🐸 Hilarious Animal Photo Contest

Good morning. It’s been a week full of inspiration and delight. From the world’s funniest wildlife photos bringing smiles to faces everywhere, to new research showing that just a little less sitting can boost your health, there’s plenty to lift your spirits.

We celebrate Natalie Grabow, who became the oldest woman to finish the Ironman World Championship after learning to swim at 59, proving it’s never too late to chase big dreams.

And in the world of clean energy, a breakthrough iron-air battery powered by rust could make renewable power more reliable and accessible.

🎧 P.S. Don’t miss today’s new episode of Good News To Go, your 5-minute boost of joy on the move.

—Stephanie S

The Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have unveiled their 2025 finalists, showcasing a delightful array of funny and heartwarming animal photos from around the globe. This year saw nearly 10,000 entries from 108 countries, all competing for top prizes, including a safari adventure.

Finalists include playful gorillas, elephants playing peek-a-boo, and birds caught in comical moments. Each image is authentic, with no digital manipulation allowed, celebrating both humor and the beauty of wildlife.

The contest was founded to promote conservation through laughter and joy. Winners will be announced December 9, followed by a London exhibition.

At 80, Natalie Grabow became the oldest woman to finish the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. She learned to swim at 59, then completed a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon, outlasting many younger competitors.

Natalie’s journey began after a career in software and a late start in athletics. She found running in adulthood and taught herself to swim at her local YMCA.

Her story is a testament to grit and gratitude. Natalie hopes her achievement inspires others to push beyond their limits and embrace new challenges at any age.

Iron-air batteries, powered by rust, could transform energy storage by using only iron, water, and air. Developed by Form Energy, these batteries are made from abundant, low-cost materials and do not use rare-earth metals.

A pilot project in Minnesota showed the technology can power 400 homes for 100 hours, meeting high safety standards. The batteries are also sourced mainly from within the US.

Innovations like this are key to making renewable energy more reliable and sustainable.

Cutting just 30 minutes of sitting each day can boost your energy and metabolism, new research finds. Even light activity, like standing or short walks, helps your body use fats and carbs more efficiently.

The study focused on inactive adults at risk for heart disease and diabetes. Those who reduced their sitting time saw improvements in metabolic health.

Small changes add up. If you’re usually sedentary, standing more often can make a real difference in your well-being.

🚶‍♀️ USA: A study found that older women who walk just 4,000 steps one or two days a week can significantly lower their risk of heart disease and live longer.

🐘 UK: Scientists have developed a vaccine against the deadly herpesvirus, marking a breakthrough in protecting elephants from their leading cause of death.

🏰 Egypt: Archaeologists have unearthed a remarkably well-preserved 3,500-year-old fortress in the Sinai Desert.

🌊 UK: An English fisherman has invented a way to recycle discarded plastic fishing nets into filament for 3D printers.

🎶 Nebraska: A 95-year-old man started a Taylor Swift fan club at his retirement home, drawing nationwide support from fellow Swifties.

— Voltaire

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

💦 Solar Irrigation: Solar-powered water pumps are helping farmers irrigate fields without fossil fuels.

🚐 Mobile Clinics: Global mobile clinics are bringing essential healthcare to underserved populations.

🌳 Tree Maps: Urban tree mapping apps are encouraging residents to care for and plant more trees.

🎨 Community Art: Community art programs are revitalizing neighborhoods and fostering local pride.

📖 Medical Guides: Open-source medical guides are giving remote clinics access to life-saving procedures.

Spread a little good news, and good things come back your way.

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