Sep 11

OGN Wednesday

Some tasty bite-sized chunks of positive news to perk up the day.

Travel Photos

2024 marks 25 years of exceptional travel photos from Washington Post readers. In this year's competition, a dwarf fir tree growing out of a half-submerged log in a small lake on Vancouver Island is one of OGN's favourites. Photographer Jonathan Fleuchaus says: "I had the chance to photograph the Fairy Tree on numerous occasions over several days in all types of conditions and at various times of day. I liked this photo the best because the white stripe, created by moonlight illuminating an isolated ripple streaming across the lake, seems to underline and thus emphasize the tree." Click here to see the three winners and 12 honorable mentions.

TOWT sailing cargo ship — Credit: Erik Magnethi | X

First For a Century

A cargo ship has crossed the Atlantic Ocean only powered by wind for the first time in nearly 100 years. The groundbreaking vessel successfully crossed the seas from France to New York, laden with hundreds of pallets of Champagne, wine, and cognac - the first such voyage in nearly a century. The French startup TOWT (TransOceanic Wind Transport) designed the innovative ship, demonstrating the viability of wind-powered cargo transportation as a competitive alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered container ships.

World's Oldest Cognac: The Guinness World Records team has certified a Cognac produced by Jules Robin and Company in 1696 as the oldest in existence.

1975 dime — Credit: GreatCollections via AP

$500,000 Dime

Three sisters from Ohio who inherited a dime kept in a bank vault for more than 40 years knew it had some value. But they had no idea just how much until recently. The extraordinarily rare coin, struck by the U.S. Mint in San Francisco in 1975, could bring more than $500,000, said the auctioneer at GreatCollections, which specializes in currency and is handling an online auction that ends in October. What makes the dime depicting President Franklin D. Roosevelt so valuable is a missing 'S' mint mark for San Francisco, one of just two without the mark known to exist. The other one sold at a 2019 auction for $456,000.

recycled life jacket made into a bag — Credit: B2L

Bag to Life

United Airlines is pioneering a new form of sustainable fashion with handbags made from recycled life jackets. In a bold move towards environmental sustainability, United Airlines has launched an innovative partnership with upcycling company Bag To Life (B2L) to transform thousands of recycled life jackets into fashionable and functional handbags.

UK Green Energy Boost

A record number of green energy projects have secured funding in the UK’s latest renewable energy auction. What’s set to be Europe’s largest wind farm is among the projects supported by the £1.5 billion auction. It is expected to bring forward a record-breaking amount of renewable energy - enough to power around 11m homes - at below the cost of gas-fired power.

Fair Competition Wins

In potentially good news for consumers from now on, Europe's top court has ruled Google must pay a €2.4bn ($2.65bn) fine for abusing the market dominance of its shopping comparison service. The tech giant had appealed against the fine, which was originally levied by the European Commission in 2017. It brings an end to a long-running case that was first brought in 2009, and one of the complainants called the ruling "a win for fair competition and consumer choice".

Front Street Station restaurant, Greenport, NY — Front Street Station.

Random Act of Kindness

In a heartwarming display of generosity, a customer at a restaurant in Greenport, New York, made an extraordinary gesture that left both diners and staff speechless. On an otherwise typical evening, this kind-hearted individual quietly paid the bill for every table in the restaurant, spreading joy and gratitude throughout the room. "Last night, a selfless customer took the initiative to pay for every table's meals, creating a ripple effect of gratitude and warmth!" wrote the owner of Front Street Station on social media. Adding that the anonymous benefactor had no desire for recognition, choosing to leave the restaurant before anyone could thank him personally.

“Give yourself permission to make mistakes. Those mistakes are as valuable as the triumphs.” Lauren Graham

On This Day

11 September 1941: Construction began on the Pentagon, in Arlington county, Virginia; becoming the world's largest office building in the world for over eight decades. It is the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Surat Diamond Bourse in western India is now the world's largest office building.