Today's Positive News
- Editor OGN Daily
- May 11, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: May 20, 2023
Worldwide collection of uplifting news nuggets to brighten the day.
Conservation Success
Happy 50th anniversary to one of the great conservation success stories of the 20th century, Project Puffin. In 1973, biologist Steve Kress and the Audubon Society began the world’s first restoration of a seabird to an island where humans had killed it off. Today, thanks to their efforts, more than 1,300 pairs of puffins now nest across four little islands off the coast of Maine.
Acts of Kindness
A new international study by researchers (from UCLA, Australia, Ecuador, Germany, the Netherlands and the Uk) looking at human behaviour in multiple cultures has shown that small acts of kindness are frequent and universal. People make small requests for help from others every few minutes, and these are granted seven times more often than declined, and six times more often than they are ignored, reports Science Daily. "When we zoom in on the micro level of social interaction, cultural difference mostly goes away, and our species' tendency to give help when needed becomes universally visible," says Giovanni Rossi, Assistant Professor of Sociology, UCLA.
Earth in 3D
Current satellite imagery provides a 2D view of the planet, but now NUVIEW, a space research and technology company based in Florida, has announced that it will soon be able to capture and map the entire surface of the Earth in 3D. The company is building a constellation of satellites, using LiDAR technology, which will collect data ‘more than 100 times faster than current commercial aerial solutions.’
Muppets are Back
In good news for those looking for a spot of nostalgia or families in need of some more screen entertainment, the hairy, colourful entertainers are back. In this new Disney+ series, The Muppet Show’s house band are trying to record a new album - and they’re on raucously fun form. This is a family show and there are plenty of hijinks to keep young children entertained, while throwing in lots of other gags for the older ones - and a few that only parents will fully appreciate.
US Worker Boost
Good news for the American economy: The Financial Times reports that immigration is back after a multi-year period of decline due to Trump-era policies and the pandemic. Over the past two and a half years, immigration into the US labour market has increased by four million workers. More than 900,000 immigrants became citizens last year, the third-highest on record and the most in any year since 2008.
Environmental Victory
Environmental groups in Canada are celebrating after forcing Chevron to relinquish 19 offshore exploration permits granted 50 years ago within one of the country's most diverse marine ecosystems. According to EcoJustice, the victory protects globally-unique glass sponge reefs and critical seabird habitats.
“The benefit of the doubt is the most precious commodity in politics.” John Major
On this Day
11 May 330: Constantine I dedicated Byzantium (Constantinople; now Istanbul) as the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, an act that helped transform it into a leading city of the world.
Dolly Parton has announced a genre switch to rock music, and has tapped what will surely be the starriest supporting cast for any album this year. Rock'n'Roll...
Wouldn't it be great to park and summon a robotic charging device to power up your car? Well, it's happening soon...
Mood Booster
Plane Lands on Helipad: It's just 75 feet across and several hundred feet above the sea.