Eclectic global round up of tasty bite-sized chunks of positive news.
Trailblazer
Theresa M. Claiborne, the first Black female pilot in the U.S. Air Force, and then a captain on United Airlines, is retiring after flying for more than four decades - but she’s not done with aviation just yet. Claiborne is now on a mission to support and mentor future Black pilots through her nonprofit Sisters of the Skies. “If they can see it, they can be it,” she said.
Indie Book Stores
Membership in the American Booksellers Association continued its years-long revival. It now stands at 2,433, with more than 200 new stores opening in 2023. Similar numbers are projected to open over the next two years, according to the ABA.
Oops!
In a major black eye for the manufacturer, sharp-eyed sleuths at Digital Camera World have caught Panasonic red-handed using an image taken on a Nikon camera on the product page for its latest release, the Panasonic Lumix S9. It gets worse. Not only was the image taken on a Nikon camera, it was taken by a former Nikon ambassador. Could the launch of a new camera be any more of a screw up? In the interest of fairness, the product page does contain the text "Images and illustrations are for illustrative purposes only." But all the same.
The End of Polio
Thanks to effective vaccination campaigns using two types of vaccines as well as improved access to clean water and sanitation, polio is close to being eradicated. In the 1980s, there were as many as 400,000 cases of polio globally - that number has declined to 4,000 in the last few years. That improvement has meant millions of children won’t experience lifelong paralysis. New vaccines are being administered to address the remaining cases - hopefully closing the chapter on polio globally once and for all.
Doing The Rounds
A replica of a 17th century Spanish tall ship is on its 2024 tour around Europe, and has just anchored in a harbour in Norfolk, south east England. Displayed on board the Galeón Andalucía, which has six decks and has been described as a floating museum, is the history of similar vessels which would have taken a lead role in establishing trade routes during that time period. The boat features more than 9687 sq ft (900 sq metres) of sail and is 162 ft (49m) long and 33 ft (10m) wide. The boat was constructed by the Nao Victoria Foundation and since its launch in 2009 has sailed 80,500 miles (129,552km) across the world.
Home Alone
The house famously used when Kevin McCallister was left Home Alone at Christmas in 1990 is on sale. The five-bed, six-bathroom mansion in Winnetka, Illinois has been put on the market for a whopping $5.25m. The house, described by the American estate agents, Zillow, as "one of the most famous houses in the world", also features two living rooms, a large kitchen, a three-car garage and the "unforgettable staircase" which a 10-year-old Macaulay Culkin rode down on a sledge. Tempted?
Automobile Art
Ethiopian-born American artist Julie Mehretu is on a roll. In October 2023, one of her paintings sold for US$9.3 million with another fetching $10.7 million in November 2023. Though she had been "the most likely to succeed" for three decades, her work has now moved her name into the pantheon of African, women's and indeed all art. In 2024, one of her near priceless artworks might win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. When BMW came knocking, looking to create additional buzz around their entry at this year's Le Mans, Julie's decision to use her recently created Everywhen (2021-23) is the first time an important painting has been adapted to an automobile. Everywhen is currently being exhibited at Palazzo Grassi in Venice, after which it will find a permanent home at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
On This Day
30 May 1922: The Lincoln Memorial - honouring Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, and “the virtues of tolerance, honesty, and constancy in the human spirit” - was dedicated in Washington, D.C.
Today's Articles
Hilarious Scandal: A town is reeling from a scandal which has the rest of France shaking its head in collective bemusement and amusement.
'White Dragon' Satellite: Clouds are said to be the least understood aspect of our climate. Now scientists are set to discover a great deal more.
Benefits of Saying No: If you find yourself overwhelmed by all of your commitments, this article is for you.
Dog Rings Door Bell: When a rescue dog found herself lost in her new neighborhood, she cleverly figured out the best way to get help.
Mood Boosting Video
Cheese Rolling: Is this the world's craziest race?