Oct 21

Positive News Monday

Ensuring the week gets off to an upbeat start with today's global collection of positive news stories.

The October Theory

Have you been feeling reflective this month? If yes, you might be unknowingly subscribing to the “October theory” that posits that rather than the new year, fall is actually the most opportune time for making changes in your life. “The autumn season often sparks a natural inclination for transformation,” says psychotherapist Brianna Paruolo. “As the leaves change color and fall, we’re reminded of the beauty in letting go and embracing new beginnings.” In addition to the changing weather, fall is usually the start of a new school year and a time when companies are often hiring for jobs. “This combination of environmental changes and societal rhythms creates a perfect storm for personal transformation,” Paruolo continued, “allowing us to shed old habits - just like trees shedding leaves - and cultivate new aspects of ourselves.”

Inspiring Quotes About Autumn: A dozen uplifting observations about the fall.

Good Karma?

A study has found that when supermarkets donate safe produce with minor blemishes or food nearing its expiration date, they not only reduce food waste and help people in need, but also make more money. Beyond getting tax breaks from donations, stores that gave away food saw a boost in revenue from food sales. Donating instead of discounting carved out more shelf space for fresher (and higher-priced) inventory. Plus, giving away iffy-looking produce - a practice the research team called “preemptive removal” - can improve the overall perception of a retailer. After analyzing 21 stores, the researchers found that food donations can bump food prices by up to 1 percent, which means a 33 percent increase in profit margins.

New Sphere For UAE

Sphere Entertainment and Abu Dhabi have announced that the second version of the dome-like Sphere venue will be built in the UAE. According to the team, the venue in Abu Dhabi will "echo the scale" of the first Sphere in Las Vegas, which is 112 metres high and has a capacity of 20,000. According to Sphere Entertainment, the Abu Dhabi Sphere would be the first in a series of venues that have a similar form to the Las Vegas building.

Global Teen Pregnancy

According to UN data, the birth rate for girls aged 15 to 19 has decreased significantly, from 64.5 live births per 1,000 girls in 2000 to 41.3 in 2023. Central and South Asia have witnessed an even greater decline, with rates falling by more than two-thirds.

The Astronaut Wears Prada

When astronauts return to the moon for the 2026 Artemis III mission, they’ll be doing so in style. More than 50 years after Apollo, astronauts will be returning to the Moon wearing Prada. Axiom Space, NASA’s commercial partner, unveiled the final look of its designer spacesuits built for exploring the lunar surface - designed in partnership with luxury brand Prada. The suit is that familiar white material that reflects heat and protects astronauts from lunar dust, but are designed to give astronauts more range of motion and enhanced safety; and it is designed with more sizing and adjustability options to fit a wide range of people.

Mandatory Learning

A climate change course will soon be mandatory for all students at the University of California, San Diego, the first major public college in America to implement such a rule.

Kindle in Colour

Amazon has announced a new Kindle e-reader, and for the first time ever it has a color display. The new Kindle has a display that’s designed to ensure colors don’t appear washed out or pixelated, even when users zoom in on images. The $279 device, which Amazon is calling the Kindle Colorsoft, has “weeks of battery life,” the company said. It can be preordered now and ships on 30 October.

“As hard as I practice, I have learned that doing nothing is just as important as doing everything.” Maria Sharapova

On This Day

21 October 1520: Explorer Ferdinand Magellan and three Spanish ships entered the strait later named for him, sailing between the mainland tip of South America and the island of Tierra del Fuego toward the Pacific Ocean - thereby discovering a gateway to circumnavigating the globe.