Some tasty bite-sized chunks of upbeat news to brighten the day.

Vengeance Most Fowl
Feathers McGraw is back and implacably frightening as ever in Aardman’s latest, belated outing for everyone’s favourite cheese eating duo. This Christmas, the BBC are giving Brits a cracker: the first new Wallace and Gromit for 16 years. Vengeance Most Fowl has all the trimmings: Nick Park as co-director; a starring role for the Pontcysyllte aqueduct; and, of course, cheese. But before its 25 December TV debut, the new film premieres at the American Film Institute festival in Los Angeles today - presumably to enable an Oscar run next year.

Bear Necessities
As autumn wanes, black bears are busy putting on weight before taking to their dens. An adult male can gain over 100 pounds in a few weeks when acorn and other nut production is heavy. And they are not averse to climbing trees to find their food as this fabulous autumnal photo snapped in Shenandoah National Park - in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains - amply proves.
Climate Curriculum
Brazil has announced plans for a national climate curriculum to be introduced into every school curriculum by 2025. This decision, championed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, marks a significant step forward in the global effort to address climate issues through education.
Water From Air
Extracting water from the air is not new. Several developments in this arena have brought the initiative closer to its goal: to create a technology that isn’t bulky or energy-inefficient. A research team from the University of Ohio might have the solution, says Interesting Engineering. They have developed a new prototype water harvester that can be carried in a backpack. It’s simpler, more efficient, and more portable than the standard desiccant wheel dehumidifiers used to pull water from the air. Even better, the innovative device made of special materials uses half the energy compared to the current methods.

Buckle Up
You might soon hear your cab driver say: “Clear skies ahead and ready for takeoff.” Air taxis, along with other electric-powered aircrafts, are closer than ever to getting permission to fly. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the final regulations for pilot training and operating requirements for “powered-lift” vehicles. That means an aircraft designed to take off and land vertically like a helicopter, but with fixed wings like a plane. “Powered lift aircraft are the first new category of aircraft in nearly 80 years,” said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. No air taxi company is currently certified for commercial operations, but some startups, like Joby Aviation and Archer, are in the process of making our sci-fi dreams a reality.

Biltmore Reopens
Situated among North Carolina’s majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville is considered the largest privately owned home in America. The 250-room mansion was forced to close its doors last month following the impact of Hurricane Helene, but is now set to reopen on Saturday, just in time for the holiday season. Construction began on the French renaissance chateau in 1889, after George Vanderbilt commissioned architect Richard Morris Hunt to build his family a country home. It was completed in 1895, and began welcoming members of the public in 1930 to increase area tourism amid the Great Depression.

One in 11 Million
A dairy cow giving birth to extremely rare quadruplet calves has been described as "unheard of" by farm staff. The bull and three heifers arrived fit and healthy at a farm in Powys, Wales. The chance of a quadruplet pregnancy in cattle is said to be, external one in 700,000, with the chance of them all being born alive just one in 11 million. "This is a once in a career, probably lifetime, experience," said Matthew Hicks. The mother is also doing well, he said, adding: "She had a little bit more TLC and plenty of fluids, but she’s absolutely flying - and doesn’t know how famous she is."
“Don’t spend now just waiting for later.” Brad Montague
On This Day

29 October 1923: The Republic of Turkey was established, largely through the efforts of Kemal Atatürk, who is considered the country's founder and served as its first president.
Today's Articles
Miracle Powder: Sucks CO2 out of air 10 times faster and is the sort of breakthrough the world needs today.
Safe And Sound: Here's what happened to the dog that was filmed on top of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Unlikely Success: Wonderful story about a young man who flunked high school, became garbage collector - but still made it to Harvard Law School.
Time For a Toast: London's Gipsy Hill brewery has created the world's first carbon negative pint - with no offsets.
Mood Boosting Video
Flying Visit: Enjoy the sight of Italy's Dolomite Mountains with accompanying music by Hans Zimmer.