OGN Friday
- Editor OGN Daily
- 6 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Wrapping up the week with an eclectic global collection of upbeat news nuggets.
Quip Comes True
Muhammad Ali once joked that he should be a postage stamp because “that’s the only way I’ll ever get licked.” Now, the three-time heavyweight champion’s quip is becoming reality. Widely regarded as the most famous and influential boxer of all time, and a cultural force who fused athletic brilliance with political conviction and showmanship, Ali is being honored for the first time with a commemorative U.S. postage stamp. “As sort of the guardian of his legacy, I’m thrilled. I’m excited. I’m ecstatic,” Lonnie Ali, the champ’s wife of nearly 30 years, told The Associated Press.
'Great Comet of 2026'
We may only be two weeks into the new year, but a new comet is already leading the charge to become the "Great Comet" of 2026. The highly anticipated ice ball, which could potentially be seen with the naked eye, will reach its closest point to us less than four months from now. Recently discovered Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) will make its closest approach to the sun and Earth in late April and could potentially end up being the brightest comet of the year. Astronomers don't yet know how brightly the comet will shine during its solar flyby, but if it is looking promising, OGN will be sure to keep you updated.
Canadian Boycott
In 2024, when Trump started threatening Canada with “economic force” to compel it into becoming the 51st state, plus various tariffs, Canadians decided they weren't happy and started to boycott American goods. Particularly, it seems, booze. The consequence of the commercial snub has been an astonishing success for patriotic Canadians, resulting in a 91 percent slide in sales of American wine to Canada, when it was the U.S.’s number one export market. Spirits are down 56 percent. Today, just 20 percent of Canadians think it is time to back away from this commitment, with 73 percent remaining in favor of holding the line, according to a Nanos Research Group poll for Bloomberg.
By The Numbers
100: Percent of basic food needs able to be met in Gaza, the first time since October 2023.
2029: Predicted year heat pumps will outsell ACs in the US, given current rates.
$1.8B: Value of the clean energy deal just signed by Egypt, an (ambitious) attempt to reach 42 percent renewable energy in its electricity mix by 2030.
Wind Gets Go Ahead
A US federal judge has cleared the Danish offshore wind developer Ørsted to resume work on its nearly finished Revolution Wind project, which Donald Trump’s administration halted along with four other projects last month. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, where they take renewable energy seriously...
Most Powerful Ever
The world’s first 20 megawatt (MW) wind turbine was successfully installed in the waters off China's coast, marking yet another major milestone for the renewable energy industry. It has three blades that are 482 feet (147 m) long and sweep an area of 10 football fields. The turbine rotor sits about 570 feet (174 m) above water level. When connected to the grid, the single 20 MW turbine is expected to generate 80 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. This is sufficient to power 40,000 households while helping save 64,000 tons of carbon emissions that would be released if this energy were generated by burning fossil fuels such as coal.
"I ought to be jealous of the tower. She is more famous than I am." Gustave Eiffel
On This Day
16 January 1992: Eric Clapton performs Unplugged for an episode of MTV at Bray Film Studios in Windsor, England. Recording won six Grammy Awards, and became Clapton's bestselling album, and the bestselling live album of all time
Today's Articles
Bizarre Coincidence: Unrestored 1956 Mercedes-Benz 'Gullwing’ is heading to auction with a remarkable back-story.
Powerful New Tool: Matthew McConaughey, and others, are using trademarks to fight AI fakes and stop them in their tracks.
Mood Boosting Video
Special Trailer: Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' - reimagining Homer’s epic as a mind-bending odyssey through memory, myth, and time.
