Positive News Saturday

Editor OGN Daily
29 minutes ago
3 min read

What better way to start the weekend than with a collection of positive news stories?

Rome's Colosseum illuminated at night — Credit: Youtube

"Rock With Moderation"

Rock singers could soon be playing at Rome's Colosseum, its new director has indicated. Simone Quilici hopes the amphitheatre, which once played host to tens of thousands of ancient Romans cheering on gladiator battles, will soon be a venue for "international artists". But only of a certain kind. Mr Quilici says that he is keen to avoid "rowdy" crowds, which is why he envisions only inviting an older generation of rock stars (and their attendant fan base) whose wild days were long behind them. Or "rock with moderation," as he put it.

Perfect Timing

Say hello to Jackie - short for Jack-o’-Lantern! This 1-in-30-million calico lobster made her debut at Northeastern University’s marine science center just in time for Halloween with her spook-tacular orange and black shell.

Debt Eliminated

In North Carolina, more than 2.5 million people will soon be the recipients of some very good news, as they will have their medical debt - totaling over $6.5 billion - eliminated, thanks to a partnership between the state government and the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, reports Associated Press. That’s a financial burden relieved for nearly a quarter of North Carolina’s residents.

Standing Together

Nearly every U.S. news organization declined to sign a new Pentagon media policy that “threatens core journalistic protections,” says NBC News. The policy said reporters could have their press passes revoked if they published information that had not been authorized for release by the Pentagon, even if the information is unclassified.

'Committee for the First Amendment’ Relaunched: In today's world, people are understandably worried about their First Amendment rights. Jane Fonda and others are endeavouring to use their power and influence to fight to protect free speech.

“white corals” that flourish in cold, dark depths — White corals | Credit: Redress

New to Science Reef

At a time when there’s no shortage of headlines about coral reefs disappearing, here’s a different story: A new-to-science reef was recently found alive and well in an unexpected place - deep in the Mediterranean Sea. About 6 feet wide and 260 feet tall along a vertical wall, the large coral reef was discovered in the Dohrn Canyon off the coast of Naples, Italy, via a remotely operated submarine. But unlike the bright colours people usually think of when they hear “coral reef,” this one is mainly made up of “white corals” that flourish in cold, dark depths - not to be confused with bleached reefs. "Their discovery represents a fundamental step towards understanding the ecological role of deep-sea coral habitats and their distribution, especially with a view to protection and restoration efforts," a researcher told Economia del Mare.

New Record

The global race to decarbonise the roads stepped up a gear in September, which smashed records for the number of electric vehicles (EVs) sold. Some 2.1 million EVs were purchased globally last month - the highest monthly total on record - according to research firm Rho Motion.

A sports columnist recalled the story of a flight attendant who asked Muhammad Ali to fasten his seat belt. Ali replied, “Superman don’t need no seat belt.” The flight attendant’s retort: “Superman don’t need no airplane either.”

On This Day

17 October 1979: Mother Teresa was named the recipient of that year's Nobel Prize for Peace. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, known the world over as Mother Teresa, was an Albanian-born Indian citizen who abided by her religious faith of Roman Catholicism to serve the unwanted, unloved and uncared people of the world. One of the greatest humanitarians of the 20th century, she led all her life serving the poorest of the poor.