An eclectic bundle of positive news nuggets to help get the day off to an upbeat start.
Free at Last
After spending years in a traveling circus, three bottlenose dolphins - Johnny, Rocky, and Rambo - were sold to a resort hotel where they lived in a small pool for the entertainment of tourists. Three years ago, they were rescued from the hotel, and after spending time recovering their health and strength in a larger sanctuary, officials in Indonesia just released them to swim freely in the open sea off the coast of Bali.
Flip Flop Art
Along the coasts and the waterways of Kenya, flip-flops can be found littering the beaches. Yet one company is taking those flip-flops and using them to make hippos, giraffes, and whales. Volunteers bring in about 1 ton of flip-flops per week in large white bags and are reimbursed. At Ocean Sole, the incoming flip-flops are washed in detergent and left to dry for a few hours. Artisans then come by to pick them up, where they are sculpted, glued, carved, and sanded into collectible artworks. All the artwork is done entirely by hand by the company's 90 employees. Some works can even take up to 3 months. Unused flip-flop scraps are ground up and upcycled into mattresses.
Community Care
Archaeologists have found the bones of a young person in a cave in Borneo that show evidence of a careful amputation of a leg below the knee. The remains are estimated to be 31,000 years old. That's Stone Age time. That's prehistory. With the information scientists have, it looks like this group of ancient humans understood blood loss, infection risks and other complex medical concepts enough to successfully amputate a limb. But perhaps even more impressive, the community also had the capacity and desire to support someone who needed intense and long-term care. "I think what's most amazing is this is real, direct archaeological, tangible evidence for a really high degree of community care," said one of the professors involved in the study.
Pareidolia
A psychological phenomenon in which the mind perceives a specific image or pattern where it does not actually exist. As in: Alex was sure he saw a human face on the moon’s surface, but it was more likely to be pareidolia.
Malaria Vaccine
A malaria vaccine with 'world-changing' potential has been developed by scientists at Oxford, who expect to roll it out next year after trials showed up to 80 percent protection from the world's most deadly animal. A deal has already been reached to manufacture 100 million doses a year. The charity Malaria No More says it might mean children dying from malaria could end "in our lifetimes".
Life Expectancy
Healthcare efforts in India have more than doubled average life expectancy from 32 years in 1947 to 70 years in 2022, reports Times Now.
Delicious Journey
How far would you go to satisfy a craving? For Albert Van Limbergen, the answer is about 870 miles. By bike. The cyclist from Liège, Belgium is a major lavender lover, and saw a news segment about a baker in Nice, France, who made lavender croissants. Boulangerie Roy Le Capitole, run by artisan baker Frédéric Roy, makes its croissants using lavender grown along a plateau on the French Riviera. Lavender water is kneaded into the dough, giving the pastry a pleasant color and signature herbal flavor. To Roy's knowledge, his bakery is the only one to offer such a concoction. Thus, it was completely understandable - nay, necessary - for Limbergen to hop on his bicycle and take a little trip. Were they good? Limbergen said yes, but suggested the addition of Belgian pastry cream for an even more magnificent, trek-worthy experience.
Quote of the Day
"With an eye made quiet by the power of harmony, and the deeper power of joy, we see into the life of things." William Wordsworth
On this Day
13 September 1515: Swiss mercenaries attacked the French position near Marignano. The next day they were defeated by French and Italian troops - ultimately giving rise to Switzerland's policy of neutrality.
On the streets of Lyon, France, colourful mosaics are popping up where once there were cracks and potholes - bringing enchantment to daily life. Read on...
British government lays out strict green rules for dignitaries flying in to attend the Queen's funeral at Westminster Abbey. Read on...
Mood Booster
Meet Kama the Surfing Pig as he hits Sandy Beach for a session with the locals in Oahu.