Friday's Upbeat News
- Editor OGN Daily
- Jul 12, 2024
- 3 min read
Concluding the week with some concise positive news stories.
Napoleon's Pistols
A pair of pistols once owned by Napoleon Bonaparte has sold at auction for roughly $1.8 million. Made by Paris gunsmith Louis-Marin Gosset, the two pistols are decorated with gold and silver patterns, as well as an engraved image of the French ruler. They are stored inside their original case, alongside a powder horn and tamping rods. Before the auction, the French culture ministry classified the pistols as national treasures and issued an export ban certificate, which means that French officials will have 30 months to make an offer to the pistols’ new owner.
Working-Class Culture
Attended by 200,000 people each year and supported internationally, the annual Miners’ Gala in Durham lays claim to being the world’s largest celebration of working-class culture. This year’s event - which will be held in the north-east cathedral city tomorrow - is particularly poignant, as it marks 40 years since the miners’ strike, when workers clashed with Thatcher’s government, their eventual defeat leaving many social and economic issues in its wake. Says former miner David Temple: “Human beings need community and the Big Meeting is the heart and the spirit of the Durham coalfield. It’s bigger than Christmas.”
Stranger's Kindness
When a young woman died before her time in Italy’s region of Puglia, a stranger felt compelled to help the grief-stricken family. Paying off the major part of the woman’s funeral, he told Italian media he expected nothing in return, but was merely listening to the voice in his heart. Steven Paparnesi had never met Clelia Ditano, but her death “revived the tragedy” of his sister, Kimberly, who also tragically passed away at age 19. “I heard and saw her parents sunken in pain, and I immediately felt I had to help them,” Parpanesi told Corriere del Mezzogiorno. “I decided to make this gesture at least to take from Ciela’s family a portion of the economic burden, hoping that it will be a modicum of comfort in these circumstances.”
Fifth Instalment
Shrek 5 is officially a go, with Universal and DreamWorks Animation announcing that the storied franchise will return in July 2026. Stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz will return 25 years after the original Shrek hit screens - arriving 16 years after previous entry, Shrek Forever After, which bowed in 2010 and earned $752.6 million globally.
Power of Baby Carrots
Eating baby carrots three times a week can significantly increase skin carotenoids in young adults, potentially lowering the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease and some cancers, according to a study presented last week at the American Society for Nutrition's annual meeting. Higher skin carotenoid levels correlate with increased antioxidant protection, which is reflected in improved skin health and immune function. Experts now want to study the effects of other carotenoid-rich foods, like sweet potatoes and green leafy vegetables.
Nigeria's Plastics
A nationwide ban on single-use plastics - including straws, cutlery, plastic bottles, and small water sachets - will begin January 2025. The country, which generates over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, is also drafting a new policy to phase out plastics, with producers expected to shift to alternatives within five years, reports Reuters.
NY Media Laws
New York state has taken novel legislative steps to limit children’s exposure to computer algorithmic social media feeds, passing two laws to protect children from social media content and to protect their privacy. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation for Kids Act requires social media companies to restrict feeds for users under 18. The second law, the New York Child Data Protection Act, prohibits online sites from collecting, using, sharing, or selling personal data of anyone under the age of 18.
"I thought it was such a stupid name. And it is."
Decades after achieving global stardom following their 1974 Eurovision victory, Abba's Björn Ulvaeus says that the band had wanted a "cool name" such as The Northern Lights.
On This Day
12 July 1862: The Medal of Honor, awarded for battlefield bravery, was created for the U.S. Army.
Today's Articles
Quick and Quiet: New maglev tech that runs on existing railway tracks and costs a tenth of the current alternatives.
Mood Boosting Video
Singing Dog: House owners received noise complaints, so decided to set up a nanny cam. This is what they saw...
