Sunny Saturday News

Editor OGN Daily
8 hours ago
3 min read

Celebrating the start of the weekend with a global round up of positive news nuggets.

This stunning image of an iceberg drifting on the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, Iceland, is one of the award winners from the 2024 Environmental Photography Awards. The shortlist for the 2025 awards will be announced shortly and OGN looks forward to showing them to you in the not too distant future. In the meantime...

Self-Made Mosaic

Over the last two decades, local divers and fishers have pieced together a mosaic of no-catch zones covering a remarkable 7,725 square miles (20,000 sq.km) of Mexico's coasts, with zero help from the government, reports Wired. Though the national government recognises the refuges now, they were originally created by local communities in response to government inaction, and even post-recognition, will be run by locals.

A wattled crane and chick nesting in waterside reeds — A wattled crane and chick | Credit: Daniel Dolpire/International Crane Foundation via Mongabay

Back From The Brink

South Africa's wattled crane population has increased from fewer than 200 birds in 2000 to over 300 today, improving its conservation status from critically endangered to endangered. The recovery follows three decades of targeted conservation efforts including wetland protection, power line modifications to prevent collisions, and partnerships with farmers whose land contains crucial breeding habitat, says Mongabay.

Space Shuttle $1 gold coin — Credit: US Mint

Lift Off

You can now own a $1 gold coin celebrating one of America’s most revolutionary achievements: the NASA Space Shuttle program. The latest variant in the ongoing American Innovation $1 Coin series is available to order through the United States Mint. Selected to represent the state of Florida, the non-circulating legal tender is the third coin released this year and the 28th coin in the 15-year project first announced in 2018. While the coin’s front displays the series’ Statue of Liberty image, the back shows the shuttle launching.

Immune System Boost

University of Minnesota scientists have successfully used gene-editing to treat late-stage digestive system cancers. Using CRISPR, they modified patients' immune cells to better fight cancer by removing a gene that normally limits their attack strength. Of the 12 patients with previously incurable cancer, several saw their disease stop spreading, while one patient's tumours completely disappeared.

Various graphs showing mobile phone subscriptions around the world

Remarkable Penetration

According to Our World in Data, using information gleaned by the World Bank, every region of the globe has seen a steep rise in mobile phone subscriptions since the year 2000 (and by 'steep,' we mean from less than 1 percent to more than one subscription per person - everywhere except South Asia). While we all know that phones have their downsides, they also enable people to learn, connect, and build, especially in places where physical infrastructure (like roads or banks) is lacking. For example, mobile money systems enable people to save, send, and receive money without needing a bank branch or an Internet connection. This has helped millions improve their financial security.

Eurovision Finals

26 acts from various countries will compete in the song competition’s grand finale tonight and, should you be so inclined, you can listen to all the songs that are in contention here.

"If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased." Katharine Hepburn