Upbeat News Thursday
Today's tasty bite-sized chunks of positive news to perk up the day.
Highest Honor
Michael J. Fox has received the highest civilian honor awarded to Canadians for his Parkinson’s advocacy. Fox was promoted to the companion level of the Order of Canada for his work through his foundation, which has funded more than $3 billion in research for Parkinson’s disease. The CBC reported that Fox received the honor for his “powerful global advocacy and unflinching honesty about Parkinson’s.” Governor General Louise Arbour said during the ceremony: “Your example reminds us of something that’s very fundamental: sustainable progress requires that we move forward with courage, imagination and determination.” Adding “After all, back to the future has always been a much better idea than forward to the past.” In 2022, Fox accepted an honorary Oscar because his "humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.”
Remembering Giraffes
In a bid to raise awareness and funds to save endangered animals around the world, photographer Margot Raggett MBE started a powerful photo book series called Remembering Wildlife. Each year, a new Remembering Wildlife book is released featuring stunning photographs of a single animal from some of the best wildlife photographers in the world. This month, Remembering Wildlife published its 11th book, Remembering Giraffes, giving fascinating insight into the lives of the world’s tallest mammal. The beautiful collection of images aims to raise awareness of the challenges facing wildlife, as well as funds to help protect the four distinct species of giraffe.
Good Morning From Mars
If you woke up this morning wondering what dawn looks like on Mars, you’re in luck. NASA’s Curiosity rover recently snapped pics of dawn on the red planet, showing us the beauty of the morning light roughly 140 million miles away and offering scientists a deeper look at Mars’ wind-carved cliffs. The resulting panoramic view (stitched together from six pictures) is the most detailed image ever captured of the cliffs, says NASA. It shows a serene scene of distant crags illuminated by early light, highlighting features that the Curiosity mission team has “long been waiting to see up close.”
Tenzing
In the many retellings of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s historic 1953 summit of Mount Everest, the latter man is sometimes framed not as an equal partner but as an assistant - a knowledgeable local who helped the pioneering explorer achieve what was once thought impossible. This new biopic sets the record straight. Starring Genden Phuntsok as Norgay, with Tom Hiddleston as Hillary, it follows the Nepalese-Indian mountaineer’s life from his childhood in the Himalayas to his hard-earned position as head Sherpa on the famed expedition. The film has been in selected theaters for a week (with one reviewer calling it "the most inspiring film of the year") and will hit Apple TV tomorrow. Here's the trailer.
F1 in Rwanda
Formula One has confirmed Rwanda will join its calendar, having concluded a 10-year agreement for the meeting on a purpose-built circuit, with the first race set for the early 2030s. It will mark the first time F1 has raced in Africa since 1993. The meeting, to be known as the African Grand Prix, will be held on a circuit in Bugesera, 40km south of the capital, Kigali, and constitutes a successful conclusion to the sport’s long-held ambition to return to the African continent, which Lewis Hamilton has championed. F1 last raced in Africa at Kyalami in South Africa in 1993 and the seven-time world champion Hamilton has been outspoken in his belief that it should return, working behind the scenes to facilitate it.
Remarkable Numbers
A landmark survey of the world’s largest free-roaming giant tortoise population has revealed the once endangered species is thriving and stable in the Seychelles. The Aldabra giant tortoise population on Aldabra Atoll stands at approximately 180,000 individuals - the highest figure ever recorded for the species - and far exceeds the human population of the Seychelles. Aldabra Atoll is one of only two places in the world where giant tortoises can be found in the wild, with a much smaller population resident in the Galapagos.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Eleanor Roosevelt
On This Day
15 October 1860: 11-year-old Grace Bedell writes to Abraham Lincoln telling him his face was too thin and suggested he grow a beard. She reasoned that "all the ladies like whiskers" and would tease their husbands to vote for him, helping him win the election. Lincoln began growing a full beard shortly afterward. The following year, while traveling by train to his inauguration in Washington, D.C., Lincoln stopped in Westfield, New York. He called Grace out from the crowd, shook her hand, and reportedly told her, "You see? I let these whiskers grow for you."
Today's Articles
From UN Podium: Panama to champion global negotiations on a declaration asserting that nature has rights and articulating what those rights are.
Epic Road Trip: Elderly Chinese couple decided to 'Die on the road, not in hospital’. A decade later, they are still going strong and are “100 times” more spirited.
Mood Boosting Video
Following the surging, awesome power of a giant wave at Nazaré.
