OGN Wednesday
- Mar 25
- 4 min read
Mid-week global selection of positive news nuggets to perk up the day.
Women's History
The National Women’s History Museum has announced that three-time Academy Award winning actor Meryl Streep has made a significant seven-figure gift to advance the future of women’s history. Streep’s donation represents a deep commitment to elevating women’s stories and will accelerate the Museum’s efforts to ensure that women’s contributions are fully recognized, taught, and remembered. One of the Museum’s earliest and most steadfast supporters, Streep’s investment reflects her enduring belief in the power of amplifying women’s voices and shaping a bolder, more equitable future through history.
Yet More Proof
After documenting the consumption of tea and coffee by 130,000 healthcare professionals for a staggering 43 years, the resulting data seems to support what many other studies have found: that coffee is associated with better neurological health. The strongest effects were seen in participants who drank 2-3 cups of caffeinated coffee or 1-2 cups of tea per day. Exceeding this range didn’t seem to extend the benefits any further, but also didn’t register as a detriment to health.
The Numerous Health Benefits of Coffee: From protecting your heart to warding off Alzheimer’s and cancer, your daily caffeine hit is more powerful than you realise.
Fun Fashion Shoot
Residents at a senior care home were left feeling 20 years younger after posing for a photoshoot wearing high-fashion wigs and colourful clothing. They were treated to the glam-up session thanks to the facility’s ‘Lifestyle Team’ who were inspired by a video on social media. Providing an outrageous wardrobe of flower-studded wigs, sunglasses, hats and giant pearls, the photo shoot had the 72 residents abuzz with excitement. Centenarian Hilda Howes said it provided a new lease of life. “I loved it, they made me look 80, instead of 100! It was so much fun to dress up in all the bright clothes.”
Magnum P.I.
There has been no shortage of Ferrari models starring in TV shows. Yet none is as iconic as the targa-topped 308 GTS driven by actor Tom Selleck in the hugely popular 1980s television series Magnum P.I., set in sunny Hawaii. Now, one of the very first 308s to appear in the hit detective drama, a 1979 example, is crossing the auction block at Barrett-Jackson‘s upcoming sale in Palm Beach, Florida. While an estimated 15 Ferrari 308 cars were used during the show’s 163-episode run, this example is arguably one of, if not the, most collectible. That’s because it was driven by Selleck in the original Magnum P.I. pilot episode, amusingly titled Don’t Eat the Snow in Hawaii, and the subsequent first season.
Common Sense
Developers will be required to install solar panels and heat pumps in all new homes in England from 2028 as part of updated planning requirements published by the British government. It also said plug-in panels that homeowners can self-install on balconies would be available in supermarkets in the coming months. These small versions of the green tech are already deployed across Europe (particularly in Germany - and are now also permitted in Utah with many more US states set to follow) but are not currently sold in the UK due to safety regulations.
Will It, Won't It?
NASA's giant Moon rocket has returned to its launch pad for a second time, ahead of a mission to send astronauts around the Moon - something not attempted in more than 50 years. The 98m tall Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft made a four mile journey from their assembly building to Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The move comes after a problem with the rocket's helium system forced Nasa to abandon a launch attempt in March and return the vehicle indoors for repairs. Engineers say the issue has now been fixed and hope that a series of final tests at the pad will confirm the rocket is ready for an early‑April launch window.
“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself; I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.” Groucho Marx
On This Day
25 March 1436: Florence Cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore), started in 1296, is consecrated by Pope Eugene IV. Designed by Filippo Brunelleschi with support from Cosimo de' Medici, it features the largest dome in the world at the time. See video below.
Today's Articles
First Time Ever: Artemis II astronauts will be the first humans to get a full view of the Moon's strange bullseye.
Mood Boosting Video
In 1418, Filippo Brunelleschi was tasked with building the largest dome ever seen at the time. He had no formal architecture training.
