Good News Tuesday

Editor OGN Daily
Oct 14
3 min read

Some tasty bite-sized chunks of good news to perk up the day.

the silhouette of an older gentleman on the streets of Villa de Leyva in Colombia — Credit: Jarod Peraza | IPPAwards 2025

The Winner Is...

For its 18th year, the iPhone Photography Awards continues to prove the power of mobile photography. The 2025 winners were selected from thousands of submissions. In the end, American photographer Jarod Peraza was named Photographer of the Year for his poetic image. The photograph, shot on an iPhone 16 Pro Max, captures the silhouette of an older gentleman on the streets of Villa de Leyva in Colombia. This solitary figure, illuminated by the yellow glow of a single streetlamp, seems to be holding up what is likely his own phone. Cinematic in its quality, the photograph keeps us guessing about what will happen next.

City buildings with green roofs — Another benefit of green roofs discovered

Another Good Reason

Green roofs in towns and cities are already known to reduce flooding, improve air quality, increase biodiversity and save energy - making them a smart investment for cleaner and healthier urban environments. However, a new study shows that they may have a surprising new benefit: filtering out microplastics from rainwater. According to the study published in Communications Earth & Environment, green roofs can remove up to 97.5 percent of microplastic particles in urban rainwater.

Wild pine marten in long grass — Credit: Terry Whittaker | Devon Wildlife Trust

'Lost" Species Returns

In a triumph for conservationists, pine martens are once again roaming England’s Exmoor national park after an absence of more than 100 years. The charismatic weasels were driven out of England by hunting and habitat loss in the 19th century, but conservationists hatched a plan to bring them back. So, 19 pine martens have been relocated to Exmoor from Scotland.

Wild Ireland: Growing Up As An Irish Pine Marten. A charming 3 minute video.

Improved Performance

Phone bans are now well-established in many Australian primary and secondary schools and, one year after the ban was implemented, a survey of almost 1,000 public school principals led by the NSW Department of Education’s Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation found that 95 percent of principals still supported the ban. Eighty-one percent said the ban has improved students’ learning, 86 percent said it has improved socialisation among students and 87 percent believed students were less distracted in the classroom. In a nutshell, the good news for the children is that the bans have resulted in improved learning, concentration and socialisation.

Ferrari GTC4 Lusso — GTC4 Lusso | Ferrari

Compelling Teaser

Little details about Ferrari's first all-electric car are starting to emerge and Top Gear reckons it could resemble the four-seater GTC4 Lusso that launched in 2016. How it will sound is perhaps the most intriguing aspect. Ferrari says the Elettrica won't simply mimic engine noises but produce a 'direct and authentic expression of its components,' by amplifying the vibrations picked up by an accelerometer installed on the inverter casting in the motor assembly. The company likens this to how an electric guitar's sound comes roaring through an amp, making for a sound that's not only unique to this EV, but also capable of providing dynamic feedback as you put the car through its paces. That's a compelling teaser for next year's launch.

California UPF Ban

California has become the first state in the nation to pass a law that phases out - and eventually bans - ultraprocessed foods from public school meals. The legislation aims to reduce “ultraprocessed foods of concern” in school-provided breakfasts and lunches by 2029 and eliminate them entirely by 2035. As for what makes something ultraprocessed, the new law covers that too, defining the category as food and beverages that contain one or more additives (e.g., stabilizers, thickeners, colorings, or nonnutritive sweeteners), as well as high levels of saturated fat, salt, or added sugar. “It’s a movement that should unite all of us, regardless of political stripes,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom.

"We must know what we think and speak out, even at the risk of unpopularity." Eleanor Roosevelt

On This Day

Harold's death depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry

14 October 1066: At the Battle of Hastings, fought this day in 1066, King Harold II of England was killed (as depicted in this scene from the Bayeux Tapestry) and his army defeated by the invading forces of William, duke of Normandy, in the Norman Conquest, establishing Normans as rulers of England.