Wrapping up the week with a tasty selection of good news nuggets.
Surprise Bid
Nicole Kidman has surprised both Broadway audiences and Hugh Jackman by bidding $100,000 for a hat signed by Jackman after a performance of her former co-star’s musical The Music Man. During an auction for the charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids after the performance, Kidman made her presence known by shouting her bid of $100,000 for the hat, which led to gasps and cheers in the crowd, then a standing ovation. “I just want to be clear, this is not Australian dollars,” Jackman joked.
Somewhat Overdue
A library book that had been overdue for 47 years in Minnesota has been finally returned. Called Chilton's Foreign Car Repair Manual, the book contained a written letter and a donation. Fortunately for the patron, there were no library fees as the library doesn't charge them. The library patron's explanation says: "I took out this book for reference. A few months later I moved and apparently the book got packed up in the move. Forty-seven years later I found it … in a trunk with other interesting things from the ‘70s. It’s a little overdue but I thought you might want it back. My apologies to anyone in Lake Elm who was working on an old Benz in the last 47 years."
Oldest Living Cat
British-born Flossie has set a new record as the world's oldest living cat. Guinness World Records have officially awarded the title to the feline, who was born in 1995. The cat has had a number of owners during her lifetime, but currently resides in London. But she’s still got several years to go if she wants to beat the oldest cat ever recorded. That title goes to Creme Puff, who lived to an incredible 38 years and three days in Austin, Texas.
Fun Fact
From 1933 to 1942 the Civilian Conservation Corps planted 3 billion trees in the United States.
Karma’s Always Good
A man was amazed when he discovered a diamond ring worth $40,000 on a beach in Florida, and soon became a metal detector angel. Joseph Cook immediately posted a video he shot while digging it up to his social media channels in order to try and find the owner. He soon got a call from a couple and they came over to make sure. “The wife said, ‘oh my god I can’t believe it’, and then she just started crying.” Joseph added: “Karma’s always good. Every time I return an item, I find something better, so I’m happy I could give it back.”
Electric Caterpillar
Heavy duty construction machinery producer Caterpillar has built and demonstrated an electric version of its monstrous 2,650-horsepower mining truck, aimed at helping the mining industry transition to more sustainable operations. The company is not revealing what are likely to be mind-boggling specs at this stage, but we do know that the truck was loaded to capacity - which would be up to 265 tons.
"Common sense is not so common." Voltaire
On this Day
2 December 1697: St Paul's Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren is consecrated for use, after the previous building was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666.
A new form of energy storage is now operating in Switzerland, changing the energy landscape - literally and figuratively. Read on...
Collection of Hilarious Signs: Spotted beside the road, these 'laugh out loud' signs are sure to brighten your day! Look...
Mood Booster
Fred Astaire dancing to Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal.