OGN Wednesday
- Mar 4
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 5
Today's worldwide selection of concise, good news stories to help put a spring in your step.
Land Conservation
A California environmental nonprofit just acquired 2,284 acres in southern Santa Clara to protect the land from development. The land was purchased after a 10-year legal battle with developers who wanted to turn it into a sand-and-gravel quarry. It’s now a protected area for mountain lions, bald eagles, steelhead trout, and more. “It’s classic California,” said Gordon Clark, president of the Peninsula Open Space Trust. “Beautiful rolling hills, iconic oaks, creeks, wetlands and dramatic vistas. A stunning landscape that feels like you are stepping back in time. It’s very gratifying. This has been a goal that so many people have shared for so long.”
Singing Advantage
Older male humpback whales are more successful at mating than their younger rivals because they are better singers, suggests new research. The older singing whales are increasingly successful at birthing offspring compared to younger males, with the findings suggesting that the humpbacks may need time to learn and refine their singing and competitive tactics - giving experienced males a clear advantage. Researchers believe that as the whale population recovers after centuries of being hunted, females may also have become more selective, which could lead to greater success among males with favourable traits or the strongest performance.
Comfortable Win
Some races come down to the wire, but the women’s elite competition at Sunday’s Tokyo Marathon was not one of them. Brigid Kosgei, a 32-year-old Kenyan distance runner, crossed the finish line with a time of 2:14:29 - more than two minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. And she set a new women’s course record while she was at it. In the men's race, Ethiopia's Tadese Takele defended his title in a thrilling sprint finish with Kenyan duo Geoffrey Toroitich and Alexander Mutiso Munyao. Takele clocked 2:03:37, which was the same official time as second-placed Toroitich, with Munyao finishing just one second further back in third.
Latin Mona Lisa
The world’s largest mural made entirely of recycled plastic bottle caps is 13m high (42ft) and depicts a colourful Gioconda, or Latin Mona Lisa - installed on the side of a building in the Zacamil neighborhood of San Salvador. The artist behind the piece is 29-year-old Óscar Olivares, a Venezuelan artist who is no stranger to making art out of recycled materials - he has 46 works displayed around the world - but this is his biggest work yet, made out of over 100,000 plastic bottle caps.
Common Sense
England is to ban vaping in cars carrying children, amid rising evidence that secondhand vapor poses health risks. The move is included in the tobacco and vapes bill, which will also outlaw smoking and vaping in playgrounds and outside schools and hospitals.
Longest-Range EV
Denza has provided a first look at the all-new Z9 GT, its high-performance luxury electric shooting brake. In a social media post, BYD’s sub-brand said the new Z9 GT could achieve a range of 1,036 km (644 miles) on a single charge. According to Denza, it’s now the world’s longest-range EV. The current Z9 GT EV has a range of up to 630 km (391 miles), marking a considerable 64 percent improvement. Not to mention, way more than what the average driver needs.
Ask The Mayor
In Washington state, just north of Seattle in the town of Edmonds (population 43,000), Mayor Mike Rosen is taking civic engagement out of the formal confines of City Hall and into the heart of the community with his regular “Ask the Mayor” booth at the local farmers market. Every month, on the first Saturday morning during the summer, residents are invited to stop by, ask questions, share ideas, and have direct conversations with the mayor in a friendly, informal setting. No podium. No formal agenda. Basically, a great idea.
“We love because it’s the only true adventure.” Nikki Giovanni
On This Day
4 March 1801: Thomas Jefferson is the first US President to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C. - in the Senate chamber of the unfinished Capitol building. Jefferson broke with tradition by walking to and from the ceremony rather than riding in a carriage. It was also the first to feature the Marine Band and the first to have the inaugural address published in a newspaper (the National Intelligencer) on the same day.
Today's Articles
Eco-City Showcase: Australia to build its first major city in over a century with environmental practices, biodiversity and climate resilience.
Avocados: This delicious creamy green fruit is incredibly good for us, with numerous health benefits.
Mood Boosting Video
Jackie and Shadow: The famous Big Bear Bald Eagle Cam in California captures the celebrity couple smooching before duty switch.
