OGN Monday

Editor OGN Daily
5 hours ago
4 min read

Kick-starting the week with a global collection of upbeat news stories.

Paul McCartney taking a picture of himself in a mirror — Credit: Paul McCartney

Early Beatles Snaps

A collection of photographs taken by Paul McCartney when the Beatles were on the brink of global stardom are to be shown in an exhibition that sheds light on intimate moments as the group first experienced fame. Rearview Mirror: Liverpool-London-Paris, which opens at Gagosian in London on 28 August, features shots taken by the singer-songwriter during late 1963 after the release of the Beatles’ first album, and early 1964 as they travelled to the US. Joshua Chuang, the director of photography at Gagosian, said the images captured the Beatles before the all-consuming fame of a few months later. “When Paul is most prolific when using his camera parallels the time in which they actually had time. When they weren’t so overwhelmed by being so overexposed and in demand,” Chuang said.

new species of stick insect looking remarkably like a large twig in a tree — Credit: Ross M. Coupland

"Walking Sticks"

Scientists in Australia say they’ve found a new species of stick insect in the remote rainforests of northern Queensland, and it may be the heaviest insect in the country. Stick insects, also known as walking sticks, blend into their surroundings by looking like twigs. At about 15.75 inches long, the new species, named Acrophylla alta and described in the journal Zootaxa, looks like a pretty massive twig. The longest known stick insects, however, can grow more than 20 inches - but even they are lighter than the recently discovered species. The “supersized” A. alta weighs around 1.6 ounces (44 grams), or slightly less than a golf ball. “From what we know to date, this is Australia’s heaviest insect,” says study co-author Angus Emmott, a researcher at James Cook University in Australia.

Lord of The Rings

Our solar system’s resident ring-bearer Saturn will be visible with its iconic rings tonight and tomorrow - allowing stargazers to see the flat undersurface rather than just the band. It’s the first time in 15 years that the southern face of Saturn’s rings will reach a tilt of 3 degrees. It will be visible from Earth through a basic telescope, and the perfect opportunity for introducing newbies or children to the majesty of Saturn.

Small white vial containing eye drops — Improves near vision in adults

New Eye Drops

The first aceclidine-based eye drop to improve near vision in adults with presbyopia, which affects more than 100 million adults in the US alone, has been approved by the FDA - and will be available within three months. Known as VIZZ, the drops are an aceclidine ophthalmic solution that effectively treats presbyopia in adults. The once-daily drops offer relief from blurry near vision for up to 10 hours.

Malaria-Free

Two decades after the Timor-Leste government prioritized fighting malaria, the World Health Organization has certified the country free of the disease. This is a "significant milestone" and "proves malaria can be stopped in its tracks" when there's "strong political will," sustained investment and committed health care workers, said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Timor-Leste is the third Southeast Asian country to be declared malaria-free, after the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

Police officer disguised as Smokey Bear — Credit: Wilton Simpson | Facebook

Smokey Bear Takedown

In what might be one of the most creative arrests ever in Florida, a man accused of stealing Smokey Bear signs from state forests and selling them online for $1,900 each got a surprise he didn’t see coming: Smokey Bear himself showed up for the takedown. According to Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the suspect allegedly traveled from Pensacola to Orlando, swiping the iconic signs from protected forest areas and listing them on Facebook Marketplace. Naturally, law enforcement wasn’t amused - but they were definitely creative. When law enforcement officers caught up with the man, they didn’t just slap on the cuffs… they brought Smokey Bear along for the arrest.

China & EU Unite

Chinese and EU leaders have shaken hands on fast-tracking the green energy transition. A joint climate statement reaffirmed China and the EU’s commitment to the Paris agreement, calling it the “cornerstone of international climate cooperation”. The two sides also pledged to accelerate the deployment of renewables infrastructure and lead the way on global efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. “Green is the defining color of China-EU cooperation,” they said.

"Okay, it's Monday but who said Mondays have to suck? Be a rebel and have a great day anyway." Kimberly Jiménez

On This Day

11 August 1984: At the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Carl Lewis became the third track-and-field athlete to win four gold medals in one Olympics, joining fellow Americans Alvin Kraenzlein (1900) and Jesse Owens (1936). His accomplishments have led to numerous accolades, including being voted "Sportsman of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee.