Today's eclectic bundle of good news nuggets from around the world.
Children’s Art Gallery
The Children’s Art Gallery in Lagos is a social enterprise that encourages young Nigerians, particularly those from low-income families, into the arts. The gallery spans two floors and its walls are covered in paintings and drawings by children aged between four and 17. Not only does the enterprise encourage creativity in children, it also helps them sell their work to build a better life for themselves. Eleven-year-old Fiyinfoluwa Adeniji made 1m naira ($650) from the sale of two paintings last year and hopes he will be able to sell his latest collection of landscape paintings. The gallery accepts submissions from any child who has permission from their parent or guardian. Last year TCAG generated $40,000 from the sale of the children’s art to buyers from around the world, with at least 80 percent of the proceeds going to the artist.
Cheetah Cubs
India’s cheetah reintroduction programme just celebrated the birth of five cubs in Kuno National Park. This takes the tally of Indian born cubs to 13. This is the fourth cheetah litter on Indian soil since the beginning of the programme, and the first litter by a South African cheetah in India. This is a really big milestone, especially after the programme's difficult start, says Times of India.
Great Progress
New figures released by the UN reveal the global under-five mortality rate has declined by 51 percent since 2000, reaching an all-time low. Some countries such as Cambodia, Malawi, Mongolia, and Rwanda have successfully reduced under-five mortality rate by over 75 percent over the time period. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell praised the dedicated efforts of midwives, health workers and community health workers, whose commitment has contributed to the remarkable decline.
I Am Not A Typo
Do spellcheckers think your name is a typo? If so, you’re not alone. Research shows that 41 percent of the most popular recent UK names are routinely flagged as errors. Now a campaign - I Am Not A Typo - is calling on tech giants to ‘correct autocorrect’ in the name of equality. “Our names are the most important words in our lives - part of our identity,” wrote those behind the campaign. It’s up to the arbiters of that technology to fix it.”
Russia's Election
"Sir, I have good news and bad news," announced one of Putin's ministers, shuffling nervously. Putin sighed and asked to be told the bad news. "The bad news is that no-one voted for you in the election." Putin stood, his face flushed with anger. "Well, what's the good news?" The minister cowered before answering: "You won anyway!"
Rhino Relocation
Conservationists in Kenya are celebrating as rhinos were returned to a grassy plateau that hasn’t seen them in decades. The successful move of 21 eastern black rhinos to a new home will give them space to breed and could help increase the population of the critically endangered animals. It was Kenya’s biggest rhino relocation ever. The rhinos were taken from three parks that are becoming overcrowded to the Loisaba Conservancy, where herds were wiped out by poaching. “It’s been decades since rhinos roamed here, almost 50 years ago,” said Loisaba security manager Daniel Ole Yiankere. “Now, our focus is on rejuvenating this landscape and allowing rhinos to breed, aiming to restore their population to its former splendour.”
Star Wars Minted
The Millennium Falcon has landed on a 50p coin in the latest collectable Star Wars series from the UK's Royal Mint. The coin depicts a silhouette of the fictional starship and the Rebel Alliance Starbird symbol, which is revealed when it tilts in the light. Other coins launching in 2024 will feature the TIE Fighter, X-Wing, and Death Star II. The Mint first released a series of Star Wars coins last year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Return of the Jedi.
UK / US Cancer Success
Cancer deaths in middle-aged adults have fallen by a third in the UK since 1993, despite cases of cancer rising. That’s according to a Cancer Research UK study, which showed that mortality rates had dropped by 37 percent in men and by 33 percent in women in the UK. The decline recorded in the UK mirrors that of the US, where cancer death rates have also fallen by a third since 1991.
“How would your Tuesday be different if you conducted yourself with complete love and consideration?” Byron Pulsifer
On This Day
19 March 1881: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed the Standard Time Act, which established Daylight Saving Time in the United States; the legislation also gave the federal government oversight of the country's time zones.
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Mood Booster
Cillian Murphy's mother's surprising response to his Oscar nomination news.