What better way to start the weekend than with positive news?
Who's Who?
Both of these cheering faces are that of Mary Earps, but one of them is made of wax. Last year, Madame Tussauds London asked the public who they would like to see in wax form, and voters chose soccer star Earps, a British goalkeeper who won the Golden Glove award during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The finished wax figure is the first pro female soccer player represented at the London attraction. The figure is dressed in her 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final kit, which has been donated by the award-winning goalie herself.
Pope's Accidental Tweets
The New Orleans Saints could use all the help they can get right now, and they continue to receive blessings from the Vatican. Pope Francis took to X last week for All Saints Day and shared a message using #Saints. However, that's the official hashtag for the struggling NFL team, so its fleur-de-lis logo appeared in the post on the social media site. That post went up before the Saints lost to the lowly Carolina Panthers, says NBC. However, looking for a miracle to turn their season around, the NFL's Saints keep getting blessed by the pope - albeit accidentally. Pope Francis used #Saints again, calling them "precious pearls," before tripling down with a third post, saying "We cannot become #Saints with a frown."
Notre Dame Re-Opening
Notre Dame is set to re-open on 7 December, following a devastating fire and a five-year long rebuild. As President Macron promised back in 2019, the cathedral will open its doors for a series of concerts, celebrations and masses. The team organising the ceremonies, which will be screened around the world, are hoping they will inspire “moments of joy, peace and fraternity”. Just last week Notre Dame’s bells were heard in Paris for the fire time since the fire.
Green Facelift: As Notre Dame gears up to reopen its doors, Paris is on the verge of a remarkable eco-revival, bringing nature back to the heart of the City of Light.
Women at COP29
The annual global climate conference, COP29 is underway in Azerbaijan. Until very recently, the conference’s organizing committee was made up exclusively of men. In response, 75 women leaders from varying industries launched the Women Leading on Climate Initiative and demanded the Azerbaijani president include women. And their demands were met: the president expanded the now 55-person committee to include 12 women. While the group has not achieved gender parity, it’s significant progress.
Look Up
Looking for something to do this weekend? Stay up late - and look towards the east - for a chance to see the annual Leonid meteor shower. This year, the Leonids are active from November 3 to December 2, according to the American Meteor Society. The shooting stars are expected to reach their peak this weekend, from the night of November 16 into the early morning hours of November 17 and from late November 17 until dawn on November 18. The Leonids are the world’s fastest annual meteor shower, traveling up to 158,400 miles per hour. At their peak, under prime conditions, the Leonids produce about 15 meteors per hour.
Finnish Fathers
Fathers in Finland are taking almost twice as long off work to be with their newborn children than they were two years ago, new figures show. It’s thanks to an overhaul of the country’s paternity leave rules: since 2022, both parents have been eligible to take 160 days paid leave each before the child turns two. According to the country’s social benefits agency, fathers are now taking 78 days leave on average, compared to 44 days before the reforms came in, when paid paternity for fathers was capped at 54 days. While Finland is generous with its paternity allowance, neighbouring Sweden is even more so. It offers both parents 240 days each after a baby’s birth.
“Our burdens feel lighter when we help carry someone else’s for a day or even an hour.” Hoda Kotb
On This Day
16 November 1855: British explorer David Livingstone became the first European to see Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya / The Smoke that Thunders).
Today's Articles
Gargantuan Discovery: World’s largest coral has been found in the Pacific Ocean near the Solomon Islands.
'Smart' Insulin: Funded by Steve Morgan, a new generation of ‘smart’ insulins aims to transform how people with type 1 diabetes manage their condition.
Mood Boosting Video
Disney Holiday Short: The Boy and the Octopus.