Good News Tuesday
- Editor OGN Daily
- Jan 6
- 4 min read
Tuesday's global selection of upbeat news stories to brighten the day.
Moving Light Show
Norway has found a new way to chase the aurora. A panoramic night train now runs through the Arctic Circle, designed specifically for watching the Northern Lights from the comfort of a warm carriage. The seasonal service operates between October and March, when aurora activity is strongest. Floor to ceiling glass walls and ceilings create wide open views of the night sky, while reclining seats tilt upward so passengers can lie back and watch the colours ripple overhead. At remote stops, passengers can step out for a short break, gather around a bonfire, and take in the stillness of the Arctic before continuing the journey. This train turns one of nature’s most elusive spectacles into something slow, cinematic, and surprisingly accessible. The 3-hour journey costs around $150, and can be booked on the Norwegian Travel website.
Close Up View
Astronauts haven't visited our nearest celestial neighbor since 1972. That's when NASA astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison "Jack" Schmitt spent three days on the moon before rejoining Apollo 17 crewmate NASA astronaut Ron Evans aboard their command module in lunar orbit. As they flew away, theirs became the last sets of eyes to see the moon up close. Now, after decades of ever-elongating timelines, NASA is ready to go back this year. The Artemis 2 mission is designed to fly its crew once around the moon before returning them to Earth over the course of about 10 days, during which the astronauts will become the first in a generation to see the moon up close.
Hats Off to Glenda
Westmoreland High School in Tennessee has announced that Ms. Glenda Akin has been awarded a Guinness World Record for the longest career as a female teacher at the same school - an incredible 61 years and 43 days of service. Now 84 years old, Akin spent more than six decades shaping young minds at Westmoreland High School, first as a teacher and later as the school’s librarian. According to CBC Radio, Akin said she truly loved her work and never dreaded the school day. “I loved my job. I didn't mind getting up and going to school every day.” Over the years, the school became more than just a workplace - it became home. Akin explained that as her family members passed away, the school community stepped in to fill that space. In her words, they “more or less became my family.”
Junk Food Ad Ban
As of today, junk food adverts are banned on TV and online in the UK as part of a drive to tackle childhood obesity. The UK-wide ban stops food and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar being advertised on TV before 21:00 and at any time online. It applies to products considered to be the biggest drivers of childhood obesity, including soft drinks, chocolates and sweets, pizzas and ice creams. As well as more obviously unhealthy foods, the ban also covers some breakfast cereals and porridges, sweetened bread products, and main meals and sandwiches.
Public Domain Day
This celebrates the arrival of a new batch of creative works with expired copyright protection. Practically speaking, this enables creators to “explore and reimagine” cultural icons and famous literary works without seeking permission from the copyright holders With the advent of 2026, works from 1930 will now enter the public domain, and this year includes such luminaries as the cartoon flapper Betty Boop and Disney’s Pluto - Mickey Mouse’s affable canine companion - alongside Dashiell Hammett’s classic detective novel The Maltese Falcon.
Brain Stimulation
In a major shift for how mental health conditions might be treated, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first at-home brain stimulation device to treat moderate to severe major depressive disorder (MDD). The device, the FL-100 from Sweden's Flow Neuroscience, will be available via clinician for people aged 18 years and older, either as a standalone intervention or as an adjunct to existing therapies such as antidepressants. The system delivers low-intensity transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) to the prefrontal cortex - a region of the brain that exhibits diminished activity in many people suffering from depression. It could be a game-changer for people who have struggled to find significant symptom relief through traditional medications.
"The first month of the year, a perfect time to start all over again, changing energies and deserting old moods, new beginnings, new attitudes.” Charmaine Forde
On This Day
6 January 1759: George Washington, the future first president of the United States, married Martha Dandridge Custis in Virginia, gaining significant wealth and a partner for life. She brought her two young children (John Parke Custis and Martha Parke Custis, known as "Jacky" and "Patsy") and her vast estate into the union, which significantly boosted his financial standing and established their home at Mount Vernon.
Today's Articles
Unique Region: It's the only sea on Earth that does not touch land and described as a “haven of biodiversity”.
Loving Canada Geese: As if a Canada goose named Arnold isn't endearing enough, his partner came looking for him when he was injured.
Mood Boosting Video
Above & Beyond: This UPS delivery guy is awesome!
