo of a mother bear snuggling her cubs under the stars has won the 2024 Creative Photo Awards. Run by the Siena Awards, this photo competition awards excellence in artistic and creative photography. The beautiful photo won Lurdes Santander the title of 2024 Creative Photographer of the Year, a stunning achievement for the photographer, who works in the radiology department of a hospital in Spain.
Spreading Joy
California's Laguna Beach is where the Sheddan family live. In front of their baby blue cottage, stacks of brightly colored bricks line a white picket fence. Some have delicate and intricate designs, others handprints, cartoon animals, and messages like "Joy", "Love" and “Live in gratitude.” They’ve all been painted by local residents, and passersby are encouraged to take blank bricks home to adorn and add to the exhibit. “The project spreads so much joy throughout my community,” says Natalya Sheddan. “From the artists who get to display their bricks and feel seen to the bypassers who can’t help but smile as they walk by, it’s joy all around.”
Street Artist Brightens City: Artist David Zinn masterfully uses his natural environment to bring his fabulous creations to life. Guaranteed to put a smile on the face of passers by.
You Couldn't Make It Up
Police officers in Portland, Oregon, stopped a suspected stolen car on Tuesday night. When it pulled up, they noticed a bag inside that said 'Definitely not a bag full of drugs'. It, in fact, was. It also had a loaded gun.
Everest in Las Vegas
Sean Greasley, from Las Vegas, spent 22 hours, 57 minutes and two seconds going up and down the stairs in his home to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to ascend and descend the height of Mount Everest on stairs. He covered a distance of 29,031 feet and 5.5 inches to match the height of the world's tallest mountain. He also "added in some of his own rules" for the task, said UPI, including never touching the banister while on the stairs, because, he argued, "you wouldn't have that on Everest".
New US Marine Sanctuary
A new 4,543 square mile (11,766 km2) area off the Central California coast has been officially designated the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary by NOAA. The third-largest in the nation, the sanctuary will prohibit new gas and oil exploration and is the first ever designed with the involvement of Indigenous groups.
Coal Below Half Its Peak
Countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s have reduced their coal by half for the first time since it peaked in 2007, reports Ember. Coal generation fell to 17 percent of total OECD electricity generation in 2023, a 52 percent reduction from its peak of 37 percent in 2007. Solar and wind generation accounted for 87 percent of the decrease in coal generation. When the UK’s last coal power plant closed on 30 September, it became the 14th of the 38 OECD countries to achieve a coal-free power system. Three-quarters of OECD countries have committed to achieving coal-free power generation by 2030. Even among those that haven’t, wind and solar power are continuing to grow significantly.
“That thing that gives you butterflies, that lights you up. That world you see when you close your eyes. Chase that.” Eddie Pinero
On This Day
18 October 1922: The British Broadcasting Company, Ltd., was established, to be replaced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in 1927.
Today's Articles
Jet-Setter Tax: Taxing Europe’s frequent flyers would slow global heating and raise billions, at no extra cost to most people.
Mood Boosting Video
Dolphin Play: Amazing dolphins surfing the waves in Western Australia.
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