What better way to start the weekend than with an eclectic collection of upbeat news stories?
Multiple Youngest Ever
It’s not every day that a 14-year-old plays in a professional sports game - but it's just happened. McKenna “Mak” Whitham, a forward for NJ/NY Gotham, made history last weekend as the youngest-ever player to compete in a regular season National Women’s Soccer League game. Other records under the soccer star’s belt include being the youngest player to sign in NWSL history and the youngest athlete to sign a name, image, and likeness deal with Nike. “It’s been a dream come true what I’ve been doing, and I’m really proud of myself to have done it,” the teen said. “But I still have many things in my future, and I know I can do it.”
African Penguins
Conservationists and fishing industry groups in South Africa just agreed to implement no-fishing zones around six major breeding colonies of critically endangered African penguins. Around two of the colonies, there will be no sardine or anchovy fishing allowed for 12 miles, and more limited closures around four other colonies. Conservationists celebrated the step forward in protecting the penguins.
Landmark Ruling
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has ordered the Ecuadorian government stop oil operations inside Yasuni National Park to protect the rights of the uncontacted Indigenous groups who live there. It’s the first time an international court has ruled on the rights of people living in voluntary isolation.
Ready For Earth Hour Tonight? Earth Hour is a global event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of March each year. Have you got enough candles?
Record Run
The cast of Agatha Christie's thriller The Mousetrap celebrate its 30,000th performance in London's West End, extending its Guinness World Record for the longest theatrical run. It was first performed in London in 1952.
Bull Fights Evolve
Mexico City’s local congress has passed a measure aiming to make bullfights much less harmful to bulls and matadors, a move applauded by animal rights activists but sharply criticized by fans of the centuries-old tradition. The measure, among other things, will not allow bullfighters to use spades and swords to attack the animal, which in turn will have its horns covered to prevent injuries to humans. “The aim is not to make bullfighting disappear, but evolve,” lawmaker Victor Hugo Romo de Vivar said.
Refill Parity
The Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has unveiled a new charging system that it said could make it possible for EVs to charge as quickly as it takes to refill with petrol. Two new BYD models will be capable of receiving peak charging power of 1,000 kilowatts (kW), enabling them to travel 400km (249 miles) on a five-minute charge. Charging speeds of 1,000 kW - or 1 megawatt (MW) - would be twice as fast as Tesla’s superchargers. Fast-charging technology is seen as key to increasing EV adoption.
"The dog doesn’t know the difference between Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, so I have to walk the dog early those days too." Donna Shalala
On This Day
22 March 1934: The Augusta National Golf Club hosted the first Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.
Today's Articles
Multiple Firsts: Kirsty Coventry becomes the first female president of the IOC, and the youngest ever, and the first from Africa.
Rights of Nature: A river has become the first in England to be granted the right to flow and thrive.
Astonishing: New iron making method boosts productivity by 3,600 times and eliminates the need for coal.
Mood Boosting Video
Kingfishers diving in super slow-motion.